my 6 month babe.

Lincoln you remind me each time I look at your face of the good, the hope, and happiness of being alive. You are a light in my life that teaches me how to learn and grow in the goodness of this beautiful life we are sharing together. Each and everyday I fall a little more in love with who you are, and the way your own little person is forming.

6 months seems far to old to me, and I can't believe how much my heart aches to keep you at this stage for just a little longer. I've always struggled with change, and you are a constant form of it.

 

We've made some big steps this month one of which is sleeping each night in your crib. I was a tearful mess at the beginning of this routine. I love your little rock n'play, and I love it nuzzled next to my side of the bed. Those first couple of nights I had to keep "checking in on you" even though I had a little video monitor right next to my bed. 

The swaddle has officially been let go. You are certainly not my baby anymore. Your strong arms and legs wiggled out of it almost instantly. You prefer to sleep almost always on your tummy. I think it makes you feel safest. 

Every night as you fall asleep you take your right arm and gently rub the bed in little circles until you fall asleep. I find it to be the sweetest little thing. Dad and I stand at the end of your bed and watch you drift to sleep while moving that little hand. You also calm instantly when I give you my warm shirt to cuddle to sleep.

Your bedtime routine is now eat -> pajamas -> book -> rocking -> song -> bed. Our nights just the three of us are one of the best parts of my day. Cuddling you in close for story time, and then rocking you while dad and I sing you primary songs couldn't be better. Your favorite song is "I Know Heavenly Father Loves Me". It seems to calm you instantly. So many nights I cuddle you close as tears stream down my face as your dad and I sing a little bit about our testimony of Christ to you. The way it calms you warms my soul, because I know those words are bringing you the spirit. We lay you in your crib and typically finish with "I am a Child of God." You will usually whimper or cry for a minute after we leave, but you're always asleep within minutes.
 

Sitting is old news and you can do it for hours now without an issue. You are currently working to go from sitting to crawling position. Your poor head has hit the ground many times, and almost always I'm shocked as you pull that head back up without tears determined to move that little body forward. You are constantly on your knees and hands rocking back and forth. The most you'll do is move your back legs though. You can now scoot yourself backwards, and I never find you in the same position I left you in. We are so excited to see what you do when you find the freedom of crawling. 

Peek-a-boo with dad is the highlight of your day. You stand up tall on the back of the white couch and dad hides behind the couch. Your face gets so serious as you search for his body on the side of the couch, but the instant he pops up your burst into giggles. You are beginning to figure out object permanence because I'm struggling to just move objects away from you because you know that they are still there just behind something. 

Your toes are beyond ticklish. When I put them in my mouth you always giggle even if you were in the process of crying before. I could tickle you for days but dad gets mad and says I'm torturing you. 

You are constantly seeking my attention now when you are playing. You will stop what you're doing and stare at me until I smile at you then you'll proceed with playing and smiling at me. 

For some beautiful beautiful reason you decided to let us cuddle with you a little bit this month. Oh it has been the greatest. There are moments early in the morning when you are in bed with us that you'll lay still cuddled up next to dad and I that I just want to freeze forever. They are perfect little moments. When you get tired you are starting to lay your head down on my shoulder which never happened before. We are in love with this extra cuddle time. 

You are saying all sorts of new sounds like ma da hi sss guu but your favorite is na na na na na.... you say it probably 80% of the time you are talking to us. You are constantly in our conversations babbling away as you look from me to dad. 

You still get slap happy before bed if we keep you up too long. Luckily for us we rarely have melt downs you just get to this over wired slap happy giggle state that I'm kinda obsessed with. You also shriek and talk non stop. Sometimes it sounds like you're upset because its so loud, but you're smiling through most of it. 

Feeding is getting quite hilarious. Nursing is just so tough because you can't see whats going on. You are constantly getting a couple good gulps and then turning to make sure you're not missing out on anything. I'm praying you'll let me nurse you till you're one. 

You tried rice cereal with a little bit of peaches this week and you liked it so much more than regular rice cereal. 

You are starting to really know people now, and after staying with grandma and grandpa this past week while dad was in cali you know them so well. You are also very fond of great grandma gerri. This week you saw all the aunts and cousins and they are screamed with excitement when you came into the room and you burst into tears. We are hoping you learn to handle ALL the Adams family. 

You are as attentive as ever. Studying ever single thing you see around you. I love how you are trying to take it all in. It reminds me of how much learning I can be apart of each and everyday. Your smiles are still mostly hidden to strangers and you prefer to stare them down for a bit before you've figured them out enough for a smile. 

During sacrament meeting you're getting very noisy. Last Sunday you threw your ball down 7 aisles. Luckily nothing like that would ever embarrass us so we just laugh at your strength. 3 hours of church is LONG for anyone. You do much better in primary though, and get so much attention from all the kids in there. 

 

You are really starting to understand humor, and gosh there are times during the day that you know I'm laughing at you so you'll keep doing it with that little smirk-twinkle in your eye. I love that you know you are funny, and that you just keep it going when I'm cuing into your humor. 

Whenever I laugh at dad you are always smiling just because you can feel our happiness. It's one of my favorite things about you. Reading into emotions at such a young age is big deal...especially for this social work mom of yours.

You constant stare at the fire has changed to include an occasional grin. We think you like fires almost as much as you like people.

We spent an early morning in the pouring rain on top of guardsmans pass this past month with the changing yellow leaves. As we got out and started dancing in the rain your giggle wouldn't stop. I kept looking from you to Kenny and thinking I don't think I could be happier. So often I'm feeling that beautiful feeling having you in our life. We love how you love the outdoors, and how you love your mom and dad so completely.

This past week you've been on the move. I'll admit I cried the first time you crawled to your toy. You are still trying to figure out how to move your arms forward, but those little legs are propelling you forward. You are getting quicker and quicker as you gain confidence in your ability to move your legs in a crawl. Watching you move from tummy to knees, and then forward is surreal. The best part is watching your face light up with happiness. You couldn't be more proud of yourself.

 

Your favorite book is little blue truck. When dad reads it to you, you stare with such attention from the book to dads face. Every time he says "beep" "moooo" "neighhh" your eyes light up and your smile covers your entire face. We love you so much.

My precious little boy I can't believe how much you have changed my life these past 6 months. Thank you for bringing your light and goodness to our home. Thank you for the constant reminder of what life is all about. I have never felt more joy than I have the past 6 months. God is good. I'm so grateful to know and be able to teach you that our family gets to be together forever.

 

 

I love you my sweet Lincoln Alexander.
Cheers to the best 6 months of my life.