Levi my love, you are such a doll! He had a wonderful day today- I'm not sure why he was so peaceful, alert, and happy, but I'm not complaining! We would love to see you like this everyday little guy. Life isn't so bad little Levi- no need to cry through it all!!!!
The beginnings of a smile.....
We were swimming at our friends pool and I went over to take a picture of Levi's stylish hat. Emma came running over, leaned on the carseat, and actually posed for this picture all by herself! She is getting VERY used to the camera. Today in the stroller, she actually leaned in to Levi and said "take a picture".
Serenading him to sleep....
Emma likes hanging out in Levi's seat- she is quite fond of the mirror on top....
"hey Levi, check this out....I can actually SEE the pancake on my tongue!"
Grandma came to meet little baby Levi and spend some good quality playtime with Emma for a few days! They kept very busy, I don't think Emma let Grandma out of her sight for even one minute! Grandma got in some good snuggle time with little Levi each morning while Emma & I went to the gym. Nothing beats a nice family hug! Playing with playdough. Grandma taught Emma how to make playdough jewelry...so cool! At the park/zoo. We got to feed the animals and then even play on the playground for a bit before it started to rain. We love you Grandma!!!! You are so much fun and Emma certainly can't wait to play with you again, especially when little Levi can join in on the fun!
Happy 1 Month Little Guy!!! So far things are going well. I haven't had much time where I have had to juggle Emma & Levi on my own- so I'm not sure what those days will bring. It certainly takes longer to get anywhere, but sometimes I look at my two babies and am overcome with joy when I think of all the fun they will have together when Levi gets a bit older. I am really excited to watch them grow together! My biggest concern is being able to get Emma down for a nap or bedtime if Levi is crying. I'm sure when the time comes, I will figure it all out. Luckily, nothing terrible is going to happen to my little Emma if she is late going down for a nap!!! Ohhhh, sweet little Levi! I can't believe it has been 1 month already... it feels like I just brought you home!
The poor guy has been less than thrilled with life so far. He gets in a decent amount of sleep, a lot of short eating sessions, and lots of crying if he is awake! I think many things can contribute to his crying- perhaps that his sister smothers him with toys, blankets, hugs, or stuffs binkies in his mouth. Or on a more serious note, I think he may not tolerate my breastmilk well when I eat dairy- he seems quite uncomfortable, and gets very angry when he has to spit up or go to the bathroom. I noticed that he is a much happier baby when I skip out on the ice cream, cheese, or coffee smoothies!
Oh but he is such a love! He loves to snuggle on my chest, especially at night in bed, and I love it too....hopefully I am not spoiling him too much yet! He gives us little smiles, which we know are completely involuntary, but still, warms our hearts! And he seems to really like bathtime now, almost falling asleep in his little tub while sweetly sucking on his binky.
Although I say he cries- it is mostly just when he is uncomfortable. Any other time he wants to let us know he is upset, it isn't really a cry. I would describe it more as...grunting, squealing, and snorting. It makes us laugh, and then of course, we pick him up to snuggle and everything is "all better". All Better. This is a term used often in our house now, especially by Emma. She is very concerned when Levi gets upset, but is the first to let us know he is "all better" and it is time to put him down so she can play with us. It is hard to believe 1 month has passed already! We have had so much going on since the day we brought him home, I feel like I blinked and 4 weeks have gone by. Sweet little Levi, we love you so very very much!!!!!! Don't grow up too fast!!!!
A long, picture-filled post. My sisters & I were able to spend some nice quality time together after Levi's bris. Jackie stayed until July 3rd, and Steph and the kids were here through the 10th- 3 full weeks!!! Jackie was the perfect 'Nanny' and was truly amazing. I'm not sure we would have survived without her and I'm so glad we were all together for so long.
It was a CRAZY 3 weeks with so many kids in our cozy little house, but it was wonderful making all the memories together. Wonderful, and exhausting. We were even able to travel together in the minivan- 3 big kids in the back seat in carseats, 2 babies in infant carriers in the 2nd row, and me & Steph in the front seats (Jackie had left at this point)....and it made for a very wild ride.
For my own records, I wanted to record what we did each day- pictures are below. 6/26- Steph's birthday and Levi's bris 6/27- playtime outside 6/28- my birthday, Easton museum 6/29- playtime outside, Steph's family went on a road trip 6/30- playtime outside 7/1- goose poop beach 7/2- blueberry picking, Jackie took off to the outlet mall for some R&R! 7/3- WW1 park 7/4- Chilis & Felix's birthday 7/5- professional pictures taken at the mall 7/6- friends came over to play in the pool 7/7- Steph went to visit friends, I took my two kids on a 1.5 hour walk in 100deg. weather and almost died!!! 7/8- Providence Children's museum 7/9- Patriot Place Phew!!!!! We did stuff nonstop and it was exhausting!
Mr.Levi, fresh and clean after a bath. We spent many, many days playing outside in the backyard. The kids especially loved dancing in the shed, or as Emma calls it, "the other house". Thank goodness for our backyard and beautiful summer days- otherwise, we would have had some LONG days cooped up inside with 5 kids under the age of 6!
Click on these photo collages TWICE to see the pictures larger. Our first trip out of the house for an adventure with all the kids.....and Mamare! It was also my 30th birthday, and we celebrated in style at the Easton Children's Museum. Followed by wings & ribs for dinner with the whole family. We spent one day at the beach near our house, now nicknamed "goose poop beach", but still fun! WW1 Zoo. Emma showed her cousins how to be brave and feed the animals carrots before we played in the playground. This was also my first day drinking coffee! My two sisters convinced me it was a 'must-have' to help get through the day. Those Starbucks frap's are certainly delicious, but I have no plans to make it a habit......
My 4th of July Babies. We spent the 4th just relaxing outside with the kids, a nice lunch at Chilis (hahahahaha, 2 adults and 5 kids- adventurous and messy), and then celebrated Felix's birthday with cupcakes for the kids, a nice steak dinner cooked by Steph, and of course, ice cream cake!
Emma & Levi Providence Children's Museum Bubble show & soccer lessons at Patriot Place!
Each day started off with a relaxing morning until one of the kids began to whine for a certain breakfast or specific color cup they wanted, usually followed by some sort of a tantrum...and it was usually Emma. Emma also started some bad habits- and became fond of hitting her cousin Ava. I have no idea why or how this started, but quite often we would have to pull Emma off her cousin....it was pretty bad, and thank goodness she has stopped that nonsense!!!!! Blueberry picking at Ward's Berry Farm....
This picture says it all..... carrying a hot and crying Levi in my sling and a whiney Emma on my hip- who was trying to console Levi, but dropped all her blueberries on the floor, and began crying herself. Not to mention, I was getting attacked by all of the prickly vines! finally through the bushes and playing on the old horse swings
Sisters are the best....... ...Steph made us all a wonderful Shabbat dinner on Friday night.
The whole crew!
Felix with his two little baby loves- 6 months apart, and little Eli is so smiley!
