iPhone Photos {February}

Apology

On Tuesday afternoon Lincoln laid in his bed crying, whining, talking, and playing with toys. Everything BUT napping. I tried every tactic I could think of from giving him a drink, snack, ignoring him, threatening him, calm voice to mean mommy voice and NOTHING worked. I was frustrated and finally gave up after 1.5 hours.

After he had been up for a little while I went to him and apologized b/c I felt like maybe I had been to hard on him during the non-nap process.

Fast forward 2 hours later and I decided about 4:45 to head to sonic to grab a drink and a bit for dinner. Cory was out of town and I just needed to bust out. So off we went to Sonic. When we returned home Lincoln (who has recently started this new habit) wants to take the DVD out of the car and take it in the house. However, it is scratching up the movies from all the handling so I told him we were not going to do that anymore.

And then it started. 15 minutes of a total no-nap meltdown. He has not done this in probably a year. I again tried all my normally successful tactics - ignore, gave him space, put him in timeout, etc. I finally distracted him into his chair to eat dinner to which he ate a TON. Once he was done eating he asked to get down. I was in the kitchen cleaning up. He walked in tapped me on the leg and said "I'm happy now mommy. I am sorry I was so sad. I just wanted my movie but it is ok now."

I never want to forget this story. I learned a lesson too b/c I think eating my humble pie and apologizing earlier in the day modeled to him when and how to apologize.

Is there a spot in the baby book for the first comprehensive self-initiated apology? If so this would go next to it. So maybe just maybe all this parenting work is showing some fruits. Maybe.









- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Well Child Check-up x 2

Since Emery was due for her 9 month check-up close to Lincoln's 3 year check-up I decided to double up their appointments so I would only have to go once.  For some reason I decided to do it the day after Lincoln's birthday (the 12th) at 8:30 in the morning.  I guess I just wanted to get it over with.  Ha.  We were 5 minutes late but we made it all in one piece, all our clothes on and no one was crying.  Success.  We had been telling Lincoln he would be going but that Emery would see Dr. A first b/c "ladies go first." He was no liking this concept at first be he came around.  

Emery was up first.  She checked out beautifully and VERY healthy weighing in at 20 lbs 2 oz (80th percentile) and 29.5 inches long (falling between the 90th and 95th percentile).  She is definitely a "bigger baby" but she is proportional.  Even her head circumference was in the 90-95th percentile.  This explains why I have such a hard time getting clothes over her head!  Emery had to receive one shot and she of course was not fan but recovered quickly. 

Lincoln was up next.  Lincoln weighed an even 35 lbs (75th percentile) and was 39.5 inches tall (90th percentile). Lincoln hit a big growth spurt this year in his height.  He was usually around the 50-70 percentile for height since birth but higher percentiles for weight.  So, it appears that his height has caught up with his weight and he is "more proportional."  The height predictor says that at age 18 Lincoln will be around 6'1" - 6'2".

We chatted about Lincoln's development and she asked Lincoln a series of questions about letters, counting, colors and questions about "bigger and smaller."  He answered most of them correctly.  We did discuss my slight concern about Lincoln's clarity of his speech.  I understand most everything that he says as well as grandparents and babysitter.  However, most strangers who talk to him struggle to understand parts of his speech.  I feel like I am often clarifying for people what he is saying.  She thinks it is on the fence as a concern.  She wants to follow up on it in 6 months to see how he is doing.  She also heard a heart murmur again that she once heard when he was about a year old.  Dr. A does not feel like this is a major concern either just something to look at again when in 6 months.  And the last thing to follow-up on in 6 months is a possible area in his groin that looks as though it could possibly turn into a hernia in the way it is growing.  All three were slight concerns and in August we will go back to check out each area.  

Lincoln also received one shot and he took it like a champ.  He smiled through the whole thing!  Proud momma!


Thankful for two healthy children!

Lincoln Lately {3 years old}

We can hardly believe that this sweet baby boy

is now all grown up into this little boy!  

I am glad to say that we have exited the "terrible two's" but wondering if we are going to face any of the "thrashing three's" as they call them.  Lincoln seemed to have his terrible two's in phases.  He would have a week or so at a time that was rough and then go a month and be fine.  The back and forth was exhausting at times but at least we had moments of reprieve.

Reflecting back over the last year is a lot of fun.  Lincoln seems so "little" when he turned two years old.  His look has matured as well as his personality.  He continues to love to be with people.  Alone time is tough for him.  He is STILL 100% all-boy with his full speed running - rarely walking - to his bear hugs and love for tackling others.  However, he has a "sensitive side" (if you will) with his love for his sister's baby dolls and taking care of them to his oozing love for his sister.  Lincoln loves projects and activities.  He loves to learn and must ask at least 50 times a day "What are you doing Mommy?" followed by "Why?"  He follows me around while I do my housework.  I often tell him he can go play with his toys but he just replies, "But I just want to be with you mommy."  Sweet boy. 

Basic Info
You wear 3T and 4T clothing and size 9-10 shoes.  You still take a nap each day from about 1:00-3:00.  You go to bed about 8:45-9:00 each night and sleep till about 8:00 each morning.  You are still a great eater and eat most things we give you.  Your favorites right now are yogurt, all fruit, hot dogs, and string cheese.  You drink mainly milk and juice.  You LOVE snacks and are always asking for one.  You love Emery Claire but boy you are rough with her.  We are constantly telling you to be easier with her and more gentle.  She loves you though.  You can make her giggle with you hide behind the curtain and jump out to scare her.  You love that she is crawling and you crawl around the house right beside her.  

 

You are doing great with your potty training.  You have not had an accident in several weeks during the day.  You even wear your underwear during nap and keep it dry.  The other night you even woke in the morning with your pull-up dry.  That was the FIRST time ever.  

Language
You talk often.  I understand everything you say as well as your daddy and others who are around you often.  However, your language is not 100% clear to everyone.  We talked with Dr. A about it and at this time it is not a huge concern but we will follow up with it in 6 months to see how you are doing with it.  You love to ask WHY?  WHY?  WHY?  You still love music and love to sing lots of songs including Wise Man, Happy Birthday and other songs you are learning in Kindermusik.  Kindermusik class is once a week in the evenings and last for 12 weeks.  You LOVE to go and have a great time at it.  Either mommy or daddy go with you and it is a fun time. You love to talk about what your "favorite" things are..colors, toys, etc.  When you talk about who your best friend is you call it "best in my world."  So, for example, you will say "Mommy, you are the best in my world."

Likes and Dislikes
You love "little people" and play with them often.  You also have a love for trains -- Thomas, Percy and Flynn. You love all things electronic, especially the movies on the ipad.  We have recently started showing you Bible stories on YouTube and you are all about that.  (Thanks Jason and Jessica for the recommendation).  You love any activity especially if someone sits down and does it with you.  You love Emery.  You like to sit on the other side of the room and have her crawl to you.  You also love to take things away from her and are WAY too rough with her.  You have a CRAZY fear of dogs or for that matter most animals that are real. Your favorite color is blue and you are obsessed with the letter "L." 

Educational
You know all your letters and you know about 20 of the 26 letter sounds.  You recognize a few numbers and shapes but not too many.   You can count from 1-12.  You know all your colors.  You have started to show more of an interest in drawing.  You recently drew this picture down below and said it was our house.  You are learning how to spell your name and so far you know "Lin."  It is a long one so we will get there.  

We love you to pieces sweet boy and look forward to watching you grow up!

Lots of Love

It was lots of fun celebrating Emery's first Valentine's Day.  She had three outfits to help celebrate the LOVE holiday.  She looks TOO big in these pictures.  As we found out at her recent well-child check up she is topping the charts in her height and weight.  She started crawling right after she turned 9 months and is a professional now.  She loves to crawl after Lincoln and just leisurely stroll through the house.  She is so quiet that sometimes I get a little startled because it takes me a second to find her.  

 

She is such a cutie in all this pink.  We love the dress the our friend and neighbor made Emery!  (Go like Diva Designs on FB to see all the cute stuff she makes!). 

This facial expression cracks us up.  She loves to make this face when you are talking to her.  Sometimes it looks as though she is trying to talk and other times I think she is just being plain silly. 

And of course I am sucker for all things embroidered.  I found this onesie, leggings and hairbow as a set on Etsy at a shop called Elena Rose Bowtique. 

I had to get a picture of Emery hanging out in my lap.  It is her number 1 location of choice!

Lincoln was NOT having anything to do with his picture being taken!  He went to MDO on Monday which was his actual birthday and had a fun Valentine's party and a few fun treats.  

And on Valentine's evening when I went in to turn his light out this is how I found him.  He had Emery's baby doll laying on his chest with his lovie covering the doll up.  He LOVES Emery's baby doll she received for Christmas.  He often asks to sleep with it.  I questioned Cory if this was a bad thing and he responded, "I had a cabbage patch doll when I was little and I turned out fine."  Ha!  Good enough for me.  As crazy as it sounds to say of my 3 year old, I know he will make a great daddy or even uncle one day.  He can be rough and tough but does have a sweet heart who loves to take care of others. 

We have lots of reasons to be thankful and full of love in our home and life right now.  So grateful.

Lincoln's presents

We asked for no presents at Lincoln's party from his friends.  We are overflowing with toys in our house and he is more than blessed by our family so no presents needed. :)  And once again our family gave above and beyond to Lincoln.  He got lots of fun board games, clothes, pajamas, swimsuit, an outdoor water table, a couple of hats, rain boots, and Captain America and Iron Man figurines. 

We had so much fun celebrating Lincoln.  We are so grateful for our families for driving so far to come and to our friends for coming out to party with us too.  Lincoln will be talking about his party for weeks to come.