Five Months

Sweet L, how in the world are you already FIVE months?  It's surreal seeing you grow and become your own person so quickly.   Every day your snuggles warm my heart beyond measure and words will never be able to describe how much joy it brings me to be your momma.  Your sweetness is everything.

No doctor's appointment this month, so I estimated you are at 15 pound and 26.5 inches long

Lincoln has been so much more playful this month.  We've had a lot of firsts lateley and it's been exciting to see the changes in you.   One of my absolute favorite moments was when Lincoln gave us a full on belly laugh.  D was holding him, while Isla and I finished eating.  I saw the giggles starting, so I just happen to start recording the moment.  We started playing peek-a-boo, which got him going and the laughter just kept going.  Oh man, there is truly nothing better!  Isla definitely makes him laugh!  I love seeing their relationship grow.  He also enjoys the puppies running around and being crazy, which will often times give him a laugh.  L's also my ticklish little boy.  I can always get a little giggle out of him by rubbing my nose along his ribs and under his arms.  When he's excited and gets happy, he'll run his feet and of course open his mouth like he's going to 'eat' you.  He also is perfecting his sounds when I run my finger over his mouth, which I call his party tricks.

The jumper has officially become a favorite activity in the last week.  He isn't quite tall enough, but we've put a book at his feet and he loves the lights, sounds and of course running his feet.  It's even better when we bring it out on the patio.  Lincoln also has a good time in both the high chair seat and the little lion seat.  Since he's gotten better at grabbing items and holding on to them, it's allowed him to play on his own a little more.  Basically L loves anything that he can grab and chew on!   His favorites right now include blankets, crinkly books and these little hand teethers.  He'd have his hands/thumb in his mouth most days if I let him.  I am really trying to ensure he doesn't suck on his thumb, but I'm almost positive he does in the night when he wakes. 

I'm pretty sure my little boy is going to be walking way before Isla.   He has such strong legs, which allows him to stand for long periods of time and he already has gotten the walking motion down!  He hasn't been rolling as much as last month, but he enjoys tummy time most days.  We also put him in Isla's swing outside, which he thinks is the coolest thing ever.  Isla adores pushing him and he has the best time.  

L is wearing most of his 6 months clothes right now.  Some are still a little big, but I've taken out all of this 0-3 and some of his 3 month clothes.  He's still in a size 2 diaper and in the first row of snaps on his cloth diapers.  Jammers are all 6 months, which I don't think will last for long.  The little one has quite a closet!  

We've done a better job of getting L on somewhat of a schedule, which I'm happy about!  We still listen to him and some days are off, but at least we are almost there.  Right now this is our typical daily schedule: 6-7 AM Feed, 8 AM Nap, 9 AM Feed, 10/10:30 AM Nap, 12 PM Feed, 1 PM Nap, 3 PM Feed, 2:30/3 PM Nap, 4:30 Feed/Snack and 6 PM Bedtime.  I'm estimating that most feeds he's getting around 5-6 ounces.  I've started working more this month, so he's gotten the bottle a few more times.  He started not liking the original bottle I was using, so we tried an Advent bottle and he's doing much better.  Lincoln's gas has also gotten better this month.  Thank goodness!  I'm not sure if it's his digestive system developing or if the new gas drops have helped, but it's so much better. 

We were excited to start Lincoln on solids this month!  We haven't gone crazy and, of course, they don't eliminate any feedings, but we started with sweet potatoes.  He absolutely loved them!  L had no issues with keeping the food in his mouth and most often he wants more!  He since has tried apples, bananas and pears.  Let's see if I can get some more veggies in the mix! 

Now sleeping has started to be less wonderful... I think L is about ready to drop his first nap and only take 2, maybe 3 longer naps.  With the schedule above, he's only taking 30 minute naps.  It's crazy how he wakes up 30 minutes on the dot.  I'm hoping lessening the number of naps will have him sleeping longer.  I may need to do a few in the car naps to help encourage him sleeping longer.  Fingers crossed next month this is better!   Even during the night, he has been getting up.  I'm not sure if it's because he's growing so much or that he actually is hungry, but he's been getting up at 9:30 PM and at least 1 other time through the night.  Between him and his sister, some nights I'm up every hour - eek!  Thankfully he usually just eats and goes back to sleep.

Lincoln's hair has really started growing in this month.  I know I've said it before, but I love rubbing my hand over his fuzzy little head.  Makes me smile just thinking of it!  I'm sure in the next few months his hair will be longer than Isla had at 12 months!  I'm curious to see if L's will be curly like Isla's.  Although I'm not sure we will let it get so long to find out.  I also noticed L started getting a top tooth in a few weeks ago!  He was biting on my fingers, which he often does, and the gums felt different in that spot.  I of course had to look and I could see the clear/whiteness.  His tooth hasn't fully come in yet, but I'm sure it will be any day now.  If the drool is any indicator, he's going to have a mouth full of teeth soon! 

Lincoln, you are such a joy.   This world is so much better with your sweetness in it.  Your mommy loves you to the moon and back.

Four Months

Four months, my love!  You are becoming such a big boy.  I love seeing your strong personality develop and come to life each and every day.  You still have the most amazing baby smell, and I can never get enough of the little peach fuzz that adorns your head.  You light up our world, sweet boy.

Today you were 14 pounds 4 ounces and 25 inches long!

This babe is growing like a weed.  I should retire the majority of his 3 month outfits, but I've been stretching them a little longer.  He has transitioned to 6 month pajamas and wearing a few of the larger 3 month PJs.  Boys clothes are just so darn cute!  I purchased a really adorable pair of overalls for him to wear!  I must admit that it's way too hot for the added layer, but I've enjoyed seeing him in them a few hours at a time!  His diapers are still on the first snap and we've been rocking cloth diapers about 30-40% of the time.  His cloth diapers needed stripped (basically not getting out all the smells when washing), so I put them on hold for about a week until we got the laundry detergent.  When wearing a normal diaper, he still is in Honest size 2.  L had his first real blow out on July 27th.  I was feeding him on the couch (working his legs, since he still is dealing with a gassy/upset tummy) and I was cheering him on for his toots when I felt it all over me.  Let's just say it was a sight to be seen,  completely filled his diaper and all over my shorts!  Oh the joys of mommyhood!

Our biggest change this month was moving Lincoln to his crib.  I must admit that I was not ready for this change, but we moved Isla at 3 months and L also had outgrown the rock'n'play.  I was pleasantly surprised when he slept the whole night, until 5 AM.  That was on July 13th.  It was the sweetest thing when Isla woke up and joined us that morning on the rocking chair as I was nursing him.  For almost the entire month, L has slept through the night... Unreal.  I swear, I have felt so lucky to get some rest (even though his sister is now getting up, which is a whole separate issue).  He has been going to bed around 6/6:30 PM, depending on the day.  He gets a bath every other night and bedtime routine consists of me nursing him in the rocker until he's asleep.  I've still be swaddling him, but he usually gets out of the swaddle before 9 PM at night.  It doesn't wake him up, or at least he is able to put himself back to sleep.  It's so funny, he full on uses his abs to lift both legs up and then drops them down really hard together.  I'm surprised that move alone doesn't wake him up.  This also has him moving all over the crib.  He often ends up moving half way across the crib at night.  One night he even turned sideways and had his legs hanging out of the poles.  The last two night, he's gotten up more often, but I'm not sure if that's a sleep regression or if it's due to more noise in the house because of visitors.

Now naps during the day are not as good.  Most mornings he gets tired pretty quickly and will go back to sleep within the hour.  Sometimes, if I'm lucky, he goes back to sleep right after nursing.  Isla often wakes him up and he hangs with us as we make breakfast and then goes to sleep again around 8 AM.  I haven't pushed a full schedule yet, although I see him starting to get closer to following one.  He eats when he's hungry and then sleeps 1.5 hours after getting up.  His naps are around 30-45 minutes and occasionally I'll get a longer one. 

Sadly, gas is still an ongoing issue.  Lincoln has been getting a probiotic every night, which does help.  I haven't eaten eggs, beans or anything else that would cause him to be gassy.  I sure hope that he outgrows it, because it's honestly exhausting!  My poor boy will just cry and cry when his tummy hurts.  It breaks my heart.  We use the Windi and gripe water too.  We make it through, but I wish I could take it away for him!   He's taken the bottle a few times this month.  He doesn't hate it, but definitely is still learning how to drink from a bottle.  It's comforting to know he will eat if I am stuck in a meeting or can't make it back, but I prefer to nurse him myself!   L still loves to chew on everything.  Mainly his hand, my hand, my arm, etc.  I'm trying to ensure he doesn't become a full on thumb sucker, but he isn't really attached to any particular pacifier.  The drool hasn't slowed down. He's as drooly as ever! 

On July 29th I heard Lincoln laugh on his own.  Is there anything sweeter?!?   He was looking at the fan, but the giggle was just the cutest.  I can get him to laugh when I lay him on the couch and rub my nose on his belly or under his arms.  He's actually pretty ticklish, but hasn't quite gotten the full on giggle that way.  I'm dying to get him to laugh more often.  It's music to my ears!   I do still think, even with all the gassy days, that he is a happy boy!  He sure loves his mommy, but boy seeing dad gives him the biggest grin!  When he's really smiling at you, he will turn his head in and bring his hand/arm up to his mouth in a shy motion.   Some of his favorite things right now are his green flower teether, the JellyCat animal books with the crinkly paper and recently loving the arms of his elephant pacifier.  Outside is always the right answer for him.  Just like his sister, he could stay outside for days.  He also still thinks that she is the greatest! 

Lincoln is ridiculously strong for his age.  He actually full on stands on his legs/feet, for a crazy amount of time.  He loves it.  He also makes the walking motion when standing, stomping at times and actually moving his feet other times.  He officially can rest on my hip, since his head control is on point and grabs on to my shirt (or hair) most times.  His grip is just as strong.  He finds my hair and also his sisters, when she gives him hugs.  Lincoln also has started enjoying the high chair and lion seat that Grammy got for him.  It's great to have him sitting up and able to see things that are going on.  With his strong leg kicks, he can wiggle his butt down in the bouncy chair and the swings these days.  Needless to say, we now have to buckle him in so he doesn't slide out!  He also doesn't hate tummy time, unless his stomach hurts.  I probably don't do it as often as I should, but he gets a lot of head control when he's held as well.  He has rolled a few times from his front to his back, but not every time.  He did it 4 times in a row on August 2nd.  I'm sure it will start to happen more often this next month. 

I got a used double jogging stroller this month and an infant insert that allows him to go in the standard seat.  Isla loves sitting beside him and he is starting to enjoy the ride.  He also started Bathtime Babies at Emler swim school this month.  This boy, like his sister, loves the water.  It's been fun to have him in class and seems like forever ago that I started Isla.

My boy, my days are brighter with you in them.  Words can't express how much I love you and how happy I am to be your momma. 

Three Months

Wow, my love, three months seems unreal.  Weren't you just born yesterday, and yet, you are growing by leaps and bounds!  There are so many moments that I wish I could freeze in time, even just a little longer, to enjoy this stage in your life.  Your smile is everything.  I often tell you that, 'I just love you', there are no other words to describe my love for you.

Today you were (estimated) 12 pounds 8 ounces and 25 inches long

Lincoln has grown out of all of his 0-3 month clothes and fitting nicely into 3 month outfits.  He doesn't have a ton of rolls on him (yet!), but he sure does feel big to me.  I foresee him growing out the 3 month clothes in the next few weeks!  We are still on the 1st snap on the cloth diapers, which we go through our stash quickly.  He seems to fill his diapers more than Isla, so we often have to change the full diaper vs just the insert.  Thankfully, Lincoln doesn't mind at all when his diaper is dirty, but I think part of that has to do with the feel of cloth diapers vs a regular disposable diaper.   I bought a box of size 2 Honest diapers, just to have on hot/outdoor days.  I'd say we use those only about 15-20% of the time. 

Our daily schedule is still inconsistent.  He usually will sleep until 7:30 AM and bedtime is still between 6:30 - 7:30 PM.  He's started to get more irritable in the evenings, so that bedtime as been closer to 6:30 PM most nights.  Now the day time in between, that is really dependent on him.  He usually will nap around 60-90 minutes after he eats.  Although he often likes to nurse to sleep too, so we will call that his daily snacks.  His naps vary between a quick 30 minute nap, to 1-2 hours if I'm lucky!  Thankfully I'm at home, so we can adjust as needed.   I wish I could say he has completely grown out of the gas issues, but we are still working on it.  I definitely think that issue affects his napping/sleep.  I feel like it's gotten better in the last week, after we introduced a daily probiotic.  I give them to him right before bed.  He isn't thrilled to have a cold liquid given to him, but he quickly settles back down.  He's still sleeping in our room at night, but will nap in his crib during the day.  I'm hoping to transition him to the crib at night within the next few days.  I'm not overly excited to move him out of our room, but remember feeling the same way when we moved Isla too. However, for him, he is almost outgrown the pack'n'play, so we don't really have an option!  Let's just hope it goes well!

Lincoln is really such a ham.  His smiling is the greatest and he's already started to be a flirt!  He hasn't given us a good laugh yet, but there are many times I know he is just wanting to.  I thought he had laughed when I was nursing him the other day, but haven't heard it again since.  He really likes to be a part of the conversation and is completely smitten with his sister.  Lincoln already looks at her with awe and I can already tell he is going to follow her every lead when he's bigger.

He has the best head control already.  I'm impressed!  He doesn't love to do tummy time, but when I hold him over my shoulder, he has no issue completely holding his head on his own.  His legs (probably due to all the gas) are SO strong!  He already stands on them with no hesitation, holding his head up like a big boy!  He was laying on his play mat and I pulled him up with his hands.  He normally goes into a seated position, but this time he decided to stand all the way up. I was amazed.  Lincoln also likes to just stand when being held and will even 'walk' a little already.  Is it me, or does this seem way too soon?!

He doesn't love his car seat all the time, but he does a pretty good job in there.  The pacifier helps on the days he's over it.  Often times he will just pass out in the car seat and does a good job transiting to the crib once we get home.  We are still going on morning walks together, with Isla, so he always gets some car seat time then as well as when we take Isla to school.  When he's mad, you'll know it.  His angry cry is nothing to mess around with.  I foresee another strong willed child in our future!  I even see him giving the same pouty face that Isla used to when she was mad.  Oh boy!

His favorite things right now are his daddy.  He loves when D comes home and talks to him!  He still adores the fan and we can always get a smile out of him when we blow air out of our lips.  Lincoln has started to enjoy being on his play mat and even had a few times in his lion chair that sits up that Grammy got him.  The frames on the wall above is changing pad area always impressive to him and he's started being interested in grabbing things.  He still hates being hungry (especially if you try and give him a pacifier when he's hungry), getting out of the bath and getting his nails trimmed.  We also tried the bottle once this past month, but he wasn't overly impressed.  Hopefully we can try it again this week or next and get him to eat a full 4-5 ounces from it!   Lincoln is also already chewing on things, my hand/pacifier/his hand/etc.  He also has an abundance of drool!  I don't remember Isla being as drooly as he is! 

Lincoln, I can't get enough of you my love.  I'll take your warm snuggles and being able to rub my cheek on the top of your soft little, heavenly smelling, head any time of the day! 

Two Months

Two months, my little sweet pea!  Everyday I swear I could just eat you up!  There are times that I feel like you are older than two months, in the way that it seems like you've been in our lives forever.  You've grown so much, and yet, when I hold you and see your little reflection in the mirror, you are still so small.  You've stolen my heart, my sweet boy.

Today you weighed 11 pounds 3 ounces and 22 inches long 

The amount this boy has grown and changed in 2 months is awesome and unreal!  In a blink of an eye, he's grown out of all of his newborn clothes and fitting nicely in 0-3 months and even some 3 month clothes.  I may have been able to push the newborn attire a little longer, but the cloth diapers add a little extra bulk in the bottom.  Thankfully, I had stocked up in a ton of 3 month clothes (much safer buying option before he arrived and we didn't know how big he'd be!) and let's just say he has no shortage of clothes.   

So yes, yay!  We've started using our cloth diapers.  Lincoln was having such awful diaper rash with the Pampers, that we didn't even finish the stock from the hospital.  As soon as we went through all our Honest diapers, we changed to cloth and haven't looked back.  If my memory serves me correctly, it was shortly after the one month mark that we made the switch.  I'm so happy we didn't wait any longer, they really are so much nicer on the skin.  I must admit, it's always a little adjustment moving over to cloth, but since I work from home, the laundry doesn't bother me and the benefits completely outweigh any extra work.  Because Lincoln eats so much and is bigger (or maybe it's the boy parts), we go through more a day than I remember with Isla.   I wash them every day/day and a half at the longest.  At night, I find it easiest to simply change the entire diaper (shell and insert), so I don't have to worry about exactly what I'm doing in my sleepy state.  The only time I've put a regular diaper on him is if we are going to be in the heat for a long period of time.  I do find the cloth can add to how hot he is, which it's been awfully humid lately here.   

Lincoln is still setting both our feeding and sleep schedule right now.  His typical day has him waking around 5-6 for a feeding and if I'm lucky, he'll fall back asleep until around 7:30 AM.  There have been some mornings that he is wide awake and ready to go!  I do think it's nice to have a little one-on-one time in the morning with Isla before he joins us.  It also allows me to make her breakfast, pump and make her lunch for school before he needs my attention.  Once he's up, he might eat, depending on how long he slept and when he ate that morning.  I try and feed him right before we take Isla to school, around 8:45 AM.  He often falls back asleep in the car ride.  The rest of the day is up to him.  I have a tentative schedule in mind, but haven't been following it at all.  Lincoln is definitely one that gets hangry, oh boy!  If you try and give him a pacifier when he really wants the boob, you'll know it.  It's almost a hysterical cry at that point!  From 6-7 PM is his fussy time, which is always fun when we are also getting Isla ready for bed.  D handles it like a champ.  He loves hearing the sound of the running bath water, the blow dryer and even trips outside with dad.  Usually by 7:30 PM he is ready for bed.

We haven't officially started a set bedtime routine, but he does get a bath every other day.  We were starting to use bath wash and lotion, but about a week ago he got bumps all over his skin.  I think they are due to the heat, but we decided to cut out the soap, just in case that wasn't helping his skin heal.   He still loves bath time.  I'm sure he is going to be just like Isla and love the water.  D always gives the kids baths and I'll get bed time stuff ready while that's happening.  We've been putting on noise at night for him.  I've chosen the oscillating fan sound on our app.  He is still sleeping in the rock'n'play, so we will sit in my bed and nurse until he's asleep.  Some nights that's really early, but most often he's not asleep until 8:30 PM.  Once he's down, I usually pump and follow him to bed. Thankfully he is a good sleeper and usually stays asleep until at least 1 AM, a few times he slept until 3/4 and once until 5 AM.  Lincoln will go back to sleep pretty easily, I don't usually have to fight him in the night.  If he is having a hard time settling back down, some rocking in the bed helps.

I need to start having L nap in his crib, which has happened a few times, but not very often.  The first time he napped in his crib was on May 21st.  It's been pretty hit or miss.  Sometimes he will stay asleep and sometimes he immediately wakes up when I put him down.  Oh the art of getting your child to sleep.  I've even tried to swaddle him a few times in there, just because I've found it's his arm movement that keeps waking him up. 

Lincoln's digestion has gotten a little better lately.  I've stopped eating both eggs and beans the last 2 weeks and I've really seen a difference.  He still is having lots of gas, but nothing like before.  We often will run his legs and rub his belly.  The Windi's have been a life saver for those days that he really is in pain.  They are magical.  I think they are a must have!  We don't use them all the time (I don't want him getting dependent on them to poop/toot, but man do they work!).  I swear this boy toots and burps like an adult.  We just laugh.  You'll often find Isla saying, 'when you gotta toot, you gotta toot'.  It's the best of times in our house!  

We haven't given him a bottle yet, but I did give in and start on the pacifier on May 22nd.  As I mentioned, he doesn't always want it, but it's been nice to have when out and about.  He's started finding his little hand by putting it in a fist and the running his hand down his face.  This has lead to some scratches on his face, since he refuses to let me trim his nails.  Between his nails and his eyelashes, I'm not sure which ones grow faster?!

My sweet boy has really started smiling, following you around with his eyes and even cooing/talking back to us when we play.  His first chattering starting around May 20th.  He loves watching the fan and smiles quite often, once he finds it.  He doesn't hate tummy time, but prefers to hold his head up over your shoulder instead.  I've been impressed with how well he can hold his head up from the beginning of the month.  I still love the way he stretches in the morning or after he's been in his car seat too long.  I need to get that on camera soon, as I know it doesn't continue forever.  This month he's also discovered my hair and grabbing on to that as well as the joy of early morning walks with me, when it's not too hot! 

Little Lincoln, you're sweet smile is enough to light up the room.  I love you to the moon and back!

One Month

My sweet little Lincoln, I am completely in love with you.  I could spend every minute of every day with you, cuddled up on my chest, resting your sweet little head on my cheek.  Having you and your sister by my side, there really is nothing better in this world.

Today you weighed 9 pounds 3ounces and 20.5 inches long

How is it possible that you are already a month old?  I wake up every morning and can see that you have grown!  It's impossible to say how happy having you in our lives has made us.  You are just the sweetest little thing.  When we brought you home, you were swimming in you newborn clothes, but now you are filling them out and even out of some of them.  You love to eat, so your belly and cheeks are filling out nicely.  You still have the skinniest little chicken legs and minimal rolls for me to love on.

I plan on using cloth diapers (hopefully transitioning in the next few weeks), but right now he is wearing size 1 diapers.  He would probably still be in newborn diapers (he has no butt and did I mention tiny little legs?!), but we ran out and have a full stock of size 1s.  We started out using the Pampers diapers they provide you at the hospital, even got another package of the sensitive ones, but he started getting the worst diaper rash with them.  I feel like that brand doesn't keep the wetness away from the skin.  We are now using Honest diapers, which I loved with Isla too.  We have found that the aquaphor diaper cream works the best for him right now.  Thankfully the rash has been staying away since!  Isla has been the best helper when it comes to changing his diaper.  She will get out all the necessary items and then talk with him while he gets changed.  Your sister loves you so much Lincoln!

Lincoln's umbilical cord fell off about a week after he was born.  I am always happy when that's gone.  Between diaper changes with that and his circumcision, it was one less thing to worry about!   We haven't had any blowouts yet, but the kid sure knows when to pee across the room!  We've gotten much better at blocking it, but there are still a few times a week that he surprises us mid change! 

Can we talk about newborn gas?  This poor child has the worst gas.  His farts are intense, I feel so bad for him!  We've purchased (this last week) gripe water and Windi's to help relieve some of the pain.  We haven't had to use the Windi's yet, but I've heard they are amazing.  I'm not sure why it's been so bad for him.  I feel like my milk comes down pretty quickly, so he's been working through getting used to that.  I elevate his head, so gravity is helping reduce the amount of air he ingests when he's gulping down the milk.  I even have tried pulling him off a few times to help him and burping midway through has been helpful.  Some days I feel like it's gotten better, but we are still working through it.  

I've been letting Lincoln dictate our schedule, which involves him eating quite often.  He sometimes uses the breast to pacify himself, which I don't mind.  He is probably eating more because of it.  I'm so thankful that this time, breastfeeding has been so much easier.  After the first two days, Lincoln figured out his days and nights.  The first day was rough putting him in the rock and play.  He really wanted to be snuggled up next to me to sleep.  I'll admit I was tired enough that there were a few nights he did sleep on my chest.  I started waking him up every 2 hours during the day, to help him realize it wasn't nighttime.  Now we have gotten it figured out, which has been nice.

Typically around 6-7 PM, Lincoln has his awake time (what D calls his witching hour).  He is ready for bed, but we are putting Isla down, so he's awake and more aggravated.  Sometimes he will eat and go to bed around 8, but most nights he is cluster feeding and doesn't officially go to sleep until 9/9:30 PM.  Once he is asleep, he will give me a good 3-4 hour period of sleep before waking.  Since he is sleeping by our bed, we get to hear all of his noises and boy does he make a ton of them!  I remember missing all those noises when we finally put Isla in her room, but I think Lincoln is louder/noisier than she ever was!  He is pretty good at going right back to sleep after I've changed him and fed him in the night.  The only time he fights it is when he's irritated with gas.  Isla has been getting up in the night with him here.  I think she doesn't want to miss out on anything that's happening.  I've let D take over putting her back to bed.

Being the second child, we've been less diligent getting a bedtime routine down with you.  I'd like to start giving him a bath every other night, but some days that doesn't happen.  I mean he's relatively clean, right?  Lincoln got his first bath on the 22nd, which he liked!  He really is content most of the time.  Just happy to be here.  I will say that getting out, if he gets cold, he does not appreciate.  I also need to start reading you a little book or singing a song to go to sleep, but that hasn't happened yet.

Lincoln loves to stretch out his neck after a long rest or getting out of the car seat.  I love it!  He usually pouts his lips and stretches his head back as far as he can.  His feet are typically tucked up, just like he was when he was in me.  This leg position tends to be his favorite in most situations.  His arms however, he loves to have free.  I've tried swaddling him, but from the beginning he has fought having them swaddled.  I typically will just swaddle his stomach, but leave his arms free.  Occasionally they will wake him up, but usually he can move his arms around and be fine.  He tends to have them up around his head or straight down when sleeping.

Thankfully he is not at all bothered by all the noise in the house.  Between our crazy pups (which love to sniff him) and Isla, I'm amazed he gets any sleep!  He really doesn't cry all that often, but we have progressed passed his sweet little newborn cry.  When he's really upset, that cry breaks my heart!

Our first family outing was a trip to Stouthaus for our morning coffee and breakfast tacos.  That was on the 22nd of April as well.  He initially doesn't love being in his car seat, but he's getting better in it.  Once the car is in motion, he is usually fine.  Motion helps everything!  Although he doesn't love it as much as Isla did.  He'd be happier with a pacifier, but I'm holding off until my milk supply is in.  Selfishly, I'd like to avoid it, to keep him breastfeeding longer, but we shall see if that happens.  I feel like he's either going to find his hand/fingers or we give him a pacifier one of these days.

We have been pretty good at having Lincoln do tummy time or at least work on his neck muscles on our shoulder.  I'm amazed at how strong his neck is already.  He can definitely hold his head up for quite a while, when he wants to.  I purchased some Wee Gallery Art Cards that he is mesmerized by and I place on the couch where he does tummy time.  Isla also adores playing with him in his room, so most mornings we go in Lincoln's room and he enjoys some mat time with her.  We read books and she has the best time picking out his outfits for the day!

I am loving this stage, but I can't wait to see more of your personality come to life.  Between your sweetness and your newborn smell that's intoxicating, I could eat you up.  Lincoln, I love you to the moon and back. 

Welcoming Darrell Lincoln

I'll say the same I did for Isla's birth story... This post is for my memory, I'm sharing, but I'm warning you now it possibly contains too much personal information about Lincoln's birth.  I also want to thank Jenny DeMarco for the amazing images captured that day.  Words can not express how much they mean to me.  

We welcomed our sweet little Lincoln into the world on Thursday, April 13th at 7:59 AM, weighing 6 pounds 9 ounces and 19 inches long.  Our beautiful baby boy was born through a scheduled c-section, so our birth experience this time around was the exact opposite of our 'granola' birth we had with Isla.

After multiple attempts to get Lincoln to rotate, including scheduling an unsuccessful aversion with my doctor at 39 weeks, he was still in the breech position.  He was perfectly content where he was, head up in my ribs and legs/feet at the lowest spot possible right over my cervix.  That left us little choice as to what our birth experience would be, but I found it easier to accept (having a c-section) because there was no other choice.  Plus, I find it interesting to see both sides of the spectrum, regarding birthing.   

Throughout my pregnancy with Lincoln, we were constantly keeping an eye on him.  Initially we'd been watching him for growth, since Isla was born early and on the small side.  Then, as I hit the 3rd trimester, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  I didn't know that much about GD before, but basically the placenta blocks my ability to produce the amount of insulin needed during pregnancy (which is around 3 times more than usual).  I failed the 1-hour test so badly (my sugar levels were at 180, 1 hour after fasting - ouch!) that I didn't even get to take the 3 hour test, I just had GD.  It honestly wasn't the worst thing, I was able to regulate my blood sugars through diet and exercise and did not need any insulin shots.  Now, pricking my finger/testing my blood sugar 5 times a day wasn't that great, I'm not going to lie.  The main thing that I did was removed almost all carbs, including fruits, and made sure to eat 5 smaller meals a day.  I must say, I saw a difference in my weight once I started the diet.  In the last trimester, I basically stayed the same weight.  All that said, I think it's funny that I had GD (main concern for this is having a 'fat' baby) and yet Lincoln was always measuring small.  

As the weeks passed, we kept watching him for movement/breathing/weight and overall growth.  Once I heard he was termed 'breech', I just knew he wasn't going to flip.  I tried to be positive, as mentioned above.  We did all sorts of things to get him to rotate - Chiropractor using the Webster method, doing flips/diving motion in the swimming pool, laying with legs up, bouncing, walking, you name it.  However, he (both babes really) just stayed in that one position.  I never had a full rotation movement of my belly with either of my kids.   It wasn't until after the aversion, where the doctor and nurse literally tried to push on my belly and rotate him, that I started to wrap my mind around what the c-section would be like.  I did the aversion on a Thursday and then the following Tuesday, I had one last appointment to make sure the babe was doing okay.  We did a full sonogram, followed by a motion/heart rate test before finalizing that our appointment would be that Thursday.

 
So on the morning of the 13th, we arrived at Seton Northwest to check in to Labor and Delivery at 5:30 AM.  I wasn't nervous, but the anticipation left me with only 4 hours of sleep the night leading up to his birth.  I was thankful for the early time frame, since I wasn't able to eat or drink anything after midnight.  After gathering our paperwork, I was wheeled up to Labor and Delivery and we were checked into our room.  Since I had done the aversion the week before, the process was very similar - put on the sexy hospital gown, IV, fluids, blood drawn and they did one more sonogram to verify that he was indeed still breech.  

Once everything was completed by the nurse, the anesthesiologist came in and talked to me about the spinal epidural.  He was kind, communicative and overall amazing.  I'm so thankful for doctors that will take the time to walk you through the process and ensure that you feel comfortable and confident in what is going to be happening to your body.  I also loved my nurse that was with us in the OR and for the first few hours after he was born.  Having a great team really makes a world of difference in these situations!  Shortly after he left, my OB stopped by as well and went through everything on her end with me.
Shortly after 7 AM, they were walking me into the OR to get settled.  I find it comical that they have you literally stroll in to the operating room and just hop up on the table, like it's NBD.  Darrell wasn't able to actually go into the OR until I was given the spinal and the surgery had already begun.  As you can imagine, the room was cold and sterile, not overly welcoming, but the doctors and nurses helped soften the atmosphere.  Did I mentioned that the room was freezing, like an ice box - holy cow!

Once I was laying on the operating table, the doctor had me lay on my right side, tucking my legs and head to my chest.  The nurse helped me get into position and hold me there, while the doctor talked me through the process one more time. When he put in the first numbing shot, my left muscle contracted and made my back move.  Both the doctor and nurse were like, um yeah, don't do that... not that I could help it.  Once that settled in, I couldn't feel (thankfully) the spinal at all and had no issues with movement when he placed that shot.  Immediately I started to feel the tingly, heavy, warm feeling in my lower body.  The doctor informed me that I should be numb from the breasts down.  They quickly had me adjust myself to where I was laying on my back.   I remember joking that I felt like I was in a spa, with the warm blankets they placed on my chest and arms and the compression wraps massaging my calves.  I was surprised that I could still move my toes for the first few minutes, but within 5 minutes my lower half was numb.  I thought it was rather surreal that before they get started, the nurse gets everyone to be silenced.  They read your name, the date, time and state the goal of the operation.  Being awake during this, it almost feels like you are supposed to answer/confirm that statement, like yes, all is correct, please proceed.   

It's the funniest sensation to not be able to feel your body, although I could definitely tell that things were happening to me.  This is the part that I thought would bother me the most.  I tried to focus on the end goal and other things, like the lights on the ceiling and the warm blankets in the moments that no one was talking to me.   The drape was put up in front of me, and to start, they sterilized the area and had to wait 3 minutes to get started.  Through it all, I stayed pretty calm.  I was nervous going into the operation that I'd start to panic.  I adore my OB, so while we waited, we talked about her upcoming party she was throwing her daughter and the vendors she was using.  


Of course, I really didn't know when they exactly started, but things moved pretty quickly.  Shortly after they began, I heard my OB say, we better get the dad in the OR.  The nurse went to get D in the room and within a few short minutes I heard the sweetest little cry from my baby boy.  I immediately had a smile and tears running down my face, even before seeing him.  I didn't necessarily feel him come out, but I do remember feeling the relief/ability to breath easier once his little head was out from my ribs.  The nurse was holding him up and she brought him around the curtain for us to see.  I got a few moments with him before they took him to be examined.  I remember thinking he's the most perfect little breech baby!  I didn't hear what he weighed, so I kept asking as we were guessing before he arrived.  I said 6.5 and D said 6.8, which we both were pretty close! 



D stayed with Lincoln, while I lay there with a smile stuck on my face just absorbing how amazing that moment was and how his little cry was the sweetest noise I had ever heard.  My doctor took some time to see why she wasn't able to flip him, but essentially my placenta was placed mainly on my right side.  She also was having issues seeing my left ovary, apparently I only have one.   We had a conversation about how when I had my appendix removed, they mentioned only being able to see one in my CAT scan that we did.  During that microscopic surgery, they actually made a note to take a photo, which I need to bring to my OB on my next visit.  I'm not sure if it was the right or left they took a photo of, but she said she would be able to tell just by looking at it.  The back end of the surgery definitely took the longest.  After Lincoln was cleared and things looked good on his end, D carried him back over to me while they finished the surgery.  I didn't get to see these first few minutes of Lincoln's life, so I am in love with all the images Jenny captured!   

 

 

Once I was put back together, they moved me from the OR table to a bed, where I got to hold Lincoln for the first time.  Heaven, pure heaven.

 
Thinking back, I don't remember as much from the hours we were in the room.  I do know the nurse did a wonderful job helping me get him to latch for the first time.  I appreciate that she got all up in there to guide me.  We stayed in that room for a few hours before we went up to the mother-baby floor.  Lincoln was a little cold at one point, so he was placed under the heating element.  He also got a bath and his first shot while we were in that room.  It was closer to 12:30 PM when we were finally settled with our beautiful baby boy!   

Two Whole Years.

My dearest Isla,

Baby girl, you are two!  You have been telling us that your birthday is soon for the last month and it's finally here.  After you say, 'Isla's birthday soon', we will ask you how old you’ll be and you quickly and excitedly say 2!!!  You can’t quite show 2 with your pointer and middle finger, so you show us with your thumb and your pointer.  Ohhh, funny, as you would say.   Gosh, I love you so much. 

I honestly can not believe you are two.  Your momma is having a harder time with this birthday than when you turned one.  I think it’s because you are far from a baby these days and I know I’m going to blink and you’ll be driving.  It all goes so fast and I don't want to miss a moment. 

I want you to know that I absolutely adore this stage with you.  You brighten my day in so many ways, I can not begin to say.  You've started pushing your limits, and I can't help but see my own strong will in those eyes. 

You are the sweetest, gentlest, lovingest little girl.   You give the biggest, best hugs.  My heart melted when you said you loved me for the first time and even more when you now say it to me out of the blue.  Your giggle is contagious and you absolutely love to be tickled.   Most mornings involve rolling all over the bed, singing us your favorite song in that moment.  I adore your nosy kisses and you still are obsessed with running your hands through my hair. 

I'm so proud of every growth and developmental stride you have made this past year.  As much as I want to keep you as my little, sweet babe, I never want to hold you back.  You amaze me with how smart and absorbent you are.  I can't even say how many words you know, since you can talk and have conversations with us.  You can count to 15 and sing most of your abc's (sometimes not in the right order).  You absolutely love to sing.  You might not know all the words to the songs, but you know the melody and will sing your heart out.  Some of your favorite songs are Twinkle Twinkle little star, variations of your swim class songs (Wheels on the bus) and How much is that Doggy in the Window. 

The biggest change you made was rocking potty training over the Valentine's day weekend.  We started the process after swim class that day and within 2 days you really had a handle on the process.  I was amazed.  I'm still amazed.  You are still wearing diapers during nap (if you don't potty right before) and in bed, but most days you hold it as long as you can. 

You love to read.  After dad heads to work in the mornings, we typically spend a good 30 minutes reading books.  Your favorites right now are Duck&Goose, Spot and Hairy McClarey books.  You are such a cheeser, when we ask you to take photos and ask to see them as soon as they are taken.  Pretending to call people is one of your favorite activities and when we actually get to Facetime Aunt Katie and Frankie, it's the highlight of your day. 

You finally let me put ponies in your hair, but only with some book and game time on my phone.  You don't get to play much, but when you do, you enjoy Endless numbers (especially Pinkerton) and Endless reading.  We don't watch shows quite as much these days, but you mostly like songs on YouTube, Daniel Tiger and Peppa Pig.  Days with you involve painting, coloring, being a good little mother to your dolls and walking around your Frankie dog.  If you could, you would still spend the entire day outside.  You are obsessed with our pups, and especially rubbing your head all over Bella.  You will be an opportunist and ride on the Stiggie when he's laying on the bed if you get the chance.  

You still are obsessed with eating Dad's bread in the morning.  Your dad and I joked today about when you'd finally stop taking bites out of his dry sandwich bread.  He said when you're 5.  When you drink your milk from your cereal bowl, you giggle and say the silliest random words.  You love to eat dad's Turkey and cheese as much as the bread.  We finally got you a kitchen helper, which was way overdue.  You enjoy having your hands in everything and seeing exactly what is going on.  Dad has made you his little barista, as you help him scoop the coffee beans into the grinder each morning and flip the switch on and off. 

We haven't gone to your 2 year appointment, but I am guessing that you are more in the 50 percentile range now.  You are wearing some 18 month bottoms, but really fit in almost all of your 2T clothes.  You've started to get opinionated about what you wear and love helping put your clothes away.  Really you like to help with most things, including cleaning, vacuuming and both dishes and laundry. 

Finally we can say that you have all of your teeth except your 2 year molars.  Thankfully, that isn't affecting your sleep, but you are still not the best sleeper.  We went through a period where you were getting up multiple times again, but I hope we are back on track.  

Baby girl, you are the biggest ham I know and I could eat you up.  I love you so. 

Love Mommy buns.

Update for your measurements:

Height	Weight	BMI	Head Circumference
33.5 in (51st %)	27 lbs 7 oz (61st %)	17.2 (70th %)	48.7 cm (19.17 in; 81st %)