Long Beach Livin'

1. Getting to take a nap on dad on his days off are always a treat!

2. Just a proud papa and his son.

3. Easy peasy banana oat muffin snacks.

4. Our Valentine dinner date spot was so cute!

5. The look he gave me when I asked if he wanted to go whale watching.

6. Crab wontons courtesy of our chef man.

7. Always twinning with their expressions.

8. He made a new puppy friend named Buster!

9. My february flea market finds.

10. Showing off his new seven month trick for mama.

11. Being Joe Cool in his baby bans.

12. A little bubbly for the bachelor with my favorite new rug.

13. Lots of growth spurt naps lately. Look at those hands!

14. A rare rainy but sunny day in the LBC.

Drey $ Nicole

Our Baby is Born!

Exactly two weeks past his July 4th due date, I started having regular contractions and went to the hospital. The next morning of July 18, 2013 at 8:49 am he was laid on my chest. We named him Leo Luis Santinelli, Leo is my dad and grandpa's middle name, and great grandpa's first name, plus I just think it's the cutest! Luis (lou - eese ryhmes with peace) is G's pick from his family. The first thought that went through my mind was that he was so gorgeous, and I could just tell he was ours. He was the perfect mix of the both of us. He was 8 pounds 6 ounces and 21 inches long and just so perfect. Our hospital stay was so pleasant besides being exhausted, and Leo was at our side every second from the moment he entered the world. He latched on to eat immediately and flawlessly, and all the worries I had about anything went away. It was so natural and I feel so lucky that everything went smoothly. I'll never forget how special the skin to skin cuddles were in those first few days. I was so impressed with G's support through labor and I even saw him cry for the first time when he saw his son. He slept by my side every night, and was there to help me to the bathroom and with anything else I needed. As we were leaving our room to go home, I noticed we were in room s226 and had to smile. S for our last name, and 26 is my favorite number. It was just one more little thing that made the whole experience perfect. We are all so very lucky to have each other and my heart has never felt so full! Leo is everything I dreamt of and more times 642896424!

O M G I'm a mama!

Drey $ Nicole

Long Beach Livin'

My life this week via iPhone photos:

1. Perfectly imperfect contrasting rust on an old VW

2. The best modern chair ever from my favorite Retro Row store

3. Plants so perfect they look fake + make me feel like I'm in Oompa Loompa land

4 & 6. Feet kicked up enjoying a fruit smoothie in newly cleaned house

5. Yummy panini bites from TJ's with mozzarella, pesto + red pepper spread 

7. Long Beach apts have so much color and character

8. Sundays are for eating the biggest brunch of the week

9. Showing off our couples maternity photos to his work friends

10. Bought a cute cup of lemonade from some kids in the park on my walk

11. Mother in Law came and went leaving us with full bellies and baby goodies

12. My chefman looking so sharp in his new work attire

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Username: dreynicole

Drey $ Nicole

Long Beach Livin'

My life this week via iPhone photos:

1. Catching rays at the Marriott pool with family

2. G surprised me with classic Little Golden books for baby on Mother's Day

3. Dinner on sunset at sunset after going to Jimmy Kimmel Live

4. I've got me an origami swan making husband

5. Jalapeno, tomato, cilantro + cheese omelet with avocado and homemade biscuits & gravy - my favorite! Thanks to my chefman as usual

6. These two were wiped out after an afternoon at the dog beach

7. Practicing!

8. In love with these hanging planter displays at Free People right now

Follow along on Instagram for daily updates!

Username: dreynicole

Drey $ Nicole

Our First Baseball Game!

Wednesday night we went to our very first baseball game together, which doubled as my very first one in California! The stadium was much different than our in Texas. Half of it was open, showing mountains in the distance and cars sweeping by on the highway. They not only have hotdogs and the usual concessions food, but fast food places too like Panda Express and Jack in the Box! We went with the tradition bag of peanuts and G taught me how to crack them with the perfect form. I was so excited over it! Even though we weren't "fans" of either team, we enjoyed going just for the baseball atmosphere. The Angels did win though so we were surrounded by happy people and got to see some fireworks at the end! We both love baseball and it's been a family affair of mine growing up, so for us this was the start of many trips. We were surrounded by little babies and we couldn't stop talking about how much fun it's going to be bringing our little babe along very soon! 

Drey $ Nicole

 

Babyshower Cookout Day

Last Sunday we had our second babyshower/cookout party (G's work family threw him a surprise one earlier) and it turned out great. Although the weather was a bit more gloomy than we had hoped for with a sharp chill in the air, it didn't stop us from following our plans. Our friend Nicole gave us her big yard for the day and everyone brought their pups, including our Bentleys of course, to celebrate their human brother coming soon and to run around and mingle together all afternoon. G cooked fajitas on the grill, along with spanish rice + beans, and his famous homemade salsa and guacamole that was gone in an hour. There were beers, babies and babes and even though I couldn't drink I had a good time. Plus someone had to drive my over-enthusiastic husband home who may have celebrated the babe just a little too hard. It's one of his last chances to do it for awhile though, so I'm not mad about that. We got lots more clothes, cards, diapers (both cloth and disposable), and even a baby food processor! G is so excited about that one, being a chef. He's been talking about making the baby his own homemade food since before there was even a baby in question. I loved seeing so many of our friends from different groups, ages and even states come together to celebrate this little boy in my belly, and I can't wait until he's here in just 3 short weeks to meet them all. Plus all of these new things have me so much more anxious and excited for him to come so I can dress him in his adorable clothes and read to him with his new books and watch his face light up when he rattles his toys. I am so thankful for our friends!

Drey $ Nicole

Long Beach Livin'

My life this week via iPhone photos:

 

  1. We did our couples maternity photoshoot and this guy looked so handsome

2. I want all of these yummy scrumptious soy candles from Target

3. Got my car baby ready: cleaned, carseat in, mirror + baby on board sign hung

4. A 34 week ikea run / Does this bag make my belly look big?

5. Pistachio, orange + coffee macarons are our faves

6. Obsessed with all of the purple trees

7. Went to Jimmy Kimmel live featuring Ed Helm + Jewel

8. I'm addicted to planting succulents lately

9. We decided Trader Joe's Pizza over all pizza chains

10. Pure America

Follow along on Instagram for daily updates!

Username: dreynicole

Drey $ Nicole

A visit from the Parents

My parents came to Long Beach on their vacation last week to visit, and it was the best. We took them to some of our favorite local restaurants (Eggs Etc, MVP Burger & Belmont Brewing Company to name a few). We laid out every day at their hotel pool and I finally got a little bit of color that I've so desperately wanted, even if it was red color and not brown color. We got to watch a little bit of cable tv which is always a treat to me having basic tv. We walked to the shops of Retro Row and picked up a few goods, went to Hollywood and saw the sign, the famous farmer's market and the grove. There we stumbled upon a maternity fashion show/book signing party for Rosie Pope of the tv show "Pregnant in Heels." (More on that coming soon.) On our way out we caught Kree Harrison from American Idol taking photos and doing signings in the Extra circle. We went and saw a live taping of the Chelsea Lately show (which was better than Jimmy Kimmel in my opinion), and we saw our precious little in 3D, 4D &HD. He was awfully stubborn about showing himself so we had to make a day out of it, coming back and forth to the dr's office and killing time between appointments shopping and scarfing down reese's blasts to make him move. In the end we got a good glimpse and some adorable photos. (Again, coming soon!) My dad tried his very first Arnold Palmer drink which was hilarious to me, how curious and amused he was over it all. We shared lots of treats and time together in the hotel's concierge lounge laughing and making friends with the sweetest staffer, Lucielle. They finally got to try G's famous hotdog creations which was more exciting for me than anyone else, I think! I'm just a big proud sidekick. The week went too fast and I'm already bugging them about making the arrangements to come out in August for my dad's 50th birthday weekend. I just wish all of our family could move and be here all the time! Bittersweet. 

Drey $ Nicole

Long Beach Livin'

My life this week via iPhone photos:

1. Bathroom mirror pic with the bump

2. Daily words of wisdom from street art found on Retro Row

3. LB Bentley's "Happy Cinco De Mayo" photo

4. G made grilled chicken stuffed with spinach, mozzarella & homemade pesto/cracked pepper cream sauce on salad

5. Multigrain pancakes from Trader Joes topped with sunflower seeds

6. An afternoon at Home Depot with my friend, Siera

7. I love how this ombre truck looks like it was watercolored

8. An adorable pocketed bib and bunny for baby

9. Planted an aloe, cactus & succulent arrangement

10. Too much food at our friend, Nikki's Cinco party

11. Chicken yellow curry, sticky rice & egg rolls at Long Beach Thai

12. Cinco De Mayo style. I love how he thinks I'm hilarious :)

Follow along on Instagram for daily updates!

Username: dreynicole

Drey $ Nicole

Long Beach Livin'

My life this week via iPhone photos:

1. Hubby got his very first celebratory cigar in the mail this week from my Aunt

2. A cotton candy colored convertable bug? Yes, please

3. Like Papa, like Baby. A felt cooking set for our mini chef in training

4. We go to lunch after every Dr. apt - This month, Chipotle

5. Our second Ikea trip in a week for nursery furniture + the bump

6. Spicy BBQ tofu burger with grilled peppers, sliced tomato + cracked pepper mayo with olive oil

Follow along on Instagram for daily updates!

Username: dreynicole

Drey $ Nicole

Date Night

We went to one of our favorite spots this week for dinner to celebrate selling G's truck. It was the perfect light, fresh and clean meal for spring, and it's always good to visit once in a while. Cracking a fresh young coconut to drink right out of is one of my favorite parts, and so is a date with my handsome hubby of course!

Thanks for making our week, Number Nine!

Drey $ Nicole

Vintage Tv Stand: Before & After

For a long time I felt like our vintage tv stand needed a fresh face lift but I didn't know what  exactly to do to it. When I figured out that what I wasn't liking about it was that it blended in too perfectly with our honey hardwood floors, I knew we needed to paint it. Something light and bright would make it pop and stand out, so to the paint store we went. We chose a seafoam green/mint paint color, and were told we didn't even need a primer because we were painting on light wood. As much as I wanted to get a brush and get to work, I'm pregnant and can't be around paint fumes, so mister got the paint job duty while I sat back at a distance and watched helplessly. Our vintage piece transformed before our eyes and after just two coats, we're both loving it even more than we did before. It's so perfect in fact, that it looks like it came in this color, like it was meant to be this way all along. This little project has gotten G looking around the house to see what other pieces of furniture and walls he can paint. Not complaining! 

Drey $ Nicole

Our Wedding Part 3: Vows & Reception

Venue: The Wherehouse/Photographer: Roni Rucker/ Videographer: Junior Hernandez/ Bride's Dress: handmade by wonderxue on etsy/ Brides Reception Dress: Vintage/  Brides shoes: Vintage/ MOA Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell/ Bridesmaid Dresses: Vintage/ Brides hairpiece: Pomp and Plumage etsy shop/ Brides necklace: Nikki Lorraine/ Grooms full outfit: Vintage/ Catering: Mercado Juarez/ Decor: Personal collection & handmades/ Victorian chairs for photos: Rent my Dust/ Hair & Makeup: Done ourselves

Video will be finished and posted here by the end of the week!

Drey $ Nicole