Mr. Attitude

Lately, Levi is showing us more of his personality and independance. He hates getting his diaper changed and does not like any of his own toys only things he can not have..this week he found the plunger and broom and threw a fit when we took it away. He also loves combing his hair with our brushes. He gets into everything. I think I have some more Levi proofing to do. His work out in the morning or evening is climbing the stairs on his knees..up and down usually two times...he huffs and puffs when he is done and his little heart is just pounding. He has so many different moods and laughs that he can entertain you all day. One night this week he was standing up in the bathtub and started peeing..he turned around and just was laughing away. We have been trying to get outside with this weather as much as we can and Levi loves it.

Florida!

This past week Ryan and I went to Naples, Florida with Ryan's brother Casey and his wife Laura. We left Levi behind with the grandparents with detailed instructions:)It was so good to get away as a couple and enjoy the warm temperatures. We had such a good time and really did not miss our little one as much as we thought. Though at times, I think that Ryan was going through withdrawls of not being able to hold Levi. We had alot fun relaxing, reading, sitting by the pool, going out for dinner and the best...sleeping in. Although, I could not sleep in past 8 or so...it still was a much needed rest.Friday night we went to the dog track and all placed our bets on the winning dogs...they all got the last four spots. No extra money for us. The first day, Saturday,we went to Sanibel island and went on Indigo Trail in the Ding Nature Preserve and then went to the beach. Sunday we went to a Flea Market and spent time in the sun at the pool and then went to Fort Meyers Beach to watch the sunset. Monday we went to Everglades National Park and Tuesday we played minigolf and spent some more time relaxing in the sun. It was the perfect amount of time to be away and much needed. We enjoyed spending time with Casey and Laura and we are thankful for the best care for Levi while we were gone, spending time with his grandparents.


This is the first attempt at video..not very exciting but it worked..
A gator swimming in Everglades National Park.

Making a Mess

The other morning I gave Levi a can of quick oats and a spoon to play with. The cap was on tight..but he was shaking the can so hard, having so much fun and making so much noise I let him play away. He managed to get the cap off and I continued to let him get all in the oatmeal...he is Mr. Tactile and loved touching, tasting and sweezing that oatmeal.

A Trip to the Zoo and a Treat

It was such beautiful weather on Sunday we decieded to take Levi for his first visit to the John Ball Zoo. We really enjoyed spending time together as a family and experiencing the happiness of just being outside and together. Most of the animals were not outside yet and the ones that were Levi could not really see. He did enjoy the penguins and the fish..mostly because he could get up close and see them. He seemed very observant of the people around him and was taking in all the differnt sights. Of course a trip to John Ball would not be complete without climbing on the statue of John himself. I am sure we will visit again soon.









Also, in celebration of St. Patrick's Day Grandma Roedema gave Levi his first taste of frosting and cake... Green frosting. I guess that is what Grandmas are suppose to do...right?:) He really enjoyed it..I think it was just a reason for Grandma Roedema to spoil him because I really can never remember celebrating St. Patty's Day. O well, Levi loved it!

Levi's World

The world of Levi is getting bigger. He is now 9 months old and as happy and busy as ever. He loves exploring and find things that he should not be getting into. He loves purfume bottles, wires, candle wax and buttons on the computer. He can crawl on all fours now and can pull himself up from sitting to standing.We have had a few accidents...of bumping his head and falling off our bed.. I love seeing him in the morning smiling and standing in his crib. He is such a big boy! Lately, he loves "riding" on his car. Ryan will put him on his push car and go around and around the couch...he screams in laughter. I will hide behind the couch or in another room and they will come find me on the car...he loves this game! He loves eating and is enjoying trying all sorts of food. He like pickles, olives and like his dad, this Sunday had roast beef and liked that too. Levi gets frustrated we he can not feed himself so he really does not eat that much baby food. We started him on a different formula too. It is a transitional formula for older babies that his doctor recommended so that we can ease him from lactose free formula, to this,a soy based formula and hopefully he will not have problem in a couple of months with real milk. He has been trying to wave bye-bye and give hugs and kisses on occassion...he is such a sweet heart. Ryan and I both enjoy coming home from work and seeing his face light up.

Katelyn Ranae

Steve and Allison welcomed Katelyn into the world last week. We are so happy for them. We all visited the family at the hospital. Levi seemed to like his new cousin.:) Steve and Allison are doing well and Katelyn is already so loved!

The last couple of weeks...

A couple of updates...first we have all recovered. I mean everyone. Last week Monday, after working 15 hours completly tired, I come home to find Levi tucked in bed. Ah, now to relax. Not so much. Ryan went in to check on him and found Levi covered in puke..orange squash from dinner. The poor thing was pale green but still smiling and kicking his little legs. We stripped the crib, cleaned him up, changed his clothes and he did it again, and again. I have seen many grown people puke but never a little one. It was hard to see him do it and not be able to let me know when he was going to do it. He would just look up at me...like make it stop. I ended up drapping a towel over my shoulder and rocking him until he was done. The next day the diaherra started and he would not eat or drink. We had to force the fluids and the pedalyte which he did not care for. On Thursday, Ryan and I both had it. Ryan did not go to work and Grandma Roedema picked Levi up for the day and overnight. We were just to weak to care for him. Ryan and I slept all day. By the weekend, Grandma and Grandpa Roedema had gotten sick. Grandma Roedema claims it is the sickest she has ever seen my dad. Grandma and Grandpa Koopmans also got sick this week...after helping us out on Saturday while I ran some errands.Yesterday, I could tell that Levi was getting his appetite back...and no more blow out diapers. In addition to all that are upstairs bathroom is torn apart. We came home last week to find the cabient above our toliet had fallen off the wall. Ryan thought that we had been robbed. Our bathroom supplies were all over the floor. I spent some time scrubbing nail polish off our tile. The walls got pretty dinged up too. I was thinking about repainting the bathroom so this should help...right? Meanwhile all our bathroom tolietries are in our bedroom. Very cluttered. We also bought Levi his new bigger carseat and it has been drama ever since. He does not seem to like it. It has gotten better once we get moving but before that it is all screams. It reminds me of when he was 3 months old and would scream all the way down Wilson Ave...when he was colicky. It is hard for him to hold his bottle in this car seat the way the seat is positioned so if he is hungry he gets frustrated that he can not feed himself. That will not stop us though, I am so glad to get outside even it is for a little ride. Otherwise we are going to get cabin fever :) By the way, Levi turned 8 months old this week too.

Bathroom mess

Broken Cabinet


Mister 8 month old

Typical Carseat Reaction

Sick baby...wondering what is in his bottle