Little Riders

After a day of school and work, we all head outside to play after dinner each night. Beau LOVES the car (that he inherited from Lincoln) and could ride for hours. Lincoln rotates between his tricycle and Jeep. Don't let this picture fool you . . . he doesn't really like to pedal. Mind you, he's capable of pedaling himself down the sidewalk - I guess he just doesn't want to put in all that effort after a long day! Thank the Lord for cooler weather. One of our neighbors is just getting to know Beau because we have been in heat-induced hibernation this summer!

Good Morning Song

School begins the same way each day for Lincoln . . . with the Good Morning song! I didn't know it for quite some time, but Lincoln kept singing it for me. I now understand all the words . . . see if you can! (By the way, we brushed his teeth before he decided to brush his bath foam shape thing! Linc's next dentist appointment is coming up!)

Beau Bath

From the moment Beau came home, he has always loved bathtime. First he just loved Lincoln's bathtime. He always got to lay on the mat while Linc got his bath each night. I think the water sounds and warm room made him at ease. He still accompanies us for Linc's bath each night, but he's definitely not at ease. He's super excited! I stand him up at the tub so he can watch Linc play, and occasionally Lincoln shares a bath toy with him. So nice! Beau prefers the foam shapes that he can chew to death! (Sorry, alligator and parrot!) Lincoln always announces that it's time for a "Beau Bath" next, and Beau equally enjoys the water in his own tub. I haven't let him sit up in his reclining tub until tonight, and he was very excited about it. Such a big boy! I'm not sure it's recommended to give a 6 month old a bath every night, but I do know it's important to establish a bedtime routine early so this is ours. I let him enjoy the water then lather him up with lotion so he won't dry out! It's his last moment of fun for the day and a chance to have one-on-one time with Mommy, and I say those are both pretty important! I'm glad he loves the "Beau Bath" even when I'm soaked by his splashing! (I happen to remember that Lincoln got to play in the sink each evening to curb fussiness when it wasn't his bath night . . . oh, how we were first time parents then . . . we should have just let him take a bath . . . I hope I'm so much smarter now with a little experience under my belt!)

Sitting Together

Beau is a great sitter-upper by now, but I still don't trust him on his own yet! I usually have my legs on either side just in case he topples over. Tonight I decided to put Lincoln to work while we watched the Cowboys (or didn't watch if you ask us three!). I kept telling him to do a straddle, but he kept his legs glued together telling me that he wanted to do a pike! Ugh - gymnastics has given him too much knowledge! I finally convinced him and plopped Beau down in the middle. Surprisingly everyone was happy about this arrangement!

Lincoln felt lovey enough to share a few hugs.
Go Cowboys and Go Lincoln and Beau!

These pictures seem like a milestone. Anyone remember the series of pictures of Linc crying because Beau was sitting beside him and touching him?!?! I guess they grow up fast!

Bed Time!

Bed Time is the best time for Lincoln and Beau - - - they get to play on Mommy and Daddy's bed! There's lots of rolling around (Beau), sitting up (Beau), jumping (Lincoln getting in trouble for jumping), and hugging (Lincoln smothering Beau with hugs, while Beau squirms to get out of his embrace)!

Those are the best little smiles in the world!

Book Buddies

Clearly the way to get Beau and Lincoln to sit together is with books! Lincoln was enamored with the Lightning Bug book, and Beau was just happy to be near Linc! A few minutes earlier Beau had been chewing a hole in the farm animal book, but he took a break to cheese out! I remember how long it took for each of Lincoln's teeth to come in, so I'm prepared for the chewing and drool. We're getting to the really chewy and really drooly stage - could a tooth be in our near future? I'm on the lookout for a small fever, then BAM! a tooth should pop right up!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Birthday to Daddy! We had Kevin's birthday party this evening, and it was very exciting. Lincoln has been excited all week and was very helpful getting things ready. He helped me wrap the presents, assign the plates, tie the balloons, and practiced singing "Happy Birthday." We met Nana and Pops at Spring Creek BBQ for a yummy dinner. Lincoln LOVED the rolls and encouraged us all to eat ours too. Soon we headed back home for the party. (Lincoln was very nervous about leaving the party plates at home while we went to dinner. He begged to take them with us! I don't know if he thought they would go away or what, but we all survived without them and they were home when we got back. Whew!) First the birthday boy and the helper opened presents.

We all enjoyed Stein's chocolate cake and sang Happy Birthday to Daddy!
Beau didn't get to help open presents, eat cake or sing. I guess we'll have another party as soon as he's old enough to join in. (Any excuse for another Stein's cake is good with me!)

Family pic!

Happy Birthday Kevin! I hope you enjoyed the party as much as Lincoln did. I hope we've all given you a fun year, and we plan for the next one to be even more exciting/exhausting! Two lively little boys = never boring!

Beau is 6 months old!

Beau Thomas Kuhlman is 6 months old! He's such a fun little man, and I'm surprised how much faster the time went with the second kid. I guess we are more laid back (but really, have you met us?) and not so crazy (seriously?). Luckily Beau is a great kid to have around! Here's what's up with Beau at 6 months.

Weight - 18 lbs 15 oz - 75th percentile - Yikes! Beau never turns away food and is eager to lick the bowl and bottle clean! He's still getting breastmilk exclusively which is turning out to be easier than when I was pumping for Lincoln. Beau has 4 meals each day of 6 oz milk, 2 tbsp cereal, and 1/2 jar of veggies. In honor of his 1/2 birthday, we started fruit tonight. He raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth really wide after one taste of pears! Before bed he gets another bottle of 7-8 oz to get him through the night. On the cereal front, we've had to abandon oatmeal. He just can't digest it and spits up constantly (and a high volume) when he's had oatmeal, so rice and wheat only.

Height - 27 in - 50th percentile - No yikes here! He looks shorter because he's such a butterball, but I'm glad he's right on target. I think he may be long-waisted because I'm not able to snap some of his onesies anymore.

Fun stuff - Beau is the roly-poly-est kid ever! I've never seen anyone roll like he does. (I don't think Lincoln rolled from back to front until practically yesterday, but Beau does it 100 times a day!) He can roll and scoot on his belly anywhere he wants to go, which is often to steal the puzzle or book Lincoln just put down. He's sleeping soundly (most nights) from 9 pm until 8 am. I know his body needs this time to recover from the day and prepare for the next. I hope he and Lincoln are always such good sleepers. Naps are on and off - some days he takes good ones, some days he doesn't. Beau has a giant belly laugh that Lincoln brings out. It's usually when Linc's doing something wild or destructive that Beau starts his deep chuckles. For example, Lincoln may be swinging the golf club at the brick wall or slamming the truck in the bathtub, and Beau is loving it! Beau has a little cold right now - his first! Dr. K said it should work it's way out in a few days and the congestion sounds worse than it is. I know we're so fortunate that he hasn't been sick at all until now. He got the last rotavirus booster today, and Kevin was practically dancing! None of us want to suffer through a week's worth of rota again! All in all, Beau's a pretty great kiddo, and our family is definitely better with him in it! Happy 6 Months, Beau!

Too Much Fun Today

Beau's Jeep made it's debut outside this weekend. I never thought to do that when Lincoln was using it, but it's working out great. I strap on his little shoes and he backs all over the patio. Our backyard is very shady, and we had a nice little breeze today. Lincoln was in the mood for bubbles today. He looked at me with his "please" face, how could I resist?!?!

Apparently it's super fun to blow bubbles while on the swingset. Hmmm . . . I'm not so sure. He loved it, but half the bottle of bubbles was spilled in his lap. It's hard not to spill while swinging!

Linc took a break for his shorts to dry, and entertained he and Daddy by closing Daddy in the umbrella!

When Beau was tired of the Jeep, we relaxed in the swing. Lincoln was trying to attack us from up in the fort by throwing balls at us, but luckily he has bad aim!

Finally, Lincoln suggested that we clean off his old baby swing so Beau could give it a try. He pointed his little finger at me and said, "I push Beau, Mommy!" OK! I was pretty skeptical, but Beau liked it! Lincoln must have been a good pusher!

After dinner everyone got their Cowboys gear out for the first game of the season. For their first big picture: Kevin was watching the game, Lincoln was rolling around, and Beau was bugging out at me. Not the Christmas Card Picture I was imagining!

What a fun (and very busy) day! Mommy and Daddy sneaked off to the Rangers game this afternoon. I'm sure Linc and Beau didn't even notice we were gone since Nana and Pops came over to play! Here's hoping everyone sleeps well tonight!

Good Days

It's been good around here lately. We've calmed down after the fun Labor Day weekend, and everyone's back in the routine. Linc's doing so well with the potty. Only an accident every other day! He doesn't have to go everytime I tell him to, so now I'm pretty confident he just goes when he feels like he needs to. Such a big boy!

Beau has been full of congestion the past couple of days, but he's remained pretty smiley and fun. He's eating veggies so well and up to his fourth variety! He's definitely a spitter-upper, so bring an extra shirt if you're stopping by. (Bubbles even went through all of his extra shirts this weekend!)
We're all really enjoying the cooler temps. It looks like Linc is sharing something really important with Beau here.

(You can't really tell in this picture but I freely admit that my kid plays outside in a shirt, underwear and sandals. Don't judge! I'm totally using the potty training excuse!)

Not 100 Degrees!!!

After 66 days (or 67, I can't remember) over 100 degrees, we've finally got a break! With highs in the 80s, we all headed outside for some unfamiliar fresh air. Minnie, Bubbles and Ally were here this long weekend to enjoy all the fun activities. Lincoln insisted on pushing Beau in the car. He's not that great of a driver, and they end up stuck in the grass often. Luckily Beau is a patient passenger. He's just amazed at what outside is like!

Linc and Bubbles had a picnic outside and laid in the grass watching the leaves blow in the trees. How peaceful!
Nana and Pops got in some playtime too this weekend. We grilled out tonight and while Linc played on the swingset.

True story: A couple of days ago while pulling up to our house, Lincoln looked sadly out of his window at the top of his playground over the fence. In the saddest little voice he said, "Hi Playground. Bye Playground." Like I see you but I can't ever play. I'm so glad the weather has released us from being air conditioned bound. Freedom!!!!!

New Foods

After three days of green beans, we decided to go for a new veggie. Sweet potatoes were quite a hit! Beau and Linc were both eating them - one pureed and the other baked french fry-style. I'd say by Beau's smile that we'll enjoy our next few days of sweet potatoes. Beau never leaves a drop of food or milk behind!

For another food first, Lincoln requested chocolate chip muffins after dinner and helped me whip up a small batch. He found the mix in the pantry and was so adamant. Luckily he liked eating one after they cooled. Often he begs and pleads for me to make something then won't eat a bite . . . i.e. blueberry muffins, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Potty training update: Doing great! Hardly any teetee accidents. I'm pleasantly surprised that it's going so well. Thanks Linc!