Only Girl . . . All Girl

Before Lincoln was born, we were pretty sure we wanted four kids: two of each.

These days, three is feeling like a great number. Outside of the increased workload of having three, we just aren't sure if we could survive two girls.

The one we have now is amazing but handful doesn't begin to describe the force of personality that comes in this small package.

Super smart, super precocious, and indescribably girly, her ability to get into mischief and then to get right back out of it with a disarming smile and sweet hugs is remarkable.

If she's not putting in play makeup, she counting her tubes of chapstick, usually to be found in a tutu, but still ready to run and play in the dirt with her brother.

Her smile lights up the room . . . Unless she's found the light switch to play with.

I wouldn't trade her for anything but she might trade me for a pretty enough tutu or princess outfit. Let's hope it doesn't come to that :)

Grammy's Visit

This week, we were very blessed to have my grandmother come visit us from California. The kids were super excited to get to see Grammy, who was meeting Lincoln for the first time, and the trip didn't disappoint.

She brought them special treats all the way from Cali and played with them until all were worn out, and of course it was a super special treat for me to get to spend time--and to cook!--with her as well.

Next time we need to head to the beach to spend time with her!

Growing Up Too Fast!

Well, as I predicted in my 7 month post, my little man is crawling, though it took longer than I expected I have to admit.

He reminds me so much of Buddy the Elf because his life motto really could be "smiling's my favorite!". He also loves so much to laugh. Yesterday we took the kids on a car ride, and the older ones were watching Looney Toons. Something made them both crack up, and almost immediately Lincoln started laughing just to join in.

His good nature persisted all month despite fighting pink eye, a double ear infection, and RSV all at the same time.

I also spent my first night away from him this month, which was probably harder for me than him since he was busy being spoiled by his SueSue.

While he still hasn't gotten any teeth, he's a good eater and has been putting on weight well in the last month. He's also getting really good at standing though not yet at pulling himself up.

Mostly though he's good at utterly charming his mother. I mean, the dimple alone undoes me! :)

Fort Worth Stock Show

> This year was our second year to make a trip to the FW stock show. It was quite a difference from last year though. Last year we had tickets during the ice storm and went to the mostly empty rodeo, skipping the outdoor stuff which was mostly closed anyway.
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> This year the sun was out and the weather awesome, so we skipped the rodeo and just visited the animals and hit the Midway. We were blown away by how much the kids loved the rides.
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> All told the older two went on nine rides and even Lincoln got to do the Ferris Wheel with us before he conked out in his carrier backpack.
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> We already can't wait for next year!!
>

Family Sleepover and Campout

A couple of weeks ago, we let the kids have a slumber party in our room. We got into PJs at about 5:00 and started the evening off by making brownies. The kids helped, especially with making sure we cleaned off all the brownie batter from the spoons and bowl.

Then, we had a campfire cookout in our bedroom--hot dogs and the trimmings of course! Next we had story hour, and we closed out the night with a movie in the tent. They got to stay up a bit late, but Robby was conked out by 8:45 . . . Despite the fact that his sister kept nudging him and telling him to wake up. She was ready to party all night. And did until almost 11:00 after which we finally got a few hours of zzzzzzz's before she was back up and ready to party at 6:45. As much fun as it was, I think we'll make this fun event a rare special event rather than a fairly regular treat.

Seven Months and Counting!

Lincoln is now seven months old and is following in his siblings' steps in starting to push hard to reach milestones.

One first we had with him this month is that he contracted bronchiolitis during the holidays leading to a five day regiment of breathing treatments. He's recovered quietly nicely now though and has moved on to bigger and better things.

Another difference between Lincoln and his brother and sister is that he never developed into a thumb sucker. Instead, he routinely turns to the crook of his elbow to suckle for comfort. Quite hygienic, this one.

When first introduced to baby foods slightly before six months, he was unimpressed, but he is now an expert eater, preferring avocado and sweet potatoes above all others.

He has also started babbling up a storm and shows every sign of copying his siblings by declaring Dada as his first word--against the express command and wishes of his mother.

His biggest passion though is trying to learn how to crawl. So far he's unsuccessful, but he does amazing push ups and boot scoots backwards better than Mater ever could. (We're still not quite sure how he got himself under the table like that though).

My guess is that he will be a crawler by eight months . . . Stay tuned :)

While You Were Away

Last weekend Bryan had the opportunity to go see Baylor win at at Alamo Bowl with these dear friends:



Meanwhile I tried to hold down the fort here at home. Needless to say things sometimes got hairried:



And I may have gotten so flustered from time to time that I didn't know up from down much less where to wash what:

And more than once it was like trying to wrangle wild tree climbing monkeys:



But luckily I had at least one cool head in the house:



What more could such a blessed mother ask for really??