Levi is 11 Months Old today...

Catchy title, I know. This is just an update, mostly for my own documentation...feel free to skip/skim...

 

I mean, this little fella. Absolutely melts our hearts. We are all just smitten with him.  I sometimes pay attention to the frustration I have at times with Jonah...and can't imagine that someday soon, I will likely have that same level of frustration with Levi...but right now...that's hard to even fathom...he's just so 'innocent' and little and sweet and funny and cute. I cannot believe he's been here for almost a year -- 11 months today, in fact. In some ways, its hard to imagine our lives without him, though -- he has just taken hold of our hearts. He is a little snuggle-bug...loves to cuddle -- and when we walk into his room to put him to bed, he immediately sticks his little thumb into his mouth and puts his head onto our arms and snuggles in with his blankie...and when we sing to him...he sings, too -- so sweet!! He is such a good baby.  BUSY!! He's rarely still, unless he's cuddling -- but he is just busy!! Very good to entertain himself, though. Typical second child! Very easy and happy. A good sleeper -- goes to bed around 7:00 every night - his wake-time is kind of unpredictable. He stopped nursing a couple weeks ago - so since then, his wake-time is a little more unpredictable. He was waking around 6:00 some mornings to nurse, but then he'd go right back to bed 'til 8:30 or 9:00 -- since he's stopped nursing - he wakes anywhere from 7:15 to 8:30-9:00...ya just never really know. Jonah is up promptly at 7:00, though -- but usually he's quiet enough not to wake Levi. Levi still naps usually twice a day -- usually at least 2 hours each nap...sometimes if he wakes late, his nap is later, and if he naps closer to 3 hours, that's all there's really time for, and he may just go to bed earlier.

 

He's still on the 'small side'...but our last appointment - a few weeks ago -- he was back ON the percentile chart -- 17 pounds, 7 ounces...but this kid can EAT!!! He loves food-food!! The more flavour and texture, the better!! And he's starting to really like to feed himself -- still just finger food -- I haven't let him try a spoon yet...shame on me.  and he LOVES milk...mostly drinks from a bottle - though he can use a sippy cup, too. 

 

Crawling everywhere -- and he's fast, too!!! Walking around things - but still no steps or standing on his own. he's pretty vocal and chatty -- has started making 'clucking' noises! he's very happy but doesn't really laugh a whole whole lot -- Jonah giggled and had such a hearty laugh all the time -- still does, in fact...its not that Levi's serious...he just doesn't full-out LAUGH all the time!

 

He loves Jonah -- and he seems to be very patient with Jonah's rough play and pulling and picking up and dragging him everywhere...they do pretty good sharing a room, too - though sometimes I separate them for naps, because they just chatter - mostly Levi - and its just too much of a distraction for Jonah.

 

I remember in the beginning weeks with Levi, I had such a hard time 'connecting' - my body was in such pain and crazy hormones and so much sleep deprivation and out of control emotions...it was hard for me to imagine loving him 'as much' as i loved Jonah...but our hearts are sooo, so full...I am seriously in love with this little boy...it is amazing to me the love you have as a parent...i am beyond -- BEYOND!!! -- grateful that God has given me these two little boys to mother...it is certainly not all bliss...but I feel so incredibly blessed and grateful to have these boys in my life...

 

11 months have certainly flown by...I am reminded often of the importance of savoring these days...they are fleeting...and I know without doubt I will miss these days when they are gone...

 

A simple reminder of THAT was on Friday when I registered Jonah for kindergarten. I don't even want to think about my days with him not being here....so...I will savour...

 

 



 

More Jonah words

I'm TRYING to do something on the computer here before I have a shower...and my non-stop-chatter boy, Jonah, is sitting beside me...'wrapping' 'presents' for me (i.e. his trains...in many blankets)...

He just now says "Would you like it if you had a present for me and I wouldn't open it? Would you like it if I was sitting at the computer and not opening a present that you gave me? Its the same thing that I'm talking about right now..."

Point taken, buddy. Just let me finish writing this down so I won't forget...just how...very -- sweet, you are.

"Now my belly is sick and I don't like just laying here and waiting. Please come quickly. I don't like just laying here. Its not comfortable."

(I need a constant video-recording of this kid so I don't forget his hilarity.)

Jonah's sayings...

I need to write things down more -- this kid says such hilarious things -- I think I won't forget, but...I do already!

We 'bargain' with him sometimes to have a quiet time in the afternoon -- if he stays until WE get him (rather than HIM deciding, like -- 5 minutes in, is long enough for a quiet time...) then on Fridays, we'll have a movie night...so - I just told him I'm so happy he's being a good boy today...

He says "I had a good quiet time today...I stayed in bed...that means I get a movie night, right?" I tell him "yes"...and he responds "Oh, thank you...that makes me smile."

Yesterday I made bread, and when Jay got home, I heard him telling him about it: "You can't believe the bread that Mama made...its just like at the bakery...its unbelievable good...you just wait 'til you try it...you won't believe your eyes, its so good. She's the best cooker. Isn't she, Daddy?"

(My biggest fan!)

This is a very common occurence around here, but...I'm afraid it will be forgotten, too, if I don't write it down...one of his 'catch-phrases' he says often...when he's really excited about something -- food, 'adventures', shows, whatever...he says "thaaaatt's what I'm talkin' about...ohhhhh, yeah....that's what I'm talking about."

Not a blog-worthy post, but...this is where I document things lately...this is for me, people.

Wishbook

So, my Mom looks after the boysies on Thursday mornings when I go to work - and Thursdays are the day our flyers come -- so its a little tradition for Jonah and my Mom to look through the flyers together...and THIS week: the Christmas toys flyers came -- and we just got ourselves a ToysRUs in Charlottetown -- so of course: their flyer came too!! Jonah was sooo excited to show me when I walked in the door! And lastnight we went to my parents' for supper, and Mammie gave Jonah the Wishbook...so -- TOY overload for this kid the last couple days!! He is good to occassionally think of others, too, while browsing the pages, picking out toys he thinks his cousin Mary Anne would like, or Levi...or Mama or Daddy...(he's thoughtful like that!) :)

So, we promised him that today we would take him to Toys R Us - but reminded him he only had the 5 dollars that his friend Anne gave him for Halloween -- (sidenote: explaining prices and value and money to a 4 year old is not easy)...

I was overwhelmed in Toys R Us...that store is HUGE!!! And filled with sooo many toys and fun things...Jonah was amazed!! (and especially interested in all the "Lily Pad" a.k.a. Leap Frog things...anything electronic for this kid!!) He was good, though - not asking for things, and just trying to find the thing for 5 bucks that he could buy.

After being there for about 20 minutes...He says with such a sweet and pure little delighted voice:

"I can't believe we're actually IN the Wishbook!!! Thank you for taking me here!"

oh my soul. adorbes. I love this kid...

Leaf Day

Well -- last Fall, we had our first 'annual' holiday that we declared to be: "Leaf Day." Just a 'reason' (if you need a reason) to drive around these pretty country Island roads on a beautiful Fall Day, take family pictures, and come home at the end of the 'tour' and eat cake!



 

So, we had our second annual "Leaf Day" celebration yesterday...

 

Since summer ended, Jonah's been asking when Leaf Day was coming! So -- yesteday we declared it to be Leaf Day! A gorgeous, sunny Fall Day -- driving around this beautiful Island...stopping to take pictures whenever we felt so inclined.

 

It. was. perfect.

 

 

 Doesn't it look perfect???  The beautiful colors, the smiling faces, the delicious cake???

Well. It was fun, but it was far from perfect. Which reminds me of how deceptive blogs and facebook and anything online can really be. I can make my life look any way I want it to online...and when I read other people's blogs, or look at their pictures or facebook statuses...I need to realize...its only 'part' of the story...I read only what people want me to read...and even then...its through my own perception, so it can easily be distorted.

But I do strive to be authentic...even if only for my own self...

Jonah was grumpy and tired all day long, to be honest.  And there's alot of 'pressure' for a Saturday to be nothing less than perfect: our one family day all week...and trying to please all of us, and do it in the timeframes specified in between meals and naps...is not always an easy task.

But we prevailed. And it was fine, but our level of frustration with Jonah was certainly escalated.  Oh my word, this boy has emotions...and he is NOT afraid to vocalize how he's feeling. I'm grateful he is verbal more than physical, but...it is so. ex.haus.ting. good grief, that boy is intense.

But, you don't need to know all the details...if you have mothered a 4 year old, you know exactly what I mean. And the details are not necessary.

We were all quite happy to go to bed lastnight, knowing we had a 'new day' to try again to do better and be happier when we all woke up.

And today WAS better. Amazing what sleep can do for us all. Jonah still naps most of the time...and he needs his sleep. If he doesn't get it, he can certainly function...but he is a much happier and obliging child by mid-afternoon and early evening if he's had a nap for ANY length of time during the afternoon.

Oh, I do so love that boy, though. He is anything but boring!! So much energy and LIFE in that little fella...and I love that about him. most of the time...though sometimes, it really is quite exhausting.  But I love his sensitive heart, too -- and his imagination and creativity!  He's been singing 'worship songs' that he makes up for quite awhile now, and he sings them with me and Jay on our bed right before we take him into his bedroom at night. Lately he's been naming these songs...and it is just amazing to me the words that come out of this kid's mouth...I so badly want to record them, but he does become a bit of a performer when that camera is out...

But it is the sweetest thing...

Often his words are similar: "I love You Lord...You know us, and You made us...and You are everywhere...and You live across the street, but You live here...and You were born on Christmas Day, and You are the best, and You are wonderful, and You are good and I love You and You love me..."

I love that He knows Jesus...and it is amazing to me how much Jesus has become clearer to me since I see Him through Jonah's eyes...

So, despite my 4 year old being...a 4 year old with 4 year old craziness and emotions and disobedience...and he tries my patience and makes me see the weaknesses that are in ME....I love him with all that I have in this heart of mine...He is an amazing little person...and I am. truly. incredibly grateful that I get to be his Mama.

I love it.

Disney Earth

This morning Jonah and I were watching some of the Disney Earth dvd we got from the library yesterday -- he and Jason watched some of it lastnight for 'boys night' while I worked - and this morning - while I was still in bed -- he brought the dvd in to me and couldn't wait for me to see 'the hilarious bird' and the 'sweet little polar bears that remind us of Levi' and the ducks that fly out of the trees that they named after each kid in Sunday school.

So I obliged. (after lying in bed for just a few minutes longer!)

And the very first opening 'scene' which shows a sort of icey castle-like sculpture...Jonahs says: "ooohh. this is a little bit scary." so I reply: "no, its not scary, Jo, its beautiful." So, he agrees and says "yeah, its beautiful...it looks just like heaven."

We're watching and he keeps commenting: "Ohhh...this part is so amazing."

"This part is beautiful..."

"I'm crying a little bit 'cause I just love it so much..."

"Can you believe this, Mama?? Did you know that God made all these things??"

After watching the Louie Giglio dvd "Indescribable" on Monday for small group, and watching this dvd about the incredible detail God has given to life on this earth...and seeing the awe in my 4 year old and how he sees God at work in the beautiful world He's created...God is more and more real. I wish I had that wonder all the time. I wish it wasn't so fleeting and I wasn't so self-centred to appreciate it all, all the time.

But I see Him. I don't always recognize what I'm looking at because I fail to acknowledge His beauty when I feel so human and so tired and so easily frustrated with this 4 year old of mine...but He is showing up in my life every day...and through these children of mine.  I love that.

And if you haven't seen either of these dvd's I've mentioned...do it. for real. you will not be disappointed.

One Thousand Gifts

I haven't read One Thousand Gifts...though I sorta feel like I have because soo so many people quote her and talk about her, and write their own blessings...and I've glanced through Ann Voskamp's blog some...and have decided, that right now...In this very moment...while I am as my facebook status claims (so it must be true!) 'half-way between amused and annoyed' right now about the face that my 2 boys while they were 'supposed' to be napping...were chattering and laughing and distracting each other from napping...while I was desperately trying to ignore the noise...and reading through blogs and facebook news to try to get my 'few minutes' of alone time before I delved into getting supper ready. I get annoyed when 'my time' is interrupted.

But...I will choose to 'look on the bright side' right now and intentionally count some blessings for today. I used to keep a journal of blessings...and I really should be doing that again...because all too often I fail to look at the gifts I have, and instead look at what I wish was/wasn't...and I don't want to be that kind of person. I get annoyed at those people....so I don't want to be that person.

1. a husband that came home with a fuse for the dryer and voila! its working again. hooray for not having to buy a new dryer quite yet.
2. two boys who adore each other. while their chatter and noise and laughter was keeping them from napping when I thought they should be...it did make me laugh out loud and reminded me of the many many prayers begging God to give me children in the first place. and to have two of them! and two who adore each other...I really am so grateful.
3. a visit this morning with a 97 year old lady who is much like a grandmother to me...and observing such a pleasant and godly person who has been walking this earth for almost one hundred years...and STILL so happy and such an example...a reminder of all I have to be grateful for...and a challenge to be one of those people who is a joy to be around...despite hardships. This lady has seen many, but the joy of the Lord...is still her strength. I'm blessed to have her in my life. and blessed to be mentioned in her prayers.
4. this little boy sitting beside me...and the smell of his clean, curly hair...and the fact that he still loves to cuddle and snuggle his Mama...makes me a little less annoyed that he's not in his bed napping...but sittin happily beside me watching a show so I can 'pretend' to have just a few more minutes of 'me-time' on this computer before getting up and getting dinner ready.
5. Speaking of dinner. Roasted Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Alfredo. Yes please.
6. looking out on this cloudy dark day...and seeing the brightness of the trees with all the beautiful oranges, reds, yellows and greens...I love myself some Fall.
7. sitting on my couch at 3:00 in the afternoon in jeans and a sweatshirt...and so grateful I don't have to be at a job, wearing heels and dress-clothes.
8. home-made brown bread from my Mom. so seriously delicious.
9. The lights on the baby monitor are finally dark...which means hopefully this blessed baby is finally sleeping. happy he is normally a very good sleeper, and days like today are not the norm.
10. clean floors.
11. sitting on the couch knowing that there are no crumbs and other disgusting things under the cushions...why I don't take the 3 minutes it took to vacuum more often...I don't know. But I did today, and that makes me happy.
12. laughing at my silly list here knowing this is probably not at ALL what Ann Voskamp writes about, but...its still helping me count my own little blessings...and grateful I have a place to type and write and think...and a computer to write on.
13. The sun is streaming in through my window right this minute...it will likely last only a few moments judging by the look of the dark clouds around it but...there is definetely something about the sun that just makes me feel cheerier.
14. I'm looking around this room and seeing evidences of a little boy who is in Sunday school and bringing home crafts and verses...and thinking about how much he loves Sundays and how happy he is to go upstairs to his class...I love that.
15. Jonah saying his prayers lastnight and then a minute later.... "Dear God...again...please let our dryer be fixed. Amen." (Jonah has had so many of his prayers answered as he has asked. its just normal for him to go to God about things. Last week we were talking about having more babies...so he says: "We should ask God for more babies...please? Please, can we ask God for another baby?" He remembers how much we prayed for God to give us another baby and He gave us Levi.) Joy in knowing our children really ARE from God.

I need to get my supper ready. But already I love that I have thought of little things I could easily just pass by if I'm not intentionally looking for the little joys God gives me every day.