My little magic man. It feels as if everytime I blink another month has passed by; a month so full of life and joy my heart can't seem to remember what life was like before you entered our world. You are my constant emotional physical and mental reminder to live life fully, and I feel honored to be able to be the one to introduce you to all the many wonders of this beautiful life we've been given.
This month has brought on a new level of exploration. I am in shock at the little tornado you've become. If you can reach it, it will be licked, shook, and thrown to the floor. I watch as you study my face for a reaction to learn whether or not I'm happy by your discovery or if you got away with something. You have a new half smile half stare when you are trying to troubleshoot your current predicament, and I can't help but laugh everytime I see that silly face.
I am in awe at how quickly the desire to please those around you enters. Nothing makes you smile bigger and laugh harder than when dad and I clap and yell "yay lincoln" "you did it". I can't believe how much you already want to please us. I feel raw as I try to carry the weight and impact I will have on your life. I pray that you will know that my love is unconditional not matter the choices you will choose, because there is nothing in life I want to give you more than the confidence to make your own choices for yourself.
You are a determined ball of energy. Our favorite game is to start up your train, and watch dad try to get in your way of crawling to the train. Pillows are thrown, you are flipped over, bodies have to be crawled over, but you get the most serious little game face and fight with all of your pint sized might.
That determination has also followed you into every bit of your relatioship with dad. Oh how I laugh as you already know how to wrestle. I was in shock the first time I watched you put your shoulder down as you crawled into dads face trying to get him to flip over the way he flips you over. What i love most is watching the way you two look at each other in these wrestle sessions. Both of you have a hidden grin and sparkle in your eye. I think this alone is why you are always choosing dad over mom. When you're sad or hungry I am needed, but when dad is around you want to be playing with him, or getting in between mom and dad cuddling.
When dad leaves for work there are mornings when you cry after he walks out the door. I love that even at 6 in the morning your little heart hates to watch him leave just like me. You've found a new perch at the front door and when dad comes down the stairs after work your little hands start flying around and hitting that glass as quick as you can. Oh how I love you two.
My favorite "our" time would have to be in the early morning. After I feed you we lay in bed together and you talk and talk as you roll your head backwards, still tired from the night, and content as can be from your big breakfast. You always lay your head on the pillow beside me with your face smooshed against mine. Your little hand holds my face and rubs my cheeks. I occasionally get major slobbery kisses. If I could bottle those morning moments I would keep and treasure them forever. Time is so fleeting, and I can't stand to think of your first year of life coming to an end.
You love when I crawl ahead of you around our bed, and then jump the bed and sneak up behind you. You giggle with such excitement. The funny thing is that when we are charging at you, you never run away. You always smile and come at us at the same speed...even if dad is doing a scary face, and growling / roaring at you. You never run away.
That pesky little tooth finally popped through on the 21st. YAY!!!! Who knew teething was such a process. We were not prepared for the months of gum rubbing.
You are beginning to stand, and have figured out how to bend your knees and slowly lower yourself from standng in the middle of the room. I can't believe just a couple short months ago you would climb up on things and then cry for us to come save you because you couldn't lower yourself back down. Now you've figured out how to do it from a solo stand. How can you be changing and developing so quickly.
You are loving to walk with the car. If I slowly lead it through the house you will hold onto the wheel and walk with it. Your grin through the entire process shows me that you know you're growing up.
Church is all about you. Sacrament meeting consists of you turned around looking at all the faces that came to church to watch you. Oh I could die as you ham it up with your biggest smile- which typically has some little cracker puffs in it because those are our sure fire way to keep you happy during church.
Your personality is getting so sassy and hilarious. I can't believe some of the humor I'm seeing in you already. You know I think you're funny, and you love how wrapped I am around you.
This month I was cleaning up our Christmas tree and I couldn't stop you from fisting a handful of pine needles into your mouth so very stearnly I said "Lincoln Schreiner do not put those in your mouth". You had never heard that tone from me, stopped mid action, and little tears welled up in those beautiful blue eyes. My heart broke a little bit, but the moment taught me to remember to use that tone when it matters because you listened.
January has been a month of blissful sleep for our entire family. After some serious sleep training in December everything stuck and I think we've had maybe 3 nights this month where you didn't sleep 10 hours straight. What a new world I have entered. I forget sleep was my old constant reality...and when I missed it...it was personal choice. We've gotten on such a wonderful schedule which allows for flexibility but also keeps you feeling like life is pretty constant which you are just flourishing in.
I know I am bias but I don't think you could be a better fit for our family. Your personality meshes so well with our desire to see the world and experience life. You're laid back and calm, but always up for an adventure with mom and dad....in fact if we are indoor all day long you get a little stir crazy.
Your language is getting so diverse with so many new sounds and so many things you want to share with us. You still prefer to say "dada" everytime I request a "mama", which is keeping your dad as happy as can be. You're learning to wave, roll the ball to us, and mimicing our every move.
Your favorite thing is loud music and dancing with mom and dad. I will never forget the grin on your face as we danced many nights this winter around our lit christmas tree to "rocking around the christmas tree". Your heart can feel our happiness, and how glad I am that you know a bit of the happiness you bring in my life.
I love you my little Lincoln Man. Happy 10 months. So glad we get to experience life together.
