Gettin Ready for Christmas

Levi picked out the first ornament to go on the tree.

He and the Purdue snowman became fast friends. :)

Levi showing off our Christmas tree.

He said, "I LOVE this bright, shiny addition to our living room. I enjoy looking at while lying on my changing pad."

Grand Illumination Weekend

We enjoyed Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination at the Capitol this year. Levi was a very good sport and didn't seem to mind being in the cold for over an hour. It was about 45 degrees, so not as cold as many other parts of the U.S. Sunday evening. ;)

He enjoyed the fireworks in a snazzy white snowsuit. Only his cheeks were cold at the end of the night. I thought the fireworks were pretty amazing.

Levi loves his dad. Josh decided to take a short break from Finals preparation tonight and played with Levi and I for a while.

(I uploaded this post as well as the Gettin Ready for Christmas post from Picasa and must say I was very pleased at the speed and ease of doing it this way.)

Our Little Crab

Levi's first Halloween was spent at the Outlet Mall in Williamsburg. It was about 68 degrees...warmer than any Halloween I ever experienced as a child. We live in a condo complex with mostly retired people and Trick or Treating doesn't happen. In years past our church has hosted a Trunk or Treat, but didn't this year, so on a friend's recommendation we decided to go where Levi could be seen in his costume and where mom and dad wouldn't feel too bad about taking candy for a 6-month old.

My mom made his costume. Josh and I wanted something aquatic since he really enjoys his sea horse and fish toys, so we decided on a crab. I am proud to say that I quickly made his candy bag. I also added some scenery to his stroller to make it look like an ocean. I just brought out a few of his toys and a blue blanket to look like water. It was fun. While trick or treating at the 12-15 stores we went to he was mistaken for a lobster and a devil, but that's okay.

He really had no idea what was happening, but it was fun for our family. After we got home I left the room to grab his pajamas and came back to find him enjoying the "fruits of his labors." I wasn't planning to do a photo shoot with his candy, but it ended up being really fun to watch him have fun for about 10 minutes before getting ready for bed. Maybe next year he can savor a piece or two of his well earned candy and not just the wrappers.

(Sorry the pictures are displayed haphazardly...I still haven't quite figured out the fine art of blogging.)

Levi meets the Booths

Levi had only met his grandma on the Booth side until our trip to Utah over Columbus Day...imagine his surprise when he got to meet EVERYONE else in one trip!!

Josh is one of seven children. All but the youngest is married, and there are 5 grandchildren, Levi included. So, there were 16 new family members to meet. Levi was up to the challenge. He took being passed around from person to person like a champ. He was able to start wearing some of his cold weather clothes as well.

Josh’s mom was Levi’s first babysitter. We hadn’t left Levi with anyone before--unless you count the time we went out to dinner days after he was born because we didn’t know when we would get another chance to go on a date. So, we left Levi with his aunts, cousins, grandma, and uncles while Josh and I went to the temple and out for a quick lunch.

Josh and I also spent a few hours in Logan (the city we lived in when we were married) by ourselves. Grandma asked Levi to stay behind so she could have some quality time with him. I am proud to say that we only called once in those 4 or 5 hours and we weren’t worried about him the whole time. We knew he was in good hands.

On our flight home. Levi was lucky enough, mostly mom and dad were lucky enough, to bring the carseat on board on 3 of our 4 flights. He was a good traveler and was smiled at countless times by those around us and the flight crew.

Quality time with grandpa.

Quality time with grandma.

Uncle Justin and Aunt Lacey were very entertaining. They played with Levi very well as did Aunt Becca...she's peering over the chair in the background.

Levi tends to be pretty quiet when there is a lot going on...I think he tries to take in everything around him. So, Josh had to help Levi show off some. Here Josh is making him laugh for all to hear.

I think we only have one other picture of the three of us...I'm glad this one turned out nicely.

Kyle and Barbie tried to help Levi figure out the jumping chair...he never really quite got it.

Levi: "Um, one of 5 people around me...I'm just hanging out here...can I have a toy or something?"

Here's Levi helping us pack for our trip. Thanks to Southwest's free checked baggage we each had our own suitcase. I realized after packing all of Levi's items it one bag that it would be a good idea to spread a few of his things into each of our bags just in case his bag got lost. All 3 of our bags arrived so there weren't any problems, but always better to be prepared.

It was a wonderful trip. It was nice to visit with family again and to show off our little Levi. We would have liked to visit longer, but I think that is always the case. We Love You Booth Family! Thanks for having us, loving Levi, and being who you are.

5 months

We haven't posted anything for a month, so I thought I should post these pictures that our friend, Kristi, took last Saturday. Josh takes care of Levi in the mornings while I work. He goes to campus when I come home...so we tag-team parent. We're tired at the end of each day, but Levi has all of the love and attention he needs. He doesn't know it, but he is so very lucky to have so much time with Josh. Many children don't get one-on-one time with dads.

Levi is now 5 months old. He's more fun each day and can do more things on his own. We're still waiting for him to roll over; today I saw him get frighteningly close a few times. Its just a matter of days, I think. He smiles at laughs at the simplest things, that makes me smile and laugh.

Levi prefers standing to sitting, so you are seeing him in rare form. Sitting is a skill mom and Levi are working on more. If you are wondering about the brace on my arm; I have tendonitis in my thumb and wrist. I am getting so tired of telling everyone that I told Josh I want a shirt that says, "I Have Tendonitis!!" Its getting better, so hopefully that won't grace many more pictures. We Love Our Levi! Such a cutie and such a good baby. :)

Another great laughing video

Levi's lessons

We've been teaching Levi to do all sorts of things that, some might say, he is a bit young for. However, as you can see, he's been learning remarkably well:

First, we taught him to stand on his own two feet. (I know it looks like he's leaning against the couch, but that's just the camera an

gle, or the aspect ratio, or something like that.)

Next, we taught him to pray, which he learned incredibly well.

Finally, we decided that we were sick of driving him to all his various activities. So, he's learning how to drive. He's not great at it, but, as you can see, at least he checks his side-mirrors.

Levi laughing

A fun video of Sloan and Levi laughing together. Sloan was holding the camera while trying to get Levi to laugh, but I think she did a pretty good job. -Josh

Clothing

Yes, we all know that babies grow. I thought it would be fun to have pictures of the clothes that he outgrows. He will be 3 months old on Tuesday so its fine that he is wearing 3 month clothes. These are the NB and 0-3 month clothes that he can't wear anymore. He has plenty of items to get him thru his first year of life, I think. Maybe I'll post a picture of his closet so you can see what I mean. He still doesn't like getting dressed, its rough on his arms and neck, I guess, but its worth the frustration to ensure he's warm, comfy, and has a barrier between his spit-up and skin.

I also wanted to include an article of my clothing. This is the BACK of one of my shirts. Levi had a particluarly bad bout of spit-up one afternoon. I didn't realize how bad it was until I looked on the couch and saw some white goo on the cushion. I was surprised by that, but even more surprised when I looked in the mirror to see this waterfall or "spitfall" on my shirt. I thought it important to document.

Friends, Fireworks, and a Blessing

It was a busy and fun 4th of July for Levi and his parents. We went to a BBQ at our good friends', the Milletts, Levi saw his first fireworks, and he was blessed in Sacrament meeting. All went very well and were memory makers for mom and dad.

While at the Millett's Levi had his first "play date." Neither he nor Grayson were very into it, but their moms had fun trying to get them to notice each other. Grayson is a month older than Levi.

Colonial Williamsburg had some lovely fireworks this year. I had heard on the news this week that many communities would be celebrating the 4th of July without fireworks...I'm glad ours wasn't one of them. We didn't think the fireworks would upset Levi and they didn't. For a while he was oblivious to them, but then he finally noticed a few. His facial expression didn't change at all, but we were just glad that he was able to see them. We had lovely weather on the 4th and enjoyed our 3rd 4th in Williamsburg and Levi's 1st.

Levi anxiously awaits the fireworks.

Enjoying the fireworks with dad.

No, Josh isn't holding up Levi's head to look at the fireworks...he's covering his ears for the loud booms.

Levi's blessing went very well! He didn't make a peep during his blessing. Josh said he and Levi kept eye contact the whole time. Our families were unable to attend, but our ward family was there. Levi's blessing gown is special. My mom made it from my wedding dress. I really don't see a daughter of mine wanting to wear my wedding dress for her wedding, so rather than have it hang in a closet forever we are getting some more use out of it. We hope that our subsequent children will wear it on their blessing days. I think we'll embroider their name, blessing date, and ward or city on it. Levi also wore booties that I bought while in Ireland in college. They'll both be nice family heirlooms someday.

Levi has become quite the chatterbox over the last few days. He likes it when you sing around him...he and Josh can perform quite the duet. We think they'll be ready to sing in Sacrament meeting soon. ;) In the video below Levi is talking away.

Travels of Levi Booth

Levi with my mom

with my cousin, Traci (no he's not naked...he has a diaper on.)

Levi and I made a trip to Illinois over my birthday. (Josh and I knew that once we started having children that we really wouldn't exist to our parents.) I was nervous about traveling with him by myself, but we were both strong and made it through the 4 flights with ease. He was lucky enough to have his own seat on the flight from Richmond to Cincinnati, but during the other 3 his time was spent in mom's arms. They were all very short flights, an hour and seven minutes was the longest. I was able to nurse him as we took off for our first 3 flights (he was asleep for the 4th) so I hope that helped him to be more comfortable. The only trouble we had was as we landed in Richmond. He decided he was hungry as we made our way to the gate, so there wasn't really time to feed him and I couldn't really soothe him so he cried until I was able to stand up. A gentleman turned around to see what I was or was not doing to help calm him and I just commented that "he did so well" for the flight. I don't know if he was showing annoyance or if he had just realized there was a baby nearby, but I really was proud of Levi for being such a good flying companion.

On our trip we visited with my family and a few friends. Levi was a little timid at times. Now most members of my family think that Levi is a "mama's boy." Josh and I think that becuase I was the only familiar person around that Levi wanted to be near me. That was fine...it just made shopping a little difficult. I probably should have taken more pictures on our trip than I did, but I'll continue to get the hang of having the camera nearby and ready for anything.

with Auntie Ann

with my cousin, Jacob

We had a nice time despite the heat. I was able to enjoy a few treats from home...a Frisco Melt and chocolate milkshake from Steak n Shake, Monical's Pizza, a sub from Jimmy John's, Nanny's potato salad, and cake from IGA (the local grocery store which also made my wedding cake.) I was able to go shopping at Bergner's (my favorite department store). We buy Josh a tie each time we go. I got two shirts for myself, a shirt and tie for Josh, and Levi got his first stuffed animal.

with Nanny, my grandma-Levi's only great-grand parent

Levi napped in the Moses basket in the living room a few times. I was nervous when one of the cats got a little too nosey and peaked his head inside to see what everyone kept looking at...they were fine though. (I don't like the cats at my mom and grandma's house very much, but they didn't come out of hiding much while I was there.)

Grandma bought Levi a rocking chair...its a bouncy seat for little ones and then a rocking chair for toddlers. He enjoyed it.

June 09 Pictures

This is one of my attempts to take some "professional" shots. I'll keep trying. :)












Josh is really good at entertaining Levi.











He is a smiling and cooing machine!











He's cute when he sleeps.












Levi likes to look at his mom.