Our Romantic Yearly Trip To Carmel + Kid

Every year between Christmas and New Year's Eve, Chris and I take a trip up to Carmel. It is a trip that we both look forward to every year because the drive is so beautiful and we spend the time reminiscing about the year past and what we hope for the future. This year, the fruits of a past discussion accompanied us and the trip was no less wonderful.

Ashley was a pretty good sport about being stuck in a car seat for so many hours. She slept most of the way and only awoke when we pulled into the Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley. Chris and I had our usual dinner at Wickets Bistro as Ashley snoozed in her seat next to us. In the morning, Ashley enjoyed the comfy bed before heading into Carmel for the day. (This picture cracks me up!!)



After our usual lunch at Tommy's Wok (I have dreams about the Mu Shu Chicken!), we bundled her up in the Bjorn and cruised around the town. It was pretty cold! (For you readers back East, that means in the 40's!)



Of course, there had to be a little child abuse before getting back into the car!



Some of our best pictures together have been in Carmel, so naturally we had to take some with Ashley along the beautiful coastline.




The trip was just as fabulous as always. This little cutie pie has just fit right into our lives seamlessly. I can't imagine being without her.

Ashley's 1st Christmas

Ashley's first Christmas was so much fun! She was dressed in her Christmas best, of course! We were so lucky to have Gigi, Papa, Grammy, Grandpa, Auntie Jenny & Uncle Chris and the Swanson's here to celebrate! Christmas Eve brought the Feast of the Seven Fishes. An Italian feast that we decided to embrace as our tradition going forward. The table, food and company were magical!





Christmas Day brought tons of presents. Ashley was so spoiled by her grandparents, aunts & uncles and cousins! (Note the cute Christmas pants!)


After a lovely dinner with the grandparents, we went to sleep - exhausted from all the festivities. The next morning, we headed up to Carmel for our yearly trip! Stay tuned for pics from the trip!

Mr. and Mrs. Claus

Baby Cousin Sylas was here for a visit this weekend! It was so fun to finally meet him and give Cara a big hug. (She looks FANTASTIC, by the way! Not that it would surprise you!) Ashley and Sylas are going to have so much fun growing up together - only 20 days apart! Sylas is such a mellow, laid back kid. What a hunk! I can hear Ashley's friends now, "Ash, when is your cousin Sy coming to visit again?!"


Cara and I had a blast abusing our kids...enjoy!




Mrs. Claus taking a little winter nap!

Lights! Camera! Action!

Ashley attended her first commercial shoot on Friday. I filled in for my boss because he was in a pinch with some scheduling conflicts. I was a little worried about bringing a baby to the set. Does, "Quiet on the set!" sound familiar?! But I was pleasantly surprised (and proud) that she was the perfect angel! Not a peep the whole 12 hour day! She was the toast of the shoot and everyone wanted to hold her and talk to her. At the end of the day, people were saying, "We should always have a baby on the set! It brings such a sense of zen!"

Here are some pics of the budding Director...
That's Ashley all the way to the right in the purple hat!

I'm Really Going To Miss This...

I think we found Ashley's nanny today. It was our first interview, but Claudia was so warm and friendly and Ashley really seemed to respond to her. Not to mention that she fell asleep in her arms.

It seems funny to me that I started this blog to chronicle my life after the birth of my first child. It really isn't about me anymore. It has become about us. What a self-centered, fantastic and rewarding life I had before she arrived. There is no more time to be self-centered. Much like this blog, it really isn't about me... But now, I feel a love and a joy in my heart that I never could have imagined.

I feel so sad to think that I will be leaving her to go back to work in January. Someone else will be watching over her everyday while I am at work and that kills me a little inside. For the first time in my life, I really feel like I don't know what the right decision is ... I only hope that she feels safe and secure and loved, no matter what.

As my best friend Heather said to me after Ashley was born, "Welcome to a lifetime of worry and guilt."

Jolly 'Ole St. Nick (and Ash!)

Today was Ashley's first visit to see Santa Claus! We met my friend Ann and her one year old daughter Kate at South Coast Plaza and were the 3rd people in line! Thank Goodness, because by the time we were done, the line was a mile long! Ashley was sound asleep when I got her out of the car, so I was able to sneak her little red shoes on before she noticed! (Not that I think she would have cared!)

As we were standing in line, I looked at over at Santa and said to Ann, "Oh look at that poor mom. Her kid is freaking out so she has to be in the picture!" It was Kate's turn next and look what happened...


I don't know why this picture is posting so small, but it cracks me up! It is so cute! Thanks Ann, for letting me post this!

Ashley was up next and plopped right down with Santa - as snug as a bug! I am pretty sure you only get one year of calmness before Santa starts to freak them out! We will take what we can get! Happy Holidays!

A Room Fit For A Princess

I know I posted pics of Ashley's room before she was born, but there was so much more that we wanted to do with it. For one, Chris kept saying, "The only thing I want are letters spelling her name over her crib." (He also suggested a plasma TV, but I really didn't think that request was necessary!)

Then, I was talking with Mor Mor (Grandma Chris, Oma...we still don't know what we are calling her!) and she suggested "Death By Toile!" Well, not really, but I guess you can never have too much toile. So, I ordered the fabric and we planned and schemed around ideas for the room.

Over two visits, she single-handedly made and hung the canopy and curtains for Ashley's room! I would come upstairs in the morning to find her in her silk pajamas on the ladder, using the drill! Honestly, I don't know how she has so much energy! But I am sure glad she does! Here is a picture of Ashley's "DESIGNER" room! It is absolutely FABULOUS!!! (Oh, and that's not a doll on the chair ... that's Ashley!)



Here is a picture of what the canopy looks like...it got cut off in the picture above!