fresh new look. same great taste.

A week or so ago I told Chris that I was thinking of giving our blog a title other than Chris and Erin.
“Like a creative title”, I said.
“That’s fine,” he answered. “But does that mean you’re going to start writing about 18th century literature?”
“I don’t know anything about 18th century literature, so no, I won’t write about it.” “Good”.

Fabulous. adjective: Informal. exceptionally good or unusual; marvelous; superb.

Our goal is to be fabulous
parents.
spouses.
citizens.
people.
children of God.

We’re not there yet, but we’re searching.

A few keys to our search?

each other.
family.
friends.
the Gospel.

Did you know I love blogging? I love it as an outlet for whatever tiny bit of creativity I may possess. I love it as a way to stay in contact with old friends, and make new ones along the way. I blog because

I like to look back and remember.
I like to share and express.
I like to think someone somewhere is being entertained by/relating to what I have to say.
I like to see what you have to say.

Welcome to a peek inside our search for fabulous.

the dress.

Guess what Chris found the other day?

The dress spoken of here.

The one I bought nearly 3 years ago hoping someday I would have a beautiful girl to wear it.

Turns out its a Carters 6 month. The perfect size.

It complimented her blue eyes perfectly.

I will cherish this dress forever, I think.

Its a symbol of dreams coming true.

i'm not very crafty.

I wish I were more crafty. Someday I want to be like her.

(I don't know her, but I LOVE her.)
Until then, I will settle for cutting heart shapes out of magazines.

~

I was inspired by a friend who recently made really cute V-Day banners.

This morning I looked around our apartment and saw no Valentine decor.

(except pink, red, and white peanut M&Ms. yum.)

I looked out the window and saw the pouring miserable rain.

I looked at Carly and said "I think its craft day."

I decided to make a few banners of my own.

~

step 1. go through old magazines and rip out bright-colored pages.

Carly was very good at this part.

step 2. cut various sized hearts out of magazine pages.

step 3. tape various-sized hearts to any string/yarn/ribbon/twine of choice.

i happened to have traditional red, though I was tempted to use bright teal.step 4. hang in location needing some valentine's magic.

Voila! Free Valentine's decor!

They actually turned out cuter than I expected

Chris came home and said "Hey that's really cute. I like that."

He is well-trained.

I was thinking it would be a fun thing to do every year when I have little kids. Make it a tradition to sit and cut out hearts together and they can each make one for their room.

I had LOTS of hearts. So Carly's crib got one too.

goodbye, dear friend.

Dear Booger-Sucker,

I know we've always been good about visiting from time to time, but I would like to thank you for your constant companionship these last 10 days. You and I make a pretty good team, I think, and together we kept Miss Carly eating, sleeping, and, most importantly, breathing. I could not have done it without you.

I know you've had some rough moments over the last week, like how Carly would scream and kick and bury her face in the floor whenever you came near. I'm sorry about that. We'll work on her manners before your next visit.
It appears Carly is back to her old self, playing with mommy,
torturing daddy,and causing all kinds of ruckus.Yes, it seems we have quite a happy baby these days, which means your job here is done.While its been nice having you with us, I'm not sad to see you go. I do hope it is a long time before you come to stay with us for such a long visit again.

~

Best wishes,

Your expert operator.

outtakes.

Whatever lovely strain of sickness Carly is carrying, she so kindly passed it on to me and Chris. Don't come near the C house; we're infested. Is winter over yet??

~

So, our budget doesn't allow for professional photography all that often, and probably won't for some time. That being said, every month I try to stage her monthly "photo shoot" and try to get at least one good picture of her to be her "month picture". Those are the ones I use for her month posts and the ones down the side of the blog. Someday when I have $20 there is this cute black frame at babiesRus that you can put a picture in from each month of your babies first year. Anyway, its quite the process to get just one good picture, and I love looking back at the outtakes because they make me laugh. I thought I'd share a few favs to cheer up this wintry, snot-filled February morning. enjoy. (L.O.V.E this gang sign)

She is too much fun.

And the winner is . . .

C!

That's the one I was planning on for a while, so it was nice you all agreed! I'm still adjusting to the world of short-haired people, but I have a feeling I'm going to fit in nicely. Pretty sure I lost 5 lbs of hair. Feeling good.

In other news . . .

This poor child continues to be a sickling. We went to the doctor for a check-up on Friday and she developed a little ear infection, so now she's on the wonderful pink antibiotic juice. And we still have to suck a massive amount of yuckiness out of her nose multiple times a day. Ever wrestled a 5-month-old? Its not as fun as it sounds, and that is whats requires to use the booger-sucker on that girl. The worst part is that she is still such a happy baby. She will sneeze and cough and hack and then look up at me with those big red eyes with tears in them and give me this big smile. Heartbreaking. Perks to having a sick baby? Long naps and her return to sleeping through the night. Hurray.

And finally . . .

Our home-sweet-home of Knoxville has been overtaken in winter-storm panic. Thursday we stopped by the grocery and people were stocking up on bottled water just in case they were stuck in their homes for days. No really, like there was pandemonium. Its bazaar because they really don't get much snow here. A few inches here and there and the forecast was calling for 2-5 and everyone panicked. Thursday night all the schools were canceled for the next day. And the snow didn't start falling until Friday around 6 pm. The problem with Knoxville is it gets 5 inches of snow, but they don't know how to take care of the roads so they stay covered in water and slush and that all freezes over and now most of East Tennessee is apparently a sheet of black ice. Anyway, church for tomorrow is canceled. Chris and I went on a "date" tonight since his parents were in town to watch the sickling, but everything was closed due to "inclement weather" so we ended up going to Walmart. Yes, I said we went to Walmart on our date. Anything for a little alone time. But I actually got a really cute pair of pants there for really cheap. Yes, I just said I bought pants at Walmart. Anything for a girl on a budget.

Thats all.

hair apparent.

I need a little fixing up in my life. I need some thinning and trimming. I need some organization and control, and I need to make sense of the situation.

Yes, folks, I desperately need a haircut.

It has been since October since I got my hair cut. October. I have a wonderful hair-magician in Idaho by the name of Elizabeth. She has been cutting my hair for many moons and I have never gotten a haircut from her that disappoints. I was tres excited to get an Elizabethan cut this Christmas . . . however, I had to sacrifice my appointment so we could get down to Utah in time to attend the temple. Oh, the sacrifices we make.

Here we are a month later and the situation is getting dire. My hair is drab. Its large and in charge. I never realized how much hair I have. Now here a sit an hour after my shower and it continues to drip, sopping wet. Elizabeth always thins it out (that magician). I've been doing straight and shapeless for a while now. I think its time to mix things up.

(Like my hot-pink v-neck T? Can you say Target for $8? Love.)

~

Ladies and gentlemen, the choices:

I think I want bangs. I think it would add a dimension where if the rest of my hair wasn't participating that day, but my bangs were done, then I'd be good to go. Then, its taking the risk that the bangs would be a wreck all the time. Hmmm. I like A (Miss Rory) but wondering if I can pull off the straight down bang look. Not sure. Those of you who know Carlie B. (class of Highland High '05) and are friends with her on facebook, look at her bangs. I think they are cute. That look I like. Chris called it a "blond cheerleader" look and wasn't so sure I could pull it off either (in a loving supportive 'y0u're beautiful no matter what' sort of way). B is more sweeping, and C is all the way sweeping. I love B, but I'm no Zeta-Jones, and I love Reese in C. Maybe I'll go that short? That would be nice. But poor little Car wouldn't have any jungle vines to swing on anymore. I like them all. Can't quite decide. Would love your input. Saturday is the big day.