Plump Penny's Pretty Blue Suit

Today marks the beginning of our fertility journey 2.0.  With our move to Charleston comes a new fertility clinic, new sets of eyes, new outlook, etc.  While we were treated well during our time at REACH I felt totally at ease at Southeastern Fertility; discussions were straightforward and frank.  We know that IVF is going to be our route to little ones and we are on a mission to save, save, save.  I asked what we could "do" in the meantime to prepare (insert Penny). Our new set of eyes, a renowned reproductive endocrinologist and a very sweet, little old man was trying to kindly tell me that I need to drop the lbs (no big news there) and decided to compare me to his wife, Penny. Well apparently Penny now weighs, 118 lbs. Penny works out 5 days a week, drinks green tea by the gallon and when she gets desperate, drinks a cocktail of cranapple juice and Knox gelatin. Penny is the pinnacle of good health...this was not always the case.  Recently the Dr. and his bride celebrated their anniversary which caused them to reminisce on their wedding day.  Penny was a lovely bride, a lovely plump bride in a pretty blue suit. In describing his bride the Dr. puffed out his cheeks like a chipmunk and held his hands out in front of him as to emulate Santa's big belly, "Penny was plump then" he said "like you". Agggghhhh! This isn't a newsflash obviously  I'm plump. Obviously weight loss will only help our chances with IVF. Sometimes the truth hurts but I appreciate his encouragement. The situation was humorous, as was watching Paul not knowing whether to giggle or defend me.  So starts the second round of our journey....I like that we have started out on a humours foot (along with a firm kick in the ass to get in shape). Side note...NEVER will I wear a blue suit. This is how I imagine Penny:

Anniversary Sans Babysitter

It is pretty hard for me to believe on Wednesday it will 3 years since Paul and I said our "i do's". Below is an entry I wrote right before our first anni:

Saturday, October 10, 2009

We've Been Bitten!

So, it is official!!! Paul and I have been bitten by the "baby bug". It would probably be more accurate to say that I have been bitten and the "rash" has spread to Paul.

It is so strange that since we made this big decision EVERYTHING has started to revolve around the thought of having a little one in our home. Our Sunday coffee and bagel outings now include trips to the really cute toy store at Park Rd. shops. I simply melt when I watch Paul's eyes light up when he passes by the trains and firetrucks and I just know that he is picturing our little boy playing with them. As if that isn't enough, it cracks me up to watch him bristle with the fear at the thought of having a little girl as I ogle all of the Madame Alexander dolls and princess tea sets . Our Late night talks now include giggles and speculations about who our child will look like. I am hoping for curls....even though neither of us have curly hair..... and my green eyes....and Paul's mouth....thinking of Paul's pouty lips on a little baby make my eyes well up. Even though this baby is just a sparkle in our eyes....he/she already has a tight hold on our hearts.

Monday is our one year anniversary....time has flown by. It is my wish, above all wishes, that this year next time Paul and I will have to have a babysitter watch our little love as we go out on the town to celebrate our second year of marriage.

Sadly, we still don't need a babysitter.  The dream of a little peron with Paul's pouty lips still bring tears to my eyes.  The thought also stirs an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach with the fear that this will never be a reality. Maybe next year...fingers crossed.

October Wishlist

I've decided that each month I am going to create a list of wishes.

• Start couch potato to 5k
• Carve a pumpkin
• Celebrate an AMAZING anniversary
• Go to the farmers market
• Enjoy a painting and wine night
• Bake cupcakes

The hubs

Sometimes I am a wench. A wench that thinks that she does everything perfectly and doesn't always feel loved. I turn into a wench when life doesn't match the scenarios I have created in my mind.  In turn, I can make some moments in life can miserable for all. Other times I realize how lucky I am. My husband is one hard working guy. He holds my feet when we watch tv and gently tickles the back of my neck on road trips. He makes me laugh until I cry and takes care of me. The bottom line is he tries and I need to appreciate that.  I read this Bob Marley quote today (oddly on pinterest) and it really struck a cord with me (especially the "Don't analyze" line).  I love my husband and I need to make sure he knows that...

"He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you."

I need to have this tattooed on my inner arm so that I can read it over and over again. P's not perfect, I'm not perfect but our crazy little life if pretty darn close.

Sew Tweet!

Paul is out of town and that is usually when I get crafty. I'm meeting the little ladies that I am going to start watching tomorrow so I decided that I should bring them a prize.  What better than a shirt? It was so much fun making girlie stuff.  Usually, my creations are for Sean, Marc, and Huck so I was excited to throw a little feminine flair into my crafting.

For Gabbi:

For Lili:

For sweet, little Sarah:



Grown up bedroom

I want a big girl room.  Maybe I should say adult bedroom (since my husband rests his head there too...lol).  Currently our bedroom has a king size bed, two shabby night tables, a green dresser and a single ugly lamp. Pitiful, huh? 

Since we have lived here I have not had a good nights sleep.  I really think that it's because I feel like I'm sleepy in a not so chic hotel.  I've been scouring thrift/consignment shops for a bed that I can be crafty with.  This saga has been going on for too long. I need to suck it up, decide what I want and be PROACTIVE.  I'm leaning towards an upholstered headboard with an interesting print.

You're my fave...

In hopes of lifting myself out of  moppiness I decided channel my inner Maria and think of a few of my favorite things.

Picnics on beaches and kisses on noses

Sweet summer smiles and big cottage roses

Night tables piled with good things to read

These are a few of my favorite things

Light blue hydrangeas and crisp white platters

Lemons and limes and doorbells that chime

Big labs that sleep with their heads on my knees

These are a few of my favorite things

Turtlenecks paired with great fitting jeans

Willie on the radio makes my heart sing

Dear family memories tugging heart strings

These are a few of my favorite things

When the earth shakes

When the rain falls

When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad

Bring it...

I'm feeling a bit mopey today. Charleston is grand. The sunshine is grand. The slower pace is grand. The beach is grand. The fact that my hubbie went back to work after a week of us being silly and lazy  together stinks.  The fact that I can't find a job stinks. The fact that I don't have any friends here stinks.  The fact that there is a hurricane brewing stinks. As you can tell, poor, pitiful Erin is rearing her ugly head and I need to get her in check...and FAST.

I have a interview on Wednesday. Let's not discuss the fact that it's for a Nanny position and I have an MA.  Instead, let's ponder L.M. Montgomery's advice below. I heart Anne of Green Gables and little people so maybe it will be ok.



Oh, Sugar, Sugar. You are my candy girl and you got me wanting you. ...

I am saying sayonara to sugar.  At least for a few months. Fertility has not been my friend and Paul and I have decided to take a more homeopathic approach this moth.  Macca root, lean meat, lots of veggies, as little stress as possible and wiping out refined sugar.  I thought that this would be easy cheesy. Hell, I've been poked and prodded and infuriated for two years...dropping sugar will be nothing.  I was wrong. Boy, was I wrong. 

All day, I have been haunted by sugar plums.  Normally I am a savory kinda gal. I'll take popcorn over cake. Pretzels over ice cream. Almonds over candy. Not today, my friends...not today.

Today I would like to swim in a vat of this....

And them nom, nom, nom on these (sour patch kids)...

While sipping on an ice cold one of these...

It's only day one...I will survive. I will survive. I will survive. I'm convinced that my nagging for sugar is a classic case of wanting what you can't have.  Popcorn and a movie are in my near future.

Strung Silk Necklace...I die!

Anthropologie is one of my favorite places on earth. When I walk into the store, it's like the heavens open, the little mermaid sings, and all of my senses are tweaked. The flickering candles smell like High's ice cream of my youth, the colors of amazing stock tempt me like my Uncle Vincent's mess of paints once did, hats end up on my head....scarves around my neck and while it cannot be confirmed, I am sure that my eyes begin to twinkle. 

While my reflexes aren't as extreme while perusing Anthro online...neither is my inclination to buy, buy, buy! However, tonight, clad in stretchy pants curled up in my comfy den, I stumbled upon the coolest necklace ever...a strung silk necklace.  See the picture below (have a hankie close by, you may drool):

There are so many things that I heart about this necklace: the colors, the awesome texture, the rough knotting...mostly, the way that it reminds me of the beautiful silk scarves that my Grandmother always effortlessly draped around her neck.  How versatile is this??? I can see it with a simple white tee and jeans, adding a splash to a sassy black dress...the options are limitless. Everything about this piece is exquisite, everything that this, except the price...a whopping $148 smackers.  When I saw the price I slumped a bit in my chair. After all, the necklace is simple a bunch of silk strips that are edged and knotted.  Over and over I told myself, "Erin...get a grip...it's a necklace made of scraps for a hundred bucks".  And then the heavens opened (I can always count on Anthro) and I heard my mother's sweet voice saying "you can make this"! Many times my mother has deflated my excitement when I find a simple shift or an ultra cool pillow.  She simply glances at the price and says "you know, Erin Rose, we could totally make this ourselves".  Usually she is right...most of the time I buy my find anyway.  This purchase, however, I could not rationalize.  I will however begin collecting silk scarps and attempt my own strung silk piece of beautiful.