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Sunday, December 20, 2009

Naughty or Nice??

What a wonderful afternoon we had. It was time... time for Mikey to meet Jolly Good Ole St. Nick. That's just what we did. The setting: Hinsdale, IL. Santa's village loaded with gingerbread cookie decorating contests, carriage rides and Santa's workshop. It was snowing and we went at the perfect time. No long lines, just a short wait before meeting the big guy. I must admit I was a little nervous for Michael. He's in a stage where he is very aware of who is holding him and who he wants holding him. For Santa's sake, I was hoping Michael didn't break out into a tantrum because he wanted Mommy or Daddy. It was our turn. The door to Santa's Workshop opened and Dennis, Michael, Boompa, Auntie Laura, Meghan and myself piled into the 4' x 8' space. There before us was Santa (a young Santa with a not so real beard). I plopped Mikey down on his lap and instantly he was amused. Big smiles, giggles and a staring contest were part of his four minutes with Santa. What a happy boy. I'm sure he was able to tell Santa in his own words just what it is he would like for Christmas and that he's been incredibly well behaved- except for that little "I don't really want to sleep at night" thing. No coal for this little guy.

Santa's Workshop!

And, just who might you be?

He looks pretty goofy.

No, really. Who is this guy?!

I think I like him!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

We Heart Nancy!!

As many of you know I am a fan of photographs. My favorite photographs ever happen to be the beautiful work of Nancy Barker, the grandmother of Kelby and Erin Anderson (two tots I used to babysit when at IOWA and now are a part of my extended family). I'm sure you have heard me rave about her in the past. Well, here comes another round. Let me just start off by saying that Nancy lives in Freeport, IL, two hours away from us and that trip is the most exciting two hour drive ever. I get all giggley just thinking about what she might capture on her camera. We are lucky enough not to just know Nancy as a photographer but a wonderful friend with the warmest personality. She spent over an hour with Michael capturing the spirit of our sweet baby boy. She then took the time to edit a slideshow for us and set it to music. This gallery brought me to tears. Really. Lots of tears. I could sit and watch it play over and over and over again! She captured his bubbley, devilish personality in her still frames I only wish I was able to capture with my cheap Kodak camera. Enough with my blabbering you can see for yourself. If you would like you can visit Nancy's blog at http://www.nmbphotography.com/ or catch her on Facebook.


Just a short preview...
(All photos are property of NmB Photography.)

Snapshots of the Week (27)

My new favorite thing.

Playing with Moosey.
Trying to wake up Daddy.

Ah, success!

Week Twenty-Seven!!

I'm 27 weeks old!!

A Note to our 6 Month Old.

Michael Lincoln,

I can't believe you have been with us for six months already. How time flies when you are in love!

You have changed so much in the brief time you have been here. You amaze us every day with something new, I can't get enough of you. Before we know it you will be crawling around this place looking for ways to get into trouble. I think you've already got a head start on planning that. Right now I am truly enjoying the "I can put you down anywhere and you will stay phase". Your smile makes my day, it truly does. Even when I feel like I can't fold one more piece of laundry or pick up one more toy all I have to do is think of you and how I get the pleasure of doing it all again tomorrow. You have just recently started laying your head on my shoulder when you get sleepy and I can't help but breathe you in. You're snuggly and giggly and the most amazing part of my life.

You are our favorite thing. We love you more with each day that passes. Here's to the next six months and all the adventures that come with it!

We love you our sweet baby boy with all that we have.

Mommy and Daddy

Friday, December 11, 2009

I'm 6 Months Old (Exclusively from MLB)!!

Hello loyal blog followers,

Michael Lincoln here. Coming straight at you from my crib. Wow, I'm six whole months old now. How exciting! I'm learning so many new things that each day comes with a new surprise. Let's get started on the list...
  • I sit. I roll over (only back to belly, though. I'm still working on the other way.) I walk (in my walker of course). I jump (in my Jumperoo)! I really, really love the exercise!!
  • I sleep on my side now and maybe not all the way through the night. Let me tell ya, since moving here to Chicago I just haven't been able to get back into my old routine. Mommy and Daddy are working very hard to solve this dilemma.
  • I've seen my first snow fall! That stuff is soooo cold. Mommy gave me some to play with and I didn't want anything to do with it. I hope I get used to it before Boompa takes me sledding.
  • Mommy, Daddy and I cut down our first Christmas tree recently which meant I got to get all dressed up in my snowsuit. Not a good time- in the snowsuit that is.
  • I'm still in a size 4 diaper and 12-18 month clothing. I might be the size of a two year-old but fun like a six month old.
  • My favorite food at the moment is carrots. Can't get enough of them. Oh, and those bitter biscuits I get for dessert and mashed potatoes!! Yum-O!
  • The sippy cup plays tricks on me. I still can't figure out how to get juice out of it all of the time, only some of the time. Argh.
  • My favorite time is in the morning with Daddy. We play in bed together for a while (I think it's so he can really wake up). He does these push-up things with me that make me tummy tickle.
  • Speaking of tickling... I'm ticklish everywhere. My feet, my armpits, my toes, my thighs, EVERYWHERE!!
  • I'm very, very close to crawling. I just can't seem to hold up all that weight (aka my head) with my little arms. I'm getting stronger every day and soon will be scooting across the floor.
  • I'm super snuggley. I just found out that I can put my head on Mommy's shoulder when I'm tired and it's a pretty comfortable spot, too.
  • Mommy had to pack my jungle playmat away because I destroyed it.
  • I pull hair now all the time.
  • I suck on three of my fingers at once. Two just isn't enough.
  • I can put my feet all the way in my mouth. It's a true art form.
  • I can stand for long periods of time (if somebody is holding my hands, of course). In fact, I love it.
  • Still love car rides.
  • I'm asking Santa for a puppy for Christmas. Daddy says this probably won't be happening.
  • I'm a huge fan of Christmas lights. They are all over the house and I spend hours just staring at them. My fave is my Crosstown Classic tree that Mommy put up in my room. Cubs. White Sox. I've got the best of both worlds.
  • Daddy's whiskers tickle so much that I can't help myself but to break out in hysterical laughter whenever he rubs his face on my belly.
  • My favorite books are the "If You Give..." series. If you give a pig a pancake...
  • I love my family.

I think that may just be it for now. I'll be catching you on the flip side!!

Merry Christmas to all and Happy Holidays. I hope Santa is good to you (and to me:)!

xoxo,

MLB

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Aunt Jamima Called...

Mikey and I were a little bored this afternoon. I was waiting for my cookies to bake and Mikey was just chillin' in his walker when all of a sudden burp cloth dress-up dominated our next hour. He wasn't a huge fan. I was laughing so hard I peed in my pants just a little bit.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Week Twenty-Six!!

I'm 26 weeks old!!

Snapshots of the Week (26)

Higher, Dad.

Schnoogs.

Just waitin' for my bath.

Hey, Boomps, whatcha got there?!

Mikey's first snow.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Decking the Halls!!

Wow, what a weekend packed full of Christmas activities, including making gifts. We've been doing nothing but decorating since Friday. Saturday really made my winter. We bundled Mikey up in his snowsuit for the first time (hysterical) and made a trip to the local tree farm and found our first family Christmas tree. I found it, Dennis cut it down, Mikey watched, Mike helped and we hauled it home. Spent the next couple of hours decorating it and I had a smile on my face the entire time!! I grew up only knowing that Christmas meant taking the time to find the tree that would be in our home for weeks. My parents have never had an artificial tree, and the events that took place around finding that tree are some of my favorite childhood memories. I wanted to share those experiences with Dennis and Michael. So, we did just that. I think we found ourselves a winner. The perfect shape. The perfect height. It makes our boy smile. Mike and Jane were also busy at work this weekend trimming their trees, erecting snow villages and spreading merriment about the house. What a good weekend. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

Some of the gifts I've been making.

Mike working on one of his villages.
Jane dancing to Christmas carols while decorating.
Getting Mikey all bundled up.
A Christmas Story anyone??
Found it!!
Now, getting it down.
The first of many.
Dennis proud of his accomplishment.
Getting it in the house.
Trimming the tree.

All finished.
Mike's village #1.
Mike's village #2.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Week Twenty-Five!!

I'm 25 weeks old (and showing off my new clapping skills)!!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Snapshots of the Week (25)

In my mouth, Dad. In my mouth.

Just me and my dad.

No neck.

I'm a morning person. Daddy is not.