57 Weeks

How old? 13 Months 3 days

Weight: 22 lbs  13oz

Sleep: Back to good...holding out hope it stays that way.

Food: Lincoln enjoyed his second meal off of a kid's menu this past weekend.  We went to Red Robin after doing some shopping at BJs (Pampers for 18c a diaper, I big pink puffy heart wholesale clubs & awesome coupons!) and he got a grilled cheese, while Mommy had chicken & Daddy got a burger.  He did get a bite of chicken though he seemed much more impressed with Daddy's bite of hamburger. 

He seems to be a bottomless pit when it comes to pasta.  I made an old stand by this week, spaghetti pie, and boy oh boy was that a hit!  I think he had two baby bowls full, a few cooked carrots (most of those ended up on the floor/eaten by puppies) and pears.  He continues to be our good little eater!

Word List:  Mama, Dada, Daa-dee, nana (banana), uhoh (when he drops something), bye bye, touchdown (he started saying this at daycare the Monday after the Superbowl)

Best Moment This Week: We did not make it to Tot Shabbat this past weekend, we decided that Linc needed to rest up a little more that day to make sure he was sufficiently getting over his cold.  We slept in and played in the morning, during nap time Todd and I did some chores around the house, and then we did a little late afternoon shopping and dinner out.  It was a nice day. 

Sunday was more of the same, resting and playing, and then we headed to Tysons for a Purim PJ Party at Barnes & Nobel.  There was a photographer there from the Washington Jewish Week and he took the picture to the right,  you can see Todd holding Linc on the left and I am sitting on the floor right next to them.  Linc did pretty well listening to the books being read, but he did get distracted by a nearby bookshelf.  After the Purim stories were read they let the kids make gragers (noise makers) and crowns.  And they even got a tote bag filled with some small toys & Hamantaschen.





Worst Moment This Week:  MOLARS, our child has started to get molars, well one anyway, top right to be specific.  This is crazy to me!  Poor baby, no wonder he's been so miserable - a horrible cold, ear infections, and teething a molar.  Rough week for the Lincster!

What We're Looking Forward To: Surprise trip to Cleveland this weekend, for Grandma Isaacs birthday!  It will be a quick trip, but it will be fun!  Cross your fingers that Linc does well in the car.

Movement: Lots more walking and quite a bit of dancing going on, especially in the kitchen while I am trying to make dinner.

Milestones: Don't be surprised if your hearty eater's appetite has shrunk. It's typical for kids this age to eat a bit less and suddenly become more picky. This change may seem strange, considering how active your child is now. But because he's growing more slowly, he really doesn't need as much food.

Try not to pressure your toddler to eat more. Instead, let his appetite determine how much food he takes in.
Of course, even though you can't control how much he eats, you are definitely in charge of what he has to choose from. Keep offering a variety of healthy foods at every meal
Dreams become a reality
Even if your child has been sleeping soundly for months, he may now start waking up again at night. Of course, that can happen at any stage during the baby and toddler years for one reason or another. But one new potential sleep disturbance at this age is dreaming.
Between 12 and 14 months, kids start actively dreaming, and a dream can actually startle your child awake. Sticking to routines and creating a beloved bedtime ritual are a huge help in keeping your toddler's sleep on track.

12 Month Check-up

Lincoln had his 12 Month check-up at the Pediatrician and these are his stats:


Height: 31in (75%tile!!!)
Weight: 22lbs 12oz


He is a very healthy little boy!  While we were there he had to get some shots because that's the price of turning One, so he got his Chickenpox and MMR vaccinations.  He was such a champ, not a peep or a whimper!  The nurse was SO impressed by his bravery (so were we)!  

48 Weeks



Now - 11 Months

Oh My, How We've Grown



Then - 1 Month

 How old? 11 Months 2 days

Weight: 22.4 lbs

Sleep: The past few nights have been a rocky road traveled...I'll elaborate more down below.  Let's just say it's not been the best week for sleep in this household. 

Food: Linc enjoyed trying several new things while visiting Grandma & Grandpa Isaacs this past weekend.  He had his first taste of matzo ball, which he liked very much!  Ironically he also had his first taste of honey baked ham as well - also a hit with the Lincster.

We are inching up on the time where we will be introducing whole milk to Linc and backing down on the formula - interesting times are a commin'.

Best Moment This Week: We had an awesome visit to Cleveland seeing the Isaacs family, celebrating the holiday and Andy & Taryn's engagement!  I am not sure I've had that much lox in one weekend...well, since maybe the last trip to Cleveland. ;-)

The continued celebration of Linc's first Hanukkah tops the list again.  He is so special that he gets his very own 9th night of Hanukkah...well part of that may have to do with two things, 1.  Daddy had to work late one night so Linc had to go to bed before he got home for presents & candles, and 2.  We had plenty of extra candles to use since we were out of town for a few nights!
Anyway Lincoln loves all of his gifts - Hanukkah books from Uncle Matt & Aunt Cyndi, books, a ballpit & 250 extra balls (though really I think this is just as much for Todd as Linc), Scout the Leapfrog Learning Puppy, PlaySkool Busy Gears board, a tent & play tunnel, and probably others I am forgetting from Grandma & Grandpa Isaacs.  Linc is a lucky little guy that is for sure! 

Worst Moment: If you have a weak stomach you may want to go ahead and stop reading here.  

I am going to go with the event that took place last night around 11:30pm.  Around that time Todd and I were in bed asleep (early for once) and then Linc was up crying.  Todd went down to check it out and took Linc out of his crib to calm him and decided he needed a diaper change - it was messy we'll leave it at that - and then when he was about to put him back in his crib Todd realized that Linc had gotten sick in there and before he could do anything else Linc was projectile vomiting while Todd ran with him to the bathroom.  He yelled for my help and I came right down to find them in the bathroom both covered.  I took Linc and we worked on getting them both cleaned up - along with some carpet.  So as Todd was striping his bed, I was changing Linc into new pjs, that's when round #2 hit - all over the new pjs & the changing pad & cover.  After a call to the nurse line - they assured us that according to his symptoms and lack of temperature, they thought what he had for dinner it just didn't agree with him and we should give him some water and make sure to keep him hydrated and comfortable.  So after a quick change into the third pair of pjs for the night & a couple of ounces of water it was back to bed for Lincoln. 
He was so tired this morning & just not himself, but no fever or anything that would indicate it was a bug or the flu or anything like that...but he was just so sad and pitiful.

Poor guy.
What We're Looking Forward To: Well even though I lost out this week on my guess for when the Alderson Cadets will make their appearance (Todd is still in the running) - we are super excited to welcome them into this world!  11 days & counting kids!  Linc can't wait to have playmates!
Movement: We are slightly under debate about this, but if you ask me I say Linc took steps this week...Todd is a little less convinced.
Milestones: Your baby probably enjoys looking at books and leafing through the pages, though turning those pages one by one doesn't always happen. Indulge in great picture books or stick with sturdy and inexpensive board books that can stand up to small fingers.

45 Weeks

How old? 10 Months 12 days

Weight: 21.7 lbs
Sleep: No new developments...and that is a good thing!  Linc did sleep until 8am both weekend mornings, it was FABULOUS! 
Food: Linc has been chowing down on homemade chicken and noodles, he can't get enough!  I don't think he's tried anything new this week.
Best Moment This Week: We had a great time taking Lincoln to play at Clemyjontri Park.  This park is amazing! 

Sunday I spent most of the day cooking again.  This time it was for our neighbors across the street who just had a baby girl!  I made a huge batch of chicken & noodle soup - some for us - some for them.
Monday I took over the soup & a present and met little Miss Brin, and she is the sweetest thing ever!  Lincoln was very interested in her...well until he realized that he was hungry and then the visit ended and we headed home to get him his dinner!
Worst Moment: I have become an old pro when it comes to shots - or so I had thought...  Wednesday we took Linc to his checkup at our Peds Office, met the new Dr. (who we liked very much) and found out that while his ears were doing better they were not completely 100% so to make sure we would kick this thing before out flight they gave him an injection of an antibiotic to hopefully take care of it.  Well the injection was not just one, but two, one in each leg!  POOR BABY!  And it was a thick shot too, one of the ones where you have to massage the muscle afterward to make sure it doesn't pool.  OH we both cried! 
What We're Looking Forward To: All the fun we are going to have in Chicago...don't worry you'll hear all about it plus pictures in next weeks blog (possibly sooner depending on the weeks work activities).
After that - Thanksgiving with the Aldersons - Lincoln is looking forward to his first Thanksgiving turkey that Uncle Matt will expertly preparing.
Movement: On the verge.
Milestones: Your baby may "walk" while you're gripping his hands, and even hold out an arm or leg to help you dress him. At mealtimes, he may be able to drink from a cup on his own (though some children may not do this well for months or even another year or two) and hand-feed himself.

Once your baby's able to drink from a cup by himself, you may need to start ducking, because he's just as likely to toss it when he's finished as to set it down.
**This last sentence leads well into this next picture.  Apparently Linc's new fave toy is a blue Solo cup.  Yes, a Solo cup.  I guess he is practicing for his future as an AEPi at Purdue...

39 Weeks...And A Few Days

9 Month Old Lincoln

Courtesy of The Grandparents & Picture People

How old? 9 Months 4 days

Weight: Not entirely sure (we'll find officially at his 9mo check-up Thrursday afternoon). However, I think that after holding him for the first time in 4 days he felt like he had put on 10 lbs! What did those Grandma's feed you, little Lincoln?!? Just kidding!

Sleep: Lincoln had done fairly well the week leading up to our trip out of town, and it sounds like he did pretty well for the Grandmas. They said that he slept all the way through the night and until 7am two of the 3 days, so they only had one night where there were 3am & 5am wake-ups. Not too shabby.

Baby food: We tried giving him some small pieces of chicken and soft bread this week to eat one night for dinner, he seemed to really like it! I think we will start to give him some more bit sized food for him to chomp on, since that went over well. He ate well for the G-mas and for Cortney and Mary while we were gone. (He must have since again he feels 10 lbs heavier!)
Best moment this week: OK, so this is going to be an abnormally long entry so bear with me this week!

1. Grandma's ascended Thursday night after Linc was tucked in snug as a bug, so we gave them the run down and left them with a heck of a list/schedule. But they survived and thrived - not with out a couple of scuffles with the GPS, the diaper pale, and the demise of a doorstop. Lincoln even got his first haircut from Grammy Joan, really it was more of a sideburn trim that anything but he still looks much better! Grandpa decided to make a surprise appearance on Friday night and on Saturday they all took him to Picture People for a little photo session to celebrate the visit and get some great 9 month pictures!

2. Meanwhile Friday, Todd, me, Cyndi, & Matt were on a plane to Dallas/Plano Texas to see our good friends Michael & Ashely get married on 10-10-10! We had an uneventful flight and got to our hotel easily. We dropped our bags and let the fun of the weekend begin. We got a chance to see and catch up with all of our Purdue friends and it was FANTASTIC! We love and miss all of them so much and it is always the best time when we can all get together. So that night were the Bachelor & Bachelorette parties and more hanging out commenced.

3. Three words - Texas State Fair - followed by two more words - Fried Butter- oh yes we did! Saturday we had time to explore all Texas had to offer, namely the State Fair. 11 of us piled in a rented van and proceeded to head to downtown Dallas - two hours later we made it. A big thanks to Levi for driving and not stopping the van multiple times and threatening to turn it around and go home if the kids did not behave. The State Fair was an experience that's for sure!

We Made It!

Fried Butter = Interesting...

Howdy, Big Tex!

Later that night we had the rehearsal dinner at Blue Mesa Grill where we enjoyed some great Southwestern food, an adorable slide show of the bride and groom, and some pool time & late night shenanigans back at the hotel.




4. 10-10-10: A beautiful Texas day spent lounging by the pool with the girls. Followed by a even more beautiful evening enjoying the Cobbel/Acks Wedding! I cannot express how wonderful and welcoming the Cobbel & Acks families were, we had an amazing time celebrating with everyone.

Boiler Up!

Yeah, That's How Boilers Do
(and that's our table half cleared off by the wait staff)

5. Coming home to our sweet sweet baby boy! The Grandmas had to get back to reality so they flew out around 3ish so there was some time that overlapped that we were all traveling. Our friends Cortney & Mary came in to save the day! They came over to play with & entertain little Lincoln for the afternoon/evening until we had completed our journey and made it back safe and sound. A huge thank you to them for being so awesome!
Worst Moment: Saying goodbye to Linc & the Grandma's when we left on Friday. It was the first time that Todd & I were away from Linc overnight.
What We're Looking Forward To: Well now that the Texas trip has taken place we will need to regroup and take a look at our calendar to see what is up next. I feel like every weekend is filled with fun from now until the end of the year. Halloween & Trick-or-treating, my birthday is coming up, then our trip to Chicago November 19th-22nd that we are super excited about, and then the holidays begin! Oh my!


Movement: Apparently Lincoln has already figured out the one locking mechanism that we had in place in the kitchen - luckily the Grandmas were right there watching him do it. So now the challenge has been presented and we must go out and find some suitable baby proofing options for cabinets & drawers. Not exactly a movement, but technically movement is involved to get to the cabinets so...

Milestones: Because of separation anxiety, this can be a tough time to be away from your baby for any length of time. But it may also be hard to travel with your baby right now. He's become used to his surroundings and familiar faces, and he likes predictability. So being on the road can disrupt his sense of security and routine, especially when visiting a new place or meeting lots of strangers.At this age he doesn't grasp the concept of travel, but he'll realize he's in an unfamiliar place. Be ready for some cranky, clingy behavior and prepare plenty of distractions — picture books, noise-making toys, nesting blocks, hand puppets, and definitely his lovey, if he has one. Schedule plenty of downtime away from all the strangers to let him decompress. **Interesting that this is the milestone for this week. I think he did fine though with us leaving him. I think having him in daycare everyday helps with this too.