You are such a funny kid

Lately, one of the most common phrases heard through out the day around our home is "Lincoln, you are such a funny kid." He always goes through these weird little phases. Lately he mostly growls, in this deep guttural voice. We were in the passport office today, and he was making noise in his usual growl and I was getting the weirdest looks! I have nicknamed him my little bear because a) when he gets crabby he becomes like a bear and b) he makes these growling noises; like a bear.

He isn't walking but getting much sturdier on his feet. Probably in the next few months he will take those first steps. I try to bribe him with chips to take a step towards me, but as soon as he sees the chips he falls to his knees and scrabbles over. Stephen got him started on eating chips. Come to think of it, Stephen and my mom get him started on most of his bad eating habits! Lincoln knows who the weak one is and give him treats - not his mom!

We have been trying to teach him to say "puppy" and he is very interested. He always stops and stares intently as we say the word. And sometimes he even starts to mouth it, but no noise ever comes out.

I am starting to realize how impressionable he is, especially at this age. I am making a conscious decision to speak more politely and not treat him so much like a mindless baby, but how I would like him to act as a little boy. He still refuses to eat from a spoon, and feeding himself with a utensil feels like it is never going to happen.

For some bizarre reason he thinks you get down from the couch, or the bed, or the stairs by going head first. He has yet to have an accident, we have been very lucky by grabbing those skinny ankles at the last second!

He is going to be 1 in two weeks, where has the time gone? All I know is he is growing into such a funny kid.

YES!

Ottawa

We recently went to Ottawa for 6 days. Stephen was attending a Conference for work, my dad was hosting the conference, so we thought we would tag along! It was quite the experience, over all we had a great time! The plane rides were interesting. I never realized how small the seats are until I was holding a very squirmy, over tired, 11 month boy! But we survived, and thankfully didn't get kicked off the plane! Another challenge was having Lincoln's crib in our room - something we both aren't used too. But again, we survived, barely! By the end of the week he was waking up every hour...I was glad to be going home!

Ottawa is a beautiful city, full of history. We were able to explore By Ward Market one afternoon, which was a lot of fun! Biggest highlight of that day would probably be going to the bakery that Obama visited when he was there. Biggest disappointment of that day would be eating the cookie that Obama bought. He has horrible taste in sweets.

My dear friend Becki drove 3 hours to see us on Saturday. That girl is amazing. Every time we get together, which is usually ever 2 or 3 years, we pick right up where we left off! She took us to Ikea and then we walked around the Parliament building, and then back down to By Ward Market for supper at an old '50s diner called Zac's. It was a great day with a great friend!

Linc & I hit up the pool a couple of times...of course how could we miss the giant bath tub! Lincoln's highlight would have to be the escalators that Grandpa would take him on. Up and down, up and down.

Great family trip, first real vacation for Lincoln!

Lincoln is his name-o!

What have we been up to lately? It has been a whirl wind, time is literally flying by! In less than 2 weeks I will celebrate my babies 1st birthday, go back to work, and celebrate my 25th birthday!

Lincoln and I went and met with the lady who will be watching him 2 days a week as I head back to work. She has two young boys, age 5 & 3. They are so sweet. The oldest, after learning Lincoln's name, responded "That is a good name!". I think so as well! They also have a little Pomeranian/Pug, and Lincoln played tug a way with the her for quite a while, he loved it! We feel really good about the arrangement. I just hope I get pregnant soon, so I can be at home for good! More babies!