I know I said Lincoln at 5 months was the best yet, but 6 months is definitely snagging the coveted spot. We’ve seen SO many changes, both physical and developmental in our little guy this month, it’s unbelievable. Here’s what’s on My Mommy Mind!
Lincoln is now able to sit up by himself for long stretches of time. It was crazy. We worked and worked on it with no luck, then one day, just like that, he was sitting! It just goes to show that babies will do things when they’re good and ready.
Along with sitting comes a new found sense of independence. While it’s nice that I can plop Lincoln down with a basket of toys to entertain himself with for 20 minutes, I find myself missing him needing me. Then I realize how insane that sounds and go do something productive with my life.
Seriously Mom? Can’t you see I’m busy over here?!
I had my first “I’m failing as a mother/wife/small business owner/human being” meltdown a few weeks ago. It involved a crying mama holding a crying baby and was, well, ugly. Please tell me I’m not the only one? I’ve been trying to cut myself some more slack since then.
So much worrying comes with being a Mom. I’m constantly asking myself if my baby is happy enough, if I’m playing with him enough (or too much,) if he’s learning enough, if he’s having enough experiences, if I’m doing the right things at the right age. I’ve heard many women express fear about becoming a Mom. News flash: we’re making it up as we go!
Lincoln is our snuggle bug and putting him down for naps and to bed are actually my favorite parts of the day. He’ll snuggle in chest to chest, let me give him lots of kisses, and then I’ll let him lay there probably a little too long because IT’S THE BEST FEELING IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.
I’ve come to accept the fact that my house will be cluttered and un-tidy for the next 18 years. I never thought I’d be that person with baby gear/toys all over the house, but I am. And I don’t even care.
It’s crazy to me that, as parents of an infant, we’re making 99.99% of the decisions for another human being. Where they sit, when they eat, what they eat, where they go, what they wear, etc… This kind of feeds into the worrying – I have so many important decisions to make for this tiny fragile life. I don’t want to screw it up! BTW, is making your child wear a fedora indoors while you vacuum with him strapped to your chest because it makes you so happy ok??
We started solids this month. For about a week after we began Lincoln was EXTREMELY cranky, to the point where we stopped because he was just a completely different child (ie the catalyst to my Mommy meltdown!) Our doctor encouraged us to try again, and he’s doing just fine now. We think it was just his digestive systems getting used to a different type of nutrition.
Right now he gets oatmeal twice a day with a rotation of avocado, butternut squash, sweet potato, pears, prunes, and peas, so far. Peas are his favorite – go figure! (I hate ’em!)
A WONDERFUL side effect of starting solids (the second time)? He’s finally sleeping through the night! I know they say the two aren’t related, but since the night we started solids (again, the second time) he sleeps from 7pm to 7:30am, with feedings at 9pm and 6am. He’s had a couple of random 1am wake ups since then, but I can’t tell you how thrilling it is to go to bed without the dread of not knowing what’s coming in the overnight hours.
Lest you think it’s all sunshine and rainbows, his naps are back to being all over the place. Ay yi yi. These babies are lucky they’re so darn cute!!
Lastly, at 6 months Lincoln’s personality is really shining through. He’s the absolute happiest when he’s got the attention of both Mom and Dad – like, limbs flailing around, happy – and is never without a smile when I call his name. Unless it’s after 5:30pm. Then, well, he doesn’t. ; )
At least once a day I still marvel over the fact that he’s ours to keep forever. Other women need not apply! (Seriously, what am I going to do when he starts dating? I can’t even!)
Ooo, lastly lastly – we cannot WAIT for warmer weather! Walks, walks, walks! #alldayerrday
Melinda 02.18.2014
Totally not a Mom, but I read your Mom posts and wanted to say first, thanks for sharing your fears/meltdowns/thoughts that you are responsible for shaping a human and future adult. I know a lot of Moms and only about 25% are willing to share the reality, which I always find refreshing and helpful. Perfection can never be achieved on anything in life and it’s nice to hear that, even when the baby is born, those thoughts of “am I getting this right” are normal. Also, thanks for not turning this into a baby blog. I like when you sneak bits of Lincoln and life into the food section but I love that you keep the two separate and didn’t lose your identity when you became a Mom. Kudos!
Cari 02.18.2014
Lincoln is so adorable! Yes, every mom has meltdowns about whether you’re doing everything right! There will be days when you feel like an awesome mom and other days you’ll feel like you’re not doing anything right. Clearly Lincoln is loved–that’s what matters!
Nicole 02.18.2014
Seriously, your child is too cute for the internet! Can I just say I love this post (and your blog in general)! I became a mom 3.5 years ago and have loved the way it changed me. I love seeing and reading about your experience. You capture it so well and I just wanted to tell you that I am nodding, smiling and laughing along with you as I read. Thank you for doing what ya do!
Lindsay 02.18.2014
You probably get this every day, but your little is the cutest kid on the planet. Baby Gap and J. Crew crewcuts needs him.
Angela 02.18.2014
Love, love your mommy posts! I remember how exciting it was to read you were pregnant and then I was pregnant shortly after that. It has been fun ‘growing’ along with your blog. I love to hear how everything is going since I’m a couple of months behind you–it’s encouraging to hear you started solids at 6 months. It’s my own mommy support. Thanks and as always, love the blog!
Allison 02.18.2014
My son is 2 wks old today. I love getting a little preview of what is to come with your blog!!
I’ve already had a couple meltdowns. I am having a rocky start with breastfeeding and struggling with health issues, currently mastitis. And, of course, I am tired. Having a baby isn’t easy!
Elizabeth {Positively Healthy} 02.18.2014
So beyond cute! I think you are doing a great job as a mom! He looks like a super super happy baby!
Kristen Waby/Kristensfitnessnook 02.18.2014
Seriously, that boy is SO darn cute! Love the hair. Mommy meltdowns are normal. It’s good to admit them, they also make us better because we realize we can’t do it all. And who “wants to do it all” anyways, that’s exhausting. Enjoy each day, each minute with those cuties, next thing you know, he’ll be 1 and you’ll wonder “what the heck.” He’s happy, so you are definitely doing something right!
Kim 02.18.2014
Welcome to the Mommy Meltdown club! Know that you are definitely not alone in this adventure. My kiddos are 4 and 6 now. Looking back, I sometimes stressed over the smallest things that in the end really didn’t matter. Sleep and exercise were biggies for my sanity. Know that you are doing an AMAZING job with your little guy. He is loved and well taken care of and lucky to have you as his mommy.
Beverly 02.18.2014
I love your updates! My “babies” are no longer babies – I have a 21 year old and almost 17 year old. I loved all the ages up until my youngest became a teenager. Holy hormones! Enjoy each and every day and don’t worry so much! In 20 years you’ll look back and wish you hadn’t worried so much and just enjoyed the time with him. My husband and I are constantly saying that the days are long, but the years are short; we can’t believe we’re almost done! Sigh! Happy Tuesday!!
Melissa 02.18.2014
My gosh, he is adorable! I’m due with a little boy at the end of April, and I love reading these updates…it’s nice to get a realistic look at what’s to come! Thanks for giving us a peek into your world! :)
erin @hooleywithaz 02.18.2014
i just love these updates. although i must confess that the sleep stuff gives me the hives thinking about what i’m headed toward in 6 short months…i’m already trying to breathe deeply about it. just from how happy he looks in the photos you post, you are undoubtedly doing a great job!
Sara 02.18.2014
Mommy meltdowns…mine happened after a snarky lady at Target told me I was doing everything wrong with my then 4 month old. (Really-like you can make that assumption after a 30 second encounter?!) It was probably just a wrong place/wrong time moment but, like you, I questioned everything and started uncontrollably sobbing in the Target parking lot. And then cried harder because I was crying in the middle of a Target parking lot! Between stress, hormones and sleep-deprivation I think every mom has a breaking point.
So, let me tell you that you are doing a great job. You really can’t ever hear that enough as a parent and moms need to support and encourage each other as much as possible.
And Lincoln is adorable. :)
Jill 02.18.2014
Kristin, he is just precious!
JennP 02.18.2014
Every age provides something wonderfully unique from all of the other ages, but I really did love 6-8 months with my girls. They were sleeping soundly through the night and sitting independently but weren’t mobile yet. I found that to be kind of the “lull” between the exhausting early infant days and the crazy, chasing-them-all-over-the-place age that comes quickly after!
Jen 02.18.2014
Gah! those eyes! those expressions! he is so stinkin cute. I love when you update the mommy page :)
nicole 02.18.2014
i love your blog – and your baby is so so cute!
jen 02.18.2014
I constantly worry about screwing up my children and have had many such meltdowns over the years. But I did read some article…somewhere…I wish I could refer you to it, but they did some sort of study and found that in the end parenting choices have very, very little to do with how a person turns out as an adult. I’m not sure how exactly they measured it but reading that made me feel a lot better. And after having our second kiddo it seems to make sense to me because even as a tiny baby, the baby’s personality is so much different than his older brother’s personality.
Jan 03.13.2014
As a mom of 4, grandmom of 6, and 71 years old, yes you are correct. I was the same mom to all of mine and they are all totally different. We have all heard the stories of the most perfect parents having a child who just couldn’t grow up right.
Joanna Gehrke 02.18.2014
I so agree, every age will be the perfect agree! It’s so funny how that works! And YES, you are not the only one to have a mommy meltdown! I have them routinely. I’d say you are doing an A+++ job. I mean, L is THE cutest baby ever (with the exception of mine of course ;-) ), YOU are adorable and your blog is the BEST! I personally don’t know how you do it! I can hardly function on a normal day. :) XO
Maryea {happy healthy mama} 02.18.2014
What a cutie! And you know what? You are going to keep saying the next age is your favorite. I promise you will, because it really does just keep getting better and better. :)