2013 Review in September

So after 4 months of crunch time at my work, I finally have a chance to breathe. Of course, I spend the time editing photos and writing a blog; I suppose it's therapeutic. I have so much to catch up on, it's a trip. I enjoyed being so productive, but now that the 12-hour work days are over, the adrenaline is dying down and my body is in a bit of shock. Anyway, I suppose there will be several blogs over the next week or two, but here is a general overview of some highlights over the last 8 months (with the exception of my brother's wedding, which deserves a post in itself)!

My father-in-law, niece and nephew with 3-week-old Chet:

Chet's first playdate with a friend's baby, Addie. I think they like eachother...

Renee has come a couple times throughout the summer!

And a couple Getty visits as well... wine and snacks, art and gardens.

Lots of fun with Danny B

And a spring break visit from our inlaws. 

It was so special to see Audrey and Lukas' first time at the beach!

Last but not least, Chet's first plane ride to the bay area included a beautiful visit to Santa Cruz. 

What a gorgeous day!

Chet is here!

Wow, I'm a mom! So crazy, I still can't believe it. The labor and delivery went well, fast and extremely painful (no drugs! :\ ). Chet was 2 weeks late, so I had to be induced. I'll spare the details, but give you the stats:
Born 11:09pm on December 29th, 2012, Chet weighed 7 lbs 5 oz and was 19" long.

The last 4 weeks have been a complete whirlwind, and I am still delirious from the lack of sleep and emotionally exhausted from the difficulties breastfeeding. But one look at my little man makes it all worth it. Here's a few pics:

1 week old:

3 weeks old:

I never understood why parents no longer had any time. But now I know. When you nurse every 2-3 hours, and it takes about 45-60 minutes to nurse, you only have about 1-2 hours in between feedings to get anything done, including sleep. And when the longest you've slept at any given time is 1-3 hours for weeks and weeks... well, I'm sure you can imagine the deliriousness. But enough complaining... I mean, look at that precious face! I can't thank my family and friends enough for all the help we've received: meals cooked, errands run, tips given, house cleaned. We are truly blessed to have such a loving community. I am indeed a happy lady. 

It's DD!

I usually don't post about too many life events, try to keep the blog about fun things to do around LA and some neat photography and music. But it's December 16th, the official due date (DD), so pretty significant event, I would say. Most kiddos don't come on their due date, but hopefully he won't be too late. Here's my final belly shot: 10 weeks / 40 weeks

Summer so far...

I turned 30! (I mean 29, again)

My family came out and we had a big celebration.

We went to the final Clipper playoff game of the season.

 

And a Dodger game with some family and friends.

Hiking, of course.

 

Took a huge road trip to Vancouver and back, with stops in San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Lake Tahoe, and Nevada City.

Courtney and her baby Violet:

Wine festival with the ladies! Renee, Courtney and Abbie

Sam's finishing up the front yard. The brick pathway is incredible!

Music, of course.

Relaxing on the porch

Puzzles!

And last, but certainly not least, I'm going to have a son!

I'm 20 weeks pregnant (half way!) with Samuel Chet Gallagher; we'll be calling him by his middle name Chet. I'm so thrilled. When I saw that first ultrasound I was beaming ear to ear. I had no idea I could be so excited about becoming a parent. Life is indeed one wild ride after another. Here we go!!!

2011 recap

2011 recap

This past year was a good year. I've been attempting to eat healthy, working out 3-4 times a week, hiking about every other week, and doing yoga once a week. I've benefited a lot from attempting to be healthier. I've also been keeping up the creativity, mostly by working on the house, but also with other projects like photography, shooting footage for a music video (that still needs to be edited together), and sewing/crocheting projects. I took a bar-tending course with Sam and we have both been enjoying the exploration of a new talent. Despite a recent hiccup with the dogs tearing up our couch, both dogs have been behaving better, hopefully past the "adolescent" stage. I love the neighborhood we live in and I feel at home and at peace with my life. Our neighbors are all such lovely people. We have been invited over for dinner and drinks on several random occasions. We love living in a town with like-minded, creative, "normal" people. It's made me enjoy LA more than ever.

This year I'm hoping to develop my role in the community I live in.... Maybe join a local sports team. Maybe volunteer in a community outreach team or something. Still trying to figure out how I might be of service to the people around me. I've also really enjoyed developing my beliefs about spiritual matters and becoming the person I want to be, doing good things in this life.

Here's a few interesting quotes I've heard over the past few weeks:

Yesterday, my yoga teacher quoted someone (thomas jefferson?) who asked himself: "What good will I do today?" and then at the end of the day, "What good have I done today?" This reminds me to stay in the moment and take things one day at a time.

Also, from the movie Iron Lady, with Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher, which was wonderful... I can't remember the quote exactly, but it was a bit like this:

"Be careful what you think, for your thoughts become your words, and your words become your actions, and your actions become your habits, and your habits become your character."

Anyway, just some thoughts for the new year, and the new day today. :)

And a pretty neat song for your listening pleasure:

House Pictures

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and New Years. Our home remodel has taken up a lot of our time over the last two years, and I've had several people ask about pictures, so here's a post of our home in it's current state. Still much to do, but the walls are all up! ;)

Dining Room:

Original Hutch:

 

Living Room:

Kitchen:

 

Complete with dirty dog bowls:

Bathroom:

 

(tub and a stand-up shower, divine!)

The screen-print below was bought from my dear friend Colleen Murphy:

Hallway: laundry and handmade chalkboard, office to the right:

 

Guest room/TV room:

 

Bedroom:

Front of house (new windows, door and siding)

 (patio work is up next!)

Before siding:

  

After siding:

I love having lemon trees:

Vegetable garden with basil, tomato, peppers, garlic and green onions:

     

Outside our front gate:

 

Mr. Avocado tree, complete with lovely fall colors:

Hope this year has been good to you. It has been full and fulfilling for us!