Family Pics

Here are a few shots from our most recent session with Carly!

Smiley Boy

Sweet Girl

melt my heart

me and my hunky husband ;)

The Whole Fam!

Thanks, Carly!!!!

Here Comes Santa Claus...

Caroline is REALLY into all things Christmas this year. Its so much fun! She wakes up every morning and asks if Santa came. She loves to play with her Nativity set, and hug and kiss baby Jesus. She loves her Elf on the Shelf, Alex...she especially loves to look for him each morning.

While she is loving Christmas, and loves to TALK about Santa, I wasn't sure how she would do actually going to see him this year. We really built it up and talked about it leading up to our visit.

I guess it paid off! No tears! Neither of the kids look thrilled, but they are looking at the camera, and no crying, so I count that as SUCCESS!

HO, HO, HO!

(or YO, HO, HO! as Caroline would say :))

7 months!

Miles is 7 months old! Time is flying by, and he is getting so big :) He is so precious and sweet in every way. We just adore his sweet little smile!

He can sit all by himself now. He is a good little sitter, but he doesn't stay put for long...he is scooting everywhere. He doesn't crawl, but her can certainly get from point A to point B, by using the "inchworm" move. He gets up on all 4's some, too. YIKES...I know what that means ;)

Look at me sitting!

I am such a big boy!

I love my little shopping buddy...

He loves to eat now. We have tried all the veggies (green beans, peas, squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots) and we are working our way through the fruits (pears and peaches so far). He seems to like the orange veggies and the fruits the best so far, so maybe he will have a sweet tooth ;)


Such a handsome fella :)

He had his first ear infection :( Caroline has still never had one, so I hoped maybe Miles would be blessed with her nicely shaped Eustachian tubes ;) Guess not! It actually didn't seem to phase him all that much...thank goodness.

This is what we call the "skydive." It's a favorite move of his...

He loves swinging at the park. He was totally kicked back in the swing...loungin' :)

He has just about outgrown his infant car seat. He looks like a GIANT in there, and I can hardly lift it. So, he is graduating to the toddler car seat ASAP. I bought Caroline a bigger one that converts to a booster, and he will get to sit in her old one. Poor kid is destined for hand-me-downs ;) I know he will love the extra space!

Caroline got her hair did

Well, it was HIGH time Miss C get a haircut! I kept thinking I need to take her for a trim, but just never got a round to it. Finally, it was just too long and too out of control!

We made an appointment and Daddy met us there. She was SUPER excited and loved every secoond of it. Of course, she loved being able to see herself in the huge mirror :)

I am having camera issues, so I will have to leave you hanging to see the final product :)

Thanksgiving 2010

We spent Turkey Day 2010 in Dallas (where else?!) with the Erickson Clan...all 19 of us!

It was SO much fun. We enjoyed catching up with everyone and the kids all played really well together!

Grandpa rounded up the crew and took us to see the trains at North Park. Caroline was very intrigued...

Part of the gang...



C completely adores her Grandpa :)

Miles like checking things out too...

Mattie and Ginny were kind enough (and crazy enough) to come with us! Unfortunately, I did not get a pic :(



All 9 Cousins in their matching shirts (which I ordered from Popsicles and Pirates)

From L to R: Benjamin (20 months), Lainey Ann (5 months), Wyatt (2), Miles (6 months), Caroline (2), Emma (4), Piper (4 months), Whitney (4), Wade (5 months)

Yes, that 9 children ages 4 and under! Like I said, it was crazy ;)




The Fab 4 of 2010!

Miles, Wade, Lainey Ann, and Piper

Cousin Cuddling :)

You wouldn't know it from the pic, but BOTH of them were sick with a stomach bug on Thanksgiving Day :( Actually, of the 19 of us, I think there were only 3 who escaped the wrath of the bug...it was the year of sickness all around!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Godfather

Jon was honored to be asked to serve as our neice, Piper's godfather! Her baptism was held at the church where Clark and Brittany were married, and where big sis Emma was baptized, too. It was wonderful to be a part of sweet Piper's special day :)

The Godfather, himself. Very handsome!

Precious Piper!

Turkey Girl

I had the pleasure of attending Caroline's little turkey party at school. It was hilarious, and a adorable :) They wore little hats and sand a song, then we got to eat pie!

C in her turkey hat

Not sure what is going on here...She looks really smart ;)

Ready for some grub!

Once Upon a Potty...

Potty Training. Stop reading if you don't want to hear all the lovely details.

I have been dreading this task for months. I had decided I would just wait until Caroline was 2 1/2 (February) to begin the process. I really just had no desire at all to conquer the potty just yet! Diapers are so easy and low maintenance, and potty training just seems so...messy.

Anyway, apparently Caroline didn't get the memo. Over the past several weeks she began showing more and more interest in the potty. She would ask multiple times a day to go potty, and loved sitting on her potty. So, I knew the time had some. She was ready...even though I was NOT!

We picked out Dora and princess panties, stocked up on fruit snacks, and waited until we had a weekend with no plans so we could have a little "potty boot camp". Here's how it went down...

Friday, we got up and put on panties. I explained that she was gong to wear panties now and go potty on the potty. And that she would get fruit snacks when she did. I took her every 10 minutes for the 1st hour. Every 15 minutes for the 2nd hour. Then every 20 minutes, and so on...We had several (approx. 6, I think) accidents and I found that 20 minutes was a bout the max we could handle between visits.

Saturday, repeat. We started the day going every 15 minutes and built up from there, but I felt like every 30 minutes was our max. She did well again. I noticed her initiating more on her own. 6 accidents.

Sunday, repeat. Every 30 minutes, building to every 45. only 3 accidents! And 2 were in route to the bathroom. Woohoo!

Monday, repeat. Went every 45 min-1 hour, and she was accident-free ALL DAY! YEA!!! We even went to the grocery store!

Today, repeat. She went to school and stayed dry the whole time! She went potty all on her own at school :) So proud. She had a little accident after her nap today, but that's to be expected :)

She is still in a diaper/pull-up for nap and bedtime. We are still working on #2. She actually really likes to go on the potty, but her nap time is typically when it happens, so she is going in her diaper. She gets upset when she wakes up and realizes she has gone :( She REALLY wants to "put her poops in the potty". Go figure ;)

Needless to say, I am SO proud of her! It wasn't nearly as traumatic (for me) as I thought it would be.

YEA for CAROLINE!!!!!!!

6 months

Miles is 6 months old! Half a year. SIX MONTHS!?! Time is just flying by!

He is really, truly is the sweetest, happiest, most adorable chunky monkey ever. He looks at me with his big blue eyes and flashes his huge smile, and I am toast. He just melts my heart. Sigh :)

We tried sweet potatoes. Despite the pititful look on his face, he actually liked them slightly more than he likes cereal. ALthough, he actually hates cereal, so that's not saying much ;) He hasn't shown a ton of interest in eating his solids yet :(

He is getting better and better at sitting. He can sit in his boppy or even all by himself for short spurts. You just never know when he is going to get bored, and fling himslef to the ground...

He loves his sister. He just lights up everytime he sees her or hears her voice. She can really get him laughing...like depp belly laughs...better than anyone.

She recently treated him to some delcious tea during a tea party ;)




He loves to play with his feet, puts anything and everything in his mouth, and still enjoys his exersaucer.

I am totally done nursing (as of 2 weeks ago). I was hoping to make it at least 6 months, but once those teeth came in, I couldn't take the pain! He takes an 8 oz. bottle of formula every 4 hour during the day, and takes 3 naps (about 1 1/12-2 hours each).




There's my happy guy!

We (mostly me) have several random nicknames for Mr. Miles...Bubber and Boo Bear are probably the ones I use the most. Even Caroline calls him Boo Bear sometimes :)

LOVE him!!

Stats:

Weight: 18 lbs. 7 oz. (70th %ile)

Height: 27 in. (70th %ile)

Head: 45 cm. (80th %ile)

Halloween Festivities 2010

We had so much fun celebrating Halloween this year! We had an action packed weekend...Costume Parade at Caroline's school on Thursday, Playgroup Party on Friday, Festival at C's school on Saturday, and then on Sunday, we had the neighborhood festival, follwed by a block party and costume parade, and of course trick or treating! whew! I won't bore you with pics of everything, but here are a few highlights :)

Miles's 1st Halloween!

Caroline LOOOOOOOOOOVED trick or treating. She thought it was the most amazing thing. She totally had the whole routine down and (of course)wasn't shy AT ALL.

We met up with our good buddy Jack, who was kind enough to let us hitch a ride in his wagon. They would run up to the door, get their candy, and come running back to the wagon saying they were ready for "the next house"

Jack taking a turn pulling Caroline :)

Caroline talked about trick or treating non-stop for the enitre week after Halloween. "Mommy, I really like trick or treating" "I had so much fun trick or treating."

Hangin' Around...

Miles catching up on some light reading, while practicing his sitting skills...such a multi-tasker.

Caroline loves to help me cook. She especially loves to lick the spoon, of course! Pumpkin muffins...YUM!

Daddy enjoying some play time before bed. Both of them absolutely ADORE Jon. It's so sweet :)

Caroline really enjoys playing with Miles most of the time. She likes to "hold" him. And really wishes she could carry him around...ha!

Not a great pic, but she was making me laugh by crawling in this basket. So random.

We've enjoyed a few "movie mornings" recently. She doesn't usually last the whole time, but its fun to mpop popcorn, stay in our , and cuddle :)

Not sure what is going on with the "leg up" pose here...love them matching jammies. What's the point of having 2 kids, if you dont dress them alike form time to time, right??? ;)

I thought I'd leave you with a little video...

I have been working out with "Stroller Strides" the past few weeks. Basically, a group of moms meet up at a park with our strollers and do a full-body workout. Caroline has been imitating me, and its so funny. She will push her shopping cart around the play room stopping periodically to do her "workout" or her "stretches" I have been trying to capture it on video, but of course, much easier said than done! Hopefully, you can hear her telling me that she is doing squats. ha ha...i love this girl.

Gotta love that she is wearing her halloween costume while working out. She likes to put her costume on over her clothes most days...This day, she decided costume with no pants was the way to go. Ha!

Sic 'Em Bears!!!

Obviously, we loooooooove Baylor Football. The good, the bad, the ugly...we consider ourselves true fans. We have definitely had our fair share of the bad and the ugly, but this weekend we finally got to relish in some GOOD! We beat KState, became bowl eligible, and are finally ranked in the BCS standings!!!!! Seriously, so exciting!

We started bright and early at the parade. It was so fun to be with my BFFs and have all of our daughters together :)

Kristin and Libby, Me and Caroline, Ginny (expecting baby boy in March!!) and Mattie

The girls taking in the sights and sounds.




After the parade, I asked Caroline what her favorite part was...

Me: "Was it the band? or the bears? or the cheerleaders?..."

Her: "Or the candy?" :)





Next we made a quick stop off to see Kristin's parents. Then headed to the tailgate. It was great!! We put Miles in the exersaucer, and set Caroline up with stickers and crayons. They had a great time! Caroline even napped in the car for a little while. I didn't get any pics :(


We went into the game, but as soon as we got to our seats, got settled, they suspended the game because of lightening. After a huge downpour, and almost 2 HOURS of rain delay, the game resumed. We were SOO thankful for the privilege of the Letterman's Lounge. We were able to stay nice and dry...even thought it was VERY hot and crowded in there ;)



Hanging in the lounge with Connor





I almost gave up and took the kids home at this point. It was rainy, hot, and they were getting restless. But thankfully, I decided to tough it out because....WE WON and I got to see it :)







(They scored after I took this pic...so the final was actually 47-42)

Everyone rushed the field, which was SO fun!


Daddy and Miles celebrating on the field

Caroline ran around high-fiving random people

She loved playing around on "Daddy's field."

After the crazy weather, the 2 hour delay, and chasing/carrying around the kids ALL day...I was exhausted, but it was worth every single minute :)

We can't wait to see our Bears in a bowl!!

Sic 'Em!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!