So tomorrow is the big day! We find out if the baby is a boy or a girl. Want to place your bet? :)
xoxo, Erin
Uncategorized
11.12.09
Christmas
11.11.09
Christmas card time!
Kenny had to work late last night so it was the perfect opportunity to get going on my Christmas cards! I love making them every year. Especially when I start early enough that I’m not rushed. The goal: to have them made and in envelopes stamped and ready to mail by Thanksgiving. The goal was originally to have this done by Halloween. I’m famous for setting unrealistic goals. I can’t wait to start getting cards in the mail! And I can’t wait for my pantry door to look like this again. Isn’t this the best time of year!? I had to resist the urge to turn on “It’s a Wonderful Life” last night – trying to hold off Christmas movies a little longer although I don’t know why. I would be perfectly content celebrating Christmas all year long.
Today is Veterans Day and the girls are out of school. We may all three be in pajamas for quite a while. We also may have to take a trip to Toys R Us to get a few ideas for Santa. :) Hmm. Maybe we’ll go to Toys R Us in our pajamas. That sounds like a party. Anyone up for joining us?
Also let me know if want a Christmas card from me (if you didn’t get one last year) and I’d love to add you to the list. Of course I’ll be expecting to then be added to the top of yours. :)
xoxo, Erin
Ramblings
11.10.09
fabulous fall finds
Oh I love fall fashion. Love love love it! Best time of the year to buy clothes. So it totally BITES to be pregnant during the fall. Not only pregnant, but in that awkward in between stage. Don’t get me wrong, in pregnancy land second trimester is the absolute best and I’ve been feeling great. Done with first trimester sickness and not yet to ‘I’m a whale and my back is killing me’ third trimester. BUT – as far as clothes are concerned nothing is working! Pre-pregnancy clothes are getting way too tight and a lot of maternity clothes are still too big. Plus most of my maternity clothes I bought in 2003 when I was pregnant with Ellie and styles have changed just a bit since then! Did I once enjoy looking like a high waisted tent!? I guess so. Worked at the time…not so much now. BUT – I don’t want to go spend a lot of money on maternity clothes. They fit for such a short time and this will be my last pregnancy so it seems especially silly to spend money on clothes that I’ll only wear for 5 more months. BUT – I’m in need of a little retail therapy. SO – I’ve decided to turn my attention towards more shoes. Shoes that I probably don’t need, but really really want. Here are a few I’m salivating over right now…
These Maxstudio slingback pumps are so simple and cute! They just seem like a good go-to shoe that would work with about anything.
I LOVE these Steve Madden gray pumps. They’re a little like my Gwen Stefani black shoes but the laces are adding a really great touch. Pumps like these are surprisingly comfortable too…the higher back gives better ankle support. Much better support than my two hour shoes. Bet I could wear them for at least three hours, making them a must have!
Oh…are these not to die for!!! Michael Kors Peep Toe Bootie. I love a good peep toe. They are so San Diego. Wear the boot because it’s the month of November, but show the pedicured toe because it’s 75 degrees.
And how fun are these green Hunter rain boots! SO CUTE! We don’t have slushy winter weather, but it does rain from time to time. How fun would it be to have these when it does! Why should our kids be the only ones decked in darling rain attire? Plus they’re green making them a must have for my wardrobe. 
And last but certainly not least my FAVORITE boot I’ve seen so far this fall. I LOVE these boots. I ALL CAPS LOVE THESE BOOTS. I triple exclamation LOVE these boots!!! I RIDICULOUSLY LARGE PRINT LOVE THESE BOOTS! This Guess Suede boot has been popping up in my dreams since I spotted them on line. They are even better than the boots I dreamed about buying last year. They are a masterpiece. And if I had my way, they – along with all of the above shoes – would be mine. Question is: if we have a few more Charger wins and I can actually pull off getting any of these fabulous fall finds, what would they look like with the high waisted tent?
xoxo, Erin
Christmas
11.09.09
photo shoot gone bad
So if you know me you know that I have a thing with pajamas. Maybe some would call it an obsession. And because of this obsession I went a little crazy with the girls Christmas p.j.’s buying them several pairs this year because there were just too many cute pairs to choose from! Then my mom came to visit a few weeks ago and what did she bring for the girls? Christmas pajamas. (the apple doesn’t fall too far…) I usually give the girls their Christmas p.j.’s after Thanksgiving so they can wear them throughout December, but I figured we’d start a little early this year and spread them out. :) So I gave them their first pair today and just like last year, got all ready for our annual Christmas p.j. photo shoot on my red couches.
Things were going well.
Girls were cooperating until…
we suddenly heard shouts coming from the family room… LOUD SHOUTS.
And this came to mind {“In the Christmas Eve game there arose such a clatter, Erin ran to the living room to see what was the matter. When what to her wondering eyes should appear, but Kenny dancing around in his blue Charger gear!”} Sound familiar? :)
We knew this could only mean one thing. The Chargers won! Scoring the winning touchdown with 21 seconds left in the game! (YES! They FINALLY got my letter!!!)
Someone in our house was pretty excited.
And that someone got two other someones pretty excited.
and someone else (who after all of this excitement tried to resume the photo shoot) quickly realized that picture taking was done for the day. But that someone isn’t bitter. She is thinking that if the Chargers keep this up, our little family is going to have a VERY Merry Christmas. ;) p.s. I was featured today as a “Monday Maven” on the fun blog ‘I Never Grew Up’! You can check out my interview here.
Thanks Vanessa!
xoxo, Erin
Ellie and Addison
11.06.09
A better day
So after a better night’s sleep and a calmer day I’m smiling after re-reading yesterday’s post. Sounded like I was just the tiniest bit annoyed…and tired…and sick…and tired…and frustrated…and tired. I have a close friend who is going through a really hard time right now and I think that also added to a lot of my stress and overall mood. Plus this pregnancy has been bringing out all kinds of loveliness where my mood is concerned. I’m happy as a clam one minute and ready to attack the next. Well, today has been much better. I think I have a few things figured out to help mellow out our schedule and I could taste my food for the first time in a week (is that not so annoying when you’re sick and can’t taste your food!?). I’m also smiling after reading all of your sweet comments. Especially one from my good friend Shari who has six kids of her own and is offering to take my two so I can have a break. HA! Reminded me of the time I called her after our first Christmas card photo shoot with Ellie (who was 9 months old at the time). I went on and on complaining about what a nightmare it was (we were at the beach…sand in her eyes…not one smile…blah blah blah). Shari was so sweet and understanding. I hung up the phone and Kenny said “were you just complaining to Shari about a photo shoot with ONE child?” I immediately felt like a complete and total idiot. A bit like I did today thinking about all of the people reading my blog with more kids than two and much bigger problems than a cold and too many extra curricular activities. So, sorry for that! But it felt good to vent and if you can’t vent on your blog, where can you? Heaven knows Kenny’s had his fair share of my venting lately. :)
So good-bye to gymnastics for now.
Here’s the deal with swimming. We don’t take lessons in the summer because we travel a lot and it’s crazy busy with everyone taking lessons in the summer. I’ve found that if I put the girls in once a week from September to Mayish they remember what they learned better. By doing this I’m also paying a group rate for a private lesson since there aren’t that many kids swimming during this time of year. Plus I have both of my girls taking a lesson at the same time. This is HUGE. I can actually watch them swim instead of entertaining one of them while the other one has a lesson. I don’t know how long we’ll be able to keep it up once my kids are in school full time, but for now it’s a good thing – even though it’s one more thing.
And then there’s dance. Ahhh dance. Dancing was MY thing from 3 years old until I finished college. So yes – I’m living vicariously through them and until they are old enough to decide that they don’t like it, they WILL be taking dance lessons. How else will they become part of the cast of So You Think You Can Dance 2025? ;) And again I totally scored on getting them in classes in two studios right next to each other at the same time. Ellie does Tap/Jazz while Addison does Tap/Ballet and I get to relax and watch. Except for when I’m imitating their moves and wanting to bust out on the floor with them.
It doesn’t get any cuter than three year olds shakin’ it in tights and ballet shoes.
So this weekend is looking good. Not too much on the agenda and I’m hoping for some much needed R&R…
Hoping the same for you and your family as well!
xoxo, Erin
Ramblings
11.05.09
You’re gonna have your hands full
I’m exhausted. I don’t know what has happened lately, but I am feeling like things are too busy around here. I don’t know if it’s my schedule, the pregnancy factor, or the sick factor (I’ve had a cold for a week and a half that I can’t kick), but something has got to give! I always had visions of having so much more time on my hands once my girls started school and that has NOT been the case. Of course, Ellie is only in school until 12:30 and Addison only goes for a few hours a few days a week. I feel like by the time I drop Addison off it’s time to turn around and pick her up again. Our afternoons have been so busy with swim lessons, gymnastics, dancing, church stuff, play dates, homework (yes – I’m already complaining about homework and my child is in Kindergarten). It seems like I’m always rushing my girls – “get dressed, grab your stuff, were late late late, we’ll eat in the car, where are your shoes, go go go!” We have way too much going on for a 3 and 5 year old. And way too much going on for this thirty-two twenty-something year old.
Then there are the doctor appointments. I have been LIVING at the doctor’s office lately.
-regular pregnancy visits
-extra visits sparked on by trip to Emergency Room
-my flu shot
-girls’ flu shots
-family’s swine flu shots
-girls’ yearly allergy appointment
-follow up to Addie’s flu shot
-Addie’s ear ache appointment
-my TB test (to be able to volunteer at Ellie’s school)
-annual skin app.
There have been more appointments than that but my brain is too fried right now to remember the rest. A reminder from my girls’ dentist – “time for your 6 month check-up!” – came in the mail tonight. I told Kenny I’m done. The appointment will have to be made during a time when he can take them. Cause here’s the story with taking my girls to the doctor. It is inevitable that when I have the girls with me, the wait to see the doctor is forever long. I can only keep them occupied with snacks and coloring for so long before their wildness comes out. They can’t hold still. They can’t talk quietly. They can’t not touch things they shouldn’t touch. And very shortly I become exhausted from trying to keep them contained. At our last appointment before the doctor left the room she said good-bye to my girls, glanced at my stomach, and said “you’re gonna have your hands full.”
Well just great. I already feel like I have my hands full. And my plate is full. And something has got to give. My girls don’t have enough time to be home. To play pretend. To color and create. And I don’t have enough time to be home. To clean and organize. To fix healthy snacks. To work on my projects and create. So I pulled Ellie out of gymnastics (which made me sad because she enjoys it and is good at it) and I’m looking at what else we can do to re-adjust our schedule so that we have more down time at home. Plus it’s November. I love November. It’s the month to focus on gratitude and to be home and cozy with the fireplace on. Well, except that in San Diego there’s really no need for a fireplace. But it sounded good. I was also hoping that November would allow me some time to get a jump start on shopping and projects and card making for December so that I can truly enjoy the holiday season and not feel rushed and stressed.
So far, November is off to a rocky start. And I’m already feeling rushed and stressed. And I just don’t have my usual stamina these days. And I’m realizing that I won’t have my usual stamina for the next two or so years. Because this is what happens when you get pregnant and have a baby. Wonderful as it is, life is crazy. And I’m gonna have my hands full.
xoxo, Erin
Holidays
11.03.09
Halloween Week
Man! I’m still trying to recover from last week. It was crazy. Fun, but crazy. Here’s our week at a glance.
{TRUNK-OR-TREAT}
We went with a 50’s theme this year. The girls fell in love with these costumes and begged to be “poodle girls”. So “poodle girls” they were. The picture above was taken at our church’s annual Trunk-or-Treat party. Addison was having fun. Ellie had been crying…something about a cupcake. Kenny was being an incredibly good sport to adorn his fake leather jacket that reeked of plastic. And I was counting down to the minute I got to go home and take off the heels and jeans and jacket… that were all about to pop. Good times. :)
{WORK PARTY}
We all enjoyed the annual party at Kenny’s office this year. They had a parade (attorneys love to show off their kiddos), lots of yummy food, great treats and prizes for the kids, and a fun costume and pumpkin carving contest. 
My “poodle girls” in all their glory
And my stud. This picture makes me want to hop on the back of a Harley with him.
{ELLIE’S SCHOOL PARTY}
Pictures from her school parade – I loved watching her have so much fun with her little Kindergarten buddies.
-class party projects-
So fun helping with Ellie’s Halloween party. I loved that I got to pop in and help out with all the fun stuff… and then leave. Poor teachers. I so know what they feel like the afternoon after a holiday party! {TRICK-OR-TREAT}
And we’re off!
Too busy assessing the loot to even look up for a picture. I thought Ellie was going to sleep in her pink glasses. She never wanted to take them off. :) We had a great Halloween!xoxo, Erin
Holidays
10.30.09
Carving Time
Once again my hideous Halloween tablecloth came in extremely handy! We carved our pumpkins on it tonight. I guess I should say Kenny carved our pumpkins tonight. The girls and I assisted in the way we usually do… offering up a lot of chatter, constructive criticism, and our award winning smiles.
{Ellie and I setting them up – the bag Ellie is holding is full of pumpkin seeds that she thinks she is planting in our yard for next years crop of jack-o-lanterns}
Hope everyone has a fabulous Halloween weekend! {P.S.}
– Looking forward to seeing everyone’s Halloween pics on Monday in blogland. :)
– Hope the girls get lots of good candy. My stash is getting low.
– Santa: if you happen to be reading this, notice I didn’t get the total effect I was going for with the jack-o-lantern picture. It’s good, but not great. The new lens and tripod I want for Christmas would have made my picture great. Just thought I’d make your job a little easier this year. I’m nice that way.
– To answer so many of you who have asked if we’re finding out what they baby will be, the answer is DEFINITELY! We find out in two weeks and can’t wait. I’ll need some assistance in the name department once we find out. Ellie and Addison have decided that if it’s a girl we’re naming her Jasmine and if it’s a boy we’re naming him Aladdin… and that’s all we got.
xoxo, Erin
Ellie and Addison
10.29.09
I sure love
these two faces.xoxo, Erin
Ellie and Addison
10.27.09
Our routine at the patch
We check out the year’s crop.
Visit with the locals.
Select our pumpkins.
Pose for a picture.
And another one.
And if Kenny’s in a good mood…maybe for one more.
Then we buy our tickets. Those magical, little, orange tickets.
And we wait in line – only for a minute, but it feels like forever – for what we really came for.
This.
And this.
And this.
And if Kenny’s in a good mood…maybe a little of this. Another enjoyable year at the Pumpkin Patch! Only 364 days to wait until we go again.
xoxo, Erin
Birthdays
10.25.09
Happy 30th Shawn!
My cute brother-in-law turned 30 today. I wanted to wish him a happy birthday because he is my favorite brother-in-law… and would be even if he wasn’t my only brother-in-law. My sister Carly couldn’t have picked a better husband – oh wait – that’s because she didn’t pick her husband. I picked him for her. Now Shawn is starting to sound like a pumpkin so let me explain. While Car and Shawn had been friends since High School they had never dated. They were always in different places at different times. I knew Shawn and had always liked him. He’s friendly, stylish, kind, funny, smart…and I could tell that he had a thing for my sister. He’d always ask about her and his eyes lit up whenever I talked about her. One time while talking to Shawn about Carly I said “you should call her…here’s her number….she’d love it….do it!” It was a bit bold of me since we’d never talked about him liking my sister. He smiled and wrote down the number. I went home and told Car what I’d done and also told her that if Shawn called she WOULD go on that date. He called. They went out. And from that date on they were inseparable.
You’re welcome Car and Shawn. And the two of you will be paying me back for the rest of your lives. Or you could pay your debt off this Christmas with that new pair of UGGS I’ve been eyeing. (Shawn sells shoes at Nordstroms….you should see my sister’s collection. Her boots alone would make you drool.)
Shawn has been such a fun addition to our family. We all love having his calm, happy personality around. He is a also such a darling uncle to my girls – always visiting with them and making them feel special. (that would be Shawn wearing the princess crown for Addie’s birthday)
He is also a great father to his little peanut, Claire. You should see the way he takes care of her. Up with her in the night, up with her first thing in the morning, always fixing her healthy little meals, always playing with her. Completely attentive to his two girls ALL THE TIME. We tease Car about how good she’s got it. And thanks to me, she’s got it REALLY good. (Car – the newest UGGS that are light tan, not the dark brown ones.)Happy 30th Shawn! We all love you so much!!!
xoxo, Erin
Ellie and Addison
10.22.09
blanket picnic
My mom did a lot of things I loved when I was growing up. One of my favorites was when she would surprise me and my sister or me and my friends with a little picnic. While we were upstairs playing she’d bring up plates with crackers, fruit and cheese and let us eat in the bedroom. Such a little thing but it always felt like such a treat and it always made me feel special. I love to do the same for my girls – surprise them with a little blanket picnic. Whenever I do, I think of my mom and the happy childhood she gave me.
A little snack on a blanket,
a few “friends” to join the party, and a great conversation.
Doesn’t get much better than that!
xoxo, Erin