Busy Night

There was lots of activity at the Kuhlmans tonight . . . first Lincoln practiced his driving skills. I hope he doesn't take after his Mommy or Daddy when learning to drive. He always call us out when we're honking at other drivers. He says, "Horn the Beep!" Sometimes he later remembers that I was honking at someone and reminds me that I "horned the beep". He never let's anything go!!!

Lincoln was such a big helper putting together Baby Beau's crib . . . twice! We put it together in the living room then tried to move it to the nursery, but it didn't quite fit through the door! Daddy took it apart piece by piece in the hall to try and fit it in without taking it all apart. No luck - we ended up carrying all the pieces in and starting over. Good thing we had an experienced helper like Linc! The nursery has a long way to go, but I've got lots of lists and plans and timelines. I'm sure it will be perfect by the time Beau needs to use it.

What kid can be so excited about bedtime?!?! We alternate nights and love to read the silly nursery rhymes. Lincoln knows all the words and shouts out his favorite parts. You should hear him read "Bobby Shafto's Gone to Sea." He loves to say Bobby Shafto over and over. He also sings Lucy Locket pretty well. I'm sure Beau will know all the words by now and can sing with us. We always end the night with "Rock the Boy," which is our grown up (not baby) version of "Rock A-Bye Baby" specially made for Linc.

A Little Extra

Lincoln is EXTRA cute these days. He is so giggly and silly and keeps us laughing constantly. His favorite things to say right now are, "Hey Mommy!"and "Morning Daddy!". He's really into "greeting" people I guess. He's the best little repeater ever. I told him "be back in a sec babe" and I heard him say that to his Mickey pillow a few minutes later. He caught me in the shower after I told him I was just going to the bathroom and said "Mommy no teetee - Mommy in the shower!" He doesn't miss a thing!

Lincoln is EXTRA smart these days, too. He really takes in our surroundings and pays attention in the car. He can always tell me where we're going before we get there. Turning on one particular street means we're going to Ammy and E's, pulling into the shopping center parking lot means we're going to look for an Elmo or Mickey book, driving down the access road means we're almost to church, and entering our alley means he needs to start bossing me around about what to do when we get home. It's unbelievable that he recognizes where we are!
As for Mommy . . . my feet are EXTRA swollen, my back is EXTRA sore, and my nerves are EXTRA shot! I guess I'm realizing how soon Baby Beau is going to join us, so we're in hurry up mode around here. I washed all of his stuff today which was quite a task. Why does he need so many things???? The crib and dresser are at our house, but we had to reorder the chest - trying not to panic!! Samantha came over to get us started on painting tonight, and we just need to get the trim and accent pieces done. It has been a super busy weekend, but I'm glad we got so much accomplished. Kevin put together his new desk (it had 29 steps!) successfully - now I've just got to get him started on the crib and closet unit. I know we're all EXTRA tired and will sleep well tonight!

Cheese!!!!!

I asked Lincoln to say cheese, and this is what I got. He loves saying cheese right now and hamming it up for the camera.

Fun Day

I love that Komen celebrates President's Day by being closed . . . so I can hang with my little man! We had breakfast (our favorite pancakes at Deli News) with Pops, paid a visit to Nana's office, napped, did a bit of shopping, and did lots of cooking. I made Kevin's favorite dinner: lasagna and four layer chocolate cake. Linc was in a fun and silly mood today, so we had lots of fun singing and playing. He entertained me with several songs and did lots of counting. Daddy hung a few new pictures in the hall, and Linc got out his little hammer and really got into it. I'm sure we'll soon have a talk about not hammering on things. It was cute, though!!! He's still getting over a bout of diaper rash and tells me "no hurt the booty" when I bring out a diaper. I always promise I'll be careful and this evening he said "no be careful" so apparently I'm not being careful enough. Bath time was extra fun tonight because Linc got a new toothbrush! I hope that always makes him so happy!

He's totally saying "What's Up" in this picture!

Cutest kid ever! (Until the tying cutest kid ever arrives in just 21 days!!!!) This better be a fast 21 days because I'm not sure how much longer I'm gonna hold up. For the first time, my ankles were major swollen tonight. I took one look down and started crying. Yep, I've hit the crying stage. Sorry to everyone who has to be around me for the next few weeks because it happens VERY often! Time flies, right?

King of the Bubbles

Bubbles, Minnie and Ally came to visit and they brought lots of Bubbles! Linc got his own bubble gun and loves it! We spent all weekend outside and really enjoyed the nice weather. It was almost 80 degrees!

Sometimes he looked a little less Bubble King and a little more Bubble Statue of Liberty the way he was holding his toy.
Nana and Pops brought Linc a new bubble pail this week that is awesome. Our sidewalk and grass has been "watered" with lots of spilled bubble bottles, but their pail is practically spill-proof! We sure hope Baby Beau will like to sit outside and watch bubbles. I'm not sure he'll have much of a choice, so he might as well get used to the idea!

Happy Valentine's Day

It was a Happy Valentine's Day at the Kuhlman house. Linc had a fun party at school with lots of yummy snacks. His friends gave him cool Valentine's, too. He got a new Hopscotch mat with Elmo on it, and we've been practicing how to Hopscotch. We count and "hop" on the mats and do lots of laughing.

Linc's Great Aunts Patsy and Julia Ann decided he needed a Valentine balloon, and of course it has Elmo on it. He is intrigued by it. Sometimes he talks to it, and sometimes he wants it to "go up in the sky". We have all given Elmo several kisses and hugs.

Lincoln got a new pair of Razorback pjs that are super cute. He and Daddy called the Hogs after reading the bedtime story tonight.

Fun and Busy Weekend

It seems like we've had a busy weekend, though we really didn't have anything going on. Linc and I joined Nana and Pops on a "Baby Beau Shopping Spree" at Babies R Us on Friday. I have been telling people that it's so easy to have another boy because we have everything . . . I think the two shopping carts I filled up proved me wrong. We got lots of fun stuff and lots of necessary stuff, and Lincoln had a blast playing at the store. Of course, Lincoln did lots of mopping over the weekend. We should have the cleanest floors in all of Dallas, but somehow they don't seem that way.

Gymnastics was fun, dinner at Mattito's was yummy, and playing outside in the wonderful weather was great. Lincoln helped Daddy with one of Beau's new items - the glider. They worked hard and did a great job getting it set up.

Someone was looking extra cute for church . . . Lincoln!!!!

I found myself in the "cookie craze" again on Sunday afternoon, and I made TWELVE dozen cookies! I know, I know . . . I've lost it! My back (and everything else) has totally given out, and I told Kevin we might have a baby in the next few hours! I began making Valentine cookies for a work thing, and it just snowballed. We ended up with peanut butter cookies with M&Ms, sugar cookies with M&Ms, chocolate chip cookies, and white/dark chocolate covered heart cookies. Here's my last batch! I think we'll take a cookie break for a while! I was lucky not to have a "helper" with my baking this time. I did find a few taste-testers, but they didn't do too much damage.

"Kuhl" Man!!!

Lincoln was looking awfully cool in my shades . . . or as Pops put it "Kuhl"!!!

Potty Tales

Before anyone starts to think I'm crazy, let me be clear . . . I'm not trying to potty train a 22 month old while I'm 9 months pregnant! These pictures seem to contradict that statement pretty clearly, though.

Multitasking with the toothbrush!

Here's the story: On Monday of this week, Lincoln began to transition to his new class at school. It seems like I was just posting about him leaving the baby room for the toddler room, but it's been almost a year! We LOVE Ms. Jennifer and will really miss her, but hopefully she'll still come babysit for us occasionally. Linc did great in the toddler room learning to nap on a cot, sit at a big table, eat unassisted with utensils, and so many other "big" things. Anyway, since he's mastered all of the skills and is so smart, he's moving up to the 2 year old room a little early. I could brag forever about all of his intellectual prowess, but I'll just give you the quick hits: he can sing most of the abc song, count to 10 (usually) and carries on detailed conversations. He's ready to move up!! He spends a little time each day in the new room this week and next week will transition all the way. The 2-3 room is where the potty magic happens, but I've been assured it's on an individual time frame and we're not to feel pressured at this time. Of course, Kevin declared that we needed a potty ASAP! I told him that Linc wasn't ready for full-on potty lessons, but that we happened to have an awesome baseball potty in the closet. Linc was so excited when he saw it. He repeated, "Sit on the potty-diaper off" at least a million times until I gave in. So now each evening he sits on the potty while I get his bath ready, and guess what . . . he's teeteed two times! He yells and claps and is so proud of himself. I'm definitely not taking this as a sign that we're going to the potty fulltime, but if it makes him happy and gets everyone used to the idea, I'm ok with that. (Side note: Kevin was very excited that you just dump the "waste" in the toilet until he figured out that you also have to clean out the little potty each time! Everyone buy some stock in latex gloves and Clorox wipes. You'll soon be rich!)

Baby Beau is doing well, though I'm definitely ready to not be pregnant. This one has taken forever! I had a few contractions on Monday, a lot of weird twitches (Restless Leg/Whole Body) on Tuesday, and some pressure today. I think all of this is totally normal, and my discomfort will continue to increase. I've been easing my pain with a four layer chocolate cake this week, and it's been very helpful. Whatever it takes, right?

Sleepovers Already??

Even though we've had lots of snow and ice, our Colorado friends were brave enough to come over for a visit on Friday night. They're used to this stuff, right?? Jamie went to school with Kevin and all the guys, so everyone got to catch up on her visit back home. She brought Adie and Emmy to play with Linc because he could use a few more girlfriends! The kids got along great and played with everything. They took turns well and had a good time together. I warned Adie that sometimes little boys like to knock over the blocks that little girls work so hard to stack, and sure enough Linc came barreling towards her neatly stacked castle! It almost upset her, but she had to laugh with Linc!

There was a little quiet time when everyone got a book of some sort . . . then Emmy tried to eat Chip (of Chip and Dale)! Whoops!

The roads turned pretty icy again later that evening, and they needed to bunk with us. I found extra pjs (sorry, no pink ones), pulled out the pack & play, and ran a bath. Linc was a little uneasy about bathing with a tubfull of girls, but we managed to get clean. We wrapped them all up in towels (again, sorry for not having any pink ones) and got ready for bed.

I'd say the first sleepover was a success, even though it took us all a little extra time to wind down and get to sleep. The girls sure were fun to play with. And I got to unload all the juice that Lincoln won't drink on them . . . thanks! Glad Jamie, Adie and Emmy could come over to play.

Out in the Snow

On top of all the ice we got on Tuesday, we woke up Friday morning to lots of snow . . . and it kept on snowing! We got about 6 inches according to the weatherman, and we all had the day off to play. Lincoln and Mommy had done just about everything we could think of in the house for the last three days, so Daddy volunteered to take us to the mall! Most of the stores were closed (I guess their employees couldn't make it in), but Chick fil A was open so Linc was happy. We had lunch and got to play in the mall play area. What's the big deal about that, you ask? Daddy's not a fan of the play area because of all the other kids and their germs, but we were the only ones at the mall - no germs!!!

Linc went for the slide with a little trepidation at first.He figured out quickly that it would be more fun on his belly!

After a nice long nap (thank you!), we all headed out to play in the snow. Daddy was in charge of cleaning off the sidewalk and did a marvelous job. Mommy carried hot water from the kitchen to melt the ice while Daddy scraped it away.

It wasn't long before Linc wanted in on the action. He kept asking to help Daddy with the mop, so he went and got his own mop (the Swiffer one!) to help. Whatever!! You can't tell in the picture, but I put ziploc baggies held by rubber bands over his shoes. I didn't want his feet to get wet. I guess we need to get a pair of rain boots for any additional snow and the eventual puddle hopping this spring!

Of course we needed a snowman, so Mommy and Linc took care of that. I'm not the best snowman maker, but Lincoln was impressed. He said it looked like the one on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Success!

Before I could add any more decoration or accessories, he melted! It really warmed up when the sun came out, and we're all glad.

It has been a fun but exhausting week filled with ice, snow and lots of playing. I know Lincoln missed his school friends and will be happy to get back to them on Monday. He kept me entertained and constantly said funny things to make me laugh. Beau is growing right along in there, and I'm definitely ready for him to arrive. It's been very difficult maneuvering in this weather at this stage. It's also harder to get up and down to play with a toddler at this stage. I get severe backaches at the end of the day, but it's been worth it.

Iced In? - Not Us!

Another day at home in the snow and ice . . . and we're going stir crazy!!! I'm loving the time off work to hang out with Linc, but we may be going bonkers looking at the same stuff over and over! This morning we had a little excitement when Daddy discovered that one of the pipes was frozen. We called Bubbles for some tips, turned the faucet on (in hopes water would eventually come out!), plugged in a little space heater and cleaned out the cabinet. Lincoln was very interested in the cleaning out the cabinet part. I decided if I have shampoo/lotion/samples/makeup that I haven't used since we moved here (2 years ago) still under the sink, they're going in the trash! Luckily the water came rushing out after a couple of hours. Whew, we got lucky! Tonight, we'll leave it running a little. Other than that excitement we've read all of our books numerous times, and trust me that took a while because we have hundreds!

We watched a few Mickey's, ate lots of yummy snacks, hauled around all of the blankets, played with the blocks, mopped again, and did some laundry. After Linc's nap, I decided we needed to get out. Target - here we come!!! I was very careful and bundled us up really well.

We had a blast! Our first stop was the Valentine candy aisle, and we racked up! After wandering through the entire store, we found an awesome Mickey Mouse bouncy ball that Linc just had to have.
It did us both good to get out and see other people. Linc was waving at everyone and talking up a storm! Of course his favorite part was swiping the card at the checkout. He loves to pay . . . but with my money!

Snow Day

We celebrated the first day of February with a Snow Day - yay!!! It began raining last night then turned to ice then snow, and we all awoke to lots of frozen stuff on the ground. Just two days ago, we were playing outside in shorts because it was 75 degrees. Texas weather is crazy!!! Today the wind chill was 1 degree!!! Lincoln asked to go outside and see the snow, so we bundled up in three layers of jackets and headed out. First he checked his bubble stash, but the wands were frozen in the bubble solution. Second he checked on his car, but it had ice all over it. Hmmm . . . this isn't going well!

He ventured about halfway down to the street and decided it was time to go in. He said, "Mone (come on), Momma." Then he said, "No play in the snow." And that was that! He turned around and headed back inside.

I should note that he was very unhappy about having to wear mittens. We debated this one a long time, but I assured him he wasn't going outside without them. By the time we got to the hat, he wasn't into arguing anymore. What a relief!!!

We had fun inside for the rest of the day. We worked on learning our letters, putting together puzzles, singing silly made up songs, and cleaning the floors. Linc helped "mop" (his favorite thing to do) while I swept, then got out his vacuum while I used the big one. He finally lost interest so I could use the mop myself. He's such a great helper and always wants to be involved with anything I'm doing. I'm sure he'll be a great help when Beau arrives. I think the forecast tonight is 8 degrees, and we're definitely not used to that here. They may close work again just because it's too cold!!!