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

Little Katherine Homemaker

While Jeff is at work every day learning to be a pharmacist, I am learning a little
something of my own. Linda, the woman we are living with, has taught me how to can. That's right...I said it. I am canning. Who would have thought? Linda has an amazing garden and we have canned tomatoes, beans, peas, peaches, jam, and pears are to come!
I always thought canning was really difficult, but it's really not. Once you learn how, it's pretty simple, as long as you don't blow yourself up with the pressure cooker! So far so good though. Green beans were the hardest because there is so much prep work. Tomatoes and peaches are the easiest because you don't have to peel them. I never knew you could dip them in boiling water and the skins come right off. Pretty cool, huh?
So, I have been spending my days prepping, cooking, and canning. In addition, I have been making all of Levi's baby food. Applesauce, peas, beans, bananas, cantaloupe, and carrots. So far, he likes everything except for carrots. He has tried them a few times and spit them out each time. It's really fun and I really like it. I just freeze it and take it out as I need it.
I'm really enjoying being home with Levi and seeing what all I can do. It is so rewarding to see all of the food that I can make and everything I can do from canning to making baby food to making his diapers. It is really fun. Betty Crocker has nothing on me!

Fun Time with Friends

This past week my friend Erika came to visit. Erika and I grew up together. We have been friends since we were born. Erika and I are 9 months apart and our kids are 9 months apart as well! Erika had her daughter Ryan about 15 months ago. She is adorable. She is walking all over, beginning to talk, and has such a fun personality. Levi was enthralled by her and could not keep his eyes off of her!

Even though they are nine months apart, they are surprisingly similar in size. Although nine months younger, Levi is only a pound lighter and a inch shorter! We always knew that he was advanced, but it is hilarious to see him next to a 15 month old! He is definitely our little football player.

It has been really fun being back in Tacoma around all of my family and friends. It is especially great being with Erika and raising our kids near one another. We always talked about having kids, walking on the waterfront, and sending them to school together. And of course, since Erika had a girl and I had a boy, we talk about how they will get married. It may be a little soon for that, but we can hope!

Cousins!

Here are just a few of the most recent pictures of Levi and Corban. They are both getting so cute and growing so fast. They are now both sitting up and are even playing with each other a little bit. It's so fun being so close to them so the boys can play and we can catch all of these great Kodak moments!

Both boys sitting up

All smiles on the chair

Rocking away!

Corban, you're cramping my style...back up!

I love the taste of your shoulder Levi

I love you man!

Loving being outside

They are so much fun and I cannot wait until they are running around after each other!

He's on the move

As Levi approaches six months old, he becomes more and more mobile. Daddy said he crawled forward twice, but I haven't seen it yet. Although he is not crawling much, he is close. As he gets up on all fours and rocks, so I know that it is not too far away.
However, Levi can scoot like a champ. As a tribute to Michael Jackson, he scoots backward to whatever he needs. Check out this before and after. The time between these was probably only a minute or two!

So, nothing is holding him back. His new found mobility can cause a few headaches as well. He is moving all over his crib, flipping over, banging his hands on the mattress, and screaming when he gets stuck in a position he does not like. This makes for not so fun early morning wake up calls!
Since he obviously wants to move, I bought his a walker off of Craigslist. He loves it! Check out this video...



So, now he spends a couple of hours a day cruising around in his walker. His favorite place to cruise is the kitchen. He loves looking at his reflection in the oven, pulling down all of the towels, and rolling into the pantry to grab a snack (okay maybe not a snack...but he's checking out what he will eat one day).
It is so fun to watch his explore and to see him trying to figure everything out. The first day with the walker he wasn't too sure what to do but before long he was scooting and crashing all over. He has even mastered turning to avoid obstacles. What a little genius.
Before long, he will be running all over this house. Just watch for updates.