Vinny and Marv!
Dear Levi,
I have affectionately named your first pair of teeth. It only seemed appropriate since we have anticipated their arrival for quite some time. They spend late nights with us, making you wake up and party with them. Sometimes they tell you to bite on whatever you can fit in your mouth, naughty friends! I’ve only felt the tops of them, but they will make their home in your mouth for the next 6 years or so. Don’t listen to them if they tell you to not brush them!
Love you my babbling, drool monkey,
Mama
Dear Levi,
Today my heart soared, you said “mama”. I didn’t think I could love you anymore and then you spoke that simple word. You have such a sweet, little voice. I can’t wait to hear what else you have to say! (You might want to learn “dada” soon so he doesn’t get jealous.)
Love you little man,
Mama
Dear Levi,
Your favorite book right now is, “I love you through and through”. I start to read the first page and you flashed that adorable, gummy, toothless grin of yours. It makes me melt. Today when I was changing your diaper you were very squirmy so I handed you your favorite book to chew on. You of course didn’t want to chew it, but instead wanted to read it. I love the little bookworm you are already! A boy after my own heart! :D. Love you buddy.
Mommy
Dear Levi,
I feel like it’s been years since I last wrote you. You’ve probably grown a mustache by now and shave during your nap times.
You are more and more fun as each day passes. The other day you screamed and I jumped and then you chuckled. You screamed again and I jumped higher and gasped, which made you laugh harder. And so it continued for a few minutes and I realized that this is just a preview of all the fun we are going to have together.
Here is a recent pic I took of your righteous profile chick fuzz hair. You’re way cute.
I’ll write more often buddy.
Love you!
Mommy
Dear Levi,
To say that things have been busy would be an understatement. I’m sorry that I haven’t written you sooner. There is so much that you’re doing now and I’m so excited to sit down now, drink my coffee (decaf) and recall all the wonderful ways you’ve grown this month.
7 months old. That’s roughly 213 days you’ve made me the happiest Mommy in the entire world. I just made a book for you of your birth and recall that first moment I held you, kissed you, nursed you. Your Great Nanny says that there is nothing closer to heaven than the love of a child and in those moments I was able to experience the saying. Each day I look at you and tell you what a blessing you are to us. Your smile, giggle, funny face, fake-cry to get me to hold you, hugs, coos make my heart swell. I love you Levi Patrick. May you one day hear the Lord calling you unto Himself! Remember that things from this earth are good, but He is always better.
Let me recap your month:
You learned how to pull yourself up and army crawl all in the same day. Whew! What a day!
You went a swing for the first time…and L-O-V-E-D it!
You met Santa for the first time and rubbed your head in his beard…then started crying. (I love how hard you’re concentrating.)
Most of all, you are still a happy, happy 7 month old who loves to smile at anyone, and giggle at funny noises or faces we make at you. You are a JOY Levi. You show your cute, sassy personality more and more each and and we are just over the moon for you buddy!
Top 7 words to describe your month:
1. Growth-spurt! (Sure are gaining those lb’s boy!)
2. Ezcema (No dairy for Mommy!)
3. Funny face (you wrinkle your nose and breath in and out of your nose really fast)
4. Wisconsin (You loved seeing all your family and the snow.)
5. Pulling-up (This has changed from piano playing time to Levi pulling himself up time)
6. Army Crawl (You crawl like a wounded soldier and sometimes get that cute diaper butt in the air for a few seconds.)
7. Toothless Smile (Still no teeth, but man, you flash those gums all the time and I can’t get enough. Keep on being adorable!)
Dear Levi,
Your mama has been a busy bird. There has been so much going on, but I think “Dear Levi” in my head during so many moments of the day. When you’re blowing bubbles, sitting up for longer periods of time, making your funny face. Know that I love you monkey and that I although I am too busy to write today, I am soaking up all the special moments we get to spend together.
Love you,
Mommy
Dear Levi,
Your new nickname is Booger, for figurative and literal reasons.
Love you my little stinker,
Mommy
*Here you are living up to your nickname as you protest going down for a nap.
Dear Levi,
You’re halfway to 1 today. It’s bittersweet watching you grow, knowing that each milestone brings you closer to toddlerhood, childhood, the teenage years, etc. But still, I thank God everyday that you’re able to grow, have breath in your lungs and smile when you see your mama. I don’t think you’ll ever know how much you are loved. It’s only a love you’ll come to understand when you’re a parent yourself someday. This past month has been so much fun. You’ve really come alive!
We’ve ventured into the world of solids and you couldn’t be happier. So far we’ve tried avocado, (which you liked at first, but not anymore) sweet potatoes, butternut squash and rice cereal. You especially like the butternut squash. You also want to drink from a cup so badly. Sometimes you can take a little sip of water from Mommy’s cup and other times you spit in it, blow bubbles or sneeze into the water. If you weren’t my son I don’t think I’d drink after you like I do! This month you’ve mastered rolling back to stomach, stomach to back and can even turn in a circle if you want a toy. We’re practicing sitting up and you can sit up for a few seconds before you tip over, but I don’t think you’re far from sitting all by yourself! You are definitely a mama’s boy (woohoo!! :D) especially when you’re fussy from teething, but love playing with your Daddy when he gets home from work. As for sleep, you nap for about 3-5 hours during the day, go to bed by 6:30 and sleep until 3-5am, waking only to nurse in bed with Mommy and waking around 6. You’re a good little sleeper! My favorite part about cuddling with you is how you throw your little leg over mine as to anchor my to yourself. Geese, I’m crazy about you little man.
I want to celebrate each day with you buddy and not just every month. Every day is such a gift! Daddy and I are so proud of you, and know that you’re going to do something great with your life. We love you Levi! Happy halfway to 1! Love you to the moon and back, Mommy
6 words that describe you:
1. Happy
2. Curious
3. Cuddly
4. Giggly
5. Chill
6. All boy
Your 6 favorite things to do:
1. Watch cars from the balcony or window
2. Play in your exersaucer and bang toys
3. Look at yourself in the mirror
4. Take a stroll with mama…in your Moby wrap
5. Sing songs, especially “The Wheels on the Bus” and “You are my Sunshine” (It calms you every time you’re crying!)
6. Talk to and play with other babies. I think you’ll be quite the social butterfly.
6 things I love about you:
1. Your button nose
2. How excited you are when you wake up. You have the biggest grin on your face!
3. Your “eat the air smile”. It looks like you’re enjoying life!
4. Your curiousity. If you hear any strange sound you’ll turn to check it out. You’ll also throughly examine any object with a very focused look on your face.
5. The way you yell in the morning. Early, early morning. Like 6am morning. I know I say I want more sleep, but it’s pretty funny hearing you yell. You’re not mad or upset, but just using those beautiful vocal chords.
6. Your giggle. It is seriously music to my ears. Making a suction noise makes you laugh for some reason. I can’t wait to make you belly laugh. It’s going to be awesome.
6 most used nick names you have:
1. Little Man
2. Bug
3. Stinker
4. Smiley
5. Buddy
6. My Prince (I call you that one, not Daddy.)
Dear Levi,
Thanks for helping me add a lovely accent to the wall nearest your changing table. I agree that the pee was a really nice touch. It adds a certain amount of abstractness to your room. Next time you’re feeling creative, I’ll get some crayons and paper for you. Time for a backsplash…
Love,
Mommy
Dear Levi,
Today we are venturing into the world of “solids.” To be quite honest it’s more like the land of running foods that can drip off a spoon, but nonetheless you will be getting your first taste of big people food. I have been debating what to do first: banana, avocado or rice cereal and have decided on avocado. I can’t wait to see your expression and wish I could know what will be going on in your mind. As I’ve posted on Facebook, I’ve already delayed this event by a day because I wanted to buy rice paper liners for your diapers. I have a feeling it’s going to be a doozy.
So welcome to the “big people’s food club”. Maybe next month you can join the “using the toilet club.” Right? Right? One step at a time Mom, I know.
I’m excited for you little man and a little sad that these firsts are coming up so quickly! I’m sure I’ll have these feelings for the rest of your life. First tooth. First time you walk. First day at school. First time you get your heart broken. First day at college. Oh geese, I need to end this letter before I start crying!
Love you,
Mommy
