"Where'd the time go?"

I always remember hearing, "Where did the time go?  How did my baby get so big?"  I always kind of scoffed at it because I was a child and we are obliviously to time passing in the way that it does.  I thought that the people who said it were just overly sentimental or maybe just didn't take advantage of the time they had.  Well, I'm now one of those people saying "Where did the time go? How did my baby get so big?!"  Levi is nearing his first birthday next week and seriously, where did the last year go?  It's not as if I wasn't with him for virtually every second of his life the last year, but still I always want more time with him.  Even after rough bouts, I always still want to sneak into his room after he's asleep and pat his back and peek at that sweet sleeping boy.  Not only am I beginning to understand what other parents had been saying about time, but I'm also understanding the book Love You Forever.  When we were living in a basement and his crib was in the living room, this book became even more real as some nights we did have to sneak and crawl on the floor past his crib.  I have heard many mothers say to cherish the times you can hold your baby, especially when they are sleeping.   The last month, Levi has been super squirmy at bed time so it hasn't been as enjoyable as in the past.  So yesterday when he fell asleep in my arms, I had to just sit and soak it in.  When he's laying there, I almost hold my breath, not even wanting to wake him by the rising of my chest.  I absolutely love our cuddle times.  

I love the little boy that Levi is becoming.  Lately, the most common remark I get about him is how happy and smily and good he is.  I think I was a little taken aback by this because I was still on the wavelength of him having a very difficult time with life outside the womb.  Although he got easier in some ways, I always wondered, "When is it going to go back to screaming fits during nursing, 20 minute naps, extreme spitting up, waking every hour during the night, etc, etc."  But, little by little, he grew out of these things and God had mercy on me (and on Jonathon).  Thank you Lord!  Comparing him in the last year to how he is now, I am amazed at the transition.  Levi really is the sweetest and most loving little baby I've ever known.  Now, I know probably every mother says this, but he is seriously bursting with love.  He loves reaching out to give hugs and will squeeze you whenever he gets the chance and if you're lucky you get an open mouth, slobbery "love-kiss".  I just love his hugs!  But my favorites are the random ones when he stops during nursing to look up, smile, and grab me for a big smooshy hug!  Levi also has a great love of animals around him, especially dogs.  He loves Molly and tries to get to her at her any chance he gets.  He is really good about giving her gentle hugs as he lays his head against her.  She on the other hand, does not like it and always tries to escape.  Levi even loves dogs he has never met and will give them hugs as well.  The other day we were at a friend's house and he was so excited over their horses and wanted to get through the fence to them.  I need to watch this kid...

Levi has been learning a lot lately and both Jonathon and I say that it seems like a switch was hit suddenly.  All within the last week or two he started signing "more", started a little spoon feeding himself, and acting when we ask questions (Where's your water, cow, etc.?).  Recently while nursing early in the morning, Levi popped off and smiled at me and then signed "more".  I just squeezed him and laughed.  "Of course you can have more, you silly!"  But my favorite is that he almost always responds positively to, "Give to mama".  This is a way important command and I try to always make a huge deal and thank him for obeying when he does it quickly and willingly.  But I suppose the biggest of all news is that he officially took an unaided step at the beginning of the month!  He is still learning to be steady, but now he can take about ten steps without falling over.  But currently he still finds crawling to be the fastest mode of transportation and I am fine with that!  

There are a million other things that I love about Levi, but hopefully you can see a little more about why we love this little munchkin and how he's grown in the last few months.  

Playing in his new sensory table!
Here is where we also watch out the window for all the turkey, deer, and birdies that are around!