Success Times Two

I'm so happy to report two successes tonight! Kevin put together the highchair for Beau today, and he got to try it out at dinner. And not just for an ordinary dinner of cereal and milk, but a special green bean dinner!!! The time has arrived, and Beau is starting veggies. I didn't think he would have any problem because he's an awesome eater (i.e. almost 18 pounds!), and he proved me right. He raised his eyebrows after the first taste of green beans then gobbled them down as fast as I could shovel them in. He also ate his wheat cereal and bottle in the high chair. Lincoln thought it was super funny that Beau was sitting at the table with us. (I did have to pry Linc away from the high chair at first. He was sure it was for him and that Beau could have his booster seat!)

Beau had fun in his jumper while Lincoln worked puzzle after puzzle. He's definitely in puzzle-mode these days. Except when he grabs a golf club, his baseball tee, and a bouncy ball for some batting practice. Beau loves it and can't stop giggling while Linc wildly swings and squeals.

Lincoln's first two days of big boy underwear at school have been amazing - - no accidents!!! I packed 20 pairs of underwear and 7 pairs of shorts in his backpack, but he's stayed dry and clean in the same pair all day (both days)! I'm so proud! He got 5 stickers tonight for all of his potty success, and he kept trying to go again to get more stickers! The big reward will come when he can do more than teetee in the potty. He'll get to pick a cool Elmo or Mickey bandaid to wear when he can go number 2. Cross your fingers that we continue to love the potty!

Friends Again

Beau was having a good time with his toys this afternoon. He wasn't too bothered by all of the potty training going on around him. Luckily he didn't get teeteed on!

I guess Lincoln has forgiven him for their recent spat and wanted to get in some Beau-love! Sweet Big Brother (with his big boy underwear on)!
Beau was pretty tolerant of Lincoln hovering in his face, squeezing his cheeks, and smothering him with hugs.
I don't know what brought on this spurt of brotherly love, but I dropped what I was doing and grabbed the camera as fast as I could because this might not happen again for a long time!

No More Swaddle

If this picture is any indication, Beau is happy in his crib! He tried to tell me for a couple of weeks that he didn't want to be swaddled any longer. I was sure he was mistaken and kept on with my "Mommy Knows Best" routine. Well, he was right! I finally caved - at 1:00 in the morning after reswaddling him four times so far that night. Slept like a champ!!! We've gone 10 nights in our big boy pjs with great sleeping. I love that I don't have to wrestle with him anymore, and he loves rolling around in his crib. He's never in the same spot twice when I check on him. Another sign he growing up too fast!

Sitting Up (sort of)

While Lincoln has been busy practicing his potty skills, Beau has been busy practicing his sitting skills. I thought it would be so easy for him - he could just rest his big belly on his legs (or the floor). It hasn't been that easy, but he's doing well. There was lots of toppling over at first, but now's he's pretty stable. I put the Boppy pillow around him for cushion though he doesn't need it much anymore. I'm sure the toys look totally different from this angle!

My only concern about Beau's sitting is the pressure it puts on his belly - sometimes it increases the spit ups! I try to wait for at least an hour after he eats to do any sitting.

Beau does enjoy his new skill, but he's such a rolly polly when laying on the floor. He's the happiest when he is surrounded by toys and can roll and scoot and turn all around.

Big Boy Pants!!!

First of all, I can't believe I have a kid old enough to be potty trained! How did that happen? Linc has been wearing pull-ups for a while now and going to the potty pretty regularly. He's anxious to keep up with the older kids in his class at school, so he caught on pretty quickly. His teacher told me on Friday that she feels that he's ready to go all the way . . . WHAT?! I spent yesterday afternoon searching for the coolest underwear in town, and now we're loaded down with 50 pairs of Elmo, Cookie, Oscar, Mickey, Pluto, Goofy, Handy Manny, Thomas the Train, dinosaur, fire truck, and race car underwear!

After thinking over the choices for several minutes, Lincoln selected Mickey as his first pair. He's so excited and prancing around like a silly kid!

I sure hope this goes well . . . I'll need extra patience and extra Clorox to get through this!

Too Close for Comfort

Ninety-nine percent of the time, Lincoln really likes Beau. (I'm not sure of Beau's percentage of liking Lincoln yet!) It seems, though, that Lincoln has a bit of trouble when Beau touches him without asking permission first! I was taking their picture together tonight, and Lincoln was not in the mood for Beau's unwanted advances.

Beau has an look of adoration at his big brother, but Lincoln was reduced to tears because Beau wouldn't (and couldn't) scoot over.

I tried to get them to say "Cheese" and this is the best I got. Linc said it through sobs and Beau gave a belly laugh. (By the way, he's into sticking his tongue out these days.)

Unfortunately for Lincoln, Beau didn't stop crowding him when they switched places.

He had to wipe of Beau's "touch" to the elbow! It's too funny that Linc is so tortured!Finally Beau backed off, and Linc managed to calm down. I don't think we're going to schedule our family portrait session any time soon!

Playing Around

Beau and Lincoln like each other more each day . . . that's a relief because neither of them are going anywhere! Yesterday Beau and I sat in the floor watching Linc sing, dance, and jump around wildly, and Beau belly laughed at all of big brother's antics. He was amazed just watching! Today Lincoln gave Beau a few driving lessons. Once I came around the corner and saw Lincoln with his hands on Beau's cheeks, and he was right up in his face telling him something really serious.

Lincoln may be leaning toward construction worker or architect - he wore his hard hat while we played with Lincoln Logs today. (He never calls them Lincoln Logs to me. He says My Logs usually, and doesn't that make perfect sense to a kid named Lincoln!)
I caught Beau in the middle of some talking. It's hard to get a picture of him being still because he's constantly rolling from back to tummy and vice versa. He's also quite the scooter and never stays on the blanket for long.

We had a wonderful weekend! I hope that carries over to the usual Manic Monday!

Big Brother Lincoln

Lincoln has been very busy as a big brother lately. On Saturday morning, we were all sitting in the living room having a breakfast picnic when Linc accidentally knocked over my giant glass of water - all over me and the floor! I ran to get some towels so Lincoln picked up Beau's bottle and continued to feed him! So sweet!

After being such a helpful big brother, Linc got a little outside time on the only day less than 100 degrees (in over a month). He and Daddy worked on riding the tricycle, and he can do it! It's much easier to push the pedals on the decline of our front walkway, but the sidewalk works too. I'm so proud of what a great big brother Lincoln is!

Little Swimmer

Lincoln finished the summer session of swimming lessons tonight, and he had a great time at class. He's finally warmed up to the idea and actually thinks it's fun! We went through many weeks of murderous screams, but he only cried one little time at the lesson tonight. He just doesn't want to swim! He wants to do all the other things like practice kicking with the arm floats on, pull his arms during the fun song, float on his back, and even jump (ok, be pulled) off the side of the pool to Mommy. Anyway it's light years better than it was when we started this summer. For his efforts, he was rewarded with a blue ribbon and a cool backpack! He was so excited! And I learned a valuable lesson . . . don't take a year off from swimming lessons until he's got it down pat! The next session begins next week and lasts until mid-January. By then he may be challenging Michael Phelps to a race! (Wait, is Michael Phelps old now? I can't keep up with the swimming people in a non-Olympics year. Sorry!)

The little fishy enjoyed his bath tonight after his super fun swim. He practiced all his moves in the tub while Beau and I laughed.

Beau is 5 Months Old!

Happy Five Months to Beau! What a sweet, cuddly, smiley, hungry little boy! We are really enjoying Beau's personality as it develops more and more. He's so sweet and loves to watch Lincoln.

Beau is weighing in at 17 1/2 pounds and loves to eat! We're great with rice cereal and wheat cereal, but he didn't like the oatmeal cereal. We'll try that one again in a week or two. I'm so relieved to say that Beau is still a breast milk only baby. We've had a few issues that messed with my milk supply, but I've battled back and am making enough for him each day. Thank goodness because we are down to just a few frozen bags. (I had almost 60 bags frozen at one time!) Beau is a pretty good napper and a usually good night sleeper. He's still being swaddled, but he just can't get settled down when he's free. I'm working on trying to break that.
The cutest little dimple in the world comes out every time Beau smiles. I love it! I'll have more updates as to what Beau is enjoying these days with pics.

Jumping for Joy

Someone was really jumping for joy over the new jumper at our house - - - Lincoln, of course!!! He was thrilled to help Daddy put it together and tried his best to really help not just be in the way. We did a lot of explaining that it was Beau's toy so he wouldn't think he got climb in when it was ready. He's done great understanding that it is for Beau, as long as he gets to "help" Beau play with it. I'm glad they're both entertained! Beau isn't that crazy about it yet, but I remember it took Linc a little longer to get interested in his jumper too. For now, it's a nice new place for Beau to hang out for short periods.

More Weekend Fun

Look at those big blue eyes!!!! He just melts me with those sweet looks!

Allyson and Lincoln were so silly in their hard hats!
We went swimming on Sunday and let Beau join in too! Lincoln thought that was pretty funny, and Beau thought he was getting in a big bath tub! He didn't seemed bothered at all.

Lincoln showed off his (upside down!) muscles after a fun swim!

I had to get a picture of all the guys - Bubbles, Beau, Linc and Daddy!

It was a super fun weekend, now we're back to school and work and a long Monday!!!

Fun Filled Weekend

Friday night is (of course) Mi Cocina night for us, and this weekend the Freeman's came to join us. Lincoln asked them on the phone one night this week, "Minnie, you come to Mi Co on Friday?" Then he told Nana on Thursday afternoon, "See you at Mi Co tomorrow!" You think he's excited about that all week - you bet!!! Nana, Ally and Minnie helped Lincoln with his Elmo Nintendo game, though none of them could hear the instructions because Linc had on the headset!

Bubbles and Pops sat at the end of the table discussing how smart, cute, sweet, funny, (insert any other flattering compliments here) Lincoln and Beau are. I totally agree by the way!
Lincoln did lots of entertaining and cuddling with Bubbles. They are thick as thieves, and Lincoln ALWAYS needs to know where Bubbles is if they're not together.

Minnie was on Beau duty for much of the weekend but got to sneak in some sweet Linc time while Beau was napping. She's a good tickler!

I have several more pictures to share, so stay tuned! Swimming, Ally and Linc, Beau's sweetness, and plenty more!

Wednesday Night Fun

After all the drama of Lincoln's climb/fall/tent, we had a nice relaxed evening tonight! Everyone had a good dinner (hot dog, broccoli, green beans and cheese for Linc, and wheat cereal and breast milk for Beau) and lots of fun playing. I seriously have the funniest, smiliest, chattiest kids ever! I enjoyed talking with Lincoln about his day at school - who he played with, what books they read, how many times he went to the potty, and I enjoyed "talking" with Beau about his day at school - "goo", "ahh-goo", "grrrg". We all participated in tummy time too!

Funny story: Lincoln loves to get the mail each afternoon. He sees it on the floor in the entryway and yells that he's getting the mail! Because I know what's coming in today's mail delivery, I accompany him to the door. He picks up the first letter then reaches for then next . . . "Mommy, it's Ernie!!!!!" Nana had sneakily slipped an Ernie counting DVD through the mail slot earlier today. He was beside himself!!!! Thanks Nana for the fun surprise!

Bed Tales

A new (and scary) thing happened on Tuesday morning . . . I was in the shower and Kevin was still asleep. All of a sudden, Lincoln barges in our room saying, "Wake up Daddy! Lincoln hurt a booty!" Oh. My. Lord. He's climbed out of his crib for the first (and hopefully last) time. We had a long talk about how we don't climb out of the bed, but I couldn't be sure he wouldn't do it again and really get hurt. After dinner Mommy busted out the tent, and we spent a while talking about big kids sleeping in tents. Lincoln got so excited! He didn't want to read any books before bed or even sing a song. He just wanted in the tent right away. Kevin compromised a little on the books so Linc could go to bed early.

I'm planning to keep him in the tent/crib as long as I can. I don't think any of us are ready for the freedom of a big bed yet!