Lincoln: 7 months

He's off and on the move! Lincoln started crawling almost as soon as he turned seven months. He began with the army crawl and favored it for several weeks. Let me tell you, this photo session was VERY difficult. He did not want to sit still- not for a more than a few seconds. So the majority of what I took looked like those pictures you see of New York, with the cars whizzing by.  You could tell it was a baby, but the details were just a blur of movement. We resorted to holding plastic forks...

...and hats

...and just plain holding onto Lincoln.

(*note* I realized way later that I forgot the 'u' in the word squash on the chalkboard)
The last few days before he turned 8 months he tried his hand at the traditional type crawl (although he still goes back and forth between the two.)

This was his first time crawling outside, and he was not a fan of the grass on his feet.

Linc has also really turned up the babbling dial.  He's saying "yaya, mama, baba" and lots of garbled up sounds in between. When I go in his room for our middle of the night feeding (yes, he's still not sleeping throught the night) he often says "mama" and gives me a soft pat on my back...maybe it is his way of saying 'I'm sorry for waking you up'.
When he is snoozing- he chooses to sleep on his stomach- something that Ayla never did (and still doesn't do) Ayla must take after Daddy, and Lincoln after me in that department.

When he's awake... well let's just say he. is. into. everything. Especially if it involves Ayla.  Most of the time she doesn't mind sharing her space and toys...

...but there has been more than one occasion of tears from a certain someone when her little brother touches her things/ knocks down her block tower/ tears her drawing/ tries to eat her snack/ or pulls her hair. A girl can only take so much, right?
The rest of the time, she is hugging him, bringing him toys, finding his paci, showing him books, or tickling his little tummy. It's a pretty amazing thing to see. And he loves it most of the time.

But it can get to this in a hurry. Lincoln wants to get away, and Ayla wants to keep holding on.

Part of this seventh month went very fast, but one part seemed to take forever.  Both Lincoln and Ayla had the most drawn out, longest cold I've ever witnessed.  In fact, it is still going now.  Just when one would seem to be on the mend, the other would get sick.  We must have had at least 4 different strains in our house because from beginning to end it's been about 2 months of runny noses, coughing and sneezing.  I started to think maybe they had allergies, but then Jeff and I both had a run in with it. We went to the park one beautiful Sunday afternoon and even though he wasn't feeling good, he still took everything in with a smile on his face!

Watching Daddy play volleyball.

Ayla spent her time playing in the sand with her friend Raven.

As we head into the eighth month, I have a feeling this little boy will start practicing standing on his own very soon. He pulled up for the first time right before eight months and he is one determined guy. Lincoln is also eating a ton! Between feedings, he downs four meals a day, plus the occasional snack... He needs fuel for all the energy he's burning as he explores the house and everything in it.

Where is Lincoln?

There he is!

I've been keeping a list of the nicknames Ayla comes up for Lincoln. So far she likes calling him..

Lincaroo
Linky-Lou
Mr. Wiggle Worm
Linky
Bud-Bud
My brother (If someone holds Lincoln, she makes sure to tell them "that is my brother and you can't take him home.)

Speaking of Ayla, here's a sweet picture of my lovely assistant.

 If only I could get Lincoln to sit so pretty- hat and all.