Catch up time

Memorial weekend we went on our annual camping trip with the Huntsman's. I look forward to this time all year. Although I see my family and extended family often, there is something about camping with them that I love. My dad let us use his second camping trailer so on Friday afternoon, Adam, Lincon and I headed down to get it and pull it back up to our camp spot. It was a long drive, but Lincon was a trooper.
There is something about Memorial weekend that Mother Nature doesn't like because more times than not it seems like weekend has bad weather. I was a little nervous going because Linc isn't even 4 months old, but it all worked out. We spent a lot of time in the trailer hanging out and playing games but we did manage to get out when the sun was shining and Adam and I even got to go on a nice four wheeling ride. 

Memorial weekend marks the "anniversary of the engagement."

I'm grateful this man decided to make me his wife. We been friends for 9 years, dating for almost 5 (if you add it all together :) and married for almost 2. Now we have a beautiful son to show for it! Thanks for everything hun, I love you!

And this wouldn't be a post without some updates and pictures of my pride and joy :)
He has started doing some pretty cute things as of late. He LOVES having his bum changed. My changing table has been a great investment - - I probably change about 95% of his diapers on it. And he knows that when I lay him down on the table that its time to be changed. Without fail - - he starts spitting and blowing his lips.
Also, he has found his fists and they are constantly in his mouth. Occassionally he'll get just his pointer finger in there and will accidentally gag himself.
He hates belly time. Well at least he hates it when he's on the ground. He doesn't mind if he's laying on me or if I prop him up on his boppy.
He loves sitting up and facing out at the world. If he starts fussing, all you have to do is stand up and let him face out and he is instantly calm.

Camping trip - fell asleep hanging out with dad

Playing with Aunt Brynn on the camping trip. He slobbers a lot.

We had to move to the big towel! Again... more slobber.

14 week picture

3 Months, Birthday, Mother's Day

Lincon is 3 months old and I can't believe how fast time has flown. His personality is really starting to come out and I love it.

I decided I better post his 2 months stats since I never did.

Weight: 10.7 lbs (26%)
Height: 23.5 inches (73%)

From weighing him on our scale - Adam and I think he weighs about 12.5 lbs now. Getting big! My sister likes to joke "I can't decide which chin I like best." Yes... he has a double chin :) He is officially a big boy now and likes to face outwards and sit up (with help of course). I feel like I have been very lucky because he HONESTLY is such a good baby. He really only fusses when he has a reason. Most of the time he is smiley and happy and has even started to laugh quite a bit. I haven't been able to catch it on video yet but hopefully soon!

We have been relatively busy around here. I have gone back to work part time (20 hours a week) and Adam is pretty busy with school. We switch off baby duty during the day, and most of the week get to be together in the evenings. I have been a BIG slacker on making dinner though because most of 3 times of week I don't get home until 6:30. I really need some good crockpot recipes to put in before I leave for work. Any recipes you would recommend???

I had a great birthday! I got a new lens - - -which I love! A 50 mm 1.8. I can't believe I went this long without having this lens. It was by far the most inexpensive and it's great! We started off my birthday by going to McDonald's for breakfast. (Yes... we still like McDonalds :) Later in the day we went mini golfing with family and friends. They all joined us later for dinner at Texas Roadhouse and it was delicious. Abbie had her dance recital that night so Adam, Lincon, and I head over to the recital to watch my sister and brother. We topped off the night by going to Orange Leaf. A lot of caloric intake for 1 day but I think I can justify it for my birthday.  :)

Mother's Day was wonderful. I was treated like a queen. Breakfast in bed - - French toast, sausage, eggs, cinnamon rolls and orange juice. Adam also made dinner that day and made roast, potatos and vegetables. To top it off he made this adorable picture/card of Lincon and him. It was a great day. I'm grateful to be a mom to a beautiful boy and to have such a wonderful husband that is supportive and loving.

My sister and I decided that for my mom's mother's day we wanted to give her some pictures of her grandson's. We had fun taking some pictures and made a little collage to hang up on her wall. She loved it!

Anyways - just a quick update and enjoy some pictures of my baby boy! :)

3 months old!

Baby J

Check out my photography blog for the shoot I did today! Such a sweetie.
http://www.andrea-jo-photography.blogspot.com

6 weeks old already...

Can't believe my baby is already 6 weeks old. Time is flying by way to fast and before I know it I will have to go back to work :( HOWEVER - - my work is great and is letting me come back part-time instead of full time and is working around Adam's school schedule which I am very grateful for.

Little facts about Linc - -
Weight - About 8.5 lbs (not exactly sure but we go to the doctor on the 19th.)
*When he is hungry, he is hungry. He pretty much decides this within 10 seconds and wants his food NOW!
*He got his bum from his father and not me (that sounds strange....) Let me explain... anything that comes out of his bum is LOUD. Whether its gas or #2 - he pushes with force and it is ridiculously loud. I have never heard another newborn that pushes like him.
*He loves to go #2 in a nice clean fresh diaper. I swear without fail when I change his bum - 5 seconds later he decides to fill it right back up.
*Loves the bath - especially with dad. Just doesn't like getting out.
*He snorts a little when he cries (not as much as when he was younger but still does)
*Has been given lots of nicknames such as: Linconpoop, Linksters, Lincon Log, Little Piglet, Linc the sink, etc.
*He loves his tongue and sticks it out a lot.

This is a common face he like to give me :)

 I was convinced that he was the spitting image of his father until I took this 6 week picture of him and my sister said he was starting to look more like me. What do you think???

Lincon Adam Balmforth

It is time to officially announce the arrival of our little one. Lincon Adam Balmforth was born at 8:43 pm on February 19. He weighed 7 lbs 4 ounces and measured at 19 3/4 inches.
We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 am. It took about a half hour to just get paperwork done and get checked into the room. Once we got into the room I changed into the gown and waited some more. At about 8:30 am the nurse came in, asked me a bunch of questions, hooked me up to the fetal and contraction monitor, poked in my IV and started me on Pitocin. At about 9:30 is when the doctor came in and broke my water. Little uncomfortable but not bad. After they broke my water I expected the contractions to really start kicking in but nothing happened for awhile. I was checked at 1:30 pm and was only at about 5 cm and 85% effaced. My Pit was turned up to a 13 and my contractions were really strong by now. Adam and my mom told me to try and make it till 2:00 until I had the epidural. It was harder than I thought to make it till then. At 2:00 I told Adam to get the nurse because I wanted that epidural. By the time I actually had the epidural it was close to 3. He had to insert my catheter twice because it had some blood in it the first time. Getting the epidural didn't hurt compared to the pain of contractions. About 15 minutes later I was feeling great. Epidurals are the BEST INVENTION EVER. I give kuddos to those women who have babies naturally but I don't know if I will ever do so.

I tried to get some rest and relax after the epidural but I never fell asleep. I guess I was too excited. I was checked at about 6:30 and was dilated to a 9.5 but they wanted to let Lincon drop a little further so we had to wait another hour before I could push. I pushed for about an hour and 20 minutes and Lincon arrived at 8:43 pm. What an amazing experience! I watched the entire thing in the mirror and I'm so glad I did.

I can't believe that Lincon is already over 3 weeks old. Time is flying by and I wish it would slow down. He is such a good baby and hardly ever cries. He pretty much only gets fussy when he is hungry or has a dirty diaper. He is still somewhat mixed up on his days and nights but hopefully he gets it figured out.

As for me, I feel great! I really wasn't in too much pain afterward and was completely pain free after a week. I'm excited to get back into an exercise routine and get back in my jeans. Adam has been so great. He is a wonderful dad and has been a great help around the house. In the mornings he is great about taking Lincon into the living room and letting me sleep for a solid hour without interruptions :)

And here is some pictures of our little guy!

Fresh out of the womb :)

Cuddle time with mom. I don't look very happy but I promise i was

 Dad and Linc

Leaving the hospital

 

 

 

 

 

 

One week old

2 weeks old

Tomorrow!

Just in case anyone was wondering.... we are having the baby tomorrow!

Yep... I'm being induced. I realize this causes some controversy with MANY moms, but it is what we've chosen to do! I have a "favorable" cervix and doctor seems to think everything will go well.

Don't try and scare me with your horrible labor stories because there is no going back. We are meeting our little man tomorrow :)

I feel like a little kid the day before Christmas. I hope I'll be able to sleep. :)

I'm terrible at blogging.....

So I'm know I'm terrible at blogging but here is a quick update on life.

I'm 38 weeks and 4 days today (technically almost 5 days) and everything is going really well. Had my baby appointment today and I'm dilated to a 3 almost 4 and about 80% effaced. So that is good news! We are hoping this little man is going to make his appearance soon.

Adam and I had a good Valentine's Day together. He surprised me at work with a rose, a box of chocolates, and a card (I love cards the most). We didn't want to go out to dinner so I decided to make breakfast for dinner. We had heart shaped pink pancakes, sausage, and orange julius (or pink julius). It was fun. Because what we really wanted for Valentine's Day was for this baby to come - - we went to the school and I walked about 3 miles. It's amazing how heavy he gets by the end of a nice walk!

I have pictures to post... but I'm feeling a little lazy right now. I promise I'll post them soon! I know everyone is dying to see how fat I am :) Bye for now!