Ring in the New Year!

Beautiful Princesses

If you aren't a regular reader of the Ericson blog, I highly recommend that you check out the video of the girls trying on the Princess Gowns they got for Christmas. So beautiful!

Toys, New and Old

Christmas 2009

Tooth #4

Conan's fourth tooth came through last night, it's the second central incisor on the bottom. He took a long time getting started with teeth, but now it seems like they are coming in fast! He really enjoys chewing. He can reduce an apple slice or a cracker to confetti in mere minutes, and he's started leaving little indented tooth marks on his books and toys. He also likes to try and bite the buttons on my cardigans. We brush his teeth every night before bed, and he really enjoys it - it's the only time he's alowed to chew on my finger (protected by the rubber baby toothbrush) anymore. Those little teeth are sharp!

King of the Cosmos

Gabe sent this masterful peice of art for Conan's birthday card. I think it answers a lot of questions. For instance, global warming is probably caused by baby snuggles. Earthquakes happen when Conan giggles, and floods are caused by slobber.

Conan's 1st Birthday

We had a blast yesterday hosting Conan's birthday party. There were lots of kids, balloons, presents, and dinosaur-shaped muffins. Balloons were a big hit with all the kids, even little Chloe enjoyed playing with them.

Conan didn't take a nap before the party, so I was worried that it might be too much for him. He did great though, playing with the (mostly) bigger kids and being his sweet cute self. In fact, he was in such a good mood and having such fun playing with his new toys and books that he was able to stay up until 7:30. He was exhausted though - he's still asleep as I write this, 13 hours later. :)

A year ago tonight

It was cold and clear, and the moon was full. Storms were forecast, the wind was picking up, and I was in labor. The last few weeks had seemed like an eternity, I really wanted my pregnancy to be over and my baby to be born. And finally, finally! it was time. My attendants bundled me up in heavy winter clothes, and sent me out walking with Cary to the end of the driveway and back. I remember how vivid the shadows cast by the bright moon were, and how cold the wind was in my face. We had to stop every few feet for a contraction. I think it took an hour or so, just to walk to the mailbox and back. It was absolutely surreal, a moment I'll never forget.

Crash & Burn

Yesterday morning Conan face-planted in the gravel driveway, scraping his nose and forehead. He wasn't badly hurt, but he was really, really upset about it. He hardly ever falls anymore, and he wasn't even trying to run or do anything dangerous, he just lost his balance and fell flat. Poor baby!We cleaned it up and put him down for a nap, and when he woke up it didn't seem to be painful but his whole nose was bright red. He looked like a little reindeer for the rest of the day. This morning the redness is gone, there is just a little bit of scabbing. He seems completely oblivious to his battle-scarred appearance:

I'm sure these scratches will heal up quickly, and Conan will be back to plotting world domination in no time.
If you click through this picture to the large version, you can see his two new upper teeth. He's up to three teeth now!