I MADE IT!

I think I forgot to mention that I did it...I made it more than ONE WHOLE YEAR of nursing. Never once did Lincoln (or Riley) ever have formula--not that I have anything against formula, it was just a goal I had for both of my kids. I stopped nursing this week and already miss it. It's also a bitter-sweet moment but, I was ready for a break since I only had a 4 months between nuring him and Riley!

Happy Birthday Lincoln!

My sweet baby boy turned one last week, May 8th to be exact! I cannot believe how the time has flown by and that my baby is already one! That day, when he turned one, was so bitter-sweet. I absolutely LOVE the personality he has now, I love that he feeds himself and sleeps through the night, I love that he smiles and laughs like there's not a care in the world, I love that he gives me hugs and kisses and smiles with those squinty eyes that just make my heart melt. Yet, I already miss those days of laying with him on my chest, smelling his sweet baby scent. I miss the days of nursing him and laying in bed with him, knowing he feels safe and warm. I love that he's growing up, but already miss the baby stage. So bitter-sweet!

We so anxiously waited your arrival! I knew you were going to be a big boy. I was HUGE!

Weighing in!

I couldn't imagine our lives without him and can't remember the days before he was born. It's like he's been here since the beginning. I look forward to the mornings when we lay in bed--me half asleep and Lincoln, wide awake, snuggling with me or crawling all over me--waiting for Riley to wake up. Of course I don't enjoy waking up most mornings at 5:30, but I cherish the alone time I have with my baby boy.

The Bible says that the Lord will never give you more than you can handle. When we found out we were pregnant with Lincoln I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I was shocked to say the least, but I knew that God would provide--and he has. Even though it may not have been our timing, God's timing was absolutely perfect!! Not only am I thankful for sweet Lincoln and the time I get to spend with him, but I love that Riley has a playmate. They are 18 months apart and even though having them closer together is a lot of work, I couldn't have "planned" it any more perfect than it is! I honestly have thought that having two is "easier" than just one! Call me crazy, I know, but I honestly do!

I have read so many blogs lately about children that are really sick, who have passed away seconds after they are born, children who are fighting for their lives and it really makes me hold my kids tighter, hug them more often, and thank God for giving them good health! It makes the days that I want to pull out my hair, the days that I think I just might go crazy, not seem so bad after all! I have such a greater appreciation for those days now! I love you sweet Lincoln, and I hope that you will forever stay a Momma's boy!

--------

Okay, now for the "facts" :). At Lincoln's 1 year check up he weighed 19 lbs. 4 oz!! (5th percentile) and was 2 8 3/4 inches (25th percentile). He's on the small side, but I'm not concerned. He eats VERY well and has been eating all table food for months now. He's drinking whole milk (at least 20 oz./day). I honestly get a little tired to the doctor's saying "put butter on or in everything he eats"! Well, sorry docs. I'm not feeding my baby unhealthy just to fatten him up. How unhealthy is that? Instead I wish they'd give me some healthier, options for fat. He still eats an avocado a day and a cup of whole milk, organic yogurt, peanut butter on crackers, etc. Now I've started him on Hommus. Let's just say he's getting used to it :).

He waves, says momma, dada, bye bye and jabbers a TON. He's starting to stand for a long period of time on his own and he cruises all over the furniture. He'll walk when he's ready and I'm fine with him being a "late" walker! Some of his favorites toys are the Little People toys. We got Riley a Little People's castle and he LOVES it. Poor kid is always playing with girls' toys! Thank goodness he got some great boy toys for his birthday (more on that to come...).

He's still sleeping through the night. He goes to bed by 7:30 and wakes up around 6am! Not fun waking up early, but I like having the evening for Ty and I. He's still taking 2 naps, one at 8 am and the other around 1:00 (when Riley takes a nap too). Each are for about an hour. He's wearing 6-12 month clothes and 6-12 month Robeez.

Lincoln LOVES to be outside. But, he doesn't like to touch the grass and will face plant into it before he'll put his hands down!! (It's quite funny to watch actually!)

Lincoln on his 1 year birthday!! (Can you honestly have too many pictures of a child?? I think not...)

Jungle Joe's on Lincoln's Birthday

Friday, May 8th was my sweet baby boy's 1st birthday. Since we're not having his party until this weekend (Sunday, May 17th) we decided to do something fun for him and took him to a place called Jungle Joe's here in Kalamazoo. It's a HUGE place with so many fun bounce houses and inflatable slides, etc. We had so much fun, I'm actually pretty sure Ty and I had more fun than the kids did (okay, maybe not, but it was a blast)...

It took Riley a whole 2 seconds until she wanted to do everything herself. I thought that maybe it would be a little intimidating, but I was wrong. Lincoln wasn't a huge fan of going down the huge slides, so he stuck to the baby area and he had a blast too. There was a "mini-slide" that he played on and large stackable blocks that he loved knocking down.

Climbing into the bounce house!

Mommy and Ri about to slide down!

She was very daring and wanted to do the slides all by herself.

Making a quick stop for a photo opt.

Lincoln LOVED the baby slide!

He was all smiles, I think he had fun on his first birthday!

Riley had fun too!

Daddy and the birthday boy!

Mommy and her birthday boy!

Family photo!

My little walker

Lincoln's new favorite thing to do is walk behind his walker. He thinks it's the funniest thing when he falls too, so he does it on purpose. He's starting to get some really strong, chubby legs and I'm sure will be walking soon enough!! Enjoy my little guy and his big personality!

Where is Lincoln's nipper??

Let's play a little game called "Where is Lincoln's nipper??"! (also know as a pacifier):

Here is where I found one hidden last night. I preheated the oven, then opened it to put dinner in it and this is what I found left of Lincoln's purple (yes, it was purple...I thought it was gray when I bought it and no, I am not color blind!) nipper. Looks like we'll be buying more today.

This week's deals...

...so far! Riley slept a long time during her nap today, so Ty stayed home so I could go get some goodies (by myself)!

Paid: $7.32 total!

Bedtime Update

Some of you have asked how Riley's bedtime has been going, so I thought I'd update you all! Things with her bedtime/naptime are getting better, as long as Ty's not home. Sound weird? I think so too, but if Ty is home during her naptime on weekends or if Ty puts her to bed at night it takes an hour and a half to get her down. But when it's just me home it has been taking maybe 5 minutes for naps and probably 20 minutes for bed. Not bad when it takes over an hour sometimes. I have determined that she won't go to bed for Ty because 1. she wants to play and play and play with him when he's home, therefore doesn't want to sleep or (the more likely scenerio) 2. he lets her get away with anything when he's home, so she knows that she can keep coming out of her room and he's still going to rock her to sleep 50 times a night. But, when I'm home with her I don't put up with it. I don't have time (or energy) to spend an hour getting her to sleep. I mean business :). It's funny that at such a young age she knows what she can get away with, with which parent!

We are also no longer sleeping in her bed with her. I know this sounds silly, but when she had just moved into her big bed she would come into our room during the middle of the night and get us, we'd (usually Ty) would pick her up and put her back in bed and most nights he'd just lay down with her too and fall asleep. Now, if we had a house this wouldn't happen. We just don't want her to wake Lincoln up because then none of us would sleep. But, after about 2 weeks of this, she's staying in her own bed again!

Overall, I think we've successfully transitioned her to her big girl bed. She is no longer sleeping in the corner of the hallway like this:

or falling asleep next to the front door like this:

but she does fall asleep wearing her new favorite shoes...but at least she's in BED!