I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas!

Jeff and I got our Christmas present from my mom and step dad early. It was 2 tickets to White Christmas in Seattle. So, with Levi at Grandma's for the night we headed to Seattle. The show was amazing! It was a little different than the movie but we loved it. It even snowed in the theater!

The show didn't end until about 10:30 so we were happy that we were staying in Seattle. Our hotel was just walking distance from the theater so we walked back to the hotel looking at all the shops and lights on the way!

The next morning I had planned a surprise for Jeff, brunch at the Space Needle. He had never been before and was very excited. For those of you that don't know, the restaurant is at the top of the space needle and rotates as you eat. It was good food and a great view. Check out some of the pictures.






It was great to get some time just the two of us. Life has been so busy and all of our free time goes to Levi, a night away is always great! Thank you mom and Reggie. We had so much fun!

Deck the halls...

with toys and clothes! Levi's first Christmas has come and gone and I think it's safe to say that he was nice this year. Santa had nothing on him...and boy did he shower him with gifts...Santa, mom, dad, aunts, uncles, and grandparents that is. Here are the highlights of our Christmases this year.

Our first Christmas was with my dad and his kids. Six kids, 2 spouses, and 1 girlfriend. That makes 9 kids total for my dad and step mom! We all went to my sister Melissa's for dinner. Loaded down with two desserts and tons of gifts, we traveled across town to begin our Christmas adventure!


We spent Christmas eve with my Dad, Debbie, Nathaniel, Haley, Melissa, Nathan, and Corban at our friend Dan and Michelle's new condo in Seattle. We have a Christmas Eve tradition when we eat paella, which is an amazing Spanish dish. We ate good food and spent time with great people, always leaving with Michelle's homemade chocolate and nuts.

Levi was afraid of my brother Nathaniel. Every time he tried to touch Levi, Levi would pull his hand away. Levi just kept staring at Nathaniel from across the room...it was actually really weird. By the end of the trip, Levi started to warm up to him but then Nathaniel put a bow on Levi's shirt and Levi burst into tears. Oh well Nathaniel...maybe next time!

Christmas morning was just daddy, mommy, and Levi. We had so much fun opening gifts, playing, putting together toys, and playing with the empty boxes and paper. His favorite gift was a rocking horse from Meema. The first time we put his on it, he started bouncing. He didn't need any help.

Christmas day was spent at Grandma Lynda and Papa Reggie's house with Melissa, Nathan, and Corban. After Christmas dinner, the presents continued. The hit being the trains from Grandma and Papa Reggie. They can be used as a walker or you can ride it. Plus, there is music, games, and blocks.

Our last Christmas was the Monday after Christmas with the Rodenbecks (our family friends). They have four kids, including their newest addition, a 2 year old girl from Ethiopia. I have to say, this was our crazies Christmas yet. Six kids + lots of presents = craziness!

So that was our Five Christmases...not quite as exciting as the movie but we enjoyed it. We are so blessed to have so many people who love us. Thank you to all of our family and friends and we hope your holidays were a blessing and the next year brings joy and blessings you could not imagine.

A Turtle and a Log

Today we went to Washington Square Mall to get a picture with Santa. We tried last week but Levi took one look at Santa and burst into tears. So, freshly rested and fed, we hit the road to give it another shot. Much to our dismay, Levi still does not like Santa Claus.

So, we decided as long as we were at the mall, we would see what he thought of the child's play area. As you all know Levi has a ton of energy and is always on the go so we figured it would be a lot of fun. So, trying not to think about all the germs and diseases on the toys, we let Levi loose. He was a bit cautious at first and mostly watched the older kids run. However after about five minutes of "warming up" he was crawling and climbing like mad. His favorite toy was a turtle. He spent most of his time here trying to figure out how to climb him. Since he couldn't get on top of the turtle, he decided to use him as a drum...which is even more fun!





Although he spent most of his time at this turtle, he did wonder off a little. He found a giant log which was also useful as a drum.

Then he found out you could also crawl through it...that was the best!

After a quick stop at the lily pads, it was time to go home.

So, we loaded a then very tired Levi in the car and headed home. I don't think it's ever been so easy to put him down for a nap. If only we could get one of these play areas for our home!

Here are a few more random pictures we have taken in the time we have been here. Levi has loved exploring a new house. There are a ton of doors here so it is much easier to keep him contained. Without baby gates holding him back, he feels much more free and it is so fun to watch him play! One of his favorite things is the sliding glass door with a curtain hanging down. He loves to look outside, bang on the door, and hide behind the curtain. He loves to play peek-a-boo with the curtain which I think you saw in another video.

Levi's new walker...although instead of walking with it, he prefers to flip it over and see how it works.

Bath time is one of Levi's favorite times. Here he is waiting to jump in!

And some cute baby and daddy pictures. Like always, Levi is Jeff's little clone.

Video Blog - drumming, dancing, and a little more

Here are a few videos that we have taken in the last few weeks that show Levi around the house here playing.

laughing!

Levi has taken to laughing sometimes uncontrollably at certain events in life that seem not so funny to other people! For instance, when I put my head down and shake my hair at him, he laughs. When I just look at him some times, he laughs (no "i'm funny looking" comments). I have to wonder what is going on in his tiny little adorable head that makes him want to burst out in laughter. Does he think that hair is the funniest little creation of God's? Does he like it when he gets attention from mommy and daddy? Or is it just that he is excited to pull the hair if it ever comes close enough? I hear from his mommy and grandma that he does love to pull hair!
Well, in light of this, try to imagine what Levi is thinking while you watch this next video. Enjoy!

That's my boy!

So I have been working long hours at the hospital and really enjoy my time at home with my son Levi. I think that he really likes it when I come home too! Here is a video that seems to say just what he feels! ( this was about 2 weeks ago)

I originally started this blog a few weeks ago, and was trying to upload another video, but it took forever, so i am posting this by itself! He loves his daddy... more blogs to come soon!

Just the two of us

I always do posts about Levi to show what he is doing. Not too long ago, I decided to do a post about me and Jeff with some pictures. Only to find out that there are no pictures of me and Jeff. Apparently the last six months have been all about Levi. This isn't surprising but I figured it meant that Jeff and I needed some time just the two of us.
So, with Grandma Lynda watching Levi, we headed to Leavenworth for an evening. We stay at the Enzian Inn for a night and got tickets to the Sound of Music. The show was great. It is out the outdoor amphitheater and Maria comes out of the hills signing. It was a really great show. The kids were especially great and it was really fun. I don't have any pictures because they were not allowed but it was great!
The next morning we had breakfast at the Inn. The have a horn player that plays a HUGE horn during breakfast. It was pretty cool. We had never seen that before so it was fun. Plus, the breakfast was great. It was not the normal continental breakfast. It had made to order omelets, German pastries, and lots of fresh fruit.
After breakfast we headed to the mini golf course that is included in the stay. It was an 18 hole golf course with real greens. I had never seen such a thing. Unfortunately, we were stuck behind a large group of older people who were playing very slow so we skipped a few holes to get ahead of them. We played all the holes minus those few. I of course won, as long as you consider winning scoring the most points. However, if you follow the traditional rules, then I would have to say that Jeff won by nine or ten strokes. I still say the most points wins!
After some shopping and lunch, we decided to head home. We couldn't wait to get home to see our little boy. Although some time away was nice, we couldn't be away too much. It was a great night. It was fun to not have to worry about a schedule, not have to think about when to feed Levi and getting him home in time to go to bed. We got to stay out late and sleep in. It was amazing and much needed!

6 months old!

I cannot believe it. We survived! On Wednesday August 26th, Levi was officially 6 months old. He had his check-up and we have his new stats:

Weight: 19 lbs 2 oz (76%)

Height: 29 1/4 in (99%)

That's our little boy...still growing like crazy. However, since he is more mobile he is thinning out a little. And boy is he mobile! Check out this video.



He is officially crawling and nothing is safe. The least safe things are daddy's computer, any cup with liquid, and Britten (Linda and Mickey's dog). Although Levi and Britten are sharing chew toys which is pretty fun. The other day I caught Levi chewing on Britten's flat cat. I know it's a little gross but I had to take a picture before taking it out of his mouth.



Levi has also recently taken an interest in Dancing with the Stars. He has been working on his audition. Here is his latest tape. He has great moves and really gets down with the music.



Here are a few pictures so you can all see how he is changing and growing. He is talking a lot, moving a lot, and so curious. He is even trying to pull himself up. I love being a mom and have enjoyed these last six months so much. I cannot wait for the next six to see how much more he changes. Here are a few more pictures so you can see our little man.

All smiles at the grocery store.

Levi has graduated to his next car seat. I can no longer carry the infant one around...he is just too heavy!

Pulling himself up in his crib. Is this normal for 6 months.

What mom? I didn't do anything.

Posing with his blocks

Working the Mohawk