Nature Walkathon

It's that time of year! This was Izzie's third nature walk. Oh my, how this little one has grown. She is the big kid in class this year - one little bitty even sought Izzie out and wanted to hold her hand for most of the walk, which Izzie of course thinks is awesome. Izzie's nature bag was full of good stuff. Levi found one awesome stick and clung to that thing for the whole walk.

We love their school so much, and are so grateful for the wonderful staff that work hard to create fun nature experiences for our kiddos every day. Nothing makes me happier than picking my kids up from school and finding them covered in dirt!

This Boy is 8 Months

How did this happen?  Where has our time gone?  I feel like Levi growing up has gone even faster than it did with Izzie -- probably because I'm often distracted with the antics and emotions that come with a three year old girl.  So, let's catch up.  Here's what's up with Levi these days.

He eats food.  Lots of food.  Lots of times.  His tummy is a big black hole.  Look at him in this picture.  "That was a nice snack, Mom.  Real cute.  Where is dinner?"  And he's hyper-verbal while eating.  Talks and smacks his lips and grunts when every bite of food goes in.

Levi is at once both super active and completely immobile.  He is hard to hold because he won't stop wiggling, but none of his movements are productive.  He has several nicknames at school -- "Floppy" and "Superman".  Superman because he lays on his tummy while flapping his arms and legs wildly.  He looks like he's flying, but actually gets nowhere.  Floppy because he will be in your arms holding himself up perfectly and then all of a sudden go limp.  His effort is selective and intermittent.  So even though he is sitting up perfectly on the floor right now, don't be surprised when he all of  a sudden just falls over and smacks his head.  Needless to say, no crawling.

This little man's favorite game is peek a boo.  But not the cute "Look, I'm hiding behind my hands" game.  He'll smile politely for that, but he prefers a more intense, all out version.  Your body should probably drop on the floor completely out of view, and then pop up aggressively and yell.  If you want to entertain this guy, anyways.  Caden was literally jumping and falling flat on the floor next to Levi's crib, and I have never heard this baby laugh harder.  He couldn't handle it.

Levi licks and sucks and drools on everything right now.  Everything.  And still no teeth.  Izzie's main protestation when he takes her toys is, "But, Mo-om.  He's gonna chew on it."  True enough, dear.  We've had lessons on what things can be washed and what things we should hide.  And this chillaxed dude is like a master hunter when she has food in her hands.  He'll look all cute and innocent, and then when she leans in to love on him he snatches the cracker out of her hands and tried to jam it in his mouth.  He's lightning quick when it comes to stealing food.  

Levi is a little lover.  He reaches for Izzie and wraps his arms around her, grabs my face and open mouth slobbers it, and smiles at just about everyone.  Even when he still insists on taking two 20 minute naps for the whole day at school, his teachers still say "But he was so happy!".  Just content as can be and sweet as pie.  Easy going, happy, darling boy.  

Levi says "Dada" all the time, and also makes a noise that sounds like "Hi".  I will allow him to say "dada" first because I know, deep down, he is Mommy's boy (we're pretending like I have a choice in this matter).  Bryan has made up several songs about him, which Izzie loves singing as well.  When Levi hears the first few words he smiles so big because he knows what's coming and loves it.  I think we'll keep him.  

Easter Sunday

We had such a lovely Easter!  Church to start the day off (and babies in their fancy clothes!), then off to Great Grandma and Grandpa Rahns for Easter lunch.  We went home for nap time and had our own Easter egg hunt, and then went to the lake for a picnic and playing (Meyers and Grammy and Popper were done with their other celebrations by then and joined us).  What a good day!

Avery was not excited about the picture.  And Izzie is pretty protective of her brother.

Her big present on the Easter egg hunt.  "It's just what I've always wanted!"

When do I get to take off the shirt with the buttons?
Where are my sweatpants?

We wore dresses at the lake because she loved it and didn't want to take it
off.  And what's the point of owning "fancy" clothes if you can't have fun in them?

This is just before she fell in the lake.  And then stood there and peed all
over in her panic over getting herself wet (and being freezing cold!).

Palm Sunday

Fun times with the cousins at Grammy and Popper's house.  We celebrated Easter early so that we wouldn't have to rush around like crazy on that day.  We hung out, had an Easter egg hunt, opened Easter baskets, and had a delicious dinner.  What a fun day!