17 Months and 25 weeks

Caroline is 17 months old today!

We are definitely in full-on toddler mode. Complete with talking up a storm, throwing fits like crazy, and the introduction of the word "MINE".

She is constantly learning all kinds of new tricks. She can go down the stairs (backwards) by herself now, although she much prefers to go down forward like we do.

She has learned the ever-important skill of giving "daps" or "fist bumps."

She blinks her eyes, when we say "wink, wink" It's so cute...Daddy taught her this one, so she especially loves to "wink" at him ;)

She likes to show off her "big eyes" and "big mouth" Sometimes she comes up to us making the "big eyes" face, until we make "big eyes" back at her. She find this endlessly entertaining, and hilarious, and of course, so do we :)

She loves to be outside and she loves to eat. These are the most commonly heard phrases in our house : "I go car" "I go outside" "I want eat" "I want milk" She repeats them over and over again all day long. She loves to stand at the window and wave to the big kids playing in the cul de sac. She even waves and says "hi" to them...its really sweet :)


She has gotten really good at putting words together. The other day she kept pointing to a chair, saying "Chair". Of course, I kept saying "That's right! It's a chair." Finally, she said "Mommy chair." Then I finally got it! She wanted me to sit in that specific chair...Duh :)

She is obsessed with footwear. She knows the difference between shoes and boots, and always wants to discuss whether we are or aren't wearing shoes/boots/socks, etc.
Jon asked her to go into the closet and get his black shes for him, and lo and behold she did! Someone call MENSA...She is totally a genius ;)

Her love of accessories is not limited to shoes...Today, she put on my necklace and said "Pretty"


She is really into naming body parts right now. She especially loves eyes...hers and everyone else's. Jon is worried we are going to end up with a lawsuit when she gouges someones eye out. Other current favorites include: back, elbow, shoulders, and chin.

She has rebelled against her high chair, so we have moved on to the booster seat. She is also getting pretty good with a spoon and fork!



I am officially 25 weeks pregnant now. Passed the gestational diabetes test, but still can't believe I am even far enough along to have taken it!?! One more monthly visit, then I start going every 2 weeks...yikes!

I am feeling good. He moves and kicks ALL the time. I don't remember Caroline being this active, so who knows what I am in for with this one.

We have been totally stuck on names for the little guy, so Jon has taken to calling him Lacedarius (as in Lacedarius Dunn, Baylor Basketball player). Uncle Paul is calling him Demarcus Ware-ickson (after the Dallas Cowboys player Demarcus Ware), and my grandparents call him Little Jon or Jimmy Jon. I have just been referring to him as "The Boy." Sad, I know.

We have finally made some progress on names (as of this week) and have narrowed it down to a top 3. I like all 3, and so does Jon, so we are moving in the right direction! We are "marinating" on them for a little while. I will keep you posted as soon as we decide for sure.

I finally bought "The Boy" a couple of onesies. Up until this week I had purchased exactly ZERO items for him. Poor little guy. I promise I will make up for it, and I double promise I won't make him wear pink ;)

Here comes TROUBLE!

Caroline has been up to no good this week!

Monday, she got us kicked out of music class. She was throwing a fit because she wanted her snack and I told her "no" (gasp! can you imagine???) She was being quite loud and disruptive, so the teacher kindly asked that we step outside. Sweet.

Tuesday, She dialed 911 from my cell phone. They key pad was locked, so I figured she couldn't do much harm, but apparently my BlackBerry has an "Emergency Call" feature...who knew? As soon as I saw it dialing "Emergency Call," I hung up as fast as I could. Not fast enough. A lovely woman with the Travis Co. Sheriffs Dept. called to be sure we were ok.

Luckily, Wednesday and Thursday were without major incident, so I am hopeful that we'll make it through the weekend without anymore shenanigans!

"If I wear these shades, I can go undercover"
"Think of all the trouble I can get into now!"

Thankful...

Thankful doesn't even begin to describe how I am feeling...What a week it has been.

I am always thankful for our many blessings. Caroline and I say a prayer each night asking for the health and safety of our friends and family, and thanking God for all the wonderful blessings in our lives.

However, this week as I say those words with my sweet baby girl, they mean so much more.

I am so incredibly, unbelievably thankful for the health and safety of my friends and family and all of the blessings in my life!

My beloved Papa had surgery this week, to repair an aortic aneurysm. I was SO nervous about the surgery and it's risks, but surgery went off without a hitch and he is home recovering...already back to his feisty, stubborn self ;) Of course, we wouldn't want him any other way.

Jon had a slight scare at the dermatologist this week. He had a "blue spot" removed from under his skin near his collar bone. They biopsied it for fear it might be melanoma, but we found out yesterday that it is NOT! It was a calcium deposit. This left the doctor somewhat stumped, as these deposits are fairly rare. The doc asked Jon if he had ever had any "trauma" to that area (which can cause calcium deposits). Trauma to his collarbone? Umm, well...there was that time he broke his collar bone while snow boarding in high school...and did we mention he played football? offensive line, no less...I would say there have been a couple of thousands of "traumas" to his collarbone area ;)

Oliver and Jamie (and their baby to be!) are safe. My sweet friend Jamie, and her husband, Oliver, have been living in Haiti for the past year and a half. (Oliver is originally from Haiti, and he was presented with the opportunity to work in Haiti with his dad for 2 years.) I can't imagine the terrifying experiences they have been through this week. I hate to think of anyone going through those things, but especially my dear friend. Jamie is back in the U.S. (as of this morning), but Oliver stayed behind in Haiti to help with the relief efforts there.


Most of all this week, I am thankful for the fact that I live where I live. As I watch the devastation of the earthquake in Haiti, I am constantly reminded how lucky we are as Americans to live the way we that we do. I look at New Orleans and the destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina...that city is still rebuilding and recovering 4 1/2 years later. And we are the United States!?! How will Haiti recover? How will they survive? A country with so little to begin with...I have been amazed at the stories Jamie has told about life in Haiti (prior to the quake). Such a beautiful place, and yet so much poverty and turmoil. The images of Haiti now (post quake) are heartbreaking. So much devastation and destruction. My prayer is that this horrible and tragic disaster will continue to bring the much needed awareness and aid to a country so desperate for change. As they rebuild Haiti, we can only hope they rebuild it better and stronger than it was before.

Truly, I have so many things to be thankful for...big and small. Sometimes, I am just overwhelmed by the grace and goodness of our Lord. Even in the wake of tragedy, when it is difficult to understand His plan...I know that the Lord is in control. And for that...I am MOST thankful.

16 months

***Two more new posts below!***

Caroline is starting to seem so grown up to me!

She loves to dance, but recently she has started moving her lips as though she is singing. She got a microphone and a guitar for Christmas, so she puts on quite a show!

Here she is relaxing in her chair. One of the rare moments she was actually still!

She is officially down to one nap a day (sniff, sniff). For the past several months, the morning nap has been "optional" which is the best of both worlds. If we are home and don't have anything to do, she can take a nap in the morning. If we are out and about or she is at school, she can skip it. The afternoon nap was always consistent, and we were loving the flexibility! Alas, I knew it wouldn't last. Last week, she napped in the AM, then refused to nap in the PM...umm, no thanks. I would MUCH rather have an afternoon nap!!! So, we bid an official goodbye to the morning nap. SIGH.

Eating applesauce. Really? Where did she get these table manners?
Notice the food on the window sill in the background. Questionable parenting for sure ;)

She is a snacking machine. Her snack cup (best invention EVER) has basically become her favorite accessory. She especially loves grapes right now, so I guess I should be happy it's something healthy ;)


Her hair is getting so long! Check out her pigtails! Again, she is never still, so it's hard to capture a good pic.

She is starting to put 2 words together, Hi Daddy, Night-night Luci, Socks off, or Socks on.
I am still constantly amazed at how quickly she learns things. She talks non-stop, which is so much fun! It seems like she learns new words everyday...truly amazing!

Caroline is super excited to be getting a little brother. If only she knew how her life was about the change...ha!

***Keep scrolling down for 2 more new posts!***

Four Christmases

***WARNING...Extra long post!***
(Plus, keep scrolling for another new post below)

We were lucky enough (or crazy enough?) to celebrate Christmas FOUR times this year!

# 1
Christmas at home in Austin

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning at home, just the 3 of us, for the first time EVER! I must admit I was a little nervous that we'd be lonely and it wouldn't feel like Christmas, but it totally did!

Ginny and Mattie came over on Christmas Eve morning. We love any chance we get to play with our BFF!!!


Caroline got to open one gift before church on Christmas Eve.
I like the bow!
Christmas PJ's of course!

We went to our church Christmas Eve, which was a treat. Then had dinner with our dear friends, The Lehr's.
Barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen
(I must clarify that I was only stirring gravy...Meghan gets full credit for making an AMAZING Christmas meal for us!)

Caroline loved opening her gifts, and we love watching her.
Serenading us with her microphone...with cell phone in hand ;)
Playing on the playscape that Santa brought!
What fun!

# 2
Christmas in Dallas with Mimi and Papa Al

After lunch on Christmas Day, we loaded up and hit the road to Dallas.

We opened presents and ate Christmas dinner with my mom, Alan, my bro (Paul), my grandparents and my Uncle Doug.

Looking festive with Daddy
She's really got the hang of this present thing now!
Modeling a new outfit (over her dress).
She was very determined to sit on top of that box.


# 3
Christmas in Dallas with Minnie and Papa

The day after Christmas, we headed over to my dad's to celebrate with him, Sherri, Maw Maw (Sherri's mom), and My bros (Paul, Brian, and Justin). We opened MORE presents, and had a delicious lunch before we headed out again...

We were excited that a little bit of the "White Christmas" was left for us to see!
Caroline's first snow!

# 4
Christmas at the Lake with the Ericksons

We arrived at the lake in time unpack and have dinner. We were worn out! We decided to postpone the Christmas festivities until the next morning.

Then it was even MORE presents and fun with family! We spent the entire week relaxing and catching up with all of the Ericksons. With 10 adults (including 4 pregnant women) and 5 kiddos ages 3 and under, it was BUSY!

This guitar was a HUGE hit. She has been jammin' out every chance she gets.
(And yes, my shirt says "I ate the milk and cookies." And believe me, I had my fair share of milk, cookies, and everything else!!!)
The 5 cousins!
Whitney (3), Emma (3), Caroline (16 months), Wyatt (16 months), Benjamin (9 months)
Although the weather was somewhat crummy, the Daddies and Uncles took the kids outside whenever possible. Rides in the wagon were a big hit.
Can't you tell by their faces?
Caroline always enjoys time with her Daddy!
The cousins again...Wyatt, Caroline, Whitney, Emma, Benjamin
The big girls wore their "princess" dresses all week. They were hilarious! Whitney insists on being called Cinderella. 3-year-old girls are the best :)

Luckily, my AMAZING mother in law, arranged for the ultimate day of pampering for the girls. We were whisked away to Dallas for the day...Lunch and Palomino's (including one of each dessert on the menu...we are all pregnant after all ;)), facials and prenatal massages at The Spa at The Crescent, shopping at NorthPark, and dinner at Kona Grill. BEYOND SPOILED! It was the most amazing day!!!! There really are no words to express how thankful I am...not just for the fabulous day, but for the blessing of Nina, Brittany, Elizabeth, and Diane in my life.

In our fuzzy robes at the spa.
Brittany, Me, Diane, Elizabeth, Nina
The preggos, in order of due date.
Me (May), Diane (June), Elizabeth (June), Brittany (July)

All in all, it was a wonderful week filled with family, friends, food, and fun...What more could you ask for?!?!

Keep scrolling for another new post below!

It's a BOY!

So, we planned to wait until Christmas morning to open our envelope...BUT, of course I was very anxious to find out! I could hardly contain myself :) I must have asked Jon 100 times a day if we could go head and open it. I guess I wore him down, because he finally gave it. We decided to go ahead and open it on Christmas Eve, right before we went to bed...that way I wouldn't lose any more sleep!

As you recall...The envelope was waiting for us on the tree.

I had the honor of opening it.
(Please excuse my majorly dorky Christmas PJ's and even dorkier expressions ;))

Here we go...It's a BOY!
Yea!
Proud papa!
Our Son-to-be!

It was truly worth the wait. The anticipation is so much fun, and I love that we got to share the moment with just us :)
We couldn't be happier!! And I still can't believe we are going to have a BOY!?!?!

Merry Christmas from The Erickson Family!

20 weeks

We had our ultrasound today and everything is progressing wonderfully! The little bean is just the right size, and has all it's fingers and toes :) What other parts it may or may not have remains to be seen...

The "results" are sealed in this envelope...begging to be opened!

Hopefully we can hold out til Christmas morning, but we'll see ;)

In the meantime, these pics of our little one will have to do!
The profile

The face, from the front.

Check out that chin...defintiely the same as mine and Caroline's :)

Other notes about the pregnancy...can't believe we are halfway there!!!

-I am feeling great now. My appetite is back in full force :) Which is good because they would like me to gain a little more weight by my next appt. I am still under my pre-pregnancy weight, but I have no doubt that I will be packing on the pounds over the holidays!!!

-This baby moves and kicks ALL the time. I love feeling the baby move!!

-The heart rate today was 155.

-Baby weighs 12 ounces, and measuring exactly 20 weeks 0 days, which is exactly what I am.

-I am still having crazy weird dreams, and craving desserts.

-I am VERY irritable and edgy, which is no fun at all...especially for poor Jon. I am hoping these hormones calm down soon! I was nowhere near this moody with Caroline...

I will be sure to post again when we open our little gift :)

Trail of Lights

Saturday night, we took Caroline down to Zilker Park for The Trail of Lights. Actually, this year they changed the name and scaled it back because of budget cuts, BUT since we had never been before...we didn't know the difference ;) It was so much fun!

The Zilker Tree...It's huge!

Caroline looking up at the inside of the tree...She LOVED it!

The view under the tree, looking up...Kinda makes you dizzy :)

12 Days of Christmas

The Nativity Scene

Posing with Mommy

Checking out all the people...not quite sure what to think

The view is way better from up here!

Where the Wild Things Are

Look Mommy! I see lights!

We will definitely go back next year!

On a side note...Tomorrow is the big day...Our ultrasound!

I can't wait to see this little bambino kicking around in there. We are having the results (whether it's a boy or a girl) put in an envelope that we will open Christmas morning...The anticipation is already making me crazy!?!?!?!?!