March was a BIG month for us.

We were so busy that my one update last month was just a little video. So, here is the month of March in one post. I start this post with a picture of Levi with some overdone Botox...we had it removed and he looks normal now, don't worry. This picture is taken at Aunt Kasie and Uncle Aaron's house. He was spending some time with his cousins, Natalie and Lilly.




Then we move on to another event for the month. My grandmother, Levi's Great-Grandmother came to visit for a weekend. It was sort of a last minute thing and we were pleasantly surprised.






Then we went on vacation to visit some family and friends in North Carolina and Tennessee. Levi was a model traveler with the exception of getting car sick in the mountains. (Poor guy). Thankfully, he slept through the rest of the mountains so it only happened once. He was entertaining (to say the least) when he was awake in the car, and we are thankful for his good-nature-attitude.




We also allowed for some monkey business when we could.



When we arrived to North Carolina, Drew (Levi's cousin) and Levi became instant friends.



They shared toys (better than expected).


Which included Lucy (their dog).



Then Drew showed Levi his "turf".




And how to swing like a big boy.




He caught on right away.




We had a wonderful time with Melissa and Quentin (Matthew's sister and her hubby). We had great food, conversation, and weather. The only time it rained was at night. We felt very blessed to get that time with them and wished that it could have been longer. After leaving North Carolina, we headed to Knoxville, TN to visit a friend of Matthew's from chiropractic college. Rasmus and his wife Tiffany were gracious enough to put up with us for a couple of days. We just hung out with them and caught up since it had been about a year since we had seen them. They again had great meals for us. We also played Monopoly the World edition. It is much faster and more fun than the original. We actually finished in less than two hours. I recommend giving that version a try. Plus everything is in the millions so since Matt won, I am now married to a millionaire!!

After spending our Saturday and Sunday morning with Rasmus and Tiffany, we headed another hour west to Crossville, TN where Rasmus' parents live. We had another delicious dinner with them. We felt like we were being treated like royalty with all the wonderful meals we had on this trip! (And as a prego you can imagine my delight to have such wonderful food and I didn't have to prepare any of it!) Levi took a liking to Rasmus' mom and their telephone.


The weekend after we got back to Indiana, our cousins from Chicago came down for a visit. We had loads of fun with them (as we always do), and Levi got a chance to really run around with them. However, he didn't neglect his cousin whom he sees most frequently.


We actually got the kids to pause long enough to get a photo of them...no small task!



In addition to having family in town, Matthew had friends from AU having a get together as well. So on Sunday we had a dinner with all of the guys and their families (the ones that could make it anyway). This is the first group picture that has been taken with the kidos and everything.



So that was the month of March...I know you are tired from just reading it. Well I would be lying if I said I weren't exhausted at the end of all those activities, but they were more enjoyable than they were tireing.

April....16 months for Levi and 16
weeks for the Little One.

Yep, I can only say that for one week. I have a 16-month old and I am 16 weeks pregnant with my second. I feel like it is going fast and yet slow at the same time. I appreciate the latter more, because I am trying to enjoy these last six months or so that it will be just me and Levi. Motherhood is going to change so much when I have more than one child. I know it will take time to get my footing again, but I just don't want to think about any of that right now. Levi and I are having so much fun together. He has started talking so much that we actually communicate quite well these days. We have more of a routine set now (it only took about 3 months) since I have started working part time, I have felt like I was out of sorts and it has taken me this long to get a sense of balance. Anyway, enough about that stuff. I have a cute picture and video to share with you. Apparently Levi is a "Sauce Man". He will now eat raw veggies...as long as the have Italian dressing on them. It is humorous. However, the down side to this new taste is that it is messy (he only feeds himself these days) and it stinks (both going in and coming out), but the up side is that he is eating raw veggies. One of his favorites is red onion...I know, he is a bit odd.






Okay, so here is what happened today. He was getting a bit fussy and it was already 12 o'clock noon. (He is down to one nap a day). I thought he could use some lunch before his nap. However, he felt differently he thought he need some lunch during his nap. He has never done this before, and he faught it for a while, but he finally gave in and fell asleep. I actually watched him struggle and loose the battle in a matter of 3 minutes. It was priceless!

A PROUD MOMENT FOR MAMAW AND PAPAW!

It took a little effort, but I got this tonight and had to post immediately.

Just a Little Update

I have been bad once again and have neglected my blogging duties. However, my excuse this time is a good one. Levi had his first bout with the flu. It was awful. the vomiting, the diarrhea, and the fever was enough to wipe him out! He slept for most of 2 days. He was a zombie! We were ready to take him to the doctor the third day and thankfully, due to lots of prayer I am sure, his fever broke the second night and he began recovering by morning. He was still on the mend for two more days and then...I got it! I was sick for 2-3 days minus the fever. NOT FUN! I haven't been sick like that in quite a while. It was compounded by the fact that...

I am pregnant again!

That is probably old news to anyone who reads this blog, but maybe I have not told everyone that reads this. I am currently 11 1/2 weeks along, and feeling pretty good...as long as I eat. We had our first appointment with our midwife today and we heard the heart beat. It was a magical sound that instantly makes me bond with my little one. I am so excited to grow our family.

There will be more updates on Levi and the newest Bitty Baby as I have time. I will also get some pictures of Levi on here soon.

Bye for now!

14 1/2 MONTHS OLD NOW

I am getting worse at my updates or so it seems. Maybe the pace of cool new things has just slowed down a bit...who knows. Anyway, Levi has had a really cool(cold) January. He is getting to experience things that he's never experienced before. He is going to daycare 2 days a week and it appears that he is loving it. He eats better for her than me! He is also enjoying the other kids. I miss him when we are apart, but I enjoy the time to myself to. I have been teaching at Gymboree since November, and I really like it. I am only there 3 days a week and Matthew is home with Levi one of those days, so he gets a Daddy day each week. Levi also got his first taste of snow today. You will see that I mean that literally when you see the pictures down below. I have a couple of cute moments to share with you this time so I will end my babbling and get to the good stuff...the pictures.

Even though he hasn't used his exersaucer correctly in about 6 months, he still likes to sneak in it a remember what it was like to be a baby...ahh...memories. "I remember it like it was yesterday..."

Here he is enjoying a mean meal of mac and cheese.

Just wanted to get a close up of the gooey cheese on his hands and face. It was not fun to clean off, and I think a bath immediately followed.

This is a strange, but cute picture. He is chewing on a rubber-finger-toothbrush. He likes to chew on it and it is to big to be swallowed. I want to take it away from him, but look how happy it makes him.



So in order to mark the date of the biggest snow in Levi's lifetime (so far) we got him all suited up and let him "play" in the snow. He actually seemed to like it. Do to the sunshine we were able to spend a decent amount of time out there.



Okay, before you judge me for taking this picture, I want you to hear me out. I had the camera in my hand and my finger was on the button. He fell, I used my free hand and sat him upright, and simply snapped the shot a second later and then proceeded to quickly put the camera away and wipe off his face. It took about two extra seconds to do all that...but I have a picture for life. And for the record he only wined a little no real outburst.




I know what your thinking...that kid from "The Christmas Story" right?

Maybe he is ready to go in...or maybe he just forgot what cement looked like...without snow and all.




This is just before we went inside. I think it is safe to say he had a really good time.

The Holidays are over and gone...the normality must return.

We had a great couple of weeks spending extra time together as a family and spending time with our extended family. That is truly my favorite part about the holidays. Levi didn't really care much about opening presents this year, but he did enjoy gift bags, tissue paper, and the gift itself. I will have a couple of pictures up soon of him and his new toys. He has been playing with all of them a lot. I don't think he got too spoiled...

I don't really have too much to report except that I am increasingly amazed by how much Levi is changing every day. He is communicating so much these days. It is making things a lot easier. He has been doing a few baby signs (just the ones we taught him) such as milk and more. We will probably try to add "all done" to the list soon, because when he is done now he just spits out the last bite...yeah, its messy and gross. So, with that said, I just have a few cute pictures to share, and that's it.


Levi striking a pose before we sat for our holiday card picture.

13 month picture...he is so darn cute...and I think he knows it.

My son is a bit hooked on McDonald's fries...don't worry, it is a rare treat. He still needs to gain some lbs anyway.

These are the best bubbles, you can catch them and they don't pop right away. This one got stuck right on his face!

This is just a funny face.

Finally a birthday update...a month later.

Sorry, about the delay. He is now 13 months old...I am blaming this on the busy season, being sick, and my new job...I can't think of anything else, but if you do just add it to my list.

My little "Bitty Baby" is not so little any more. He is one, a toddler. He weighed 17lb 6oz and was 29 3/4 inches at his 1 year appointment. I understand he is a light weight, but he has gained 3 times the average each of the last four months, and he is happy/healthy. He is daily eating new foods and doing well with them. I am no longer worried. He is on the advanced end of the scale as far as development goes so that proves that he is growing at the exact rate he is supposed to.

Anyway, I have been spending a lot of time going over this past year. It has been the most life altering year I have ever had, and in my young life I have had a few life-altering years. I have really learned a lot about being a parent this year. I learned that I can carry a baby, have him naturally and at home, and nurse. Then, I learned that I can go on about 2 hours sleep if need be, I can hear my son cry only with a monitor in one home, but I can hear his every move in another...teeth can be a real pain, for some babies, but not all. Worrying won't make your child gain weight. Babies have runny noses sometimes just because...and they don't need to be wiped every two seconds. I can fake like I'm okay for the sake of my son when he takes a spill (inside I am saying "oh crap are you okay?" and cringing). I love him so much I want to cry some days (and some days I do). I want to give him everything yet I want him to learn that he doesn't need any of it to be truly happy. Bed time is a magical time (if it is before 10 o'clock). Sometimes chewing is really all a boy wants to do...swallowing is optional...playing with the chewed-up-food is much more likely. Blocks are made for knocking down. Cell phones are addictive...even for babies. Remote-control lust starts in the womb. Your child will always have a slight squeeze on your heart. Time is a rocket and you don't get any of it back.


Okay, so the birthday party was good. It is a stressful event. But we were happy to share it with our family and friends. It only happens once in a life time.

Icing on the nose provided by Uncle Aaron.

Not a huge fan of cupcakes...but sugar is sugar.

This is my home-made cupcake tree...feel free to be impressed.

Grandma Judy with cousin Kassidy. Cousin Natalie is in the background.

Yeah for turning one!

A FIRST BIRTHDAY COME AND GONE...

Levi is now a "big boy" he is one year old! We had a party with some friends and family on his actual birthday. It was a lot of fun, but I am glad that is all over. I will post more about his first year in the near future. I just wanted to get some pictures of his party and a video or two on the blog since it has been nearly two months since my last post.

HOWEVER...as I was getting my blog stuff together at home to take to a computer with the internet, I have misplaced my blog pictures...not sure what happened....will be posting again in a few days with pics and video...hmm

One more month...

That's right, Levi will be one year old in 4 weeks from tomorrow!!!

I can honestly say that even though I have enjoyed these last 11 months, I am so excited for the months and years to come. I love that he has begun to communicate with me in new ways every day. I love that he can play on his own and discover with out me having to carry him every where. I love that he gives me hugs and kisses. I love that he sleeps through the night and has a fairly predictable daytime routine. I love that he eats some of the foods we eat and when we have a meal together, he can sit and feed himself too. We are in a really good place right now.

Levi went to a safety day at Home Depot and painted a pumpkin. The blotches below his name are his hands/fists. The blurry blob at the bottom was him slapping the pumpkin. The name, however was done by me :)


Just thought this picture really brought out his eyes.


Levi and Daddy were just hanging out on the couch. Levi was the one who was going to bed in a few minutes...but Daddy is the one that looks ready.


At the new house Levi has found a few cabinets to call his own.
This is his summer home.


And this is where he will winter.


Cousin Kassy was over the other day so I tried to get a few pictures of them.


This was shortly before Levi got fed up with the pictures and took it out on Kassidy. I have that on video, but will not be showing it for fear of painting Levi in a bad light.


TOUCHDOWN!

This is the first video of Levi doing "touchdown". He starts out clapping and then goes into touchdown mode...either that or he thinks he is a part of a wave.

I guess no matter how old he gets, he will always be our little boy.

WHAT A MONTH!!!

Okay, so I know that I have not updated my (Levi's) blog in over a month, but I have a really good excuse. (And thus the first announcement in my large post). WE MOVED!! :) We have left our wonderful first home where Levi was born. We wanted to move now before we had another baby, and no, I'm not pregnant, but we thought it would be easier to move now...plus the market..blah, blah, blah...anyway, we LOVE the new house and things are moving along nicely. However, we do not have the internet yet, so updating the blog has been difficult/impossible. I am doing my best though to keep informed though. With that said, this is going to be a full post.

So we start off with some events before the big move.

Here is Levi with the Malesich kids
(Matthew's cousin's kids from Chicago).
It won't be long and he will be running around with them.

These three photos are from a wedding in Chicago (friends of both of ours). The first is of Levi enjoying a cracker. The other two were taken outside the reception area. It was a beautiful day and we were all dressed up...why not?

Here is Levi taking his oral hygiene very seriously.
We hope he makes Dr. Smith very proud.

Here is Levi hard at work with Daddy.
I may have a future "Tek Hed" on my hands.

This is Grant and Levi at the Symphony on the Prairie. This was a first for Grant but Levi was an old pro. I think this was his Third for the year.

Now this picture is how I lost "Mother of the Year"award. This is a Lindt White Chocolate Ball. While I was packing feverishly, to move the next day, Levi got into a box with these candies in it, unwrapped the candy and took his first bite of chocolate
(to my knowledge anyway).

So now we come to the big move. At the end of August we moved to another subdivision in Fishers. It was a short move but it took a lot of help from some key people. You know who you are and we thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts.

Okay so I am going to take a small break from the list of updates to share some cute pictures.

It's kinda goofy and kinda cute. I don't know, you decide.

Here is one of his new things...sticking out his tongue...maybe a
Gene Simmons impersonator?

VIDEO TIME!!! YEAH!!!

This is Levi going down the slide ALL BY HIMSELF!!!
FYI: He did this about 30 times before I would video it, he's safe.


Back to the post...(more video at the end)

With the move, we also experienced some firsts. Levi had his first sleep over at Mamaw Debbie and Papaw Larry's house. He did excellent according to the grandparents.

He has also taken his first steps!!! He took 4 steps on Sunday, September 14th. Just 2 days before his 10-month birthday.

He also began saying a few more words. "No" and "Yeah" are more clear now along with "Mamma" and "Dadda". No real strong verbal communication yet, but we can tell when he wants a particular thing and his pointing is getting better.

We went to the Creation Museum for the first time. They had a Petting Zoo and Botanical Garden there as well, so let Levi meet some new animals.

Levi and his new friend, Goat.



This is Camel...he was not our friend...he tried to steal our stroller.


This one is my favorite. He liked her nose.


Here we are on one of the bridges in the Botanical Garden.

Finally, today, we went to Stuckey Farm to pick apples (another first) with our friends, the Summerfields. Levi enjoyed trying a few different kinds of apples while I picked them. Matthew and I together picked 30lbs. Almost a full bushel! He did most of the picking.

Levi picked this one and munched on it for about 20 minutes. He likes Galas!


I know, totally cute!

Oh the sweet taste of victory!


Finally, a small video from today at Stuckey Farms. ENJOY!