L.O.V.E.

It's been a really, really long time. Since falling out of the blogosphere, my husband and I have been blessed with a beautiful daughter we named Weslie. As much as I would love to share my pregnancy and birth story in this first post since being back, I have something else on my mind today. The story of my post natal and birth experience will come, but I need to do a little bit of rambling first.

Today, one of my closest friends asked me about what has been the most interesting or surprising part of motherhood. "There are so many things that I could choose from that have struck me about becoming a mom," I answered "but I would have to say the love. I've never felt anything like it before. It consumes me."

Long after our conversation was over, I kept thinking about my answer. Not only do I feel more love for another human being than I ever have before in my love for Weslie, but I feel more love for my husband, for my family, for my friends, for other children, and for mankind altogether. Every moment has become a treasure and is so much brighter than before.

People say that if you become truly selfless and are in the service of others, you then feel true joy. I've never fully understood that until now.
 
All growing up, kids laugh it off or roll their eyes when their elders tell them to "stop getting so big" or "stop getting older." I get it now. I feel the same way about my little girlie girl. Can't my baby stay this little forever? If I could freeze time, right now, I would. Every second goes by too quickly!

A wise family friend recently wrote:
"The point is that we take for granted so many things - a touch, a smell, a smile, a voice. There is a bigger picture out there. Let's not get caught up in the whole, but instead look at that bigger picture and see/cherish the small things also. When you walk around, look for the small, beautiful things that make up the whole and admire it all."

I couldn't agree more. Time is never on our side, and I feel like forever could never be long enough with my Weslie Girl.

Here are a few small moments that made up first week together:

 

Current Food Favs in LA...

 1. Church and State in DTLA

My father-in-law took Cory, his sister, her husband, and me to this French restaurant a few weeks ago and I was in heaven. After eating out with Dion Persson, you don't want to eat out with anyone else. He let us order almost every appetizer and dessert on the menu. The goat cheese with lavender honey is to die for.  I swear I ate about 30 of those crackers with mounds of that cheese on top. The brie, arugula, peach, and caramelized onion tarte was out of this world, too. For dessert, I got the mocha pot de creme, and it was worth every calorie. My mouth waters just thinking about it.

2. The Farmer's Market at The Grove

Cory and I just went, and we loved it. There's every type of food imaginable, cute shops, fresh produce, and yummy desserts. It's a foodie's paradise! We ended up eating at a great taco stand and then got crepes for dessert. Such a fun place to go with something for everyone. So many places to choose from that you could be there a while!

3. SK's Donuts and Croissants in Santa Monica

It has recently become my mission to find the best 'cronut' in LA. SK's is my favorite so far because they have a ton of flavors to choose from and their donuts are really good too. I loved their Tiramisu flavored 'cronut' and their chocolate glazed old-fashion donut.

4. BLD in West LA

My parents took Cor and I, here, a couple weeks ago because I had heard good things about it. My dad and I just about died over their chef's meat and cheese plate. It was so good, my dad got one for both him and me to take home! Apparently their breakfast is really good too, but I still have yet to try it for myself.

5. 26 Beach in Venice

I know I've already posted about this place on a previous blog post back when I recapped Cory's and my 2 year anniversary, but this place is so good! Go for breakfast, and get one of their many flavors of french toast. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

school spirit

I went back to my Alma Mater, Newport Harbor High, to do this "school spirit" themed shoot. I love the way it turned out. My cousin, Alex, is such an amazing budding photographer. I figured with the letterman-style sweater, this location would be perfect. 

I felt so nostalgic walking through those old hallways. You see that black and white picture up there, in the hallway full of lockers? That's Dodge Hall where I had French with Mrs. Wodark and math with Mr. McCarty. I used to fall going down (and even up!) those stairs in that building. I used to meet my very first boyfriend, there, during our ten minute morning break time when we first started going out. And since the bathroom upstairs was right next to Mrs. Wodark's classroom, it was the bathroom my best friend and I stopped to reapply lipgloss from our Stila lip pots before lunch. 

It was interesting being back. It was as if my mind had pulled out an old picture book, like the ones that are full of dust and yellowing pages, and slowly cracked that book open to reveal pictures I had forgotten my mind had taken. 

The ability to reminisce is a beautiful part of the mind, but remember that there is nothing more beautiful than the here and now. Thanks for reading!