The Greatest Show on Earth...

One of Lincolns birthday presents from Andrew and I were Circus tickets. I figured he wouldn't even last 10 minutes! As soon as the show started with all the lights and music Lincoln didn't move an inch. He stayed still for a good 30-40 minutes. At intermission Andrew took him out and let him walk around a little but. We stayed until the tigers came out and probably only 10 minutes of the show left to go. He really enjoyed himself!

12 Month Appointment

Lincoln had his 1 year check up last Monday. He played in the waiting room until he was called back. He weighed 26 lbs 4 oz and 31 inches long. He only gained a little over a pound this month. Probably because he is moving around so much and where he had a virus a few weeks ago. He got four shots and screamed bloody murder! The nurse said that the shots he received burn really bad! Normally he doesn't cry at all. Dr. Matusic said I could keep Lincoln on formula as long as I wanted and not to worry about him still taking bottle, just as long as it's only for naps and bed time. That's the only time he has ever taken a bottle. He also said if he bites or misbehaves to say no in an "earth shattering" tone because that would be the only way he will learn that you really mean it.

Favorite Baby Products

Since Lincoln turned ONE last week I am going to do several different posts. A lot of people ask what is your favorite baby product or what couldn't you have lived with out. Well honestly I could have lived with out everything. Nothing really "saved" me. It might be because Lincoln was a hard baby in the beginning and nothing helped him except being carried and bounced around! So this is just a post on some of my favorite things and not so favorite...

Glass Bottles- I feel like the glass bottles are always cleaner than the plastic ones.

Circo Wash clothes- Perfect size and fabric!

Carters Bibs w/ buttons - I wish I would have never bought another bib besides these. Once they learn how to pull of a bib you have to have these!

Snack Cup- The snacks stay in and don't fall out plus when Lincoln was about 10 months old he could get them out himself. Perfect for long car rides!

Steam Bags- If you are breast feeding and only using a couple bottles a day these are perfect for cleaning bottles. Also works on pacifiers too.

A&D Diaper Cream or Vaseline- Very thick or sometimes we just use Vaseline.

Nuby Sippy Cup- I just love this one better than all the rest!

Boon Spoon- Works great for on the go especially if you are traveling and have to feed the baby in the car.

Munchin Bottle Brush- It had a suction perfect for keeping right on the sink!

Sam's Club Brand Wipes- I love these so much better than Target, Huggies or Pampers. They are very moist and thick!

Car seat- Graco My Gride 65 - I love that Lincoln can stay backwards until 40 pounds and forward facing until 65. This is very important to me because I have done lots of research on car seat safety and know how dangerous it can be if a child is forward facing and gets into an accident.

Target Diapers- I have never had an trouble with leaks and they are very cute blue/green poca dots!

Huggies Overnights- Only have a few leaks, When I tried Pampers Overnights they leaked every time!

Not so favorite Items-

Luvs Diapers- Too thin and have a funny smell!

Destin Diaper Cream- too watery

Target & Walmart Brand Wipes- Way too thin and not moist enough

Toys- Don't waste money on toys b/c they don't play with them!!!!

Lincoln's First Birthday Bashes

We had a small family party for Lincoln on his birthday. In attendance were Granny, Pepaw, Grammie, Popaw John, Momaw, Popaw, Jewell, Corey, Ashley and Jeff. Lincoln enjoyed a cupcake and opening gifts(wagon, slide, picnic table, sand and water table, swing set, bubbles)He loved the bubbles machine from Corey and Ashley!

Singing Happy Birthday before he left for Grammies-

The party was nothing other than a monkey theme! I had small monkey banks for the kids to take home as gifts w/ balloons tied to bananas as center pieces.

For dessert we had all things banana. Chocolate Monkey cupcakes, banana pudding, banana cake and Lincolns smash monkey cake.

I spent forever making this banner but you couldn't really see it!

I had all the guests sign a scrap book page.

Danielle wanted to sing Lincoln Happy Birthday!

We survived our first year of parenting!!

Happy 1st Birthday Lincoln!!!!

Lincoln @ 12 Months

New food- corn chowder, asparagus, cranberry salad, beans, mushrooms, eggs w/ spinach and cheese , bites pizza and ice cream

You still don't like meat (chicken, ham, turkey)

You favorite foods right now are jello (you get so excited), ravioli, cottage cheese and spinach

You love to tease! If someone is holding you and someone else reaches to take you, you cry and do not want to go to them.

You love to be chased and to chase us.

Yesterday when we picked you up from Granny and Pewpaws you waved and said "hi dada"

You hated grass at first but you still prefer to walk on mulch, gravel, concrete, ect.

You have made it a whole year and never had to go to the doctor for being sick. Other than the virus a few weeks ago you have been so healthy! No ear infection, temperature or anything!!

Love being pampered- teeth brushed, hair brushed, fingernails/toe nails clipped, ears cleaned, lotion, massages ect.

You love playing in dirt, water, and rocks.

You can do a fake "aaachoo" and you love when people do that!

You love having your shoes and socks off in the car. If I ride in the back with you, you stick your foot up to my face and want me to kiss your foot!!

You love watching flags.

The month you have started being a Mamas boy! You know when I am about to leave in the morning after dropping you off and you want me to pick you up and cry when I put you down.

You love listening to Momaws wind chimes on the porch and shaking them yourself.

You wear 18 in shorts/pants and 24 months in shirts.

You have 8 teeth. 4 on top and 4 on the bottom.

You love firetrucks, big trucks and wave to them and say oooohh oooohh as they drive by.

You wave when someone says hi or bye-bye.

You don't say very many words. I know for sure you say bye-bye, hi, doggie, da da, ma ma but it's more like nuh nuh.

You do not like covers over your legs.

You dance has become more of an "Electric Shock" type thing.

You like to see what you can move (chairs, tables, etc) and fit behind (couches, chairs, etc)

Your schedule -

Normally wake up around 5:30 bottle and maybe back to sleep until 6 or 6:30

8:00 Breakfast (cereal w/ fruit)

9-10 Bottle and Nap

12 Lunch 3 jars of baby food sometimes you will have cottage cheese and ravioli or soup

1-2 Bottle and Nap

3 Snack jello or yogurt

6 Dinner I try to get you to eat at least one jar of baby food but you normally won't, ravioli, eggs w/ spinach or bites of what we eat along with a fruit or jello

8- Bottle and bedtime - While you were sick you got used to laying down and sleeping with us more nights. I am trying to get you to go to sleep on your own if you don't fall asleep on your bottle. It has been working and most nights it only takes around 20 minutes. I lay you down and leave the room for about 10 minutes while you are crying then I come back and lay you down again then sing to you and wait for you to fall asleep, which can take up to 20 min but sometimes less.

You will also have a few gold fish through out the day and water in your sippy cup!

I have no idea how we are going to take the bottle away from you because that is the only way you will take your naps! I look forward to what the doctor says on Monday.

52 weeks

1 week 52 weeks

No more weekly monkey photo sessions! Woohoo!!

Our Weekend

We started off our weekend on Friday night by going to dinner with Momaw and Popaw at Longhorn. It's getting harder and harder to take Lincoln out to eat! Saturday we had his 1 year pictures at Target. He wouldn't stand/sit still for more than 2 seconds but we ended up getting a few good ones. Lincoln and I spent the rest of the day at Momaw and Popaws while Andrew judged the weight lifting competition at the high school. Lincoln loved running back and forth on the walk, playing in dirt and with his golf clubs. Saturday evening we had steaks at Andrew's Mom and Dad's. Sunday we went to the early service since Andrew had to work at 11. When we picked Lincoln up from the nursery they asked "Is he ONE yet?" They couldn't believe how mobile and coordinated he is. I guess they are ready for him to move up to the 12-18 month room! While Andrew was working Lincoln and I spent the day at my Mom and Dads. Lincoln loves playing in dirt, water, rocks, ect. He is all BOY!! My dad pushed him around in the wheelbarrow and Lincoln did not want out. Every time he would stop Lincoln would push and kick his legs! When Andrew got off work we all went to the Chinese Restaurant. While we were in there someone smashed the passenger side window of my car just still a purse that had nothing in it but lotion, lip gloss, receipts and pens! Little do they know they could have just opened the door because it wasn't even locked!! Our insurance will cover everything except $100.