Nalea

Introducing the newest member to my vast ever expanding family, Nalea. This sweet little girl has had kind of a rough start.  She has been placed with my cousin and I could not think of a better place for her. The love just oozes from this family and is almost palpable. I am blessed to be even a small part of each and everyone of their lives. Nalea is very lucky in the fact that she now has instant big sisters, a brother, aunts, uncles,  grandparents and gobs of cousins, that are going to unconditionally love her. Not just for the possibly short  time that they have her, but for the rest of their lives. In her few weeks that she has been around she has made a lasting imprint. Newborns are funny that way. They have this magic that makes you fall instantly in love with them. You can't resist it.

beach day

A few weeks ago I got the chance to take these two sweet babies to the beach. My good friend Kelly and I teamed up and tackled this little adventure together, and I must say that I really had a blast. I loved the look on there little surprised faces when the waves were stronger then expected and the warm water would hit them in the face. Now I know that Galveston is not the best beach around. Many would say it's not even a good beach,  but it is a beach with water, birds, waves and sand. The laughter coming from these two wonderful kids will always be present in my ears. 

Lincoln was all smiles.

This is my sweet friend Kelly, braving taking both of the kiddos close the water. 

This beautiful young lady is Izzy and I hope her and Lincoln become lifelong friends. 

My dad always tells us about the beach when he was little and how wonderful it was. His mother my Oma would take them as often as she could. Any time they were sick or hurt they would take a trip to the beach and let the salt water and wind heal them. Before my daddy came to the states they lived in a place that had magnificent beaches, and i'm sure when they got here they found it a bit lacking. That is the beauty of the beach, it can be lacking yet still beautiful and soothing. The whole time we were out there I could feel my Oma smiling down at her youngest grandchild and youngest great grandchild and I know she was standing right next to me in the salt water and wind helping us heal. I could feel her love as sure as I could feel the waves hitting my ankles. 

My water baby saying goodbye to the water. I can just hear him say "Until next time". I for one can't wait for the next time.

Twelve very short months

L

Loveable beyond measure-Loveable little fake cackle, and loveable little fingers that grasp another's for an assist with walking, and that reach out to point at everything as though asking, "What is that?"

I

Incredible year, beginning with monitors and tubes in the NICU, (so anxious to see the world), to an one year old man that is healthy, inquisitive, happily babbling, (quite loudly at times), attempting first steps, and always sporting a ready smile.

N

Never tiring of standing in the window visually learning about his world, and appearing to be giving directions to someone or something beyond. Perhaps, aspiring to be a teacher, or just being a THERIOT!

C

Continuous; it's the amazing circle of life evidenced by Lincoln's unique trait, tiny turned-up toenails. (Maybe a "gift" from his great grandma?)

O

Oh, so softly, Lincoln's precious little purring sound is heard as he hims to himself and soon slips into slumber.

L

Little no more. Once.... little more than five pounds with piercing blue-eyed stares, leaving all wanting to know his wonderings and what he perceived. Now.... taking steps, laughing, entertaining himself, and taking in EVERYTHING, leaving nothing unexplored.

N

Not enough words to describe Lincoln, nor to explain the feelings he stirs in others. No words make real the way he touches the heart of all who know and love him. Only one word, MIRACLE, comes to mind. But, it is inadequate, for Lincoln is MORE!

Love,

Grandma

That sweet little poem was from Lincoln's grandma (Jarrod's wonderful mother). She wrote this for his first year. She read it to his party so we all could enjoy it. Well she read most of it,  at the part where she talks about his tiny turned-up toenails she had to pass it on to Jarrod to finish because she started crying. It's pretty amazing the love she feels for my sweet boy that it can brings her to tears just reading about him (I whole heartedly know the feeling). I know he feels the same way about her. He can not show it yet, but it is coming. I pray these two have a wonderful relationship with each other. The way I know Jarrod had with his grandma and I had with mine.

I still cannot believe it has been a year. The time has gone by way to fast. Is this how the rest of our life is going to be like? If that is the case, how do you keep up? Time is such a funny thing, as the day moves on it almost feels like it will never end. Then at the end of the day when I am reflecting on the days events I can't believe how fast it went. I love our days together. 

He is really starting to show his silly little personalty. He is really into everything. You have a table or cabinet that needs to be cleaned out, he is on it. He loves cookies, and begs for food with the dog. He loves to watch me cook and will also sit and watch all the cooking shows with me. Maybe he will be our chef.. We just recently joined a little gym (it's actually called the little gym). It is pretty amazing, I am really having a great time. I was hoping he would get some social time, and maybe I would get the chance to meet some other mothers. I can't say he is really into it yet. He pretty well clings to me for the first 30 min, then the last 15 min he finally warms up and starts to enjoy himself. I really hope it works out. I really want it to work out. I pray it works out.  I hope I am not pushing him to hard.

I am so thankful God gave me the chance to be this sweet little monsters mother. He has really changed my life. I can't wait for the many many more years to come. 

THE BIG 1

 One year ago today we were thrust into parenthood. 7 weeks early I might add. Looking back I cannot believe how fast the time has flown by. I think of all the dirty diapers we have changed and the sleepless nights we have shared and the fact that we would have it no other way. I still get breathless when I think about my sweet boy. I can't imagine a life without him in it and I praise GOD everyday that he gave us a healthy, happy, and loving little boy to share our life with.

Thank you to all of the wonderful friends and family that came and helped us celebrate this magical kid. We are truly blessed beyond measure. 

I must say that Lincoln is my child and as my child he inherited my love of cake. He comes by it honestly and whole heartedly. We let him dig in while we opened his presents and no sooner did I turn around and the whole cake was gone. Every last bit of it. I bet he would have licked the tray clean if I would have let him. 

A quick wash off in the sink after he demolished his cake.

We ended up having a second party the next weekend and Linc was looking forward to his cake. You can see in the second picture that he was not taking his eyes off of it. 

Again thank you to all the wonderful friends and family that has completely showered us with love, and made Lincoln's birthday such a hit. I will remember these days for the rest of my life, and cherish the memories. There is a lot more to come, and I can't wait.

first time camper

Every year the week for so after July 4th we take a big family camping trip. Coleto Creek Reservoir is our home away from home for four very hot sometimes rainy days. Camping here never disappoints and we always leave wanting to come back. No matter how hot, rainy or sticky it gets, memories are always made and cherished.  It's something Jarrod and I look forward to every year. This year was very different, to say the least... It was Lincoln's first year camping and our first real vacation with a baby. I think I was more stressed out then I needed to be, and everything turned out perfect. I had a great support system. Lincoln's grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins were all there to help and encourage me. I don't think I could have done it with out them. 

Sweet Lincoln was stuck to his grandma's hip. They love each other so much and are so sweet to watch. 

This little beauty is one of Linc's cousins, Addison another fellow premie.The first year she came camping she was maybe a month or two. I remember thinking how tiny and fragile she looked. I would have never guessed that I would get my own tiny fragile baby just a year and a half later. To look at her now you would have never guessed that she ever had an issue. The love just pours out of this sweet little girl.

I always find it amazing that Lincoln can sleep anywhere. To know that a baby loves and trusts you enough to fall asleep in your arms is very humbling. This is Lincoln's Great Aunt Wanda. She is by far one of the most amazing ladies I have ever met. Only nice things ever come out of her mouth. That is the sign of a pure and kind heart. 

Since he was seven, Blayne my nephew has been braving the out doors with us. I absolutely love that he even wants to spend time with us. Lincoln LOVES his cousin. I think this long weekend really solidified there bond, and they are going to be life long friends. I rue the day when Blayne is just "too cool" to go with us. Hopefully that is many many years from now.

spaghetti night was a hit

While we were there I took the opportunity to take Lincoln's 11 month pictures. With this beautiful back ground what could go wrong... right... He just about fought me the whole time and he hated the grass. So I did my best.

I should add that I am still nursing. This was not an easy task, but after awhile we got the hang of it, and I spent a lot of time just me and him. Usually with the same result me by myself and Lincoln asleep in my lap. 

Lincoln and his Uncle Grumpy making memories.

These three are going to whip Lincoln into shape. He does not stand a chance with his three beautiful cousins. I love that we get a front row seat to watching them grow up together. I hope that when they are grown they will bring their families camping and cherish the memories as much as we do.