7 months

Stats as of April 12th: 19lbs; 28in long

Lincoln loves anything that he can shake to make noise. He got to this toilet paper and had a blast shaking it around. He also loves to shake blankets and pillows. Who knew they could be so fun?

Lincoln has been learning a lot lately. It's amazing how a baby can learn the smallest little thing and it seems like such a big deal.  For example, last Friday night we went to Texas Roadhouse and he figured out how to drink from a straw. Wow! It changed his life! He has also started to try to pull himself up onto things. Because he can't crawl he can't try to pull himself up onto furniture, cuz he can't get to it. But, he loves to sit in our laps or on the floor or couch next to us and he'll grab our clothes and try to pull himself upright. When we put our hands out he can grab them and go from sitting to standing. It also cracks me up when he's sitting on the floor and if I walk past he will whine and try to grab my pant legs to pull up on. I think it's funny! :)

This picture was caught just an hour ago. Sean let him lay on the recliner on his tummy like that and he ended up falling asleep. haha. I love it when he falls asleep randomly. It's so funny. I sometimes wish it happened more often because it gets a little frusterating when it should be his nap time, but he's awak and cranky and won't settle down. This method is much easier! :)

He LOVES baby food! He will pretty much eat anything. The only thing he hasn't seemed to care for is Mango. I had no idea they made mango's for babies, but it's got a weird texture. He wouldn't open his mouth anymore after a few bites. But he loves apples and pears mixed with anything. He also really likes sweet potatoes, green beans, and carrots. He has always loved rice cereal as well. Lately we have learned that Lincoln is quite friendly. When people, especially women, come say hi to him he will often put out his arms and reach out for them to hold him. Like any other curious baby he grabs jewelry, hair, and anything else that looks potentially interesting.

As of May 10th he can officially roll back to front and front to back with no problems. He does it whenever it seems necessary. :)

Chocolate-chip Cookies

What is the deal with chocolate-chip cookies? I swear there are like a billion different recipes out there for them; everyone makes them slightly differently. Some people like them chewy, some like them flaky, some like them crunchy, some like them doughy, and then there are the few that like them burnt. There seems to be a recipe for every preference.

When I was in 7th grade I had a home economics class where we cooked simple recipes, sewed things, and did other domestic stuff that I don't really remember. This is where I starting making chocolate-chip cookies the way I've made them for the last 12 years. I remember the first time I made this recipe in school I couldn't believe how good they tasted. I took the recipe home and started to make them for my family. My mom like to bake occasionally, but even still I liked to bake cookies so much it became my sole responsibility to make cookies whenever necessary. I would make that recipe, and I also had a few other specialties that we all loved. But, I had especially perfected this recipe to the point that I could pump out perfectly delicious cookies almost every time. When switching between altitudes I didn't have to worry: I knew if the dough was right by touching it after everything was mixed.

As I got older, so did my younger siblings. Nate especially would request my cookies. When I was in college and would come over on Sundays for dinner he would always say, "Lets make cookies," as he raised his eyebrows and nodded his head. I went on my mission and started making these cookies for members, investigators, and of course, Elders. They were always a hit. Because of the lower altitude in Texas these cookies were even better. I don't know how it happens but they were soooo good. Just sayin'. Anyways, this is where my cookie story ends: when I got home from my mission the higher altitude totally threw my recipe off I couldn't remember exactly how much flour I normally used in Utah and it took me quite a long time to get it right, especially because I wasn't making them as often. Until recently, I hadn't really figured it out since leaving Texas (that was two years ago btw...). The past few months Sean has been requesting cookies more and more and finally I have regained my ability to perfect this recipe. We have also learned that between the two of us, we prefer them made slightly differently. I like them to be doughy, but also flaky. He likes them doughy and chewy.

So here's my recipe:
1 stick butter at room temperature or slightly colder (This is important. If it's melted it will mess up the cookies.)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 and 1/4 cups flour plus about 3 tablespoons
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup oatmeal
chocolate chips

Sean's recipe:
1 stick butter at room temperature or slightly colder
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup oatmeal
chocolate chips

The only thing all cookies seem to have in common is the order in which you add the ingredients. So you cream the butter and sugar first. Add the egg and vanilla. Beat really well! Make it fluffy, people! Blend in flour, baking soda, salt, and oatmeal. Then, with a spoon, mix in as many chocolate chips as you feel is necessary. I never measure that. :) Bake at 350 degress for 9-10 minutes, unless of course you like them crunchy or burnt.

So now I've shared MY recipe. And I'm pretty sure that for the rest of my life I will always make chocolate-chip cookies this way. I look forward to the day when my kids recognize that these specific cookies are the ones their mama makes. It will always give them a good reason to come home.

Tub Time

So, I love pictures of babies in the tub! They always look so adorably chubby. And usually they are happy as well because they love being in the tub! Lincoln loves it for sure. Any stressful night can get better once I get him into the bath. These pics from tonight are fun because it was one of the first times where I let him sit up in the tub by himself. I've been holding off for a few weeks, and now his balance is good enough that he can catch himself if he starts to tip over.

In this photo above I kept saying, "smile for Auntie Melissa"... this is what I got! He's finally starting to smile for the camera. Before he would just stare at it intently waiting for it to go away. I'm excited to send her these photos. :)

I don't know about you, but in these pictures I think he looks so much like Sean. He's a little Seany with blue eyes and no hair! haha.

Lincoln's 6 month photos by Greg Deakins