baby girl

On Trend

I definitely wouldn’t consider my style as “trendy”. As you can see from my posts, I tend to stick with items that are classic and casual. I have emphasized this even more since becoming a mother. It must be something in those pregnancy hormones that changes you. I just can’t justify spending a lot of money on something I will only wear a handful of times. Finding the online retailer SheIn has been a game changer. I’ve found many trendy and classic pieces for a fraction of the cost.

This off the shoulder blouse was one of my recent finds. I love the knot detailing on the sleeves. It will look perfect when the weather decides to cool down and I can pair it with some distressed skinny jeans. The best part is that its currently on sale and under $20. I’ve linked a few of my favorite pieces from their site below.

Carlota on the other hand is always on trend with the latest baby fashion….at least I like to think she is. Finding cute outfits for her has become one of my obsessions. I wish they made half the things I find for her in my size…..mind you it probably wouldn’t look quite as good on me. This romper was a recent find and on major sale. Everything I find for her is always on sale!! (At least thats what I tell my husband).

With love,

ANDREA

Blouse: SheIn (Similar here and here) //

Shorts: Club Monaco old (Similar here, here and here) //

Hat: Gap (Also here and here) //

Sandals: Celine (Exact duplicates here and here) //

Carlota:

Hat: Gap (in stores) (Similar here) //

Romper: Little minis //

Sandals: Salt Water ( Also here) //

It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to!!

Carlota’s first birthday party was a pink and white paradise. I’m so excited to finally share photos from that special day. It’s so cliche, but that first year goes by in a blink of an eye. My baby is now officially a toddler. I almost feel like as soon as she hit that 12 month mark, she transitioned almost over night. She’s a walking, talking babe and always in the fast lane. I knew I needed to make her first birthday memorable…and it sure was!

We held the celebration at her favorite park. She loves the outdoors, so we knew that would be a perfect location. We filled the space with flowers and balloons to make it a pink and white wonderland. I definitely went a little overboard with the balloons but it made our space magical. It was worth it. The best part was sharing the balloons with our guests and some of the kids at the park. Seeing their faces when we gave them a huge bouquet to take home was priceless.

Carlota was very excited for her party. She was running around playing and helping us set everything up. When the party started, she was ready for her photoshoot and welcomed all her friends. After about 30 minutes this baby was exhausted from all the excitement. The group photos of all the babies was pretty comical. Carlota was not having it at all. The theme song “it’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to” kept playing in my head because that’s exactly how Carlota felt. It was a good try….but I was foolish to think we could place 8 babies and have them sit pretty all together for a picture.

Carlota had her own little cake for the cake smash and again she was a little camera shy. Not really feeling it she dabbled her fingers in the icing but that was about it. Thankfully we had some photos of a cake smash she did for her group birthday celebration with the babies from our Mommy & Me. Nothing is ever going to run exactly how you plan it and sometimes you just have to go with the flow. I’m slowly trying to learn that.

We were very thankful to have so many people celebrating this special day with us. Some of our loved ones were not able to make it but were there in spirit, and on FaceTime. You can see a few more photos of her birthday here and Carlota playing in the mud while mama is setting up here.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing these memories with our family.

With Love,

Andrea

Romper: Mint Julep Boutique //

Jacket: Here (Select colors on sale here) //

Boots: Here (Less Expensive here) //

On Carlota

Birthday Hats: Kutie Bow Tuties //

Dress: It was a gift (Similar here) //

Onesie: Etsy HoneyduClothing//

Shoes: here //

Months 5 & 6 with Carlota

My baby girl is half a year old. Looking back at the days I first brought her home I can’t believe how much she’s grown. Every day I’m learning more and more about this little bundle of joy and I can’t get enough.

Month 5

This little girl is such a character and social butterfly. She is so happy when we are surrounded by other babies and children. At daycare, I’m told she’s always observing her classmates with curious eyes. When we pick her up at the end of the day, she always has the biggest smile that just melts our hearts.

Carlota has found her feet and is constantly playing with them and putting them in her mouth. Actually she’s putting just about anything she sees into her mouth. Exploring the world through tastes and textures. She’s started to want whatever her mama’s having. When I’m drinking my morning Soy lattes she’s desperately wanting a sip. Thankfully she hasn’t mastered the use of the straw yet, so I let her chew on the end and she’s very happy to be sharing with me.

Carlota has started squeeling and saying “bababa”. She’s exploring her voice. I’m looking forward to the day she starts to connect the sounds with words.

I’m so thankful to be so close to my little angel. No words can express the bond I feel with her. She is currently a mama’s girl and I’m going to cherish every second of this. I may even remind her of this in a few years (hehe). In the evenings when she’s starting to get tired from a long day nothing beats being in Mama’s arms.

Dress: Rock your baby (Similar here and here)

Teddy Bear: Bla Bla kids (others here, and here)

Month 6

This has been a big month of transitions for this little bean. She’s eating foods, starting to crawl, and taking swimming lessons. So many huge milestones in one short month. Carlota loves getting on her hands and knees and even almost into plank position. She is shimmying around and learning to use her arms and legs to get to that toy she’s eyeing. She’s almost in full fledge crawling mode, so its definitely time we baby proof the home. I think we’re in denial our little pumpkin is no longer a newborn.

This month we started Carlota on solid foods. The faces she makes when she tries a food for the first time is priceless. Most of the time she really isn’t a fan, and is sure to let us know. She spits out what she does’t like and will refuse to take more bites. Currently the two foods she likes and will happily eat, are avocados and yams. Let’s hope she gets over this phase and starts to like a wider variety of foods.

In September, Carlota officially started swim lessons. She’s such a water baby. She loves playing in the water with both her mom and dad and is a splashing machine. She plays with the toys in the water, kicks along, loves when we make bubbles and constantly splashing. It’s such a special time we get to have as a family.

Both of us are Dentists so its no wonder baby girl is already using her toothbrush. She’s still toothless but getting an early start to her oral hygiene. We couldn’t be more proud. At the moment her toothbrush is one of her favorite toys…..let’s hope we can keep it that way.

Bow: Janie and Jack (Similar here)

Jumper: Neck & Neck (Similar here, here and here)

I can’t believe its been half a year with this beautiful being by our side. I can’t wait to experience the next 6 months with her. Thank you for sharing this journey with us.

A day in the canals

I adore LA for its diversity and get excited when we venture into areas we don’t frequent very often. The Venice Canals are one of those beautiful places. It’s such a gorgeous tranquil area nestled in the city. A perfect spot to visit on a day with my babe. Since Carlota has passed her 4 month leap she is a whole new baby. She enjoys going on walks and finally is a happy girl when in her stroller. I love exploring new neighborhoods with her, and watching as she takes in the world around her. I can’t wait until Carlota is old enough for me to show her this blog and the journeys we have taken together.

One of my favorite summer pieces has been this floral kimono from Shop Pink Blush. I love the soft and airy feel it gives any outfit. I usually pair it with a simple white tee and jeans. Adding it to my usual mom uniform makes me feel little more glamorous. It’s such a versatile piece. I’ve used it as a beach coverup, worn it for a day in the park, a night out with the girls etc..

Photography by: Audra Arbas

Floral Kimono: Shop Pink Blush //

Dress: Top Shop (old) (Similar here and here) //

Sandals: Rebecca Minkoff //

Clutch: Clare Vivier

Carlota’s Outfit

Onesie: Old Navy //

Romper: Childhoods //

Wear-a-blanket

My baby girl is growing up so quickly. I feel like I blinked and she’s no longer a newborn. Just yesterday this girl was just content sleeping, eating and laying in my arms. Now this little angel is just soaking up her surroundings. She loves going on walks. Her eyes are so wide as she’s looking all around observing and taking it all in. She’s grasping my hands and her toys and she’s exploring my face whenever I get close.

Once of the big milestones Carlota has recently achieved is rolling over. She moved from back to side quite early and recently she’s been doing the full back to tummy, and tummy to back. It seems like whenever I put her on her back and walk away for a second, she’s in full tummy time mode when I return. With this new milestone Carlota can no longer be swaddled to sleep. To make this transition easier we are using the Just Born Wear-a-blanket. It’s perfect because her arms are free but her legs at still semi-swaddled. The first couple of naps were an adjustment for her but after just a week she is back to her regular sleeping schedule.

The Sleep sack is a safer alternative to loose blankets in the crib. This model has air vents on the side for temperature control, a comforting tummy wrap and a zipper that makes late-night changes a snap.

Sleep Sack: Just Born //

Onesie: Old Navy //

Months 3 and 4 with Carlota

How is Carlota already 4 months old? Time needs to slow down..this girl is going to be headed to school in a blink of an eye.

Month 3

Carlota is constantly moving around and exploring the use of her limbs. She doesn’t understand the concept of sitting still. She started daycare 3 days a week and has adapted very well. She made her first painting for us, and gets along well with her classmates and teachers. She loves being swaddled for her naps and looking at herself in the mirror. She is starting to learn how to roll over. When she’s on her back she likes to roll onto her side, especially when there is a toy in her vicinity. She is finally starting to take notice of her toys and Pinxo (our Boston Terrier).

We took Carlota to get her ears pierced. She did so great! There were a couple of tears but as soon as she was comforted she calmed down and was back to her smiley self. Carlota also had her first swimming lessons or introduction to the water. This requires its own blog post since it was so magical and special for us. She loved the water and floated with me just holding her head above the water, She has also started loving bath time and post bath baby massage.

Sleeper: Little Citizens

Month 4

You can definitely tell that Carlota is undergoing her 4 month leap/growth spurt. She is becoming more of a little girl and less of a newborn. As much as I’m loving watching her grow and conquer all these milestones it makes me sentimental to think my baby won’t be my little baby forever.

Carlota has finally perfected the roll over and likes to do it all the time. She won’t stay laying on her back for long, and quickly moves to her favorite tummy time position. She is much more able to amuse herself on her play mat and with her toys. This also means that she has graduated from sleeping all swaddled up to using her sleep sack. She is still working on mastering this transition.

She loves chewing on our fingers and toys. She is in full teething mode already. Carlota is starting to be interested in what we are eating and drinking. She loves to talk to us and complain and make bubbles. She still hates the car and car seat, but has started to like the stroller.

Thankfully Carlota is still a mama’s girl….I’m hoping to keep that up forever!!

Romper: Old Navy

Our first 2 Months with Carlota

Our first month with baby Carlota was like a whirlwind. In a blink of an eye it was over. My husband and I felt like zombies the first couple of weeks. With the lack of sleep, constant worrying, and entertaining of family and friends I almost can’t remember much. Carlota would nap multiple times daily the first month but refused to go to bed at night. There were a few nights where all she wanted was to be nursed. This lasted from 10 pm until 3 or 4 in the morning….we called this her Monster Phase!! Just when we thought she was sleeping and we tried to put her down from our arms the waterworks went off, and the whole process started again. How was she such an angel all day….and such a monster at night!! Thankfully this only lasted a few weeks and after the first month there was more consistency at nighttime.

We loved getting out of the house and going for walks, especially when carried in the wrap. Carlota really enjoyed spending time with her grandparents who were here visiting. Constant snuggling for this cutie pie.

MONTH 2
Carlota has grown so much from month 1. She is much more alert and constantly scanning her surroundings. When we go on walks she loves to look out and take everything in. She is starting to have more control and holding her head up on her own.

We started our Mommy and Me class and met some new friends. Carlota is already such a social butterfly and busy lady. We have had a few play dates, one of which was going to see our first movie together in the theaters (Pitch Perfect 2). Who knew family matinee shows existed? It was such a fun experience. Carlota ate and slept through most of the movie, but watched the parts she thought were important. We had our first road trip to Palm Springs. Carlota is not a fan of the car or her car seat and definitely let us know. There were multiple poopies, and feedings…and with Memorial Day traffic it felt like an eternity to get to our destination. Once we were there it was a great family vacation.

This month Carlota has definitely started to recognize us. She smiles more when we speak to her, and wants to constantly be in our arms. This is especially true during the witching hours. Secretly I don’t mind and want to forever keep her a mama’s girl. Our little bean is growing up so fast, I’m trying my hardest to soak it all in.

Hat: Infanteenie Beenie //

My First Mother’s Day

Today is mother’s day and right now I am on the sofa snuggling with the little angel and I can’t stop staring at her beautiful face! I could watch her for hours on end, and I would just be so happy. Being a mom is such a blessing, and I feel very fortunate to have her in my life. She is the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning and the last thing I look at when I go to sleep. This girl has my whole heart!

Today Carlota slept from 1:30 am until 6:15. She must have secretly known it was Mothers Day because that is the longest she has slept so far. We went for lunch to Il Fornaio. This is our favorite weekend lunch spot and it was a beautiful day to walk around Beverly Hills. The afternoon was spent snuggling on the sofa and taking much needed naps. I couldn’t have asked for a better day to spend with my loves.

These are Carlotas’ newborn pictures. It was so nice to have her grandparents in town to be able to have them in the photos as well. I don’t know if I would have survived the first 2 weeks without the help of family!

Dress: Rachel Pally

Newborn hat: Infanteenie beenie

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mamas out there!!!

Family Portrait

Baby girl has finally graced us with her presence this Thursday March 26th at 10:48pm, weighing 7 lbs and 1 ounce and 20 1/4 inches long. Carlota Pi-Henderson. I am so overjoyed with emotions and lack of sleep!! hehe We have so much love for her already and she’s only 3 days old. I can’t imagine my life without her and I’m already sad that time is going by so quickly. I want to keep my little princess as this little tiny bundle of joy but I’m also excited to share all of her life experiences with her. So many mixed emotions….I guess that could also be due to all the changing hormones. I can’t wait to share photos and my birth story with you in an upcoming blog post.

Here are a few more of my maternity shoot photos from Bleudog photography. Shawna is amazing and I’m so happy I found her to get photos of this special time. I’m thrilled I can finally hold my baby girl, but a part of me still misses feeling her little kicks inside my belly. I miss having her so close to me 24/7.

I love this photo of my first child Pinxo. Shows the love we have for each other. He has been so good with little Charlie and I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I think he’s still a little confused of what’s happening in our house and who this new addition is, but he’s so gentle with her. He is her little body guard. He needs to be close to her, but doesn’t get too close. He also occasionally likes to smell and kiss her. I think he’s a little jealous now that our attention is shared between the two of them. He was an only child for 7 years so that’s totally understandable!!

Dress: Felicity and Coco non-maternity I just went up a size //

Baby Shower for the little princess!!

My past few weekends have been so frantic getting all the final touches ready for the arrival of baby girl, that I’ve been very behind with my blog posts. I think after baby girl arrives I will still have a bunch of maternity pictures to post.

I am so excited to share with you the pictures from my gorgeous baby shower. I am very thankful that I have such wonderful people in my life, who care so much about me and helped me put together such a beautiful day. I’m the type of person that is always keeping busy. Most days I am so busy that I almost forget I live so far away from my family and many of my best friends. When life moments happen, such as having your first child, it really hits you hard. Many important people in your life are not there to share each step along the way. These moments also make me realize the new family and friends I have made here in LA and how thankful I am to have them. My sister-in-law Raquel and bff Nora stepped right in to take charge and throw me the most magical baby shower. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.

The party was filled with friends and loved ones who came for mimosas and brunch. We had a make your own mimosa bar and a virgin cocktail bar for those of us not drinking or expecting. There was a desert table filled with chocolates, doughnuts, cupcakes and a beautiful strawberry cake.

Two of the pregnant ladies in front of the desert table….how fitting!!!

The table setting was perfect. It made me think of Alice in Wonderland meets rustic glam. I loved that we all sat together on the long table. My sister-in-law Raquel made these wonderful Lavender Vanilla Sugar Scrubs for all the guests as party favors for attending the shower. All natural ingredients and they smell amazing!!

Games and activities are a must during a baby shower. One of the games was to wear one of the pink necklaces below and try to collect them from the other guests. Whenever anyone mentioned the word “baby” they had to give away their necklace to the guest that caught them in the act. The lady with the most at the end of the shower won a prize.

The ladies competed in changing a diaper blindfolded game. This is much harder than it sounds. Veteran mom Jen was obviously the expert at this and blew everyone else under the water.

My favorite activity was having everyone decorate a onesie for baby girl. How cool is this idea! Now we have many onesies that are made with love specifically for her.

I wore this beautiful dress that I received from my BUMPstyle box!! You can read all about them in one of my previous blog posts!! It is such a great asset for pregnant women because you get a personal stylist that selects maternity pieces specifically for you. Dressing the bump is not an easy task, and there are limited options. This takes away all the hard work and frustration. You just have to decide if you like the pieces selected for you or if you want to return them and wait for your next box.