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.
The month of thankfulness has begun! It's been neat to see how my thoughts are noticing more of the blessings around me. I am almost not sure what to post. I want to continue to come to The Lord with a grateful heart. I am guilty of praying for what He can do...not just for the sake of deepening our relationship. Most times my prayers start out..."help me with this....keep so and so safe....answer this question...."
I was encouraged when I read this verse " Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT). I am always so worried about figuring out what God's will is in the form of "what am I supposed to do?" Instead of focusing on how I should be....which is continually thankful.
Thankfulness was tested this week because the Hemerka clan got a nasty cold! THANKFULLY my mom was in town so she could help me with Lincoln so that I could rest. So thankful that my mom never stops being my mom.
Lincoln's Update: 6 months and some change
Hands and knees!? You've figured out how to get up on those hands and knees. You are rocking back and forth and while it is adorable, it scares me because crawling is on the horizon. Am I ready? I think not. I think I need to do a crawl test to start preemptively baby-proofing the house.
Bouncing baby. You are starting to bounce all the time. In your toys, while being held...it doesn't matter to you. You are getting those muscles ready for crawling and walking...GULP.
First Halloween. You dressed up like a dragon because let's face it, you already love to make the noises! Here's a confession for you. We had friends over and then went trick or treating and...I ate all your candy! I am not going to lie. I liked showing off my adorable dragon and loved that people gave me candy for my efforts. I mean, I did push you out...I think that's a fair trade.
Dragon fashion shoot
Trick or treating really took a lot out of you. Being cute is hard..
This is you and your friend Owen!
"what are you?"
You move your hands and fingers, jazz hand & twinkle finger style when you're excited or thinking about something.
You got your first cold. You sounded so hoarse and broke my heart. All in all your spirits were still up and you handled the cold better than mom & dad.
You love to sleep with your arms over your head. It's so cute because it looks like you are lounging.
When you tip over, you look around to learn what your reaction should be. If we ignore you or smile, you forget about it. If you see worry on our face, the alligator tears come out.
Your abs are getting so much stronger. You can sit halfway up from laying down and now you're catching yourself side to side instead of just topping over. Work those obliques!
You LOVE to eat. Now I have to bring solids along because you get very cranky when you don't get to eat when we do. In fact, you often yell in between bites because you want more. Here are the other foods you've tried: spinach, bananas, & multi-grain cereal
I'm starting to learn that your cries are not just for a diaper change or food. You will let us know when you are unhappy with the amount of attention you're receiving and you are starting to notice (& not like) when I leave the room
You're starting to make associations and I can tell you are learning how to play. You learned how to play peek a boo with yourself. If a blanket covers your head, you remove it quickly with a huge grin...and we exclaim in praise!
Toys are ok but you prefer human interaction...or anything that's not a toy. You reach out for anything around you that is small, paper or off limits. So it begins
Also, you love electronics (you are your dad's son) and you love to FaceTime with Nana & Grampy
We switched out your infant car seat for the HUGE convertible one. We
found you were bucking forward in the other and were getting frustrated
because you wanted to see outside. Plus, we were mostly taking you out
of the seat because you + the infant seat = heavy
Why are these things SO massive? Is it normal that this seat should come up to my hip?
Here are some other pictures from the week. We had a great time visiting Anderson Farms and getting lost in the corn maze. Oh by the way, I've wanted to go to a corn maze for over four years so I was PRETTY excited.
I am so blessed by my family
This man keeps getting better and better (and hotter :)
My lil pumpkin
Jail bird
I'd buy him!
Oh my Joes...
You're caught
Being in jail is scary Lincoln...not fascinating. Remember that!
