Little Man Levi! (7 Month Photos + 8 Month Update)

I got around to taking some pictures of Levi last month, so I thought I would share them and give an update now that he is eight months old and all grown up!

The past four months of this boy's life have been a little less smooth sailing than the first four. Levi started becoming a bit fussier around the same time that I learned we had another baby on the way. At around six months old, he started shaving hours off his nights and getting crankier during the day. I eventually started adding formula to supplement his diet, which really seemed to help. 

Levi wanted to help me illustrate how he felt in those days. 

He soon began to eat solid food, and it did not take long for him to learn that he liked our real food much better than that flavorless pureed goop. He now eats everything straight off our table, with a few exceptions. Since he consumes plenty of solids now, nursing seems to be sufficient and he no longer needs the extra formula. Our baby feeding bill has gone down again for now, until he gets a bit older and starts eating me out of the house!

Did I ever mention how much Levi loves his fingers? 

The past week or two, he has transformed into a very happy boy who sleeps all the way through the night again!

Levi's latest milestone has been crawling, and he gets around more every day now...to the point where I actually have to peek in on him now when things get quiet (although often he cries when he is doing something he shouldn't and is asleep on the floor when he is being quiet...what a perfect little boy ;)).

 He is so curious and energetic and loves to discover new things!

This was his "curious" pose. 

When fed and rested, Levi is usually full of smiles, loves to be around others, and knows very few strangers. He loves to make noise, read books, play the piano, play outside with the cats, dance, discover everything, learn new tricks, and EAT. He LOVES to eat.  

The best part of Levi's day is when Daddy gets home from work. Let me tell you, that moment is pure JOY for this boy. All of the clouds suddenly go away, the sun starts shining, and arms start flailing in excitement! I think it also makes Daddy pretty happy to know his little buddy is excited to see him, too! 

It is so much fun to see this boy's smiling face in the morning and watch him grow as he learns more about the world around him! We are so thankful for the joy and blessings Levi brings.

Eight months old this week...turning into a little man! 

Baker's Man!

Levi was excited last month to share the big news that he gets to be a big brother soon! Life is about to get really busy but we are so excited and thankful to welcome another addition to our family!

As mentioned in the last post, I spent much of my summer feeling nauseous again, but am now experiencing the renewed second trimester energy. Baby's official due date is February 5th, which makes me about nineteen weeks along now...and...we found out the gender this time! However, we do intend to keep the rest of the world in suspense until baby's arrival. :)

Thanks to God for His wonderful blessings!

The Fruit of August

We returned home from vacation to find an abundance of peaches and blackberries in our little orchard out back. Two weeks of picking, canning, and freezing were followed by another week of salsa and a week of grapes! We are thankful for the abundant harvest, though it is so nice to be done! Until apple season in another month, of course.

One delicious product of the blackberries: Jesse made a fresh blackberry pie! 

Three days' worth of peaches and salsa

Levi has started eating real food and he loves it! Peach season was a real treat for him! 

We got to visit (Great) Grandpa and Grandma Schulz a few weeks ago. Levi wore his "Grandpa is the Best" shirt to butter up Grandpa...it probably didn't take a special shirt to impress him, though. 

Seven months old and starting to crawl...yikes! At Levi's "six months and three weeks" check up, he weighed 15lb 9oz, which puts him in the tenth percentile for his age. Seems to be growing like a Schulz! 

We were excited to have overnight visitors when Laurie, Kyra and Garret came to visit this month. This past Sunday afternoon brought the exciting news that another boy joined their family! We are so excited to meet little Weston! 

School has already started again, and along with that came a new schedule for us with seven piano lessons fitting into the late afternoons again. Levi usually does pretty well, especially when he is getting lots of attention from the kids!

A beautiful day last week provided some nice outdoor time! 

Preparing to turn the calendar to September made me feel a little hesitant. Where has this year been going?? I quickly determined it has gone to my baby(ies). Survival mode in the newborn stage; watching Levi change, grow, and learn in the next stages; being sick and pregnant all summer (again!)...but that excitement can wait another week until my next post...

Though not always referenced in my writing, the title of this blog comes back to me often. We are so thankful for all of the precious times God gives us to enjoy one another and the Creation around us!

We Have This Moment 

Hold tight to the sound of the music of living, Happy songs from the laughter of children at play; Hold my hand as we run through the sweet fragrant meadows, Making mem'ries of what was today.

Tiny voice that I hear is my little girl calling, For Daddy to hear just what she has to say; And my little son running there by the hillside, May never be quite like today. 

Tender words, gentle touch and a good cup of coffee, And someone who loves me and wants me to stay; Hold them near while they're here and don't wait for tomorrow, To look back and wish for today.

Take the blue of the sky and the green of the forest, And the gold and the brown of the freshly mown hay; Add the pale shades of spring and the circus of autumn, And weave you a lovely today.

We have this moment to hold in our hands and to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand; Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come, But we have this moment today.

(Words and song by Bill & Gloria Gaither)