July 4, 2015

Photo by Bob Cho

Photo by Bob Cho

Photo by Bob Cho

Photo by Bob Cho

Looks like we've begun an annual tradition of heading to my parents' house for a 4th of July get together. Last year, Ava was so tiny and wanted me to hold her the whole time. This year, she was right in the mix with the older kids. Leah just finished taking swimming lessons the day before, and it was so amazing to see her swimming independently in the water. I was so proud of her! We had a great time celebrating our nation's independence with food, fun, and great friends.

Happy 4th of July!!

Hot Hot Hot!

Grand Park DTLA {Photo by Bob Cho}

Grand Park DTLA {Photo by Bob Cho}

Jumping in the pool! {Photo by Bob Cho}

Water table fun!

Waterslide Birthday Parties!

Learning to dive into the pool!

It's been toasty this summer in LA, and we've been trying to do as much as possible to stay cool. We've spent time at Grand Park in Downtown LA, took swimming lessons, and have now been swimming twice a week! When we want to stay at home, we've been busting out the kiddie pool and water table. While I'm looking forward to some cooler weather, I'm a little nervous what El Nino will bring. Hope everyone is able to beat the heat!

Mini Apron Squad Launch Party

Delicious catering from HeirloomLA

Would love to have my backyard look like this!

A chicken coop!

Photo by Bob Cho

We had the amazing opportunity to attend the mini apron launch party for Hedley & Bennett. The party was held at founder and designer Ellen Bennet's beautiful home which was filled with delicious food, treats, and activities for the little ones to enjoy. H&B aprons are taking over the world with their stylish designs and attention to detail, and these mini aprons are just crazy cute! Leah's been interested in helping me cook lately, so we've been getting a lot of use out of these aprons! Or maybe I've just been forcing her to help so that I could make her wear it. ;)

*all photos by Mary Costa unless noted in caption

Mother's Day 2015

Celebrating at Leah's school

Handmade cards

It feels so weird to think that this is my 4th Mother's day! While I love that there is a special day to honor mothers {and those who fill the role as a mother} everywhere, I also use this day to be thankful for these precious gifts I've received. We had a pretty low key day hanging out at my brother's house with my parents and niece and nephew. I got the cutest handmade cards, and I'm starting to get worried that I'm going to become a hoarder of Mother's Day cards!!  

San Francisco

During Leah's Spring Break, we decided to take a short trip to San Francisco. Ava was such a wiggle worm on the flight. She waved and played pee-a-boo to everyone around us. While it was entertaining for 10 minutes, it was also pretty exhausting! We stayed at the Omni San Francisco Hotel in downtown which was kid friendly but make sure to request a high floor to decrease some of the street traffic noise. Since we didn't rent a car, we wanted to make sure to be close to BART as well as some of the destinations we wanted to visit. 

For sure my favorite activity of the weekend was going to Mission Dolores Park. We hung out at the coolest playground, ordered food to go at Dolores Park Cafe and picnicked at the park, and then finished off the afternoon with ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery. 

Obsessed with otters

Walking with Daddy around the Ferry Building

We also spent a day visiting the San Francisco Bay's Aquarium  and the Ferry Building Marketplace. We enjoyed a really yummy meal at The Slanted Door, and it's so kid friendly! The kids gobbled up everything! 

Traveling with two kids has definitely been a whole new ballgame. I'm slowly but surely working on a blog post with things I've learned. Stay tuned! 

Ava's 1st Birthday Party!

We had a small birthday party for Ava at Amy's Playground in South Pasadena. I love this place because they literally take care of everything, and all I did show up with the cake. The price is pretty reasonable, but the only down-side is the number of kids included in the package is around 15. With most of our friends having 2 kids now, it can be pretty limiting on how many people you can invite or  it gets expensive fast for each additional kid. All the kids had a blast, and Ava seemed like she was totally enjoying herself. She wanted to play and crawl around most of the time, and she couldn't get enough of her cake which was made by the incredible Sweet and Saucy Shop! It was fun seeing our friends and family but of course it all happened so quickly!

Ava: 12 Months!!

Photo by Jennifer Young, Styling by Jihan Zencirli

Photo by Jennifer Young, Styling by Jihan Zencirli

What a bittersweet day! Ava turns 1 today! This year has gone by so fast, but I must admit that I have been more emotional and sentimental. Each milestone has been filled with some joy and some sadness. It's exciting to see her developing her own personality, but I also think how this will be the last time I see these newborn clothes, this is the last time I'll smell that sweet milky breath, this is the last time she'll play on this activity mat. Today I experienced my last nursing session {although I may squeeze one or two more in just for fun ;)}. I have prolonged nursing longer than she probably cares. Ava and Leah are so different. Leah was more cautious and shy as a baby. Ava loves to interact with people and will attempt to crawl/climb up or over anything. Here are her latest updates:

• She has another molar and canine coming in. Making it a total of 11 teeth! 
• She says "yeh" and "yum yum"
• Still loves food
• Plays peek-a-boo
• Stands up on her own
• Attempts to put clothes over her head and comb her hair
• Loves to open up drawers and cabinets and make a mess! We did not have to baby proof much with Leah, but Ava will be a different story

Dearest Little Ava: You are 1 today! We have been so blessed to have your joyful, smiling little face in our lives the past year. You bring us, and everyone in every store, line and seat next to us so many smiles. We love your sense of being simply happy and content. At 1 year you wave to us, stand up on your own, pull yourself up on everything, clear every shelf and table top and empty every cabinet. You are always on the go! You are also the best little eater- we joke that we have to treat you like another adult when we make or order food. I also like that our little "mommy's girl" is starting to open up to daddy more- teasing me when I tried to feed you today, giving me lots of boogery kisses, and making sure I am always following you when you crawl away. I am thankful for your first year and looking forward to every day of the next. I love you so much little girl.  Daddy.