Before I forget...

Just a quick blog before I forget to write (type?) it down...Link said his first sentence! As I was struggling to feed him lunch (more on the struggling later), he sweetly said, "Hi Dad." and waved to Dave as he walked in the door.

And most importantly, MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!! Lots of love and hugs to family and friends who are are away from this season.

Christmas Time is Here...

I know I am not alone when I say, "I love Christmas!" I love all the traditions I did as a kid and the new ones we will start with Link. I love the decorations and the fact that we don't have a ton to put up: I can just appreciate others. Mostly, I love the fact Christmas is a lot more fun when you have a little one!

We started the Christmas season off with vising Santa at the mall. The second Link saw Santa, he flipped out. I don't know why we put our kids through this, but below is a picture of the said flip-out.

Things got better when we put up the tree at my parents house. Link "helped" a ton with the garland and putting the ornaments on (pictures to follow soon).

We also visited Tanglewood park to see all the Christmas ligths. I wish I had a video of Link's face. His eyes were huge and his lips pooched out as he said, "Ohhhhhhhhh." He also liked the fact he got out of his car seat during the drive through the park.

Now here are just some random Link facts: He is signing again...he signed more to a man at church when the man said, "Are you coming back for more." He signed please to a lady with chocolate ice-cream while out shopping. I can tell he gets frustrated when he doesn't know the words to say or sign, and I'm not getting what he wants.

I'm scared of what the age 2 will bring....he is already sas talking. He shakes his finger at me and says, "No, no no" when I say it to him. He also has no fear: he climbs on everything and thinks I'll be there to catch him.

His new favorite word is papa. He has scored some major brownie points with my dad for saying it, and I hope he won't get confused when he visit his other papa.

Monkey Joe's

Lincoln and I met the playgroup at Monkey Joe's yesterday. I had no idea what it was before we went. It is only the coolest place ever! Kids 12 and under can come and play on their inflatable playgrounds. They even have a couple toddler areas where the little ones can play without a parent right beside them. Adults can assist younger kids but aren't allowed to bounce (Dang!). All the kiddos had fun but all the moms did too. One of the slides was so steep I even had to do my roller coaster scream--good thing Link thought that was funny. Two other things I liked about Monkey Joe's: it was clean, and they are really strict about security (Link and I had matching bracelets on). After playing there for 3 hours, I thought for sure Link would take a long nap; however, he continues to surprise me and only took an hour nap. Just when I think I have him figured out...

He continues to make me and Dave laugh. Lately, he has been sticking his tongue out and making funny noises. He was doing it all during Monkey Joe's. His facial expressions crack us up too! If only I had a camera on my all the time. His new favorite word is turtle, but he can't get the "r" in there yet. Gotta go, he just learned how to climb his toy chest...

Happy Thanksgiving

I know it is well into the Christmas season now, but I have to post what I am thankful for.

I'll start with my boys. I am so thankful for these cuties!

I'm thankful for my families...the Williams side

...and the Shinsel side. I have always felt like they loved me the first time we met.

I'm thankful for the missionaries...specifically for my brother serving right now and for the missionaries who converted my parents.

I'm thankful for the people who keep us protected...my brother in the airforce and my dad who once served.

I'm thankful for friends that live close to us...

...and far away.

I'm thankful for good health, and my legs so I can exercise and do fun races.

I'm thankful for always having food...especially this 12 layer chocolate cake we ate on Thanksgiving day.

I'm thankful for the Christmas season when there is so much Christlike spirit and we can refelct on what I am truly most thankful for...

...the birth of our Savior.

I have a little boy and not a baby boy...

My baby boy grew up too fast. With his new obession with cars and trains, he is definitly a little boy now. It's fun to play cars and trains with Lincoln; however, I do have a question. How is it possible that Lincoln is better at making noise effects? It has to be a gender thing! Lincoln and I roll the cars as hard as we can across the kitchen floor. He has made his high-chair his fort.

I was suprised one day when I saw Lincoln climb into a chair with a couple books. He is very proud that he can climb that chair by himself.

Dave and I bought Lincoln a train set for Christmas. We found it on Craigslist and had to buy it before someone else did. Because we don't have anywhere to store it, and we are going to Dave's house for Christmas; Lincoln got an early Christmas present. Really, Dave and I were so excited when we picked it up, it was like Christmas day for us! Lincoln plays with the "toot-toot's" for hours, so it has been worth it. He played so hard today that he took a 4.5 hour nap. It was only that long, because I woke him up. I was afraid he was in a train coma.

Lincoln eating blueberries with his train. He even gives them kisses when Dave asks him to!

Halloween Rewind

I am so behind in my blogs, and I thought I was going to be good at keeping up. I thought about using the excuse, well not much went on the past 2 weeks, but it was Halloween, so I can't use that one. Here's our Halloween Rewind:

Zandi, Elijah's mom, from playgroup hosted a Halloween playgroup at her house. She had it all decked out in decorations and the kid,s as always had fun playing with each other. Lincoln went as Lion, it was Carson's old costume, and Dave hated it. I don't have pictures, so I'll have to mooch off some of the other moms . I was taking video of the picture taking process, which is pretty entertaining!

The Dietz family hold a Fall Festival at their house/property every year. It is great because they have enough land to do hay rides, forest mazes, launch rubber chickens, etc. For the past 2 years, it has been moved to the church because of rain. I was excited for Lincoln to Trunk or Treat, but it didn't get to happen this year. The Fall Festival got moved to the church gym, so it was fun for eating lots of yummy food (there was a chili cook-off) and for seeing the kids in their costumes. Speaking of costumes, here is my cute monkey:

Dave went out on Halloween afternoon and found this monkey costume for $2 at Old Navy!

Look at those big dark eyes!

Later that night, Mom and I took the monkey trick-or-treating to some close neighbors. I binged on candy that night, because I started a "diet" the day after. It's not really a diet, just eating healthier and keeping track of portions and food groups. Dave is on a strict diet set up by the P90X plan. Even though I don't approve of the diet, he is doing really well: he even ate fish!

It is amazing how much toddlers learn. (I know there wasn't much of a transition there, but I couldn't think of anything.) Every day Link is doing something new. Some new words are egg, toot toot (he even moves his arm up and down when he says it), and more. He is really interested in the stacking rings and the shape blocks you push through the lid. The little boy is coming out in him, because he makes vroom noises as he rolls his cars and trains across the floor.

He still loves the tv, and Dad introduced him to Thomas the Tank Engine. The faces on those trains freak me out, but Link loves it. I was lucky to have a sister-in-law and aunt give me lots of clothes and shoes from their boys (thanks Kim and Cheryl), which I keep in Lincoln's closet. One day we were playing hide-and-seek and Link ran into the closet. He came out a minute later holding a tennis shoe with Thomas on the side. I don't think I have ever seen his eyes so big before. To say he was floored was an understatement! Luckily, they even fit him (size 6).

Glorious Sleep

Lincoln has been sleeping through the night for about a month. It took 12 months, but it is better than what I put my mother through (15 months). At Lincoln's year check-up, Dr. Starks suggested I tried feeding him water instead of milk when he woke up. For two nights, he was so ticked at me, but it worked. He stopped waking up, because the water wasn't worth it. I forgot what a good 8 hours of sleep felt like, and it is glorious! Now I don't have to take naps during the day.

Besides sleeping through the night, Lincoln has been doing lots of new things. His vocabulary is increasing. He often doesn't say the word all the time, but repeats it after I say it. He says dog, cheese, up, out, shoes, truck, car, woof, duck, light, hot, tick, cracker (sounds like ca ca), cup, mama, and dada. Link tries to do the hand motions to songs, but doesn't quite have it. His favorite is the itsy-bitsy spider. I laugh so hard when we play the run away game. When someone chases him, he screams and runs away. One other new thing...we have sign language flashcards with pictures on one side and the sign on the other. When we lay out the cards on the floor and ask, "Where is the [duck, cheese, shoe, cracker, etc.]?" he can pick it out.

There was a IPA power weight-lifting competition at the Y this weekend, so I worked a ton. Even though the lifters were entertaining, I missed my little stinker. One lifter weighed 355 pounds and bench pressed 805 pounds...nutz! Speaking of lifting, Dave and I are going to try P90X workout videos to get in better shape. Dave bought a pull-up bar, and I bought some advil, so we are ready to go. Hopefully in 90 days, I'll be posting pictures of our bulging muscles.

Back Home

It's been a while, because we have been gone awhile. The 3 Shinsels took a 10 day vacation out West for Barry's wedding. We got to catch up with lots of family and friends as we traveled from Idaho, to Oregon, then to Utah. Even though I packed our camera and camcorder, I didn't take one picture or video. Good thing I was around smart people, who took some good shots!

Lincoln is a seasoned traveler: he is really such a trooper when we take him across so many time zones. He did great both times on the plane and driving down to Utah from Oregon. Of course, we also have to thank Elmo and all of our Nick Jr. friends! I could kiss the person who invented portable DVD players.

We landed in Boise, where Mama and Papa Shinsel met us at the airport. When Lincoln saw Grandma, he got a huge grin on his face and walked right into her arms. That just made her day! Later Kim and her 8 kids met us, and we ate at Chuck-a-rama (buffets are easiest with so many kids!). After eating, we all went to a park and played. We don't have any pictures from that day...only memories. Lincoln is lucky to have so many cousins that love playing with him. They chased him around the playground and helped him down the slide.

In Oregon, we got to play with more cousins. Sydney was born 6 months after Lincoln, and we have a feeling they are going to be good buds! They had some matching outfits, so Amy took some pictures.

Go Cougars!




We had pumpkins, so why not dress them in their Halloween gear?

Brent and Donna have an amazing garden, and they brought over lots of pumpkins to carve. Their 4 boys crack me up, and once again Lincoln is lucky to have great cousins! One of the pumpkins weighed about 90 pounds, which was perfect for what Dave had in mind. He has been feeling patriotic lately, so he carved a patriotic pumpkin, with scenes of D-Day, Moon Walking, Statue of Liberty, George Washington, and the Declaration of Independence. He is a very talented pumpkin carver! I tried to add the picture I have, but it didn't turn out well. I'll try again later with Dave's copies.

Mama Shinsel and the 3 of us were the first to head down to Utah for the wedding. We wanted to spend some time with Uncle Barry and Aunt Amy before things got too crazy. Lincoln loves Uncle Barry! They got to spend time together this summer. It took a little bit for Link to remember Barry, because Barry shaved his face. During the summer, the first thing Link would do, when he saw Barry, was touch his face. It was really cute!

We also got to spend time with our dear friends, the Youngs. Dave was roommates with Jeff and BYU and good friends with Jen. They have a little boy, Will, who was born 3 days after Lincoln. This was the third time the boys have met, and they get cuter each time they are together. I like to think of them as future BYU roommies!

Here they are playing at Carl's Jr.

Barry and Amy couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to get married! It was sunny and in the 70's, which is rare in October for Utah. I can't wait to see Amy's pictures from that day. I just realized some are probably confused with all the Amy's. Dave's younger brother is married to Amy (Amy a for Andy) and Dave's older brother is married to Amy (Amy b for Barry). Anyway, I'm excited to see Amy b's pictures from the wedding! The reception was at the Alpine Art's Center, which was decorated elegantly in black and maroon. Jen brought the boy's matching suits and ties.

The groom had his hands full with these 2!

Too stinkin' handsome

We had a chill, relaxing day the Sunday after the wedding. We spent the afternoon at a park with Kim's family and then had a cook-out at the Ballz house.

Feeding ducks with the Wrights

Oh, it is hard to leave family and friends, but so nice to be back home. When there is one happy grandma in Oregon, there is a sad grandma in North Carolina and vice versa. When there is a happy Edwards family in North Carolina, there is a sad Youngs family in Colorado. We love our family and friends all spread out across the country!

Poop!

Yep, I said it, "Poop." That word just totally describes my day yesterday. It started off non-poopy: Lincoln and I had a great time at the park with our playgroup. The poopiness began when Lincoln didn't take a morning nap. He did take a 1.5 hour nap, so I was expecting a happy baby. He was not a happy baby, he was a poopy baby...figuratively and literaly. Lincoln pooped so many times yesterday, I honestly lost count after number 5. I have been using cloth diapers to save money, and it is easy to clean them when you can just flush the poo down the toilet. Lincoln's poop yesterday was not the easy-to-clean-up kind: it was the kind you have to put in the toilet and rinse out: I had my hands in lots of poop yesterday.

Because Mr. Poopy only took 1 nap, his mood was poopy. As the poops kept cranking out, his attitude became increasingly poopy. (I guess I would be a little cranky too, if I had to use the bathroom that much. Yesterday was also my cleaning day, which includes cleaning toilets. At the end of the day, I just felt at home with my hands submerged in toilet water.

I had to vent to Dave last night, but I thought what a lovely thing the next day would be, you know a fresh start, good attitude, etc. I even woke up early to exercise and get a shower before Lincoln woke up. When he did wake up, I went into his room to find a happy baby. Woohoo, a happy baby, not Mr. Poopy anymore. Upon closer sniffing, I noticed that my happy baby had a poopy diaper and even better it had exploded (he wears the extra absorbent Pampers at night). His diaper was so full it came apart at the top, and pieces of the diaper were all over the sheets, crib, blanket, stuffed animals, floor, and Lincoln. So, we started the day with a bath.

I know this is not a pretty blog post, but they all can't be pretty and pleasant. At least I didn't include any pictures.

The Party's Over

We have been busy this week, but not with fun stuff like last week. The party is over! Lincoln helped me take down the party decorations.

He had a couple bites of crepe paper...yummy. When do kids get over putting everything in their mouth?

Lincoln had his 1 year check up on Wednesday. Just like any kid, he hated being poked and prodded, so I thought he couldn't wait to leave. WRONG! As I was checking out and making another appointment, he dissapeared into the main hallway and started playing with his cars. The pediatrician thought it was pretty funny. He weighs 22 lbs 11.5 oz (50%) and measures 30.5 inches (75%). He can fit into some 12 month clothes, but mostly he needs 18 month sizes.

These cute pjs are 18-24 months. They have moose and bears playing instruments on them: Mom bought them for Link in upstate New York. I'm pretty sure she thinks that if she doesn't look at the camera, you can't see her in the picture. I love my mom!



I know the picture quality is bad, it is taken from Dave's phone. Lincoln is dancing to Elmo in overalls with one strap undone. This is what happens when I go to work. Yep, I started work this weekend. I thought I would enjoy it more than I did. It turns out that I really, really like staying home with my little guy. It was nice to talk to adults, but Lincoln is alot more funny than most adults. Here are some of the funny things he does:

• Woofs like a dog when he wakes up in the morning...he also woofs when we are getting close to my parent's house.


• Freaks out over a cow cookie jar that mooo's...he gives me the best hugs when the cow is around.


• Body slams his stuffed animals, especially this ugly warthog...he throws them down on the floor and then drops his body weight.


• Runs away from me when he is getting changed, because he would rather be in his birthday suit...he thinks that I can't see him when he is behind the rocking chair.


• I know there are more things, but I still feel like I have mushy pregnant brain all the time.

1st Birthday

I have so many emotions about Lincoln turning one! I am proud of all the new skills he has and all that he has accomplished so far. I am really excited about all of the new fun things he will learn to do in the coming year. I am weepy over the fact he isn't a baby anymore: he doesn't need me as much. At night he turns to a pacifier and a stuffed animal for comfort instead of me. He likes to eat on his own and doesn't want my help. It is so hard for me to believe that a year ago I had this little bundle that depended on my every second of the day.

Before Lincoln, I never realized how much love a mother has for her child. There isn't enough space to say how much I love my little boy. Lincoln, as you read this when you are older, I hope you realize how much your mom and dad love you. When we say prayers at night, you are always in them, and for the past 365 days, I have told Heavenly Father how thankful I am for you. I am blessed to be your mommy!

Now that I have a box of tissues beside me, I can finish this post. We had a party for Lincoln up in Hickory at my parent's house. We had about 20 people over for BBQ and cake. Rachel did a great job of decorating the house. There were blue streamers hanging from the ceiling and blue balloons all over the floor. All of the kids had fun playing with the balloons. Lincoln kept walking from room to room: he was so social and didn't want to miss anything. He was confused when everyone was singing to him. After I gave him a little taste of the frosting on the cake, he shoved a whole handful in his mouth. There were presents for him to open, but he was too interested in balloons and what other people were doing. Thanks to all the friends for coming out on a rainy Friday: you made it a great party! We missed all of our friends and family who couldn't make it, but we appreciate all of the birthday wishes, cards, and presents you sent!

Playgroup

I met some other moms at the library this January. The sweeties invited us to be part of their playgroup. We meet everyother week, and this week we met at a fabulous, toddler-friendly park. It was so close to Lincoln's birthday, so I made treats for all the beautiful babies (I really think all of them could be Gerber babies!).

I wish I was Martha Stewart...

...I really wish I was Martha Stewart.

But at least the babies enjoyed them.

Here is Link's bud Max, feeling clever because he just stole his mom's sunglasses. Don't you love the lean back to get every ounce out of the sippy cup?

Cute Sophia shared a ride with Link in the Radio Flyer. Notice how my son has had something in his mouth in every picture? He is the Brad Pitt of the Ocean movies!

Multi-Tasker

Most babies enjoy a nice ride in the stroller. They can sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery. Not my baby! I have to find activites for him to do in the stroller, just to get a 20 minute walk in. I love taking walks with mom (in the background) and her dogs, so Lincoln has something to do. In this picture he is sucking on his binky, sitting up in the stroller, and walking the dog....he's already a multi-tasker.

How Could Anyone Steal From This Face

"Sam" saw me walking with Lincoln almost everyday, and I'm just wondering, "How can anyone steal from this face?" Detective Alexander emailed us today with some news about "Sam." He is on the run! There is a warrant for his arrest, because he didn't show up for court for driving without a license. "Sam" has abandoned his car and there is an eviction notice on his door. If he left stuff in his apartment, who does it belong to once he gets evicted? If some of our things are in his apartment, do we get them back? Let's hope so!

I'm really ok with the situation, I just needed an excuse to post this cute picture.

Here We Go

After much procrastination, I finally started our family blog. I figure now I won't feel as guilty when I hear sunday school lessons about journaling and family history. Here are a couple updates about what is going on in the Shinsel fam...

Robbery: We met with our fabulous detective a couple weeks ago. Dave had to watch pawn shop tapes of our neighbor pawning his music equipment and other items. "Sam" (name has been changed to protect the not-innocent) got arrested in August for driving without a license. He was questioned by our detective and was caught in a couple lies. We are waiting for the D.A. to issue a search warrant for "Sam's" apartment.

Lincoln: He is a crazy tornado of energy. He started to walk at 11 months and is now close to running. His face is constantly bruised or scratched from falling down and running into things. I expect Child Protective Services to come visit us any day.

Dave: I have already begun the countdown until Dave is done with school (8.5 months til May). We were excited that he got NC residency this semester and got back his assistantship, teaching a freshman psych lab.

Julie: This is really wierd writing about myself...not sure anyone else cares, but I started back to work with my old job at the YMCA. I will only be working the days Dave doesn't have class. There are some fun projects I'll be helping with, like our annual roadraces and a senior citizens prom!

My blog looks so empty. Please give me ideas how to make it look better!