Levi turns one

Since it's already been a month since our little guy turned one, I figure I better go ahead and post some pictures since I know I'll blink and he'll be two.  Yikes.  

We celebrated his first birthday with a "book party" which was a huge hit.  He really does enjoy books and will sit still through a few of them (most times).  Other times, he dumps his book baskets on the floor.  That works too, buddy.  

I never knew my heart could hold such a strong love for such a little human.  Levi, you have brought us so much joy this past year and we love you with all our hearts!  

This post has a million pictures in it, so be warned.  

What I love about you.

Sweet boy.  The days are flying by...I take that back.  This year is flying by, but most days do pass rather slowly.  Teething has a way of doing that, I guess.  You have one little tooth on the top, another one poking through on the bottom, and I think you'll get your second top one after that.  Letting you gnaw on my finger is not an option anymore.

There are things about you at this sweet little almost 9 month stage that I feel sure I will remember forever, but just in case, I'm writing them down.

I love...


The way you giggle when I tickle your "chunky chunky thighs."  It's always so hilarious to you.
(Ignore my 15 chins in this otherwise precious picture.)

The way you crawl over to me when I'm laying on the ground playing with you and give me a slobbery mouth-plant on my cheek...your version of a kiss.  Only now, you have teeth, so it kind of hurts a little bit.

How you are always standing up in your crib waiting on me when I come to get you up from your nap.

How sometimes you just want to be held.  You could be screaming your lungs out and when I pick you up, you lay your head down, suck your thumb, and your other little arm just flops down at your side.

The way you stick your thumb in your mouth after every. single. bit. of food.

Your little blonde eyelashes and your whispy blonde hair.

How you show off by pulling up on something and then holding on with just one hand. You are just so cool.

How you started waving all by yourself.  I tried to teach you once or twice, but then you just started doing it one day all on your own.  Except it's more like a salute.  Daddy calls it the "right hand of fellowship."

How you hold out your little hand like you're trying to snap.

The way you look when you fall asleep in your carseat.  Precious lips, sweaty hair sticking up, and hands laying limp in your lap.  You're the sweetest.

How attatched you are to me at this current stage.  You don't like me to leave the room for a second.  It gets a little tiring, but I know it won't always be this way so I'm soaking it up.  I love that you know that  I'm your person.

The way you decided to start listening to stories without trying to eat the pages.  It's really great.  And the other day, you fell asleep on me while I was reading to you.  I didn't move for a long, long, time.

How you love your daddy.  It's so cute to watch y'all "be boys" together...growling, roughhousing, etc.

The cheesy smile you do. It's kind of hard to describe, but it's hilarious.  It looks like this...

Sometimes when I'm working on my shutterfly book or something, and I get the feeling that someone is looking at me, I look down and see this...

I love you, son! You make my world so much sweeter :)

6 Months

Sweet baby,

You turned 6 months old this week and I'm having a bit of a hard time with it.  6 months sounds much more like an "older" baby than a little newborn, at least to me it does.
I have to say though, you are getting a lot more fun, a lot more sweet, and your daddy and I always talk about how crazy it is that someone so small can be one of our very best friends.  We love you so much it hurts.

Here's what you've been up to lately :

- Almost always chewing on your toes.  It cracks me up how you can just lay on the floor in the living room, eating your toes, and talking to yourself for a really long time.  Totally content, perfectly relaxed.

- Teething. Yikes, this has not been fun.  Fevers, throwing up, and a little bit of grumpiness.  I don't blame ya one bit, buddy.  You're being a trooper.

- Laughing.  One of my favorite things is when you start laughing when you hear me laughing. You have no idea what's going on, but if momma's having a good time, so are you.  I love it.

I can't get enough of you, buddy.  You're the sweetest boy and I can't believe God gave ME the privilege of being your momma.


I love you!

5 months

Dear Levi,

I know I will say this probably every month (I think I already have), but I really can't believe you are this old already. I mean, 5 months sounds like an "older" baby to me, not a little newborn.  You aren't a newborn anymore.  You are an active, playful, sweet, responsive, loving little guy.  You grab my face and give me your version of kisses.  You hold my hand while I'm feeding you.  You get super hyper and funny at bedtime and it makes it hard for us to want to leave the room and turn off the lights.
You've been a little conjested and under the weather lately. Fevery, snotty, fussy and unable to get comfortable...and it really breaks my heart and makes me feel so helpless.  I have a feeling this is what it will be like when you skin your knee for the first time or get your feelings hurt by a friend or lose your baseball game.  I carry your hurts in my heart and wish I could make everything better. I know I won't always be able to.  You've changed my world and made everything so much sweeter and I couldn't love you more.  Thanks for making me a momma, you precious little guy.

I love you so much,

Your Momma

4 months.

Precious boy,
I probably will say this every single month, but you really are growing way too fast. I feel like you were just born! I so badly want to treasure every single moment with you, but I also look forward to the coming months and years because every new little development is just so fun.

You've grown a lot in the past month! You are now eating lots of mush - and loving it! - standing up on our laps, sitting up better, and giggling. Your little laugh is my favorite.

Daddy and I publicly dedicated you at church on Sunday even though we actually dedicated you to the Lord the day we found out about you. You have been His all along.

But, sweet boy, one day you will have to choose for yourself who you will serve. Following Jesus has to be your very own decision...not ours.
I pray you will count the cost to follow Jesus for your whole life as soon as you possibly can.

I love you.