Lincoln is just growing up so much lately.  He is 8 months old already…how did that happen?  About a month ago he learned how to sit unassisted, and as of July 21st, he is officially crawling, and, at about the same time, he learned to get into a sitting position by himself.  You may remember what we caught him doing the other day…but after I took out the little crib toy he was using for leverage he hasn’t manged to do it again it slowed him down for a day and then he was right back at it 🙂  He now stands up to EVERYTHING.

(I thought I should explain this photo.  I was giving Ava a shower when Link decided to investigate.)

We now have to keep the bathroom door shut as that is his new favorite place to be!  He still just has the two bottom teeth, but he’ll probably have a couple more soon.  Yay.  He’s been pretty cranky at night but is still mostly his happy little self during the day.  He is LOVING his new mobility and is so determined to get into everything.  Ava is learning what she can not leave on the floor anymore.  He is starting to reach out to us when he wants to be picked up, which I love!  He knows how to play “where’s Lincoln” and thinks that’s pretty great.  He has a couple of very ticklish spots.  He still loves to jump and we put him in his exer-saucer and johnny-jump-up so he can jump without us breaking our arms trying to hold him.  I thought he said “Ma-Ma” the other day, but he hasn’t said it since, so I think it was just wishful thinking.  He tries to bite everything and I understand now where the term “ankle-biter” comes from 🙂  He is still loving his baby food and I have been making homemade stuff and we are both enjoying that. He’s been wanting to be rocked more lately, which is pretty unusual for him, but I have been just trying to enjoy it while it lasts.  He got his first haircut last night…what a wiggle worm! He still loves the water and has enjoyed swimming this summer.  He loves to pinch and scratch…we are working on gentleness and it does not come naturally to him.  He’s still our smiley guy and he still adores his sister.  I love that!

I’m not quite as on the ball as I was with Ava in writing letters to him every month…but I thought I would give it a shot even though I’m a little late.

Dear Bubbie,

I can not believe you are eight months old already.  You are growing up so fast and are getting more independent.  But I’m so glad you still want to be my baby sometimes.  I love your cuddles and your “hugs”.  I love the way you give me slobbery kisses/try to eat my face.  I love the “mmmmm” sound you make when I feed you baby food.  I love your “singing” in that low masculine voice of yours.  I love how tenacious you are about everything.  I just fall in love with you even more every time I see that great big smile of yours. Your giggle makes me giggle.  Your blue eyes are so full of life and fun and mischief. Thank you for showing me how to smile and laugh every day.  You have stretched me more than I thought possible…and I’m thankful for that (most of the time).  I pray that God will use your determined nature for good and that you will grow to be a strong and gentle man.    You are my sweet love-bug and I thank God for you every day.  He knew you would be a perfect fit for our family.

I love you Linker!

Momma