Mr. E turns ONE!

My Sister had a baby and claimed she didn't know she was pregnant! 

Grab some popcorn and a comfy seat, this story is a long but interesting one... 

Just over a year ago my life completely changed in so many ways.

I was at a great place in my life. Got my own apartment, got a job at a law firm, was in school for my paralegal certification, etc.

Three weeks into my new job, my mom called to tell me she had gone for her yearly checkup with her heart doctor (she has heart disease and originally had stents put in her arteries when I was a senior in high school).   The Dr had told her that he saw some more blockage and that it was time for him to put a few more stents in. My mom has so many health issues, but long story short - she won the battle with breast cancer, then to find out she had stage 3 lymphoma, and then after found out she has a lymphoma of the blood...Eeekk.

At this point my whole family knows my mom is a fighter and knew that this stent surgery wouldn't be an issue. Shes had it done before, and its (sadly) too common of a surgery. I went in to work

and told my sister to call me when mom got out of surgery.

That was NOT the call I got. Instead I got a text that my mom had to go in for an emergency triple bypass surgery. Really mom? I mean you always said "go big or go home" but TRIPLE BYPASS.

Open heart surgery is no joke.

I told my new bosses and they were SO understanding. I took the rest of the week off and spent it visiting my mom in the hospital. She recovered very quickly (she's a fighter) and she was released after about 48 hours. She went home to relax (pretty much on bed rest). 

So, I was back to work the next Monday, explaining the story to everyone and how my mom was doing great. She was safe at home, and i felt comfortable being back at the office.

One week later, I get a phone call at 2:30 a.m. from my mom. Clearly I freaked out.

Me (half asleep): "MOM, ARE YOU OKAY!!!!"

Mom: "Yes, but your sister bla bla bla hospital bla bla BABY"

Clearly, when i'm half asleep  i can only catch half of what is being said.

Me: "Noah?! what happened to him? hospital? wait WHAT?!"

Mom: "Your sister...had...a...baby..."

Yes, you read that correctly, she HAD a baby and we had NO idea she was pregnant.

She claims SHE didn't know she was pregnant.

You know that TV show? I didn't know I was pregnant? 

Well, I didn't buy it from my sister. My sister didn't look pregnant (she didnt really look pregnant the first time with Noah) But she couldn't have NOT known.

Long story short - I think she hid it from everyone. Baby E was a big baby. She has JUST had a baby a year before. She knows what a baby inside feels like.

I'm not an expert, I've never had a baby, but c'mon!!

I called Derek, freaking out, what would I tell my boss? My mom is on bed rest and can't hold over 5lbs. sooo I have to babysit Noah. How do I change a diaper?!

I got to the Hospital ASAP and met my new nephew. Eli Andrew.

aka: Mr. E 

I took Noah for the day while my sister/bro-in-law/Mr.E had some bonding time.

I took Noah to Derek's parents house (Derek took the day off to help also) and we had the best day.

So. I went back to work, they thought I was crazy. Most people here this story and are just shocked and confused. I laugh at it now because its just all so crazy and unbelievable.

Anyways... Mr. E turned ONE this weekend. 

I can't believe its been a year, but I guess when you miss the whole "i'm pregnant" announcement and the whole pregnancy part of it, it tends to feel like the 1st Birthday comes so fast.

Arrivederci!

This weekend we said our "See You Soon"s to Derek's sister 

Brandi and her husband Brandon

(aka. B'squared)

Brandi and Brandon are moving to ITALY on Wednesday!! So cray.

Saturday a group of us went to Corbin Bowl for one last night of Karaoke

(yes, I said karaoke not bowling.. there's a bar with karaoke inside the bowling alley. duh.)

Derek and I bought the B's a surprise Thomas the Train Ice Cream Cake.

I signed all the girls up for a little Spice Girls action and half way through the song 

I snuck off stage to grab the cake from Derek.

Middle of the Song - I came went back on stage with the cake and the tears started flowing.

I've known B'Squared for over 3 years now. We have shared so many amazing memories together.
They have always lived down the street and we see them so often. 

Its going to be so weird not having them around.

Arrivederci B'Squared. Can't wait to visit you in your new home, ITALY!!!

Clearly, Brandi and I rocked some Zac Brown Band.

We love us some Chicken Fried.

Fat Tuesday

Happy Fat Tuesday Loves!

Ironically, today is also the day that my order of Girl Scout Cookies arrived at the office.

Yumm.

Weekend Recap:

Derek and I officially live together!

We (and by "we" I really mean D and his friend) moved all my furniture in on Saturday.

I spent the day unpacking the little things (clothes, bathroom goodies, kitchen junk, etc.)

I still have a few boxes to unpack and more clothes to put away, but its really starting to feel like home.

We decided to have a chill night on Saturday.
We went to dinner and then had a PJ Party for 2 (PJs, Hookah, and TV) <3 

Sunday I spent the day with my little munchkins.

I love spending time with my nephews! <3

Me, my sister, and my mom took them to the Harbor to see the "Tall Ships"
Noah's favorite show is "Jake and the Neverland Pirate" so he LOVED being on the boat.

After we toured the boat we got some lunch, I spoiled Noah with an ice cream, 

and we walked around the harbor.

Noah saw a carousel and I've never seen him get so excited.

(like handed-over-his-ice-cream-to-go-on excited)

So of course I volunteered to take him on.

We got our ticket, he picked his seat, and we waited for it to start.

He was SO excited. Then it started.

The ride went up, he freaked, and jumped off into my arms.

...and then I got to hold/hug him for 3 minutes while standing on a carousel.

(but it was the best 3 minute hug ever)

I felt so bad he was scared. melts my heart.

 

Weekend Review and Beginning the Move

Hello my little Pancakes <3

Happy Tuesday!

seriously though, why isn't it Friday already?

I spent Thursday-Saturday in rainy San Diego (working a booth for my Dad at a convention)

boooorinnnngggg

But at least I got to spend some time with my parents.

I came back on Saturday night so I could have a "day off" before heading back to the office.

Sunday, D and I went for Champagne Brunch at El Torito and then started our "big move"!

There is NO WAY all my clothes are fitting in my new closet.

Our new home (aka his parents' guest house) is getting a make over this week!!

Switching out carpet for hardwood floors, painting cabinets, 

fixing tile in the bathroom, painting our bedroom.

I'm so excited for it all to be finished so we can finish the move and put together our home!!

I can't tear myself away from Pinterest these days looking at unrealistic Home Decor ideas!!

Any tips for closet storage? or moving? or home decor ideas?

Two - 2 - two - TWO

Happy 2nd Birthday Noah!

My oldest nephew had his Lego Birthday Party today.

He is growing up Way.Too.Fast!

I went sentimental on his gift this year.

When my sisters and I were younger we had a personalized "Birthday Song" from Captain Zoom!

and the song has been stuck in my head ever since

I googled the song and found the SAME song just for Noah!!

He loved it and it brought tears to everyone in my family as we sang along.

Love my new AQUA sweater <3<3<3

The Lego Party!

Birthday Boy with his Dino 

Nanny with Baby Eli <3

Baby Eli

Never too old for Legos!

 CAKE TIME!

 Sharing with Auntie 

Baby E loves his Uncle D

Girls Night at Bloomies

Last night my mom picked me up from work and

we met my cousin at Bloomingdale's in the Beverly Center (she works in sunglasses).

Chanel was having an event teaching make-up techniques 

and they also had an amazing gift-with-purchase.

Have you ever gotten your make-up done and felt like a clown?

Like you aren't sure how they got the job as a make-up artist?

Well... it happened last night. Thick (not straight / uneven) purple liquid eye liner

 with pink eye shadows and a brick orange lip.

Not to worry - another artist at the counter saw my unhappy and confused face.

Justin to the rescue!

Removed the lipstick and replaced it with a soft neutral.

blended the eye liner and made it a softer and smokier but still subtle eye.

Once we were all done (and looking Gorg.) we shopped a bit and headed to dinner.

It was a perfect way to spend my Thursday night.

and i'm obsessed with my new Chanel eye shadow kit <3

I fell in love with the brand AQUA last night.. (below) Cashmere sweater <3 SO comfy for the rainy Friday.

 Sweater - AQUA

Scarfs, Boots, and Rain

Happy THURSDAY....one.more.day.of.work

The rain came to L.A. which means everyone forgot how to drive..

so much traffic

But at least its Thursday which means tomorrow is 

Friday/Payday/Weekend/LastDayBeforeDecember(?!crazy!?)

This rain makes me SO sleepy.

Nothing sounds more amazing right now than being at home in front

of the fireplace with some pillows, blankets, and a Venti Creme Brulee Latte from Starbucks.

...sigh...

Throwback Thursday:

Our First Hanukkah/Christmas together Derek and I bought 2 little (fake) Trees and a Lakers Bear ornament...

Last Year (2nd Hanukkah/Christmas) we put the trees back up and added an inflatable Christmas Snoopy, and decorated our Stockings.

I wanted to get ornaments together each year so when we are 

older we have one from every Christmas together.

FAIL: Derek put up a fight last year over a stupid ornament and refused to buy one.

I will never let him live it down.

This year we are getting our first real tree. (Christmas Tree with Hanukkah colors? Maybe?)

We already bought 2 (He's trying to make up for last year) ornaments.

I can't wait to decorate!!

To my Bubbah...

I was out camping in Big Sur for my friend Jenya's birthday 

when my mom called. It was very late, I'd been drinking with friends, and for some reason I still answered.

"You are going to be an Aunt"

"Who is pregnant?! Ashley? Jenna? Kim? it can't be David or Jason"

I swear I listed every cousin, even some friends.

I guess with all the alch. in my system and hearing the word "aunt" my brain didn't 

register that it would have to be one of my sisters. duh.

My (middle) sister Stephanie had a boyfriend (Kevin)

She didn't admit it, but we all knew they had been dating for years.

And Kevin was now my brother-in-law.

IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST!

2 years ago today my first nephew was born.

Noah Andrew Bell.

When we finally got to go into the room and meet him for the first time i.fell.in.love.  

I picked him up and that was the end. I wouldn't let anyone else hold him (selfish i know).  I sat with him and talked to him for hours. 

Happy 2nd Birthday to my Baby Bubbah.

I love you more and more each day and I love being able to watch you grow into a little man.

<3, Auntie Bubbah.

<3<3<3