The Erickson Family: May 2010

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

U.S.S. Erickson

We took our new double stroller out for it's maiden voyage! At times, it felt like navigating a small ship, but I think that's pretty much a given in the world of double strollers :)

Actually, its really pretty light and manageable (for a double) and it was fun to push both babies together!!!

Caroline loves her new "big stroller" and thoroughly enjoyed being able to keep an eye on Baby Miles. She keeps asking for "more big stroller", so I guess that is a good thing...

Showing off our new wheels in the mall parking lot.

It was quite a a group effort to get this stroller...First, several months ago, my mom did some stroller research for me. She went to several baby stores and tested out strollers, determining that this was the one to get. I tried it out and decided she was right. Before ordering it new, I opted to troll Craigslist (Austin and Dallas) to see if I could find it. I finally saw this one, listed on Dallas Craigslist, so Jon's mom met the seller, gave it a test drive, and negotiated a sweet deal for us. Then she took it to my step mom, who so kindly hauled it down here and delivered it to us. SO, with the help of all 3 grandmas, we are the proud owners of a gently used Peg Perego Aria Twin, and we LOVE it :) Thanks Team Grandma!!!!

Friends :)

We have had so much fun introducing Baby Miles to all of our friends and family. And Of course Caroline has enjoyed having lots of attention and play dates as a result!

I haven't been good about taking pics of everyone, but we have been so blessed by our friends bringing food, gifts, and just coming to spend time with us!

Sweet Taylor and Kendall did such a good job holding him!

Our dear friends, Matt, Ginny, and of course, Caroline's BFF, Matelyn, came to visit last weekend! Sadly, I didn't get any pics other than this one. The girls were chowing down on their snacks...this was in between squabbling over toys. Caroline even managed to yank Mattie's bow out a couple of times. Sigh. They had fun anyway, and I had fun visiting with Ginny :)

Connor brought his baby brother over to play this week. Connor is just a couple of months older than Caroline and Baby Reid is just a couple of months older than Baby Miles. We figure that Caroline and Connor will be boyfriend/girlfriend and Baylor, and Reid and Miles can be roommates ;)

They are definitely a cute couple.

Stealing a kiss...

Going in for the hug...

Eventually, it was more like a tackle ;) They were both laughing so hard, and Caroline kept squealing for "more" Uh oh...looks like we are in trouble already!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Random Thoughts...

So here are a few of my random thoughts about Motherhood Round 2...

*It's amazing how you forget everything about taking care of a newborn, but then it somehow magically all comes back to you. Little by little I find myself saying, "Oh yeah, I remember this."

*Newborns are delicious. The way they smell, the little noises they make, their soft skin, tiny features. Everything. So sweet and cuddly, and I can't get enough! I am definitely enjoying the newborn phase a lot more this time around. Which leads me to my next thought...

*Newborns are so EASY! With your first, you don't appreciate this fact at all. You are adjusting to the utter shock and stress of having a little person depend on you for everything. Suddenly, your life is not your own anymore, which is overwhelming. I remember thinking it was SO HARD to get anything done with a newborn...ha ha ha! Try getting something done with a toddler!?!? With the second, you are used to your life revolving around them. My life hasn't been my own in 2 years! So it feels so easy...All he does is eat and sleep! I can take him anywhere right now, run errands with him all day long, and actually enjoy a meal out. As long as I nurse him, we are money. No sippy cups or snacks or or whining or toys or bribery or threats of time out. Just nice relaxing outings with a sleeping baby...ahhhhh!

*I find myself being WAY more relaxed this time. But I still check on him often...just to make sure he is still breathing ;)

*Caroline seems like a GIANT. She is suddenly so heavy when I pick her up, her diapers are HUGE (and really disgusting in comparison to his), and she seems so tall! A little over 2 weeks ago, she was my baby, and now she is practically ready for college.

*I love them both SO much. I didn't really worry or doubt that I would love him as much as Caroline, because everyone always says that you will. I just didn't know what that would feel like. To love both of them so unbelievably much and so instantly. It's awesome. I feel so blessed!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Big Sister

Caroline is adjusting really well to her new role as Big Sister. She is very sweet and gentle (most of the time) and we have only had a few displays of "violence" or jealousy so far ;)

She loves to help me burp him, and then loves it if I "burp" her. Her burping sound effect is actually pretty good. She also likes to lay across the Boppy pillow in my lap. I need to get a pic of that, because its hilarious.

She LOVES to hold him all by herself.

Hug him.

Kiss him.

Hold his hands.

And "Pap" him on the head.

We are working on "papping" nice and soft ;)

(For the record, no babies were harmed during this photo shoot...Mommy and Mimi were on hand to run interference)

It's really fun to see them together. I seriously can't believe we have 2 kids!

Here they are with Mimi...We were soooo glad to have her here this week!

Our little guy is 2 weeks old, and had another great check up today. He is 8 lbs. 8 oz., so he is obviously getting PLENTY to eat and growing like a weed!!

Friday, May 14, 2010

A few more firsts...

Miles napped in his crib for the first time (instead of the pack n play). He obviously found it quite cozy :) since this is how I found him...

And we gave him his first "bath" Not a real bath, since he still has umbilical cord, but a wipe down at least ;) He wasn't really a fan.

Sister was on hand to give us some much needed assistance.

He was glad when all that nonsense was over.

We have had a great week despite our continued sickness! Caroline is still coughing up a storm, and now Miles has an eye infection in BOTH eyes, but surprisingly enough we are still happy and having fun :)

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

One Week Old!

Hard to believe that today is my original due date and Miles is already a week old :)

Of course, everyone says this...but REALLY its going by so fast already!!!

Jon went back to work today, so I was on my own with both kiddos for the very first time.

Caroline had MDO this morning, so we all got loaded up and headed out for our first outing! It was much easier than i thought. I just clipped his car seat in the snap n go, and Caroline "helped" me push the stroller into school. She was really proud to show off her baby bro :) When went to pick her up, she was more excited to see him than she was to see me!

At the ripe old age of 1 week old, Miles is eating about every 3 hours during the day and every 4 at night. Last night he made it for a 5 hour stretch which was amazing (for me)! I am thankful that he gained so much weight so fast so that we can let him sleep for longer periods. It is SO nice.

He is sleeping in his pack n play, which we have set up in the "man room" downstairs. That way I don't have to trudge up and down the stairs all night. But if he keeps sleeping the way he did last night, he may graduate to his crib very soon!

Caroline loves to peek in on him often.

So far he has enjoyed his bouncer quite a bit

Always under the watchful eye of big sis

He typically sleeps through our tummy time efforts.

And he has even tried out his swing...Again with lots of "help" from C ;)

We love him more and more every second and are trying to enjoy all these little newborn moments. I forgot how sweet and sleepy and cuddly newborns are :) I LOVE it!!!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Let the games begin...

Miles was scheduled for his first check up with Dr. G on Monday. Well, not to be outdone by her little bro, Caroline came down with a fever and a cough on Sunday. I called the doc, and we decided to make our first family outing to the pediatrician's office.

Luckily, Dr. G didn't feel like we needed to worry about C being contagious...whew! She still seems to be feeling a bit under the weather, but hopefully she will feel better soon.

Mr. Miles had a fabulous check up! He was 7 lbs. 9 oz. at birth, and dropped to 7 lbs. 2 oz. by the time we left the hospital. The goal would be to make it back to his birth weight by his 2 week appt. BUT, Miles has already surpassed it in just 5 days!! What a super-eating stud :) He weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz., and Dr. G was quite impressed. He also noted that Miles is already really strong and has good head control for such a little guy.

Rocking some killer socks for his first outing to the doctor

Another pic, just because he's so cute ;)

All in all, it was a great appt. We are thankful that Caroline isn't REALLY sick, and thankful that Miles is growing strong!

Happy Mommy!

Of course, I had a wonderful Mother's Day this year because I had BOTH my babies to celebrate with.

Daddy and Caroline made me strawberry pancakes for breakfast, which were delicious. Caroline helped Daddy bring them to me, and proclaimed "Happy Mommy!" So Funny. Jon said he practiced with her, but she just couldn't quite get all the words together in one sentence. I'll take her sweet little voice saying "Happy Mommy" any day!

Daddy took Caroline to church, leaving me and my little baby for some quality snuggle time together. I just can't get enough of him :)

Caroline brought home a flower from church, but it didn't quite make it one piece. It's the thought that counts ;)

After naps, I got to have some special time with my big baby. We wanted to go to the park, but it was sprinkling, so we opted for ICE CREAM!!

I have no idea what is going on here, she looks like she is going to attack the ice cream...must be an Erickson thing ;)

So happy

and so messy!

A special thanks to my biggest baby (ha!) for making this day special. I am so lucky to have him as my partner in parenting and in life!

Coming Home

Call me crazy, but I actually loved being in the hospital. So, while I was happy to be coming home, I was also kind of sad to be leaving! They bring you food, water, medicine, and take care of anything and everything for you. Jon and I just got to relax and cuddle with Miles, and there was no laundry to fold, no dishes to wash. Seriously! What's not to love??? :)

Anyway, We definitely were looking forward to getting home to see Caroline and to have us all together again!

Mommy getting Miles all dressed up for his debut into the outside world

Ready and waiting for the go ahead!

He looks so tiny in the car seat!

Snuggled in and ready to go

Oh Daddy...

Home sweet home with Mommy :)

Caroline is excited that Miles is home, too! At least for now... ;)

The First Meeting

Our moms brought Caroline up to the hospital to meet Miles for the very first time.

She brought him a bear and a balloon, but promptly decided she'd rather keep them for herself...notice the death grip she has on the balloon...ha!