Lovin' the Chair

Lincoln LOVES the chair that Eric and Samantha got for his birthday . . . I mean LOVES it! I wake him up and give him a cup of milk to snuggle with me in the big chair, and he climbs down and takes the cup to his chair instead. He wants to sit in it all the time! Unfortunately, he doesn't always want to sit in the chair properly. I wonder how many times I say, "On your bottom, Lincoln." Those may be his first words!

Clearly it's working!

Who's the Biggest Kid?

No more Frankenstein . . . Lincoln has definitely mastered walking without that weird look. He doesn't hold his arms straight out, he actually bends his knees to take regular steps, and he can stop, turn and keep going! This weekend he was carrying toys while walking, and even drank milk from his cup while walking! Daddy said even he can't do that!!!

Seriously, is this the biggest kid ever?!?! He looks like a grown up!

After he demonstrated how big he is, Lincoln sat in my lap reading books for quite a while tonight. I guess he knows Mommy needs a little cuddle time in between all the big kid stuff!

Partying Like a Big Kid

Lincoln went to his first big kid birthday party today - Jack turned five! We all had so much fun, and there was lots to do. The backyard was full with a petting zoo, bounce house, bumper cars, a race track, pony rides, magicians, and the playground. Out front was a train and a trick motorcycle group! Whew . . . where to begin!

"I'm here for the party! Can I come in?"

I think Lincoln's favorite spot was looking at the animals. There was a pony, chickens, little potbellied pigs, baby goats, bunnies and a goose. He said "moo" to all of them! We're definitely in the "moo" stage, and apparently all animals say "moo"! He always ran back to the petting zoo after we played somewhere else. We also went for a ride on the train. The conductor said Lincoln was a pro!
The clowns and magicians didn't really faze him. Maybe next time!

We all enjoyed the slide and took turns being the catcher. Luckily neither of us actually had to slide!

Thanks to the Frankels for inviting us to such a fun birthday! Linc was exhausted after all that playing and loved all the excitement. Kevin and I had fun chasing around a curious little toddler. It is wonderful to watch him experience new things. We were able to enjoy the quieter activities, but it won't be long before Lincoln's driving the bumper cars and cheering for the motorcycle riders!

Another Big Kid Moment

There are so many things that bring tears to my eyes these days . . . the latest was lowering Lincoln's crib to the bottom setting. He's such a big kid all the way down there! According to the books we should have done this months ago, but he never tried to climb out during the night or naps. I guess he thought it was pretty cool because he giggled and rolled around like a mad man when we tested it out!

I know we were "supposed" to remove the bumper pads ages ago too, but he doesn't try to stand on them or bother them at all. He sleeps with his back against the pads, so I didn't want to leave him snuggling up to the wooden slats! It's been a good week of transition . . . except I feel like I'm dropping him 10 feet when I put him down. One more thing to remind me that Lincoln's not my little baby anymore. Sniff, sniff.

Out for a stroll

Walking with Daddy

Frankenstein Kuhlman

Lincoln walks . . . like Frankenstein!!!!! For months Lincoln has been walking, but only when he was holding our hand, a push cart, the furniture, etc. He loves to be standing and walking, but he wasn't confident enough (or interested enough) to let go and try it himself. This past week he's been venturing out for a few steps at a time. Like everything else, he just "got" it and now walks all over! He looks a bit like Frankenstein with his arms straight out and jerky steps, but we love it! Here are a few clips:

Latest Game

What's the most entertaining game for Lincoln right now? Daddy jumping, hopping, or stepping over him! Here are his expressions as the game goes along.

Oh, no! Daddy decided to quit playing, but Lincoln wasn't ready for the game to end!

Whew! Glad Daddy could play again!

Uh Oh Cheerio

I've been waiting for this for over a year . . . the first uh oh mess! Lincoln can have the floor covered with every single book and toy he owns in a very short time. He plays hard and goes back and forth from toy to toy. I've always known these messes are no big deal. I just put the stuff back in it's appropriate bin/basket/box so he can get it all back out again! Lately he's been interested in the pantry while I'm getting dinner ready. Again, no big deal. He has his own rack with select "food" items to play with - gravy packet, sprinkles bottle, m&ms package, and a big almost empty box of Cheerios. You know where this is going, right? Here's what I've been waiting for:

He figured out how to get the package out of the box some time ago, but never unrolled it until tonight. I know, I know . . . I could have just clipped it, but what's the fun in that?!?! He tried to put the Cheerios back in the package, then lost interest and stomped on them. I only had a tiny cringe because I had just mopped, but whatever. Like I said, I've been waiting on this first of many messes. I'm sure I won't always think these things are so comical, but I could only laugh at his face when the Cheerios came pouring out. Lord, please remind me of this calmness when it's spaghetti sauce, ketchup, orange juice or some other equally horrific liquid!

Still Having Fun

We're still loving the swing!

Can you even imagine being so happy?!?! I love to watch Lincoln experience pure joy. No worries about anything . . . just laughing and smiling and being totally happy. When I look at these pictures, all I can hear is his laughter. Of course that makes me smile no matter what I'm doing. I hope all of you can take a bit of his joy as well.
We've also been blowing lots of bubbles lately. I first used the regular mini wand that comes with the bubbles . . . but that's so much work! I soon found a small bubble gun that makes things much easier. Lots of bubbles with little effort is definitely the way to go! Linc's not really sure about the bubbles, but he's interested. I think he gets aggravated that he can't "catch" one.

After a bit, he needed to inspect the bubble gun. I guess it passed his inspection because he handed it back for me to resume the bubbles.

I think it's so funny when he sits on his knees. He looks like such a kid instead of a baby.

Swing Time

I'm so glad to announce that the swing is up! The pollen from our MONSTER tree is finally letting up, so Pops expertly hung Linc's super cool swing this weekend. Here's the play-by-play.

First look around . . . getting ready to swing. We probably could have just let him hang there and look around. He thought that was pretty cool, but he didn't know what was next.

First push . . . he had a weird look on his face. I guess he thought it was weird because he'd never done that before.
Second push . . . he let out a little giggle and a huge smile. It seems that he likes it!

Third push . . . we got a big belly laugh, and Lincoln was officially in love with the swing!

I know we'll all spend a lot of time in the backyard, especially now that we have the swing up. The swing was Aunt Ally's favorite thing when she was little too, and we wore that one out. Perhaps she can come repay me for all those hours of swinging! Aunt Ally had to put up with my crazy songs, so she may worn Lincoln about that. So far he doesn't mind the strange lyrics and missed notes . . . I'm sure it will be much more tolerable now that he's swinging!

Thanks a bunch, Nana and Pops!

More Bath Tub Fun

My little songbird was really putting on a show in the bath tonight. He sang the sweetest songs and had lots of fun. I guess it's worth getting dirty outside just to play in the bath tub later!

He smiled at me so sweetly . . .

. . . of course I asked for an encore!

Easter 2010

Easter is many things . . . the miraculous rising of Jesus Christ, the beginning of redemption, the feeling of a new start, the washing away of winter and welcoming of spring, and now a barometer of how life can be so different in one year. Last Easter, we were just learning to love and care for a new baby. I don't know how we made it to brunch that day between nursings and sleep. We were still figuring out the parent thing, and life was full of new beginnings. I remember every minute of the day, including Kevin's disdain for Lincoln's outfit. He was concerned that I made him wear a dress! It was definitely not a dress, but a super cute blue smocked suit. Here we are as a family on our first Easter:

Fast forward one year to a talking, (almost) walking one year old, who is not always in the mood for a family photo. We're still not sure we have the parent thing down, but we've survived for this long so we must be doing ok! In all the hubbub of getting everyone cute, easing everyone's allergies, making it to church early to get a parking space (in the lot and on a pew!), and packing enough snacks, I forgot the camera. But the important thing is that everyone looked cute, right? This photo was taken on the cell phone camera. Thank you technology!

During Lincoln's first Easter meal, he slept peacefully in the infant seat for the most part. He needed a little cuddling by the end of the meal, so we posed for a sleepy picture. This year he was ALL OVER THE PLACE during brunch! He wanted to dance to the sax player, he wanted to play with the kids, he didn't want to eat the fabulous food at the Four Seasons, and he definitely didn't want to be confined to the high chair. He finally decided to settle down for a peanut butter cookie. I packed a few to go in the Cheerios container . . . I'm sure we paid for plenty of peanut butter cookies!!! Doesn't he look like such a big kid!

Playing Hard

Whew - Lincoln is a REALLY active little 1 year old! He's been playing so hard lately . . . especially with some of his new toys. Auntie got him a water table for outside, and the weather's been cooperating this week. He loves to splash and squirt and make a big water mess. I'm really not into messes, but I'm trying to bite my tongue. When he splashes around then drops to his knees and crawls through the dirt and leaves, I just smile. When he dumps the bucket of water on the two of us, I just smile. When he digs weeds, I just smile. I think I'm going to have a basket by the door for outside clothes. Oh the laundry in my future!

One of my favorite things as a kid was a tunnel, so we bought Lincoln one for his birthday. Like mother, like son . . . he loves it. Luckily I can fit in it too!

We are a happy bunch right now. Lots of playing, lots of laughs, lots of fun . . . and one happy, tired toddler (and two happy, tired parents) at night!