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. 

10 months

The minute we became parents our entire focus on the world changed. My BS meter is on overdrive.The stuff they think is news worthy just blows my mind. I get so frustrated that I almost can't watch it and when it's sad it makes me cry. Which is a post Lincoln development.  We are also thinking more about the future than we ever have. What kind of car to get (we currently have a car that is close to dead), college, retirement, our savings.... The list can really go on forever. Now that I am out of a job and we are living on one income, money is on the top of the freak out list... I wish things could be easy, but news flash everybody it's not easy. Don't let anybody fool you and tell you that you can go through life without a struggle.  This is the crap that makes you stronger.. right?? I know I write how everything is just great and things are going smoothly, but a lot of times I feel like we are crashing and burning. I know things could be much worse and I am very grateful and blessed for what I do have. It's just really hard sometimes. Sorry for the pity party, I just needed to get that off my chest...

Lincoln is now teething and it has made our lives miserable. Maybe this is why I am being so negative lately... I hate that he is in so much pain and I can't do much to help him. My neighbor informed us that babies are not totally mentally with it so the pain from teething does not make them go bat shit crazy. I totally believe it. Why can't the parents be kinda in and out so we don't go crazy trying to sooth our poor sweet babies. 

Happy first Fathers Day Jarrod. I know I am a little late on this, but I wanted to get it in there. :)

We had our first bout of an infectious decease, Hand foot and mouth. Unfortunately, I think I am the culprit that started the epidemic. The internet says that you can get it from anywhere, shopping carts, door handles, etc.. It also said that adults get it, but usually don't know they have it, and if it's on the internet it has to be true.. haha.. Keep in mind it ran through all of us and Jarrod got it the worst.  So the whole adult thing I think is iffy. We are all cured and feeling much better. Fingers crossed that we will never see it again. Only in a perfect world. 

I apologize for all the negativity. I'm over it now. When things get tough I just look at this wonderful little face and everything seems to fall into place. 

My happy place.

zoo trip

When I was a kid we made a few trips to the Houston Zoo. If I remember correctly my Grandma would take me and my cousins every year, and I must say the zoo has really come a long way. It was amazingly beautiful. Not just the animal exhibits, but the flowers and plants were exquisite. One of the employees informed us that they are trying to build it as a botanical garden as well as a zoo. I love that we live in a city that has a place for children to come to  learn about and meet some amazing animals. Even though it was a very hot summer day we had a blast. I loved sharing the experience with my son. Maybe someday he will remember all the fun things we did and smile. 

There is a new lego exhibit which was really really cool. It was my nephew Blayne's favorite part. I loved that it told you how many hours it took to complete each animal. Some took more than 40 hours to construct per species and there were multiple animals in each section all ranging in sizes and shapes. It was pretty magical. I will forever remember the way Blayne looked at all the detail and was fascinated. Of course he was kept telling us that he "could totally do that".

We did all the fun stuff you can think to do at the zoo, went to meet the animals in the petting zoo, road the train and had a picnic in the park. Over all it was a wonderful day. I am so glad that we had the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, learn a few things and just be together. Because in the end that is all that matters. Memories and time.... 

I cannot wait to recreate this picture when they are all older. I love these kids more than they will ever know.