First Week of School

Kevin just finished his first week of school. Levi and I had a fun week, but Levi definitely missed his daddy!

A few highlights from this week:

Levi had a really bad crying fit one afternoon. I was trying to settle him down and started to nurse him. He pulled off and was still inconsolable. I didn't know what to do!! I started praying, and then I began to recite a few verses that I had read to him while he was in the womb. He settled right down! It was amazing!

Levi seems to be smiling now more in reaction to seeing me or Kevin (or other happy faces) rather than just those "gas" smiles.

Levi had a few very sleepy days. I, being the worrywart that I am, started thinking that something was wrong with him. I think though that we're just not in a schedule yet for him to get enough naps on his "normal" days, so he tries to catch up on the "sleepy" days. Saturday, he was much more alert and Levi-like. However, I've realized that I'm going to have to get Levi on a schedule of sorts to ensure that he's taking better naps during the day. That's what we did on Saturday, and he seemed to do well with it. He is just so alert naturally, though, that I don't realize that he needs to sleep longer than what he's naturally prone to do.

Levi had two special visitors this weekend. My best friend from AU came with her oldest daughter (2.5 yo) to meet Levi. We had a wonderful visit. Annabelle, Jamie's daughter, was so sweet with Levi. She would just look at him and touch his arms and face. She really wanted him to hold her hand. Levi only cooperated a couple of times, though, but she just ate it up when he was holding her hand.

I was very thankful that Jamie was here for Levi's latest "talent". Last night, Levi spit up out of his mouth and nose at the same time! Had it just been me and Kevin here with Levi, I probably would have packed him up to take him to the hospital! Jamie was here, though, and able to reassure me that her Elijah had done the same thing once or twice. I guess Levi had just gotten a little overzealous at the previous feeding...

I really miss having Jamie nearby, but this weekend was a whole bunch of fun. I am hoping that even though we live five hours apart, our kids will know each other. With our boys being exactly one year apart, I think it would be precious and so special if Elijah and Levi could be friends. Jamie and I mentioned maybe taking an annual summer beach trip with our families. I think that would be such fun, and I hope and pray we'll be able to pull it off!

Growing

Levi is growing out of some of his newborn clothes and into his 0-3 month clothes.  He has also graduated from the newborn diapers to the size 1 diapers.  During our Skype time last night, Levi's K&Q couldn't believe how much he had changed in one week.  He changes every day.

Yesterday, Levi also had a few firsts.  He finally sat - and enjoyed - his swing and his bouncer seat.  He also showed some enjoyment looking at himself in his mirror.  Last night when we were about to give Levi his sponge bath, Kevin actually suggested giving Levi a bath.  We tried it, and Levi did really well.  No poop or pee in the tub.  He sat in the newborn sling for the tub but had one leg draped over the sling into the water.  I might have a swimmer on my hands!!  Hopefully, Kevin will post the bath pictures soon.

Kevin had his first day of school with the kids today, so Levi and I had the day all to ourselves.  Nothing really to report on the day - but I have added a few more books to our reading times.  He seems to really enjoy the Veggie Tales "You are Special" book, but I can't get through the first page of the "Larry Learns to Listen" book.  Hopefully that isn't an indicator of things to come...  I was also able to read one of my favorites to him - The Rainbow Fish.  He really seemed to like it, too.  I have also added a few more Bible stories; he really likes the Noah's Ark picture and the picture of Jonah.  

Another outing

Yesterday a friend from church came over to keep me and Levi company for a few hours. I am blessed!

Kevin teaches social studies at North Augusta High School, his alma mater and where he would like to see Levi go to high school. Today was the last teacher in-service day before the students arrive. So, I took Levi to the school so that Kevin could show off his little boy to his colleagues. Levi slept the whole way there, while we were there, and the entire way home. The car really does knock him out. Anyway, those who saw him at school were very sweet, saying how cute and how good he was. I think Kevin had a good time and is now looking forward to Monday, the first day of school with the kids.

I was amazed at just how big Levi is getting when I put him in his car seat today. When we brought him home from the hospital he just looked so little; his little head and body hardly took up any space in the seat. Today, he was sitting so much straighter and filled so much more of the seat from side to side. It is really amazing how much he has changed in just a month! God is so good!

Mid-week update

On Monday, we received a package from my parents' church in Huntsville. Inside was a rose bud that they had placed in a vase in honor of Levi's birth, a bulletin from that Sunday, and a book. We've also received several cards in the mail from different groups within the church. It was so nice of them to do so much for Kathy and Quimby's first grandson. Kevin's parents' church also sent us several cards. People just get so excited over grandbabies!!

I have had two victories over Levi's spray the past three days. The secret to my success? Cloth diapers! They are wonderful to have on hand as a cover-up. Unfortunately, I didn't have a cloth diaper underneath him while he was on my lap this afternoon...

Today was Kevin's second teacher inservice day. He had a meeting this morning at one of the local colleges and then was supposed to head straight to the high school to work on his room. Imagine my surprise when I heard the garage door open in the middle of the day. He had to come home to see his boy!!

Tonight we had our first Skype night with Levi's aunts. Aunt Chery (AC) and Aunt Audry (AA) live in Birmingham, and they get together for dinner, usually once a week. We've decided to make that Skype night for the aunts, so they can keep up with Levi, too. We had so much fun - and Levi was VERY alert, unlike the Skype night with K&Q on Sunday.

A few firsts

Levi had a BIG weekend. His aunt Chery (AC) and uncle Chris (UC) brought his great-grandmother (Mama Rains (MR)) and great-aunt Kathy (GAK) for a visit. This visit was the first time Levi met his great-grandmother, great-aunt, and uncle. A picture of Levi and MR is on the left; she couldn't take her eyes off him. (See the album link on the far left for a few more pictures.) Between his great-grandmother, great-aunt, and aunt, Levi didn't have to worry about a thing. If he even thought about whimpering, hands were there to hold him (if he was even out of someone's hands!!). I think that they were all amazed at how "big" he is - from his hands and feet to the fact that he has fairly good command of his head, lifting it up and looking around with those big blue eyes of his. It was such a treat to have them all here for a visit and to have them oh-and-ah at everything Levi does. You know he is quite the sleeper!! ;-) Honestly, though, he is having more and more wakeful times. It is amazing to watch his little eyes see the world around him. I am continually amazed at Levi, at how our Father created him, and how that creation is continually changing as God grows him up.

Besides this first visit with MR, GAK, AC, and UC, Kevin and I decided to take Levi to church for the first time. We took Levi to class with us, and he sat up and listened to every word spoken. Just kidding; he slept through the whole hour, but at least he didn't disturb anyone too much, except with his cute little sighs or grunts. Anyway, our SS class seemed very excited to see Levi. They are all so sweet. We have really been blessed with a wonderful group of Christian friends.

Tonight is "Skype night" with Levi's Mama K and Q (my parents). Skype is software that you can use to make internet phone calls, including video, over the internet. My mom bought us a web cam for one of my shower gifts so that we can have at least weekly conversations when they can see Levi.

Singing and Dancing

Levi and I have been singing and dancing around the past couple of days. He seems to really like being held out in front of me while I sing and move around to some of the Cedarmont Kids' songs, like Father Abraham, I'm in the Lord's Army, Peace like a River, etc. I love singing to him, even though I can't carry a tune. I'm sure that I would look pretty insane to a passerby (and probably even to Kevin!!), but if it entertains Levi, I'll keep doing it! Thanks, Jamie, for those CD's. Levi loves those songs!!

We're getting ready for some visitors this weekend. Levi's great-grandmother and great-aunt Kathy will be coming with his aunt Chery and uncle Chris. We're so excited and so blessed to have family who will travel such a long distance to see us! Who am I kidding? "Us" nothing; it's all about meeting Levi!

And - here's a picture of Levi's belly button. I also added a few more pictures to my album. Check them out on the link to the left when you have a little time.

Books

Not much to talk about today, so I'll just talk about books. One of Kevin's fellow teachers stopped by last Friday and gave Levi a gift, which included three books - his kids' favorites. I've had the pleasure of reading them to Levi over the past couple of days. Maybe it is just all in my mind, but he really seems to take them in - especially What's Wrong, Little Pookie? by Sandra Boynton. It is really cute, and when Levi is alert his little blue eyes just seem to study the entire page. Now most of the experts would probably say he doesn't see anything, but I think he really is seeing it. Kevin and I are also trying to get in the nightly habit of reading Psalm 139 and then Goodnight Moon to Levi. Besides the Pookie book and his nightly readings, he also likes his Baby Bible. I have chosen just a couple of stories to read to him, so he hears about David and Goliath and Daniel in the lions' den. He really likes those. Maybe all of these are just my preferences, meaning I like the stories and I'm projecting that onto Levi. I don't suppose it really matters, though, at this point. He just needs to hear our voices telling him stories and talking to him. And it can be really hard to talk to someone who doesn't talk back - so reading stories is much easier. Kevin thinks I'm really weird and laughs, because I will even read my Christian romance books to Levi. Again, I say that at this point it isn't so much what I'm reading but just that he hears me...

Finally!!

Last night, day 21 of Levi's life, he (finally!) lost his umbilical cord stump. He decided to leave it as a present in Mama and Daddy's bed; we found it this morning. I must say, though, that he has the cutest little belly button now. Pictures to come...

Levi also received the VIP treatment today, when his great aunt Dee pulled a few strings and got him an appointment at the orthopedic doctor. The doctor was excellent with Levi, and he gave us a stretching type exercise to try to straighten Levi's foot. If it doesn't appear to have straightened in the next couple to three months, he told us to come back to see him. I say that Levi received the VIP treatment, not just because we received an appointment with this doctor basically on his first available day. Levi was met at the door by two employees of the office, and then he met every person in the office (I may exagerate slightly).

Since Levi's stump is finally gone, Kevin and I decided to be daring and give Levi his first REAL bath. Unfortunately, Daddy wasn't adequately prepared for Levi to be a baby about the whole thing. Daddy placed Levi in his little tub. Levi sat in the water for about five seconds and decided the water was the perfect place to really relax and let his bowels go. Needless to say, Levi's first bath attempt really stopped before it started. Maybe Levi and Daddy will be able to forget about this traumatic experience in a few days and be willing to give it the old college try again. A mama can hope...

Happy B'day, Mama

Actually, yesterday was my birthday. Kevin "made" me get out of the house for part of the day - without Levi. We left Levi with his grandmother Hughes and did some tax free shopping. Kevin also took me out to lunch. We got back to Grandmother's house in time for his next feeding. Prior to the feeding, though, Levi needed a fresh diaper. So, Kevin was going to take care of the diaper, but I - of course - couldn't help but follow. Kevin began to remove the diaper, and Levi let a stream flow - EVERYWHERE! Well, really it seemed to be mostly on Kevin's shorts. It was so funny - to me at least! I fed him, after which I ended up with spit up all over me. Good thing we didn't have to go anywhere after that!!

Friday night Levi slept much better. Last night, though, was a totally different story. I'm not sure if he slept for an entire hour after midnight. It was a long night. Kevin and I are really hoping tonight will be better, but I guess only time will tell.

Funny story from today: Levi did wake up for a little while this afternoon, so it was picture time. I finally talked Kevin into letting me put him in his ADORABLE AU onesie. We even put him on an AU blanket. We were snapping away, and then Levi spit up all over the AU logo. Kevin thought it was hilarous, and he took a whole bunch of pictures. Keep an eye out for the pictures... Kevin's really proud of them.

Pictures

Kevin and I have been taking pictures of our little guy. Use the links to the left to view the pictures. The albums are password protected, and I've included the password in the email about this blog. The pictures are low resolution. So if there are any of the pictures you'd like to print, please let us know. We'll send you a printable copy of the picture via email.

We'll add pictures to our albums every now and then - so check the albums often!!

Success - no and yes

No - Levi had a very wakeful night last night, so Mama is VERY tired and so is Daddy. Levi hasn't been all that wakeful today, so I hope we're not in for another long night.

Yes - Levi had his second pediatrician appointment this morning. Levi weighed 8 lb 2 oz - gaining 1 lb 3 oz since his last visit. He's apparently gotten the hang of eating. Now I can worry less about all the spitting up he does. Right?

Kevin and I have decided to stick with our original pediatrician, whom Levi saw today - at least for now. We really like the nurses at the office, and we liked the doctor and his evaluation of Levi today. We will quickly change to the doctor we visited yesterday if anything we do not like happens or if we hear any further grumblings about the office.

The doctor also referred us to an orthopedic doctor to look at one of Levi's feet. For those of you who don't know, both of Levi's feet were turned slightly inward at birth (thanks to the cramped conditions inside Mama!!). His right foot seems to have adjusted itself, but his left foot is still slightly inward facing and has a slight curve to it. So, we called to make an appointment with the "best" pediatric orthopedic doctor in Augusta, based on our doctor's referral. This doctor just happens to be one of the doctors in the practice where Kevin's aunt used to work and from where she recently retired. Levi doesn't have an appointment yet, because the doctor was out of town today. The receptionist wanted to make sure the doctor made the call as to when Levi should be seen at their office in order to ensure the best results.