Silver Lake Meadow

A couple weeks ago, we spent some time with Betsy, Justin, Elora and Megan at the Silver Lake Meadow. We loved it and think Luca liked it too. It was our first time there but also his first time hanging at a park a all. We think he did pretty well! It was nice to be on the grass and just enjoying the sunset. A few more photos here.

My Baby Shower

My sister and Betsy hosted a gorgeous Moroccan themed baby shower for me and Baby Lau Spina. It was a truly collaborative effort where nearly every touch was cozily personal, handcrafted by a caring friend. Shout outs in the event details at the bottom of this post.

Walking into the room for the first time was one of my favorite parts of the day. It took by breath away! The entire room was swathed in gorgeous jewel tones, flowers were arranged everywhere, there were paper lanterns strung about, Moroccan music was in the air and my girlfriends were ready to embrace me with warm hugs. I had collaborated on the theme and chose the invitations but was not privy to much else. I knew the "team" had been working really hard for weeks and it really paid off.



Guests left sweet and encouraging messages for me on homemade water colored cards, which were hung in a beribboned window decorated with photos of me in baby/childhood. Jenny even managed to put up messages from invitees who couldn't make it to L.A. Nora, Sergio's mom, sent an especially thoughtful message.



Jenny made a beautiful, touching speech that had everyone in tears.



We had a delicious lunch of homemade Indian food.



We played three really fun games.



The most hilarious was the belly measuring game where people had to guess the circumference of my belly by cutting a length of yarn. I think my mom was the most inaccurate of them all! She was over by nearly a foot! And my sister Jenny had second guessed herself and even added an extension to hers! Ha.



We cut into an incredible Moroccan inspired cake and then opened gifts.



They even managed to find Italian themed Chinese take-out boxes for the favors. I mean, how apropos is that?!?



I will cherish these memories! Thank you ladies for welcoming my baby into this world with so much love and beauty.

Full set of photos here: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjE7zwsU


The Details
Decor: Pom Poms - Jenny, Jennie, and Alpna. // Homemade paper lanterns - Liz. // Authentic Saris - Alpna's personal collection. // Floor cushion covers - Mom and Mo Ching. // Flower arrangements - Caitlin. // The location, real silverware and china - Susan. // Watercolor message cards - Diana D. // Low tables and cushions - Jennie // Diaper cake and generous use of her height to hang all the saris - Betsy. // Serving ware - Caitlin, Alpna, Susan. //
Games: Who knows Mother to be best? Guess the belly circumference. Baby animal names. - Betsy and Jennie
Food: Homemade Indian. Also her personal Masala Chai tea recipe! - Alpna with Jennie as sous chef.
Cake: Homemade Moroccan inspired orange blossom cake with fresh squeezed blood orange custard and MY NEW FAVORITE CAKE EVER! - Rebecca.
Favors: Nan Katthai (indian biscuit with cardamom) - Alpna
Photography - T. Nicole Photography - Sponsored by Amy

I'm sorry ladies if I missed anyone or anything! I'm going off memory here and it really isn't all that reliable these days.

Marth and Henri visit!

The last time they came was two years ago and we were experiencing some sort of monsoon. Also, Oscar was not yet born!



You would think we only saw the kids judging by the photos I took. I swear, Martha and Henri were around the whole time. We spent a wonderful day at one of our favorite places, The Huntington Library and Gardens. I made those coveted tea room reservations and it was really so delicious.



The problem with having an iPhone is that's all I ever want to use now to take photos. It's fine in good natural light but inside...not so much. It does help capture spontaneous moments though.



A couple instagram snaps from the gardens. See, the good natural light helps...



Oh, and we did a little shopping. Here he is helping his mom pick a suitcase. Also, see how much he's grown since his last visit! The little man is making a funny expression. And I think that's chocolate around his mouth.




It really was great seeing Martha and Henri, and seeing how they handled the two babes at once. It is really tiring but not necessarily stressful. The kids were so good, despite being on the tail end of a very long journey away from home. Hopefully we'll have a chance to visit them in France!


Oh, hey there Oscar!

Most social weekend ever

Last weekend we behaved like a pregnant couple stocking up on social engagements before baby arrives. Kinda exhausting actually. Am eager to slow it down a bit and feather the nest for our boy. Regardless, we had a lot of fun! I really do love the holiday season.

[All but one of the photos in this post are from my Instagram account. They rolled out profiles not long ago. Check my page out here!]

SATURDAY

Saturday was jam packed. Sergio dragged me out to the Apple store to visit the genius bar, only for us to be turned away because we didn't have an appointment. (My iPhone battery is draining crazy quick.) Then we stopped by Home Depot where we ran into Betsy's parents! It's a location we and they both never visit so it was a real coincidence. As night fell, we commenced our ambitious evening of three parties in three vastly different parts of the city. Yep. We are crazy.



Top two photos are from Work/Shop - How could I resist hanging with all these talented ladies all at once? Plus, any chance I get to grab a hug from Bianca I'll take. That gal gives the best hugs. Plus plus, Summer was coming from SD and well, I just had to meet her. She's kind of the bomb diggity.

Bottom Left is my Ban.do heart clutch from Jen and ginger ale with two cherries please. Every other year my work throws a holiday party for adults. (The other year is a kid centric brunch complete with kiddo height buffet line.) The party was sort of a big debut for my belly. Some work people still didn't know I was pregnant! But there sure was no missing it at the party. Everyone is so nice when you're baking up a baby.

Bottom right is my plate at Alpna and Hitesh's Annual Phoney Christmas dinner. We got there just in time to see everyone at least for a moment. Alpna is a superb cook and really, there is no excuse to miss out on her elaborate multi-course event of homecooked indian food. She even makes her own custom chai spice mix. Delightful.

SUNDAY

Just a tad more mellow than the previous day. We ended up back at the Apple store for our appointment.  Then lunch in with my parents in Chinatown. Then home for chores. I started the "Great Stuff Purge for Baby Stuff of 2012-2013".




Wow. Tired.

Anyway, hope your holidays are going swell!