It's official; we have a crawler on our hands! I realize that Lincoln is not the only one crawling along.
Amidst all of the changes from having a baby and moving across the country, I feel myself crawling forward instead of just dragging my heels. Last week I got to visit Pittsburgh and it was FANTASTIC. I had the privilege of performing in the annual Christmas concert which was incredibly planned and performed by the worship leaders of the Oakland & East End campuses. It felt so natural and easy to spend time with my North Way family and to step out onto that stage. I hadn't realized until I spent time around those that know and love me that I haven't broken out of my shell in Colorado. In fact, I don't think I've really been goofy yet. It's almost like I am hiding away and spending so much thought and energy second guessing and being insecure that I'm not having fun or being much fun to be around. That's my new goal with my Colorado friends and at our church...to be myself and to not afraid to be funny or goofy.
I loved spending the week at the Melder home. I love love love those three boys: Koen, Tavin & Penn, and was thrilled to spend some quality time with them. I was so glad to finally meet Penn & Tavin really showed off his personality because he's a little boy now and not a baby (which was crazy to see!) Not only did I love being around those energetic boys (and we added Lincoln into the mix!) but I loved spending time with my good friends Doug & Amy. Amy and I do not stop talking when we get together and I always love watching her with her family because she's an incredible mom. It was also great to relate to her and to receive encouragement from her about this new parenthood stage. Doug was a gracious host as always and he carted me to and from all of the rehearsals and performances. Things felt as if I never left and I am so grateful that he let me be a part of the Christmas festivities and lead that Sunday. Doug is such a gifted teacher & preached 4 live services and I led worship just like old times.
On the weekend I stayed with my dear mentor & friend, Sandy Weiss. I appreciate her genuine faith & sincere care and concern. I cherish the time we get to spend together and LOVED that she spent a lot of time with Lincoln as well. She helped watch him while I was performing & leading worship and I know he had a blast. I was so spoiled to stay with both of these beloved friends. The entire week FLEW by, especially with having the concert every night and four services on Sunday. I do wish I could have spent quality time with more people but I had to be ok with just a drive by "hello" in person this time. I'm sure it won't be the last visit!
I am so blessed to have such great friends in my life!
Oh these boys. Samuel & Tavin
Oh Cookie, how I love this girl
Um there are just too many amazing women pictured here...where do I even begin?! PS, ignore me being dumb in the front, we were joking how girls know how to do a cheerleader pose at any moment. I took it a little too far!?
Here's a link to one of the songs I had the pleasure of performing with a group of talented dancers (they danced...I sang. It wouldn't have been good had I been a dancer...)
Lincoln changed right before my eyes and the eyes of an audience. He was amazingly flexible as he spent time with different friends throughout the week. He didn't show a shred of separation anxiety as he enjoyed playing with new faces. I swear he gets tired of my mug. I could be a little offended that he didn't care that I wasn't there but he was having so much fun and was a trooper all week that I know it's a huge blessing.
Here are some of his updates
Lincoln: 7 months & 3/4
You are starting to make the FUNNIEST faces! In fact, you are starting to realize that people like your silly faces and so you are making your squishy face often. You even saw me laugh when you squished your face against the pack and play so you did it again to make me laugh once more!
The infamous "squishy" face. A recent favorite
You're getting yourself stuck in our crib at home with your new found mobility so we've had to problem solve a bit (addition of a ventilated bumper and letting you cry). You figured out how to sleep on your belly in Pittsburgh so now the endless night flipping may be coming to an end.
Just one of the many positions you were stuck in last week...it was a long night
You took a nap on your hands...
You were fighting bedtime so when we checked on you after you finally fell asleep, you'd just keeled over from the sitting position
You're facinated with other babies and kids. Koen Melder was amazing with you and you quickly warmed up to him. You also became fast friends with Penn...although you were a bit too curious with your grabbing (especially because you don't know "gentle" yet). It was hard not to try to pair you up with every cute little girl. You did have a brief "moment" with Harlow!
Penn & Lincoln had matching outfits!
Buddies
Lincoln's thinking "out of my shot kid"
Penn's thinking "yikes mom"
Koen playing with Lincoln
These two! Koen would come and growl at Lincoln who of course loved to be talked to in his own language
TOO CUTE
Koen making Lincoln laugh
Harlow is checking Lincoln out. I'm sad when there will come a day when we do not encourage this sort of behavior. Now kisses are so cute!
Lincoln playing with Porter
I'm starting to see some tantrums on the horizon because you are starting to show your distaste when something is taken away or kept out of reach. I'm not sure that I'm ready for the discipline stage yet. I have a feeling you will test me :)
I may have shown you a tree with forbidden fruit (ornaments that is!)
I couldn't help but get you close for a photo though...
Lincoln, "no"
"what did you say?"
You are very easy going and very happy. I think I knew that before but this week I realized how remarkable you are in that way. Amidst the traveling (which you did great) and endless visitors; you remained happy go lucky and let your mama have a special week with her friends. Thanks for being such a great baby.
Peek a boo is still a favorite.
Two more top teeth sprouted, now you are up to 6!
You LOVE to jump. Holley let us borrow their doorway jumper and you went to town!
You are starting to pull up but haven't quite gotten the hang of it (I'm ok with that!)
Here's your developmental grand finale! Last Friday (12/8/12) you crawled! Now there's no stopping you...gulp! I will now switch to playing interference every day.
For some reason, I wanted Thanksgiving to be a "bigger deal" this year. Maybe it's because we are in a new place or the fact that we are now a family of three but I couldn't help but add unnecessary pressure to have the perfect holiday. It's funny how having little nugget could suddenly send me into holiday tradition overdrive. For the past four years, Joe and I have enjoyed the holiday with friends. This Thanksgiving it was just us so I wanted it to be perfect, the kind of holiday that would always make Lincoln want to come home to enjoy his mama's cooking.
You'd think I would just chill, especially because Lincoln can't even eat most of the meal! Instead I stressed. Joe is working the twilight shift this week or 3pm-11pm (including Thanksgiving). So we were going to have a relaxing morning and a festive lunch before he headed off to work. Underestimating prep and cook time while trying to keep a needy baby satisfied succeeded in making me completely frazzled. By the time Joe woke up and joined us in the living room...I was at my boiling point. He found me scrubbing the carpet and instead of saying 'good morning' I greeted him with a not-so-subtle "we really need to take off our shoes before stepping onto the carpet" (I say this with my eyes down as I violently scrub)
Joe is excellent at keeping his cool and talking me off the ledge. Immediately, he could tell something was up so he asked what was wrong. I rattle off a list of annoyances and to do items with large hand gestures and a high pitched voice. Hmmm, he replies "I thought this was Thanksgiving. Aren't we supposed to enjoy today?"
Would you like some humble pie? I knew (even before he got up) that I needed to keep my attitude at check. I knew that this whole month God was reminding me how insanely blessed I am. I did not want to ruin it by getting my panties in a bunch about whether or not everything was spotless and tasted delicious. I don't know if the meal was delicious and the house sure wasn't spotless but we did have a great morning and a wonderful lunch together after that. I tell you, I always have to keep that attitude in check because otherwise I miss out on some great memories because I'm too stressed to enjoy them. I need to remember to relax and just enjoy.
Alright. Little man is learning new tricks! Here's Lincoln's update.
Seven months (and some change)
Crawling is coming...that's for sure! You have the hands & knees stance down pat and are now experimenting with other poses. You have been striking a kung foo meets spiderman crouch when you are trying to move around. You also just started hitting downward dog today!
Backwards is your direction of choice. Instead of moving forward when a toy is just out of reach, you've figured out you can simply belly flop in order to gain a few more inches
You can now go from your belly back to sitting
You are also half way to being able to sit up from laying down! Got to keep working on that six pack
You've started doing a "flirty" face that we can't help but laugh at. You crinkle your nose, squint your eyes and breathe in and out through your nose really fast. You can even snort sometimes! It's so bizarre that we can't help but find it hilarious. Because we find it funny, you are learning to repeat it to keep us laughing.
Oatmeal cereal is your FAV. In fact, you prefer it over everything else
these days and are starting to slow down on some of the other foods
we've tried so far. We'll keep trying. You've tried mango, pears,
beets, & apples now.
Peek-a-boo! You love playing peek-a-boo. If we throw a blanket over your head and ask "where's Lincoln?" you will pull it down really fast with a big grin. When you can't get enough of the game, you will pull it back up so that we can play again.
You're starting to learn the beginning of a high five. When Nana was in town she helped teach you and so now you will put your hand (very gently for now) onto ours when we ask for a high five
You saw Abuelita, Grandpa Joe & Tia Adrianne last week in Virginia Beach. You flew really well but are now so interested in everything that you reject a nap if there are distractions. We had to keep you entertained the entire time! You love the Hemerkas and they spoiled you rotten. They gave you a new walker toy and a ball you can crawl after. You're so lucky to have them. They played and played and played with you and now we will have to facetime everyday so that they can see your sweet smile.
Joseph Thomas Hemerka 4 & Joseph Lincoln Hemerka6
Tia Adrianne is the best
These two are too cute and still so in love. We have great marriage role models in our life!
Siblings!
Lincoln's got grandpa Joe's blue eyes
Jumping bean. Man, you are now always bouncing. If we hold you...bouncing. In a toy...bounching. On your knees...bouncing. You're working out those leg muscles for...gulp..walking. Here's a video of your in your friend Owen's bouncer. You were going to town!
Thank you Kristin for having us over for Thanksgiving dinner and for letting Lincoln play with Owen's toys. These two are too cute together. So thankful for new friends!!
Here are more pictures from the past two weeks
It was a fancy Thanksgiving
These cheeks! You were teething pretty bad and although that makes you cranky, you sure are cute.
