I can't believe that 2013 is already here. Truth be told, we are ready for it. 2012 was wonderful in many ways, especially because Lincoln hit the scene but it's also been a tough season. Riddled with change, transition and challenges, we are excited to see the dust settle in 2013. Joe & I spent New Year's eve reflecting upon last year and making our resolutions for this year. Here are mine
1. Really crack down on our budget (I'm going to try being diligent with couponing, we will see how that goes)
2. Work on being "content in all situations" and to count my blessings daily
3. Accept readily the lessons God's trying to teach me instead of dragging my heels
I was so grateful to get extra time with our little family. Although Joe was sick all week, it was so nice to all be together. Before Christmas week, we even got to have a short family photo session. Kaylee did an awesome job, especially in just 20 minutes with everyone being sick & windy & cold conditions! Here are some of my favorites!
Ok, here's Lincoln's update. It's overdue and he's learned SO much!
Lincoln's Update: 8.5 months
We now erect barricades across the room to baby proof any area of temptation. We also try to get you to want your toys instead of anything that's not a toy (which you are way more interested in...)
Oh yes, the remote is so yummy and way more fun than all your toys.
You started babbling a lot more in the past few weeks. You've been doing very clear "B's" and just started adding in some "G's"
Pulling up...are you ever pulling up! You first experimented with this new trick when you were refusing to nap (because you've been so excited to crawl around your crib). I walked into the room to see you standing tall but with a pretty scared look on your face. You soon mastered the art of pulling up and now use anything to achieve this feat. Bear is a pretty big motivation for moving and pulling up. He's running out of places to hide from you.
The love for Bear grows...
This is the first pull up..and you couldn't get yourself down
You LOVE to eat and puffs & mum-mums are the recent craving. I am pretty sure it's because you can feed yourself and you often start to babble and yell in shear joy. I can already see that you are independent and prefer to do things yourself. You often grab the spoon as I'm feeding you because you want to put it in your mouth (and the food is so fun to play with)
You are a good dinner companion and the mums helped you feel a part of the meal when we went out
FIRST CHRISTMAS! You had no clue that you should be excited but we still had fun celebrating the holiday with our family. You didn't even unwrap any gifts (because we didn't really get you any, your aunt, uncle & grandparents covered it). You loved seeing Santa and were fascinated with his outfit.
You're awesome powerwheels Harley from Uncle Beau & Aunt Michelle. Can you say "spoiled?"
The tree was a huge temptation for you...that was the part you probably like the best about your first Christmas.
You're learning about the birth of Jesus for the first time...
You really like play dates but I am starting to see that like all humans, you're heart is dark and you are already gravitating toward toys someone else is playing with and I'm sure learning to share will be a hard lesson.
You were starving for a play date over Christmas break....even trying to play with the kid on the box!
Caroline was teaching you how to say your words like her! You're becoming such a big boy!
Napping was more of a challenge this month. With your newfound mobility, everything is new and exciting, including your crib. You've been known to refuse to sleep (even after an hour in the nursery by yourself) and then conk out as soon as the car moves. I'm sure I've put a good chunk of miles on the car from those car naps.
You're heavy coat makes you look like an adorable marshmallow!
You got to spend some special time with Aunt Brea thanks to Nana & Grampy. Our Christmas travel plans got thwarted so she flew up for an express visit. In those short two days she even taught you a new trick. You will mimic opening and closing your mouth, which makes you look like a guppy!
You're starting to show affection. We are starting to see some open mouthed baby kisses but you also love to bump foreheads very gently, almost like a forehead kiss. You gave Brea a lot of those!
You really liked kissing that baby in the mirror!
You enjoy taking things in and out of containers and flipping pages.
We really saw your grow up this past month and see you transitioning from a baby to a little boy. It's fun to watch but also breaks my heart. I can see you learning and putting together the pieces when you learn something new. Amazing.
We were so thankful for some much needed family time!
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.
