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? :)

my hero...my sister... my friend

Katelen Dixon #13

Pos.: OH Ht.: 5-10

Here's a little bit about her last 3 years at Tampa...

As a Junior: First-team AVCA All-American...First-team all-SSC...AVCA all-South Region...Second-team Daktronics all-South Region...NCAA South Regional all-tournament team...NCAA National all-tournament team...SSC Offensive Player of the Week (9/5)...SSC Offensive Player of the Week (9/11)...SSC Offensive Player of the Week (10/23)...Colorado Premier Challenge all-tournament team...SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll...Posted 28 double figure kill performances, including final five matches of season...Registered 18 kills in national championship against #6 North Alabama (11/18)...Season-high 19 kills came against #10 Florida Gulf Coast (11/11) in NCAA II South Regional final...Also had 14 double figure dig matches, with top performance of 24 against Augustana (9/1)...Had a double-double with 19 digs against North Alabama...Had 13 double-doubles on the season...Turned in eight blocks against #2 Minnesota-Duluth (11/17) in national semifinal match...Had season-high three service aces versus Florida Tech (10/24) and Wingate (11/9)...Finished the season as team leader in kills while ranking second in digs and third in blocks...Became 13th player in Spartan history to register 1,000 kills, against Nova Southeastern (10/22).

As a Sophomore: Second-team all-SSC...Honorable mention All-American...NCAA South Regional all-tournament team...Played in all 33 matches, starting a team-high 32...All-around player who was a top performer in attacks and digs...Finished season with 10 consecutive double figure kill performances...Matched her season-high with 19 digs and four blocks against Grand Valley State (12/2) in national semifinal...Had 12 double-double matches...Registered four blocks on three occasions, including the national semifinal...Had four service aces against Eckerd (10/7)...Ranked second on team in digs and receptions, third in kills, attacks and points and fourth in blocks and service aces...Was team’s only player to record over 300 kills and digs.

As a Freshman: Was an honorable mention All-SSC pick and made the SSC All-Freshman Team...Strong rookie campaign included 333 kills, 272 digs, and 23 aces to go with 17 solo blocks and 34 block assists... Posted a double-double against #5 Barry (10/2 - 16 kills, 12 digs) and totaled 19 kills the second time the teams met (11/7)...Notched an impressive 28 kills vs. #12 North Florida (9/23) and scored double-digit kills against #26 Armstrong Atlantic (10/16 - 23 kills) and USC-Upstate (9/4 - 15 kills)...Also had six matches with doubles figures in digs, with her best numbers against #17 Florida Southern (11/10).

High School: Was a two-time all-state selection as well as an AAU All-American...At Countryside High, she was enshrined into the Hall of Fame her freshman year...Also named Pasco County Player of the Year...Set school record for kills and aces...Member of honor roll.
Personal: Club team placed fifth at the Junior Olympics...Daughter of Joseph and Melody Dixon...Communications major...Birthdate: 1/16/86.

Katelen, I'm so proud of you. You are an inspiration to me and every young girl out there! You're so beautiful and talented in many ways. Your voice and smile can light up a room. You have a kindness about you that linger on for life. You can get all sweaty and mean while you dominate the volleyball court. You have a love for animals as you strive to become a Veterinarian. Your family, friends, and boyfriend are lucky to have you in their lives. I love you Katelen and I'm so glad we are sisters! Good luck Saturday as you play your last home game!!

http://tampaspartans.athleticsite.com/article.asp?articleID=502

http://tampaspartans.athleticsite.com/article.asp?articleID=601

You are my Sunshine

For my birthday we all flew down to the "Sunshine State," aka Florida to visit my family! It was so nice because I not only got to see my mom, dad, Kate, and Jay, but our great family friend Lisa from Seattle was there and my Nana! We had a wonderful time together. I got to see both my brother and sister play volleyball and go to the beach too! Wow.. beach in late October!

Here we are climbing "Spiderman's Web" (as Tyler called it) at the park near my mom's work. We met there during the week for a picnic!

Papa and Caiden outside the gym after Jay won his volleyball game! GO JAY!

Here's some more pictures from my mom's camera...

Caiden's 10 weeks old!

Wow does time fly! We took Caiden to his 2 month check up today and it went very well! Here are his lastest stats:

Birth Wgt: 8.7 lbs
One Month: 11.5 1/4 lbs. ~ 90%
Two Months (10 weeks): 14.2 1/4 lbs. ~ 85%

Birth Hgt: 20 3/4 in.
One Month: 21 3/4 in. ~ 60%
Two Months (10 wks)- 24 in. ~ 70%

Caiden is starting to smile more and "cooing" a lot. He follows your voice when you talk to him by turning his head. He enjoys looking up at his mobil and at bright objects. Tyler puts his little bear next to him that plays music and he loves that! When I lay him on the floor he tries to roll over. I almost caught him the other day! It won't be too much longer until he'll be taking off on his own!
At the Doctors office today Tyler was really sad for his brother when I told him that Caiden has to get 3 shots in his leg... he actually had tears filling up in his eyes. It was so sad but I tried to explain to him that Caiden needs these shots to stay healthy and it will only hurt for a short bit and then we can give him lots of hugs and kisses! Tyler liked that, and sure enough, he gave Caiden plenty of kisses... he even played music from his teddy bear (it plays Christmas music..... I guess someone's ready for Santa!)

Tyler's Clubhouse

On Sunday Tyler helped Eric stack some wood to make a fort in our back yard. It turned out awesome! Tyler can't wait for all his friends to come over and play in it. I helped Tyler make a sign to hang. He did a great job painting :)

Caiden- 7 weeks old

We can't believe it's already been over 7 weeks since Caiden came into the world! We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family. Caiden goes in for his 2 month appointment later this week and it's not going to be a very pleasant visit because he'll have to get about 4 shots! It hurts me to see babies cry...

Caiden has started to hold his head up more and smile at us. He enjoys laying in his crib and swing and looking up at the mobil. The one we put up in his crib was Tylers'. It has all the bright reds, yellows, blacks and whites in different shapes and plays classical music by Mozart, Bach... he LOVES it.

I'm SO excited about this week because not only is it my birthday but we are flying to Florida for a WHOLE WEEK! OMG! I'm just so excited!!!!
Here's some of the latest pictures of Caiden and Tyler!

A click of the camera...

Eric and me before going to a wedding

"why does my mom take so many pictures?..."

"yaaaaaawwwnnn"

50 Questions (thanks Jen!)

1. What time did you get up this morning?
Off an on since 3 AM.. I got "out of bed" at 7:20
2. Diamonds or pearls?
I love both! My diamonds on my finger and my pearls in my ears :)
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Well, the last film I saw at the cinema (that sounds funny) was Knocked Up! LOL... funny film!
4. What are your favourite TV shows?
How I Met Your Mother, The Office,House, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives
5. What did you have for breakfast?
Special K with Strawberries and Skim Milk
6. What is your middle name?
Nichole
7. What is your favourite cuisine?
I love salads, fruits, Stir-fry with loads of veggies!
8. What foods do you dislike?
I'm not a big fan of fried foods and last night I had eggplant for the first time and didn't like that at all... too chewy~
9. Your favourite Potato chip?
Sour Cream and Cheddar Baked Lays
10. What is your favourite CD at the moment?
it's gonna be Carrie Underwood's when it comes out this month!!
11. What kind of car do you drive?
2003 Ford Taurus (same as Jen!)
12. Favourite sandwich?
Turkey wrap with spinach,tomato, cucumber, honey mustard
13. What characteristics do you despise?
I agree with Jen: Ignorance, close-mindedness
14. What are your favourite clothes?
don't really have a favorite...
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Eric and I LOVED Hawaii and can't wait to go back!!! Looking at pictures from Paris makes me wanna go there though..
16. What colour is your bathroom?
LOL.. haven't painted it yet.. we're waiting until we've been here 5 years to start... :)
17. Favourite brands of clothing?
I like whatever looks good on me
18. Where would you want to retire to? I love it here because you're close to the beach or the mountains
19. Where were you born?
Hawaii
20. Favourite sport to watch?
football and volleyball if my sister is playing
21. Who do you least expect to do this/send it back?
Nobody really, but anyone can :)
22. Person you expect to send it back/steal it first?
hmm, maybe Morgan
23. Coke or Pepsi? neither... Sweet Tea :)
24. Are you a morning person or night owl?
morning person
25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share with everyone?
We're all going to Florida in a few weeks AND my birthday is this month!!!!
26. What did you want to be when you were little?
A teacher
27. What is your best childhood memory?
oh so many... I love having such a wonderful family!!
28. What are the different jobs you have had or do in your life? Wet Seal, Atlanta Bread Company, Peak Fitness, The Sunshine House (daycare)
29. Nicknames? Baby, E, Mom, E-Money (thanks Justin), Mom
30. Piercings? ears
31. Eye Colour? Hazel
32. Ever been to Africa? No.
33. Ever been toilet papering? nope
34. Been in a car accident? not really.. a car hit me in a parking lot but no major damage
35. Favourite day of the week?
Friday because it's the beginning of the weekend!
36. Favourite restaurants?
Firebirds, Chilis, 90's
37. Favourite flower?
Gerber Daisey
38. Favourite fast food restaurant? Chick-fil-a
39. How many times did you fail your driver’s test?
Never.
40. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail?
Stacy
41. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
Target
42. Who are you most curious about their responses to this questionnaire?
Don't know who will see it, so can't say.
43. Last person you went to dinner with?
My family
44. What are you listening to right now?
Disney Channel and Caiden in his bouncy seat
45. What is your favourite colour?
purple
46. How many tattoos do you have?
None.
ummm...47-49 disappeared somewhere...
50. How many people are you sending this to?
I'm tagging Morgan and Ashley to repost with their answers on their own blogs!

Birthday Outing...

Last Friday was my good friend Ashley's birthday and she wanted us all to go to Coyote Joe's, a country bar here in Charlotte. I've only been there a few times and it seems to be a neat place. They have an awesome house band, Out of the Blue, that plays many of our all time favorite country songs! I'd love to get there early one time to learn some line dances. My sister knows a few and it just looks like so much fun!
Here's a little slide show from that night (my first night out after having Caiden!)
Happy Birthday Ashley!

On Saturday morning I went with some friends of mine, Jenn and Jess that work at Peak Fitness to Symphony Park in South Park to walk the 5k that helped raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. Peak Fitness raised over $1000!! American Cancer officials estimate 4,000 people took part in the walk on Saturday. They hoped to raise more than $400,000! It was such a beautiful day and I was so glad I could help :)


A few inspirational quotes:
* Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. ~Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book
* We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey. ~Kenji Miyazawa
* He who has a why to live can bear almost any how. ~Friedrich Nietzsche
* You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
* Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today.~~James Dean~~

Jenn, Jess, Me, Scott