orange you glad

Baby Bolla Maternity Shoot

2013-10-28T22:47:00.000-07:00

Photos were taken at UNM's Duck Pond, October 27, 2013

Dear Husband, and photographer for RJB Photography, took me on a maternity shoot this weekend to capture the glorious bump Baby Rocco has created. The colorful leaves and perfect weather make fall a gorgeous and ideal time of year for photo shoots. I think Andrew did a wonderful job capturing the essence of my pregnancy and I can't wait to show Rocco what his momma looked like while carrying him.

Baby Bolla Bump

2013-10-17T21:24:00.001-07:00


Taken at home, October 17, 2013 (Happy Birthday, Dad!)

ENERGY: Not sleeping well + 3rd trimester baby making = EXHAUSTION

MOOD: Grumpy, moody, excited, ready for 'maternity leave', nervous, anxious, etc...

APPETITE: This week's specials: meatloaf, non-fat greek yogurt, cashews, pistachios, decaf chai lattes, pretzels, cantaloupes (fresh from the garden!), and Sprees!

MISC.: Symptoms include but are not limited to:

acne (like whoa!)

indigestion (so yucky)

frequent urination

linea nigra

Baby Rocco kicks, twists and punches

interrupted sleep

spontaneous hiccups

total weight gain: ~18lbs

Baby Bolla Bump

2013-10-03T21:04:00.000-07:00

Santa Fe, Septemer 28, 2013

Taken at home, October 1, 2013

ENERGY: Tired or not, it's time to get stuff DONE!! (Everything is still in boxes: stroller, car seat, pack n play, etc!!)

MOOD: Emotional, excited, nervous and volatile (as Andrew would say!)

APPETITE: fresh homemade salsa (with our garden tomatoes and peppers!), bruschetta, decaf chai, dried apricots, non-fat Greek yogurt, green chile stew, cashews, and of course ice cream (with Magic Shell!)

MISC.: Symptoms include but are not limited to:

acne (like whoa!)

frequent urination

linea nigra

back pain

Baby Rocco kicks, twists and punches

interrupted sleep

spontaneous hiccups

total weight gain: ~18lbs

Rocco's First Portraits

2013-09-25T11:43:00.001-07:00

On Monday, I had another ultrasound to check on the location of my placenta and of course to check in on Rocco's growth! Rocco's measuring right at the 50th percentile at 14 inches and 4 lbs, but let's talk about how freakin' cute he is!! Look at that face...what's not to love about his nose, cheeks and lips?! And his tiny, daddy look-a-like feet are to die for!

Our precious baby Rocco...we can't wait to meet you.

Baby Bolla Bump

2013-09-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

ENERGY: Third trimester might slow me down a bit...I've been feeling the nap urges coming on!

MOOD: Anxious, excited and simply over the moon!!

APPETITE: Beginning of Fall specials: fresh homemade salsa (with our garden tomatoes and peppers!), decaf chai, dried apricots, non-fat Greek yogurt, salmon, ice cream (with Magic Shell!)

MISC.: Symptoms include but are not limited to:

acne

frequent urination

linea nigra

back pain

Baby Rocco kicks, twists and punches

indigestion (yuck)

Braxton Hicks contractions (I think I felt one last night?)

total weight gain: ~15lbs

Baby Bolla Bump

2013-09-06T16:04:00.002-07:00

ENERGY: I'm feeling great but this growing bump is starting to become a bit inhibiting!! I'm not sure I'm going to be able to give myself a pedicure for much longer!!

MOOD: Cheery with the occasional emotional crying session!

APPETITE: End of summer specials: green grapes, non-fat yogurt, wine tasting in Plymouth, CA, ice cream, and bruschetta with our garden tomatoes and basil.

MISC.: Symptoms include but are not limited to:

acne (still!)

frequent urination

linea nigra

back pain (it's in full force now)

Baby Rocco kicks, twists and punches

indigestion (yuck)

total weight gain: ~12-15lbs

Baby Bolla has a Baby Shower!!

2013-08-22T22:06:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, my mom (with the help of my BFFs, Danielle and Cherie!) hosted a lovely baby shower for Rocco and me. Fifteen of my dearest family and girlfriends were on hand to celebrate Rocco; it was truly amazing! They showered us with some incredibly thoughtful and useful (not sure I know how to use a bottle yet!) gifts; but really, the best part was seeing and catching up with friends I haven't seen since I got married (it's been three years already!!). It was such a happy day playing games, eating food and opening presents with such wonderful women. We (Husband, myself and Rocco) couldn't be more grateful for all the love.

Baby Bolla Bump: 6 Months!!!!

2013-08-13T23:05:00.000-07:00

Feels like:

ENERGY:The naps are few and far between these days (except I did take one today!) and I find myself going at it all day long...it feels good!!

MOOD: Now that we're back to work and school, the anxiety is ever present to get it ALL done in the 3 1/2 months (clean house, work on my dissertation, teach, put the nursery together!).

APPETITE: This week's specials: non-fat greek yogurt, green grapes, everything bagels with cream cheese, spaghetti, and last but not least: ice cream, ice cream and more ice cream (mint n' chip!).

MISC.: Symptoms include but are not limited to:

acne (still!)

frequent urination

increased appetite

linea nigra

achy back

frequent Baby Rocco kicks

growing breasts (I've upgraded to my 40DD bra!)

weight gain: 9lbs

This weekend I am traveling back to San Diego for my baby shower, the California version!! My best friend, Danielle, is flying in from Boston; my mom, mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law and all my best girlfriends will be there to celebrate Baby Rocco. I can't wait! Pictures to follow soon!!

Baby Bolla Bump

2013-08-08T22:42:00.003-07:00

And feels like:

ENERGY: I feel like a turbo Energizer Bunny. I am so grateful for the energy because I really need it right now!

MOOD: I'm so ready (not really, we don't have anything) and anxious and excited to start preparing Baby Rocco's (yes, we've chosen a name!) nursery! We picked out the cutest bedding from Pottery Barn! Oh, and I'm also so ready and anxious and excited to continue working on my dissertation....right?

APPETITE: This week's specials: non-fat greek yogurt, white peaches, Rubio's chicken quesadillas, arnold palmers, ice cream, ice cream, and more ice cream!!

MISC.: Symptoms include but are not limited to:

acne (still!)

frequent urination

increased appetite

linea nigra

achy back

frequent Baby Rocco kicks

mild indigestion (that happens when you throw down a while burger at Outback)

weight gain: 9lbs

Baby Bolla Bump

2013-07-30T23:22:00.000-07:00

And feels like:

ENERGY: Vacation in San Diego for two weeks calls for high energy and the occasional nap!

MOOD: Husband and I are just over the moon that we're having a boy; and my mom and I can't go to a store (any store) without buying something for Baby Bolla (he already has tons of clothes!). He is one lucky boy!

APPETITE: This week's specials: non-fat greek yogurt, Marino's torpedo sandwiches, Brigantine fish tacos, rolled tacos, and the blackberry cobbler from Eddie V's

MISC.: Symptoms include but are not limited to:

acne (still!)

frequent urination

increased appetite

linea nigra

swollen feet

achy back

Baby Bolla flutter kicks (he's getting stronger!!)

weight gain: 7lbs

Baby Bolla: boy or girl?

2013-07-23T23:20:00.002-07:00

This past Sunday we got together with our families for the big sex reveal!! Our ultrasound tech sealed the good news tightly in an envelope addressed to 'the bakery' which I took straight to Grove Pastry Shop! We then waited anxiously for FOUR DAYS until we were able to cut into the cake! Together with our parents; my best friend, Danielle, joining us from Boston by way of FaceTime; and my relatives from Venezuela Skyping in, we cut into a beautiful 'Baby Bolla' cake and saw blue!!! We couldn't more thrilled and let me tell you, knowing the baby's sex definitely helps focus in on the shopping (I already have a stroller and crib bedding picked out!). As numerous girlfriends have already said, "Let the shopping begin!"

Baby Bolla Bump: HALFWAY!!!!

2013-07-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Lexi O'Donnell (Thanks, Lexi!!)

And feels like:

ENERGY: This week has been a high energy, highly productive week: I've gardened, stayed up late running statistics, painted my toes, and cleaned the house! (Let's not forget the naps!).

MOOD: Now that I've purchased the largest bras EVER and have a small section of my closet full of maternity clothes to accommodate my swelling breasts and growing belly, I couldn't be happier. Maternity clothes shopping might have been the best shopping experience of my life.

APPETITE: This week's specials: non-fat greek yogurt, Fiber One cereal with fresh berries, white peaches, cajun tofu and rice, and homemade pesto (with walnuts instead of pine nuts).

MISC.: Symptoms include but are not limited to:

acne

frequent urination

sore feet

increased appetite

linea nigra

achy back (new!)

Baby Bolla flutter kicks (new and soo amazing!!)

weight gain: 4lbs

Tomorrow is my mid-pregnancy ultrasound where we'll find out if Baby Bolla is a boy or girl!!

I've realized that I keep referring to the baby as 'him'...maybe I know something the rest of you don't?

Baby Bolla Bump

2013-07-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

And feels like:

ENERGY: I will never take for granted a good nap...ever again!

MOOD: Well, I had my first official pregnancy emotional breakdown this week! This entailed in the front door after a long day and balling my eyes out for 10 minutes. I think Husband was initially worried that something serious had happened. When he realized that my hormones had just gotten the best of me, he made it all better by taking the clip out of my hair, rubbing my back and feet and making my favorite drink...an Arnold Palmer!

APPETITE: This week's specials: hummus, lamb burgers, and egg salad. While meat is still not featured on the menu, anything with eggs (particularly hard boiled), is a big hit with me (ie, egg salad, potato salad)...yummo.

MISC.: Symptoms include but are not limited to:

occasional headaches

flatulence

acne

frequent urination

sore feet

increased appetite

emotional breakdowns (new!)

spontaneous hiccups (new!)

linea nigra (new!)

weight gain: 4lbs

Next week I go in for my mid-pregnancy ultrasound where we'll find out if Baby Bolla is a boy or girl!! (Anyone want to start a pool?!)

Stay tuned...

Baby Bolla Bump

2013-07-02T21:22:00.001-07:00

And feels like:

ENERGY: Go go go (most days!).

MOOD: Anxious. We haven't bought a single baby item nor have we registered for anything. But like Husband says, all the baby needs is a diaper and a blanket...right!? (haha).

APPETITE: Red meat I can tolerate now, but it's still a no go for chicken.

MISC.: Baby Bolla is the size of a sweet potato!

This week's symptoms include but are not limited to (and in no particular order):

flatulence

acne

frequent urination

sore feet

increased appetite

dry nose

Check back next week for Baby Bolla Bump, the 19 week edition!!

Baby Bolla Bump

2013-06-23T14:30:00.004-07:00

And feels like:

ENERGY: I'm kind of like the Energizer Bunny

(thank goodness because I'm trying to knock out a lot of this dissertation before Baby Bolla arrives!)

MOOD:I'm settling into the extreme elation of pregnancy, and because the pregnancy has been easy so far (knock on wood it stays that way), I'm just soaking it all up. (Husband and I constantly touch my belly and stare at each other with doey eyes!).

APPETITE:I'm a flexitarian, if you will!! If I end up a full-fledged vegetarian, I'm going to need to look up some new recipes! No wild cravings, but my appetite is increasing.

MISC.: Symptoms include but are not limited to:

occasional headaches

flatulence

acne

frequent urination

sore feet

increased appetite

Check back next week for Baby Bolla Bump, the 18 week edition!!

Baby Bolla Bump

2013-06-18T19:32:00.000-07:00

And 16 weeks feels like:

ENERGY: High energy, except for when Baby Bolla sucks it all out of me...then I just take a nap!

MOOD: The Subaru commercials don't make me cry anymore, and I don't think I've had any bizarre mood swings (but Husband is the one to ask about this!).

APPETITE: I might be a full on vegetarian!? Still like sweets and salt is yummy too. I'm trying to stay off the Hot Cheetos (Baby Bolla doesn't want to eat any Red 40!).

MISC.: The occasional headaches aren't that much fun. We heard the baby's heartbeat this week (so cool and also reassuring)...going strong at ~140 beats per minute!! Baby Bolla is the size of an avocado this week!!

Check back next week for Baby Bolla Bump, the 17 week edition!!

Happy Father's Day

2013-06-16T10:47:00.001-07:00


Father-daughter dance, 2010.

A daughter's relationship with her father is one of a kind, unbreakable, and so special. And to be a daddy's girl is the greatest thing in the world, let me tell ya!

While I'm a lot like my mother--we look alike, we're extroverts and we are stubborn and aggressive perfectionists, it's my dad for whom I am a clone. I'm left-brained like him, I like to fix things, I like a good sale (!!), and we are the only ones in the family who like our meat well done.

As a baby, my dad would walk me every night until I fell asleep, whether it was up and down the hall of our apartment, around the apartment complex, or down the street. It's no wonder we grew to be so close. As a child, he would take me to my favorite park, the Blue Park, as I always called it, and push me on the swings or watch me run around the jungle gym. As a teenager, my dad taught me how to drive, tolerated the many 'fender benders' I got into, and scared my boyfriends. As now, as an adult, my dad has taught me the ins and outs of being a homeowner and how to invest my money.

But most importantly, my dad has always taken care of his family, has always been the best role model, and is the best at giving advice.

Happy Father's Day, Dad! I love you.


The Mosley clan, circa 1984 (I'm the baby!)

I hope you didn't forget that there's another guy I have to give props to!!

This time next year, I'll have the great pleasure of celebrating two wonderful men on Father's Day. I told Husband that if we have a girl, I hope he has the same relationship with his daughter that I have with my dad (and then he cried!).

This is how we celebrated the dad-to-be:

What do you think? Girl or boy?

Baby Bolla: Pregnancy Wishlist

2013-06-10T18:17:00.001-07:00

1. What's not to love about this stroller: it's safe, versatile, stylish, and most importantly, it's orange!

2. I'm not showing yet so I'm still able to sun it up in my pre-pregnancy bikinis, but this polka dot suit is such a fun way to show off that baby bump!

3. Try googling 'maternity dresses' and see what you get. I've already done this, so let me tell you what you'll see: conservative and demure. This dress however, is so fun. It's a great cut and the safari leopard print is edgy!

4. I've noticed that when you're pregnant everyone feels like it's their duty to give you advice, and as first time parents, Husband and I are all ears!! So far some tips have been better than others. Like this one for example: "Make sure you get a good diaper bag! At first I didn't get one, but as soon as I did...and with all those compartments, I was ready to rock!". Enough said!

________________

1. UPPAbaby

2. TOPSHOP

3. TOPSHOP

4. JJ Cole

Baby Bolla Bump: 14 weeks

2013-06-05T19:52:00.002-07:00

And 14 weeks feels like:

ENERGY: I finally have some energy again. I wouldn’t
exactly call it the energy ‘boost’ that all my pregnancy
books speak of! Nonetheless, it beats the extreme
fatigue I battled the first 10 weeks!

MOOD: Happy, happy and happier! Now that everyone
knows, this is the most exciting time of my/our
life/lives!!

APPETITE: I’m eating like a bird: small meals and
often. Mild meat aversion. I love milk, especially the
chocolate variety; the sweet tooth is still in tact!

MISC.: Baby Bolla is the size of a lemon!!

Check back next week for Baby Bolla Bump, the 15 week edition!!

Introducing....Baby Bolla!!!

2013-06-02T11:14:00.002-07:00

That's right, we're expecting!!! We are so thrilled (and a little scared) about becoming parents and opening this new chapter in our lives and we couldn't keep it to ourselves for much longer. It's been a few weeks since we've shared the news with our families and closest friends, now it's time to share the news with the world!!

Ever since we found out, on Husband's birthday (March 18), we've been reveling at the thought of becoming parents, but it wasn't until we had our first ultrasound that it really hit us and became real. It was indescribable: seeing the miniature form of a human inside my belly, listening to his/her heart beat, and watching him/her kick and wave. I've stared at the images from our ultrasound and I can't wait to see what that little head and those active arms and legs will look like in the flesh!!

Baby Bolla at 13 weeks

I'm a nail artist!!!

2012-09-30T14:26:00.001-07:00

In all the free time that I don't have, I've mastered the art of picking up new hobbies: sewing, canning, and most recently, nail artist (un)extraordinaire!! In an attempt to liven up my typically neutral-painted (yet classic) nails, I've started using designs and bold colors when giving myself homemade manis and pedis. My dear friend Emily, and partner in crime, has been a wonderful support system for my new past time (thank you, Em!!) Check out my first two creations...


Bottom coat: Sephora by OPI, Beauty Junkie Top coat (lines design): Mary Kay, Gold Leaf


Bottom coat: Maybelline, Bronze Luster Top coat: Sephora by OPI, Only Gold for Me

Obviously I should stick to my day job, but it sure is a good time and I'm bound to get better...right!?

30 x 30 Challenge: 10 of 30

2012-07-07T11:46:00.002-07:00

My dad was recently in town for Father's Day (that's how far behind I am in posting these photos!!) and helped me with my 30 x 30 photo shoots. As a retired photographer, he was such a good sport and was wonderful at giving me directions for poses, etc! Here, we're on location in Old Town (which is the site of one of our favorite New Mexican restaurants, Church Street Cafe!).

Happy Birthday, Big Brother!!

2012-06-26T08:15:00.000-07:00

Ale, on your birthday, I want you to know what a great role model and friend you have been to me, your little sister. And even though one state and 11 years separate us, we'll always be close. Here are just a few reasons why you're the best...

Because of you, I joined my middle school band and played the drums (the best girl drummer Mr. Dyke had ever seen!), I know how to juggle my spit, I was a tomboy wearing your old Hang Ten shirts, I was an eloquent songwriter at 5 years old, I took Kung fu classes (and kicked ass!), I got an A in my high school art class (he drew all the pictures in my sketchbook), and ramen and canned mushrooms used to be my favorite meal (do you remember that!?).

You've left an everlasting impression on me and for that I thank you. Happy birthday to the best big brother a little sister could ever ask for. I love you!

Love,
Vennie (aka Steak!)

30 x 30 Challenge: 9 of 30

2012-06-25T18:21:00.003-07:00

This exquisite skirt is one of my favorite pieces in my closet (and shamefully, I don't wear it enough). I snagged it at H&M (one of my favorite stores except that the Land of Enchantment doesn't have one...grr). I wasn't quite sure how this blouse would look with this skirt but I was pleasantly surprised (what do you think?).

Is it just me or does my arm look strange in that last picture!?

30 x 30 Challenge: 8 of 30

2012-06-23T11:04:00.001-07:00

I love white clothes. I think it's because white represents the epitome of summer...and weddings!!

Btw, we took these pictures at the loading dock of our neighborhood Albertson's and an old, dilapidated strip mall where my favorite Joann's used to be.