Monday, September 17, 2007
New skill
Levi has learned to cluck with his tounge this morning. I first heard it as I was taking the dogs out to do their business. I usually carry him along on my hip. I must have made a clicking sound to encourage the girls to hurry and the next thing I know he is mimicing me and quite pleased with himself. :-D He continued to do this at various times throughout the day.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
New foods
Last night and today for lunch (leftovers) we had eggplant mozzerella (we prefer it over parmesan). Levi seemed to really like it. He also tried some red chard and vegetarian chick'n. Yum. Levi says "Geeee" a lot also now, daddy, sometimes ma, Ba! It is fun to see him develop.
Monday, September 10, 2007
September 9 2007
The big day has arrived! Today is my little brother's wedding day. He decided to start it off right by going with his groomsmen on a sky diving adventure. They met at Sky Dive Oregon at 8:30 AM. They went down in two groups, Wes was in the first group. Grandpa went along to watch and called us to say he was down safely. Then Wes called in and said it was a great jump and his adrenaline was really pumping. We were relieved.
Back at the house Ma and Matt and Levi and I had breakfast and then decided to burn some time by checking out some RV lots in the area. Unfortunately they were all closed. The biggest one didn't have any older camper trailer models anyway.
We got ready for the wedding (all except Levi) and headed over to Oak Grove. We got there an hour earlier than we had planned on and a lot of people were bustling about getting everything ready. It was really beautiful, although incredibly windy! We set out a blanket on the ground to rest upon while Levi climbed about and crawled to and fro, investigating nature. He was starting to act sleepy but was really fighting his nap. Leaves and small branches were falling and blowing all about and pelting me on my bare shoulders. Someone put the kids to work picking up the sticks and they did a great job.
Family photos were scheduled to be at 2:30 and from my recollection they were right on time. We waited until just before the photos to get Levi dressed in his wedding duds. He was so cute - black pants, white dress shirt, black tie and little black suspenders. The pro photographers (there were two of them) and Wedding Planner really kept things moving right along.
Before we knew it, it was time for the wedding. The wind even died down slightly for the ceremony. After Wes ushered down and seated his parents and grandparents, the groomsmen made their entrance, then the bridesmaids and flower girl. Following the flower girl was the wagon, pulled by Joanie's cousin. I waited until the last minute to belt Levi in and tried to put him in good spirits. Mia was also belted in and off the wagon went, us nervous parents trying to stay close so the little kids wouldn't get upset. It didn't take long and Mia started crying so her dad took her out about 1/3 down the aise. She is a month younger than Levi but she can walk, so her dad ended up following the wagon holding her hand. Levi did so good, we were all so proud of him. He just sat there watching me and everyone and enjoyed his short ride to the front. Once at the front, I promptly removed him and then everyone stood and watched as Joanie made her way down the aisle.
Shortly into the ceremony, Levi got quite fussy and cranky as it was way past his nap-time. I took him over to the side of the chairs and rocked him and then made my way to the back of the chairs where Matt was set up with his video camera. He FINALLY did go to sleep in my arms, right before the ceremony ended. It was a nice service.
After the wedding, they had to get more photos with family that wasn't initally there beforehand, and then it was time to be seated. Dad dismissed the tables a few at a time to keep the line orderly and just before all this Levi woke up. The food was awesome. It is my understanding that Joanie's family made most of it, and they did a bang-up job! There were vegetable and fruit platters; hard bread with artichoke/spinach dip; some kind of wraps; cheeses and crackers; mini pita sandwiches; sweet-n-sour meatballs (vegetarian); pasta salad; skewers with the best little tomatoes/zuchinni/cheese; skewers with creampuffs and strawberries, there was just no end to the food and before I knew it I had piled my plate high. I went back about three times for more meatballs and creampuffs. Levi ate quite a bit off my plate, and then he went to sit with Mom and grandfather Jim and ate even more.
I was very impressed with how smooth the wedding was run, and how timely and efficient. They had a scheudule and really stuck to it. They cut the cake and fed each other with such tenderness. Then Joanie threw her boquet and Wes threw the garter. I had Levi out there to the side for the garter toss but it was wishful thinking, those big guys really got aggressive making their dive for it. Before we knew it the reception was over!
The groomsmen had painted some very naughty things on the getaway car but it was discovered and removed before Wes and Joanie could see it. As they made their exit, everyone blew bubbles at them.
Then Dad and Genia left to make their flight. Mom loaded the presents up in her car to take them back to the house. Wes and Joanie are going on their honeymoon before they return to their home.
We drove on home afterwards, making a stop at Multnomah falls so Levi could stretch as he was getting fussy. When we got back in the car he promptly fell asleep and slept all the way home. We got home about 12:30 AM and as soon as the car was shut off, Levi opened his eyes and burbled at us. It was really cute. He was so excited to be home he would break out in fits of laughter. I have never seen him so happy.
Now his Uncle Wes is married off and we will have to go and visit them once in a while.
*Photos posted soon*
Back at the house Ma and Matt and Levi and I had breakfast and then decided to burn some time by checking out some RV lots in the area. Unfortunately they were all closed. The biggest one didn't have any older camper trailer models anyway.
We got ready for the wedding (all except Levi) and headed over to Oak Grove. We got there an hour earlier than we had planned on and a lot of people were bustling about getting everything ready. It was really beautiful, although incredibly windy! We set out a blanket on the ground to rest upon while Levi climbed about and crawled to and fro, investigating nature. He was starting to act sleepy but was really fighting his nap. Leaves and small branches were falling and blowing all about and pelting me on my bare shoulders. Someone put the kids to work picking up the sticks and they did a great job.
Family photos were scheduled to be at 2:30 and from my recollection they were right on time. We waited until just before the photos to get Levi dressed in his wedding duds. He was so cute - black pants, white dress shirt, black tie and little black suspenders. The pro photographers (there were two of them) and Wedding Planner really kept things moving right along.
Before we knew it, it was time for the wedding. The wind even died down slightly for the ceremony. After Wes ushered down and seated his parents and grandparents, the groomsmen made their entrance, then the bridesmaids and flower girl. Following the flower girl was the wagon, pulled by Joanie's cousin. I waited until the last minute to belt Levi in and tried to put him in good spirits. Mia was also belted in and off the wagon went, us nervous parents trying to stay close so the little kids wouldn't get upset. It didn't take long and Mia started crying so her dad took her out about 1/3 down the aise. She is a month younger than Levi but she can walk, so her dad ended up following the wagon holding her hand. Levi did so good, we were all so proud of him. He just sat there watching me and everyone and enjoyed his short ride to the front. Once at the front, I promptly removed him and then everyone stood and watched as Joanie made her way down the aisle.
Shortly into the ceremony, Levi got quite fussy and cranky as it was way past his nap-time. I took him over to the side of the chairs and rocked him and then made my way to the back of the chairs where Matt was set up with his video camera. He FINALLY did go to sleep in my arms, right before the ceremony ended. It was a nice service.
After the wedding, they had to get more photos with family that wasn't initally there beforehand, and then it was time to be seated. Dad dismissed the tables a few at a time to keep the line orderly and just before all this Levi woke up. The food was awesome. It is my understanding that Joanie's family made most of it, and they did a bang-up job! There were vegetable and fruit platters; hard bread with artichoke/spinach dip; some kind of wraps; cheeses and crackers; mini pita sandwiches; sweet-n-sour meatballs (vegetarian); pasta salad; skewers with the best little tomatoes/zuchinni/cheese; skewers with creampuffs and strawberries, there was just no end to the food and before I knew it I had piled my plate high. I went back about three times for more meatballs and creampuffs. Levi ate quite a bit off my plate, and then he went to sit with Mom and grandfather Jim and ate even more.
I was very impressed with how smooth the wedding was run, and how timely and efficient. They had a scheudule and really stuck to it. They cut the cake and fed each other with such tenderness. Then Joanie threw her boquet and Wes threw the garter. I had Levi out there to the side for the garter toss but it was wishful thinking, those big guys really got aggressive making their dive for it. Before we knew it the reception was over!
The groomsmen had painted some very naughty things on the getaway car but it was discovered and removed before Wes and Joanie could see it. As they made their exit, everyone blew bubbles at them.
Then Dad and Genia left to make their flight. Mom loaded the presents up in her car to take them back to the house. Wes and Joanie are going on their honeymoon before they return to their home.
We drove on home afterwards, making a stop at Multnomah falls so Levi could stretch as he was getting fussy. When we got back in the car he promptly fell asleep and slept all the way home. We got home about 12:30 AM and as soon as the car was shut off, Levi opened his eyes and burbled at us. It was really cute. He was so excited to be home he would break out in fits of laughter. I have never seen him so happy.
Now his Uncle Wes is married off and we will have to go and visit them once in a while.
*Photos posted soon*
Saturday, September 8, 2007
September 8 2007
Saturday morning everyone arose about 8 AM and Grandfather Jim had planned to go to church. There was some confusion as the groomsmen wanted to go for a hike yet there were not enough cars to transport all of them. Finally Grandfather arranged to take Mom's car to church, and the groomsmen realized they would need a rental car for the weekend.
We ate breakfast - Wes had provided donuts, sugary cereals, bananas, bagels and bread for toast. Levi had part of a banana and then shared my cereal and toast with me.
As it ended up Wendy, Bill, Mom, Matt and I went to Multnomah Falls for a morning hike. I had forgotten to pack any sort of stroller or carrypack for Levi so I was a little concerned about carrying him all that way. Well auntie Wendy had lived in Africa for a time and she said all I needed was a thin beach towel. Mom happened to have one with her. She showed me how to tie it and put the baby in it and tie it again and walah! A ready-made carrier. That was sure a neat discovery. It worked out really well, I had no pain carrying him at all. We went quite a ways up the falls, but not to the top. Levi was tired but enjoyed watching the scenery go by. Matt also got to see a couple trains.
Then we came back to Wes' and regrouped. Then on we went to Talbot State Park for a 1 PM potluck lunch. It was haystacks and it was awesome. They had a variety of rices and beans and then all the fixins a person could want to build a mountain of food. Also some very good desserts. We ate until we were stuffed. Levi was acting tired and I was hoping he would take a nap but he would much rather be off crawling through the grasses and poking his fingers in the dirt. We were able to sit on a blanket in the shade for some time.
Just off to the entrance of the park was a camper pop-up trailer for sale so I had to walk over and take a gander at it with Levi strapped to my back in his beach towel. I had never seen a pop-up trailer actually popped up before. This one was older but in very good condition, it looked like it slept 4 comfortably, with a little stove in the center. We are hoping to get a camper trailer once we have some extra money.
After lunch and a short rest we headed back to Wes' to pick up ingredients for the rehearsal dinner. Mom had made her famous spaghetti sauce and had it ready to go. We carefully transported it over to the Molstead's house. Dad and Genia had brought stuff for salad and bread and they got to work preparing everything. Dad chopped up a whole head of garlic and added it to a tub of butter. Wendy tasted it and proclaimed that it was too strong, so Dad added another tub of butter. That calmed it down a little but it was still too hot of a spread for me.
Dinner was very good although scheduled for 5:30 PM and most people were still full from lunch! We ate our fill and then Wes and Joanie gave out gifts to all their attendants. It was a lovely "ceremony" and Levi recieved his very first Bible with his name printed on the front, for use in the wedding as well.
When the party drew to a close we went back to Wes' with mom and veged out with ma, Wendy and Grandpa. Levi was crawling all about the house and I was having quite the time keeping up with him. We played some hide-and-seek, much to his delight. Wendy was soon falling asleep so she went up to bed while Grandpa and Mom and I watched some television once Levi got tied and retired with Matt. The Discovery channel had a show called "1,000 places to see before you Die" and this one was on Alaska. After that we watched Dr. 90210 and had some fun conversations with Grandfather. Then Saturday Night Live with Jon Heder and we all were falling asleep half way though so called it a night.
We ate breakfast - Wes had provided donuts, sugary cereals, bananas, bagels and bread for toast. Levi had part of a banana and then shared my cereal and toast with me.
As it ended up Wendy, Bill, Mom, Matt and I went to Multnomah Falls for a morning hike. I had forgotten to pack any sort of stroller or carrypack for Levi so I was a little concerned about carrying him all that way. Well auntie Wendy had lived in Africa for a time and she said all I needed was a thin beach towel. Mom happened to have one with her. She showed me how to tie it and put the baby in it and tie it again and walah! A ready-made carrier. That was sure a neat discovery. It worked out really well, I had no pain carrying him at all. We went quite a ways up the falls, but not to the top. Levi was tired but enjoyed watching the scenery go by. Matt also got to see a couple trains.
Then we came back to Wes' and regrouped. Then on we went to Talbot State Park for a 1 PM potluck lunch. It was haystacks and it was awesome. They had a variety of rices and beans and then all the fixins a person could want to build a mountain of food. Also some very good desserts. We ate until we were stuffed. Levi was acting tired and I was hoping he would take a nap but he would much rather be off crawling through the grasses and poking his fingers in the dirt. We were able to sit on a blanket in the shade for some time.
Just off to the entrance of the park was a camper pop-up trailer for sale so I had to walk over and take a gander at it with Levi strapped to my back in his beach towel. I had never seen a pop-up trailer actually popped up before. This one was older but in very good condition, it looked like it slept 4 comfortably, with a little stove in the center. We are hoping to get a camper trailer once we have some extra money.
After lunch and a short rest we headed back to Wes' to pick up ingredients for the rehearsal dinner. Mom had made her famous spaghetti sauce and had it ready to go. We carefully transported it over to the Molstead's house. Dad and Genia had brought stuff for salad and bread and they got to work preparing everything. Dad chopped up a whole head of garlic and added it to a tub of butter. Wendy tasted it and proclaimed that it was too strong, so Dad added another tub of butter. That calmed it down a little but it was still too hot of a spread for me.
Dinner was very good although scheduled for 5:30 PM and most people were still full from lunch! We ate our fill and then Wes and Joanie gave out gifts to all their attendants. It was a lovely "ceremony" and Levi recieved his very first Bible with his name printed on the front, for use in the wedding as well.
When the party drew to a close we went back to Wes' with mom and veged out with ma, Wendy and Grandpa. Levi was crawling all about the house and I was having quite the time keeping up with him. We played some hide-and-seek, much to his delight. Wendy was soon falling asleep so she went up to bed while Grandpa and Mom and I watched some television once Levi got tied and retired with Matt. The Discovery channel had a show called "1,000 places to see before you Die" and this one was on Alaska. After that we watched Dr. 90210 and had some fun conversations with Grandfather. Then Saturday Night Live with Jon Heder and we all were falling asleep half way though so called it a night.
Friday, September 7, 2007
September 7 2007
This Friday I took the day off work so we could drive over to Portland for Wes' wedding. We aimed to leave at 8 AM but we were a little behind schedule. We made it over to Portland before 2 PM however. Levi was pretty good, when he would fuss I would offer him his sippy cup of water or a graham cracker and that would satisfy him temporarily. He made a grand mess with those crackers!
We were able to unload the car and settle into Wes' master bedroom before heading out for the rehearsal. This also gave Levi an opportunity to stretch his legs. He found the staircase and had so much fun practicing his skills, climbing up and down all weekend. Mom was there, as well as the Marylanders auntie Wendy and Bill, and grandpa Jim.
Wes and Joanie have a very nice condo in a gated community in Fairview. 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, two floors with a deck on each floor. Wes had done some food shopping so there would be ample calories for all his guests.
My dad and Genia showed up so we moved the carseat over and rode with them to the "Oak Grove" for the rehearsal. Levi was pretty talkative this trip, and a little cranky from being in a car so much. Oak Grove was about an hour and a half south of Portland. It was a grove of Oak trees in the middle of farmland. Really a neat and beautiful place for an outdoor wedding.
The rehearsal got under way and someone brought out the little wagon that one of Joanie's brothers had made just for their special day. It was very cute, painted white, with two little bench seats facing each other, complete with a heart-shaped handle and seatbelts for the kids. Levi, as the Bible Boy, and Mia, were to sit in this wagon and be pulled down the aisle before the Bride's entrance.
Levi was very curious about the wagon and as I set him in it, I told him "vroom vroom! You get to go for a ride!" and someone pulled him around in it and he looked around with bright eyes. I think he enjoyed that wagon. He did very well during rehearsal. Mia, was not so agreeable. She was napping while Levi had his first ride(s) so once she was awake and introduced to it she started crying. Her parents didn't push the issue. I heard later that they would take the wagon home and try to slowly get her used to it.
Friday evening after rehearsal we stopped by Wal-Mart so I could make a disc of all the images Matt and I had taken. I think it was close to 250 photos of just the rehearsal! Genia got us some ice cream bars and we rushed to eat them before going back into Wes' house. Levi really enjoyed it and got chocolate all over his face.
We picked up Levi's swim diaper and swimsuit and went back over to Dad's hotel so we could spend some more time with him and Genia at the pool. Dad and Levi were the only ones to get in the pool but they had such a blast, I was really glad they had the opportunity. There were some corner steps and Levi would sit on the top step in about 6" of water, and then he would turn around and reach his toes out for the second step...find it, and stand on it. There was a small ball in the pool so Dad and Levi played with it, all the while Levi grinning from ear to ear and with little shouts of glee. Matt videotaped part of it on Dad's camera.
Afterwards we went back to Wes' and talked a little with the many groomsmen who had arrived to crash on the floor downstairs. Wendy and Bill had picked up my cousin Mark so he was there also. I haven't seen him in a decade so that was pretty neat. Levi was so excited he had a hard time going to sleep and ended up sleeping in our bed.
We were able to unload the car and settle into Wes' master bedroom before heading out for the rehearsal. This also gave Levi an opportunity to stretch his legs. He found the staircase and had so much fun practicing his skills, climbing up and down all weekend. Mom was there, as well as the Marylanders auntie Wendy and Bill, and grandpa Jim.
Wes and Joanie have a very nice condo in a gated community in Fairview. 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, two floors with a deck on each floor. Wes had done some food shopping so there would be ample calories for all his guests.
My dad and Genia showed up so we moved the carseat over and rode with them to the "Oak Grove" for the rehearsal. Levi was pretty talkative this trip, and a little cranky from being in a car so much. Oak Grove was about an hour and a half south of Portland. It was a grove of Oak trees in the middle of farmland. Really a neat and beautiful place for an outdoor wedding.
The rehearsal got under way and someone brought out the little wagon that one of Joanie's brothers had made just for their special day. It was very cute, painted white, with two little bench seats facing each other, complete with a heart-shaped handle and seatbelts for the kids. Levi, as the Bible Boy, and Mia, were to sit in this wagon and be pulled down the aisle before the Bride's entrance.
Levi was very curious about the wagon and as I set him in it, I told him "vroom vroom! You get to go for a ride!" and someone pulled him around in it and he looked around with bright eyes. I think he enjoyed that wagon. He did very well during rehearsal. Mia, was not so agreeable. She was napping while Levi had his first ride(s) so once she was awake and introduced to it she started crying. Her parents didn't push the issue. I heard later that they would take the wagon home and try to slowly get her used to it.
Friday evening after rehearsal we stopped by Wal-Mart so I could make a disc of all the images Matt and I had taken. I think it was close to 250 photos of just the rehearsal! Genia got us some ice cream bars and we rushed to eat them before going back into Wes' house. Levi really enjoyed it and got chocolate all over his face.
We picked up Levi's swim diaper and swimsuit and went back over to Dad's hotel so we could spend some more time with him and Genia at the pool. Dad and Levi were the only ones to get in the pool but they had such a blast, I was really glad they had the opportunity. There were some corner steps and Levi would sit on the top step in about 6" of water, and then he would turn around and reach his toes out for the second step...find it, and stand on it. There was a small ball in the pool so Dad and Levi played with it, all the while Levi grinning from ear to ear and with little shouts of glee. Matt videotaped part of it on Dad's camera.
Afterwards we went back to Wes' and talked a little with the many groomsmen who had arrived to crash on the floor downstairs. Wendy and Bill had picked up my cousin Mark so he was there also. I haven't seen him in a decade so that was pretty neat. Levi was so excited he had a hard time going to sleep and ended up sleeping in our bed.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
September 6 2007
Levi is becoming ever more adventurous, climbing up onto all sorts of things, and bravely negotiating the steps at the back door. He has a new toy today, thanks to aunt Jan, in which he places a little race car at the top and it zooms its way down the zig zag path. He has four sharp molars pointing through which brings his total up to 11 pearly whites. Tonight Matt gave him his bath and he was wearing the washcloth like a superman cape. Tomorrow morning we leave for Portland as Levi will take part in uncle Wes' wedding! Should be crazy fun.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Labor Day Weekend
Levi went to his first endurance ride Labor Day weekend. He was a good sport and seemed to enjoy seeing all the new sights. He got to ride around quite a bit on Matt's shoulders. Unfortunately his mother forgot to pack him any socks and it got pretty cold at night so he climbed up on the air mattress with me and then I didn't get any sleep. But he was warm and that's what matters. Lately he has been playing more with his cars than any other toy, making vroom sounds as he drives them all around. He has a mouthful of teeth and is doing great eating pretty much whatever we have for lunch and dinner.
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