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
young 02.19.2014
Great pics! What a cutie! Glad he’s sleeping through the night for you – it’s easier to appreciate their cuteness when they’re sleeping through the night, lol!
Leslie W 02.18.2014
Lincoln is beyond adorable & certainly looks like a very happy, intelligent, well-adjusted baby. Don’t worry about the melt-downs, that’s normal & will happen again (sorry). It’s ok to put him in a safe place or hand him to someone else for a little bit & go beat the snot out of your bed if you must. I’m sure you’ve already heard this 10 zillion times but the coolest thing EVER is watching your child grow up & enjoy it! It really does go by in the blink of an eye!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 02.18.2014
I can’t focus on anything you’re saying in this post because of how stinkin’ cute he is! Ahh, baby fever!
You are definitely going to be in trouble when he’s old enough to date.
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance 02.18.2014
oh my goodness, what a handsome little man!!
Brooke 02.18.2014
I love your blog, I stumbled across it only about a month ago & am so glad!! I’ve been thoroughly enjoying all of your posts since then & have added LOTS of recipes to my “to try” pile thanks to you! I just received my latest issue of Fitness magazine & wanted to say congrats to you for getting such a great mention from them. I think they were right on!! So congrats & keep up the fantastic work! Only the best things can be found in Iowa!
Connie 02.18.2014
Mommy meltdowns – I can’t count how many there have been. Letting them date one day? petrifies me! I’m enjoying all the updates on Lincoln :-) We always expect to much from ourselves as moms and you have to be able to roll with the punches and forgive yourself because NOBODY is perfect and you know Lincoln loves you regardless. Whether or not you managed to do things “perfectly” doesn’t matter – whether you manage to do your best despite all the things going on at one time, that’s what matters.
Katie @ The Surly Housewife 02.18.2014
Each stage does get better and better. Even in the bad moments of each stage there is something to celebrate. My youngest is in the midst of her terrible 3’s but ya know what? I can shower when I “want”, no more diapers, and the interactions between her and her sister are pretty damn cute. I question myself pretty much every day. In all the decisions I make: homeschooling, house keeping (yes its never clean), blogging, and just spending time with my kids. It gets to be a lot but remember, the days are long but the years are short :)
Peggy 02.18.2014
I know my three boys were pretty darn cute but Lincoln might top the list of cutest-ever babies!!! And you are an incredible mama!!!! Wow!!! The love you have for this kiddo (totally understandable) shines through every awesome post you write and every great picture you share! My babies aren’t babies anymore (they are 20, 20, and 17) but the rush of memories makes it seem like it was just yesterday when they were! Like others have said, mommy meltdowns are part of the territory. I believe that if you are truly attached to your kid, the whole emotional terrain throws you for a loop every single day. And just when you think you’ve figured out one stage, another comes along and you (and your baby and your husband) hit a re-set button. So savor now for what it is. You don’t have to be his entertainment center and he won’t always be happy (b/c, seriously, who is?) but he clearly will always know he is loved. How lucky he is to have your blog to know that love started before he was born and has deepened every day since.
Urban Wife 02.18.2014
Lincoln is such a little stud! I love these updates. Give yourself plenty of grace as a momma. Us mommas are usually the ones who expect ourselves to be all, do all, and have all. Yes, meltdown(s) are totally normal. At the end of the day, you have a happy and healthy baby. Clearly, you are doing something right! ;)
xo
Gwen 02.18.2014
Lincoln is such a beautiful little boy!
Thanks for sharing him with us.
I enjoy reading your blog.
Emily 02.18.2014
He is SO cute. He is really growing! I know what you mean about the sitting. I worked with my baby girl (8.5 months now) on sitting and she kept hunching over and putting her weight on her hands. then one day, she was able to just sit up unassisted for like 15-30 seconds, then a week later she was doing it all the time. Awesome.
Christi 02.18.2014
As a Grandma of 4 under the age of 3 I so enjoy your posts about your sweet Lincoln.
Donna 02.18.2014
Lincoln is so cute. Thank you for sharing the pictures. He just made me smile all through the pictures. Isn’t being the MOM the best thing ever?????
Margene 02.18.2014
He is the most darling little guy! What gorgeous eyes!
Andrea Campbell 02.18.2014
ADORABLE!!!
Ali 02.18.2014
Funny you should write about having a mommy meltdown and about making 99.9% of the decisions in a baby’s life because that’s exactly what my post was about today! It’s the fun part of parenting but it’s also the overwhelming scary part too! Check out my post to feel better. http://alidamron.com/2014/02/perfectmother/
Karly 02.18.2014
He is such a DOLL! I have really enjoyed these posts every month and how you’ve incorporated talking about Lincoln into your normal blog content. You are an adorable little family – best wishes!
Hayley 02.18.2014
Wow, I cannot believe he is 6 months already! What a cutie!! I am so impressed you made it to 6 months before your first ugly cry meltdown. I think it would be strange NOT to have at least one of those by 6 months :)
My son just turned 20 months and I am still saying all the time “This is the best stage yet!” It just gets better and better (though I really miss the gummy smiles!)
I love your mommy posts! I have read your blog for years and years, so it is very fun to see (hope that’s not weird to say?!)
Brooke 02.18.2014
This made me laugh out loud. I’m right there with you in everything. We have a 4 month old — seriously the best thing ever! I’m definitely looking forward to him sitting up on his own, though!
Your posts are just great… they make me realize we really are all going through the same thing and that I need not be paranoid about every decision I make :) Love your posts and recipes!
Sandy 02.18.2014
I gotta tell you that I love, love, love the Lincoln updates! You can tell that he is one happy, well loved little guy. Thank you for sharing him with us!