I'm so tired...and hair inspiration.

{Hair, lipstick and nail color. I love it all}

Noah just fell asleep. It's 10 pm EST. I'm exhausted, but I also feel like I need to do a little something for me before I crash. So I'm stopping by here and saying hi. A drowsy, end of the day yawning hi.

Anyhow, I know that this picture is from an ad for an iPhone cover, but I love the model's hair. I've been thinking about going blonde again. I was always a toe head growing up, and now that I've grown out my natural color, (first time since I was 16), and it's right in between...not dark, not light...I'm longing for either one. And since I haven't gone light in over 6 years, I think I may go that route.

I know this is a lot of rambling about my hair color. But I'm tired, and a new mom who finally feels like she has enough time to think about these trivial things. Plus they're fun to think about. After washing diapers and taking care of business all day, a little vanity is a nice escape.

Also! My New Year's resolutions are:
Nail Polish
Lipstick
& Giving great birthday presents.

Because why not. 2011, I'm ready for you.

Two cute things.

A bear I made for our friend's baby, Max.

Noah and his Uncle Cody.

Babies Galore!

{Ashley & Finley, Noah & I, Margi & Jessi, Jenny & Corbin}

I have three best friends. The four of us have been friends since elementary school. Three of the four of us got married within days of each other back in 2007. Then last year we found out that Jenny was pregnant. We were all so excited to be aunties to Jen and Jordan's sweet baby. Little did we know what God had in the works! A few weeks later Ashley called me to tell me that she and Dan had a bun in the oven also! After hearing this news, I called Jessi, we squealed and that was that.

Well, not really. Just weeks after that phone call, Rudy and I found out we would be welcoming a new person into our family too! I couldn't believe that all three of us were pregnant at the same time.

Now, Jenny's boy Corbin, is 5 months old, Ashley's girl, Finley, is 4 months and Noah is 3 months. While we were in California, Jessi's mom Margi invited all of us, our babies and our husbands over for dinner. Here are a couple of pictures from the night. I love the top one with Jessi, Margi's baby, sitting on her lap.

{Jessi with Finley in the bangin hat she bought her}

I miss you girls like crazy. There is nothing like the friendship of someone who has known you for most of your life.

Christmas 2010

Here are some pictures of our California Christmas. Rudy, Noah and I ended up being the stripes triplets...as always.

The boys at my dad's house.

My step-mom's parents, Sue and Bob, with Noah.

My mom, Grandma Cici, with a beautiful piece she did for Noah's room. I can tell he likes it!

I miss my sister, Maya, so much!

California 2010

As I said earlier, Rudy, Noah and I were in California for three weeks over Christmas break. The day we left Columbus, it was 12 degrees out. The first weekend we spent in San Diego it was in the 80's. The warm weather really reset my spirits. I told Rudy that we will have to go back home for Christmas every year now, (we didn't go back last year).

It was amazing being around so much family again. It makes my heart hurt to have Noah so far away from his grandparents and aunts and uncles. On the other hand, it's nice to know that he has so much love here in Columbus too. I just miss my parents and sisters and brothers so much. Not to mention my good friends also.

The third day we were there, Noah and I went to the beach with two of my best friends who also have babies. The picture above is of my little guy's first time on the sand. It was a perfect day filled with picnic lunches, warm weather and conversations that you only have with people you've known (almost) your whole life.

I thought that after three weeks we'd really be ready to get back home to Ohio. I was really torn on our last day though. It was hard to think of jumping back into what our life has become, as great as it is. The day we got back into Columbus, I had a bit of a breakdown. For three weeks I was never alone and without help; Rudy didn't have to slave over homework and there was always a grandparent's arms to pass the baby to if I wanted to take a shower. I wish that vacations could last forever!

Even though I didn't want to come back, this first week home has actually gone very well. I'm so grateful for all of the friends we have in Columbus. We have such an amazing group of friends and family here that I know I'm never really alone or without help. I thank God for that. I know that He has us here for a reason, and that when it comes down to it, even if there weren't friends and family around, I'm never all by myself in this.

Disco balls like it's 2011.

{First seen here}

I just have to say that I'm in love with the disco balls in the corner of the room.

And the color on the walls.

Tree Project.

I just came across this simple little project on The Violet Hours. I can't wait to have fun making little worlds with Noah, so I'm bookmarking it for the future. Not only is it a great kid's activity, it would also make a wonderful centerpiece for a table. Done, and done.

See more here.

Noah's first laughs.

Yesterday I was sitting in Rudy's parents living room with Noah and Cody, (Rudy's brother). I was describing the smell of Noah's farts, (please excuse this), to Cody and used the words 'egg milk'. Noah thought that it was hilarious! As any parent would do, I said it about a hundred times and had Cody grab the camera.

The rest of the family heard his laughing and came to join in. I'm so glad that a)Rudy and his family were there to see, and b)we had the camera ready. It feels like Noah does new and exciting things just for me, and I can't capture them on film. The telling of them just doesn't compare.

Enjoy.

Scale tights.

I always wanted to be a mermaid.
These tights can help.

Lovely textures.

I just came across this home of Roman Alonso, creative director of Commune. I saw it first over at moodboard.
I love all of the layered textures, bright art and patterned rugs. It reminds me of my grandparent's house, but with a bit more drama.

In other news, we're on vacation in California! More on that later.

What perfect weather.

Image source

I haven't gotten much sleep the past couple of days. Noah was on a great schedule last week, sleeping three to four hour chunks at night. But all of that has been forgotten and I'm waking up every hour and a half. Instead of grumbling I'm trying to be positive. It's too sad to think of what it would be like without my babykins, so if he comes with sleeplessness, then so be it.

Anywho, I was woken up this morning by baby and sat up bleary eyed to nurse him. Rudy heard me cooing to Noah and came upstairs and opened the blinds. It was snowing! How exciting for the first snow to be on the first day of December.

We're getting out of here for three weeks and going back home to San Diego for most of this month. I'm glad we'll get this little taste of real winter, and then get to go vacation in the warmth I'm so used to.

Happy December indeed.

Thanksgiving.

My mom's side of the family came out to Ohio for Thanksgiving this year. It was so nice to have them here and spend a bit of time with them. I wish they could have been here longer!