i heart cincy

what i (and eric) love about cincinnati

• 1. Seeing wonderful family (Nana/Mom, Wayne, Tish, Chris, and Bella)

Our niece Bella-boo!

• Waking up and seeing snowfall on Thanksgiving morning!


• The beautiful skyline when you first enter the city at night

• Greater's Ice cream (black raspberry chip is YUMMY!)

• Listening to Wayne and his daughter Julie play music on their guitar and violin (beautiful!)
• Skyline Chili

• Visiting Eric's house he grew up in on Lisher
• Goetta - it's not a "Cincinnati" thing, we just seem to eat it only when we go there and it's de-lish!
• The Riverfront
• St. Xavier Football (it's where Eric went to HS and they're ranked #1 in the NATION!)

Happy Turkey Day!

We had a DELICIOUS Thanksgiving meal at Eric's mom's house. There was turkey, sweet potatoes, fruit salad, green beans, stuffing, corn bread, pumpkin pie, and so much more! YUMMMMMM-Y!!

Cincy here we come!

I got off work at 6 and we were on the road to Cincinnati by 645! Eric got off work early and picked up Tyler from school so they can finish packing and load up the car. I made a list that morning and we managed NOT to forget anything... even our cell phone charger? Did you know that years ago toothpaste was the most forgotten item while traveling? Well, we even brought that!

The traffic wasn't bad at all. There was a little right in the beginning, but then it was smooth sailing... well... until we hit the RAIN! Oh how I hate driving in the rain (luckily I wasn't this time!) It was pouring down rain while were were driving in the mountains and I need new wipers on my car so it was hard to see at times. The road must have been repaved or something because the reflectors on the road and wall weren't working or there, so it was SO hard to see! I had to keep myself awake to help Eric. Oh I was so nervous! We managed to make it through the mountains and into Knoxville safely. Around 1 AM we pulled into a hotel and stayed the night in a comfy bed!! We we wake up, we'll be on our way to Cincinnati!!!

and work.....

Monday was Tyler's first full day back to pre-school and my first day back to work. Sunday night I was all prepared for a GREAT first day on Monday.... at least I thought... Tyler was great, he even helped me out in the morning.. It was the little guy that threw me off "schedule" Who was I to think a "schedule" existed with an infant!??

The begining started off okay, Caiden slept for 7 hours that night (eventhough he woke up at 430) and I nursed him and brought him in our bed. I woke up around 6 to shower, get ready, etc. Everyone was still asleep until about 7. Caiden's been a little congested lately (poor guy) and there's really nothing I can do. I think I might need to get a humidifier... Any way, so he woke up and I put him in his swing so I can start getting Tyler ready. Tyler's like me in the morning; he wants breakfast right away! So I made him some cheesy grits. Still, everything is going to be "okay." What I was really concerned about was Caiden's next feeding. I work at 9 and want him to eat before I get there, so that would mean he'd need to eat around 745-8 AM. He was starting to get a little fussy so I tried to feed him. He was very squirmy, but managed to eat for about 10 minutes on one side. When he latched off to burp not only burped, but spit up ALL over him AND me.... it looked like it was all the milk he drank! So I had to change him of course, and time was running out for me to get to work early... if he wasn't going to eat now, I had to pump. After I changed him, he wouldn't stop crying.... I'd put him in the bouncy chair.. cry.. I put him in the swing.. cry... so I held him, bouncing him on my knee while I tried to pump a bottle. Tyler, of course, was sitting quietly finishing his grits and Eric had already left for work. After I finished pumping I scrambled to get the diaper bag, my lunch, Tyler's jacket and we were out the door by 830! (Yes, I still had spit up on my leg but I was going to work at a daycare so it was bound to happen there if not home!) Every morning I call my mom to chat and wish her a happy day, but as soon as I heard her sweet voice ask me how I was, that was it... tears started flowing... I don't know what it is about me, but I swear I can cry on the spot! Once I told her about my morning and got it all out, I was okay! When I got to work and dropped the boys off in there class everything turned around for the better and we all had a great day. Tyler and his classmates made a "spice cake" that day and it made the center smell super yummy! Tuesday and Wednesday were much better in case you were wondering :) I must of had the bad case of "Mondays"....

Birthday Bash

Today was Eric's 28th Birthday!!! (Happy Birthday baby) I got off a little early from work today so we could get home before Eric did and surprise him with dinner. We stopped by the store on the way home to pick up some steaks, potatoes, and yummy slice of red velvet cake! As I unloaded the boys and groceries out of the car and began dinner... guess who's pulling up in the driveway? Yep, Eric walked in just minutes after we did and the first thing Tyler and I said was "You're not supposed to be home yet!" But, of course, we were SO happy to see him and he even helped us make dinner and boy was it yummy-licious! Happy Birthday honey, we love you!

University of Tampa

GOOOO TAMPA!!!
My sister's volleyball team won their first 2 matches in the Regionals against South Carolina-Aiken and Lynn University. They play in the FINALS tonight against Florida Southern. The winner advances to the Nationals! Last year Kate's team WON the Nationals and they have a chance to win it again this year! The game tonight is at 7 PM and you can watch it live on the UT webcast . She's lucky number 13! GO KATE!

For Robin...

and for anyone who has ever lost someone special in their lives...

God Saw You

God saw you getting tired, When a cure was not to be.

So He wrapped his arms around you,and whispered, "Come to me".

You didn't deserve what you went through,

So He gave you rest.

God's garden must be beautiful,

He only takes the best

And when I saw you sleeping,

So peaceful and free from pain

I could not wish you back To suffer that again.

~Adam Males

**this poem made me think of my Memaw who died of cancer 2.5 years ago...we miss you and love you so much

It will be the little things that you will remember,

the quiet moments,the smiles, the laughter.

And although it may seem hard right now,

it will be the memoriesof these little things

that help to push away the pain

and bring the smilesback again.

With Loving Memories

I love you Robin...

I'm thankful for....

I know it's Friday, but I forgot to post this yesterday! (AHH)

I couldn't really decided what I wanted to write about today, and I've seen "Thursday Thirteen" done on other blogs and thought I'd given it a try. I was going to do 13 embarrassing facts about me, but that would be embarrassing (hehehe), so I decided with 13 things I'm thankful for since next Thursday is Thanksgiving (YAY)! So here goes:

1. I'm thankful God blessed me with 2 beautiful, healthy boys

2. I'm thankful to have such a loving, caring, devoted husband who I love so dearly

3. I'm thankful to have the BEST parents a kid could EVER have. They have always stood by my side and supported me in everything I did. I admire them so much.

4. I'm thankful that I have the greatest friends. If it weren't for them, I would have no reason to want to stay in Charlotte. They're my second family :)

4. I'm thankful that I have wonderful in-laws who mean so much to me.

5. I'm thankful that I was able to complete college after having a baby at a young age, getting married, and working all at the same time.

6. I'm thankful that I have the worlds best volleyball player as a sister and best golfer as a brother! (and no, I'm not bragging, it's the truth!)

7. I'm thankful to have a job where I can still see my boys during the day and continue to nurse Caiden

8. I'm thankful I am able to nurse Caiden because I believe it's the best thing for him :)

9. I'm thankful to have a roof over my head and food to eat...

10. I'm thankful for everyday that I wake up an I am alive!

Hubby-wubby

Oh how I love my husband so very very much! Yesterday was my first day back to work... yep, I went back to the good'ol Sunshine House daycare. Tyler's excited because he's back with his old friends again and Caiden is in the infant classroom where he's 1 of 3 kiddos in the room! I will be the Lead toddler teacher in the class 2 doors down from him so it will be easy for me to "peak" on him. Also, they are going to let me continue nursing Caiden. When it's time for him to eat, I'll be able to leave my class to go nurse him! How awesome is that! I don't need to worry about pumping bottles anymore!! So anyway, when we (me, Caiden, Tyler) got home last night around 635PM, Eric had dinner in the oven and had bought me a bouquet of beautiful flowers.
"I love you and thank you for all that you do" is what he said to me.... oh it was just the sweetest thing! I love YOU Eric with all my heart! You make me so happy.

Caiden is 3......months old!

I know I keep saying this every week, but it's SO true.... time sure does fly! It's seems like yesturday I was coming home from the hospital with the little guy! Now he's 12 weeks old! He's smiling a lot more, and he's even ticklish... right there under his neck.. too cute!

It's funny the nick-names we have for children. I find myself calling him the silliest, corniest names. Here's a little list of silly names we've call Caiden

• slobber face
• Tyler says "stinky feet" and Caiden Joseph
• shnookems
• pumpkin head
• snicker doodle
• cutie pa tootie
• tooters
• stinker pot
• goober

Bebe vs. Bumbu

Caiden is 12 weeks old now (I know, can you believe it?!) and loves it when you sit him on your lap facing you. He can even fall asleep like that! I've heard about this seat that you can sit the baby in and he won't fall out. So, I went to Babies R Us to look more into it. When I got there, they said that there was a recall on the "Bumbu" baby seat, but the Bebe Pod is okay. I've read reviews about the Bebe Pod and the majority were good. I figured I'd give it a try but of course, like anything you put a baby in, I will be extremely careful. When I first put him in it he was okay. I was able to take a couple pictures and a short video then that was it before he gave me the "look"... the "get-me-out-of-this-now-before-I-scream look.." Now, when I put him in it he arches his back and stretches his legs and cries.... maybe it's a little too soon, or he hates it. He's gettting better about holding his head up, but I don't think he's quite ready.

"Too-T or Not Too-T" aka "Tootie"

We've been looking into getting a dog for a while now and this past weekend we dog-sat for a guy Eric works with. The dog's name is "Tootie" and we fell in love with her right away. The owner said we can keep her if we want because they are moving and can't bring Tootie with them. We we first heard her name we had to giggle because it is a silly name. When we first told Tyler her name he replies back "Tootie-butt" hehehehehe.... I liked calling her "Cutie-pa-tootie" and "Tootie-fruity."

Tootie is very well behaved/trained and LOVES to cuddle on your lap and follow you around. I was cleaning out Ty's closet and she even followed me in there! Tootie also LOVES to play catch outside. On Saturday we took her to a park with a huge field and played fetch with her. She's pretty fast!! The only thing is she seams very timid and she doesn't bark with a stranger comes. I'm hoping it's just because she's a little home-sick and would be able to adjust in time, but it's hard to tell. We're thinking no at the moment, but it's sure going to be hard to say good-bye.

"Crazy Eight's about Erin"

8 things I'm passionate about:

1. My family

2. My friends

3. Motherhood
4. running

5. volleyball (even though I havn't played it a while, it'll always be a passion of mine!)

6. cooking healthy food (I love Racheal Ray)

7. taking pictures of my children (Tyler LOVEs to smile and take pictures too!)

8. laughing (I can always us a good laugh!)

8 things I want to do before I die:

1. See my children grow up and see their children

2. Visit Hawaii again (and again)

3. Visit other countries (Paris, Italy, Australia)

4. Run a marathon

5. Have another baby (maybe)

6. Buy some land in the mountains and build a house on it

7. get my Masters

8. take a cooking class or photography

8 Things that Attract Me to My Best Friends:
1. They accept me for who/what/how I am.
2. They make me laugh
3. They try to cheer me up if I'm having a bad day
4. I see in each of them talents and/or qualities I'd like to have/develop for myself.
5. They inspire me to do better.
6. They are fun to be around.
7. They offer constructive criticism.
8. They're always there for me

8 Things I say often

1. I love you.. I love you more.. I love you MOSTEST!

2. I'm sorry (yep, even when someone steps on MY foot)

3. What? (sometimes I think I'm hard of hearing)

4. Hold on (trying to multi-task)

5. Good Boy!

6. Yes! (I'm always happy and excited.. YES!)

7. Babyface (that's what I call Eric )

8. I miss you (I talk to my parents just about every day)

8 Books I've read or am reading now

1. Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

2. Smart Women by Judy Blume

3. Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom

4. The Kissing Hand by Audry Penn

5. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

6. Nights in Rodathe by Nicholas Sparks

7. Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann

8. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult (currently reading)

8 Songs I can listen to over and over

1. You Are My Sunshine (Tyler and I sing it every day to eachother and to the baby)

2. There You Are by Martina McBride

3. Me and You by Kenny Chesney (that's Eric and my wedding song)

4. You Save Me by Kenny Chesney or ANY song by him :)

5. Making Memories of Us by Keith Urban

6. Believe by Brooks and Dunn

7. You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC

8. Wide Open Spaces by the Dixie Chicks (the song that got me into liking country music.. thanks Em!)

8 Things I've Learned this past year

1. Giving birth DOES hurt

2. I really LOVED being pregnant

3. It's not good to hide your emotions... if I'm sad, it's okay, I have friends that are there for me :)

4. It DOES get hot in North Carolina

5. How to play Texas Hold'em (LOVE it!)

6. How to bet a 10 hand when you have 8 books (Thanks awesome Spade's partner)

7. I can graduate, work, and raise a family!

8. 2 Kids is harder than one, but I love it

NaBloPoMo

It's National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo)and I thought I'd give it a try after seeing it on my friend Jen's page. It's going to be a challenge for me because I usually just post once or twice a week. So, for the rest of the month I have to post EVERY day.. I'm at a little advantage because it's already November the 9th! So wish me luck and if you have any ideas on topics for me to blog about feel free to share!!

Blowing Rock, NC

Autumn Kaleidoscope
Last weekend we went to the mountains with some friends of ours and had a BLAST! We rented a house in Blowing Rock, NC that was on the side of the mountain. We spent the days hiking in the woods, throwing football and relaxing by the fire. The kids (all 7 of them) loved climbing this huge hill that was across the street from the house. It was very steep, but the kids managed to make it to the top. We arrived first Friday afternoon and enjoyed a picnic together and later decided to stop by a Winery that was in Banner Elk by for a wine tasting. We ended up buying 2 bottles it was so delicious.

All of us

The Winery

Happy Halloween

For the past 4 years at Halloween Eric's work has a "Fall Festival" where all the employee's children come to the office to trick-or-treat! They also have a costume contest. This was the first year we got there early enough to enter Tyler.... and he won!! After the contest, all the children were called up one at a time to receive a ribbon and the winner would be announced in an email later that day. I liked that idea because all the children were just too cute!! Tyler dressed up as Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Carribean (thanks for the costume Mimi) and Caiden was a Pea in the Pod (or green bean as Tyler called it). Thanks Ash for letting us borrow it! After the party we went to our friends house to let Tyler trick-or-treat with their kids, Tyler and Abby. They had SO much fun and got LOTs of candy!!

Halloween morning I decided to set up a little photo shoot for the boys... I was pretty happy with my results, what do you think? :)