Lions and Bears?

I thought I would post some pictures of the only Lions fans left in the state of Michigan. I guess Levi gets to be a fan by default because Ryan is such a true fan. Although, this season he does seem to have his doubts if they will ever win a game. Levi really enjoys this fall weather and I bundle him up in his "cub" suit most everyday and go for a walk. We do have to wait until afternoon until the temperture is at least 50.:) It really is such a great time of year and we love looking at all the different trees and colors on our walk. I love being able to get outside each day and have some fresh air. I know that Levi enjoys it too...by all the sounds he makes when I put him in his stroller.

Fall Fun...with our pumpkin

On Sunday, our family enjoyed the warm fall day and went to an apple orchard. We had alot of fun and Levi was taking in all the sights of the farm. They had a little petting area where Ryan and Levi fed the goats. We saw chickens and bunnies too. We enjoyed posing Levi for some pictures. We had him propped in some pumpkins and he did a face plant right into the side of a pumpkin...it did not seem to bother him. Ryan and I got some apple cider and a really good homemade dounut. We walked to the pumpkin patch a found a couple of pumpkins for our own. Levi was kicking, talking and watching all the kids around him. It was a lot of fun for our family. Here are some pictures of the day.

4 months old

Levi is now 4 months old and we are enjoying him more and more each day. He is talking, smiling and almost laughing at all the silly things that Ryan and I do to him. He has started eating rice cereal and he loves it. I can not wait to see how he will react to "real food". He no longer hates his tummy time. He likes being on his stomach and takes in everything around us. His eyes will follow when we move to the other room.Sometimes he even cries when we get out of view. But once we see him or pick him back up he is all smiles. We usually take a walk in the morning and he loves being outside. I also think it helps him sleep better too. We have our 4 month checkup at the end of the month. I am looking forward to seeing how much he has grown.

This ones for you....

So I have been getting alot of...how come I am not on the blog...To be fair then I collected all pictures of all of Levi's Aunts and Uncles, Grandmas and Grandpas so that everyone can have their moment. It is fitting though, because really you are so special to us and to Levi.

Levi's Baptism

This past Sunday Levi got baptized at Remembrance Reformed Church. It was a very special day for our family.Ryan and I commited to raising Levi to love the Lord with help from our families and our church.We got a Bible story book from church and a rose. Levi did very well during the service looking out into the crowd as he was baptized...it probably helped that we were feeding him a bottle right until we went up front. We did not stay through the whole service though, because after we sat down Ryan "thought he smelled something" lets just say it was a good thing we left before the sermon because otherwise I am sure that diaper would have upset him sooner or later. We had the grandparents and aunts and uncles over afterward for lunch. Ryan said a heartfelt prayer at lunch for his son and our family that touched everyone.

Hi Ho..Hi Ho...Its back to work I go

First morning back to work



This past week I headed back to work part-time at Metro Health Hospital as an R.N. working in the special care newborn nursery and postpartum. I am working two 12 hour days a week. Ryan and I found out that the days that I am working are going to be early and long for both of us. I have to be at work at 6:45am so I am usually out of the house by 6am meaning Ryan and I both have to be up at around 5:30am to get ready and to get Levi ready so that Ryan can drop him off at Grandma's and then head to school. I usually get home at 8pm so when I get home it is bath time for Levi/suppertime/catchup with Ryan time/and then bedtime for all of us. This past week I worked Friday, Saturday and Sunday(this will happen every 3 weeks). So, Ryan and Levi spent alot of time together this weekend.I am so proud of Ryan and how he is taking care of Levi on these 12 hour days.He is such a great dad.Levi did spend time at both Grandma's houses too so that Ryan could work on some school work for his masters class. On Sunday, Ryan took Levi to church and as a special surprise brought Levi up to the hospital to visit with Mom for awhile. We spent some time meeting my coworkers and then headed to the cafeteria for lunch...what a good time to spend with both my boys. Of course, on Sunday afternoon Ryan and Levi watched the Lions...lose again. I am glad to be back working. I feel like it is a good fit for me...spending time helping others and with friends at work, and being home and raising our son. I am grateful for the balance of work and home that my job provides. We are blessed.

Surprise visit at work from Dad and Levi

Camping at Ludington State Park

A Labor Day tradition for the Roedema family is to go camping at Ludington State Park. Ryan and I introduced Levi to all the joys of camping. We went on nature walks, had camp fires, went swimming and slept all together in our tent. Ryan and I enjoyed taking bike rides, spending time at the beach and talking and catching up with our family. We had perfect weather. The first night in the tent Levi got cold...we thought we dressed him warm enough but he woke up and spent the rest of the night with Ryan in his sleeping bag. The next night Levi woke up at about 5 am and we fed him a bottle and he was a little fussy he did not want to go right back to sleep. He was crying and the campground was dark and all the other campers were sleeping so I took Levi into our car and spent about 20 minutes rocking him to sleep there; then back into the tent we went. We both learned to make bottles during night with a flashlight and to change diapers ...fast so the campers next door would not be woken up with Levi's crying. Levi adapted well to his new environment....we even brought his bathtub for his bath and all the aunts and uncles got a chance to give him his bath on the picnic table. Grandma and Grandpa Roedema were also a big help with Levi. They played with him and loved to spend time with their grandson. We can not wait for next year where Levi can experience more camping fun.

Asleep in the tent
The Koopmans Family
Levi after a walk in the woods
Uncle Steve and Aunt Al giving bath
Me and Levi