Friday, November 23, 2012

Relax and enjoy.

Thanksgiving.  

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.
Daddy was keeping you warm. That warms my heart
7 months old picture
Travel buddies. Awaiting the plane

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