Lincoln's Musings

This week has been particularly interesting in Lincoln vocabulary land. He has made Brad and me look at each other wide-eyed wondering where in the world he got that. Now that I think about it, they may not be funny to you if you don't know Lincoln. Hmmm, well I will share anyway. And know that they really were funny.... at least to Brad and me. :)

First. Last weekend we went to Tullahoma. Catherine was fussy, ready to sleep, and wanting her pacifier. So, I started crawling around our van looking for it. I was up, down, in the back, reaching around seats- you get the picture. Anyway, Lincoln, very matter of fact says "Mommy, that is a safety violation (this is where Brad and I made eye contact in the rear view mirror and tried not to laugh. We didn't teach him that word combination)." He went on to explain exactly what he meant. "Mommy, when we lose something in our car, it is dangerous to look for it. You are supposed to be in your seat with your seat belt on." I told Lincoln he was right, found the pacifier, and sat down. He did go on to explain that he learned that on some commercial between kid programs (TV programs are educational). :)

Second.

Background information- we continually work w/ Lincoln to stop picking his nose.

Okay, it is Wednesday night and we are on our way home from church. Lincoln says, with his pointer finger ready "Mommy, my nose is telling me that it wants my finger to go in there." (that's the funny line) To which I reply "Well, tell your finger that he can't go in your nose." Lincoln says in a true disciplinary voice "No, finger. You can't go in there!!" I am not sure what ended up happening, but Brad and I thought it was funny that his nose was talking to him and that you could hear in his voice this great debate in his mind: to pick my nose or to not pick my nose. Okay, so it is not so funny once written. Oh well, it is still insight into my little 4 year old's nose, I mean mind! ha ha

Okay it is past my bedtime, I should probably put you out of your misery too! However, this is a true glance into our family.

Blessings to you!

Anticipating #3-

It won't be long before our little guy gets here- just 4 WEEKS (or less). He is constantly on my mind. I can't really help thinking about him all the time due to the fact that my belly SO gets in the way (thank goodness for Lincoln- he picks up most everything for me). I am not nervous about having a third child. I am concerned more about Catherine who is already needing more discipline/direction as she approaches two in April. I don't worry about her reaction to the baby- Brad and I (and our families) were very aware and patient with Lincoln, making sure to include him and not shush him away when Cat. was born. But she is needing more direction than I sometimes have the energy to give and that will be worse when the lack of sleep, mulitple feedings, and constant attention to little guy enters the picture. I know that with your prayers and the Lord's help everything will work out. I am so thankful that Brad is such a good father and that our families are close and able to help!

By the way, Lincoln has great discipline ideas for Catherine... maybe I could leave him in charge. Today, he told me to give her "the biggest spanking she's ever seen" when she climbed up on the counter for the umpteenth time. Which I didn't do, but he could have her shaped up in no time- ha ha!

Again, I do covet your prayers over the next several months. Pray that we can compromise on a name, have a healthy baby, and together (including L. and C.) make it through the first 3 to 6 months with our new little guy (whom I can't wait to meet).

Best wishes to all of you and your families as the new year begins!

Brad and Lincoln's solo camping trip

One or Two weeks before Christmas, Brad and Lincoln took off on their first overnight camping trip.... alone. They both have camped out with other father/son friends but always close by.

At first, Brad's plan was to go to a local spot called Virgin Falls. They were going to hike 1/2 way in, camp, and then come home. However, that made protective, pregnant mother here a little nervous b/c no one but me would know they were there (no ranger station). As you can imagine, all the "What if's..." started coming. Especially the "What if Brad gets hurt? What will Lincoln do?" It didn't help that the search for the missing hikers was taking place in Oregon- my heart was already with them and their families. So, I expressed my concern from the "I am pregnant, and my husband and firstborn son are going hiking/camping alone..... " angle and thankfully, Brad expressed that he too had concerns. But not about them being alone or getting hurt- but about Lincoln getting bored.

So, Brad decided to go to Big South Fork and get a campsite from the Ranger station. Friday, they set up the tent, searched for firewood, and played on a playground nearby. Night came early and the lantern decided to break(no, it wasn't the batteries) so it was off to bed at 7pm. Lincoln had no problems going to sleep after several, several stories. Saturday they woke up, and roughed it for breakfast by driving to a nearby McD's (they ran out of firewood) and then they went back and hiked to Twin Towers (0.7 miles one way). Brad told me they pretended to be Lewis and Clark. I didn't know Lincoln knew who they were, but Brad informed me that he taught him that day. It was an educational trip!

Lincoln came home completely worn out. Both he and Brad napped for about 3 hours.

Brad is always ready to go out hiking/camping with Lincoln. This spring if any of your husbands want to get with Brad (even you out-of-towners) and take kids (male or female) camping, let us know. We will both need that after this 3rd baby gets here!

Christmas Card Pictures

You know, there is nothing that gets a person's blood pressure up more than trying to capture a sweet moment of one's children for Christmas cards. Especially after the mother, who is so trying to keep her cool, takes approximately 25 pictures and then later finds that all of the shots (including the very best ones) have a fuzzy spot where the 4 year old had obviously played with the camera (pictures on the camera prove such allegations) and the simmering mother attempts to get more pictures again of a 4 year old who loves to push sister's buttons and a 19 month old who doesn't want her brother to touch her, more or less, sit next to her (I thought that would start much later!!) So, you all should get a Christmas card..... hopefully this week with both smiling (not just Lincoln as he aggravates Catherine!).

The once simmering... no, boiling over, mother is glad that she can write about this now without getting all stirred up once again! I learn lessons from our experiences everyday! Next year... NO PICTURES!! Just kidding- I will just try to take them much earlier. The week of Christmas is probably just a little on the late side!! :)