Summertime Snackin'

Fruit had been on sale and we've got our fridge and counter stocked with cherries, watermelon, peaches, pears, grapes, pluots (trying them for the first time this week after reading about them in my Real Simple magazine), and strawberries besides the usual bananas and apples we keep stocked. Snack times have been delicious! 

Summer is awesome! 

Summer Vacation

We've been having fun on our trip to the Midwest. 

Picnic

Movies

Swinging in the hammock

Playing outside at Mimi's

Falls City pool 

Turning 11 months old 

Taking a mule ride

Checking out Uncle Greg's horses

Playing with new toys at Aunt Teresa's 

Looking at the world outside

Just a few days left!

11 Months Old!

Zoë Kayte, you are 11 months old today!

- You started crawling on your hands and knees. You are fast!! I turn around and you're in a completely different place than before! You have begun to bear crawl on your hands and feet here at Mimi's house.

Picnic at Indian Cave State Park 

- You are loving Mimi's dog, Speck. Anytime we go outside, you start looking in her direction, once you spot her you hold out your hand and make your noise that you want to go over to her. You lean in her direction as I walk with you that way. Once we get over there you smile and wriggle and squeal until you get to pet her. Then you smack her and grab her lips. It's pretty cute and Speck doesn't seem to mind, even when you grab her eyeballs.

You were so happy to be out of the car -- you played out on the floor a long time! 

Henry Doorly Zoo 

- You took your first trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo! I'm not sure how much you really took in, but it was still fun. I think you did see most of the big cats at the end. You were out of the stroller and the boba so you were able to get pretty close and really see what we were pointing at. 

Meeting Aunt Jordan 

Indian Cave State Park 

Swinging with Mimi

- You have a squeal of joy which I love to hear! You use it most when your brothers are giving you attention and playing with you. 

Zeke took this photo -- hammock at Mimi's 

Levi got a little closer :) 

- You are wearing quite a few 12 month onesies and they fit just fine. You might be tall like your Daddy and brothers! 

"Helping" Mommy work on her abs

Daddy's new favorite outfit of yours

Picnic crusts

Learning to share already! 

- You are sleeping pretty great! A shorter morning nap, longish afternoon nap, and about 10 hrs. at night, typically 9 pm - 7 am. I couldn't be much happier with that schedule! 

Getting to know Pop-Pop a little better 

Sliding in Estes Park 

Kisses for the baby in the mirror 

- You chew on and put things in your mouth WAY more than either of your brothers did. We have removed leaves, grass, and a wooden piece so far. I have to keep a pretty close eye on you.

"Who is that beautiful baby?" 

"I'll clap for her!" 

Last day of swim lessons

- I was very proud of you at swim lessons. You took them the first 2 full weeks of June (6-17) every morning from 8:30 - 9 am. You weren't afraid to go after things in the water, you splashed and kicked your legs, and by the end when I would jump you off the edge, you had learned to close your eyes and mouth before entering the water! I was surprised and pleased with how well you did!

Time for my last lesson!

Father's Day

You are self-feeding more, here, spaghetti!

Zoë, you are a cheerful, wonderful little girl! You enjoy life and your family! Your hair is getting a little longer and here in NE, at least, it's a bit curly! I think we'll be able to try some ponytails and/or barrettes soon! You are "talking" and interacting with us more. You love to eat and reject very few foods! You seem to be a bit intolerant of dairy, so we give you very little, but I'm hoping you might grow out of it. I can't believe it's almost time to begin planning your 1st birthday! I'm hoping this month you will show me something you're very interested in so I can figure out a theme of sorts. Otherwise it will be Mommy's choice :) {which it usually ends up being anyway}. I'm positive this next month will be full of even more developments and leaps forward! We love you Zoë girl! 

Summer Vacation

We're headed out on our summer trip to the Midwest this afternoon! We missed it last year as I went to the hospital (a year ago tonight) and subsequently was placed on bed rest. Please pray for safe travels and very few bug bites :) 

Father's Day 

He has been asking for a Fat Tire biking jersey for years!

We saw "Finding Dory" 

Before we leave, Jeremiah is taking his coffee master exam. Doesn't he look handsome? 

Have a great weekend! 

Two... and a half years!

Levi, my sweet boy, you are 2 1/2 today!! Here are some of the things you've been doing/learning the past 6 months:

- You randomly quote movies through the day. Which I obviously love since much of my life has consisted of speaking in movie quotes. One of my most favorites is, "I'm not happy, Bob. Not happy." from the Incredibles. It makes me laugh almost every time!

Estes Park, June 15

- You love to sing! You break out in song throughout the day. Some of the top hits are, "I Love You, Lord", "10,000 Reasons", "Jesus, Name Above all Names" and more. Just today (6/15) a song would come on and you'll say, "This is my song!" You seem to have an ear for music and can tell me what most of them are from a few notes. You like the music from "Rio" and the song "I Like to Move it Move it." As well as "We Could Be Heroes". You enjoy dancing like Mommy and have pretty good rhythm. You can sing the whole alphabet and count to 11 well. You know a few more numbers, but not necessarily in order.

I just love this picture of you! Absolutely adorable. Feb. 2016

- You like helicopters (as evidenced in this photo) and airplanes. You point out most of the ones that pass overhead.

Annual February 13 Levi-Mommy photo

You love to play and be outside!

You continue to enjoy swinging! 

Helping Mommy make St. Patrick's Day sugar cookie bars

 - You are a good helper around the house. You especially like to help in the kitchen. You clear off your plate, silverware, and cup after meals. And you sometimes help set the table for meals. When I ask you to get out silverware you grab handfuls from the drawer, dropping them on the way to the table, and most of us end up with 2-3 forks. At least there's plenty! Sometimes you feed Dora. You enjoy vacuuming. And when I ask you to go entertain Zoë, you do that too! You're getting better at putting away toys.

Helping Mommy make some breakfast (March 2016)

Easter egg haul with Mimi

Daddy's 31st birthday

Finally warm and dry enough to play outside!

 - You enjoy playing with trucks. And many things have turned into "boomers" as you call them, they're guns. Your water squirter is a prized possession. You cradle it in your arms (if you're not hitting Zeke with it) nearly all the time you're outside.

"More breakfast!" 

While Zeke played soccer, you played at the playground

First time swimming at the Chilson Center

- You are currently taking swim lessons and totally rocking them! You aren't afraid of the water one bit. In fact, your favorite part is jumping in! I went to your lesson with you this Monday and you jumped in close to 20 times! Your head goes under the water and you seem fine with it. You enjoy being different animals as we cross the pool and do pretty good at your 'ice cream scoop' hands.

Visiting Pop-Pop's house (April)

Playing with Zoë at Zeke's final soccer practice

The sandbox is fun!

-

I love your smile and zest for life!

 - Ready to head outside -- where we like to spend most of our time this warm, sunny days!

Mother's Day

 - I gave you a choice of shirts to wear for Mother's Day and you picked the one "that looks like Zeke's." You love your big brother so very much. A constant friend and playmate. You are his shadow and will do {almost} anything he asks. You play together well, some of the time and I love the moments that you do. Sometimes you have your own conversations in the back of the van and I love to listen in to hear you talk to each other. Such a sweet bond between two brothers.

You like to feed your sister

 - You are so kind and gentle with your baby sister. You pat her gently. If she does something you don't like, you kindly say, "No honey. No honey." You like to feed her. You show her how to do things, like play with toys or hold items. You give her kisses and hugs before she goes somewhere or before bed. I love the way the two of you interact.

Boots + Shorts = Style!

 - On this particular day, you didn't want to wear your tennis shoes. So you ran back inside to get your snow boots! You do love to wear your sandals now that it's summer. I think, like me, socks are annoying and you prefer to be without them!

On a walk with Mommy

 - I was headed out for a walk one Sunday afternoon and you decided you wanted to come too. I enjoyed our time together. And you seemed to have fun looking around at all the things around us.

Silly boy! 

 - All I wanted was a picture with you for my birthday and out of nowhere, you put out your tongue. It fits you ;)

Garden of the Gods (Memorial Day weekend)

- You had a blast on your first real hike. You carried a stick, climbed rocks, and did a great job keeping up with all of us.

Helping Grandma plant flowers

Throwing balls into the bucket

- I made you and Zeke an obstacle course one afternoon and it was great for channeling your energy!

Boyd Lake (June) 

Levi Olin, there is no way for me to put into words the love I have for you. You are such a charmer. You don't seem to take a bad picture -- you are always smiling. You have boundless love for your family as well as tons of energy! At this very moment you are screaming at me and throwing your clothes. But I know in a few minutes we'll hug and things we'll be right between us again. I'll never stop loving you and caring about you all the days of my life. Love, Mommy