Pretty Please With Taro Cream Cheese On Top

After going to YogurStory with Shauna last week, I finally got to take Shane there for lunch today. Super yum, plus a really contemporary environment (for Hawaii). Shane got the Cobb Salad, while I oinked out on the Bi Bim Bop Fried Rice. I swear I had more self control when I was pregnant. What the heck? But the worst (ahem, I mean the best) part was that darn Red Carpet Waffle that everyone already posted pics of. It doesn't need anymore press and I don't mean to be cliche, but I just had to take a picture of this delectable delight. Seriously the best dessert (or breakfast???) I've ever had! My favorite part is the dollop of TARO cream cheese. Going forward, I would like to top everything with taro cream cheese. Thanks.

tank (brandy melville) shorts & belt (thrifted via S.L.O.W on Melrose) purse, turquoise bracelet & fedora (bamboo sky) shoes (Jeffrey Campbell)

Moments in Instagram

So this Instagram thing is pretty rad. It can make a decent photo blogger out of even the most artistically challenged by offering different filter options for your images with a single swipe of the finger. Why the heck do I even need to mess around with photoshop anymore?!

Plus, it's all done on your phone. Seriously, what can't our phones do anymore? While, I'm admittedly a victim to all the technology and social media frenzy, I have to say that I miss the days of writing letters in cursive or passing origami folded notes in class. How cool would it be to receive a hand-written letter in the mail? All have been replaced by email and text messages. We live in such a fast paced society and it seems that all we are concerned about is moving faster. Kind of sad…

…Well, I can't spend too much time being nostalgic or the next technological phenomenon might pass me by via text message. Lol! Anyway, here are a few precious moments in Instagram.

Water baby

I didn't want to submerse her entirely today, because she has a bit of a diaper rash going on, but she did enjoy a pool side dip. It may appear otherwise from the pictures (lol!), but that was just the initial shock of the cold water. After that, she welcomed the swish swash, splish splash. More than Vinny for sure!

PS- It was mere coincidence that my lipstick matched Willow's swim suit and that my top matched the tile around my parent's pool.

dedicated to Vinny

tank (f21) shorts (similar ones coming to bamboo sky soon!) cardigan & faith cuff (bamboo sky) luv ya bracelet (golden child via bamboo sky) necklace (gift from kelli via dolce) shoes (uo)

I was always apprehensive of how Vinny would react to me having a baby. After all, he's been the "only child" for 8 years now. Don't let his pint sized stature and perfectly coiffed puppy do fool you. Yes, he is THAT old. Like a newborn, I took him everywhere so surely he was accustomed to being the only apple of my eye. And, I depend on him just as much as he depends on me. I literally have a hard time falling asleep when he's not on my pillow where I can smell him. TRUE STORY! Anyone that knows me, can attest to this.

So naturally, I was very nervous about his "feelings" towards Willow prior to her arrival. Would he be jealous? Would he be territorial? Would he be vicious? Would he hate me? Could he love her? I was hopeful of the latter, but expected the former(s).

Enter Willow.

Needless to say, he may not love her (yet), but he has been a very, very good boy despite being placed in a temporary back seat. He is so patient and has accepted the fact that her needs come first. When Shane and I are ogling over or tending to her, he is always near but never interferes. And now, when we leave him at home (keep in mind, he accompanied us almost everywhere), he never hesitates to greet us with the utmost enthusiasm upon our return. As if unaffected by the change in routine. His love for us remains unconditional! The only time he reacts towards her is when she is crying. I like to think of his anxious whimpers and frantic circling as sincere concern for his sibling's well being. Shane on the other hand, thinks it's just annoying. Lol.

All in all, Vinny has truly been amazing to Willow. As I finish up this post, he sleeps peacefully on my pillow waiting for his mommy to join him. I love you my little buzzle man!

tribal triangles

Love this Wild Fox tribal tank dress, but I especially love my tribal "willow" cuff that Shane custom designed and gave to me as my "push" present. He knows me so well. Heck that's why I married the guy! I was so impressed that he actually thought of this design. Made of rhodium plated sterling silver, hand enameled and dotted with a diamond, not only is this cuff fashionably rad, but it's completely sentimental.

wild fox tank (bamboo sky) bandeau (brandy melville) boots (DSW) faux michael kors watch (LA) friendship bracelet & turq cuff (bamboo sky)

Life changing

Last night was our friend Justin's birthday shin dig at Tsunami's. My mom and dad graciously offered to watch Willow so I was thrilled about the chance to mingle nocturnally again. I actually did my cat-eye eyeliner thingie (something I haven't done from being about 6 months pregnant), slapped on my brightest shade of lipstick and squeezed my way back into my skinny jeans. Trust me, there was a lot of squeezing and tucking away of the post-baby jiggle. That's the wonderful thing about jeans though, they're like girdles.

Anyway, I got to see a lot of the night owls I used to see, got to feel pretty & dressed up and had fun being social again. But a mere hour and thirty minutes in, Shane and I looked at each other with the same thought cloud above our heads… "I miss Willow, I want to go home. Do you?" We raced home and practically fought over who got to lullaby her to sleep in her rocking chair!

Moral of the story, and hence my post title, is that babies change everything! For the better. There's a deep, deep love and desire to always want the best for your child, this includes being right at their side to soothe every whimper, to witness every milestone, to comfort every cry, to answer to every need and to just stare in amazement at the wonderful miracle you made.

Jail break

I've been hidden away at home for the past 3 weeks!!!

While every moment has been spent enjoying Willow's precious first moments, it has also been difficult, exhausting and completely fashion-less, LOL! My friend Audra, put it the best… "It's like groundhog's day, those first few weeks." The same day over and over again. That, plus sleep deprivation can surely make anyone go temporarily insane.

This weekend, however, Willow & I, got to break free from the confines of our seemingly shrinking abode. I used to love retreating to the cozy size of our home after long hours at work, but now "cozy" has become "stuffy." So on Sunday, Shane (being the sweet and loving new daddy), thoughtfully suggested a picnic at the park!!! It was a much needed adventure outside of our usual scenery, with green umbrella-like trees, crystal blue skies, soft wind, chirping birds and lots of love.

Then on 4th of July, Keani hosted an impromptu BBQ at her condo's pool. It was the first time since my baby shower in May, that all of my best friends were able to be together at one time (minus Neysa, boo!) It was also the first time Willow got to meet her boyfriend, Rhyder.

Oh and something I've recently been addicted to as a result of round-the-clock-feedings-with nothing-else-to-do-because-I'm-immobile-but-tinker-around-on-my-iphone is the Instagram app for facebook. First pic, from me, second & third stolen from Shauna's Instagram.

On the way to the BBQ.

Love at first sight.

Together again.

Now, I'm looking forward to a massage, pedicure, a glass of merlot, 10lbs of sashimi and a fashion post.