That cute baby

This baby recently got to turn around to face the way big people face in the car.

I read about a year ago about the new "suggested" rear facing guidelines.

And about why they suggested keeping babies rear facing to age 2.

And I decided it sounded important enough to keep him rear facing until he's 2.

But those "suggested" guidelines? They don't know my boy.

And that at age 19 months, he's the size of your average 2 year old.

What?

So. I finally made the executive decision that it'd be better not to have him squished & folded up up like  a contortionist every time I had to put him in the car.

And I think he approves. And I sweat less trying to wrangle that monkey in his seat.

In other news.

On Monday, at Walmart, this cutie threw a huge fit in his stroller while I was grabbing a few things.

Did you know that most people disapprove of a toddler throwing a fit in a stroller at Walmart?

Special times.

He's such a sweet guy, but sure gives this mama a run for her money these days!

That cute baby...

My lunch bunch

My lunch crew since 2007.

Mealtime at our house is messy.

And loud.

And busy.

Sometimes a dog sneaks in there & steals something out of a little boy's hand- Parker is smarter than the dog, the boys are working on it.

I made a joke the other day to someone- who was going out to lunch with friends- not to be jealous of me, because I got to go home & make lunch "for all these people."

We laughed. They knew I was kidding.

But as I drove home, I remembered how much fun I used to have making my toddler peeps food throughout the day. Like I'm pretty sure I loved it. And all the little things that came along with being a new stay at home mama.

It was such a sweet flood of memories.

And I really missed those days.

And then I realized, one day, I'll miss this too.

The chaos of 4 kids at mealtime.

This used to feel like such a privilege, but now seems just so ordinary. And sometimes maddening- if I'm being completely honest.

So I snapped a photo. And I'm determined to look past the loud, the mess & the dog…& find complete joy in my "sort of" simple days again.

Here's to this fabulous lunch bunch & the awesome lunches I make for them!

(just ignore the cereal bowl, corny dogs, & bottle of ketchup)

P.S.- this photo is in black & white because I'm fancy or because my floors were dirty…whatever sounds better.

Four boys on a couch

Nothing like my 4 boys on a couch.

One trying to take a break.

R2D2 striped socks & all.

One climbing up in his lap with the coveted screen.

Asking for help.

One constantly wanting to wrestle.

Especially when you're trying to take it easy.

And one always trying to get away.

And then back up. And then back down again.

Life swirls around me everyday.

Sometimes it's nice to notice it.

In this picture I see the mess behind these 4 guys & wish I could do a better job at keeping up with it all.

But in this picture, I also see 4 people I dearly love, 3 of which are growing & changing, sometimes it seems, daily.

I'm learning to stop. And see. Really see.

And seeing the ordinary? Makes my mundane, ordinary life seem really, really extraordinary.

Christmas 2015 {Gingerbread}

Growing up, my mom, my sister & I always made cute little gingerbread cookies.

In a fun, little, wonky way.

The recipe is as simple as it gets, kids can have all hands on deck & the tradition continues with my family.

They're made from a box mix, you roll each little body part out of the dough, no cookie cutters are involved, & plenty of m&ms are used.

Especially when you're 3 years old.

Here's to gingerbread "baking" 2015…thanks mom for being so fun & helping me want to be the same with my kids!

Did I mention they taste awesome?
I can eat my weight's worth in these babies.
Thankfully my kids like them just as much as I do, so they force me to share.
Parker made her little guy perfect. She's very much like her dad (who's was also perfect) & is in to those details.
Tucker was determined to make his, his way. While baking in his undies.
Truett wanted all the m&ms. ALL the m&ms.
Lincoln was just happy to be there. And may or may not have eaten a few tiny m&ms himself.
And as fast as we made those cookies, we ate them.
Such a fun time of year!

Christmas Tree 2015

Thanksgiving 2015 came & went.

And I have about 3 random photos to show for it. Shoot.

It brought the rain & cold along with the turkey & pies for our holiday this year.

And that meant our usual tromp through the forest the day after Thanksgiving for our perfect Christmas tree was dampened (haha- sorry- it was too easy) by all that rain.

Enter: Home Depot to save the day!

 We parked our car about 5 feet from the tree tent.

Unloaded our crew & peeled our eyes for "the tree."

Bless those sweet Home Depot shoppers for smiling gracious smiles our way…that brood up there sure is cute, & sure is LOUD.

 And about 1 minute later, there it was.

For real. Tent tree shopping is fast!

 We shook off the cold rain water, smiled for a few obligatory photos…that turned out so well…

(see below photo for proof) & brought our tree to the shaker to get all wrapped up.

 We gathered around the heaters, causing a bit of a scene when someone, who shall remain nameless, but who is in the photo below, couldn't get his dad's attention that he wanted to go with him to pay, then all hightailed it inside for a quick restroom break (Home Depot has real bathrooms too- not port-a-potties…amen).

 By the time we made it out, Mitchel & some boys had loaded our precious cargo atop the swagger wagon & it was time to head home.

The rain even held off long enough to get the tree home & unloaded.

All in all it was a good tree hunting day after all.

We missed the tree farm & the sawing & the hay rides, but the rain & mud pushed us to the easy route this year, & we still had fun.

Until I saw the receipt at home.

Did you know Noble Firs cost a lot of money?

Well. We didn't. Do now.

But it's pretty!

And that's the kickoff to our favorite holiday season.

Yay for Christmas!

Now to finish the shopping & just enjoy the break from the usual chaos.

Or embrace the chaos & enjoy the season?

Whatever. I'm just going to enjoy.

Lincoln Life {10, 11, & 12 months}

Well. It happened.

My baby is a year old.

Why does this keep happening to me??

Babies growing older. Time flying by.

And since that time is flying right on by, here are Lincoln's past 3 months in a glance.

His mom has trouble keeping up with things these days.

I have no idea what her problem is…

Haha!

Lincoln at 10 months:

 Lincoln, today you are 10 months old.

And you are just the cutest little guy.

You are fast these days.

And very hard to catch on camera.

You love playing in the play room with all the big kid toys & getting into the bathroom to unroll all the toilet paper.

 You think peek-a-boo is about the funniest thing ever.

And you still laugh at the funniest things.

You're really not enjoying food anymore than last month just yet, but that's ok.

You have enough squish on your bones to last a little while.

You're pulling up on everything in sight & cruising around.

I don't know that you'll walk soon, but you're already trying to stand on your own.

And you think it's a pretty awesome skill.

2 more months & you'll celebrate a birthday! 

I don't want to talk about it…

Lincoln 11 months:

 Hey little man!

11 months & you are sweet as ever.

You're sleeping 12 hours a night, eating like a champ these days & napping twice a day.

You're a size 12-18 months & in a size 4 diaper.

 You took a trip to the beach this month!

You loved eating the sand & even enjoyed the little waves.

You & I did not enjoy our close sleeping quarters & spent much of our time together at night.

But, you've made up for lost sleep since being back home. Thank goodness.

You've learned to point this month & would rather point than wave. 

You point to lights, your picture of yourself in your room & when people tell you goodbye.

We're also working on some sign language.

When we were teaching you "all done" you surprised us by, instead of signing, just saying it.

Cutie pants.

 You still have the sweetest smile.

You have 7 teeth. You've had them a few months now.

But no signs of anymore coming.

You love your blanket these days, which is awesome come bed time.

And no thumb sucking or paci for you. Amen.

I think you are just the greatest baby in all the world & am so very glad you're mine.

Lincoln 12 months:

 Happy, happy birthday baby Linc!!

Now stop growing up!

This has been the fastest year ever. Pretty sure that's a scientific fact. Or should be.

What a sweet, sweet year you've given us.

At 12 months you are pushing around your little walker like a wild man.

You've taken anywhere from 2 steps to about 7 in a row, but haven't really cared to keep trying on your own.

And I am A O-K with that. 

You have got a mind of your own these days. And you've learned how to let us know when things aren't working out the way you think they should. I can only imagine what that will mean when you start walking. Haha!

 You were once a very friendly baby to your many admirers, but these days they are usually greeted with a scowl.

That stranger danger game of yours is good.

Eventually people wiggle a smile or cute noise out of you.

You're saying a few words & phrases already & everyone thinks its awesome.

You can say "all done," "dada," "buh-buh (bye-bye)," "hush," "be-be (baby)," & occasionally you'll come out with something else, but aren't really big into showing off your skills all the time.

Lately you've also been interested in teaching yourself to climb.

That is not my favorite.

I am still one of your favorite people, but dad is definitely right there with me now days.

And of course Truett (you think he is so fun), Tucker (he can always make you laugh & smile), & Parker (she loves to get you to show off your skills, & you love to smile at her).

You're eating pretty much anything put in front of you these days.

You love apple juice & your first tastes of milk. Water however always gets spit out with disgust.

Which makes me laugh. Funny baby.

You're still in 12-18 month clothes, getting close to getting too long for them.

And you're still comfortably in a size 4 diaper & still have your 7 teeth.

At the doctor yesterday, you weighed in at 22 lbs (70th%) & measured 31" long (90th%).

Growing like a weed.

You love to be outside, put all things in your mouth, unroll all the toilet paper, play with Truett's choo-choos, laugh loud, screech & squeal, yell about things that are bothering you, be on mom or dad's hip, play with the remote control or our phones, & your newest trick is loving to throw. Especially cell phones. It's a lovely habit.

Your favorite songs are You are my Sunshine, the Itsy Bitsy Spider & all the Little Mermaid Jr. songs played on loop in the car.

You're pretty much just the greatest.

Happiest birthday to our littlest guy.

Our world is a better place because you're here.

Love you like a lot, a lot Lincoln Davis.

Lincoln Life {7, 8, & 9 months}

Oh hey, y'all!

I'm months behind on Lincoln posts.

So here's a little post with 3 months in one.

Lincoln at 7 months...

 At 7 months, Mr. Lincoln, you are sweet & squishy & long & happy.

You are just getting started on solid food.

And you're not the biggest fan. We're taking the food train slow & slower. 

This mama is in no rush to grow you up.

You're crawling all over the house.

A common phrase around here is, "Who sees Lincoln??"

Your brothers & sister love that.

You're pulling up on anything on your level & grabbing anything in reach.

You still only have 2 teeth on the bottom.

You're sleeping like a champ. 10-11 hours at night, 3-4 naps a day.

You love to say da-da-da-da, clap your hands (just the cutest), & giggle at the silliest things.

I am still your favorite. By a land slide, baby.

We're just so glad you're ours!!

Lincoln at 8 months...

 Linc! You're 8 months old!

In honor of it being almost the fourth of July, you wore a little red, white & blue for your 8 month photos. You're just so patriotic.

At 8 months, you are in to everything.

You are crawling so fast & are pulling up on everything & cruising along furniture at an alarming rate.

I'm a little afraid of what your future movements will consist of.

You are just the cutest, funniest guy.

You're a hand clapping, high five-ing fool. And we all can't get enough of it.

When you smile, it's so big, you wrinkle up your nose.

You're starting to put things in your mouth a lot. Like legos & dog food & random leaves drug in the house on the bottom of dirty shoes. 

Such a glorious stage in life.

 You're starting to enjoy solid food a little more.

But you don't really have a favorite, unless it's something off my plate or the floor.

You love, love bath time. You crack me up with your crazy kicking legs & giant splashes & loud squeals you make in there. Like you splash so much, I get really wet. Such a cutie.

Your favorite word is still da-da-da. However, you broke out in some ma-ma-ma the other day.

It was an exciting moment. I've tried no less than 100 times since to get you to repeat it. You just look at me & smile. But I promise it happened!

You've been carted to the pool many times already this summer & your usual response is a little bit of fussiness at first, then before you know it, you're happily splashing & squealing.

And you're still sleeping so well. 10-12 hours a night & 3-4 naps a day.

You rock star baby. We love you so much.

Lincoln at 9 months...

Baby Linc. I just can't believe it. You've officially been here as long as it took to grow you.

Time is just nuts.

At your 9 month check up you weighed in at 20 lbs (70th%).

And you stood tall at 30 in (above 98th%).

You're kind of a big deal. 

You're wearing 6-12 month clothes, but pushing quickly into 12-18 months.

You're wearing size 4 diapers & are still rocking the bare feet.

This month you started dancing.

Like throwing hands in the air & shaking that booty kind of dancing.

And making your family laugh & smile & dance with you.

You're starting to work on your waving skills & your sister has you saying, "Heeyyyyy!" 

I mean, you're just too much.

You crawl so fast. And when someone calls your name, you crawl happily to them. I love this stage.

Before long, you'll be running from us!

You're doing even better with your eating.

Trying lots of new things, but you get tired of them pretty quickly.

You have 4 teeth on top trying their best to push through. Bless your baby gums.

So, we're soaking up the last of your gummy grins before they get taken over by cute little baby teeth.

You still love bath time, but have officially moved to crawling all over that tub like a wet little maniac.

You still laugh at the funniest things, like when we sing to you in really deep voices or when someone sneezes. It's so funny what you find funny.

We dedicated you at church a few Sundays ago.

The Lord gave Pastor Brad Psalm 84 for you.

It has become my prayer for you.

You are such a tremendous gift to our family Lincoln man.

I genuinely thank the Lord daily for your life & your love, I am your favorite after all.

You are one amazing guy & we're all better for knowing you!

"What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord… For the Lord is our sun & shield. He gives us grace & glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O Lord of Heaven's Armies, what joy for those who trust in You."

Psalm 84:5a, 11-12