This time last year, Part 2 (9-29-09)

Tuesday, September 29th will also be a day to remember. Lincoln's birthday has a nice ring to it, 9-29-09. We had a scheduled c-section since Lincoln was breech so we were able to have some family at the hospital ready to meet Lincoln. We checked into the hospital about 9:00 to start the process. Pretty much consisted of me getting dressed in a beautiful gown and getting lots of questions. I remember getting more and more anxious as the time went on. At about noon, I was wheeled into the surgery room to get my epidural...that's when I got really nervous. I remember shaking so much that Shane was pretty nervous. The nurses and doctors were great (the doctors were talking about some banquet they were going to and talking about last years, it was weird to hear) and I am thankful we had the group of medical staff that we did. Shane was great during the c-section, he held my hand and talked to me the whole time.

At 12:25 pm, we heard this high pitched cry and they held Lincoln over the curtain for us to see. I immediately said, "He is so small!" Shane snapped away pictures (like I had instructed over and over!) while I waited to hold him. The nurses cleaned him up and also noticed the first signs of his problem but they never ruined that first moment for us. I never saw the nurse again who took care of those first few moments but I wish I could thank her for allowing us the (short) time to hold and kiss on him before being swept away for tests and scans.

The first family picture of is three

The next few hours were spent separated. Shane went with Lincoln for tests and x-rays (what he thought was normal) while I waited in my room to see my boys. I knew nothing of what was going on while Shane was getting the low down of all the horrible things that COULD be wrong (brain scans, heart scans, lung issues, and they checked everything!) The NICU doctor and nurse brought Lincoln into me with Shane and told me the devastating news that Lincoln wasn't "perfect". That moment will forever with me. It was the moment when I knew what being a parent really was....I was ready to fight for that boy no matter what. Shane and I were blessed with family and friends who came to be with us while we grieved. We spent that afternoon/evening talking to doctors about what would happen next.

I am thankful that we had our family there to surround us. My parents, siblings, and Shane's parents were always with us at the hospital. They stayed in the cramped room or down the hall in the waiting room and put their lives on hold with us. They laughed when we needed it (probably at times too much) and cried with us when the pain was too great. Thank you for everything.

I spent Lincoln's birthday mostly in my room since I could not get up until they knew I was ready since I was recovering from surgery. I finally got to see him that evening but I still could not hold him.

The day after his birth was the first time I got to really hold Lincoln for longer than a few minutes. I had never seen a more precious baby.

Shane and I fell in love with our baby this day last year and also leanred some of the tough lessons in life that day. We learned we had to stand together for our boy and that we could make it through together. Lincoln's birth day is one of the toughest days I had ever experienced (another hardest was surgery day, another post at another day) but I am thankful for the start we had because Lincoln would not be Lincoln if we had not gone through that tough stuff.

This time last year....Part 1

Don't we look clueless and totally unprepared?!! We were!



This time last year on September 28, 2009, I had started my first day of maternity. I thought I would be back to work in November after 8 weeks off. My first day of maternity leave consisted of getting a pedicure, putting together the last few things we needed at the hospital, waiting for my in-laws to get into town, and basically just waiting.



I remember not being nervous about having Lincoln but mostly nervous about recovering from the c-section. I knew I would be home in a few days with my new baby boy and having my days and nights all mixed up. We would have family and friends coming and in out to meet Lincoln. Shane and I were ready for this adventure of parenthood.



At least, we thought we were ready. Never did we think that the next day would bring our best day and worst day all wrapped in one.

Cookies and Milk Party...the Big 1st Birthday Bash

We have reached another milestone in Lincoln's life. We have successfully planned and pulled off his birthday party. I had the theme for months and many ideas have been floating around in my head and I am glad that all my ideas were able to be executed. Lincoln has been battling an ear infection for last couple of weeks and Thursday was very cranky (no sleep Wednesday night at all!) so we went to the doctor and found out his ear infection turned into nasty blisters on his eardrum, which are very painful. So Lincoln was not the most pleasant but he was tolerable with his party.

We had 43 people at the party and it was quite the party. Shane's family came in town on Friday to help rep for the party. It was started with constructing the swing set that Shane and I bought Lincoln.

The question is how many Nimz does it take to set up a swing set?
Lincoln loves to swing so I am ready for the cooler weather so we can spend our evenings outside.

The cookies and milk party....what child does not love cookies and milk?!

The banner on the wall is the 0-11 month monkey pictures I have taken. It was neat to see how Lincoln's looks have changed over the last year.

Happy Birthday Lincoln!

The best cousin picture we could get with 3 kids who did not want to take pictures and one baby who is pretty go with the flow. Cute kids!

Lincoln and his grandparents

Our sweet boy who was much more interested in something outside

The cake...pretty proud of myself on this one

Close-up of the cookie table. We made 4 kinds of cookies (covered Oreos, chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, and carrot cookies). They were all very tasty and special treats to be taken home. I am ok with not making a cookie for awhile!

The milk station

These girls became fast friends at the party. They were 3 squealygirls who wanted nothing to do with the boys.

The birthday chair

Blowing out his candle. Lincoln did not know what to do with all the attention. He was pretty clingy but was ok with everyone looking at him.

Lincoln did not know what to do with cake at first. He needed a little coaxing to taste it.

Mmmmm, that's yummy!

He did not eat much at all but he sure made a mess!

Present time....he opened the first with me.

Then we needed some extra help since Lincoln was happy with the cars he got in the first gift. Lincoln has many new toys to keep him occupied!

Lincoln had a great first party and we are blessed to have so many friends and family to come celebrate our boy with us! Thank you to all who came and spend the evening with us!

Wordless Wensday

Actually with a few words :) We took Lincoln's 1 year pictures with some family pictures and I think they turned out pretty cute!

A weekend full of FIRSTS

Lincoln had a busy weekend of experiencing new things. I think his world is a little brighter now!

Friday night he went to his first Friday night Red Oak HS football game.

Don't let him fool you, he was not interested at all at the game. He was focused on the band and more importantly the drill team girls!

Lincoln only lasts until the 2nd quarter but we will be going back soon.

Saturday morning Lincoln had his first taste of donut holes. He was in heaven!

He could not get them in his mouth fast enough. He was sharing a dozen with Nena but she only got 1 1/2...yes he ate the rest. Note to self, buy Lincoln his own donut holes.

After our donut run, we headed to the Red Oak Founders Day parade, again another first. Lincoln loved seeing the band and of course the sparkly drill team girls and stayed somewhat interested in the rest of the parade. It was fun to be back and watch the parade with friends.

After a few hours of parade watching and walking around, Lincoln was exhausted but would not let go of his football.

Saturday night we headed over to the Jacobs' for Lincoln's first UT football party. (He has "watched" football before but we are going to call this his first party so I can include it in this post. It was a relaxful evening of chili and queso.

The daddys were not thrilled about taking this picture

This picture I got of the baby boys

Today we have cleaned our house and I worked on party stuff for NEXT weekend! Holy moly, when did his party get this close! Probably won't have time to blog the rest of week so look back for party post!

Happy Grandparents Day

Today is Grandparents Day and Lincoln has 2 great sets of grandparents.

Nena, Grandaddy, Superman, Gigi, Pappy

Lincoln's grandparents have played a huge role in his life so far. From being there in the early days in the hospital around the clock with us, grieving with us, celebrating at the smallest positive news to now playing an active role in his life.

I love this picture from the early days. My dad (Grandaddy) standing off the side praying for his healing and my mom (Nena) giving Lincoln the comfort touch he needed.

These are 2 grandmas that no nurse better mess with. The hospital staff could have said anything to me and I was too tired (in all aspects) to do anything but these two ladies. They were ready to battle it out for us if they needed to. Stand back Nena and Gigi are on call!

We had very little time to hold Lincoln his first week so the grandparents got their first cuddling in the day after Lincoln was born. I know it killed them all to not get to love on their grandson but they were patient and loved him every chance they got.

Shane and I could not have lived through that month without our parents. They were our strength when we had none left and took care Shane and I's needs when we had no energy to do it ourselves. They cried with us when we found out and celebrated through his stay in the NICU as he got better. We could not have asked for anything more! Thanks to you all!

My parents now have 4 grandbabies to love on and they do it well! They do a pretty good job of loving (spoiling) them all the same.

Phoebe, Grandaddy, Isaac,Lincoln, Nena, Eli

Gigi and Pappy only have Lincoln at the moment to spoil and they do it well! Gigi has been our babysitter for weeks at a time and I am thankful for that (and thanks Pappy for letting her come!) They will have more grandbabies in the future so the spoiling will grow!

Thanks for being great grandparents to Lincoln! He loves you all!