Where does the time go??

(Mommy and Daddy's favorite gift!)

What a whirlwind of a month it's been! Just as soon as December gets here, it feels like it's over! I have to admit, it did feel a little more hectic than normal... I can't imagine why? ;)

This month, my baby crossed the two month mark, began smiling and cooing, got his 2 month shots (Booooo), and experienced his first Christmas! And oh, the toys that child received...

(Lincoln's new wagon!)

We all, as usual, got way more than we deserve... The fact that we have the opportunity to gather with family every year is the biggest blessing any of us could ask for. I thank God that he has given me such a beautiful healthy baby, a magnificent husband, a wonderful family, and great friends to "borrow" from Him. What a lucky girl I am...The Vincent ChristmasThe Jonas Christmas

The Douglas Family
On another note, Lincoln's 2 month check-up went very well! He is 81st percentile in weight (13 lbs, 6 oz -- fatty patty!) and 96th percentile in height (25''). The nurse practitioner (our Doc was in the delivery room having HER baby!) asked us if we had any really tall people in our family since he was on the high end of the curve. He is now sleeping through the night most nights, YAY! And he is awake a LOT through the day. He has started smiling a lot, and will even do a little "half-laugh" sometimes! What a cutie-patootie...

Hope everyone enjoyed the Holidays half as much as I did this year!!

Enjoy the pics...

Preparing for the Holidays!

Our first family Christmas photo

I know I am doing a TERRIBLE job of keeping up with this blog, and I do apologize! I am spending SO much time uploading pictures to Walgreens that I forget to post them on the blog!!

Surprisingly, I did NOT get my tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving like I normally do. As a matter of fact, I have been WAY behind on all of my decorating this year! I think since we aren't doing the normal amount of "entertaining" I have been a little less motivated. Ashley even asked the other day, "Are you not gonna put the wreaths in the windows this year?" I figure if my slacking is bad enough that he is noticing, that I better get on the ball. So, I put the wreaths in the windows and put up the other tree. I now have all garlands, ribbons, trees, wreaths and stockings in place! I really need to get more in the Christmas mood!

Speaking of that, I am starting to wonder if I am a really terrible mother... People keep asking me if I've "just gone crazy" buying Lincoln Christmas presents. I hate to admit it, but I've only bought the child two very small things, and I haven't even wrapped them! The way I see it, he has NO idea what's going on, and whatever I wrap is going to be unwrapped by ME anyway, so what's the point!?! And bless his soul, he really doesn't need so much stuff... He's only seven weeks! And I'm sure between both sets of grandparent's, he won't have any gifts.... (sarcasm)

For those of you keeping up, I thought I'd post some of the most recent pictures. He is getting big SO quick! Sleeping all the way through the night on some nights!! And he had his first REAL smile at mommy last Thursday! Before now, I think they were mostly "gas" grins, but this one was a real smile!

Enjoy the updated pics: not loving the Santa outfit so much..... taking a nap with Paps Little naked baby! Seven weeks old today (already!) After a bath Sittin in grandma's little rockin chair! Hangin with Dad Moms favorite outfit.... 6 weeks
I LOVE apples!! Me and mom are BFF!

Lincoln's Newborn Photos

Photography by:
Jessica Parsley

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Ok, so it appears that I'm not so good at keeping up with this blog... As most things in my life go, I get a good start, have good intentions, and then forget what I was doing completely.... I would love to blame it on pregnancy brain, but....

Anywhos, plenty going on around our house these days. Little man sure is keeping us busy! Seems that he took after his mother and has the most energy at night. Funny thing is, mother doesn't seem to still HAVE that much energy... At any time of day! I've always heard new mothers say that they can't get anything accomplished and wondered why. After all, babies do sleep a majority of the day! What I did not realize was that babies also have an innate ability to sense when you start an important task (ie. showering, cleaning, cooking) and will choose that time to share their lung power with you! Thus making it impossible to finish said task in a timely manner. For example, I decided to make my deviled eggs on Wednesday this week to save some time on Thanksgiving morning. I started this process at 10:00 am. I finished deviling eggs at 5:30 pm... Yep, you read that right...

On the other hand, Lincoln has started being awake/alert for longer periods of time. He will now stay awake, just looking around checking things out, for two or three hours at a time. It is too precious. He doesn't really cry very much (knock on wood), he just looks around and coos. And he is really into checking people out now. He really focuses on your face, and loves to be talked to. He even tries to "talk" back sometimes! Maybe it's just me (of course not!) but I do think he's the most adorable baby ever. I bet you've never heard a mother say that about her child?

Lincoln, talking to his daddy

On another note, what a change a baby makes. This Thanksgiving was one for the books. So many things we have to be thankful for. God has given us a perfect baby boy, a wonderful loving marriage, the best, most supportive families that we could ever ask for, a marvelous group of friends, I could go on and on... I think we may be two of the luckiest people alive... Thanksgiving at the Vincent's

Thanksgiving at the Jonas'

By the way, if you need a good photographer, Jessica Parsley is the BEST!! Not to mention the best of friends... She sent a slideshow of Lincoln's newborn (well 2 weeks) pics, and they are FABULOUS. I am going to try to post the slideshow here, but I make no promises... Computer illiterate you know... However, if you see a new slideshow on here, just know the pictures are by Jess!!

Hangin out with Momma

Finally posting!!

Sorry it's taken so long to post an update! I'm having quite a hard time figuring out how to post pictures!
So, you probably already know that Baby Lincoln is here! He was born on October 23rd at 2:55 pm. I was admitted on the 22nd, and pitocin was started at 6 am on the 23rd. After a long day of contractions (thank you epidural!) and a short 25 minutes of pushing, the little guy arrived! Wow, what a feeling! His little face was pretty bruised for the first day or so thanks to a quick descent, but otherwise, he was a perfectly healthy 7 pounds and 13 ounces! Not to mention a long 21.5 inches! Thank goodness they induced when they did or we may have had a monster baby!
My parents, Ashley's parents, Nathan and Kristen, Brad and Rebecca were all there to welcome little Mr. to the world! Unfortunately, the hospital rules kept us from having everyone in at once, but we cycled people in and out two at a time and it worked. Stressed ME out, but it worked.
Also, a great blessing was having my mom here for nearly a week! She got up with Lincoln during the nights, cleaned the house, did the dishes and laundry, and even cooked us meals! Ashley was so glad to have her here, I think more than anything because it kept me from stressing out! Ashley said he was sure she was glad to leave because she probably felt like a slave! Somehow I figure she wasn't quite ready to leave though....
I can't begin to explain how lucky Ashley and I are to have such a perfect little man! He has been such a good baby so far! Sleeping good (5-7 hours at a time at night), eating good, hardly ever cries! I'm definately getting spoiled and I'm sure our next one will be a hellian! We have had some wonderful company, and even some delicious meals delivered by friends over the last week or two. Again, what lucky people we are!
I have no way to explain how much I love this little guy... He is so perfect... And he's an October baby!
I'm sorry this post is a little scattered, I promise I'll post one that is a little more organized in the days to come. If you can believe it, I've just had a lot going on lately! Hope you enjoy the pics!!

Homebound...

You know, I really can't complain toooo much. I've had a easy pregnancy so far! No morning sickness, no real aches or pains, and I haven't even been tired that much! Okay, so there IS the gestational diabetes thing, but it really doesn't cause any problems other than having to poke my finger four times a day. But seriously, there could be SO many REAL problems! I just had to remind myself of this fact last Friday.

Routine weekly checkup day. I was having such a good Friday, all prepared to head to Edmonson County for a weekend of fun activities. Saturday mom and I were Glendale bound, Saturday night was the 10 year class reunion, and Sunday was Melissa's baby shower. So imagine my surprise when good ole doc strolls in and says, and I quote, "change of plans, you're not going anywhere this weekend." First hormonal instinct: "You're not my boss!" Second hormonal instinct "If that nurse wasn't standing there as a witness, I'd pull your hair out lady" and Third hormonal instinct "Oh Crap... She is my boss..." To which the tears started. As you know, I DO NOT like being told what to do. I know, it's a shocker... My poor husband just looked at me, fear looming in his eyes... Bless his heart, he sure has learned how to deal with me! When we (wordlessly mind you) finally made it to the car, he just said "Sorry honey" to which I replied, "I'M GOING ANYWAY!" and you know what that smart man said? "Okay" Yep, that's right, he went right along with me as though I was a sane person. It's probably important to know that my blood pressure is quite elevated, and this poor doctor was right in keeping me home... But the fact that she TOLD me I couldn't go anywhere!! How DARE!

I know that poor doctor deals with crazies like me (ok, probably not that serious) on a daily basis, but I could almost see the laughter in her eyes when she asked me if I needed a note for work and I said (with a highly elevated tone) "I can't even work???" So, that was it for me. "Homebound" status. Which I actually learned is MUCH better than bedrest. I can actually leave the house for short errands, but I am not to be on my feet long, not to vacuum (darn!), or do anything strenuous. When she gave me this news, this is what I heard, "You are never to leave the confines of your bedroom again! You may not talk on the phone or have any contact with the outside world!" Sooo, I may have been a little dramatic that day?? It took my poor husband to explain to me what she REALLY said I should/shouldn't do later.

It's not so bad. Mom came up today to keep me company and we actually snuck out to the mall in the search for a "coming home" outfit. SSSHHhhh!! We did manage to get pedicures, which HAS to be good for your blood pressure, right?

In other fun news. I finally got my pumpkins carved! Ashley is so sweet to play along... Here are a couple of pictures of our work:

Of course, Moose had to help us out. He sniffed out the pumpkin guts and made sure no one stole our carving knives while we worked. What a good boy...

Gettin there!

Well, the countdown continues! We officially have 23 days left (at the most, mind you!) before baby Lincoln arrives! Not that I'm compaining or anything, but I tell you what, I am READY... Maybe not so much ready for the responsibility of a new life, but definately ready to be able to see my feet again (which is important too, right?). At this point, even when I do get the rare chance to see them, they no longer look like mine! I have found that support hose (yep, just like grandma wears) seem to be at least helping my feet to fit into my tennis shoes... Now that the weather has cooled down, the two pairs of flip-flops that I could actually still wear seemed less appropriate? Since NO other shoes were fitting me, I decided to make a Payless run. I mean, I'm not into spending a bunch of money on shoes to wear for one more month! Luckily, Payless has some pretty cute little flats! I didn't know where to start sizewise, but I did end up TWO SIZES above my normal... Yep, that's right, from a size 7 to a size 9. Oh, well. I'm just hoping (beyond hope) that they do eventually return. My shoe addiction has been missing me lately.....

In other news, I guess I really am beginning to "drop" as they say. Even though I've had people saying "Oh, my you've dropped" since I was 4 months pregnant (yes, I've officially heard it all...), I can actually say they may now be correct. Feels at times like there may be a bowling ball between my hipbones... And, on another note, I am officially dilated 1cm. Not that that means too much in the world of child delivery! Kinda made my poor husband a little jittery! I guess we should probably be packing a bag soon!

Finally remembered to take a picture with the in-laws this week. I think it's the first picture we've taken since last Christmas! We forget it everytime we are together! So, here are the proud grandparents, Nanny and Papaw:
Also had two more showers since last posting! Jackie and Lindsay threw one a couple weekends ago at the Pie Company, many good friends made it and it was a blast!

The girls at work also had a shower at Olive Garden. We had a very spirited conversation about the things people never tell you about until you are already pregnant and it's TOO LATE!! Pretty sure we scared Emily and Kristi out of ever having children! It was a good time, as usual with those girls...

Welcome Fall!

My favorite time of the year! Pumpkins, leaves, and cooler weather! Anyone who knows me knows my love for the fall. I mean, seriously, I have 6 huge tubs of Halloween decor in my storage unit! And my very favorite part? Jackson's Orchard of course! Even though I live two hours away, I ALWAYS have to make time for a trip to the orchard. This year, I figured I better go early, as I am well on my way to being the size of a HOUSE... So, last trip to mom and dad's, we made sure to stop at the orchard on our way back home. It was such a nice day! A little warm, but regardless, the apples and pumpkins were plentiful as was the cherry apple cider! I couldn't help but think, while I was eating my golden delicious, that this time next year I'll have a sweet baby to pack around while I'm there! I can see it now, little bluejean overalls with no shirt underneath, barefoot... In the pumpkin patch... Probably screaming his head off! Either way, I'll have fun taking pictures of it! Here are some shots from our trip.

Shower time!

So, last weekend was my first "official" baby shower at mom's house. Thrown by my bestie Rebecca Brewer, and my sister-in-law Kristen Vincent (and of course mom). I was so surprised by how much hard work they had put into this event! Kristen even learned how to make her own bows off of youtube! Haha! They went with an orange and blue theme and everything was decorated to the hilt. There were a lot more people there than I expected to be and it was SO good to see everyone! Too bad my swelling came back this week and I, again, look like a beached whale... Either way, whale or no, it was a great time! We got lots of great things that we were needing, like our pack-n-play, travel system, high chair, bottles, blankets, etc. I didn't think we were gonna fit it all back in the car to drive back to Evansville! We are so very lucky to have such great family and friends willing to shower us with so much love!!

My also pregnant cousin, Melissa. Believe it or not, she is only two weeks behind me...

My sweet little Grandparents, Bill and Wanda Douglas

Nursery 75% complete!

Finally, something completed! Mom made it up last Wednesday to help paint Lincoln's room (read: to totally paint Lincoln's room while I supervise, since I'm such a terrible painter). I helped as much as I could without making a mess!! She ended up staying until Friday, which I was ever so grateful for! It took us three days because we had to wait for each color to dry, but overall, I have to say, it was a LOT easier than I thought it would be. I tell you what, boys are MUCH harder to find cute stuff for! I'm not a real "themey" person, but all of the boy patterns that weren't a theme looked girly to me! Ashley actually picked out our bedding and at first I was totally against it.... Farm?? No way... But the more I looked at it, the more it grew on me. And I do love the quilt. Now that it's all together with the matching paint, I can't imagine it being any more perfect for our little Linc.

*New Note! Pictures are successfully uploaded. Any suggestions as to what to put on the wall would be appreciated!

Coming Right Along!

So, to my surprise, our furniture came in on Friday!! Six weeks earlier than expected! It was delivered at 5:30, and we had it all assembled by 6:30. We were so excited (well, I was super excited, but Ash did most of the work)! Now I have a completely unpainted room, but at least it has furniture! And mom is coming up on Wednesday this week so we can get some painting finished. I had my first "mini-shower" today in Bowling Green with my "chatty" friends from college. I am so lucky to have such great friends...

We had a very nice lunch at Mariah's. I am SURE the lady that waited on us was ready to pull her hair out by the time we left! Afterwards, I met mom and dad for dinner and picked up my quilt that Jennifer Bates embroidered for me. She does a wonderful job!

So, when I finally got back to Evansville, I took my new things upstairs and arranged them into baby Lincoln's room. It was so strange! And then I got all excited!! I couldn't stop moving things around and decorating! I can't wait for paint!

You know, I have to say, I have had such an easy time with pregnancy so far. I haven't been sick one time! No back pain, no heartburn... I can't think of one complaint! But I have to say, this swelling issue - Oh My! It started in my feet, and it has traveled everywhere! You can now tell it in my face, my arms, my knees, everywhere! My feet actually look like extremely large sausage links that have been clumsily stuffed into shoes. B-E-A-utiful...

The old man where I bought baby furniture commented that, this being my first baby, I sure am "gettin a late start ain't ya??" Happy 28th birthday to me!