Belly Laughs...

..are seriously the greatest thing ever. I do all sorts of crazy things to get Lincoln to burst out in laughter. Yesterday he was being mighty silly, so I grabbed my phone and took a quick video. I love how at the end it looks like he waves "bye!"

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6 Months

I feel like I've been procrastinating on this post, because my sweet boy has officially been 1/2 a year old for four days already. How can that be? Seriously?! It feels like yesterday Jared was placing him into my arms for the first time. How he instantly stopped crying when he heard my voice. That feels like yesterday, yet millions of years ago all at the same time. It feels like Lincoln has been in my life forever. But, at the same time, cannot believe he's already 6 months old! He is turning into quite the little character. It's so fun to watch his little personality develop. It seems like he learns something new every day. Right now his favorite thing to do is jump! If you stand him up and say "jumping, jumping!" He gets ALL excited and jumps up and down like a crazy man. It's so cute. He also reaches for faces. If I face him towards me when I hold him, he cups my face with his little hands....melts my heart every time :)

Now, of course you know there was a 6 month photo shoot. Here are a few of the millions of pictures taken :)

This sweet smile was captured thanks to Sophie squeaking away :)

This is one of the new faces he makes...so funny!

cheesing away

He was standing against the couch here

Love him :)

I love him so much. I seem to love him a little bit more each day. He is my world :)

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Meet Lillian

When I first started thinking about having a baby, I joined one of those "trying to have a baby" message boards. Around 100 of us or so really bonded, and we created our own private forum. I never in a million years imagined "meeting" friends this way, but let me tell you, each one of these women are amazing. One of these women is Sarah. Sarah had a wonderful pregnancy and couldn't wait to meet her baby girl, Lillian. When the day came for her to be born, everyone was anxious to hear about her delivery and see pictures of her beautiful baby girl. However, once Lillian was born, the doctors knew something wasn't quite right. Sure she was perfect and beautiful, but Lillian lacked certain developmental qualities that babies should have. After spending extra time in the hospital, and undergoing several tests, it was discovered that Lillian had Prader Willi Syndrome.

Now you're asking what is Prader-Willi Syndrome, or PWS? PWS is the most common known genetic cause of life-threatening obesity in children. Although the cause is complex it results from an abnormality on the 15th chromosome. PWS typically causes low muscle tone, short stature if not treated with growth hormone, incomplete sexual development, and a chronic feeling of hunger that, coupled with a metabolism that utilizes drastically fewer calories than normal, can lead to excessive eating and life-threatening obesity. The food compulsion makes constant supervision necessary. Average IQ is 70, but even those with normal IQs almost all have learning issues. Social and motor deficits also exist. At birth the infant typically has low birth weight for gestation, hypotonia (weak muscles), and difficulty sucking due to the hypotonia which can lead to a diagnosis of failure to thrive. The second stage (“thriving too well”), has a typical onset between the ages of two and five, but can be later. The hyperphagia (extreme unsatisfied drive to consume food) lasts throughout the lifetime. Children with PWS have sweet and loving personalities, but this phase is also characterized by increased appetite, weight control issues, and motor development delays along with some behavior problems and unique medical issues.

The problem is, PWS is so unrecognized, and not many people are aware of this condition. Two of the ladies from my "mom board" are running a 10K to help raise awareness and funds in honor of Lillian. Now, I normally don't post things like this, but I have come to know Lillian through my friendship with Sarah. Lillian is such a doll and a very special little girl. Sarah is an amazing Mommy and is doing everything in her power to give Lillian the most normal life she can possibly have.

If you would like to make a donation, please click the adorable picture of Lillian at the top of my post. And, if you want to know more about Lillian and her family, visit Falling for Baby



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Wordless Wednesday

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Back from vacation!

Consider yourself forewarned. This post is going to be bursting with photos! We had a great time on vacation. Lincoln enjoyed himself immensely. He loved watching the waves crash onto the beach. But I'd say his favorite was swimming in the heated indoor pool :) I was really surprised at how well he adjusted to being on a different routine. He's such a good baby! Okay, now for the boat load of pics....

Here he is with Daddy walking along the shore

Swimming with Daddy

All snuggled up on our deck overlooking the ocean :)

He passed out during our walk from the salty beach air

Looking cool in his shades :)

He LOVED jumping on the steps

He smiles when he sees the camera now :)
Swimming!!!

Happy 3rd Anniversary to us!

Love his face in this one!

Our happy little family :)

I cannot wait until our next family vacation. Everything is much more fun with Lincoln. We had a great time, and cannot wait to go back again next year :)

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Beachin' It!...and 3rd Anniversary!

Tomorrow, we're hitting the road and driving to Rhode Island to spend the week at my parents townhouse on the beach! I am SO excited! They have a heated indoor pool, so we'll be taking Lincoln for his first swim! I think he's going to LOVE it. I cannot wait to see him splashing around :) I will be sure to take lots of pictures to share!

Jared and I will also be celebrating our 3rd anniversary on May 20th while we're there. I cannot believe it has been three years already since I married my best friend. Seriously, time just goes by too fast. Jared gave me my anniversary present early [of course] the other night. He completed my Pandora bracelet already! He bought the rest of the charms. Such a sweet, thoughtful husband I have. The charms included a hockey player, to represent himself [he plays hockey], and Cinderella's carriage. That charm represents our wedding day. I surprised him with a horse and carriage :) Anyways, here is my GORGEOUS COMPLETED Pandora bracelet...
And, just for the heck of it...here we are on our honeymoon...which just happens to be where we're vacation next week :)

And, just to show off how sweet Jared is, I woke up to this one morning on our honeymoon...

As well as this...


And this...

So, Happy 3rd Anniversary to my amazing husband. I fall more in love with him each day.

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Don't grow up too fast!

After I give Lincoln his last bottle for the night, I rock him for a bit. We've done this for what seems like forever. However last night, he had a different plan. He wanted to play after his bottle, and was chatting my ear off, which was cute. But when he started to get sleepy, he got pretty fussy and fidgety. I tried to calm him, but then I thought to myself, "oh no, please don't tell me he just wants to go in his crib?!" Sure enough, when I put him down he rolled over onto his belly and went right to sleep. I know it's a great thing for him to fall asleep on his own, but at the same time, it kind of made me sad :( My sweet boy is growing up before my eyes. Can't time just stand still for a little while?

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Sweet Blog Award

Thanks to my sweet friend at Pink Shoes Photography , I have been awarded the Sweet Blog Award! Be sure to check her blog out. She has a daughter just two weeks older than Lincoln, and she is just so adorable!

Now, onto the rules:
Give this award to 10 sweet and friendly bloggers. Make a post about the award including the picture and mention the person who gave it to you. Put the award on your blog. Let your nominated 10 know you've awarded them by leaving a comment.

I award the folling sweet bloggers :)

Our Crazy Life

The Makings of a Baby Ostie

Exploits of a Military Mama

Hope For Hunter

Making Something Good

Our Growing Garden

The Adventures of Two Under Two

The Thomas Chronicles

The Lady is in

http://rls71407.blogspot.com/">Wishing and Hoping for Baby

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Wordless Wednesday

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Teething!

My poor sweet boy is teething. Based on what his gums are looking like, it appears as if he'll get his top left tooth first, but we'll see. Of course his gums are bothering him mostly at night. Our nighttime has been going something like this. Bottle at 8pm, rock to sleep, put in crib. He'll sleep for about 45 minutes, then wake up screaming. Go in, calm him down....rinse, lather, and repeat, all night long, every 1 1/2 hours. I hope he gets that tooth soon! Poor little guy :(

Anyways, here he is the other day test driving his new jeep ;)

He likes it, but still can't figure out how to maneuver it around. He can move it backwards a little bit, but that's all. I'm sure he'll be zipping around the house in no time!

Oh, and if you have any teething tips, please please please post them here. Lincoln thanks you in advance!


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Mother's Day

I celebrated my first Mother's Day yesterday. It really was a special day. Jared went all out to make it extra special for me. Looks like I need to start planning some ideas for Father's Day! He got me a very sentimental card, and this gorgeous Pandora bracelet, with ELEVEN charms (12 if you include the safety chain!) ...all I can say is "wow!" I was surprised! It is beautiful, and I have wanted one for a long time. There is even a little boy charm to represent Lincoln :)

And here I am with my sweetest gift ever :)

I hope all you Momma's had a great Mother's Day!!!

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Five Question Friday

It's five question Friday! If you would like to participate, click the link above :)

1. What is your worst memory of your siblings?
Probably when we were swimming in a pool and my brother accidently kicked me and broke my leg. He felt so guilty, and really it wasn't his fault.

2. What was YOUR naughtiest childhood memory? (Must be something YOU did, no pawning it off on someone else!)
I was notorious for prank phone calls when I was younger!

3. Where do you like to go to relax?
Curl up with a good book and a cup of coffee :)

4. What was the last thing you won?
An all inclusive trip to Jamaica!

5. If you could be on a game show, which would you choose?
Deal or No Deal. But I wouldn't get greedy like all of those other contestants. I would play it smart ;)


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Wishbone Day

And no, it's not about the salad dressing...

May 6th is known as Wishbone Day. Wishbone Day is about raising awareness of Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), otherwise known as 'brittle bones'. Considering I have OI, this is extremely important to me. Not many people are familiar with OI, and that needs to change. Here is some info about me [due to OI], that you may, or may not know:

• I have type I [which is the most mild type, there are 4]. Type 1 is the mildest form, followed by Type IV, then Type III, Type II is fatal at birth :(
• The whites of my eyes are blue [This is called blue sclera].
• I have had 15 broken bones.
• I have a rod in my right femur from bowing, and a rod in my spine from scoliosis.
• I use a wheelchair for "long distance" activities.
• I wear braces on my legs from my shin down.
• I cannot run, jump, hop, skip...however, I was a cheerleader for 7 years :)
• Any child I have has a 50% chance of inheriting the gene. My sweet boy does NOT have OI. In some aspects, he is already stronger than his Momma, and I couldn't be happier or more blessed.
• If a child of mine has OI, they will have the same type as myself.
• I have some hearing loss and have had surgery in each ear to help correct it.
• I am considered tall for someone who has OI, and I'm only 5 feet.
• And most importantly, I have NEVER let OI get in my way of anything I have ever wanted. I feel because my bones break easily, I am so much stronger in other aspects of my life.

Please help spread OI awareness. Without awareness, there will never be a cure. To educate yourself, visit:

http://oif.org/

http://wishboneday.com/

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Wordless Wednesday

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"Before I was a Mom..."

I got this in my email this morning and thought it was absolutely beautiful...I figured I'd share:

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

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Lincoln loves Sophie!

For those of you who do not know who "Sophie" is, well you're about to find out. Sophie is seriously one of the most amazing baby toys e.v.e.r.! Sophie is a giraffe made by Vulli, and is known as the most famous teething toy in the world! It is made of 100% natural rubber and food paint, thus making it 100% safe for your little munchkin' to chomp on. Sophie has been a favorite in our household from the moment she arrived in our mailbox. Lincoln cannot get enough of her, or her little "squeak" she makes when you squeeze her. He smiles with delight each time!

Here is my sweet boy relaxing with his Sophie.

And, here is a more recent picture taken just two days ago. Notice, although he's in the exersaucer, Sophie is still tightly gripped around his little fingers :)

And, I couldn't resist adding a video for your enjoyment.

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