In no particular order, some of the fun memories I swim in every now and then while getting ready for Christmas:
1. The Christmas Eve midnight mass we went to in Cleveland with my grandmother many years ago. When we came out, it had started to snow.
2. All the funny ornaments on my family tree, including a pair of my dad's baby shoes and a red elf ornament with peeling paint that looks more like a little devil.
3. My first Christmas married to Andy, spending it in our tiny apartment with hand-me-down furniture and a giant tree. Not much else.
4. Last Christmas, Levi's first. That morning was the first morning where he was able to find his binky on his own in the crib and put it back into his mouth. What kid sleeps in on Christmas morning, we asked ourselves.
5. My first Christmas spent in South Florida in sixth grade. It was so hot, I was wearing shorts. That just seemed wrong to me. Now I love Christmas in Florida when I can wear capris and a t-shirt.
6. The Christmas when I seemed to get nothing but stuffed animals. It was an amazing year for a little girl.
7. The Christmas Eve when I had a dream that the entire family room was covered in presents, including the walls and ceilings.
Less than one week until we make some more memories!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
then and now
I keep wondering who pulled a fast one on me. How can just one year make such a huge difference? How could it possibly have only been one year between this Christmas and last one? SO MUCH has changed in my little guy, one year just doesn't seem enough. Some of the most notable progressions:
1. Levi wasn't even eating solid foods last Christmas when he turned five months old. Today, he can eat a whole sandwich (one piece of bread) and bowl of fruit and slice of cheese for lunch. That's in addition to two snacks, breakfast and dinner each day.
2. Last year we were just getting excited that Levi was rolling. He'd end up a few feet away from his play mat. Now, he's a stealthy walker/trotter who can get wherever the heck he wants. I'm currently trying to discourage him from climbing things around the house.
3. Last year we were still carting Levi around in the infant car seat. Shortly after Christmas we started to leave the seat in the car all the time instead of snapping it in and out of the base. Now, he is in a big boy car seat. With arm rests.
4. Last year we were just beginning to put Levi straight into a stroller. He kinda slumped a little, especially when bundled up. Now, he is rarely content in a stoller and would prefer to be walking around.
5. Last year, no words (obviously). There was babbling, but now he's really building his vocabulary of words and sounds. Mama, dada, up, yeah, no-no, nana (for banana), din-din (dinner), lalalaa (llama), baaa (sheep), moo (cow), meaooow (cat), ooof (dog), choo-choo (train and any car), ball, keys, nose, Aa-oo (Elmo)...
One of my favorite questions to ask parents of young kids is "what's been your favorite age?" I like asking this questions because the answer is usually "this one, right now." And while I feel a little nostalgic for the rolly-polly pudge baby of last Christmas, I think my favorite Levi is this one, right now.
 |
| 2010, pudge baby being propped up |
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| 2011, big boy, standing up |
1. Levi wasn't even eating solid foods last Christmas when he turned five months old. Today, he can eat a whole sandwich (one piece of bread) and bowl of fruit and slice of cheese for lunch. That's in addition to two snacks, breakfast and dinner each day.
2. Last year we were just getting excited that Levi was rolling. He'd end up a few feet away from his play mat. Now, he's a stealthy walker/trotter who can get wherever the heck he wants. I'm currently trying to discourage him from climbing things around the house.
3. Last year we were still carting Levi around in the infant car seat. Shortly after Christmas we started to leave the seat in the car all the time instead of snapping it in and out of the base. Now, he is in a big boy car seat. With arm rests.
4. Last year we were just beginning to put Levi straight into a stroller. He kinda slumped a little, especially when bundled up. Now, he is rarely content in a stoller and would prefer to be walking around.
5. Last year, no words (obviously). There was babbling, but now he's really building his vocabulary of words and sounds. Mama, dada, up, yeah, no-no, nana (for banana), din-din (dinner), lalalaa (llama), baaa (sheep), moo (cow), meaooow (cat), ooof (dog), choo-choo (train and any car), ball, keys, nose, Aa-oo (Elmo)...
One of my favorite questions to ask parents of young kids is "what's been your favorite age?" I like asking this questions because the answer is usually "this one, right now." And while I feel a little nostalgic for the rolly-polly pudge baby of last Christmas, I think my favorite Levi is this one, right now.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
sweetie petey
Sweety Petey, that's what I call Levi when, well, he's being sweet. Today he was definitely a Sweety Petey. With my MOPS group -- Mothers of Preschoolers -- we visited a nursing home today to do a Christmas craft with some of the residents. Levi and I sat next to a nice 90-year-old lady with macular degeneration while we stuck stickers onto foam Christmas trees. Being in a new place, Levi was very quiet and serious. Eventually he wanted to get out of my lap, but just stood between my chair and the lady's chair. He put his little hand on her knee and looked up at her so sweetly. She petted his hair and rubbed her finger under his chin, cooing about how cute he was. He just stood there and stared at her, reached out to touch her diamond ring, and put his chin out for more tickles. I was so proud of him for being such sweet little boy and I hope that as he grows up, he learns how to be compassionate toward others who aren't as fortunate as he is.
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