She has grown like a weed!

Erin had her 1 year check-up today. She is perfectly healthy and definitely grown like a weed this first year of her life. She has gained 16 lbs 6 oz and grown 10.75 inches since she was born. Her height is in the 97th percentile, her weight is in the 90th and her head circumference is in the 85th percentile. She got two shots and did well (just a few tears). Her doctor did mention that her growth is going to slow down now and not to expect her to triple her weight again this next year! Normal growth from year 1-year 2 is 'only' about 5 lbs and 2 inches. I have a feeling that Erin's will be a little more than that (she definitely likes to eat). Mommy ordered a new camera from Target and we will definitely be taking lots of photos once it comes in! Stay tuned....

Erin is 1 year old!

Wow, it is unbelievable how fast this year has gone by. Looking back at this journey, I would have never been able to predict how amazing parenthood would be. It has given me such tremendous joy to watch our baby grow and develop. I can not even imagine how it will feel to watch Erin graduate from high school. Anyway, Erin is definitely a "toddler" now. She is walking really well and defintely able to get into pretty much everything that isn't locked up! She is babbling a lot and will say mama, dada, bye-bye and we think she is trying to say "Carl" (her kitty). It is so cute to hear her babble in what seems to be her own language. She loves to share and also loves to throw her food off her high chair. Erin likes to mimic what we do and she even trys to comb her own hair and use tissues to blow her nose. She gives kisses and will be seen kissing her stuffed animals or pictures of dogs and cats. She is sleeping pretty well most nights and will normally go to bed around 7pm and wake around 6am. Erin is still a big girl, but she definitely seems to be losing some "baby fat" with all her activity. She has her 1 year check-up on Friday, so we will update with her new stats then. She celebrated her first birthday with her immediate family today and had a great time being able to touch her very own cake. Here a few pictures:

Erin looking was looking around showing off her messy face!

Erin was very curious about all these brightly colored boxes and bags in the living room. She is still a little too young to open them herself, but she really loves all her new toys and clothes.

Aunt Christine made these adorable cupcakes for everyone to eat. She even bought Erin candles that spell out her name.

Erin absolutely adores balloons. It was so cute to watch her walk around holding them.

Erin with her stuffed "Rushford" dolly. When she is sleeping she will rub her face into him. It is so precious.

Family Picture Day

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....

We got our first snow out here in the country. There were lake-effect snow warnings, but we really only had about 1-2 inches (most of which came down after Nicole was already at work). It was absolutely breathtaking and fortunately Jay got outside during Erin's nap and took some pictures. I think these pictures speak for themselves.

Our trails weren't too snowy yet, as the trees caught all the snow.

Hats!

Erin loves to go through the storage cube that has all our winter hats, gloves and scarves.

Here she is in her new winter hat.

Here she is sporting one of daddy's baseball hats (that he has never worn).

Here she is wearning daddy's favorite winter hat. The funny thing is that his hat still fits Jay and he's been known to wear it in public!

Here she is in the free beer hat that daddy got from his friend. (note....she will not be wearing beer paraphernalia anytime soon)

As you can see, Erin is ready to take on the cold, winter weather that will be here soon!

Erin is 11 months old!

Erin hugs her dolly, Miss Lucy.

Erin is playing with her toy piggy bank. I'm sure she'll take after daddy and be very frugal.

Erin plays in the leaves with her "fur-cousin," Rushford.

Wow, Erin is really growing up. She is starting to look more like a little girl and not so much like a baby anymore. Her hair is growing in and is almost long enough for a little pony tail on the top of her head. She loves music (especially when daddy plays the piano) and will even dance along with the tunes. She is on her way to walking; she's taken about 15 consecutive steps now. She can help with getting dressed and undressed now too, which makes it so much easier to get her ready. Erin really loves animals and will squeal in delight every time she sees one (especially her fur-brother, Carl). She is also saying dadada a lot and mama when she is tired and when she wakes up. She babbles a lot of "nonsense," which really does seem like she is trying to say complete sentences sometime.

We never knew how much we'd love our beautiful daughter. She is such a blessing in our lives.

Safety First

Daddy built this beautiful gate this week to keep Erin from falling down the spiral staircase. Before we had this, we just kept an ottoman there to keep her out. As hard as she trys, Erin can not open it (good work Jay)! He made it out of Red Oak to match the woodwork on the staircase. Erin is one lucky girl to have such a talented daddy (and Nicole is lucky to have such a wonderful husband).