Monday, Monday....

It's a dreary, chilly, gray Monday today, and I'm having trouble mustering up the motivation to get much of anything accomplished. While that's not great news for the lunch dishes still piled on the table, it does mean that I am willing to catch up on blogging while sitting on the couch with a steamy mug of tea. This blog has taken a backseat to life again recently, and I've finally convinced myself that that's okay! Real life is spending time with my boys, keeping caught up with devotions and Sunday School lessons, feeding my three hungry fellows more healthy food than junk, and making sure the house is at least semi-presentable before playdates. My main purpose for blogging is to share photos and stories and experiences and love through a virtual page that our family can look back upon in the future. So, if I get behind by a week or four? Not a big deal as long as I catch up with a few pics and snippets before 2016! (So, you see....I'm actually waaay ahead of schedule with this post about the past month of life around here!)


The biggest change around our household that I haven't mentioned is that LEVI CAN WALK NOW! He toddles around the house all day long, nibbing into every single thing within reach, and following his big brother like a lost puppy. Nate often reminds me, "Yiyi not a baby anymore, us both big boys!" Sigh.

Speaking of Nate, we've been experiencing much of his independence lately. And, while independence isn't a bad thing, it has led to more than one clash of wills in our home. Parenting a baby isn't easy, but, for me, parenting a "big kid" is a whole different ballgame! (And, I know, three is far from BIG when it comes to kids.) Often, I've found myself wondering what in the world we're doing--how are we supposed to know how to raise kids into healthy, well-rounded, God-fearing adults?! And then I remember Proverbs 22:6, and
Proverbs 13:24, and Proverbs 22:15.....and, well, let's just say that Proverbs has been very encouraging to me lately! Proverbs and the stack of books that I ordered from CBD about parenting! I don't want to say that we're discouraged--because we're not! Eric and I love being parents, and we love our boys! It's just that there are times when it would be easier to look the other way, to just let them do whatever it is that they want. "Oh, you want to eat ice cream for breakfast with sharp knives, then go outside and play in the street and swing from the electric lines? Fine, as long as you don't throw a fit." But, as parents, it's our job to not let those things happen. We love them too much to let them do whatever they want. Both of our boys have wills of their own, but they're don't yet understand what is best for them all the time. Green veggies and carseats aren't fun, but they're our ways of doing what's best for our kids--whether they like and/or understand or not. Sounds a teensy bit familiar, huh?


In other news, Levi is still teething. We've got about 2.5 molars through, and are still waiting for the rest. ....someday I'll get a full night's sleep again, right? (It's a good thing he's so darn cute in his jungle animal jammies at 3 AM!) Our daytimes are full of cars, cars, and more cars! (Some things never change around here!) Also, playdough has been a hit recently.

Though it's a few days early, we're readying for my favorite season! We decorated the house for autumn last Friday, and had butternut squash soup for lunch today. It's been chilly outside, and the leaves are beginning to change colors and fall to the ground. The silk leaves on the mantle make me crave pumpkin everything, and I've been perusing Pinterest for fall crafts to do with the boys. Who knew there were so many ways to incorporate leaves and acorns into finger-painted pictures? Starting to think about our Family Fall Bucket List for 2013 too! What's on your autumn list this year?

A few photos of our past few weeks....

1 year old.

Levi is a year old today! Just like that, my baby boy is one. There is a part of me that feels sad because this past year has gone by in such a flash, but then another bigger part of me feels like this is right. This is exactly where I've wanted to be all along! Of course I've adored my both of my babies, but I do so enjoy this older stage! My baby isn't such a baby anymore; he's getting to be more of a toddler every day--and I'm loving every second of it! He's curious and quick and silly, and he's the most perfect little boy in the world (along with his big brother, of course!). For a short 6 days, I have a one-year-old and a two-year-old! Good thing it's only for a week; I'm not sure I can handle kids that close in age any longer! ;)

Levi is a fantastically fun little guy who is always on the move! He is busy all the time, exploring and nibbing all over the place. He wants to know about everything, and he isn't shy about finding out! He checks out everything within reach (drawers, cabinets, boxes, bags, etc), and loves to crawl away as fast as he can when he's caught! He laughs all the time, and has even started purposefully trying to make us laugh. He scrunches up his nose with a huge smile when he's being funny--too cute!

Levi's favorite person in the world is his big brother, Nathaniel. He absolutely adores him, and always wants to play with whatever Nate is playing (Nate occasionally feels like sharing with his baby brother, haha!) It melts my heart to see them interact, and I am so very, very glad that we've been blessed with both of them. They love to make each other laugh, and smiles on their faces are enough to bring joy into our hearts--even when we can't quite understand the never-ending humor of a cup repeatedly flung to the floor or sniffing stinky toes!

Levi crawls and climbs, and he's beginning to walk too! He walks easily while holding onto things (furniture, push toys, holding hands), and can take up to three steps on his own. His balance is good, and I think he's going to take off on his own just as soon as he realizes that he can walk without nose-diving into Mommy or Daddy in sheer excitement!

Levi says several words, and will mimic lots of sounds. So far, he says Mama, Dada, kitty (key), Grover (Goga), hi (haaah), and cup. When he wants something, he points to it. Often, he accompanies his pointing with loud grunts and sighs to get more attention. Funny! He can wave and give kisses too.

Some of Levi's favorite toys right now include the xylophone that Daddy bought in Honduras, the police car with real lights and sirens, any push toy that allows him to walk (or run!), the toy cooking utensils for the play kitchen (He carries them around constantly!), and, of course, his stuffed monkey. (Sidenote: The above photo was supposed to be of the boys playing the xylophone, but, hey, a watermelon works too!)

Levi's favorite foods are watermelon, macaroni & cheese, crackers, and sweet potatoes. He eats almost everything that we eat, and there are not many things that he doesn't like. He has been drinking whole milk and almond milk from a sippy cup with his meals for a few weeks now because he's reduced his nursing sessions drastically. He still nurses at naptime and bedtime, as well as during the night. Typically, his "during the night" feeding only consists of one feeding around 6 am, but recently, it has been every couple of hours throughout the night because he's teething.

Speaking of teeth, Levi has eight (and a half?) teeth. He is in the process of getting all four molars right now, which has contributed to many night-wakings recently. We have had good results in treating his discomfort with an amber teething necklace and Hyland's teething tablets. Occasionally, I do give him ibuprofen when he seems to be in too much pain to sleep soundly.

Levi typically sleeps about 12 hours at night. He takes one afternoon nap during the day, which is usually two to three hours long. He still sleeps in the pack 'n play in our bedroom since he still wakes up during the night. He usually sleeps on his belly, but moves all over the pack 'n play!

Levi, I am so proud of you! You are an amazing little boy, and I know that your determination and fervor for life will take you far. You are sweet and loving, and I am blessed abundantly to call you mine. I love you, Sweet Baby Yiyi! Happy Birthday!!

(Notice those kitchen utensils constantly in hand.....little future chef?!)

Levi's 1st Haircut!

On Tuesday, I gave Levi his very first haircut. Technically, it was just a teensy trim of the hair around/over his ears and the "sprout" on top of his head. Nevertheless, it made him look like such a big boy, and had me wondering when he's had time to do all this growing up recently!

Before pictures:


During the process: (He was NOT a fan of Mommy using scissors on his hair--particularly not where he couldn't see! Not even an episode of Thomas the Train [his first ever "allowed" television!] could help the situation!)


The finished "do" on a happy big boy:


Random Sidenote: Nate's first haircut wasn't until he was about a month shy of his second birthday! He was still in what we refer to as his "Elmer Fudd Stage" around the 9 month mark.

Our week....

Our week has consisted of lots of noisy workmen pounding on the house, a whole day of denied access due to lead paint, lots of ladders and scaffolding, and, best of all, a huge makeover to the outside of our home! Before and after pictures to come--just as soon as it's finished (which looks like it might occur later TODAY!) Also, a little stinker who can pull himself now....whether Momma's ready or not! Happy Friday!!

Spring 2013!

Happy Spring! It doesn't matter that it's freezing outside, or even that I saw a few snow flurries this morning--because the calendar says that it's SPRING TODAY! We'll see tulips and bunnies and rainbows within the hour, I hope! (Okay, okay, within the next month would be nice....)

Since we've been holed up in the house, I've spent the last two days getting a head start on Spring Cleaning by clearing out/rearranging all of my kitchen cupboards. ("Wait, that expired when?" and "Who thought this should go here?") The boys have kept themselves busy with cars, cars, and more cars! Also, a school bus and a tent. Eric has been going to work, which reminds me of Nate's other recent play. He rides his trike around the house often, but has just recently begun telling me that he's going to work when he does. I always get a big hug and a goodbye kiss before he leaves for "work". Then, he rides off to "school" like Daddy, where he teaches "Spash" and "Frsh". Ironically, Eric teaches Spanish and French (they must be similar, right?). After a hard 3 or 5 minutes of "work", Nate rides his trike back home, where I am rewarded with another big hug and kiss. Love this boy!

Oh, and in other exciting (but semi-old) news, my little Levi is now mobile! (See? I don't even keep this blog updated with the big news anymore....he's obviously the second child.) Levi doesn't crawl yet, but he can scoot, spin, and roll! You'd be surprised how far and how quickly those modes of transportation can move a little guy! I love watching his mind work as he figures out how to get himself to a specific place, and his little personality is really begining to shine. He's silly and content, and just a tiny bit mischievious! (Love this boy too! And, oh that chub!)

Nate, who is still in love with his "Yiyi Baby" has had numerous meltdowns during the past few weeks as he realized that Levi can, indeed, reach all of his toys--including his prized cars. We've been working on the concept of sharing, and it is going as well as can be expected between a 2.5-year-old and a 7-month-old.

Happy Spring!