tartraz

Ivy's Blessing

2012-01-10T16:50:00.000-08:00

We blessed Ivy on Sunday. Zach gave her such a beautiful blessing and she looked so cute! It was so nice to have so many family and friends there.

Her sweet bracelet with an "I" for Ivy, from Grandma Young.

We had everyone over for brunch at our house after church.

This was taken right before she decided to pee on her Uncle Sam.

Most of the Young clan.

Stealing a kiss from Roycer.

Thank you to everyone that came!

Terrible Blogger

2012-01-03T20:02:00.000-08:00

I don't have pictures of Christmas or New Year's. "Oh but it's your baby's first Christmas, surely you documented it." Nope. Sorry Ivy, you have no holiday memories because your mom is lazy.

But I must meet the demands of Grandmas near and far, so here's what I've got.

Playing Xbox with dad. Not really into it once she realized it had nothing to do with milk.

Spending some quality time with her big sister.

A little concerned about over-sized bows and dad's awkward photo pose hold.

And try looking at these and not wanting to have a million babies. You can't. I want to be surrounded by ridiculous baby smiles forever and ever and ever amen.

I'm obsessed with her. That's all. Talk to you later.

Girls

2011-12-19T19:47:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I find hilarious videos online and I yell at Zach to come watch them with me, and he doesn't come running up the stairs immediately like he should so I have to post them on my blog instead.

On the other hand, sometimes he finds a video and insists I watch it, so I do. But it's usually a fat person falling off a swing.

1 Month

2011-12-16T18:13:00.000-08:00

Ivy is officially one month old!

She loves her milk and often gulps then chokes on it due to her excitement.
She loves her "Soothie" pacifier, but also likes to spit it out over and over and then scream for us to fetch it. Zach has dubbed this the "Soothie Game". A game that is fun for no one.
She loves her baths, her swing, her vibrating bouncie, and sleeping on her dad's chest. She is not a fan of getting dressed or tummy time.

Family Photos

2011-12-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

We had our family photos taken last week! I almost tear up every time I look at these because I'm just so happy that this is my little family. I can't believe how lucky I am.

If anyone needs a photographer, Bethany Hamilton does a great job!

Nursery

2011-12-01T10:49:00.000-08:00

I finally posted some pictures of Ivy's nursery over on my other blog!

Bath Time

2011-11-30T19:26:00.000-08:00

Ivy's umbilical cord finally fell off so she was able to have her first real bath instead of a sponge bath.

We were excited.

She was hesitant...

2 Weeks

2011-11-28T17:18:00.000-08:00

Ivy is 2 weeks old tomorrow. Here's what's been going on:

- Me feeling like non stop milk machine.

- Thinking a whole 3 straight hours of sleep feels divine.

- Getting excited about every little thing Ivy does - kind of holding her head up, yawning, making an old man face; it doesn't matter, we are easily impressed.

- Zach being a nervous dad. He reminds me to be careful as I'm walking down the stairs and worries that she gets too cold when we give her a bath.

- Peggy getting used to her demotion. So far she's given Ivy a couple of indifferent sniffs.

- Our camera breaking, perfect timing. Here are shots from Zach's phone or my mom's camera.

Modeling her I Love Dad onesie.

We try to not let her nap too much during the day so she'll sleep at night, but as you can see sometimes she is impossible to wake up.

Meeting her Great Grandma and Grandpa Guttery.

Giving mom the stink eye.

I laugh every time she yawns. I can't help it.

"No kisses mom."

Yeah I blog about my baby now, and I talk for her in quotes. Just be glad I don't have video posted of my baby voice. All in due time.

Ivy Young

2011-11-19T18:44:00.000-08:00

She's here! Ivy was born November 15th at 4:49am, 8 pounds, 8 ounces. We couldn't be more in love.

She decided to make us jump through a few hoops before her grand entrance. To make a long story short we arrived Sunday night at the hospital to be induced, and I ended up with a C-section early Tuesday morning. But we are just glad she is here, happy, chubby, and healthy!

Lots and lots more pictures to come I am sure, but here are some from the hospital.

One of her first photos. The nurses were so cute and kept scolding Zach for not taking enough pictures; he was understandably a little overwhelmed at the time. I kept hearing them say "You better get this shot!" "Take another one dad!"

She was very embarrassed when Zach tried to get a picture of her weight.

First family photo.

Finally getting to meet my baby girl.

It's only been a few days and I can't even wrap my head around how happy she has already made us.

Crying

2011-11-02T15:09:00.000-07:00

Word on the street is pregnant women cry easily. I can attest to this. And now, a list of things that have made me cry lately:

Listening to a Carrie Underwood song while driving home from work.
The next day thinking about the Carrie Underwood song.
Making dinner.
While watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding on TV, when the dad gives them a house at the end.
A woman's blog post about how she did 35 acts of kindness for her 35th birthday.
Later that day telling Zach about the blog post.
When Zach said he would put the stroller together later instead of right that second.

You get the idea.

38 Weeks

2011-11-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

It's funny when you are in your second trimester and you think you're belly is SO big, and then you hit your third trimester and you realize you didn't even know what a belly was back then in the good ol' second trimester days. I'm still feeling good, my ankles are gone and my feet look like water balloons but I really can't complain. We are getting so excited to meet baby girl! Zach keeps pointing at my belly and saying "Come out right now young lady!" So far she is ignoring his demands.

The Daddy

2011-10-17T16:29:00.000-07:00

My first memory of being aware of Zach Young was in 8th grade, maybe 9th? My friend Heidi had a crush on him, probably one of those junior high crushes that last about 48 hours. They were both in band and had been on a field trip together and she had taken some photos with him in a photo booth. She showed me and some other girls the pictures. When I recounted this to him recently he said "And what did you think?" I told him I didn't really have an opinion of him either way. He said, "Isn't that weird that you were looking at your husband?" It really is amazing when I think about it. How this little insignificant strip of black and white photos, viewed quickly and indifferently while between junior high classes, actually held my entire future.

And now I am having a baby with that band geek. Similar to my junior high self, this baby girl doesn't even know how great he is yet. She doesn't know how much he's going to make her laugh, she doesn't know how he is going to fall completely in love with her and how that is the best feeling in the world, she doesn't know how lucky she is to be his daughter. I can't wait to tell her.

Here he is playing our junior high fight song with my little sister Hailey's trombone after the baby shower. He's still got it.

Shower!

2011-10-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

So my girlfriends completely outdid themselves and threw me the cutest shower ever. I wish I had better pictures of the event, and pictures of everyone that came. I had so much fun and couldn't believe all the beautiful gifts I got! I have the best friends and family in the world. Thank you to everyone that came, I felt so spoiled and baby girl loves all her new outfits!

My beautiful party hostesses.

Sunday Morning Activity

2011-10-02T14:37:00.000-07:00

Normal conversation at our house:

Zach - Let's put Pegs in the Baby Bjorn.
Erica - Okay.

She loved it. Obviously.

Newport

2011-09-19T09:40:00.000-07:00

We decided to take one last little trip before baby girl makes her grand entrance. So to Newport, CA we did go with the Hatch's. We told everyone we were spending the whole weekend on the beach, but Newport had other plans in mind when it was overcast for half the time we were there. Sweet.

So we did some walking and some shopping on day one, taking the ferry to Balboa Island.

Behold his Royal Royceness and his powers of charm. Pretty much every stranger that we crossed paths with were blown away by Royce. As well they should be.

The Balboa area is very much into their frozen bananas, you couldn't throw a stick without hitting a frozen banana vendor. There's always money in the banana stand.

Serious navigating.

So in March we went to San Francisco and Zach tried oysters for the first time. He hasn't stopped talking about them since. Just mention San Francisco to him, get comfortable, and be ready to listen to him talk about oysters for 15 minutes. Point being, he was set on getting some more oysters while we were in Newport. He was kind of excited when we found some.

Traveling with a baby presented a few challenges.

We spent one night at Downtown Disney. Preggo with with some Leggos.

Day two. My favorite breakfast from the trip. Do yourself a favor and go to Haute Cakes Cafe.

We decided to go whale watching because we're 80 years old. Royce wore his best stripes for the occasion.

After we saw a blue whale (!) and dolphins the boat made it's way back to the bay. Zach fell asleep.

Then everyone moved to another section of the boat to see some seals. Still asleep. Cameras came out, laughing commenced.

It finally got sunny on Saturday afternoon; beach time. Look at this kid. Can you even handle him? You cannot.

32 weeks! FYI, shopping for this swimsuit was a humbling experience.

Huntin' for crabs. He found one dead one.

Yay for vacations! Wah for coming home. It's hot.

Videos

2011-09-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

These aren't new, but here are me and Zach's two favorite videos at the moment. And one of them doesn't even have a cat in it!

Zach and I share the same sense of humor 90% of the time, the other 10% consists of his love for "fail" compilation videos. In other words, 5 minute montages of people falling down or falling off things. He DIES of laughter.

I do. not. get it.

30 Weeks

2011-09-06T08:54:00.000-07:00

I'm officially getting chubbs. My face is perma-swollen and so are my ankles. At my last ultrasound the doctor said baby girl is measuring big, but my belly is measuring normal? I'm thinking she might have a big Guttery noggin like my dad and my brother :).

We got some things done in the nursery this weekend. Zach put together the crib, and was very grumpy the whole time. But he had Pegs being a Helper McHelperson as you can see, so I don't know what his problem was.

Only 10 weeks left, how is that possible? Every time we think about it, we react with either excitement or panic, depending on our mood.

Weekend of Birthday

2011-08-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

Zach says my birthday celebrations always last much longer than is necessary. This might be true.

First we celebrated mine and Rachel's birthday on Friday with our friends; and we were spoiled with gifts and attention.

Chubbo-Preggo telling stories and opening presents.

So we've been hanging out together for quite some time. Well one day it seems everyone had babies. And now we get together and there are babies everywhere.

Casey made us homemade chocolate cake! Talia helped.

Saturday my family came over and spoiled me with more gifts and more chocolate cake. This time homemade Texas Sheet Cake compliments of my mom and it was delish.

Chris gave me this for the little miss. Amazing.

Here is Zach. Bored? Concentrating? Thinking about how much he loves me? We'll never know.

Registering

2011-08-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

I was trying to get a candid picture of Zach testing out strollers, but apparently he knew I was taking the picture because he looked up and gave this creepy smile right before I took it. Perfect.

Then this conversation took place:

Zach: (dragging feet) I'm kind of losing steam.
Erica: We've been here 15 minutes.

26 Weeks

2011-08-08T10:44:00.001-07:00

Blurry, ridiculous pictures compliments of Zach's phone. After this we went to Texas Roadhouse which was probably a mistake; because isn't Texas Roadhouse always kind of a mistake?

I think I'm starting to get a little more emotional/hormonal. My first hint was when we were working on the closet in the nursery, and Zach accidentally scratched one of the shelves. I immediately burst out crying, inconsolable for a good 10 minutes. Poor Zach.

This blog needs more cat videos

2011-08-03T14:03:00.000-07:00

I laugh every. time.

24 Weeks

2011-07-27T12:42:00.000-07:00

Got a little heavy handed with the photo editing this week.

So it seems my blog is just a pregnancy blog now, sorry. It's pretty much our only exciting thing going on at the moment.

The nursery decorating is not quite where I'd like it to be. By moving the office into a new room - I've got two rooms under construction instead of just one. Then I decided to throw in a remodel of the vanity in our master bathroom at the same time, much to Zach's delight. There are too many projects at my house and only one chubby pregnant woman to work on them. And she'd rather watch Design Star and eat Twizzlers.

Eleven, eleven, eleven?

2011-07-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

Did I ever say my official due date is November 12th? Zach wants her to come a day early so her birthday will be 11/11/11, because he's a nerd.

Other than the fact that sometimes it makes me want to take a nap, and I hate naps, I am loving this pregnancy gig. The perks:

Long, strong nails.

Feeling little baby kicks that get stronger and stronger.

Talking to and for the baby with Zach and saying super ridiculous things.

Zach making me laugh by saying things to me like, “Listen Preggo, why don’t you waddle yourself upstairs for awhile.”

Becoming hilariously aware of how much we don't know about newborns. I read newborn facts out loud to Zach out of my books, and then both of us just kind of stare at each other. For example, “We’re supposed to do 8 to 12 feedings a day!” *Wide-eyed staring.

Hanging up little baby girl clothes on little baby hangers and not even being able to stand how cute it is.

Conversations of married people

2011-07-18T14:20:00.000-07:00

Hate it when this happens.

E - Zach I told you to cover up these cookies or there would be ants!
Z - Are there ants in them?
E - (inspects cookies)....well, no....

Around the house

2011-07-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

I put this toy in the nursery, but I keep finding it mysteriously placed in the hallway.

Who could be committing this crime? Number One Suspect:

This glutton.

Other happenings at Casa Young - playing Super Mario Brothers after dinner, because we're adults.

22 Weeks

2011-07-11T08:31:00.000-07:00

I actually think I look bigger than these pictures are letting on, maybe the black shirt is deceiving. I can't believe I'm more than half way done; it is going by way too fast. We can SEE baby girl kick now, it's so fun. Zach didn't believe me until yesterday when he saw my tummy move for himself. Then we just sat and stared at the belly forever waiting for her to do it again.

I feel like I'm always hungry now, my co-workers have been teasing me about how often I'm in the break room these days getting a little snacky snack. Wish I could say I'm eating really healthy; but sometimes that's not the case. Malia said my baby is going to come out eating a Strawberry Twizzler.

In these pictures I'm standing in the now empty office, soon to be nursery. I've started to gather some ideas for how I'm going to decorate; but there's still lots to do!

Whoa, I'm pregnant.

2011-06-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to feel dumb posting so many pictures of myself, and running out of belly poses. So now I just point at my belly and look like an idiot I guess. Took these before church yesterday and it turns out I'm pregnant. I even bought maternity clothes the other day, realizing my half-way zipped up skirts for work were starting to get ridiculous.

I'm feeling so many kicks lately, she is busiest in the evening. Zach even has felt her a couple times from the outside. He calls me at work and says, "Is my baby kicking you today?" We still don't agree on most names; and the other day Zach suggested Echo. So looks like things aren't getting any better in that department. I told him it wasn't a name and he said, "Oh REALLY? Then why is it here in this NAME book?"

Also very much into chocolate milk latey and I usually haaaate milk.

Zach and SYTYCD

2011-06-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

Zach watched a little of So You Think You Can Dance with me last night. Here is his commentary.

"Yes, Busta Rhymes."
"Wait, they're supposed to be woodpeckers? Okay."
"Meh, this is kind of cool."

"This looks hard."
"She'd be okay if she'd not cut her hair like a 12-year-old boy."
"Whoa look at her legs though."

"Oh jeez, here's the emotional one."
"Oh she's just working through her sadness, oh she is just so emotional."
"Ugh all the judges are going to cry, I'm going upstairs."

Baby Girl!

2011-06-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

It's a girl! On the way to the ultrasound appointment Zach and I made each other guess what the gender was; because up until that point we had both just said we didn't know. We both guessed boy; so we were pretty surprised when the technician said it was a girl.

She was moving around so much during the ultrasound, she is a busy busy girl. It was so amazing to see that there really is a little person in there. Last night we studied the DVD and pictures that they gave us and tried to decide who she looked like. Then we let Peggy know she is going to have a little sister. She was not impressed.

We love her so much already and can't wait to meet her!

18 Weeks

2011-06-13T08:57:00.000-07:00

I felt the first little flutters of the baby moving this week and it was crazy! I loved it. Tomorrow we find out if it's a boy or a girl! Everyone I talk to seems to think it's a girl; which makes me think it's probably a boy. Zach and I have been talking about names a lot - which means I'll think of one and then he vetoes it and tells me it's a hippie name.

And do you like our new gray wall? It is soon to be the new office. We are turning Zach's videogame room into the office, and we're turning the old office into the nursery. RIP videogame room.

Belly

2011-05-31T09:31:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple awkward belly shots - there is not much to look at yet. My photographers are Zach and the self-timer; neither of which are very good at their job.

Tiger

2011-05-24T15:07:00.000-07:00

Zach is very excited to go golfing in Holbrook when we go up for July 4th. He's been making daily trips to the driving range.

Holbrook Golf Course 2010

When he got home the other day I asked how it went. "I watched Tiger Woods on YouTube last night for like an hour and it totally helped." --Zach Young

I've mostly just been trying to find food to eat that sounds good. So far the main winner is bean and cheese burritos. You know what else is a winnner? My sweat pants.

Cookies

2011-05-19T16:26:00.001-07:00

Remember that Friends where Monica tries to figure out Phoebe's grandma's secret chocolate chip cookie recipe because she wants to some day be known as the mom that makes the very best chocolate chip cookies?

I don't think I'm gonna be that mom. Unless kids like their cookies flat and gross.

Rachel and Chad came over and I said I'd make them cookies, sadly these are the results they were met with. Also Zach accidentally served them drinks in dirty cups from the dishwasher that he thought were clean.

We are good at hosting!

Guess what?

2011-05-12T09:37:00.000-07:00

I'm about 14 weeks!

Now that I'm in my 2nd trimester I have been feeling a lot better, I told Zach the other day that I thought my nausea was going away. He said, "Yeah I think you traded nausea for moodiness."

Perhaps.

But we are happy, excited, and a small dose of terrified. I just hope he or she gets Zach's curly hair.

**Blogger was freaking out yesterday and all my comments got deleted, so FYI- I didn't delete your comments :(

Royce!

2011-05-03T10:18:00.000-07:00

Guess who I got to babysit on Saturday? His royal Royce-ness.

He only got kind of ticked at me once, when my bottle making was not going as fast as he would have liked. But he totally loves me, no big deal.

Recommendations

2011-04-14T08:18:00.000-07:00

I'm here to meet the voracious demands of ALL my readers that I update my blog.

Well it was three people. Two of which were my mom and dad.

Here are some things I've been watching and reading that I think you should watch and read.

You should read Matched.
A young adult book you can read in a day that has a Hunger Games feel. I liked it.

You should go see Limitless.
Six words: Bradley Cooper wearing lots of suits.

This is what I do when I want to go see a movie starring one of my celebrity boyfriends, but I don't want Zach to know I really want to see it - because it makes him suspicious that he won't like it and therefore will refuse to see it.

Erica - So you want to go see a movie?
Zach - Sure.
Erica - (Already knowing preferred showtime and theater for Limitless.) Okay...well I'll check the showtimes, I wonder what's playing this weekend.
Zach - Okay.
Erica - Okay I checked the times, we could see Outsourced. Or Lincoln Lawyer got pretty good reviews....or we could see Limitless I guess.
Zach - Which one is Limitless?
Erica - (Acting super casual.) Um I'm not sure who's in it...it's about the guy that takes a pill and gets smart I think? I think that one is at the best time.
Zach - Okay, so you want to see it?
Erica - Yeah I guess.

And that's how it's done.

You should also watch this video of a cat playing with a dolphin.

Lastly, you should watch Must Love Cats on the Animal Planet channel. It's ridiculous. Here is photographic evidence of Zach watching it at Chris' house.

Favorite things right now

2011-03-23T16:12:00.000-07:00

Watching Friends re-runs every day after work.
Making Chris mad by using nonsensical words like "zin" and "kex" during our Scrabble game that give me a million points.
Discovering the hilarious fact that the first two CD's Zach ever owned were Reba Mcentire and Chumbawamba.
This picture for obvious reasons:

Mom Turns Fiddy

2011-03-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not my mom turned the big 5-0 over the weekend. She requested a trip to San Francisco to celebrate. We were more than happy to oblige.

Ghirardelli Square. I was under the impression we would be taking a tour of some sort of large Willy Wonka type factory, and kept rushing everyone through the shops so we could get to "the tour". My mom finally set me straight. No factory. Chocolate dreams crushed.

We are tourists.

Very much tourists.

Best straight-arm awkward picture of the trip.

Zach contemplating Alcatraz.

Mother-daughter tulip shot.

PS I find as an Arizonan I just get pissed at pretty flowers like these. Like oh you just thew some tulips in the ground and they are just growing and being awesome and aren't fried? Good for you stupid California. I'll be over here with my freeway lantana if you need me.

FATS!

Laughing at the fatty seals.

They smelled really bad.

We went to the Ferry Building on Saturday so that we could partake of samples at the Farmer's Market. Zach got really obsessed with the fresh oysters and kept trying to convince everyone to try them. Both mom and Griffin got one as far as almost touching their lips before handing it back to Zach uneaten.

Dinner at the Stinking Rose. Our breath smelled like garlic for days.

Waiting for breakfast so we can stuff our faces again. At each meal we were usually planning our next meal.

Bay bridge. Why is my arm behind my back like a soldier?

Taking the ferry to Alcatraz, Zach is really excited or really ugly; you decide.

Zach taking the Alcatraz tour.

Still at Alcatraz. Mom said, "Make sure you get my cool Alcatraz bag." before I took this picture.

Mama's - 45 minute line and life changing french toast.

Hungry and a little grumpy still waiting in line at Mama's. "Let go of me."

Remember how she's 50? Yeah no one believes her.

Weirdos testing furniture at CB2.

Happy birthday mom! Let's celebrate your birthday with a trip every year.

Setting a few goals.

2011-03-02T08:47:00.000-08:00

Keep plants alive.
Eat more fruit.
Sign up for a yoga class.
Design and install a closet system in the master closet.

Scenes from the weekend

2011-03-01T09:24:00.000-08:00

Family girls' night at Tia Rosa's because Aunt Jeri was in town.

Target shopping and my mom making Chris try on ugly slippers.

Peggy hates everyone except me and Zach. She hisses at all visitors - I would be embarrassed, but it's also pretty funny. This is the first time she has ever sat on my mom's lap. As you can see, it was the greatest moment of my mom's life.

From here she beckoned me to get her drinks, the remote, and her phone; all so that she wouldn't have to move and disturb Peggy. Normal.

Oscars 2011

2011-02-28T08:15:00.000-08:00

First of all, I think we can all agree the James Franco/Anne Hathaway format did NOT work. Anne Hathaway, stop fake giggling at everything.

Moving on. Here are some things I am not a fan of: floral embroidery, husbands with highlighted hair, greasy looking pony tails, greasy looking bangs, and unnecessary buttons (?) near the crotch.

Here is something I AM a fan of - being adorable.

She looks good, I like her hair, but I'm also bored. I feel like I've seen this dress before? Or maybe a million times before?

Who keeps inviting Sharon Stone to award shows? Oh Sharon, you are nuts. And your glare is burning into my soul. And your hair is crazy. Thanks for being here.

Every time I see them I'm like, "Oh how cute, Hugh Jackman brought his mom." Then I remember it's his wife. And I get mad.

This dress didn't blow my mind or anything, but she looks cute.

Especially while with her fiance, look at the cute.

This seems like it's too big. It also seems like it's too hideous.

I couldn't quite get on board with this. It's definitely interesting, and I like the color. I think it's the circle cut out chest thing that is throwing me off. My aunt said it looked like she spilled mustard on herself.

The red's. Meh.

You know those slut-tastic sweater dresses you can get at Wet Seal or Charlotte Russe that are super tight and have shoulder cut-outs and weird sleeves? Maybe you don't because you don't shop at trashy teen stores like me. Well the point is, I feel like this dress is basically one of those dresses. Except two sizes too big, full length, and throw in a weird belt.

This is pretty, but her boobs seem....squished.

Okay I couldn't tell if she really is short, or if it's just the unfortunate dress making her look like she's 3 feet tall. I checked, she's 5'2". Regardless, this was a bad idea. It's like top half - knight in shining armor, bottom half - princess.

Turquoise tree bark?

On TV, I thought this made her arms look fat. In pictures, it looks good. So I changed my mind, I like it.

My two favorites:

The end. L8er.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T15:05:00.000-08:00

This is part of the card I made for Zach. I thought it would be funny to use ugly pictures instead of cute pictures. Results are in, I was right.

Health Nuts

2011-02-11T07:37:00.001-08:00

We got wings last night. 24 wings. We're not proud of it.

In one of Louis C.K.'s stand-ups he says that even if you are a woman, you are a MAN when you eat a Cinnabon. I think the same rule can be applied to hot wings. Wings are man food. Heavenly, delicious man food.

The end. If you need us, we'll be trying to unclog our arteries.

P.S. Started playing with my photos in Picnik. It's fun.

Laugh Out Loud Links

2011-02-01T09:49:00.001-08:00

My camera is still lost - consequently my blogs have suffered.

So instead, here are some of my personal recommendations from around the web if you need a good laugh.

Malia's Getting Real

Morgan's Trendy Blogging

Bachelor Recaps on Notes from Hack
(thank you commenter for telling me about this blog, it has changed my life)

"Why I'll Never Be an Adult" on Hyperbole and a Half

And my own contribution - here I am looking really good the day after I got my wisdom teeth pulled.

Romance!

2011-01-26T14:16:00.001-08:00

"UUUUUGGGGHHHHHH."
--The sound Zach makes anytime I mention Valentine's Day is coming up.

He's such a romantic.

Lost Camera

2011-01-25T15:36:00.000-08:00

I can't find my camera. So if you want to buy me a new one that would be super great.

Luckily, despite the low quality phone picture, Willow's amazingness was still captured.

Drawing

2011-01-21T12:55:00.000-08:00

The other day at about three in the morning Zach said I started sleep-yelling at him that I had no blankets, when in actuality I had pretty much all of the blankets. Here is a drawing.

Golden Globes 2011!

2011-01-19T14:35:00.001-08:00

I had all four of my wisdom teeth pulled on Friday, so my Golden Globes post has been delayed because I've been really busy being miserable. And if you need somewhere to store some extra furniture you can use my cheeks. Because they're ginormous.

Everytime I see this dress I hear Seal's Kiss from a Rose in my head. Which isn't a good thing. However I think I'd like it more if her necklace and hair weren't ugly; and if all her accessories weren't so matchy matchy red.

I think she went swimming in a black swimsuit, then tied a pink towel around her waist, then went to the Golden Globes.

What is happening here? I'm being led to believe the sleeve fabric is pulled through the necklace thingy? Why is she so happy about it? Why isn't it ironed? So many questions.

I really like this, my only issue being her face seems to be the same color as her dress.

This is a bit....revealing. However if I had a body like that I'd probably wear this dress every day to everything. I'd be like putting green olives in my shopping cart at Fry's, wearing this dress.

Hey Sandra! Your bangs are dumb!

There is a lot going on here, I know. Alotta red, alotta hair, alotta ruffle. But I don't care I love her and she can do no wrong.

I think if you asked a Na'vi from Avatar to design a dress, this is what you would get. Also, who are you person in the Avatar dress?

UUUUGGGGHHHH. Why? Why.

Absolute fave, best dressed.

I think this dress is really cute but I was super confused by the little broach thingy on her shoulder. I kept telling my mom it was a microphone. But then I discovered it's just an ugly broach.

I think Jennifer Love Hewitt always thinks she is going to the prom. Like her assistant is probably all, "Jennifer time to get ready for the Golden Gl--"
Jennifer : "THE PROM?! YES I'll go to the PROM with you! Hairstylist! Give me your tackiest updo!"

Malia said it best, "I can't decide if I like Angelina's dress or if she looks like an 80s cruise director."

Her eye makeup looks smeared to me. I think if you take away whatever explosion is going on at the waist area, I would have liked this.

You will always be Coyote Ugly. Also, whenever Coyote Ugly is on TV, I can't change the channel. I don't even fight it anymore, I just clear my schedule for the next two hours.

See you at the Oscars people.

Eri¢a

2011-01-12T07:18:00.000-08:00

E - So you know how Ke$ha uses the dollar sign to spell her name?
Z - Yeah.
E - I was thinking if I was a singer or rapper, I could still be Erica, but I could use the cents symbol for the "c".
Z - ...
Z - That is so stupid.

Cold

2011-01-11T13:10:00.000-08:00

So, our heater doesn't work at our house. It hasn't been a problem until we had record lows a few weeks ago and basically you could hang meat in our house and it would have not spoiled. Get it? It was a meat locker! Oh man, the funny stuff you read on this blog.

Usually when we put anything on top of Peggy she runs away. But as you can see she was pretty cold too and did not mind us wrapping her in blankets.

We yell at eachother from other ends of the house whenever Peggy is doing anything remotely entertaining. Then whoever is not present, rushes to the scene. Then we laugh and take pictures. Oh cat owners. Weird, weird cat owners.

New Year's Part-ay

2011-01-07T10:20:00.000-08:00

We had a little family get together on New Year's Eve at our house.

FOOD. Believe it or not the pigs in a blanket were the hit of the night. Popular opinion seemed to be that I didn't make nearly enough. There was a lot of pseudo-innocent questions such as "So...are these all the pigs in the blanket?" Next time I'll make more, fatties.

Oh just one of my party guests, not being able to contain her excitement because of ALL THE FUN!

Party hat making station. Zach got really mad when I accidently moved one of his glitter pom pom balls before the glue was dry.

Will I regret posting this one? Probably.

Long and Self-Indulgent 2010 Recap

2011-01-04T12:50:00.000-08:00

In January I decorated my office; and posted it on my new blog, Tart House. In February we went to Holbrook on Valentine's Day weekend, and in March we put a tie on my mom's cat. (Putting clothes on cats is always noteworthy.) In April Zach got stung by a bee in the eyebrow and we made our first trip to the emergency room as a married couple. In April my first DIY article for the Arizona Republic came out.

In May I had a miscarriage and surgery. It was hard. We leaned on eachother and we gained a new perspective on life and love and friendships and family. In June, in order to focus on something else, I started a decorating business slash hobby with my mom, Tart House Design. We made over an office and a bedroom for our first two clients. In July we went to Holbrook for the 4th. In August Tart House Design decorated a living room from paint color to accessories, and I used many curse words while hanging a curtain rod. For my birthday we went to San Diego. We were sunburned and happy.

In September I ripped out the vanity in my downstairs bathroom and thought I'd have my remodeled bathroom vision complete within a week. It is currently four months later, and 90% finished. Also in September my second Arizona Republic article was published. In October I went to Utah with my mom and Griffin where we reverted to our childhood routine of me bossing Griffin around, and my mom bossing us both around. Then I dressed up as a dinosaur with Zach. Then Willow was born and when I walked into her hospital room and saw how perfect she was, I cried. In November my third article came out, and my mom and I decorated a client's office. In December we spent Zach's birthday in Sedona, and we celebrated the holidays with everyone we love.

I can't believe how fast years go by. I have a little spiral notebook I made in 6th grade that has "My Life" written on the front with purple pen. In it, I wrote all my predictions for my adult life. I wrote that I would have a kitchen decorated in sunflowers and cows, and a baby's nursery decorated in "old fashioned Winnie the Pooh". I wrote that I would be happily married to whoever my crush was at the time. I remember writing it and thinking how far and impossible my adulthood seemed. And here I am, an adult; even though I usually don't feel like one. Luckily my decorating tastes have changed, but I think my 6th grade self would be pretty satisfied if she saw a glimpse of her future. I can't wait to see what 2011 holds.

Happy Birthday Dad!

2011-01-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

My dad's birthday was yesterday. He ran a 5K this year and became my hero. Then he gave his free Chipotle burrito to Zach after the race, and became Zach's hero.

Then a few months later he had his fourth baby. Dad, remember how you have four kids? That is nuts.

We tried to go visit my dad this weekend, but couldn't get past Payson due to road closures thanks to Arizona's recent crazy weather. I demanded at least a snow man before we went home. Zach and Griffin obliged and created this guy for me.

So there is your evidence that we did try to see you this weekend dad. I love you! Happy birthday!

The Ranch

2010-12-27T08:45:00.001-08:00

Zach's dad's family owns a ranch near Aravaipa Canyon. Zach spent many a childhood summer there running around in cut off jeans and no shirt, shooting guns, swimming in the creek, and eating oranges and grapefruits off the trees. It is probably his favorite place in the whole world. I asked Zach and his brother Sam where they would go if there was a zombie outbreak and they simultaneously replied, "The ranch."

There was no threat of zombies, but we took a day trip to the ranch yesterday since Sam and Julia were in town for Christmas.

This photo album is at one of the houses at the ranch, and it is filled of old family pictures. It's pretty awesome.

In his element.

Grapefruit time.

Julia and I are still learning the ins and outs of the ranch, but we've got the hammock mastered.

Making our husbands pose with us.

Looking super cool in the avocado tree.

Yvonne and her boys.

The creek!

Cute couple being cute.

Zach + ranch = love.

Annoying my friend and soda machines

2010-12-23T10:13:00.000-08:00

Just chatting with Malia today.

In other news, went to Pei Wei's with Zach last night and they had new soda machines. Touch screen futuristic soda machines! You heard me. I kept freaking out about them and Zach was like, "Your mind is seriously blown right now isn't it." And I said, "Yes!"

When your mom gets an iPad:

2010-12-17T10:50:00.000-08:00

She'll send you a cell phone picture of her new iPad.
She'll send you e-mails with the signature "Sent from my iPad"
She'll call you and describe to you her iPad, including the phrase, "soft to the touch and amazing."

Important Plans

2010-12-16T14:17:00.000-08:00

A co-worker and I just decided to split a breakfast burrito for breakfast tomorrow, I'm in charge of picking it up.

A few things:

I am usually very anti splitting food, especially burritos. But these particular breakfast burritos are very large.
This breakfast burrito is from a gas station.
Yes we are planning our Friday morning breakfast at 3:00 on Thursday. If you have never done this, you have never worked in an office.
My co-worker told me to write myself a note and I said, "No need. I never forget a burrito."

But just in case I put this in my purse:

Also, burritos always warrant exclamation points.

Quotables

2010-12-15T09:19:00.000-08:00

Some real quotes from this week.

"The back is held on with electrical tape?"
--Me, describing my phone to Target's lost and found

"Just whatever you do, don't get the one with the GREEN CAP."
--Zach, telling me what deodorant to buy him. Close call.

"I'm loving the new Linkin Park song. Have you heard it?"
--Malia

Best Zach and Malia picture ever? Yup.

Snow

2010-12-13T08:54:00.000-08:00

I watched Camille Saturday night and we had lots o' fun. We went to the San Tan outdoor mall where fake snow falls every half hour for the kids. We resort to fake snow here in the desert because today is December 13th and it's going to be 83 degrees. Merry Christmas.

A lot of times kids like Zach more than me. It's a fact, and I'm trying to come to terms with it. Here are Camille's comments and questions upon arriving at my house.

First words - "Where's Zach?"

After I told her he wasn't home at the moment - "When is he getting home?"

After I told her I wasn't sure - "Can you call him and ask him when he's coming home?"

After I tried to distract her by offering to go get ice cream - "Call Zach and ask him if he wants ice cream too."

BFF's:

Sedona

2010-12-06T09:37:00.000-08:00

We took a little weekend trip to Sedona for Zach's birthday this weekend. We stayed at the Enchantment Resort and Spa compliments of a gift card from my mom and Tim. It was very fancy and when we arrived Zach said, "We don't belong here." He was quite right. But we pretended we did.

All the rooms are in these little separate "casitas" with their own fireplaces.

Zach standing in front of our casita.

Warming my toesies.

We dined one night at their restaurant and I was super nerdy and took pictures of our food. Behold the squash blossom appetizer, aka heaven food.

I became a little obsessed with this brick and ivy archway, as you can see Zach was really happy to be posing for a picture with it.

Daytime archway, Zach refusing to even turn around.

Pondering deep thoughts.

So, this is my husband.

The only picture of the two of us from the whole weekend.

Cute striped towels at the spa.
Z: Are you taking pictures of the towels?
E: Yes.

Thank you to Tim and my mom! It was a ridiculously beautiful place.

Holiday Happenings

2010-12-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

So Thanksgiving happened! It was great! I didn't take many pictures!

But here's one. What, your family doesn't pitch golf balls at someone sitting in a chair in the backyard after eating your Thanksgiving meal? Weird.

Most the pictures I took were of Willow, understandably.

I wish I would of got one of me and Hailey! But no worries, she drew me this artwork recently and the resemblance is uncanny.

So last night I went to Walgreens for a few essentials. Ended up leaving the store with polka dot socks and microwave popcorn.

I did manage to also get ornament hooks, and so I put up my tree. Pegs helped.

Nerdy Talk

2010-11-18T15:20:00.000-08:00

Going to see this in a couple of hours and could not be more excited.

And now I have something to rant about. I really hate when people make Twilight/Harry Potter comparisons. They are both young adult fiction about fantasy/magic; but that is where their similarities end. Let's be clear about that.

Twilight is like a meal from McDonald's - it tastes pretty good and is fun to eat; but afterwards you feel a little guilty and you probably won't be eating it again for awhile. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy french fries from time to time, and it doesn't mean I did not read all the Twilight books and will see all the movies. HOWEVER, the Harry Potter series is like your favorite gourmet meal made by a master chef that you can eat anywhere, anytime, all the time. It literally has changed children's literature and I have grown up reading these books since I was in junior high. Stephanie Meyer is no J.K. Rowling; a fact that is so obvious it really doesn't even need to be said. So let us stop putting Twilight and Harry Potter in even the same universe.

In conclusion, I am a freakshow and I've already started crying just reading the reviews for part one of The Deathly Hallows. The love and nostalgia I feel for this series is ridiculous and nerdy, and I am not ashamed.

And for your information; here are the parts of Deathly Hallows that I ball my eyes out during every reading of the book.
- When Harry and Hermione visit Harry's parents' graves.
- When Harry digs Dobby's grave.
- When Ron comes back and destroys the locket.
- When Harry sees his parents at the end and his mom says, "You've been so brave."

And maybe one time, when I was listing these to Zach after he asked me which parts make me cry, I got choked up just saying that last one.

P.S. I hate how Ginny is portrayed in the movies. There I said it. I made Zach fast forward through the part where she TIES HIS SHOE (WTF) in the 6th movie.

Doing what she does best

2010-11-17T12:11:00.000-08:00

Straight up chillin'.

This guy loves:

2010-11-16T14:57:00.000-08:00

Wheelin' and dealin' on Backpage and Craigslist
Eastbound and Down
"Letting them soak" instead of doing the dishes
Eating 3/4 of a dinner that, according to the recipe, serves 4 people
Hatin' on my TV remote technique
Buying T-shirts, loving them for 2-weeks, then declaring they fit weird and demanding they be taken to Goodwill
Zombies
Chasing me up the stairs because I get super irrationally panicked and spastic and apparently it's hilarious
Yelling at his Xbox
Singing in an opera voice at Church
Kind of hating my obsession with Strawberry Twizzlers but then always bringing them home for me from the grocery store

Moods

2010-11-04T13:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was this guy.

So today I'm trying to be like this guy.

A standoff

2010-11-02T11:05:00.000-07:00

If you're wondering what a silent standoff between two people refusing to take out the recyclable garbage looks like, this is what it looks like:

New Sister

2010-10-29T09:37:00.000-07:00

As of last night I have a new little sister! Dad, Shar, and new big sister Hailey welcomed Willow Elisea Guttery into the world at 10:15pm. 9.3lbs, 21 1/2 inches!

I'm already in love.

Burritos

2010-10-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

I was browsing through my pictures and started to notice a trend. I wonder how many burrito pictures constitutes too many burrito pictures? The answer is: you can never have too many burritos or burrito pictures.

In conclusion, we like burritos.

We also like: Diet Mountain Dew, talking about our cat, movie previews, arguing over who has to drive, and Dexter.

Halloween Parties

2010-10-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

We had a weekend full of Halloween parties. We were dinosaurs.

SCARED?!
"Terrified." --You.

At the PCC 2010 there were real babies...

And there were fake babies.

"Should I eat Mary Poppins?" --Dinosaur

"Yes."

Pumpkins!

The winning pumpkin, by Jenny. This is why I've stopped trying at the PCC.

Pacman pumpkin. And who did that super lame heart pumpkin?

And a PCC tradition, leaving our pumpkin on Chad and Rachel's car. We are Sneaky McSneakersons.

Saturday night we were off to my mom's Halloween party.

There was Minute to Win It games, including trying to keep three balloons in the air; which made for some fantastic pictures.

We get really excited about dry ice root beer. Usually it's in a witch's cauldron. Chris forgot it. Thanks for almost ruining Halloween Chris.

Camille regaled us with spooky stories. Spoiler alert: it was the candy corn man hiding behind the bush.

Utah

2010-10-19T08:43:00.000-07:00

I went to Utah with my mom and Griffin over the weekend to visit family. We discovered spending four days with his mom and sister is about Griffin's limit. Now, time for a bunch of pictures of people you don't know!

We went to this little shopping village decorated for Halloween and it was super cute.

Me and Paige, talking about important things.

My mom bought these ghosts, and her excitement was the totally normal amount of excitement someone should have for hanging ghosts.

"I don't know where I'm putting them yet, but I need five." --Michelle Hampton

I tried to hold baby Conrad every chance I got, but putting a damper in that plan was the fact that he hated me. This was right before he decided he hated me.

Camille and a pony.

Griffin and Marcus.

Marcus has some eye trouble, Jeri gives him eye drops. He loves it.

We went to Sundance and get this: there's this season called Fall. The leaves change color and it's not 90 degrees.

The trio.

Camille's job was to throw leaves and be cute, she was successful.

One of Camille's many "collections".

Fall!

Sisters!

Before Griffin got sick of us:

Trying to catch fish with their bare hands. We didn't have anything to feed the fish except what Chris could scrounge from the bottom of her purse, which happened to be fruit snacks and vitamins. They liked the fruit snacks, were uninterested in the vitamins. We didn't catch any fish. You are shocked.

You're welcome Chris.

Jeri made us homemade Navajo tacos and caramel apples. I really wanted to take her home with me.

Apple preparations.

This is Pierce. You can call him Señor Bubbs.

Conrad not crying because I'm keeping my distance.

And of course, we got to spend time with my sweet grandma.

And that's Utah folks. Zach saw Jackass 3D while I was gone, so everyone wins.

No Pants.

2010-10-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

I have a confession. When in the privacy of my home, I seldom wear pants. I wear a t-shirt and underwear. Listen, it's Arizona and it's hot.

My uniform is only a problem when we have unexpected visitors. You see our bedroom is upstairs, and I'm usually in this state of undress downstairs, watching TV. In order to access my clothes upstairs, requires that I walk by the front door where said visitor is waiting. The predicament is my front door has a large window on it, and there is also a window next to the front door. That equals too many windows for someone in their underwear to walk by.

So more often than I'd like to admit, I've answered the door with a blanket around my waist.

Lessons to be learned: I should stop being a weirdo. And I should keep some pants downstairs.

Note to self:

2010-10-08T07:57:00.000-07:00

You probably should stop buying stripes.

Hugz

2010-09-30T12:33:00.000-07:00

Some days you just have to Google sloth hugs.

Fortune Teller

2010-09-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

At church on Sunday I needed to kill a little time with my primary kids after my lesson ran much too short (whoops). I had an all girl class that day, so I channeled my inner four-year-old girl to decide what to do.

Turns out I still rememebered how to make one of these:

That's right. A paper fortune teller. You know what I'm talkin' about.

I told them it would predict what they were going to be when they grow up, the results were: fairy, princess, queen, cowgirl, genie, and magic flower princess. I made that last one up. I told them they'd get a flower wand if the magic flower princess was their destiny. Makes sense.

Did they like it? Let's just say I was pretty much a rockstar that day. The challenge will probably be getting them to listen to the normal lesson next week instead of demanding the fortune teller. Dear parents, sorry your child's spiritual well being is in my hands.

Garfield

2010-09-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

Rachel kind of hates Garfield.

So when I saw this shirt at Forever 21 on Friday, naturally I sent a picture of it to Rachel.

Texting commenced:
Rachel: What the hell?
Erica: lol Forever 21
Rachel: Why do they insist on having things that should be at Goodwill?
Erica: Garfield. So hot right now.
Rachel: Actually it kind of makes me want to watch Garfield's Halloween.

Garfield's Halloween is the best show ever. My cousins and I were obsessed with Garfield VHS tapes that my Grandma Hunsaker used to record for us.

P.S. Recorded TV shows on VHS tapes are the best. Zach and I were talking about it, and how even the recorded commercials were part of the experience. It makes me sad that homemade VHS compilations are no longer.

This concludes my post about Garfield. You're welcome.

Honeymoon's Over

2010-09-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

I have now been married almost 2 ½ years. I had to check my math on that because recently someone asked me when I got married and I said 2006, which is funny because I got married in 2008. I guess this means once you are married you lose all track of time; which is why I now go to bed at 9:00pm like a senior citizen I guess? Facts. Marriage time science facts.

Anyway now that we’ve been married for over 2 years some of our newlywed sparkle has worn off. When this is especially apparent, one of us says “honeymoon’s over.” Here are some examples:

When we were staying at my grandma’s last year Zach got deathly ill in the middle of the night and violently vomited numerous times in the bathroom. After he stumbled back into bed, I found myself cleaning my husband’s puke off the toilet, while dry heaving, at 2:00AM. Honeymoon’s over.

The other night I was lounging on the couch in what I considered a very comfortable position. One leg happened to be resting up on the back of the sofa. Zach walked in, “Do you mind not sitting like a man?” Honeymoon’s over.

Our actual honeymoon, May 2008; before vomit-cleaning and mannish sitting.

Fall TV

2010-09-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

I love TV. Summer is a rough time for us TV fans, there is not a lot on. We’re forced to do things we’re not proud of, like watch the entire season of Bachelor Pad.

But now it is September, and big network TV is back my friends. Here’s what I’ll be watching. Raise your hand if you don’t care. That was trick, I can’t even see any of your hands. Joke’s on you.

First the old stand by’s:

Glee – Little known fact: I balled my eyes out during last season's finale. Emotionally unstable? Maybe. Also, did you know my ipod contains the Best of Britney Spears? Did you know they’re doing a Britney Spears episode? This is what is called destiny.

Parenthood – This show is great, I don’t know many people that are watching it. You should watch it.

Modern Family – I love Phil.

Community – This show is hit and miss for me, but I still watch it.

Parks and Rec – My favorite show. You heard me.

Now for the new shows I will be giving a chance:

Lone Star – He has a double life or something, I don’t really know; but he’s cute.

The Event – Stars Jason Ritter, who I enjoy. Also stars the bikini girl from Disturbia, who Zach enjoys. Win win.

Some stuff that happened

2010-09-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

What is up with this blog sucking lately am I right? Well, you see I never take pictures anymore, and who wants a blog post without pictures? Not you, reader. But you’re in LUCK, because here are some pictures I forgot about at some recent events. And I use the term “events” lightly.

A couple months ago I went to dinner with a few of the girls for my birthday. We took a picture. Here it is.

Then we went to Rachel’s for cake and I made Rachel help me blow out the candles, but she just soft smiled instead.

For Chris’ birthday I got her these socks which I thought were kittens but my mom not so gently pointed out they were in fact bunnies. I still choose to see them as kittens.

Also, if Zach goes camping and I’m left to my own devices you can pretty much guarantee I’ll do something really smart like take out the downstairs vanity by myself at 9:00 at night.

And take really awkward "before" pictures.

From functioning sink to gigantic ugly hole in the wall. Great job me?

Check

2010-09-09T16:27:00.001-07:00

While at Red Robin on Monday with my mom and Chris, we threw caution to the wind and ordered the Tower of Onion Rings.

My life list just got one item shorter.

Emmys!

2010-08-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

Sick of my red carpet commentary yet? (Seen here, here, and here.) Too bad, have a seat.

First of all, did everyone call each other before hand - junior high style - and decide to wear navy?

All the cool girls in junior high would plan to wear pajama pants to school on the same day. I did not participate because one, my mom wouldn't let me wear pajama pants to school. Two, I wasn't cool.

50% gladiator, 50% ill fitting black satin, 100% unfortunate.

So, the designs on her dress are the same as the Saved By the Bell opening credits graphics.

These two maybe could afford to dial it back a bit.

Favorite character on Glee, and I love this dress.

This is pretty, but I also kind of feel like it's from Charlotte Russe.

Maybe she could have done her hair? And maybe her boob cones are going to poke my eye out. Zach thought she looked fantastic. Interpret that how you will.

Oops Felicity, the Emmys are actually not being broadcasted from the beach.

Purple. Cleavagey. Feathery. I like it.

Sometimes I think Maria Menounos forgets she's not actually a star but works for Access Hollywood as an interviewer of the stars. I bet the producers are constantly having to be like, "Where is Maria we need her to interview Tom Hanks! Ugh. She's over there posing for photographers again. Maria get over here!"

Also that cut out is stupid.

Oh hello, nemesis.

I think they're really cute so I was really sad that they look like they're going to prom and not in a cute way. His bow time matches her dress. I rest my case.

Whoops you have a napkin attached to your dress!

Whoops your dress is ugly!

I just started watching Curb Your Enthusiasm and it is a great show. This is also a great dress.

Okay that's all. As a reminder - Jon Hamm is my boyfriend, not sure who this whore is. Bye.

Confession

2010-08-26T09:41:00.001-07:00

I tear up every time I hear Taylor Swift's song "Mine".

There, I said it.

You stay classy, San Diego.

2010-08-23T09:20:00.000-07:00

The weekend was spent in San Diego. Fun was had.

Beach!!

On the way back to the car Zach found a valve box and turned on an entire street of sprinklers to rinse the sand off his feet. Because that's totally normal.

A tree Zach became very obsessed with. "I have never seen a tree like that. That is like, the coolest tree ever."

Zach doesn't allow me to ask strangers to take pictures of us. So I take advantage of a mirror anytime I see one. This usually happens in an elevator.

We walked around the Gaslamp Quarter on Friday night and ordered this delicious hot fudge banana sundae at Ghirardelli's. Zach likes to chop off my head in pictures.

A monkey I saw at the Zoo.

PANDAS!

And more importantly, panda hats.

Things got a little awkward at the Zebra exhibit.

We took the Skyfari twice so that we wouldn't have to walk as much. We like to avoid exercise whenever possible.

The tastiest breakfast I've ever had in my entire life.

The waitor brought our food, I took half a second to get out my camera; and he was already knee deep in his potatoes.

Yesterday we came home. And we were sad.

P.S.
At the mall, Zach insisted on spending two dollars on the hurricane machine even though all it did was blow air at him for a couple minutes, as I predicted.

Hurricane Machine 2010, never forget.

From normal to ghetto in five easy steps

2010-08-13T08:47:00.000-07:00

Drop your phone constantly. Utilize curse words.
Observe the back of your phone no longer snaps into place due to said constant dropping.
Try to hold the back in place while talking on the phone, this causes you to drop your phone even more; about a bajillion times a day, approximately. More curse words.
Admit defeat.
Electrical tape.

Next week’s ghetto lesson – how to simultaneously maneuver your stick shift car, operate your first generation nano ipod, and hold a drink between your legs because your retractable cupholder is broken. My true area of expertise.

Pepper

2010-08-04T14:02:00.000-07:00

Did I ever tell you about the time that our pepper grinder broke and Zach spilled pepper all over his dinner?

It was awesome.

News

2010-08-03T09:38:00.000-07:00

In TV news:
Project Runway is back and I am happy. Heidi's hair is struggling this season though. And they kicked off semi-cute dress girl instead of backwards stapled kimono guy? Jigga whaaat?

Watched this last night and melted into a puddle. I love Roberto and his unfortunate sweat, I love Ali and her terrible hair, even Chris and his rainbow have a special place in my heart. Happiness and love and Neil Lane diamond rings for all!

Please don't break up.

In Zach and Erica news:
Our cat continues to be obsessed with plastic bags and this happened the other day so we're doing JUST FINE, thank you very much.

Monsoon season is a liar

2010-07-29T15:40:00.000-07:00

Times I have gotten really excited thinking it was going to rain – 5,345,874
Times it has rained – 1

Hey monsoon season, why don’t you just call yourself “really humid and miserable with no payoff” season.

But it’s windy right now and my brain is like “IT’S GONNA RAAAAIIINNNN!”
I never learn.

Don Draper/Jon Hamm = Yes please.

2010-07-27T13:52:00.000-07:00

I've never wanted to be a water bottle more in my entire life.

Capital LOL you guys

2010-07-26T13:28:00.001-07:00

Zach is getting really sick of me hysterically laughing at this commercial, talking to him about this commercial, and making him watch this commercial. For the record, I am not getting sick of any of those things.

And now, some pictures from my phone (mostly of my cat)

2010-07-15T16:41:00.001-07:00

Peggy continues to pilfer my water every chance she gets, no matter how difficult the task proves to be.

Sometimes she forgets she is obese and pulls little stunts like this. Then gets stuck.

One time, Griffin and I had a drawing contest and Camille was our judge. As you can see, in the dinosaur category, my long neck not only won - but the competition was scribbled out with disgust. Which makes me the greatest and Griffin the loser-est.

Monday nights.

2010-07-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

This is what my Monday nights look like.

Watching Bachelorette, while g-chatting with my mom and aunt Chris. While also texting my mother-in-law. All communication mostly centers on our love of Roberto.

Here's an excerpt from the most recent g-chat with my mom and Chris where we discuss Ali's unfortunate hair, and Roberto's baseball uniform. "CCC" means "Cape Cod Chris". We don't like him.

Chris: hello robertoz angelz
Michelle: loverrr
Chris: I am already done of CCC and his family
Michelle: yes
me: i think kirk is going home tonight
Michelle: poor moldy
Chris: I want ccc to go
her hair is at an all time low
Michelle: lol
me: just gets worse and worse
me: that.
uniform.
Michelle: I know
Chris: I know I know I know
I almost can't really think right now
Michelle: lol
me: i know, i feel like my brain is not functioning
Chris: I know it's kind of mushy
Michelle: look at himmm

My birthday is August 19th

2010-07-07T12:32:00.000-07:00

"So are you going the weekend of your birthday? The NINTH? I remember it now!"
--Malia Meadows Call, my best friend of 10 years.

And not once has she gotten it right. Love her.

The Fourth

2010-07-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

There were lots of activities stuffed into our Fourth of July weekend in Holbrook.

First was the firework show put on by the boys. This mainly entails the boys haphazardly lighting off every firework that Uncle Bill brought; throwing them in the air, lighting several at once, and giggling and burning each other in the process. They quickly forget the women and children are even present, as we nervously watch from the truck beds a few yards away; comforting the crying, scared kids and hoping a firework doesn't come shooting in our direction.

The casualties:

Chad's burnt shirt.

And a tiny runaway spark landed on Hailey's skirt. Although you might have thought her skirt had been ablaze with flames to hear her tell the story.

Next up was golfing.

Or in my case, cart sitting and Diet Coke sipping.

Zach posing by his best drive.

Oh how precious.

The First Annual Holbrook Fourth of July Ping Pong Tournament also took place.

Son-in-law vs. Father-in-law

Awaiting players, some willing participants, some not.

The Finals : John Steiner vs. Zach. Zach lost. Wasn't happy.

It was one intense weekend, and we were all pretty tuckered out. Just ask grandma.

I am an adult.

2010-07-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

Maybe I brought my lunch in a Hello Kitty lunch box today.

Perk of starting a decorating business with your mom:

2010-06-27T22:07:00.000-07:00

Many opportunities to take pictures of her in compromising positions.

Cooking fail

2010-06-21T15:03:00.000-07:00

When all your kitchen counter plugs are not working because of a tripped circuit breaker, and for some reason that breaker will not un-trip, and you don't know how to fix it because you are not a plug wizard and you did not take "Electrical Plugs" during your fourth year at Hogwarts, you are forced to plug your rice cooker in on the floor.

I demand less sadness and more cats

2010-06-15T15:20:00.000-07:00

You might remember my friend Jihone. Every once in a while I would e-mail him a cat picture and then he would tell me to stop sending him cat pictures. So of course instead, I started sending him a cat picture every single day. He ~~hates~~ loves it. We call it "Daily Cat".

Here are some of the cats that have been a Daily Cat.

You may be asking yourself, "Erica how do you find such great cat pictures?" The answer is twofold.

1. The internet is full of cats.
2. I spend most my day on the internet.

Thank you

2010-06-06T21:13:00.001-07:00

I can't thank you enough for all the sweet comments and e-mails. I don't think anyone will ever know how much all your support helped me this past week.

I'm doing better every day thanks to all of you; plus pistachio gelato, the HGTV channel, sleep, crying when I want, laughing when I want, and Sonic onion rings.

Eventually I'll be back to blogging about my overweight cat. Love you guys.

Life

2010-05-31T07:15:00.000-07:00

Before Easter this year, Zach and I learned that I was pregnant with a due date in December. We were surprised (very surprised) and we were terrified. But quickly we became filled with excitement and completely overjoyed. Unfortunately, on Thursday we learned I had suffered a miscarriage. I usually don’t get too personal on this blog, nor do I write about sad things. This is where I come to not take life too seriously and write about my favorite happy memories. Today however I feel like I want to write about this experience. I think it will help me in my healing.

When we discovered this terrible news it was hard, and still is hard, to not feel broken; it’s the only word I can use to describe it. It’s hard to not feel as if my body is broken and that my spirit is broken. Zach and I have thought and talked of hardly anything but this pregnancy and our future for the past few months, excitedly planning just as every expecting couple does. Then one day it’s all gone. I felt as if my life had abruptly been stolen from me, and I no longer knew what to do or what to think about.

I am still hurting every day. But I am so thankful for my incredible husband. I didn’t know that I could love or appreciate him anymore than I already did, but going through this with him has proven to me that we are even stronger and closer than I ever knew. I am so thankful for our wonderful friends and family and for the outpouring of support we have received. We are very lucky to be surrounded by these unbelievable people, and I will forever be thankful for them for providing me with the strength I need. I am also thankful for the readers of this blog. I know it is just a silly blog, but every time I get a comment or an e-mail from someone who says they like to read what I write here, or that it makes them laugh; it brightens my day. I know there are many of you whom I don’t know in real life, and there are many that I do – I just wanted to say thank you for reading my little corner of the internet, it brings me a lot of happiness to get on here and write about my little life and feel a connection to all of you.

I think that connection is why I wanted to write here today. I know a lot of women have suffered through what I am going through, and it brings me comfort to know I am not alone. And if someone is reading this today and going through a similar experience, I want you to know you are also not alone. I think every day we will heal a little more, and every day will get a little easier. Thank you for letting me get this out today.

Love,
Erica

New

2010-05-26T15:42:00.000-07:00

We sold our old couch on Craigslist and now our new sectional is being delivered on Friday. I couldn't put into words how I feel about this development, so I drew you a picture:

Minute to Win It

2010-05-24T15:44:00.000-07:00

I've never seen the show Minute to Win It, but now I have played the games. Let's just say I would not win it in a minute. We got together last weekend, and Malia and Brad were our Minute to Win It experts.

Game 1 - Get the Oreo into your mouth from your forehead, without using your hands.

Malia insisted on yelling, "You have A MINUTE (pause) TO WIN IT!!" before each game started.

Zach's kept getting stuck on his eye. Entertaining.

Game 2 - Empty the Kleenex box by taking out one tissue at a time.

I "forgot" that it was one tissue at a time and started taking out stacks of tissues. Still lost.

Game 3 - Stack five apples.

Will he do it?

Yes. Look how proud he is.

2nd place, and still pretty excited.

Game 4 - Retrieve two pennies from the bottom of a pair of Pantyhose.

Brad was not convinced Casey's win was a clean win. What a surprise Brad.

Game 5 - Shooting a rubber band at a pyramid of paper cups.

If I remember correctly everyone sucked at this. I'd also like to point out Holly is wearing a Team Jacob shirt because of course she is.