12 Months of Lincoln

We made it to a year!

Lincoln weighs 21lbs 6oz and is 30 inches long. He is smaller than his brother was at this age.

He is a great eater! He will eat whatever we are having for dinner. His favorites are grilled cheese, pizza, tater tot casserole, strawberries, yogurt, and graham crackers.

He has slept a lot better this past month. Most nights he sleeps through the night. He still only naps about 1 hour at school. He is still drinking a couple bottles a day and one before bed. We are transitioning to a sippy cup at meal times, and whole milk. I am super proud that I made it to a year of breastfeeding/pumping!

Lincoln has 10 teeth and is teething like crazy! He still scoots around, but can pull himself up on anything and is walking around the furniture. He can stand by himself for a while, and is fast with his walker. He should be walking soon. Lincoln is happiest when he is outside and in water! He just started clapping and giving high fives. He can say "Ma Ma", "Da Da" and lots of other jibberish that sounds like words. 

I can't wait to see what the next month brings!

Lincolnville

We had Lincoln's birthday party on Saturday.

Brian made a sign to welcome our guests to Lincolnville. 

A few decorations inside

I created a banner using all of the monthly pictures I took of Lincoln. I loved looking back at all the different months.

Aunt Midge did a great job on the cake, as usual!

Around the cake she put Dr. Seuss' quote "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one who is alive that is youer than you!"

This was actually an out take, but I love how we are all looking at Lincoln.

Birthday boy

A close up of the cake

Love the colored polka dots inside!

Food table

I just did a few snacks for the party based on some of Dr. Suess' books.

Goldfish and Swedish fish for One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Strawberry/Banana skewers for Cat's Hat

Crescent wrapped hot dogs for Go Dog Go

Peanuts for Horton Hears A Who

Gogurt for Oh the Places You'll Go

Jelly Beans for Truffula Seeds

Fun with props

Lincoln did not smile once while we were singing Happy Birthday.

He was not sure about the cake and wouldn't eat any of it.

He did do a good job of smashing it and throwing it on the floor

Love my boy!

We just had a few family and friends over. I am SO glad my mom was able to make it! The kids all played and swam.

We had a great time celebrating Lincoln, and I still can't believe he is already ONE!

"It's your Day of all Days, it's the Best of the Best!"

#hartzeveryday2014 Week 19

Day 126: I got a haircut and Jackson got 5 stitches! He fell off his bike.

Day 127: Feeling very loved and appreciated by my students and their parents.

Day 128: Jackson got a haircut and we had cereal for dinner. It was one of those weeks! At least, I didn't have to get stitches this night:)

 Day 129: Muffins with Mom at Jackson's school

He was so extremely sweet and helpful this morning before school.

Day 130: Jackson's first bike ride since the stitches. I was so proud of him for not being scared.

Day 131: Happy Mother's Day!

Day 132: Lincoln stole the cookies from the cookie jar!

Happy Birthday Lincoln!

Dear Lincoln,

I can't believe you have been with a us for a whole year. In some ways it seems like you were just born and in other ways it feels like you were always part of our family.

You came a bit unexpected and have continued to keep us on our toes!

 I cried tears of joy and happiness when they laid you on my chest. Baby boy, you were prayed for and loved even before we met you!

 You are the face of God's faithfulness. We couldn't love you more if we tried. 

 I love how you fit right in with our family. I love you sweet boy!

Months 1-4

 Months 5-8

Months 9-12

Happy 1st Birthday Lincoln!

May you know how much you are loved today and every day of your life. No matter where life takes you, I will always be proud of you and be your biggest fan!

Love, Mommy

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

Nature Preserve

On Mother's Day I wanted to do something together that would be fun and different. We heard of a Nature Preserve that was pretty close to our house, so we thought we would give it a try. 

After church, we came home to change and then picked up Firehouse Subs to take out to the park.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch before going down the trails. 

We hiked on several half mile trails. Jackson was so excited to be out in the woods. He was really hoping to see a snake!

Brian being Brian:)

The big boys leading the way

It was sprinkling when we got there, but it never got worse. Jackson walked the whole hour and half that we were there and never complained. He must have loved it!

Lincoln was a trooper!

 He was fascinated with the big trees, but also teething and tired.

Thankfully, we never saw any snakes!

 It was fun to get out, hike, and explore God's creation with my boys. 

Looking forward to going again!

The Mom "Cycle"

Brian is very thoughtful and always does a great job of showing me how much he loves and appreciates me. The boys bought me a bike for Mother's Day this year. I love my new bike, but I love the note that came with it even more!! He is so creative!



The Mom Cycle

There are many never ending cycles of work for a mom

 “Get the boys ready for school” cycle

“Pick up after the boys” cycle

“Cleaning the house” cycle

“Preparing for work” cycle

The actual “work” cycle

“Making dinner” cycle

“Dishwasher” cycle

“Putting dishes away” cycle

“Laundry” cycle

“Folding laundry” cycle 

“Putting laundry away” cycle

“Making lunches” cycle

“Bathing the boys” cycle

…Just to name a few.

Sometimes it may feel overwhelming and unappreciated, but we know we couldn't live without you. You pour out your love into each of these cycles making you an outstanding teacher, the best mommy in the whole world, and an irreplaceable gorgeous loving kind gentle wonderful God fearing smoking hot wife. We thank you for all you do and are truly blessed to have you as our wife and mother. So, since we love spending time with you soo much we decided to give you a “cycle” that is much more enjoyable and will help create many new family memories for years to come.

       Love,

       Brian, Jackson, and Lincoln

At bedtime on Mother's Day, Jackson asked me if I liked his video or the bike better.:) His video was the sweetest thing ever. "He loves me a lot and loves me because I make him the best dinners every night!" LOVE that boy of mine!

Mother's Day 2014

It was a wonderful day! 

I woke up to Lincoln having slept through the night!, a Starbucks on my nightstand, and sweet notes and gifts from the boys.

My 1st Mother's Day as a mom of two! 

(Lincoln came 2 days after Mother's Day last year.)

He made me a mom! Love him and this picture of us.

Oh, Lincoln! SO thankful for your sweet life.

Blessed to be called "Mommy" by these two!

Last Mother's Day we had just come home from the hospital with Brian. I won't forget that night ever, but I also won't forget the peace I experienced from God. I am thankful this year's Mother's Day Weekend was much less eventful in terms of hospitals, and that God was with us each step of the way.

"I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you." Psalm 9:1-2