LOOK AT HIM GO!

I just had to show this video. We took him out to the cul-de-sac and turned him loose.
I think he will be walking soon, what do you think?

He's a growing boy!

We went to the doctor's office again today...to weigh in.

Two weeks ago he weighed 13lb 5oz. We were contemplating taking him to Riley Hospital for some tests on Failure to Thrive. I didn't feel at peace with these tests, but the doctor felt they were necessary. I have been praying about this for the last two months...I felt like something simple would fix this issue. We had tried solid foods, but he just wasn't consistently interested. I continued to pray about it while we tried one last idea.

I started giving him Yo Baby yogurt and also a bottle of formula each day in addition to all of the nursings. This sounds like a simple fix, but I had a hard time giving him formula...those who nurse could probably relate to that feeling. Anyway, he was getting an additional 12 oz of food to my nursing him 7 times a day. This along with prayers has given him the weight he needed to almost be on the charts again. He now weighs 14lbs 4oz!!!

Thank you Jesus! Also, thank you to everyone who has said a prayer for Levi. From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate every word you have prayed on his behalf. At this time, we are going to cancel the tests scheduled at Riley Hospital and continue the yogurt and formula as I try to slowly encourage him to explore and enjoy other foods. Today I was hoping for 14 lbs and that would have made me very happy, but God showed up in a big "weigh" and gave him 4 more ounces!

"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."
-1 John 5:14

I am constantly humbled by God's everlasting love for us.

My Feather Weight

I have not been writing much about this topic because we weren't sure what to think about the whole situation. Levi has only gained 1 pound in the last 5 months...

We didn't really know the numbers until he went for his six-month appointment. He only weighed 12 lb 15oz. Since then we have been to the doctor at 7 and 8 months. He now weighs 13 lb 5 oz. So he is gaining weight but not a significant amount. He continues to grow in height and head circumference he is consistently staying at about the 25th percentile in both those areas, so the only real concern is his weight.

Furthermore, he has been crawling since he was 6 1/2 months, he has been pulling himself up to standing and walking along objects (ie the coffee table) since he was about that old as well. He just clapped for the first time on his 8-month birthday. (which I have been told is a 9-month skill). With all that being said his development is ahead of schedule and his height/head circumference is steadily increasing....so what should I do?

We have started him on coconut oil and yo baby yogurt. He takes both very well. He is up to about 8 oz of yogurt a day and about a tablespoon of oil. We also are giving him fish oil and some vitamins...just in case he is lacking an element or something. I feel frustrated some days...like I am a bad mother and then others I feel so proud of the way he moves and stands...(I really think he will walk soon). I guess what they say is true...there is no lack of guilt in motherhood. But, for the record, he is a healthy, happy little boy and he is God's child. I trust Him fully to bring the right information to me to make decisions concerning this matter. However, I must also note that prayers are always appreciated. :)

ONTO A HAPPIER TOPIC!
As I mentioned above, Levi has started clapping. Please enjoy the video below.

We were actually able to capture it the first day that it happened. He likes for you to clap first and then he claps for you.

MEMORIES OF JULY

Levi and I spent an afternoon with my mom. He decided to get cozy and take a little cat nap on Mamaw Debbie


His first Fourth of July! He really enjoyed the fireworks. As a matter of fact each time we have seen fireworks he gets excited and babbles after each one. As if he's saying, "OOOO, Mom, did you see that one!? OOOO, look at that one!"


This is another picture from the Fourth.
(We went down to the Canal for the first time with our neighbors, the Summerfields.) Levi was trying to grab my camera. I know, totally cute!


I couldn't pass up the opportunity to post another Daddy-Levi picture.
Here they are enjoying the fireworks together.



ANOTHER FIRST!
This is Levi's first trip to Symphony on the Prairie.



The Bath Time Cafe
As aforementioned, Levi is into Yo Baby Yogurt. He needed a bath, he needed to eat some more food, and it was late...so I just smushed my tasks together...it was a success!


YET ANOTHER FIRST!
Today we went to a festival and we got Levi's leg painted.


It is a Colt's horseshoe.
I know what he's thinking...I have very cool parents.

We have ourselves a cruiser!

Levi is in full on crawl mode. He is able to get where he wants and he can pull himself to standing. I can't believe how mobile he is!

He also had his first two teeth pop through last Wednesday, June 25th. The bottom two are in and coming up nicely...then I saw that his top two are just under the last couple of layers of skin...so he should have four in the next week or so :)

Well with that said, I have been trying to introduce solid foods to him...it's a no go. This kid eats about 7 to 9 times a day (nursing) I try to get him to eat 2-4oz of solid food as well...that has been a real struggle. He will eat them some days and other days, he won't eat any. In the beginning, he ate pretty well, but he has experienced a major decline in the desire to eat any solid foods except puffs and cheerios. I am open to suggestions so please feel free to comment on this topic. If he is really hungry, only nursing will do. He does eat cheerios and puffs like they are going out of style, but I want to get him into veggies and fruits and stuff...what gives?!

FUN PICTURES FROM JUNE 2008

This is Levi at Grant's "pool party"

He's "helping" me with the laundry...

We take a lot of bike rides with Levi and he almost always takes a little cat nap...can you blame him?

The Boys Club
(Bob and Grant, Donnie and Gavin, and Matthew and Levi)
We had a neighborhood cook out in June and the guys got together for a picture.