What?! Mom hasn't been updating the blog? I've been growing and you've been missing it?! Well you can see from this picture that I just keep getting cuter. I still just have those two bottom teeth, but they're great for biting -- watch out!!

Mom has decided that photography is a new hobby. She uses me as a model. I'm not quite sure what I think of it. She says our Christmas card turned out, but I had to sit for hundreds of pictures before she was satisfied! Then she got the brilliant idea that a "naked baby" shot would be cute. Better look now, because these pictures will go into hiding in a few years!

We had a big storm and got a lot of snow - it's taller than me! We got so much that Mom's work called and said she could stay home. That meant I got to stay home with her. We took a nap -- one of our favorite things to do together!

And here's just a cute picture of me. Mom hopes you forgive her for being lazy on the blog. She promises to do better next time. I'm doing some new tricks now, so she'll try to get some pictures or video of that. Here's a hint - I scoot forwards and backwards! I'm getting pretty fast too - I can even open up a drawer before Mom or Dad get to me! Have a Merry Christmas!

Erica and Dad

Brian was gone for a week and a half for a work trip and then again for hunting. We sure missed him! Erica loves having Dad home again - he's the one that will do all the fun tricks with her! (Mom is too scared!)

Every Monday Brian and Erica get "daddy/daughter night" while I go to Bible study with a group of good friends from work. They have a lot of fun together!

Watch the video below to see Brian's guaranteed way to get Erica to laugh! It made me nervous at first, but Erica LOVES it! She has the cutest giggle :)

Erica has been "buzzy"!

I've noticed that it's a new trend for me to update the blog on a Friday night. I guess this is another example of how life changes after a baby!

Erica's been busy though! She voted.......(or slept while we voted!)

She got to experience dad's excitement over deer hunting (her shirt says "My First Tree Stand)......And it was Halloween!!!! This was her Halloween outfit for daycare (it didn't last long....she never seems to come home in the clothes I dress her in!).Here she is all ready for trick-or-treating! She was the cutest bumble bee out there!
Bee careful or she'll sting you!

Aunt Jill came to visit and surprised Erica with her own costume! A bee hive to go with the bumble bee! Erica loved playing with the hive...What a fun auntie!
That's about all that's been happening around here. I had a student ask me how many kids I had. When I said "only" one he told me that "I should go buy some more!" All my students were pretty excited to hear about what Erica's costume was going to be and how a baby is supposed to trick-or-treat!

Brian is officially at deer camp and trying to shoot us some food for the winter. Beware!! If he gets a big buck he may try to post a picture of it on here!

Erica's changing every day -- I'll post again soon!

I haven't added anything on here for a while, so I thought I'd share some newer pictures. Erica had her 6 month appointment recently. We found out she weighs 17 pounds and is 26" long. That puts her in about the 75th percentile for weight and the 91st for length. Looks like she's getting her height from daddy!

We attempted new foods with Erica, but as you can see she wasn't too excited about carrots or green beans.


She doesn't seem to have any problems gaining weight though - look at those rolls! She love her jumper - she's strong enough to move the chair around so she can switch toys often.

Erica is getting better at sitting now. She still tends to tip to the side, but she'll get it down soon!

And finally here's the most important update. Erica shared the news about her new tooth too quickly. Two days after her tooth came in up popped a second!
Now we're getting ready for Halloween. As you can tell from the picture above, Erica will be dressing up as a bumble bee. She is sure to be the cutest little bee out there! I promise pictures will be posted!

Look what I have!!

Look carefully.....do you see it? You have to look really hard. No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you, it's true - I really do have my first tooth! It's still has some growing to do, but I have my first real tooth!! (It's in the middle on the bottom next to my spit bubble). I'm getting so big - I bet this means I get some new foods soon!

Food 'n Fun

Erica's been a busy lady! She tried rice cereal for the first time and has discovered her feet! She seems to like the taste of both of them, although the cereal wasn't getting to her fast enough so she got a tad bit cranky. Here are some pictures!

First bites - Erica decided to help mom put the spoon into her mouth!

She really did like the cereal even though her reaction seems questionable!

Erica likes to play around after her bath.

Got it!

Erica seems to prefer her right foot - it must be extra yummy!

Baptism

Erica was baptized on September 21, 2008 at St. James United Church of Christ in Barnesville. She let out a scream the first time the water touched her head, but smiled the rest of the time. She did a great job and loved being the center of attention!

Erica with Mom and DadGodparents - Aunt Jill and Uncle JaredGrandparents and Great Grandparents

Erica in her baptism dress. This is the same dress Michelle wore for her baptism. The afghan was made by Erica's great-great grandmother (Michelle's Great Grandma Mary)

So Big!

I can't believe how big Erica is getting!

1 week

5 months

Our Thumb Sucker

When we had our 20 week ultrasound, we could see Erica putting her hand to her mouth. She continues to be a thumb sucker and now prefers it to the pacifier. Here are some of our favorite thumb-sucking pictures!

Two months

Three months
Four months
Four months
Four months
Five months (next three pictures)

Hello!

I've decided to try this high-tech thing called blog. In my mind it's just a silly word, but I hope to find it to be an easy way to keep everyone updated on Erica!

We had a great summer! Erica made a few trips to the lake in Bemidji, visited a lot of family and even got on the Jumbotron while at her first Twins game!

Mom loved having the summer to be with Erica and had a tough time going back to work. We think Erica knew that because she decided that night before Mom left would be a good time to roll over! Mom and dad were cheering....Erica was screaming. Erica has started daycare in Barnesville and seems to be enjoying it. She even pouted one day when Mom came to pick her up! I thought we had a few years before that started!

Here are a few more pictures taken over the summer. I promise to try and update this blog frequently!

4th of July

Staring contest -- who's going to blink first?

Four Generations

Grandpa Brad and Erica planting a tree

Finding her feet!