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.