At the orchard in their costumes - happy halloween!

Kiddo update

New Levi firsts:
1) He can wave his hand and say “bye”
2) When overwhelmed by his sister or during diaper changes (which he dislikes) he says, “Stop”
3) He blows a kiss.
4) He is saying Kaylee more clearly.
5) He is continuing to try to jump all the time, and says “Jump”
6) He picked out the biggest pumpkin at the pumpkin patch you ever saw, and Kaylee picked out the tiniest one (and green!)
7) He loves to be chased and loves to play peekaboo.
8) He loves to play fort and hide under furniture.
Kaylee has been going over to play at the neighbor’s house frequently on her own, she of course gets escorted across the street but then upon seeing her buddies, she screams delightedly as if she has just met an idol, a rock star! They play for hours together, she has even gotten good at going to the bathroom by herself over there. She even eats dinner over there from time to time. The girls are often over to our house playing as well, and as we are getting closer to having the family room completed, we are excited to be able to host their playtimes even when the weather gets cold.

Kaylee enjoys baking with me, she helps with all the ingredients. She especially loves the part where she gets to steal some chocolate chips. We have removed all the buttons off the oven, since Levi loves to turn them. Levi enjoys the desserts with us after we’re done cooking, smacking his lips and saying, “Num!” and making a gigantic mess of himself, his bib, his highchair and the floor. But I am happy to clean up after him, it’s much preferred over the not-eating stage that Kaylee went through at his age.

Both kids had their flu vaccine. Kaylee got the flu mist this time because she fought the shot this time. Then a day later she was down with the flu, with high fever and frequent vomiting. That always seems to happen to her, I am not sure that the flu shot for Kaylee. Still need to think on this some more, and talk with her pediatrician. Levi had some reaction too but it wasn’t as pronounced and didn’t cause him as much discomfort.

Levi tries to jump and Kaylee's locking doors

Levi is growing and change so quickly now. I know I’ve said this before but now! Wowsers! He’s been doing quite a few new things lately:
• He picks up a camera and brings it to his face and says “cheese.” (with the sweetest little voice you have ever heard!)
• He crouches down low to the floor, and tries to jump, rocketing his body up as quick as he can and arching his back. He accomplished it once, falling hard on his bottom.
• He feeds you at his high chair, saying “cracker” for everything he’s giving you.
• Yesterday at his high chair, when he wanted more, he said “thank you.” It was very effective at getting him more.
• He says, “Aya” “aye!” when looking for Kaylee. She loves it!
• If you do so big with your hands, he’ll do the move. If you clap, he claps. If you tap on your head, he’ll do it too.
• He calls Jackson my nickname for him, “Jacko”.
• He has for quite a while been walking well, climbing stairs well and we’re working on going down the stairs.
• He has been taking just a sippy cup, no bottle since he was one.
My big boy! You can literally see him changing from day to day. He always wants to be in the middle of the action, and has learned how to get attention by being cute, funny, playful and engaging!

Kaylee has learned how to lock doors, we are currently trying to keep her from locking Levi in the bathroom and from locking herself in her room. (both happened). We’ll see how it goes! She also really loves the shopping carts at Cub. She asks to go to Cub when she’s in the car with me after daycare. A couple times I just dropped by to get a thing or two, because she loves it so much.

Today they are going to the pumpkin patch with daycare, hope they are having a great time! We went to the apple orchard as a family a couple weekends ago and had a great time. We also went to an octoberfest type of festival when we were in Madison. It was very fun, and the kids enjoyed jumping in the bouncies (inflated). We will go to another trip to the apple orchard this weekend. Can’t wait.

Had fun shopping with my sister this past weekend, just her and I. It was good to be on my own for a bit. It’d been quite a while! I love my kids but certain things, like shopping for clothes, are definitely done better without them along.

We had a very good photo shoot at Sears. It was not stressful, the lady was great with the kids. Kaylee thought it was hilarious to be told “say Stinky Feet!” She loved it. And the photos were great too. Check them out…

having fun in the fall

Sibling Love

Little Levi looks really little bunched up in the corner at the playgrounds, but he's walking and climbing around like a big boy!

This morning he woke up looking for Kaylee and saying "ayee" over and over. When they reunited, they were so sweet together playing and being friends. She loves him and he loves her. Our dc provider said sometimes she takes a beating from him at daycare, letting him pull her hair and climb all over her. but I've also seen a bit of the reverse. She said about them too that Kaylee "dotes on Levi" and that she's never seen siblings seem so connected and want to spend time together as these two in her years doing daycare.

Also, update on the basement it is completely cleared in the family room, we are calling contractors! I am proud of our ability to toss, give away, sell and donate! Good riddance to that old stuff, in with the new (space)!