11 Months!

Somehow, nearly a year has passed since this little guy joined our family.  I really can't believe he is going to be turning one in less than a month!  Lucas and I have been commenting lately on how old he is looking--walking around, wearing miniature pants and shirts instead of onesies, babbling conversations to anything that moves, playing with the dog...such a big guy!

New milestones:

• Officially graduated into fulltime walking!  He spends hours each day zooming around the house or yard, carrying something, chasing the dog, pushing a box...busy, busy!
• More teeth!  Last month, he cut a tooth on his 10 month birthday.  This month, he got 2 more (both on top)!
• His hair is getting sooo long.
• Although he still isn't a big fan of eating, he is much less resistant now that he can use a spoon all by himself!  Yes, the mess is epic, but dinner is much more enjoyable without a fussy baby : )
• We went to the park this month, where Lincoln swallowed a rock (the entire playground was covered in pebbles...waaaay too tempting for little babies).  3 days later, the rock reappeared.  Fun times.
• First Halloween!  He was an adorable giraffe.
• Favorite things to say:  digadigadigadigadiga.  mama.  dad.  deg (dog).  dut (duck).  amahamahamahamaha.  eeeeeeeee!  tikatikatikatikatika.  babababababa.  up.  
• He is starting to sign all done.
• So close to waving!
• He is a pro at pointing.
• Pets the dog--especially his teeth.  Strange fascination with petting the dog's teeth.  Luckily, Wembley doesn't mind.
• Can't get enough of being outside!  Now that it's nice out, we wait outside for daddy to get home from work every afternoon.  And if I open the door to let the dog out, there are tears unless we go out too.
• He has started the cutest game ever....he will just be going about his business, then stop what he is doing and lay down on the floor.  Then he'll grin at you and stand back up.   He does this on the floor, anywhere there is a pillow, on the couch....so cute.
• He looooves to feed people.  He will feed us blocks, spoons, whatever he is supposed to be eating for lunch, hairbrushes, sticks....he also enjoys doing this to Wembley.  Wembley is more than happy to oblige.
• Going to sleep a little easier...still waking up at night, but the initial part is easier.

Pictures!

Walking is a bit harder in the giant winter coat at Grandma's.

Giraffe!

We went to visit the field of flags on Veteran's Day.

Holding his cup while we were out on a walk.

Such a good helper in the kitchen.

Winter coat up in Omaha...just waiting for snow!

on the road again

I haven't posted in awhile.  I apologize to all those who have been checking in lately only to find a whole bunch of nothing...

We leave for Omaha in the morning.  And by morning, I mean practically middle of the night.  For us, anyway. Our flight takes off at 6:45 AM, meaning we need to be leaving the house by NO LATER than 5:00, meaning I should probably go to bed now if I have any intention on waking up by 4:15.  We have cut this flight close before thinking the airport would be dead that early in the morning.  Not the case, friends.  Apparently, pre-sunrise is the time for travel out of Houston! We made the flight last time by the skin of our teeth (what does this phrase mean, anyway???) and with a huge amount of thanks for having Lincoln, thus allowing us to go through the family lane at security.  Family lane:  2 minute wait.  Regular traveler lane:  15 minute wait.  Those 13 minutes saved meant we were on the plane.

I am going to try to get Lincoln's 11 month (seriously, that doesn't seem real) post together before we go.  I am also in full out birthday planning mode for Lincoln.  If I get my blogging act back together, I'll share some of the projects I'm working on in the near future!

I have a few pictures for the road.  I laugh out loud EVERY time I look at this first picture.  EVERY time.  Laughing right now, in fact.  He is hilarious!

Want to guess how much actually ended up in his belly?  Yeah.  Not much.  But he sure had fun (as did Lucas, who you can thank for the pasta on his head) : )

Veteran's Day

Although not technically a memorial for veterans, Lincoln and I thought it fitting to visit The Texas Healing Field of flags for Veteran's Day this year.  The Healing Field uses one flag to represent each death in Texas last year caused by drunk driving.  There were 1616 flags, meaning 1616 lost lives.  So sad.  It was very moving to walk among the flags.  We thought of not only those who had died at the hands of drunk drivers, but also all those who have died serving our country.  To those who serve, thank you for what you do.  It is humbling to think of your sacrifices.

If you are in the Houston area and would like to visit the Healing Field, it is located at Walter Hall Park in League City (just north of 518 or Hwy 3).  The last day is Friday, November 13th. For more information, see the Bay Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol.

Tutorial Tuesday: Applesauce!

This is barely a tutorial. We go through gallons of applesauce around here because it is one of the foods Lincoln will eat--we serve it up plain, in smoothies, with graham crackers...it appears in at least one meal a day. So, since we go through so much, I decided to try making my own. To be honest, I don't know that it saves that much money. Applesauce is pretty cheap. But, I was able to make it with organic apples that were on sale, so this particular batch may have saved us a few cents. But, I was amazed with how easy it was to duplicate the store bought variety. We buy the barebones, apples plus nothing else kind of applesauce, so it wasn't rocket science trying to figure out a formula, though (though, should we need one, we do have a rocket scientist in residence....ahahahahaha!). It even had the same consistency as the jarred variety. Success!

Easy Applesauce

(sorry for the blurry picture...it looked clear on the camera screen, so I didn't take another...)

1.  Peel and core 4 medium apples.  If you don't plan to add sweeteners, don't use a tart apple like Granny Smith.  I used organic Gala.  I hear Golden Delicious are also really sweet.

2.  Cut into chunks and place in a medium sauce pan.  Add enough water to cover.

3.  Simmer of medium-low heat for 20 minutes, or until soft.  I added a bit of lemon juice to prevent the apples from browning.

4.  Cool in the pan.  The water should absorb into the apples.  

5.  Place apples in food processor and blend.  You've done it!  Homemade applesauce!

The Monkey's Mama actually posted that she delved into homemade applesauce recently as well.  Her batch looks mighty tasty and much more flavorful than mine, so maybe we'll hear her recipe in a future tutorial : )

Enjoy!

i heart faces: Thankful

The ladies at i ♥ faces are gearing up for the first i ♥ faces workshop this weekend!  So to give them a change to get ready, they are taking a week of from judging and encouraging us to share what we are thankful for instead.  What a great idea!  I admit that I didn't have time to take pictures of everything I'm thankful for, but know that there are many more things in addition to what you see below!

+I'm thankful that the weather was so cool today so Lincoln and I could go outside and make this nature box, even though he was hot with fever+

+I'm thankful that these awesome ducks followed me all the way from my car to the farmer's market on Saturday (at least 100 yards).  I felt like the pied piper--so much fun!  And, those are just a few of them--there were almost 20!+

+I'm thankful that our Meyer lemon tree is now in season!  Lemon shrimp, lemon bread, lemon cookies...endless possibilities!+

+I'm thankful these 2 get along+

+I'm thankful someone thought of the idea to put ears on children's jackets.  Cuteness overload.+

+I'm thankful that it cooled off enough for Lincoln and I to get outside and walk!+

+I'm thankful for the sweet side of my dog, Wembley.+

+I'm thankful for remembering to take a picture of me!+

+And most of all, I'm thankful for these 2 guys.  So very, very thankful!+

Check out more thankful pictures at i ♥ faces!

A Perfect Fall Day

The weather today was PERFECT!  Lincoln and I hit up the park this afternoon.  He amazed me with his slide skillz--I had no idea he knew how to go down by himself, but when I set him up there once, he just scooted to the end and went down!  So smart!  Other fun things at the park--raking rocks, scooping rocks, and of course, eating rocks.  I fished out at least 8 tasty pebbles from his mouth, and am pretty sure 1 went down...we'll see in a few days, I guess....

Lincoln, Lucas, and David somehow managing to not break the plasma car....

Fall flowers (or weeds....whichever...)

Look!  5 red leaves!  Is that you, fall??

Going down on his tummy....wheeeeee!

Green Smoothie...definitely green

Since Lincoln isn't a huge fan of eating, I try to cram as many nutrients as I can into one food that he seems to like: smoothies. Today was my first foray into the land of green smoothies. This particular smoothie is a combo of applesauce, frozen mango, raspberries, milled flax seeds, and kale. Lincoln ate every last drop. Ok, not every drop. He may have gotten a little bit on his face....