Gray Paint Color Finally Chosen!

Even though we have been in our home now for 4 months, we have not had a chance to do ANY decorating.  That means NOTHING. ZIP.  ZILCH.  I have been going through decorating ideas daily (and nightly).  The only thing I know for sure is what color will I paint the walls.  I went totally bold [turquoise] in our apartment for the last two years, and I loved it, but I am going for a different look in our house.  Yes, I will for sure use bold colors, just not on the walls.  I would like all of the artwork from our travels to pop out from subtle wall colors. 

The problem?  Which shade of gray?

I posted this picture way back in October as my inspiration.  I am still loving these grey walls with the thick white moldings.  

I wish I knew what this paint color was called and who makes it.  If you have ever looked at grey paint swatches then you know there are many different undertones: purple, blue, yellow, green.

Remember back in October when I painted a bunch samples on my wall?   Well, I have been staring at them for 3 months now, but one never jumped out as "the one."  So, yesterday I went to Home Depot and picked up Martha Stweart's Nimbus Cloud, which I read online is a "true gray."

After painting it on the wall, next to the 7 other samples, I knew I had found my color! Done and done!  It is the top left square.

The paint has been purchased and we will start painting tomorrow! So exciting!

Also painted the first 2 coats on my campaign dresser and it looks AWESOME!

Pictures of both painting projects coming soon!!!

One Year Ago Today!

It was one year ago today I found out I was pregnant with little Mateo. We were so excited, we called my whole family and told them that day!  Last year was the best.  I so enjoyed being pregnant.  Then actually having a baby and moving into a new home the following week...it was quite a year! You know I loved getting all the attention with my big belly.  But alas, my time is over.  Mateo has stolen the show and it is all about him.  He is almost 4 months old and is talking already!
Listen as he tells me how much he loves milk!

 

I will also always remember this day because it is my nieces' birthday.  Today she turned 21! Oh my god! How time flies.  I was still in high school when she was born. I remember driving to the hospital to see my sister and her new baby while the news about the gulf war played on the radio.  Ok, that made me feel old.  Goodbye.

OH...and Happy 2012!

HAPPY 2012!!

I know I am a bit tardy with this post, but what can I say?  My hands have been full.  Literally... 
Full of a precious baby. 

Somehow Mateo makes everything else seem less important.  And although my one handed typing has gotten faster in the last 4 months, it is still too slow for a whole blog post.

But do not worry, my faithful Viva Cindy readers...I AM BACK!!!!  Yesterday marked the last day of xmas lights.  Ernesto finished all the take-down just in time.  Last night the temperature dropped below freezing here!   I enjoyed an omlet and coffee in bed and Mateo enjoyed a book with his papi.
Boy, is it nice to have him home!!

I have so many unfinished blog posts to share with you and now I will have some time to finish up.  I hope you are ready to be bombarded!

This weekend we will finally be starting some projects on the house ....the "to do" list goes on and on, but little by little we will turn this house into a gem! Number #1 on the list?   Painting these builder beige walls! (yes, I finally chose a gray paint)
 
For me, 2012 is all about productivity.  The onlt thing I produced in 2011 was a baby! No small feat of course, but it is now time to cut down on searching the internet for inspiration and DO SOMETHING!!

Are you making any changes for 2012??

ps.  In the top picture, Mateo models his cloth diapers, which still seem quite big.  I am a bit scared to switch over, but will take the plunge as soon as I run out of my disposable diaper stash. 

Sweet Mateo

Mi querido Mateo,
I can hardly believe that in another week you will be 4 months old!   Time has flown by...
Beautiful moments that I'll always cherish.  
Hours of snuggling, just staring in awe at how perfect you are. Those eyelashes!  Beautiful lips! Soft skin! Sweet cheeks. So, so sweet. I love watching you drift off to sleep in my arms, I don't want to put you down...so I don't.  (Needless to say I have been very unproductive and have developed a crink in my wrist) Spoiled? Aw, who cares?  That is what I am here for.  I haven't missed a thing. (albeit some housework)  The first smile, first giggle, first roll...you are doing more every day and I am so happy to be there watching...waiting to see what comes next. 

Your eyes are following me around the room now.  You recognize your padres voices and give us smiles on demand.  The best is in the morning when you wake up.  While looking into your bed we say "Buenos dias Mateo!" and you give us a huge smile. Every. Time.  You are letting out loud squeals in addition to the many coos.  A few weeks ago you discovered your hands and you are constantly eating them.   You love to wave your hands to jingle toys overhead.  I love watching you concentrate on moving your hands where you want them to go. You are surprised [and a bit scared] when you roll yourself over during tummy time, but when we start clapping you give us a big smile.  I have seen you sucking your thumb randomly...oh yes, the slobber has arrived.   

You are the best sleeper.  As a matter of fact, last night you broke your record of 9 hours straight by sleeping from 7pm to 6am!  That is 11 hours!!  Did I mention that you are perfect?

You are a great eater too!  You just reached 12 pounds and are finally starting to get a little chunky.  I can't resist kissing you all the time.   I hope you know what my kisses mean and that you are loving all my attention. 

Your papi and I love you so much. 
We are so lucky that you are ours.
love,
Mama

{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!

I am linked up with:
my girlish whims
blue cricket design
sew-much-ado
someday crafts
sew woods
a beach cottage
domestically-speaking
gingersnap crafts
free pretty things for you
733 blog
southern lovely
Homemaker on a Dime - Creative Bloggers Party & Hop
Not Just a Housewife - Show Me What Ya Got
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia - Tuesday Treasures
Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesday
saved by suzy
Primp your stuff Wednesday

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?