Our STAY-cation

I'm on vacation this week.  I'm so excited!  I haven't had a week off in over a year (maternity leave excluded, of course).  Kirk regularly has 5+ days off in a row because of the way his schedule works, but I'm not so lucky.

We were going to take a mini vacation, but changed our minds and decided on just staying closer to home.  We have a laundry list of things we'd like to do, but who knows what we'll actually get done.  I'm not sure the weather is going to co-operate with all of our big plans. 

Kirk worked yesterday so Lincoln and I kicked off vacation with a day at my parent's.  We got this cute little tent for a shower gift.  I set it up in the backyard so that Lincoln could hang out in it while I sat in the sun.  He could not take his eyes off my parent's dog, Nel.  Papa would throw the ball and they would both watch her get the ball and bring it back, get the ball and bring it back...

Gigi (my mom) went and got a pool for all of the grandkids.  We filled it up and as soon as Lincoln felt the freezing cold water he freaked out!  And he loves water!!  After he got used to it, he did better, but still didn't last very long.  We'll have to fill it up early next time and let the water warm up so he can splash around.

Today we headed to Kensington Metropark.  Which, to anyone who doesn't live near the east side of the state, probably doesn't sound like much.  To us, it is a great park with trails (paved and unpaved), a lake, a couple beaches, boat launches, a petting zoo, a little museum...it's a great place to hang out and people watch.  We brought Lincoln there today in hopes of getting him in the water.  We weren't prepared for the scorching heat early in the morning.  I felt like everyone would look at us like we were crazy to be in the sun with a baby so we moved to a more shaded area in the grass.  We hung out, had lunch and relaxed. 

Poor Lincoln was so tired when we left!  He fell asleep before we even got out of the park.  (Yes: he's shirtless, ok?!)

I'm looking forward to the next week.  Kirk has to work tomorrow evening, but other than that he'll be off all week, too.  We love introducing Lincoln to new places and new things.  I'm pretty sure we love it more than he does.

I'll check in with our week in pictures, I'm sure.  :)

Summer, Summer, Summertime!

I love summer.  Love it.  Last summer was nice and mild and here we are in May and I hear it could be 90 this week.  I think we picked the right summer to be pregnant. 

Lincoln has been up to new tricks.  He's not crawling yet, he hasn't really even tried , but he jabbers like crazy.  He doesn't stop talking (wonder where he gets that?!).  The ladies at day care said he will probably stop talking so much once he starts crawling.  For now we are enjoying the sound of his cute little voice when he says "ma ma ma ma" and "da da da da".  I'm predicting his first word will be Willie (the cat). 

One of the new things Lincoln has learned at day care is "SO BIIIG".  He has started to put his arms up when you ask him "how big is Lincoln?"  It's very cute! 

And he even attempts to clap!  He doesn't do a great job, but I love that he's trying.

It is so much fun watching Lincoln become his own little person.  My friend Dawn predicts he's going to be like Ricky Gervais.  Kirk and I would love this!!  He's very serious until he really gets to know you.  He studies everything around him.  Lincoln doesn't give smiles away easily.  I often feel guilty when we're out and about and people are talking to him and he just stares at them, then looks at me and stares back at them.  When he does warm up to you, though, he is the sweetest baby.

Here's to hoping the weather sticks around for awhile!  :)

I'm Somebody's Mother?!

It was a gorgeous day the day I had Lincoln.  The sun was shining, the birds were chirping and I'm pretty sure there was a rainbow outside my hospital room window.

I read something awhile ago that said "for as long as I live, I will be somebody's mother".  That has stuck with me.  It's hard to believe that for the rest of my life, I will be a wife, daughter, sister, aunt, niece and MOM.  For the rest of my life I will be Lincoln's mom.  It hasn't sunk in yet.  I am somebody's mother.  I AM somebody's mother.  I am SOMEBODY'S mother.  I am somebody's MOTHER.  Nope: no matter how I say it, it still hasn't sunk in.

I am surrounded by great mothers: my friends, my mother-in-law and my sister-in-laws are all wonderful mothers.  My mom is pretty darn fantastic and have you met my sister?!  I always felt like my sister was born to be a mom, but I was never sure I was.  I love my nieces and nephews more than anything, but the idea of being a mom scared the crap out of me.

Then I had Lincoln.

And it STILL scares me!  :)  Lincoln is the best thing to ever happen to me and I make sure he knows this by telling him at least once a day.  (Kirk knows I tell him this!)  Lincoln's smile makes me smile.  His giggle makes me giggle.  With each milestone he reaches, I feel like I've met a milestone of my own.  We have our days, but I love being a mom more than I ever thought I would in a million years.

The minute they put Lincoln in my arms, I became a mother.  My world was no longer mine.  It wasn't just Kirk and I anymore.  Everything I do now, I do with Lincoln in mind.  Everyday I learn more and more about being a mom.  While most days I have no idea what I'm doing, I have learned 3 things along the way: not to sweat the small stuff, laugh often and to pick your battles.  So far, those things are all working.  We'll see what happens when Lincoln gets a little older...

To all the moms out there: I hope you have enjoyed this wonderful day dedicated to you.  To my mom: thank you, you truly are the best and I couldn't do this without you.  To my sister: you deserve a Mother of the Year award!  Thank you for being there every single time I need you. 

Oh, the day I had Lincoln: it wasn't sunny.  The birds weren't chirping.  And there was definitely not a rainbow outside my hospital room window.  In fact, I've been told it was raining.  In my head, though, I remember it and will always remember it, as being the sunniest and most beautiful day ever.