{Before and After} The Armoire

Better late than never!
Remember this thing? My $60 find on Craigslist earlier this year?

I did actually start painting it before baby Mateo arrived in September, but finally the hardware has been put on and this beauty now is the star the [unfinished] nursery.  I am still undecided on how to decorate the nursery.  I have so many colorful things, so I need to figure out a way to make it all mesh together.

I am so happy with how it turned out! 

I started out by giving it a coat of Zinsser primer for durability.

The coverage was good enough with one coat and honestly I was ready to move on with the project.  A perfectionist I am not!

Remember I was debating the color?  Orange, yellow, white or Turquoise? The paint I chose was Behr "Gem Turquoise."

I didn't get samples, which was dumb of me, there are so many shades of turquoise, and this one probably would not have made the cut if I had bought a sample.  Ernesto started paining it for me after I bought the quart so there was no turning back. It came out a little like frosting, but I have really grown more fond of it with time. It adds a great punch of color, and everyone who has seen it has loved it! 

What I think makes the armoire fabulous is the hardware.  This gold metallic by Valspar has a great finish.

What do you think?
Now I just need to desgn the nursery with this pop of color.  The original idea (see inspiration board here) was yellow and gray...I think that can still work!

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Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

After renting a cabin in the north Georgia mountains last year for New Year's, we decided that it should become a tradition.  Although we didn't get the same cabin, this one was pretty awesome too.  We added two more couples, bringing the total to 8+baby. 

The cabin had a stone walkway right into the river, the sound of rushing water filled the house.  Hot tub was on the middle deck and overlooking the water. 

We all brought food to cook.  Ernesto made a Mexican beef brisket for tacos, and a chorizo/potato/eggs breakfast. I, of course had to make my mom's tradition of "pigs in the blanket" (pork and sauerkraut) for a good luck new years day.  Michael is a chef and he brought southern good luck food.  Hands down, the best greens and black eyed peas I have ever had.
No doubt we will be having a great year after eating all that good luck food.   
Just my luck.  (maybe that's what it is Fred!?)
We ate, drank, sat in the hot tub, played games and watched movies in front of the fire.
And we laughed.  A lot.
Good times.

Hope you had a great new years too!

ps. I have so many "plans" for this year.  Just 10 more days and daddy dearest will be back at home with me and Mateo full time.  We are going to get started on making this house a home and I will be documenting everything with before and afters!  Stay tuned!
 

A Perfect Christmas in Pictures!

That really sums up my 2011.  JOY

My mom painted this ornament for Mateo, and it is my favorite one on our tree.  It was wonderful to celebrate Christmas this year as a family of three.

 

Five days of holiday fun started with a quick flight to Ohio.  It was Mateo's first flight and he traveled like a pro...sleeping almost the whole trip.

 Titi cried more than him....but he was pretty happy once we reached grandma's house.

Just like my bother Brrrian said, Christmas is a lot more fun with kids around.
The two new additions wore [unplanned] matching outfits to the annual Arnold Christmas Cocktail Party. 

It was the first time we met little Luke and the first time Barbie met Mateo.  How cute!?  These two little guys were joined by their older [also very cute] cousins in this shot.

Even though Mateo is 6 weeks older than Lukey-Luke and maybe an inch or so longer, Luke probably has a pound or two on him.  I mean, did you see those cheeks??

My SIL Barbie, also mother to Mr. Cheekers above, sewed these cute matching outfits for the cousins.

I think it goes without saying, that these are two very handsome boys. 

{Luke and Mateo go to work}

Mateo opened his first present Christmas morning.  It was from Grandma and Grandpa...a baseball rattle which he was actually able to grab and swing around.

 As usual, my mom did the best entertaining and all the traditions were carried out and wonderful.  Being with my family never gets old, five days just wasn't enough!  I realize that this post is mostly about kids and not so much about gifts as in previous years...but what can I say....I have found something more compelling to write about! 

(Although my new UGG slippers are THE BOMB...thanks mi amor!!!)

Hope you had a Merry Christmas too!

Three Months Old {Mateo's Monthly Photo}

Virtual Christmas Card 2011

Finally Feels Like Christmas!

We finally got around to lighting and decorating our Christmas tree.  The Christmas Light Pro had this idea that we would go pick out our tree "as a family" this year (so cute!) but every night when he got home from work, he was too tired to go anywhere.  (understandably so) Then one night I heard his truck pulling in and peeked out the window and saw a huge tree on top of all his ladders.  Yeah!

Ernesto used a mix of big C-9 bulbs, colored mini lights, and warm white LED's.  I had to stop him because there were so many lights/wires, that I almost didn't have room to put on my ornaments.  (Incidentally, our tree fell over the other night.  I think it was because it wasn't in the base straight, but I keep teasing Ernesto that it was because there are so many lights weighing it down:)

500 strands later........

Between you and me, all the lights look awesome.

Mateo is staying awake longer and longer these days and with the recent discovery of his hands it is hard to catch them not moving.  He had fun on his playmat and watched us decorate.  Next year he will participate.

We have really been enjoying our fireplace. The glow of the tree lights and a blazing fire is magical. 
Add streaming Christmas music from Pandora, coffee with our favorite [seasonal] 'peppermint mocha' creamer, and this little guy and life is good.

Did I mention that I love him?

Thanksgiving 2011

Since I am so late in posting [and have no time for blogging] I'll keep this Thanksgiving post short and sweet. 

Brother Brrrian and parents were in Atlanta.  

We fried a turkey.

We also roasted one.
We had 30lbs of turkey for 6 people.
As usual, my dad did the carving.

I tried a new stuffing recipe with rosemary, apples and raisins.
My mom stuffed the turkey with her classic recipe.
The classic won hands down.  

Unbelievable, but the one day that Ernesto had off from lighting houses, he decided to put lights on our house.  Brrrian and his friend helped him secure the colored LED lights around the roof line.  Here they are all up on ladders.  Ernesto is wrapping that tree in all red lights, it looks awesome!

Hope you had a great one too!

Shift Change!

Time is going by so fast! It has already been two weeks since mi suegra arrived from San Diego! (Mateo's tata had to could only stay for 5 days)  I can't even begin to tell you what a huge help she has been.  She is a professional with babies...and her cooking isn't bad either!

Although she may have spoiled little Mateo, (he slept in her arms all day) I am so grateful to have had her here.  Not many women can be with their mother-in-laws for two weeks straight!  We get along great....I love her so much!  She left last night and we miss her already!

We coordinated her replacement to arrive yesterday for a seamless transition. 

My parents flew in Tuesday morning and the five of us were able to visit for the day. 

It was perfect fall weather so we walked down to the park and sat outside for lunch.

Just two more weeks or so and the calls will stop coming in for Christmas lights and we can go back to cuddling with our little guy all day and starting some family traditions. It's going to be a great year!

Two Months Old {Mateo's Monthly Photo}

See Mateo at One Month here