Blue Dress

One of the things for which I am very thankful is that my mom saved a few of the dresses I wore as a baby. This dress happens to be extra special because my grandmother did the smocking. I apologize for it being a blurry picture, but no flash and Kara's spastic movements are not a good combination.

Fun Camp

Levi went to his first fun camp this week. I thought he'd get to play a bit more soccer than he did, but he had a good time and really that's all that matters.

He's wearing the shirt he made on Tuesday of this week and holding the goody cup that the coaches gave him. Those are his hand prints making the spider.


This is how Kara spent most of the week at camp.

Three Year Check-Up

Levi went to the doctor today. He weighed 34 pounds (75th percentile) and measured 39.5 inches tall (90 to 95th percentile). He had his blood pressure taken for the first time. He held my hand but didn't squirm or anything the whole time. Levi also got one shot. Somehow Daddy convinced Levi that it wouldn't be that bad - or maybe it was the bribe of a Holley Shiftwell car - but he didn't cry at all.

Kara Jane was also weighed while we were at the doctor. She had gained a pound - up to 10.1 pounds. She had been spitting up more and more after each feeding - and started crying after the feedings sometimes, too - and would cough a terribly raspy sounding cough. The doctor agreed with my suspicions - she has reflux. :-(

Levi's Friend Birthday Party

Daddy and I wanted to let Levi have a friend birthday party this year. He was very excited about seeing his friends from church and school - although, deciding who to invite was quite an event. He had an opinion on just about every person. When Khaki asked if she could come to his friend birthday party, he told her emphatically, "No! It's my FRIEND party!"

Levi had also been opinionated as to where the party was going to be held - a nearby park. So, when the day finally arrived, Daddy and I kept a close eye on the weather. Not sure whether we were hoping for an afternoon thunderstorm or not, but God gave us a truly wonderful day for a Saturday in mid-July. It was cloudy for most of the party, so the temperature wasn't all that horrible.


Levi had a great turnout to his party. We have been blessed with such sweet and wonderful friends.

Levi's aunt CC did an incredible job with the cupcakes...


The mom of one of Levi's friends looked at me after we sang "Happy Birthday" to Levi and said, "I wish I had my camera. His face was absolutely precious - made me want to cry." I knew just what she was talking about. While the birthday song is being sung to Levi, he looks around to each person with a smile of pure joy and absolute contentment. The exact same look from his second birthday and from his family birthday.


He was pretty excited when he blew out his candles.


He decided after he went to the pinata party earlier this summer that he wanted a pinata too. Here he is taking the first swing.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Levi

Levi was a bit confused about his birthday this year, because his actual birthday was in between his family birthday party and his friend birthday party. Once he grasped that today was his actual birthday, he wanted to wear his birthday hat while he ate breakfast

and while he opened his first gift.


Jamie's son, Speed Racer, and Levi share the same birthday but are one year apart. Jamie was smart enough to have his birthday party on his birthday (i.e. NO confusion), so Levi had his first iJump experience. Even though he's not much of a climber, he had a really great time.

Lawn Mower

Levi got a lawn mower that blows bubbles from Mama Rains for his birthday. We had a little trouble getting the bubbles started...


Once Daddy worked his magic, Levi had fun mowing the lawn.

Levi's Family Birthday Party

Daddy and I decided to try having two birthday parties for Levi this year - a family party and a friend party. Today was Levi's family party, and he was SO excited. He played really hard with the big boys until it started to rain. Then, he finally settled down enough to let someone read to him - and he really latched onto Alexa (my cousin's "little" girl) after that.


Levi decided shortly after his birthday last year that he wanted to have a Veggie Tales birthday. My sisters were gracious enough to make his cake again this year. I thought it turned out really well -

- and Levi LOVED it!


Daddy and I searched high and low in Wal-Mart for a birthday hat and couldn't find one. We ended up saying that it wouldn't be a big deal. Imagine my surprise when Levi came up to me while I was finishing dinner and said, "Mama, where's my birthday hat?" I couldn't believe it!! I told him that we didn't have one, but that he needed to ask Daddy too. My family sprang into action, and Alexa made Levi the most precious birthday hat ever!


We bravely put Levi on the kitchen island as we sang, "Happy Birthday", to him. He looked around at every person with the cutest little grin as we sang.


Kara Jane wasn't forgotten, though. All the girls were very excited when they got to put a tutu on her.


Thank you to everyone who came - for the gifts and for making it such a special time by taking the time to come. We love you all and are so thankful to have such a loving family.

One Month Check-up

I took Kara to the doctor today for her one month check-up at 5 weeks old. Our little girl weighed 9.1 pounds (over 3 pound weight gain from when we brought her home from the hospital), which puts her in the 50th percentile. She measured 21.5 inches long, a 1 inch gain from birth - and in the 75th percentile. Her head circumference was 14.5 inches - the 25th percentile.

She is a pretty good eater; although she spits up quite a bit after every feeding - much like Levi did.

Kara Jane still loves to be swaddled. She also seems to like having something at the bottom of her feet when she's sleeping. Patting her rear-end if she's fussy soothes her. Trust me, though, she's not fussy very often unless she's hungry, hurting (think gas pains or needing to spit up), or so sleepy she can't get herself to sleep.


Nana, Papa, and Dee Dee were here to visit for the upcoming family birthday party. They arrived on Wednesday and have a great help - either entertaining Levi or holding Kara. Levi is still doing really well with Kara. When Nana, Papa, and Dee Dee got here, they were playing upstairs with Levi. I held Kara as I climbed the stairs to tell them something. Levi promptly met me at the top of the stairs and said, "Mama, go downstairs. Don't come up here." I knew they probably thought Levi was being terribly rude to me, but I knew what he was trying to say. He didn't want Kara Jane to come upstairs because he knew he wouldn't be able to keep playing baseball if she were there!

One Month

I don't know what it is about the way a newborn moves all around, but there is just something endearing about it to me. Here's Kara Jane moving all around on the day she turned one month old (July 3).


Levi went to Khaki and Q's house for the fourth of July. He had a really fun time, playing Wii, tennis, and trains - just to name a few things. Khaki and Q took Levi to church with them, and they were so proud of his behavior. He sat still and quiet - and only had to be reminded one time that he needed to speak more quietly. Khaki said that he only acted homesick when it was bedtime, when he would say, "Mama, Daddy, and Kara miss me." We most certainly did!! But, we knew he was having a wonderful time.