Levi's been sick for over a month now - I think we've taken him in now 3 times. First it was croup, the a bad cough, and now the poor thing has the stomach flu. He's a champ though, only complaining during painful diaper changes ( the acid's causing a bad diaper rash). I sm thankful not to have to do 3 or more baths a day and have been loving the new hot steam humidifier we got. I know they're not safe but it really works so much better IMHO.

Levi is now almost 6 months old! And my baby girl will turn 3 at the end of March! Where has the time gone? It's been a lot of fun!

Levi is sitting unassisted, he's saying " momma", he taking several soft purees, he easily raises onto his arms with head up during tummy time , he knows his mom and dad and Kay are his family and comfort him most. He's beloved at daycare and welcomed with cheers when he arrives. He's discovered that banging 2 things together is a ton of fun and noisy! He already likes playing with balls and giggles when it's passed to him. Levi also has figured out how to jump and bounce in his jumperoo. I don't think he's reached his peak of enjoying this cuz I remember much more hilarity from Kaylee when she did this, he's still getting the hang of it...it's cute to see his huge smiles. He's enjoyed the teether, rattles and spinners on the jumpy for at least a month already. He loves to turn around in it, investigating all his options. kaylee wantsvto spin him in it, so that's been something we've been deterring her on.

Kaylee's favorite thing to do now is set up "clubhouses" around the house. She lines up pillows in a row and chairs if they're nearby. She invites us in to play clubhouse. She brings a bunch of toys in and generally makes a huge mess, but there is a method to her madness because when I put the stuff away, she returns the items to their exact same positions within a few minutes. So resistance on my part is futile and a waste of time. I just ask her to help me clean before bedtime and nap now.

Kaylee's started using complicated words like otherwise, usually and in reality in sentences. Sometimes used in slightly wrong context, but I am so proud she's trying them and it's interesting to see how she tries to incorporate these into her flow of talking.

The thaw!

This weekend we enjoyed a trip to the community center for swimming and the indoor playground. The kids had tons of fun! Levi is so amazing in the water - he does not fuss at all! Eric and I both enjoyed a dip in the hot tub.

Kaylee and I made Valentines for her daycare friends. It was fun for Kay, esp. the glueing part - she loves anything messy. Kaylee, however, says she doesn't want to share the candy with her friends and get new candy from them. She would just rather keep the candy we bought for herself. It's tough for a nearly 3 year old to share still...

Kaylee was on a "repeat" cycle looping an entire section of a Curious George story. Singing, shouting, yelling and calling it out to her Brother, the only one who would listen without getting sick of it. Her memorization skills are definately improving!

We also enjoyed a walk around the block yesterday, it was really nice outside! We hardly needed to be bundled up. I'm sure Levi can't remember ever being taken on a walk, he was so little when I could take him last. He enjoyed himself.

I slipped on our driveway this morning and am fine.

Levi still has some congestion and has been sick for the longer than 10 days they said. He's had very hard nights (and I have been sleeping in the recliner with him). So Eric took him back in like they said we should, and they said his ears are fine and no fever so he's still okay. He weight 19 lbs 5 oz and was 27.5" tall.

We also had fun with K & M coming to visit Sat night to watch Toy Story 3. Kaylee was very sad to see them go home.

Happy Valentines Day everybody! For Valentines, my parents treated us yesterday morning by making us brunch! Kaylee enjoyed her Valentine stickies and woke up, asking right away where they were so she could continue to play with them.

feb2011

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Photos of the kiddos!

Smart Chocolate Chip Cookies

Levi has tried his first food this week. It is so fun to spoon-feed a baby for the first time. He opens willingly, slurps up the applesauces and mostly likes to just gum the spoon and teethe on it (holding on to it tightly). Most of the time I'm spending just trying to keep him from choking himself on the spoon. It's so cute. I can't wait to try more foods. The applesauce did cause a bit of eczema. Not sure if it's allergies or if it's just sensitive on his skin...hmmmm.

Levi has begun to notice that I wear a towel on my head after a bath. He looks up at me in it, staring at it in amazement and with a smile like, "Mom you look different what are you up to?" He thinks mom in a towel turban is funny! He also thought it was hilarious to hear "B-I-N-G-O" sung with spits sounds instead of clapping. He laughed so hard!

Levi is tolerating his tummy time more. Maybe we will soon see him army crawling. His back is getting stronger and has no trouble holding his head up while on his tummy. He also can be pulled up from his back and keep his own head stable. One personality trait he has is determination. It seems like his focus on a task is very very good for someone his age. If he's trying to grab a toy in the tub, he will track it and wait for it to get close, then grab it with such determination. He doesn't seem to get easily frustrated or give up easily. I am so proud of my two smart little kids! It's so cute to watch them grow and develop and enjoy themselves! As Kaylee put it, "I am a smart chocolate chip cookie."

Kaylee has begun to puzzle over things as she's trying to figure things out more verbally. Lately we've noticed two things (and her new haircut helps) her eyebrows being furrowed while problem-solving and her eyebrows going up in excitement when having fun. It's so fun to see this whole new level of animation in Kaylee, and to get a little view into her thinking. She was trying to figure out last night why can I not put magnets on the wall? Why does that not work?

Kaylee has been enjoying as I have remarked in the past much more complicated books inthe past few months. Some good ones are:
Curious George short stories
Clifford the Dog stories
Mickey in the Night Kitchen
Where the Wild things are
When you give a Mouse a cookie
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Winnie the Pooh
All Dr. Suess books