Always more to learn

 

I'm amazed at how much there is to learn. This might seem silly but it's easy to think you have it all figured out and then the Lord and your little baby can remind you that you're just beginning to understand.  Lincoln amazes me with how much he learns everyday.  I might think I had a productive week but did I learn how to crawl or walk or talk? No!  He's always surprising me with what he picks up. Now I just exclaim, "Well that's new!"

I feel like I'm having many of the same revelations in my own heart.  It's easy to be lulled into a place of complacency when you're sailing smooth waters. I find I get very egocentric and self-focused without even realizing it. Apply some pressure though and I quickly realize how much growing needs to happen. That's where I'm at now. Moving has been challenging for me.  Because I've moved before, I know that it can take six months to a year for a place to really feel like home. I may know that with my head but my emotions get out of whack pretty quickly while I wait for that time to pass.

As I wait, God's trying to reveal a lot of things to me that I was too busy to pay attention to before. 
One verse has been haunting me:
"Without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and that He rewards those to earnestly seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

Faith is defined as "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Heb 11:1

I had to ask myself this question. Where am I "exercising true faith?" Am I actively trusting God's word & character in places I don't see the physical proof?  If not then it's impossible to please Him...

I've realize that I don't really trust Him, especially when I'm not getting my way.  I've found myself throwing pity party after pity party, complaining that He's railroaded me here alone and not using many of the gifts I "credit" toward Him.  Even good things, like talents, friends and family can become higher priorities than the Lord and when that happens, they become idols.  I put so many things above God and when they are taken away, I realize that I don't live with Jesus above all else, I usually live with Jesus as one of my activities...instead of as my ultimate desire and focus.  I know He's using this time to refine me and to purify my heart. I never realized how praise dependent I'd become.  This time of isolation and change has shown me how I've built myself up on the opinion of others and when I don't have an opinion to propel me, I find myself wilting.  I know God doesn't want me to live that way and He's trying to break through and redefine my identity.  This process is challenging but I am coming around to the realization that I need it so desperately. I need Jesus more than I have before and know that He's faithful to meet me where I am. Thank you for reminding me of that Lord and help me to press into you instead of wallowing.

Lincoln's Update

• You are becoming curious about everything around you. It was fun to see you take a "tour" of the house with Papi as he was letting you touch the wall, then the light switch...basically anything and everything. You'd stop and stare and then use your little hand to feel it.

• You were a bit more feisty this week. Here are my theories (and I always have theories because I'm still trying to figure you out!) 1. teething is hurting this week.  2. you are so excited about the world that you are fighting sleep to explore.  3. you might have an ear infection (remember the adorable ear holding...still happening only sometimes you also let out a yell)

• You love touching our faces now. It's adorable to see you stare intently as you reach out your tiny hands to grab a nose, mouth or cheek.  We have to be careful because once your hands graze a surface, you squeeze those fingers so tightly I think you may be part boa constrictor. Note to self: I may need to lose the nose ring soon because I've had too many close encounters already...

•  You're paying attention to the lights and images on a tv or computer screen. Joe was showing you Gangnam style, a brightly colored music video...oh your papi and his funny youtube videos

 

Ok, I'm slightly embarrassed that this is one of the first things that Lincoln paid attention to...but it's kind of funny..

• You are still growing like crazy. You're still in 3-6 month clothes but just barely. 

Look at those chunky thighs! I can't help but squeeze them...

This week we debuted your jeggings. I want some like this!

Some of our adventures this week...

Exploring the Tattered Cover

Joe had some work to do so we sat in a little alcove that overlooked the books.

Tattered Cover has great character and ambiance. Not only that but there were staff picks and different recommendation notes throughout the store to help guide you to your next great read.

Reconnecting with great friends
I got to reconnect with Melissa Guiliano!  Melissa and I have been good friends since 7th grade, we even tried out for show choir together and played softball on the Diamonds every summer.  I love this girl and have missed seeing her face.  We hadn't seen each other since her wedding in 2009! She is also a new mom so I got to meet her newly one year old, Brady.  Boy is he ADORABLE and looks just like her with piercing blue eyes. We both kicked ourselves that we didn't get a picture of us and the boys.

Not only did I get to see her but I also got to see Patty Shields, another great Diamond softball friend. Patty actually lives in Denver and just became a home owner. I'm really lucky we can now hang out easily again and walk our furry kids (aka Monkey, Nija & Bear) together.  

I love that although it'd been a few years since we'd all been together, we never skipped a beat and it felt like old times.

We're just missing Shanna on the right and this picture would be complete.

Exploring Evergreen Colorado & Three Sisters Park
Erika, one of my fellow Emergency Medicine wives & a Colorado native, graciously took us on a fun-filled day trip to Evergreen, CO.  We'd originally planned to head to Boulder but a big event attracting 100,000+ people diverted us from that area and I'm so glad it did because we had a blast! 
We hiked to the top of a look-out at Three Sister's Park and the view was amazing.  I realize that I'm going to need to invest in two things to continue this new hiking habit: hiking shoes and a hiking backpack.  I was proud of myself for being able to hike to the top with an extra 15 lbs in the baby bjorn but I really know it's because I was distracted by great conversation. After a brief diaper run (whoops, forgot to pack enough...) we finished the afternoon with yummy Mexican food. What a fun day!

Lincoln LOVES Erika and gave her such big, flirty smiles

Lincoln was being so cheesy for the camera.  I love that he was having so much fun

This little guy hung out by our garage all day.  I don't like bugs but this one was so cool. I am amazed that God could make bugs look like leaves.  If I were a bug, I'd want to be him.

A little slice of home

Last week was another busy week full of fun visits! Jess & Ryan Coblentz, some of our great friends from our Pittsburgh small group, stopped by Denver on their way back from Vancouver for a marathon.  My mom was still here at the beginning of last week and she was a huge help when she babysat Lincoln so that we could go on a hike. 

Lincoln & Ryan.  Lincoln looks tired because he rolled all night!

This is where we hiked. We had to drive pretty far up the mountain on a dirt road and even passed a rugged mountain man along the way.  Of course our cell phones lost service so Joe was following the blank map toward the illusive "red dot." Rain was on the forecast and we underestimated the chill being further up in elevation but it ended up being a fantastic afternoon with our friends and we didn't even get lost.

El Dorado Ridge

Beginning of the trail.  It was here I began to worry about bears...

We didn't see any wildlife but Ryan almost sat on a cactus. Ok maybe not but he was almost hit by a mountain biker shortly after this photo was taken.

Don't we fit right in. We could have been pioneers

We hiked down to the river and it was so serene!

What a beautiful couple

I miss this girl

Taken at the top...we underestimated the hike back up

The hike down was much easier but we made it!

We loved seeing Jess & Ryan and hope that they can come visit again, especially with a baby from Jamie & Jeff on the way too!

Update on Lincoln: 4 months, 1 week old

• Rolling was CRAZY this past week.  Once you learned your new trick, you flipped yourself every time you were placed on your back.  Unfortunately, that affected your sleep and instead of sleeping through the night, you started waking up more often on your belly.  Luckily the novelty wore off and now you control your rolls (and you're sleeping again)

• I think you reached out for mommy for the first time. You were smiling at me from your papi's shoulder and you reached out your little arms.  MELT MY HEART. It's amazing how special you can make me feel just by wanting to be with me!
• Your getting such better control of your fingers so now your scratching at everything that you'd like to grab.  When you are on your belly on your kick pad mat, you scratch the giraffe's face over and over hoping to pick him up.

• Your abs are getting so much stronger. When we put you down you try to sit up. Getting closer but still need more of your six pack.  

• You still think your Papi is the funniest...

Ok so those are all the fun photos I have to share this week. I'm hoping to start breaking in my rebel canon camera and learning to use it. I need to stop putting that off and learn photography like I've always wanted. Oiy Vey, I have too many goals for naptime.

4 Months Old!

Heading into a Colorado fall and I can't believe that Lincoln is already 4 months old.  I feel like I am already saying "I remember when..." and know that it's only going to get worse as my baby becomes a little boy.  I know I feel that way about everything though. I still feel like the same wide-eyed high school freshman; the only thing that's changed is that I look older in the mirror.  Ok, so maybe that's not the only thing that's changed but I can't see all of the changes in maturity or physique until I go through old pictures. Every time I do that I'm taken back by how little Lincoln was or how young Joe and I look.

The longest I've ever seen Joe's hair

High School Graduation...yes, we are high school sweet hearts (so crazy!)

The thing that astounds me most is when I think back to how I viewed people older and more mature than me. I used to put them on pedestals and think 'wow, they are so cool and mature and they are hanging out with me?"  Now, I think it's bizarre to think of anyone viewing me in that way because I still feel like that adolescent girl.   I shutter to think of the day that Lincoln realizes that I'm just as clueless and broken as the next person.  I love the fact that right he looks at me with such fascination and I see the love growing in his eyes everyday.  Ah...I'd better just relish the moments I have now and not wish anyone away or wish to go back.  I think that's a good life lesson to take moving forward.

"Ta Dah!"

I'm hooked...

My mom told me about baby & kid consignment sales that happen throughout the country.  Moms come together to get rid of their old gear and to score some great pieces for their families. It was amazing. A whole room full of baby clothes, gear, toys...you name it!  Not only that but the prices are great and it's organized.  You can shop early if you volunteer or you can go the last day and save even more because a lot of items are 50% off.  

I got Linc some of the clothes he needed for the winter and I know that this is how we'll start shopping for his clothes and toys!  I even got to try out the hiking backpack we're hoping to get when he's a little bigger.  

For mom's in Denver, check out the website Denver Bargains for the list of all of the upcoming fall sales in the Denver area.  

I never knew about these types of sales when I lived in Pittsburgh but there is a large one called Just Between Friends coming up in September. They have some pictures of the last year's sale on the website if you need an idea of what it's like.  

Here are some links to a few more in the Pittsburgh area: Little Blessings Dressings, Centsible Moms, Kids Mania.

Go if you need any baby/kid stuff!

Lincoln's Update: 

4 months old

• Rolly Poley Oley: You can now roll from your back to your belly.  You literally rolled that direction for the first time last night and now any time we set you down on your back, you quickly changes positions to your belly

Rock Star tooshie

"I don't know how I feel about this new trick but I think I'm happy"

• This was a great sleep week, almost every night you stayed asleep but last night you woke up panicked and when I went to grab you from your crib, you were on your belly with your arm stuck underneath you.  I hope you learn how to stay asleep with your new-found mobility!

• I can now officially hold you on my hip. 
• I put away all of your 0-3 month clothes and you're fitting perfectly into 3-6 months. I have a feeling that you will outgrow these clothes before 6 months
• You are turning into a big flirt, especially at church. You've still been hanging out with us during the service and I'm pretty sure no one behind us can listen because you are giving them your biggest smiles and most adorable faces.  Now that you're front facing in your stroller, you are a show stopper and attract every older woman in the store to you.

• You are grabbing everything around you with much more accuracy.  In fact, I can't keep up with your fingernails and you are scratching us all up as you gain coordination.  Amanda coined the phrase "falcon" when she was holding you last week in Colorado Springs and I think it's an appropriate term! Hair is now up for grabs (you especially like Papi's) and jewelry is no longer safe.

• I think you are teething and were in a little bit of pain.  Your ears still fascinate you and any time you're excited, tired or your teeth hurt you grab onto your ears.

• Aunt Brea came for a visit!  You had fun making faces at her.  She's crazy about you and was sad that her trip had to be cut short.  You are such a lucky boy to have a family that loves you so much.  Just wait til you see Abuelita, Grandpa and Adrianne again---snuggles galore! 

 eating ice cream at Liks

Twins

Brea, amping up the baby talk

• Nanna couldn't stay away, especially with an $80 round trip non-stop flight from Dallas, the calm before starting a new job, and both of her daughters in the same place.  Even she noticed the difference that a few weeks makes in your development.

 We had a yummy lunch at California Pizza Kitchen and you had a yummy lunch of MILK!

blowing raspberries. It'll be fun when Lincoln can mimick...

Wave hello?! Ok maybe too soon..

"Praise the Lord"

• You get really quiet when I play the piano or guitar and now I know you'll sit with me and watch my fingers.  I'm hoping that means you'll want to play something when you're bigger.

•  You still fall asleep when I put you in the bjorn. It's my go to move if you're avoiding a nap.

More updates to come on our little man next week.  He's a huge help when I'm blogging :)