Christmas with the Hughes

Today we celebrated Christmas with Levi's grandma and granddaddy and his aunt Dee Dee. We were all lavished with wonderful gifts and had a good time visiting. Levi was also lavished with attention, hugs, and kisses from them; they'd missed him while we were in Alabama. The bad news from their house while we were gone was that they both ended up with variations on Kevin's illness. Both were quite sick over Christmas but are feeling much better now.

Made it - again!

Kevin, Levi, and I made it back to South Carolina. It was a long trip, and we were pretty tired - but it was great to have so much time with my family. I miss them so! To say that they love Levi is a bit of an understatement, and he had so much fun with them! One of the many things he loved about his visit was when Mama K would play Patty Cake with him.

When we got home, I took Levi to his room to change his diaper. He looked around his room and got the "all overs" and a big smile on his face. It was so cute watching him recognize "his" room.

Good Luck Charm

On Christmas, Levi got one gift that was chosen by his uncle Chris that I hadn't mentioned yet. While Chery and Chris were in Tallahassee, Chris made a special trip to a bookstore for a Florida State onesie. I guess Chris thought that Levi needed to support his team, too, and not just Auburn and South Carolina. Chris was thoughtful enough to include Florida State's basketball schedule with the gift! Since Florida State played its bowl game, though, we decided that we wouldn't wait for a basketball game. We put Levi in the onesie, and Florida State won BIG time! (You're welcome, Uncle Chris!!)

Sitting up

Levi has been working really hard on his sitting up. I think we can say that he has accomplished this milestone. I'm not really sure how long he must remain in seated position to count as "sitting up", so I am not sure if we count Christmas Eve, Day, or the day after. He still does not remain in the seated position for minutes on end, but he can for several minutes - especially when he's driving his "car" that he got for Christmas. I'll add pictures later.

Merry Christmas

Levi has been the center of everyone's attention this Christmas, of course. He visited with his great grandmother, Mama Rains, his aunt Kathy and his great uncle Wayne on Christmas Eve and again on Christmas Day. He also met my cousin, Collier, for the first time. Levi thought Collier was so funny. This picture was from our visit with them all on Christmas Day.


Levi was also visited by his great uncle Wes and great aunt Joy on Christmas Eve. They were with us on Christmas Day as well. It was such a treat! His great grandmother Greer came for visits as well. She could get some really great laughs out of Levi, too.

Besides Grandmother Greer and Collier, the other person who seems to get the biggest laughs out of Levi is his aunt Audry. She pretends to "eat" his arm, and he will just laugh and laugh. It is so precious!

With all the excitement of entertaining his visitors, Levi gave into his exhaustion. To say that Levi was "fixed up" this Christmas is an understatement.

We made it!

Kevin survived his illness; Levi and I were successful in not getting it! We also made it to Alabama on Monday to visit my family for Christmas. On Tuesday, my mom, Levi, and I made a trip to the Cracker Barrel in Cullman to meet my best friend from AU, Jamie, and her family for lunch. It was a precious time - just not long enough! This visit was the second time Levi had seen Jamie and her little girl ("Princess"). It was the first time Levi met Jamie's husband and little boy ("Pea"). Pea and Levi share the same birthday, only Levi is one year younger. So, it was neat to see Pea and think about how Levi will be next year.

Pictures of Princess giving Levi a hug with Jamie watching closely and of me and Pea.

Twas the Week Before Christmas...

And we are NOT in our house...

Kevin has been VERY sick since Wednesday night. Levi and I - so far - have not come down with any of the symptoms. Thanks to Grandma who took Levi from our house early Thursday morning (and who has let us crash her house since then) and to Granddaddy who has stayed with Kevin taking care of him. Levi and I are very grateful to have been able to stay away from the stomach sickness, but we miss Kevin / Daddy terribly.

We're still planning to travel to Alabama for Christmas, and we're still hoping to get to leave on Monday. Guess we will just have to wait and see. Kevin did go to the doctor on Friday and got some medicine, but he is still not doing well.

Since we've been here, I don't have any pictures to share. However, here are some of Levi's latest and greatest. He has either a cold or allergies, so his nose is very runny, and he sounds pretty bad. Levi has been eating his cereal very well once a day. Often he wants to "help" by holding onto the spoon and attempting to guide it into his mouth. It is really cute and very messy. He actually rolled over (only once, though) from his back to his tummy on his right side today. We'll keep working on it so that he'll become a little more proficient.

Christmas songs

I was driving home from work, and THE Christmas song of Rains family tradition came on the radio. I must admit, I have NEVER heard it on the radio before. Many of you - my loyal readers ;-) - have probably never heard it before. Every Christmas that I can remember from growing up, though, my mom and dad would play the Alabama Christmas album (yep, album!). On this album is THE Christmas song, Thistlehair the Christmas Bear. Kevin thinks it is VERY silly, and I admit it is. But, it is a Christmas classic in the Rains household. While I listened to it as I was travelling home, though, I realized it would quickly become one of Levi's favorites. Why, you ask? Because it has his favorite sound "la" in it. So, when I got home, I promptly sang the chorus and the "la" part - he LOVED it! His other favorite Christmas song is "Deck the Halls" (remember, the "la" connection!).

Moving On Up - Again!

Yep, Levi has graduated again - from size 2 diapers to size 3!

That is the question...

What is the question you ask? Teething or not? What do you think?

Five Months Old

It is hard to believe that I am the mother of a five month old! He is growing up so fast. He is full of smiles and laughs. He is still very talkative; although he does seem to have quieted down just a little. He is still turning over like an old pro, but he still hasn't managed to figure out how to roll over in any other way than from his back to his tummy on his left side. Yet, he is still so proud of himself for this accomplishment. He is beginning to move items from hand to hand. He still loves his bath and is starting to really splash the water. He loves to hear the water running. I think he's figured out that if he drops his paci he gets to go with me to the sink to wash it off, so his paci ends up on the floor quite often.

I am so amazed at our little man, at this gift that God has entrusted to me and Kevin. I am at times overwhelmed by love for him and awed by the fact that God loves Levi even more than I do and that God loves me even more than I love Levi. It is hard to imagine a love like that, but I am so thankful for it. This Christmas season, I am even more mindful of the baby Jesus and not just the man Jesus. God humbled Himself to come as a baby - a perfect little baby who was dependant on a young woman, who was not perfect just a willing servant. I pray that I will be that kind of servant and that God will show me how to raise Levi to be that type of servant, a man of God, a man after God's own heart.

Holding On

Levi held onto his green teething ring for over an hour - and even took it with him during his nap. He didn't even put it in his mouth; he seemed to prefer his paci. Yet, he just wouldn't let the green figure 8 go!

I Love My Daddy

Levi and his daddy were laying down and reading books together while I was cooking dinner. Levi loves it when his daddy plays with him - reading, tickling, laughing, anything as long as Daddy is with him. After they were finished, I couldn't resist taking a picture of my men.

FYI - I've added some posts on the dates that the events / pictures were actually taken.

Hunky Monkey

I changed my "usual" part-time schedule at work this week by working Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Kevin had a party Wednesday night, and it wasn't a "family friendly" type of party. So, I didn't want to work all day Wednesday and then leave him Wednesday night. Levi's grandmama and granddaddy watched him while Kevin and I went to the party. Levi and I had a fun day together.

O Christmas Tree

Kevin and I set up our Christmas tree on Saturday night after Levi went to sleep. Here is Levi's first sighting of the tree on Sunday morning.

Our weekend

Friday morning, Levi and I went back to his school to drop off his paperwork.  We decided that Levi will begin attending school on January 5.  This trip, Levi was awake; so we stopped by his class.  His teachers were very sweet to him - trying to get him to smile, but it did take him a little while to do that.  At times, he can be very solemn around new people.

Friday night, I went on a date with my boys.  Although, Levi wasn't much of a dinner companion.  I guess he didn't care too much for the ambiance, deciding the back of his eye lids were more appealing.  We actually went back to the same restaurant - and then the bookstore - where we had gone the night before Levi was born.  We had a really fun time.

Saturday was our weekly Wal-Mart trip.  This trip was different for Levi though.  Usually when Kevin goes with us to Wally World, Levi gets to ride with his daddy in the Baby Bjourn.  Levi still rode in the Baby Bjourn, but he was finally able to be turned so that he is facing outward.  He LOVED it.  He reached for just about everything that came near to him - the fish in the fish tanks, toys, cereal boxes...  One time, Kevin came walking down an aisle toward me, while Levi was holding onto an Eeyore.  Another time, Levi was "driving" Kevin with this little dashboard like toy complete with wheel and gear shift.  He was so cute and very alert, watching everyone and everything.  While we were checking out, Kevin decided we needed to add some candy to a gift we had purchased, so he went in search of some Christmas candy.  Kevin and Levi were checking out at the 10 items or less lane, and I was looking for some change to speed up the process.  We looked back at Levi, and he was asleep!  There was NO way he could have been comfortable, but it didn't seem to bother him at all.  He did the same thing today, when Kevin and I were checking out at Target with a few Christmas presents!

SEC Championship

Levi and I sat with Kevin in the "man cave" for a few minutes while UA and UF were playing in the SEC Championship game. I was holding Levi so that he couldn't see the game, but he wouldn't have it. He assumed his "favorite" position. Apparently, Levi thinks this position is comfortable, because he lays like that quite often.

Poor Little Levi

The shots have taken their toll on poor little Levi. He had a temperature this afternoon when we got home and was acting rather puny. We tried the cereal this afternoon, but he didn't want anything to do with it - again. Guess we'll just keep trying...

BIG day

We had quite a day today. Around mid-morning, Levi and I visited his "school". That's right; yesterday, we finally received word that there was an opening in Levi's class. Kevin had visited this summer and really liked the "school". Levi and I saw it for the first time today. As most of you know, sending Levi to school (I have to think of it as school rather than daycare...) is not my heart's desire. My heart's desire is to be with him every day. However, the Lord has not seen fit to grant this desire at this time. Thus, Levi was registered today at school. We will not start him there, though, until the first of the year. Levi, unfortunately, could not make his opinion of the school known, because he slept through our entire visit. The girls who will be "teaching" him were all very nice and thought he was adorable (of course). I truly believe that since our current situation is that Levi must go to school then this school is good.

This afternoon, Levi had his "four-month" check-up. I put it in quotes, because Levi is really closer to five months than four. Nonetheless, he received four shots today. He is such a little trooper. He cried once the second shot was given to him, but as soon as I was able to pick him up to comfort him he stopped crying. So precious. We also found out that Levi had gained 8 ounces since his last visit; so he weighed 16 pounds, 12 ounces. His "height" measured 26 inches. According to the doctor, Levi is in the 90th percentile for weight and 75th percentile for height.

The doctor recommended that we start giving Levi rice cereal since he's four months old. We tried this afternoon, but Levi was not too excited about it...

Funny Daddy

Apparently, Levi thought Daddy was very silly for not only wanting to go but actually going shopping this morning - on Black Friday at the crack of dawn. Levi has been waking up every morning for at least the past week hungry and ready to eat at about 3 am. Kevin (I mean, Daddy) wanted to be at Kohl's when it opened at 4 am, so that meant picking up his aunt by about 3:30 (she went as the "line holder"). Since Levi has been acting like clockwork lately with that 3 am feeding, Kevin planned to leave when Levi woke up for his "morning" feeding. Imagine my surprise, when Kevin bolted out of bed at 3:20 without even a peep out of Levi. He said that he had woken up at 2:50 and went back to sleep thinking he'd relish those ten more minutes. Oops! Ten, thirty, what's the difference, right?? Thankfully (?), Kevin still made it to his aunt's in enough time to make it to Kohl's by 4. Guess we really should never count on a baby to be an accurate alarm clock. The little guy slept until 4:05!!

Black Friday

I know this blog is supposed to be all about Levi, but it is also a great way for me to share things about me with my family and friends.

Before.................................After


Yep, I finally cut my hair and donated it to Locks of Love. Besides Locks of Love being a wonderful cause, I had another reason for deciding to go ahead and cut it...

Daddy and Levi

Kevin did not have school today, so he had his first official day as Mr. Mom. So, you may be wondering how Mr. Mom and baby did today...

I received at least two phone calls while I was at work. One with Mr. Mom saying that he was learning all kinds of things, including that a whimper followed by a poot means poop will go up the baby's back. Levi's "too cute" pajamas were no longer looking "too cute", according to Mr. Mom.

I got to leave work early, and when I got home a little after one, Kevin and Levi were in Kevin's office - i.e. "the man cave". Kevin had moved Levi's pallet, exersaucer, and bouncey seat into the man cave, so that he had ready access to his computer and television. I asked what they'd done "all day", and Kevin replied (picture him pointing at each item mentioned) that they'd moved from the exersaucer, to the pallet, to the bouncey seat, back to the pallet, wet the diaper, pooped in the diaper, ate, slept, back to the exersaucer, pooped, pallet, pee-pee'd, cried, slept, pooped... Mr. Mom looked at me and said that while he loves Levi, he realized that he definitely did NOT want to be a stay-at-home dad.

I guess it was a good thing I was only at work for a half of a day!! The movies I added earlier were taken from my afternoon with Levi.

An Old Pro

Levi loves to roll over. He couldn't even stop himself from rolling over after he ate, which meant a good deal of what he'd eaten came up. Oh well. While Levi has become "an old pro" at something, I am still trying to learn about my "new" camera. They're not the best quality, but I thought I'd share anyway. Press the play button and enjoy!!

I didn't want my voice on this one, but it is there nonetheless - thus my delayed reaction.

Per Your Request

Since my dad asked so nicely, I thought I'd share some pictures.

Kevin set up Levi's high chair Friday night - after dinner. However, we couldn't resist trying it out. Levi sat up and looked around, so proud, although a little tired.



I put him in the high chair tonight and gave him a plastic spoon to hold. He had fun for a while and then got a little upset. He ended up sitting in my lap as I finished dinner. He'll get the hang of it, though, I know. :-)

Mama, Over-react??

Yesterday morning, Levi woke up with a terrible cough from his cold. Being the novice that I am, I could not tell if the cough was "in his chest", so I took the day off from work and took my little man to the doctor. Surprise, surprise, I over-reacted. It is "just a cold". Honestly, though, it makes a mama feel better to hear it from the doctor. A perk of going to the doctor - for me at least - is getting a weight check. Levi weighed a whopping 16 pounds, 4 ounces. I plugged those numbers into the Baby Center website infant percentile checker, and he's between the 50th and 75th percentile. Definitely a big boy!!

Tonight, Levi started getting a little fussy while Kevin and I were finishing dinner, so Kevin took him out of his bouncey seat so he could sit on Kevin's lap and see the table. He was SO cute, looking around like he was so proud to be "sitting at the table". Kevin and I had already talked about setting up his high chair, and that look on his face sealed the deal. We'll get his high chair ready tomorrow!!

Roll Over, Roll Over

Levi did it!! He rolled over this morning, from his back to his tummy, on his left side. He's been on the verge of rolling over for several days, but he could never get enough momentum behind him. He didn't quite duplicate this event again, though, without a little help. I put him on his side a few times, and he promptly rolled to his tummy. Anytime I tried this before, he'd fall right back to his back. So, I think I can claim to have seen his first time to roll over!!

Levi is still VERY talkative. He looks at you like he's really saying something important. If you don't respond "correctly", he will often repeat himself or try a different way of saying the same thing ;-), always at an increase in volume.

Levi received a few Veggie Tales books from his Mama K and Q this weekend. Four books to be exact - one each in the shape of Laura Carrot, Larry the Cucumber, Bob the Tomato, and Junior Asparagus. Levi is already very particular about these books. He doesn't seem to like the Bob book. Junior ranks third according to Levi, and he seems to enjoy Larry's book much more than Junior. Laura, though, is definitely his favorite. He is so cute with her; he reaches for the book as soon as he sees her on the cover. It is so cute!

Dedication

Tonight was our Parent-Child Dedication. The night was completely centered around the Dedication. It was a very sweet service. We are very blessed to have such a thoughtful church. And we are even more blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. My parents made the trip for the service. Kevin's parents and aunt were there. Several of our friends from our Sunday school class even came. Kevin and I were overwhelmed by the show of love and support. Levi is definitely blessed beyond measure. Kevin and I are even more so.

Visitors

This weekend Levi's Mama K and Q came for a visit. He was definitely the center of their attention. I think he's got them wrapped around his little finger. What do you think?

Levi does have a little bit of a cold, but he is still a very happy baby. He was all smiles for his Mama K and Q.

What's in a Name?

Names are very important to me.  Kevin and I chose the name Levi for several reasons, but the meaning of his name is the biggest reason I liked the name.  It means joined or combined.  Levi's middle name is very special as well, as it is my grandfather's middle name and my great-grandfather's first name.  Even though my poppa passed away about 18 months before Levi's arrival, Levi will hear of him often so that he might understand the strong character that his middle name brings.  

I have read in several places about the importance of speaking an infant's name often.  Yet, Levi's daddy loves to call Levi little nicknames: Poot, Little Poot, L.P. (for Little Poot, not Levi's initials), Punkin, Squirt, Scooter.  Poot, though, is Kevin's favorite nickname for Levi.  *sigh*  I have never been a big fan of nicknames, and I can honestly say that Poot doesn't make me like them more...

Tonight, I was talking on the phone with my mom and dad and said Levi's name.  Levi was playing with his Ocean Wonders gym, and it was like he stopped playing to look at me when I said his name - I promise!!  Hopefully all those nicknames really haven't (and won't) confuse him.  How horrible if he thought his name really was Poot!!

Movin' and Shakin'

Levi LOVES to move.  The other day, Levi was on a blanket in the sunroom, and he turned himself 180 degrees.  He has figured out how to push off the floor or off of our hands to move himself around on his blanket.  Today, he even pushed off my hands while on his back and flipped himself to his tummy - he was trying to get to one of his toys (a lion).  Levi was very close today to turning over from his tummy to his back.  When Levi decided that story-time was over today (he still loves the Veggie Tales book, God made you special), he attempted to push himself away from me to "dive" for his lion.  Levi is also very rarely content anymore to just listen to me sing certain songs.  When I sing "Rise and Shine", I move his little legs like he's doing the twist.  When I sing "I'm in the Lord's Army", I help Levi march in the infantry, ride in the calvary, shoot the artillery, and zoom over the enemy.  When I sing "Father Abraham", Levi gets some help from Mama to move all the right body parts at the appropriate times.  If we listen to other music, we move Levi's little legs with the beat.  Kevin said that Levi kept the beat on his own yesterday!  Perhaps that's just a daddy's wish that his son will have a little more musical ability than me!!

Sixteen Weeks

It is hard to believe our little man is sixteen weeks old.  When is it we will stop counting the weeks and move to months?  Really, we have started saying Levi is 3 months old, but keeping up with the weeks is fun, too.  There may be some of you reading this who might not believe this, but Kevin and I can both be worriers.  Saturday afternoon, Kevin and I were giving Levi some tummy time.  I had recently started "rolling" Levi from one end of a blanket to the other to show him how to roll over - a concept he still hasn't quite grasped.  Kevin asked when Levi should be able to roll over; I thought rolling over was something he should have already grasped because so many people ask us if he does it.  So, we started worrying that Levi was developmentally delayed but decided we better check the book, What to Expect the First Year, to see where Levi stands.  So, here goes.  

By the end of the third month (and Levi still has a little less than two weeks to get there), Levi "should be able to": lift his head 45 degrees while on his stomach, check; follow an object in an arc about 6 inches above his face, check. 

Levi "will probably be able to":  laugh out loud, check; lift his head up 90 degrees while on his tummy, check; squeal in delight, only sometimes; bring both hands together, check (this is relatively new, he's reaching for everything, even his paci, which he tries to put into his mouth or helps me put it there); smile spontaneously, check; follow an object in an arc for 180 degrees, check.  

Levi "may possibly be able to": hold head steady when upright, check when he is alert that is; raise his chest supported by his arms while on his tummy, check; roll over (one way), nope; grasp a rattle held at the backs or tips of his fingers, check; pay attention to a very small object, haven't really tried that one.  

Levi "may even be able to": bear some weight on his legs while held upright, check; reach for an object, check; keep head level with body when pulled to sitting, working on it; turn in the direction of a voice, sometimes; say ah-goo or similar vowel-consonant sounds, check; razz, not quite.  

Well, I guess you could say that Kevin and I slightly overreacted.  We actually got a good laugh at ourselves.  The joys of being first-time parents...  Truthfully, we are continually amazed at our little boy.  The Lord has entrusted us with such a wonderful gift.  We are so blessed.

Happy Halloween!

Levi's first Halloween. One minute he is VERY happy to be a frog; the next minute, he's not too sure about it. Kevin and I had no doubts, though, that he was THE cutest frog we'd ever seen.

Last night, Levi slept in his crib again, but I didn't sleep well. I know it will just take time for me to get used to not having him "right there".

Hope you all had a great Halloween.

Two Nights

Levi has made it two nights in a row in his own crib.  He slept from about 9:30 last night to 3:20 this morning.  That's pretty good for him; he hasn't quite gotten the "sleeping through the night" thing down yet.  Of course, for me, sleeping until 3:20 is almost "through the night", so I'm not complaining!!  Now I'm heading off to work!

First Night

Levi's room is now complete.  Since the arrival of the dresser, the only piece missing at night has been Levi.  But tonight, Kevin and I put him in his own crib for the night for the first time.  Levi has slept in his pack-and-play right next to my side of the bed since we brought him home - the only exception was when he slept in a pack-and-play at Mama K and Q's house when we visited them.  Yet even there, he was in the room with me.   I'm just so afraid that I won't hear him, even with the monitors.  Guess we will just have to see how he (and we) do without him sleeping in our room.

The Cow Says...

Tonight, Levi attended his first Halloween party. Kevin and I had the hardest time trying to decide what Levi's costume should be. We tried to think of something so that the three of us would have a theme, but that didn't work out for us this year. When we were looking at costumes on-line for Levi, we found this costume and couldn't resist. Kevin came up with the idea for the sign, but the little feet even say "Moo". Levi will be something different on Halloween - I'll let that costume be a surprise for you - because we couldn't decide on just one costume / idea.

He won "top prize" with the cutest costume. Don't you agree?

The Dresser

I am not sure how many of you know the dresser saga, but here's the short version. I ordered a dresser from a store in my parent's town in March. After seven months of waiting, the dresser finally arrived the Thursday before Levi and I went to Alabama. Here are some pictures of Levi's room. (I apologize for the crooked picture hanging on the wall; that's just life with a baby!!) Also, the curtains and baby bedding are "originals" - made lovingly by Levi's Mama K.

Sorry!

To all my usual "blog followers" - please forgive me for not writing in a while. We've been busy - and I've been so tired in the evenings I couldn't think well enough to write. Levi is doing really well. He is starting to suck his left thumb and any one or two of his right fingers he chooses. Kevin and I are attempting to promptly pull it/them out of his mouth and replace it/them with his paci. I think it would be much easier to get rid of a pacifier when the time comes than stop him from sucking a thumb or finger(s).

Last Friday, Levi and I were visited by some of my dearest friends from work - Carrie and Sarah. With working part time and the plant being in an outage, I hadn't seen those girls in a while. Levi and I had a fun time visiting with them.

Saturday, Levi went out with his mama and daddy to shop at Target and Babies R Us. We bought Levi a Bumbo. I haven't gotten a picture of him in it yet, but I will soon. Speaking of pictures, I have added a whole bunch to my album (linked on the left). Check them out! If you need the password, let me know.

Sunday, we went to church. Levi was the only one of two in his class for the first hour and the only one in his class for a little while during the second hour until they moved one down to his class.

Levi was very cranky Sunday night and did not eat well before bed. He slept from about 10 until 4:30, though, which was nice for me. He had a rather rough day with his grandmama and granddaddy on Monday, though. When I got home from work yesterday afternoon, he still was upset until I fed him the first time. I don't think he's ever eaten so much, so quickly! He was 100% better after that. He's taking a nap right now, which is why I am taking advantage of this time to blog.

Here is a picture from his three month birthday, last Monday. Levi is precious. I am so blessed!

Three Months

A little late, but Levi is now three months old.  Monday was his three month birthday!!  I took Monday off from work, so Levi and I spent the day together.  He is such fun with all his talking!  He is very entertaining - and he even entertains himself with his talking.  I'll add some pictures in a day or two.

On the Road Again

We were actually "on the road again" on Sunday, but I haven't made the time to blog since then.  (Sorry about that!)  Levi and I only stopped twice this time, and we made the trip in about 8 hours.  Levi slept the majority of the time, until after the last time we stopped.  He slept for only a half hour of the remaining two hours.  He just sat in the back, watching the trees go by and listening to me sing him songs.  He is so sweet.  We had a wonderful time in AL, and I am very glad that we made the trip to see my family.  But Levi was excited to see his daddy when we got home - almost as excited as his daddy was to see us!

"Just the two of us..."

"...we can make it if we try..." And make it we did. Levi and I made our first trip to Alabama! A trip that used to take Kevin and I about six hours took me and Levi ten and a half. Kevin couldn't make the trip with us, so it was just the two of us. We made three "long" stops - Wal-Mart in Madison, GA; the rest stop at the AL state line; Aunt Chery and Uncle Chris's house in Birmingham. Levi slept most of time when he was in the car. He is such a good baby. While we were at AC and UC's house, Uncle Chris actually held Levi. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me to document this event. UC still thought that it was a little too early for him to be holding Levi. But, Levi didn't seem to mind at all. In fact, he was very enthralled with his UC.

I wanted to bring Levi to AL to meet his great-grandmother Greer (my mom's mom). She hadn't met him yet, and she kept saying how much she wanted to rock him. So, Levi met her this afternoon, and she was so excited to get to hold him and rock him. Levi was talking to his grandmother Greer in this pictures. She thought he was absolutely precious. Levi also got to meet several of my mom's co-workers when we took Levi to her office this morning. This evening, Levi's great aunt Kathy and great uncle Wayne stopped by to visit him. Do I even need to mention that Levi has also been the center of attention with his Mama K and Q? ;-)

Moving on up!

Yesterday, Levi graduated from Pampers Size 1 (left) to Pampers Size 2 (right) - even the Sesame Street characters on the diapers grew up with him. While the 2's still look a little big, those 1's were beginning to leave marks!!

Levi Found...

...his thumb!! He found his hands a couple of weeks ago, and he has become a pro at putting his entire hand into his mouth. Over the past week or so, he has become especially fond of chewing on his thumb. I wouldn't even call it sucking his thumb at this point, because his thumb just stays on one side of his mouth as he gnaws on it - but he looks adorable doing it, drool and all!

Levi and the girls

This past weekend, Kevin went on a hiking / camping trip with another guy from our SS class.  They left Friday late afternoon - and my sisters arrived Friday night.  Levi had the pleasure of being the center of attention for our "sisters' weekend".  My sisters and I love to spend time together, and they were very excited to see Levi, of course.  They couldn't believe how much he'd changed since their last visits.  On Saturday, we had lunch in downtown Aiken, walked and shopped since the weather was so beautiful, and did my grocery shopping for the week.  Levi had a first this weekend: nursing in the parking lot of Wal-Mart before we did the grocery shopping.  Amazingly enough, he ate very well.  We watched some football Saturday evening and night.  Aunt Chery was very happy (Alabama won).  Aunt Audry and I were sad (Auburn lost).  I was so glad that AC and AA were able to come this weekend, to really get to spend some extra time with Levi.  I miss them both so much!  We had a wonderful weekend.  Kevin had a great weekend, too, but Kevin and Levi were very glad to see each other Sunday evening.    

Jesus Loves Me

Last night, Kevin and I took Levi to the high school faculty's chili cook-off.  This cook-off is an annual event during Homecoming week.  Each department / staff group cooks chili, and the football players sample each and vote for the best.  Apparently the custodial staff "always" wins.  Levi woke up long enough to "meet" a few of the students and faculty members.  Levi and I came home before Kevin, because Kevin is now the faculty representative for a new group that is meeting for a worship service every other Tuesday night from about 7:30 to 9.  Anyway, Levi decided again before the cook-off and then after the cook-off / before bed that he didn't want to eat well - again.  In that feeding right before bed, I started getting upset, because I wasn't sure what to do - get some milk from the freezer and then pump, let him go to sleep without eating well...  I knew, though, that I had to calm down to keep him from getting more upset.  So I prayed.  I asked for God's help, knowing that God knew what Levi needed and that I had no clue what was wrong or what to do.  The song "Jesus Loves Me" came to mind, so I started singing.  Levi settled right down - and proceeded to eat fairly well or at least without any screaming or crying.  I sang "Jesus Loves Me" every time I've fed him since then.  FYI - you can sing "Jesus Loves Me" in about 30 seconds.  He's heard the song hundreds of times by this point, but I'll sing it until I'm blue in the face if it keeps him happy!  He ate SO much better this afternoon and tonight.  God is so good!!

Levi the Talker

Levi loves to "talk", and he really loves to have conversations with whomever will respond in like fashion.  It is so much fun to see his excitement with something as simple as a responding "Ahh!", "Ohh!", etc.  Yesterday while I was home with Levi, my dad (who wants Levi to call him Q) called to check on us.  I was "talking" with Levi when he called and told him that.  Q asked if he could talk to Levi.  So I held up the cell phone to Levi's ear, and Q started talking to him.  Levi got a huge grin on his face and talked right back!  He even moved his hand up like he wanted to hold the phone to his ear.  It was precious!!  

Psalm 139

Levi had a rather bad night Friday night after his shots.  We had a rest of the weekend though.  Kevin and I both thought that Saturday night was the best we had all slept in a while.  We even made it to church on Sunday morning - service and Sunday school.  The church has a "nursing room", and it has worked out so that I could feed Levi between service and SS both Sundays we've gone to church so far.  Believe it or not, both Sundays I have been the only person in the "nursing room".  I must admit I was a little surprised - but at the same time I have been thankful to have the room to ourselves.  

Levi did not eat very well starting last night though before bed.  I wasn't sure what was wrong, and I confess that I was afraid he was rejecting me for the bottle.  But he ate relatively well at the mid-morning (i.e. about 1 am) feeding.  Then at 5 am feeding, he got upset again.  I realized, though, that he was getting upset because he seemed to have decided he wanted to look at everything in his room rather than eat.  Actually, Levi was mainly interested in seeing the two pictures with all of the baseball team pennants.  He must really be able to see the colors now.  Anyway, I literally had to turn so that if he looked around he'd only see the back of the rocking chair.  That worked for this morning, but he apparently did much the same thing (not eating well) until this afternoon.  He's been eating more normally since.  He must have decided that eating was more important than looking.  

So, besides the baseball pennants, here are some other "favorite things" of Levi's: being propped up on the Boppy, "talking" to us, having his belly rubbed, the song "Father Abraham", laying in his crib to look at the shadows his light makes.  

As an aside, last night Kevin was watching an NFL game, and the broadcasters starting talking about the "Matt Bryant situation".  I asked Kevin what they were talking about; he didn't know, so he did a search on the internet.  What he read broke our hearts.  Matt Bryant's 3-month old son died earlier this week.  I had never even heard of Matt Bryant before yesterday, but my heart just went out to him, his wife, and the rest of the family.  I do not even want to imagine the depth of their sorrow.  Yet, their loss reminds me to enjoy every moment I have with Levi and challenges me to trust that God is in control and that He deserves all honor and praise regardless of life's circumstances.  "Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them." Psalm 139:16

Snoopy

Today, Levi went to the doctor for his 2-month wellness visit. He is an "average baby", weighing in at 13 pounds, 9 ounces, and measuring 23.5 inches. I say "average", because he is in the 50th percentile for weight and length. He is growing up so fast! I've added a whole bunch of pictures, so check them out!

After looking more closely, I realized that ANY pre-K program, whether at a school or a daycare, is considered a daycare. So, all those extra immunizations are required unless he is five years old and entering kindergarten. Any schooling before that means more immunizations. I tried to convince Kevin that Levi should just be home schooled and that Levi never needed to leave the house. But, then I figured out that Levi could still go to church, because he doesn't have to have vaccines to go to church. Kevin looked at me like I was crazy. Oh well, I tried. So, Levi got his first big round of immunizations while we were at the doctor. He ended up getting five shots; the only vaccine he didn't get from the list was the Rotavirus vaccine. Levi cried, and so did I. It was terrible, horrible. The nurse was very nice, but in order to "help" her, she had me holding Levi's arms down. So, Levi was looking at me through his tears while the nurse was poking him. It was so sad. But, Levi is such a trooper. Sure, he cried - but, he settled down rather quickly, in my opinion, after I held him for a while. And he acted wonderful tonight. He is such a sweet baby. Here is a picture of him all bandaged up after his shots. Five Snoopy band-aids, five shots.

Sick Baby

Yep, Levi definitely got the sickness, too.  The poor baby!  He had a very rough day yesterday.  Today he seemed to be doing some better, so I'm hoping and praying that tomorrow he'll be even more improved.  We did call the doctor yesterday, but since Levi has an appointment on Friday (2 month wellness visit) the doctor didn't want to have Levi come unless he was running a fever. I'm dreading the wellness visit, because it will be his first big round of vaccines.  All the vaccines kids have to get in today's world really scares me.  I've done some research to see what of the recommended vaccines I can decline - and there aren't many.  There are two different requirements in the state of SC for kids' required immunizations - one for kids in daycare and one for kids going to school.  The daycare requirements are much more stringent.  So, here are the ones Levi is supposed to receive on Friday and in parentheses is what requires it: Polio (d & s); pneumococcal conjugate (d); diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (d & s); rotavirus (neither); hepatitis B (d & s); haemopilus influenzae type b (d).  A big part of me want to decline those that are required by daycare only, since Levi is not currently in daycare.  Then, if he does have to go we could put him on the catch-up schedule for those.  He definitely will not be receiving the rotavirus vaccine since it is not required by either daycare or school.  Please leave me a comment or send me an email with your thoughts on these particular vaccines or vaccines in general!! 

Football Fun

Levi and I had a very nice day together yesterday, sickness and all.  Last night, we took Levi to his first high school football game.  It was particularly neat to be able to take Levi to this game, because it was his daddy's high school (and alma mater) playing his grandaddy Hughes's high school alma mater.  Levi was very alert and in awe of the lights and people during the first half of the game.  He fell asleep just before the half time show.  We stayed through the both high schools' performances and started heading down the stadium steps shortly after, with a sleeping Levi in Daddy's arms.  The other school's band was right in front of us, because they had been watching Kevin's high school band's performance.  They started their trip to the other side of the stadium.  Of course, their trip included banging their drums, and Levi's eyes about popped out of his head.  I don't know that he blinked until we got back to the car!!   

Sick and Tired

That about sums up how I feel - literally.  Kevin's sickness has definitely come to reside in my throat and nose.  I'm just hoping and praying that this sickness will not turn into an infection of any kind.  I do not want to have to 1) go to the doctor or 2) take any medicine.  I have been sucking on Halls Defense, getting tons of Vitamin C that way.  Hopefully that will help.  I am exhausted, too.  Getting up and going to work is taking a whole bunch out of me.  Kevin was a huge help tonight, cleaning bottles from the day and cooking dinner.  Levi is doing really well, even though he did seem slightly confused by my strange voice this afternoon.  He doesn't seem to be sick at all, other than the night time congestion.  He is really interacting with us, too.  He just grins and kicks; he gets so excited when Kevin "plays" with him, making funny faces and sounds.  Levi just loves his daddy.  Last night, Kevin's high school had a meet, so we thought it would be fun to go -- Levi's first swim meet.  The weather was really nice, and Levi really seemed to enjoy being outside.  He even seemed to look at the pool and the swimmers.  Perhaps we really do have a swimmer on our hands...  

Tuesday = Happy

Levi is really smiling and interacting with us.  He is so precious!  He really loves it when we either copy his noises or initiate noises like he makes.  That is how Levi and I spent a great deal of our day together - just talking to each other.  We read several books, of course, too.  He really seems to like Veggie Tales, especially that Laura Carrot!!!  Kevin and Levi were so cute tonight.  Levi would just "laugh" at almost everything Kevin did.  It was adorable.  I'm afraid that I'm getting a smaller version of Kevin's sickness.  Hopefully, Levi won't get it.  I've read that continuing to b'feed through my own sickness will lessen the chances of him getting the sickness.  However, if he does get it, the sickness will not be nearly as bad for him, because he is getting the antibodies from me to fight it.

Two Months

Levi had quite an eventful weekend.  Yesterday was Levi's two month birthday, and today he is nine weeks old.  We celebrated his birthday by taking bunches of pictures.  Kevin put some of the best in his album on the left.  If you need the password to view the pictures, send me an email.  I'll send a link later for pictures that are print-worthy.  According to Kevin, the ones in the album are not quite a good enough resolution for printing.  

Anyway, back to Levi.  We took pictures, played, and read.  Then in the afternoon, we went to another couple's house to watch the UGA / USC (as in South Carolina) game.  Levi had a great time.  Again, he didn't pay much attention to the game, but he was the center of the girls' attentions.  He was also enthralled with the family room's fan.  It had brown blades, and he'd never seen anything like that before.  While we were out, we also had our first experience of nursing in a location other than the hospital or our house.  He did really well; he just looked around and ate up!  

As an aside: we also filled up on gas on our way home so that I would be able to make it to work this week.  $4.49 a gallon.  We saw it as high as $5.29.  Yikes!  

Today, we took Levi to church, and he actually went to his own little class.  It was pretty hard to leave him, but he didn't seem to mind and won his teachers' hearts.  We also had another experience of nursing in a "strange place", and he once again did really well.  The ladies did say that he was crying before I fed him, but there was no more crying after that.  They all thought he was precious.  Then, Levi went out for a quick lunch to Atlanta Bread Company with Mama and Daddy and their SS class.  He slept through almost the entire meal and was very well behaved, of course.  

It is back to work tomorrow.  Although I am not excited, I was very convicted during today's sermon that I need to have a better attitude about work.  I have been allowing myself to throw my own pity party, when I need to be thankful and "work ... as working for the Lord" (Col. 3:23).  I know that I will not be successful at this attitude change every second of every day, but I will strive to at least not send out invitations to my pity party...

Poor Levi

Levi had a rough day.  We think his tummy was acting up.  According to Levi's grandma Hughes, he would get so agitated that he couldn't even take a good nap.  When I got home, he looked like he'd been through the ringer.  He came around to a more normal Levi - just in time for us to play and read a little and then give him a bath, feed him, and put him to bed.  Levi was starting to get upset right before bath time.  We put his little body in that tub, and he settled right down.  He really seems to love the water!  I'm hoping that he will have a better day overall tomorrow, but it will probably be a sleepy day.  That is fine, too, though - I just want to be here even if it means watching him sleep!  I am so grateful to have a three day weekend - more time to spend with Levi.  Kevin is starting to feel better, so we're planning to watch the USC / UGA game (aka "The Border Bash" around here) with some other couples from our Sunday school class.  What a fun way for Levi to spend his second month birthday!  We're also planning to take Levi to church - and his own SS class - on Sunday.  I guess we'll have to see if Levi goes along with these plans...

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Levi and I ventured out to watch Kevin play softball tonight.  Levi had a wonderful time.  Unfortunately for Kevin, Levi didn't seem too interested in the game.  In fact, he didn't watch the game at all, but he got held by Ms. Alice and Ms. Kimberly.  He was so cute looking around at everything (except Kevin's game) and feeling the breeze on his face.  Before tonight, Levi's outdoor experiences had been limited to walks around the neighborhood in his stroller or being carried from the front door to the mailbox.  He really seemed to enjoy being in the Baby Bjourn and being held while being outside.  

Levi and I had a great time yesterday, just the two of us hanging out.  I missed him terribly today while I was at work, and I know I will tomorrow, too.  But, then we have the three-day weekend together.  I can't wait!

Working Mama

I never hoped to be one, but today I became a working mama.  Please do not misunderstand.  I have always wanted to be a mom.  I just always wanted to be a stay at home mom - to be able to see every little smile, to hear every little cry.  But, today, I re-entered the workplace and left my little man at home.  I cried on the way to the plant this morning, and I teared up a few times while there.  I couldn't even bring myself to call to check on him for fear that I'd cry and not be able to stop.  But, I made it through the day by God's grace and strength - and countless prayers on my behalf (thank you, my prayer warriors!).  I got home, and he was fine, of course.  Levi is such a wonderful baby; such a joy.  We are so blessed, and I have to keep reminding myself how fortunate I am to be able to spend the majority of each week with him.  Most working mothers do not have that.  

I am looking forward to having all day to spend with him tomorrow.

Eight Weeks Old

It is hard to believe, but Levi is eight weeks old today.  Time sure is flying!  Kevin is definitely sick; so it has been a challenging weekend.  Having Kevin here but not wanting him to touch Levi is difficult to say the least.  Levi and I managed to make a Wal-Mart trip yesterday.  I carried him in our Baby Bjourn, leaving plenty of room in the grocery cart.  That was much nicer than carrying that car seat!  Levi was very sweet while we were at Wal-Mart.  He's actually been before, but this was the first trip when he actually opened his eyes to see where he was.  Kevin and I took Levi to the Verizon store on Friday night, and he woke up for our visit to that store as well.  Perhaps we're turning a corner on the once asleep in the car asleep at least until the next feeding.  Guess we'll see.  

Levi was very alert all day yesterday, so today has been a very drowsy day.  I had been planning to take Levi to church this morning.  Our church has placed a call to a new pastor, and he was preaching this morning.  I really wanted to be there to hear him.  I was feeding Levi before we were supposed to leave.  He was not very cooperative, and he spit up everywhere.  We weren't dressed to go, but there was no way we were going to get to church on time.  Kevin is frustrated because we haven't managed to get Levi to church for his class yet.  Hopefully next Sunday will be better.  

Tomorrow I return to work.  I am absolutely dreading it.  I do not want to leave Levi.  Even thinking about it now just makes me want to cry.

Another First

This afternoon, Kevin gave Levi his first bottle.  Kevin said he ate very heartily.  Levi has also eaten straight from me twice since then.  So far, so good!  Looks like he'll be able to handle both bottle and me without confusion or preference.  

A terrible bug has been going around Kevin's high school.  He is afraid he's getting it.  Last school year, he always seemed to manage to get sick over the weekend.  Guess it will be the same this year.  Hopefully, Levi and I will not come down with it, if Kevin really does have it.  Say a prayer for us all!!

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho...

I work at a nuclear power plant. There are strict rules and regulations for everything - including returning to work after extended leave. Considering I have been away from the plant for eight weeks, I qualify for "extended leave". One of the items that must be completed prior to returning to work officially is an FFD (Fitness for Duty). In other words breathalyzer and urine tests.

When the nurse called yesterday to set up a time for me to have an FFD, she asked if I was going to bring Levi with me. Well, I had never really thought about taking Levi out there, but when she mentioned it, I thought, "Why not?" Kevin was agreeable; so Thursday morning, Levi and I went to the plant. Levi met the Vice President and several managers and supervisors of the plant. Levi also had the pleasure of meeting several of my friends from the plant; a couple of them watched him for over an hour while I waited to do my FFD (thank you!!). Levi had a great time!! Well, he actually slept through most of his visit, but it was really nice to take him with me. I started thinking that maybe it will help my transition back to work... Yeah, right!

Yep, my maternity leave is almost up. I head back to work on Monday; Levi will be 8 weeks old. Truth be told, I am absolutely dreading going back to work. However, I am blessed in that the company agreed to let me work part-time: three days a week, 8 hours a day. The unfortunate part is that the drive to the plant takes about an hour one way, so a "day" is really 10 hours. The plant was also good enough to set up a "lactation area" for me, so that I can pump at work and store the milk until I head for home. Levi and I got to check it out during our visit to the plant. While nothing special, it will work. Especially since the purpose of the area for me is that Levi will still get breast milk, and I am very glad about that.

Levi still has not received a bottle. We plan to introduce that to him Friday - and give him at least one every day this weekend. I have been hesitant to give him one, just because I have this fear that he will prefer the bottle over me. I've been told that that rarely happens, but I just have that fear. Regardless of his preference, though, I do have to return to work, so he does have to get a bottle. If he decides he likes the bottle better, I at least can pump and still provide milk for him. I absolutely love being home with Levi. I am going to miss him terribly when I am away.

Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde

Levi can be alert and active one day and a slug the next!  He can be happy go lucky one second and crying at the top of his lungs the next.  Today, Levi was in rare form.  He was very sleepy (while Tuesday was an "active" day).  The majority of the time when he was awake was spent crying.  He was very gassy and very unhappy.  With his tummy feeling like that, he would be just fine and then all of a sudden cry out.  It was very sad, but I was hesitant to use the gas drops.  When Kevin got home, he made Levi take some Mylicon drops.  They worked, at least while we had visitors.  Kevin's parents and aunt stopped by on their way to church.  Levi was very good while they were visiting, of course.  Then, he got fussy again.  Oh, well, that just seemed to be how the day was meant to be!!  

Levi is having more and more experience with his bathtub, and he still loves it!  Looks like we might be able to keep him clean after all!

Labor Day Itself

Levi was very alert until Monday when his great aunt Joy and great uncle Wes came for a visit. They still thought he was wonderful, and we had a great visit with them.

Labor Day Weekend

Levi had a few more visitors this weekend besides Mama K. His aunt Audry and Q (my youngest sister and dad) made it to our house late Friday night. Saturday was AA's birthday. We watched Levi and a little football this weekend.

Levi spends a great deal of time during the day on pallets on his back. He tends to favor looking to his right, so we were trying to get him to also look to his left. We reposition his head and also tried to get him to follow us and our voices from one side to the other. Q was the winner, though, by actually getting Levi to follow him from Levi's right to left.