WOW!!!

Remember this little guy Lincoln?!? Well that little boy is GONE! Okay not really, he is just a LITTLE big bigger...and by little bit, I mean a LITTLE bit bigger! Lincoln is now 16 months old and since my last post, has gained 2 pounds. Thats right, at 16 months he BARELY weighs 20 pounds! A lot has been going on medically with him lately and its been a whirlwind.
    Lincoln has ALWAYS had issues going to the bathroom. I talking, maybe ONE poopy diaper a week...and if you ask ANYONE that is NOT normal. Great, it saved us money on diapers, but cost us a lot more emotional "money". He has been to the hospital numerous times because he is in such pain trying to go to the bathroom and every test they do comes up clear. He was taken off dairy, then put back on dairy, put on powder medicine, taken off, and put back on. X-ray after X-ray shows one thing, CONSTIPATION! Well DUH!!! I could have told them that. The specialist he went to was nothing short of a waste of time. He didn't give us ANY information whatsoever. So for now, the "fix" is to keep him on powder medicine twice a day and when he hasn't gone to the bathroom in 3 days, to give him an enema. I tell ya, I feel like I am abusing my kid by doing this to him. It is the most SAD thing ever!!!
    Lincoln has also not been able to maintain his weight. He will gain a pound then shed 2 pounds. It is pretty insane. He was shedding so much weight, and not even walking. His doctor has labeled him as FAILURE TO THRIVE!!! I  was in shock when I saw this. I mean, he is growing...just slowly. He has always been small for his age, at his current age he still wears 6 months clothes so I knew he was not growing at the rate he should be but still...I feel like this "label" is a bit extreme. They also took into consideration that he hadn't started to walk at 16 months, only says 1 word, and cannot do the pincer grasp. So with this label, has come  intervention. He has had to go get observed to see if he qualifies for state programs. I am happy to report, that as of Friday the 11th of January...he PASSED all the tests. He does show that he is behind, but he has to be in the 10 month range to qualify, and he is in the 12th month range. SO TAKE THAT DOCTORS!!!
    I just hate labels. I hate how he was marked as this and now it is in his file because people, I swear, treat him differently. It's like they think something is SERIOUSLY wrong with him and it drives me crazy. I would not have cared if any of his tests came back showing that something was wrong...I would have taken it and figured out how to best care for him. It just irritates me how judgmental people can be.
    On the bright side of everything, we just got through with winter break so I was able to be home with Lincoln for 3 whole weeks! I loved it! We worked REALLY hard on him walking...and he still just didn't quite understand what I was trying to get him to do. He knew how to walk with assistance, but it was when you took away the assistance, that his confidence went away. Well I am happy to say that yesterday morning he surprised Shaun and I with WALKING BY HIMSELF!!! I had his morning snack in my hand and he walked right over to me! I was sooo happy!!!

    SIDENOTE: Shaun started truck school while I was on winter break, and now he has one more week till he has completed it then February 6th he will take the DMV test for his class A license! Fingers crossed he gets it because he already has several companies that want him to work for them...and they all start out paying AMAZING!!! I know he will pass, because he is that passionate about this and he has passed everything else that has come his way. We just have to sit down and go over all the different companies and figure out what the pay difference and home time will be. It sucks that he will be doing long haul for the first year, but we know once that is over he can get a local job. So I will finish out my school year and then I will be DONE WORKING!! I will become a stay at home mom and I could not be more excited!
    Enough of my rambling, here are some pictures of Lincoln from the past 7 months including some from his birthday party...which was simply amazing and could not have been more perfect for him! I loved it and am already busy thinking of ideas for his 2nd birthday!!!

9 months

Lincoln has grown so much in the past month. It is starting to hit me how grown up he is becoming. Here are his stats for 9 months
* 17.15lbs...5th percentile
* 25.5 inches...below 5th percentile (he SHRUNK an ENTIRE inch!!!)
* No longer the "baby"...Gio is here and Lincoln LOVES him!
* Crawls soooo fast and soooo much
* Pulls himself on everything
* SCREAMS!!! (can we say vocal cords?!?)
* squirms outta your arms so he can be independent and cruise around
* his hair is turning soooo blonde
* Mommy's little "helper" ( at least he thinks he is being helpful)
* Loves crawling under EVERYTHING...the only probably is that he cannot seem to find his way out
* LOVES other babies
* crawls in the bathtub
* TOTAL mommy's boy
* Top 2 teeth broke through so he now has FOUR teeth!!!
* OBSESSED with eating/chewing on EVERYTHING (notice how he is chewing on his month sign in almost every month picture?!?)
* We lowered his bed because now he stands up in it and throws his binky over and then cries because he has no binky
* FINALLY can feed himself...PUFFS! HAHA...the whole concept of grabbing and making it to the mouth was a hard concept for him
* LOVES car rides
* Went camping...LOVED the dirt
* LOVES water...especially Papi and G'ma Lynda's pool
**I can already tell he is going to be our outdoorsmen baby...he loves anything and everything pertaining to be being outside. I keep telling Shaun I think he is going to be a professional swimmer...I mean seriously what other baby do you know that LOVES to be dunked in the water and kicks for days to move all around in the pool?!? haha

8 months

So I am a bit behind in my monthly posts regarding Lincoln. The only reason I do this every month is that when he turns 1, I can make a photo book of him and have a picture on one page with his new and interesting info on the other! So for now, let us back step for a moment and go back to when he was 8 months old! Here are some things regarding Lincoln...
* 16lbs 11 oz...5th percentile
* 26.5 inches...10th percentile
* CRAWLING!!!
* CLEARLY is calling me "mum" and dad "da" (usually while hitting one of us lol)
* LOVES to talk to himself in the mirror
* First haircut given to Lincoln by Aly
* LOVES fishing...probably just the whole being outside dealio
* Went to Santa Cruz...he loved riding on the rides (Going to Disneyland in September is going to be easy cheesy with him
* sleeps for about 11 hrs each night with 2 2 hr naps during the day
* Enjoys running into the sliding glass door over and over again
* Cries at the door to go outside
* Second ear infection (those were some LONG nights)
* Still needs help with the whole pooping issue
* Lincoln is still our little love bug and is turning into a total mommy's boy! I love watching him grow and develop each day!!!

7 months...

At 7 months Lincoln...

* gives kisses to ANYONE with his mouth wide open

* reaches out and grabs anything near him...even if we think it is far enough away

* sleeps about 11 hours at night (but HATES daytime naps) 

* sucks his thumb to calm himself down...but still takes the binki to fall asleep

* LOVES to be outside...often times whines if he is inside looking out especially if one of us is outside

* sticks his tongue out and spits

* watches the big screen tv while mickey mouse clubhouse is on

* smiles to anyone who says a word to him...especially the ladies

* kicks and flaps his arms like crazy (it looks like he is trying to fly)

* LOVES to lay down in the bathtub...no more baby tub for my little man

* Chews anything in his hands

* says "mum" and "dab" 

* Tickelish under his chin and sides of belly

* LOVES vegetables but not so much fruit

* VERY "talkative"

* Only lets certain people hold him

* FINALLY wears 3-6 month clothes

* Does NOT roll from back to tummy
* Weighs 15.5 lbs which is below 5th percentile STILL
* Length is 25.5 inches...below 5th percentile
**Still my little peanut**

6 months....

Half a year?!? ALREADY?!? Oh man...INSANE! I have always said that 6 months is my FAVORITE age for babies. It is when their personalities are shinning so bright, their curiosity is at all time highs, and they are starting to babble and become mobile through rolling everywhere. Well, let's just say that I am right...this is still my favorite age! Some things Lincoln is doing....
* He sits up WONDERFULLY on his own
* He no longer likes his lay down toys...he is all about standing up in the exersaucer or jumperoo
* He loves to babble away...mainly saying "mamma" when he is starting to get sad and "bababababa" the rest of the time
* He still wears 0-3 month clothes BUT some of them are getting too small finally!!!
* He will LEAP outta my arms to go to Shaun
* He doesn't really care who is holding him...unless you talk loudly then he will cry (sorry Manda that's why he always cries with you though)
* He can self entertain in the morning for over an hour
* He loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
* He loves to suck on daddy's fingers and make a farting sound with his mouth
* He is obsessed with his tongue
* His teeth still have not come through but he is in so much pain and discomfort from them
* He HATES fruits...LOVES vegetables (especially green vegetables...go figure!)
* He rolls front to back but not back to front
Lincoln is the love of our lives and this is such a fun age! I love coming home to his huge smile and being able to spend the afternoons and evenings with my handsome little man!!!

Height~ 25 inches= below 5th percentile

Weight~ 14.7 lbs= below 5th percentile

melts my heart...

This little man is gonna be a huge heartbreaker when he is older. But for now, he is just going to melt this mommas heart! 

5 months...

I cannot believe how fast time is flying by! It is insane when I look at my little baby and see his personality coming through and realize he is 5 months! At 5 months this is what Lincoln is up to...
* He loves to sit up and play with toys
* He LOVES babyfood!!! Not so much rice but actual food
* He survived our first move
* He now sleeps in his own room and he loves it
* He likes to be sung to
* He is a total cuddle bug and loves to snuggle up in your neck
* He STILL wears 0-3 months clothes!
* The dr told us today to expect him to be petite (duh)
* His eyes are turning into a dark green/brown color...they are perfect
* He absolutely loves playing with his left foot only
* He isnt really a talker or laugher but he sure does LOVE to smile
* He is still a super happy, easy go lucky baby!!!

Weight= 13.8 oz ~ below 5th percentile

Height= 25 inches~ 10th percentile

peas...

He either loves them or hates them...I just cannot decide! 

4...

This has been a SUPER fun month! Lincoln has learned all sorts of new things and we were able to celebrate Christmas and just had a blast with all these new experiences! Here are some things Lincoln is doing at 4 months
*He rolls onto his back all the time when he is on his tummy and does NOT get scared anymore!!!
* He loves to wake up and just talk to himself for about 40 minutes before getting outta bed
* He spits out his binki and goes straight to his thumb...thumb sucker just like mommy
* He grasps and holds things (still working on moving his hand so he can shake the rattle)
* He still spits up a ton...one day you will actually see his outfit and not just a bib
* He wants to always sit up so his supersaver play seat is his new favorite toy
* He loves to smile and laugh
* Everything goes inside his mouth
* He is starting to turn into a mommy's boy (could be because I have been home for 3 weeks now)
* He is starting to get stranger anxiety...especially with other women
* He still wears 0-3 month clothes...so all his Christmas stuff is swimming on him
* He is starting to teeth and does NOT like it one bit
* He loves following people around the room and laughing at his cousins playing around him
    Lincoln is still an all around GREAT baby! I am not too sure what I did to deserve such a great kid but he is totally it! He is really chill and does not cry a whole bunch unless he is in pain....otherwise he just sits and chills! His little belly is starting to get big and he loves when we tickle it...spending time in mommy and daddys bed before he goes to sleep at night is all of our favorite time of the day and we get to spoil him with tickles, loves, and laughs! I love him more each day!!!

12.8 pounds~ 5th percentile

23.5 inches long~ below 5th percentile

Christmas

I cannot believe Christmas has already come and gone. It is one of those holidays where you can't wait for it to get here, but then it is over in the blink of an eye...and you cannot wait to take down all the decorations and get the house back to normal...at least that is how it is for me! :) We had a VERY low key Christmas this year. This was my first year EVER not being around my family...in 24 years I have always been with them but this year I didn't want the fakeness (if that is even a word) or the drama or anything of that. I just simply wanted to enjoy it and make the most of it with MY little family and let me tell you, I would NOT change it for the world! We spent Christmas eve at home baking, went out and visited my dad and left some beautiful Christmas flowers and being around each other then we opened up Christmas jammies and read the night before christmas before putting Lincoln to bed and Santa coming. Christmas morning we woke up when Lincoln did and had him open his stocking and see everything from Santa. While Shaun fed him breakfast I cooked us breakfast and we just enjoyed it with each other. We were not rushed around we didnt have to hurry and get dressed...just had to be at home with each other! We made a rule where we were not going to buy anything for each other so Lincoln had all the gifts...and bought one for each of us...what a sweet lil guy already! :) We FINALLY got dressed around 3pm that day, drove by a couple houses that we are looking at to move into and then we went to my sisters for Christmas dinner. Shauns family came to our house the next day and we hosted Christmas dinner for them. 10 people in our 600sq ft apartment...it was a tight squeeze! Besides Shaun turning the oven off on accident everything went smoothly and we had a great time with them and opening gifts again! I loved the simplicity of the holiday and I know it will only get more crazy the older Lincoln gets but I really hope we can try to keep it how calm and simple this year was! I hope you all had a great holiday! :)

3...

Time sure does seem to be flying these days! I cannot believe that in just 3 weeks it is going to be Christmas! It seems like it was JUST Halloween! Our house is not even decorated yet...we are going to get on that this week because I have the next 3 days off from work! I cannot decide between a real tree or a fake one...we did fake last year because my sister had an extra one and it was small...perfect for our apartment. I really want Lincoln to experience cutting down a real tree, that was one of my favorite things growing up...but I think we might start that next year! ;) ANYWAY...the real reason for this post...Lincoln is 3 MONTHS!! HOLY CRAP!!! Wasn't I JUST in the hospital because my water broke?!? CRAZY! He is getting his own little personality and I LOVE it! Here are some interesting things about Lincoln at 3 months
*He LOVES baby Einstein (still...baby Mozart is his favorite)
* He LOVES to stare at mommy and daddy and make funny faces
* He spits up a ton...even with his medicine
* He thinks he is the funniest thing when watching himself in a mirror
* His eyes change between brown and green depending on what he is wearing
* He still LOVES his swaddle me
* He does NOT take naps during the day...MAYBE a total of 30 min the ENTIRE day
* He sleeps through the night
* He snores! (gets that from daddy)
* He does not like when you talk to him in a high pitch "baby" voice
* People say he looks like an elf
* He is pre-teething...LOTS of drool these days
* He LOVES to suck on his left hand
* We JUST started to give him 6 ounces...so he eats every 5 1/2 hours now
* He is a total ladies man...whenever a girl talks to him, he INSTANTLY smiles and shows his dimple
**We love being able to watch him grow and learn and are sooo excited to celebrate Christmas with mr lincoln this year! :)

11lbs 9 oz...5th percentile

23 inches long...5th percentile

hospital...

Yesterday we spent the day in the hospital...all day...7 hours and we left with NO answers! I hate hospitals with a passion...never really was a HUGE fan of them, but then with the nasty issues with my dad and everything I have come to REALLY hate them. So waiting in a waiting room with my 11 week old son who is not feeling good and clearly something is not right with, was a huge task for me to get through. I kept counting to 10 in my head and taking really deep breaths. They did an ultrasound on him and it came back clear. I really think they should invest in pediatric hospitals EVERYWHERE...because a regular doctor really doesnt know much about babies. Anyway, Lincoln has been projectile vomiting EVERYTHING from 1 bottle to the next, with no breaks longer than 30 minutes inbetween there. His regular doctor is already worried about how small he is and then when he got weighed he hasn't gained ANYTHING not even 1 ounce in 3 weeks...which is not normal. When his doctor touches his left abdomen, and even on the ultrasound, he closes his eyes really tight and cries...clearly something is NOT right, yet they sent us home saying, "well maybe you are feeding him too much...try 2 ounces". Yeah right, he is BARELY taking 4oz and his doctor wants him around 5-6 ounces! UGH this part of mommyhood sucks...the part where we are supposed to figure out whats wrong and fix everything but yet, we don't know what it is. So for now, I just hold onto my little guy, hug him a little longer, kiss him a few more times than normal, and say a silent prayer that everything will be okay. 

**His little leg tag things...ps dont mind the Halloween sleeper...he had been sleeping when his doctor wanted him to go see her then we were sent to the hospital so he was in this all day...**

2 months...

I cannot believe my little Lincoln is already 2 months old! He is still sooo tiny that it is really hard to believe. People are still asking how many DAYS old he is and they are always shocked when I say 9 weeks! Lincoln went to the dr on Tuesday and his 2 month shots and we got his stats! Here they are:
Weight: 10lbs 12 oz which is in the 7th percentile
Height: 22 inches which is in the 5th percentile
Head: 15 inches which is also in the 5th percentile
Some interesting things about Lincoln at this stage:
*He sleeps through the night (YAY!!!)
* He is a total night owl...after his last bottle he likes to hang out and stay up till we ALL go to bed
* He is spit up king
* He LOVES tummy time
* He likes to copy facial expressions
* He will stare at you for days trying to figure things out
* He found his toes and likes to bend all the way over and touch them
* He STILL wears newborn clothes
* He LOVES to smile at everyone and everything
* His little voice is coming out more and more
* He still only drinks 3oz at a time bc he gets full and spits up
* He is a TOTAL daddys boy
* He is the BEST car baby...LOVES his carseat
**I love my little boy so much and everyday he learns something new is just a miracle to me!!!**

Lincolns First Holiday

I am sooo excited that Halloween was Lincoln's first holiday. Any reason for him to dress up in something out of the ordinary is a good day! :) He is too small to fit in any kind of costume so we were lucky enough to get a monster beanie and onesie from my sister when he was born. We celebrated the holiday with Zia Beth and Zio Todd and their kids along with my sister Amanda and her boys and some friends. It was a fun night and Shaun even decked out Lincoln's stroller when we went trick or treating...even though Lincoln is too small for candy!