Happy Birthday Lincoln

Dear Lincoln,
You're one year old! I can hardly believe it. This year has gone by so fast! As I look back at your pictures I took every week, it seems crazy that you have gone to 7 little pounds barely as long as Stella to a climbing, vivacious toddler. Toddler? Where did my baby go?

You have an opinion and you want to explore so much.  I love to watch your little mind figure things out. You love to open and close doors and cabinets. Take things out of drawers and put them back in (sometimes). Mostly you just take everything out! You will rarely sit still to read a book,  you would rather be off exploring and playing. You give the best hugs (you rest your head right on Daddy's shoulder) and you have the most infectious laugh. I love to tickle your chest and neck because you have a laugh that just makes me smile. It doesn't matter what kind of day I'm having, that makes it better.

I'm excited for this year and listen to your language develop. Right now, you use a lot of grunting, moaning and throwing to express your desires. You love to play with your blocks and knock them down when I stack them up. You are a bubbly happy guy at home, but sometimes when we take you to a friends house, it takes you a bit to warm up. You sit back and observe the situation for a bit. You are shy at first, but then you warm up and you are your usual self. 

We've gotten to have a little home vacation right around your birthday this year. You went to daycare on your birthday, but then we had two snow days and no work for mommy or daddy! Such a difference from last year when it was 65 degrees the day we brought you home from the hospital.

You have 6 teeth still and after your fussiness at Christmas, I thought those molars would have popped through, but not yet! I don't know how big you are because the snow storm closed everything down- including the doctor's office. We have to wait a few more weeks for your appointment.

You had your first (cup)cake on your birthday and you loved it! I hope you enjoy your cake this weekend at your birthday party. We are having a Rockstar party for you and I know you won't remember it, but it is also a party for your Daddy and me. We survived the first year! 

Raising a baby is hard work. You were worth every tear, but I won't lie, there were lots of tears. Tears of fear that we weren't doing a good job, tears of joy when you walked and smiled and laughed for the first time. There were tears when I was worried cause you were sick. I hate to admit it, but sometimes there were tears of anger cause you wouldn't sleep or because being a mom is a demanding job. It was a transition to go from just Mommy and Daddy to the caretakers, foodmaker, butt-wipers, comforters, worriers and all-around make-sure-you-are-safe-and-happy-people. It's hard work.

We love you to the moon and back, Bubba. I'm so excited to see what your second year has in store for us!

Love, Mama

11 Months

Dear Lincoln,
Your birthday is tomorrow so I better get to last month! You turned 11 months in the cold and snow of Minnesota just after Christmas. We spent 10 days visiting friends and family. I hope that we get to move back there some day. I miss them all so much, but you are lucky that you have so many friends here. It seems that there are babies everywhere!

You have gotten so smart this month! First, you took your first steps! You started with just one, but by the time Christmas was over you had taken 3 steps all by your self. I love the look on your face. You are so proud. As you should be. We are proud of you too. You cruise all along the furniture, too. You can get from one end of the kitchen to the other it seems. I used to be able to run in to the other room and you would be where I left you, but now it seems you are half way up the stairs or in the other room. Usually I can find you in the bathroom trying to get in to the bathtub. You love bath time so much you will play in the water until your lip is shaking cause the water isn't warm any more.

You have been a wonderful sleeper lately. I am grateful that we can give you a bath, a bottle and a kiss and you fall asleep. You wake up early, but that's ok since we have to go to school/work most days. Two naps are still required for you which is fine by me. It makes the middle part of the day a little crazy when we are home together, but we try to knock out our errands and get you home!

Eating has been so much fun for you lately. There are so many new things to try! Your favorite foods are definitely fruit- oranges, blueberries and pears. You also learned how to drink the food pouches all by yourself when we were at the airport flying home to MN. You just drank it like a big boy. You also like meatballs and veggie burgers. You've had a little cheese here and there, but we still haven't explored too much dairy.

It has been fun to watch you discover language too. You understand what we are saying more and more. When I say "shoe" you grab your feet!

You are still my little skinny mini. You wear 12 month onesies and shirts, but your pants are mostly 9-12 months. Some of the Christmas gifts you got will fit next winter I bet! We finally made the transition to size 3 diapers too although you still have a bunch of size 2 at day care that fit for the most part.

The biggest transition for mommy this month was ending nursing. You are so active and curious about the world that it was getting harder and harder to get you to sit still. We started giving you formula for a few bottles in December and then we were all finished by the end of the year. I miss our special time together, but you seemed ready and that is what is most important. Sometimes we call you our little hamster because Daddy or I will hold your bottle and you will just come by and have a sip when you feel like it.

We went to a restaurant this month with some friends and you were kind of a mess. You grabbed everything in site! We realized that as much as you go with the flow, you are sometimes, just too curious to take you to grown up places. It was just another sign that we have more and more of a toddler and less of our little baby! It makes me a little sad, but also excited to hear you talk and explore.

We got pretty lucky with you, Bubba. We love you so much.

Love,
Mama

PS. I'll add the pictures in soon!

Weekly Photo Outtakes

Sometimes I never get a good photo, but this week it only took me 8 tries!

10 Months!

Dear Lincoln,
Time is just flying by and your birthday is just around the corner! Taking your picture is getting harder and harder. Between you grabbing Stella and her looking for your food, it's almost impossible to get you in the same picture. Sometimes I just have to give up having you both look at the camera.

Celebrating Daddy's 30th birthday at 40 weeks.

You are such a smiley guy and I love hearing you say "Hi" to everyone. Sometimes you sit in your carseat and just say, "Hi hi HI hi Hi HI" over and over again in the sweetest little voice. I try to get you to say "Hi Ma Ma" but you've only gotten "Hi Da Da".

It's starting to get cold around here - 41 weeks

You're still in size 2 diapers which makes your friend Amelia laugh, since she is 5 months younger than you and in size 3! You seem to grow a little bit every day. We are putting away the 6 month clothes finally since they are too short. You fit in a lot of 9 month and 9-12 month clothes. We even got you really shoes. They make you look like such a big boy.

Your favorite foods are definitely fruit- blueberries, pineapple, applesauce and oranges. You also like bread and every once and awhile I can get you to eat eggs and meat. You've discovered what fun it is to throw food on the floor for Stella- even though it drives Momma crazy! Every once and awhile you will master the "all done" and "more" signs, but in the end, if you throw it on the floor- that means you're done.

42 Weeks

You've also realized now that you can throw things (as you can see in this picture) which is exciting. It definitely keeps Daddy and I on our tows. You can pull up, crawl and you discovered on our trip to Charleston, SC over Thanksgiving, that you can climb stairs. It seems like you learn something new every day. I love to watch you try something over and over after you see us do it. You even rub your fingers over our cell phones now. I'm sure it won't be long before you discover how to unlock it!



43 weeks- on vacation for Thanksgiving.

We got your passport this month so that you can travel with us to Costa Rica in February! I'm so excited to show you different parts of the world. I know you won't understand it now, but it's important to learn how people live in other parts of the world. Gramma and Papa are coming too and it is going to be such a fun trip!

Daddy and I joke that you are either sleeping, eating or MOVING! You never stop moving. It's wonderful to see you explore your world and sometimes, it's just exhausting. I know someday we'll be able to sit and watch a show together, but for now, you want to MOVE. I guess when you've only been able to move when you want for the last 3 or 4 months, I would want to see what I've been missing too. You are fun to play games with now too- you love peek a boo and even play with Momma while we are driving. You hold up a blanket over your face and then pull it down and you giggle and giggle. You have a laugh like your Daddy, it is infection and just a joy to hear.

We made it through November mostly healthy, but you got 4 new teeth. You have all 4 of your top middle teeth coming in.

You bring such joy to our lives little man. I find myself singing songs and making the craziest noises just to hear you laugh. You give the best hugs and just lay your little head on our shoulders. Whatever is going on, it's so easy to forget and just snuggle in with you.

Love,
Momma

9 Months!

Dear Lincoln,
I'm a little behind on these, but as you get older, you are keeping us busy and our hands full! Remember when I could just bounce you in your bouncy seat with one foot and type with my hands? Not any more!

36 Weeks.

In October you mastered going from army crawling to crawling on your knees. After that, it was on. Everything from the seat of a chair and below was accessible by you. We had to start baby proofing quick! Starting with outlets (your favorite) and power cords (second favorite). You also love Stella's food and water bowl and when you get your hands on those- what a mess you can make! You do understand the word 'No' now and when we say it to you, you stop and look and sometimes do what we say. You also understand the word 'Sit' cause we have to say that to you in the bath tub all the time. You like to pull up on the edge of the tub and see what Stella is doing.

At 9 months old, you've finally mastered taking a nap! Hallelujah! Unfortunately, only at home. At day care, you still only take 2 40-45 min naps, but at home, oh joy, you take a 1.5-2.5 hour nape from 8-10ish in the morning and a 1.5-2 hr nap from 1-3ish pm. It is wonderful and you are usually so much happier when you wake up!

37 weeks!

You like to play with the remotes and our cell phones a lot- all the things we try to keep out of your hands! You like to push buttons and chew on things mostly though. You still love to see that baby boy in the mirror.

We took you to the doctor this month a few times. Once on Momma's birthday! You got your first real sickness, Croup, and you sounded like a little barking seal. My poor buddy. Momma had to stay home from work a few days and take care of you. When we took you to the doctor for your well baby appointment, you were just over 18 lbs which is in the 25% for weight, you were over 28" which is the 75% and your head was finally on the charts- 98%! Daddy and Momma never expected such a skinny baby. Momma was a big round baby!

38 Weeks!

We had airplane tickets to Chicago just a few days later and mommy was so nervous, but you healed pretty quick, thank goodness! In Chicago you went to your first wedding and wore your first tie too! You were adorable as always.

You continue to be a go with the flow baby which amazes me every day. You'll still sleep in your carrier when we are out and about or traveling. You'll take a warm bottle, a cold bottle and you still nurse (although your mobility is making that a challenge at times!)

You're learning to like new foods, but you seem to have a milk allergy like your cousin, Connor. The few times we've given you cheese or yogurt, the result is not pretty and you usually end up in the tub (which you love so that's ok with you) but your little tummy just can't handle dairy quite yet. You love puffs, applesauce, green beans and other yummy baby food that momma makes for you. You are getting the hang of feeding yourself, too!

Happy Halloween at 39 Weeks!

You love to observe the world around you and I always wonder what you are thinking. Seems like you are learning something new every day- like waving bye-bye. It's hard to believe that your first year is almost over. This age has been so much fun for your Daddy and I to watch. You learn so quickly, but that also seems to come with an opinion. It's amazing to see you watch us and learn from it.

Love,
Momma

8 months!

Dear Lincoln,
What a sweet boy you are!You are becoming more and more fun to be around. I love watching your little personality emerge. Like when you pull your self up on the coffee table, you are SO proud of yourself which you should be! You are learning so fast. You hit a major milestone this month and became mobile! You can army crawl across the room now and start kicking your legs with excitement when you do.

31 Weeks!

You got your second tooth this month. This one seemed to bother you much more than the first cause you were up at night and just didn't seem comfortable. I just hate to see you in any sort of pain, but this time there wasn't anything I could do except snuggle you. You are such a good snuggler too.

32 Weeks! It's football season now!

For the first time, you started being afraid of new people and just wanted to be snuggled by mama. This is the best and the worst feeling, Bubba. It is the best cause I love you and want to be with you and be able to comfort you all the time, but it is the so hard to leave you when all you want to do is be with me. Luckily, this was just a short phase and you are back to being your happy playful self all the time.

33 weeks! Getting stronger!

It is one of my favorite things to watch you study something and learn. Getting those synapses firing as your Papa would say. You've learned that if you see something far away, you can roll around until you get there.

You are still my skinny little guy too. Long and lean. You can still wear 3-6 month pants, but onesies and shirts are mostly 6-9 months. Last time I weighed you at home you were 17 1/2 pounds. We'll go to the doctor next month to see how much you've grown! Just looking at your car seat though, I know you've grown a bunch! Pretty soon, we'll have to get you a new one!

34 Weeks!

Mama being silly and dancing and singing silly noises makes you laugh all the time. I'd pretty much do anything to hear that laugh. It really is the best sound in the world. Pure joy! It brings joy to my life every time I hear it.

It's hard to imagine my life with out you. Daddy and I's life changed so much when you came it to it. Sometimes when I rock you to sleep at night, I stroke your little cheek and hair and wonder what you are going to be and how we got so lucky.

Sometimes (ok lots of times) I get stressed if I am doing everything right and perfect for you, but daddy has to remind me what a great kiddo you are and that we must be doing something right. You got lucky with that daddy of yours. He is the best daddy in the whole world. He takes care of you (and me!) better than anyone else in the whole world. Hard to imagine huh? Billions of people and he's the perfect man for both of us.

35 Weeks. A role reversal?

Can you believe you are already 2/3 of a year old?! Pretty soon it is going to be the holidays and then your first birthday! Wow!

Happy 8 months little one. Stay little just a bit longer, ok?

Love,
Mama

7 Months

Dear Lincoln,
You are 7 months old! Wow! Everyday I look at you and realize that my tiny baby is getting older and older. At your appointment this month, you were in the 90% for height and 25% for weight. You were 16 lb 7 oz. I never thought I would have such a long skinny baby. Mama was a big fat baby. You can still wear some of your 3 month shorts, but your little pants are more like capris now. Daddy says boys don't wear capris. You look handsome in everything I think! This month brought some exciting changes for you!

We missed a couple week of official photos, but here you are at the Dr getting your shots and check up at 26 weeks.

We spent part of 28 weeks in Wisconsin with your grandpa's family.

We have a mobile baby! You can now roll across the room and have mastered getting from a sitting position to your stomach. Although sometimes this results in you bonking your face or head on the floor. You like to reach and reach for your toys and pretty soon you are going to be army crawling, I just know it. We had to put a baby gate at the top of the stairs to keep you safe. I think we will have to start baby proofing the cabinets, outlets and doors pretty soon, too.

We were on vacation in MN so Stella wasn't there for this week's picture! 28 weeks

You are still a great eater and have been enjoying new foods. We even let you feed some foods to yourself like bananas and avocados. You aren't very good at it yet, but you are learning. Usually, you make a BIG mess!

29 Weeks

Sometimes you fall on your face and we try to catch you, but I know it's not going to be the last time (as hard as I try to stop it!). You are learning so fast! It is hard for me to imagine that just 6 months ago you were a little blob and we had no idea what we were doing. I hate to tell you this Bubba, but we still don't know what we are doing. You keep us on our toes. Some days I think I have this under control and then you wake up at 4 am some days so upset. Are you tired? Did you have a nightmare? I wish I knew.

30 Weeks / 7 months!

It's getting harder and harder to take pictures of you and Stella together cause she knows that you have little hands that like to grab on to everything! You are learning about everything and usually by putting it in your mouth! I think mama needs to become a better house cleaner since you spend a lot of time rolling around on the floor.

You are showing more and more of your personality. You get so frustrated when I take you out of the bath or when I change your diaper. You want to play! I usually have to distract you with a toy while I change you. You also hate to miss out on anything that is going on. You don't like to sleep at day care cause there is usually something exciting to watch or a friend to play with. Even when I am trying to feed you and daddy is cooking in the kitchen, you have to turn and watch what he is doing. Silly boy.

It is so fun to watch you grow and it's hard to believe it is happening so quickly right before my eyes. Pretty soon we are going to get to celebrate some of your first holidays as a family. I can't wait!

Love,
Mama

6 Months

Hi Bubba,
I don't know why, but that has become your nickname that seems to stick. I even called you that before you were born. I'm sorry that it makes us sound like hillbillies, but I think it's cute. Speaking of names, I love that you now know your name! Or perhaps it's just the silly voices that daddy and I use, but you turn when you hear your name now. You are becoming such a big boy! At your 6 month appointment you were over 16 lbs (25%) and over 28 inches long (90%)!

21 Weeks. Happy 4th of July!

You started eating real foods this month. We started with cereal with was fine with you, but then we started fruits and veggies. So far, you love all of it! At first you weren't so sure, but now you have had squash, green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes and bananas. You get upset when the container is empty. We are so happy we have a good eater, it makes life so much easier. I don't think we were surprised though because your daddy and I are both pretty adventurous eaters and we love to try new things. I hope you are too!

We took you lots of places this month! We went to the beach for the first time and swimming in the pool too. You loved them both. You have started to realize how fun the water is and are splashing all over the place. Mama also left you with Daddy (& Mimi) for the first time. I was gone for 4 days and it was so hard to be away from you. I missed you every minute, but sometimes being apart makes us realize what is so important in our lives. Waking you up the next morning and seeing your happy face was the BEST feeling. (I think you missed me too!).

22 Weeks

You got the hang of rolling over from your stomach to your back this month and are so close to rolling over the other way. Your darn arm gets in the way, but I know you will figure it out soon. Although, when you fall asleep, you seem to figure it out without a problem. Now when we check the monitor, there is no way to know what position you will be in. On you back, side or stomach, who knows? You seem to prefer sleeping on your side though.

You  have started to notice Stella more and more. When she growls at you, you giggle. Your laugh is the best. People always say what a great laugh your daddy has and I bet you will too. Having a sense of humor is so important, little man. It's one of the things that made me fall in love with your daddy 8 years ago.

23 Weeks

We are so excited to see more of your personality emerge. So far, you continue to go with the flow. We don't have too much of a set schedule because you change your mind all the time when you are sleepy or not. Or when you decide to wake up! It makes life a little tough sometimes, but sometimes it is easier. You will fall asleep in the stroller, on my chest in the carrier or in your car seat. You do sleep best in your own room and bed though so we try our hardest to let you rest and grow big and strong where you are most comfortable. Unfortunately, it's not at day care where you spend your morning and afternoons.

24 Weeks

25 Weeks!

 I miss you every day while I'm at work. Sometimes, I secretly hope your daddy gets a new job so that I can stay home with you wherever we go next. Virginia is a great place, but I hope we can live near your aunts, uncles and grandparents some day soon. Family is so important, love. The ladies at day care take wonderful care of you, though. They are always telling me about the funny things you do.

It seems like every day now there is a new 'first' for you! First time rolling over, first time eating food, first time not making a peep all night, first time sleeping on your belly. It's so fun to watch you learn and explore the world. Sometimes, it would just be easier if you could talk to us and tell us what is the matter. I'm excited for that day too, baby boy. I'm sure it will be here before I know it.

Love,
Mama

5 Months

My tiny baby boy,

Other parents know what they are talking about when they say that time passes SO fast! It is true. It's hard for me to remember life without you. You are our booger butt, our baby boy, our little man and our Mr. President.

You continue to have a laid back personality and contagious smile. I would do anything and really do to get you to show me that big smile. It warms my heart and makes me fall deeper in love with you every time I see it.

17 Weeks

We gave you your first hair cut this month to get rid of that crazy long hair that was just barely holding on since you were born. The haircut instantly made you look older and less like my teeny tiny baby, but every day you become more aware, more outgoing and more curious of the world around you. I want you to discover the world, but to stay safe, little man. The more you see the world, the more I realize how many things there are that can hurt you and how important daddy and I's job is. 

18 Weeks

You still don't take very good naps, but you are sleeping well at night. Just a visit here or there from Daddy or I. You have learned to stop needing a nap right after we get home from daycare though which is nice. I only think about quitting my job once a week now. I miss you all the time when we are apart.

19 Weeks

You are getting stronger every day and you are rolling on to your side. Every once and awhile you will roll from your stomach to your back. One night, you scared us by waking up crying and screaming. You had fallen asleep on your arm and I think it fell asleep and started tingling. I'm sorry, love, there wasn't anything we could do! Pretty soon, you are going to be very mobile! You love mirrors and playing with rings these days, too. Everything seems to be headed towards your mouth.

Unassisted sitting at 5 months!

I love being a mom and it really is the hardest job that anyone can have. I can't wait to see even more of your personality come out. Those baby blue eyes (that I never expected a child of my to have) greet me every morning along with a smile. Life is good, baby boy. 

Love, 

Mama