*Hugs!*

Levi has learned how to give hugs! Today Matt gave him a big hug and said "hug" a few times, then put Levi's arms around his neck and said "hug" a bunch of times and then gave him some more hugs while saying the word, then asked Levi if he could give him a hug and Levi smiled and patted both sides of Matt's face. Later this evening I asked Levi for a hug and placed his one arm by my neck and then he eagerly put both arms around my neck and gave a little squeeze and then started patting my back. It was the cutest thing I have yet experienced as a parent.

Another new skill Levi has mastered is the art of climbing to new heights. He has learned that he can push his Playskool car over to the desk, climb up and stand on it to reach the power button to the television. I could not believe it as I watched him think that one out for the first time. He is one smart little boy.

Today was grandma KPs birthday so we (ma and I) took him to cousin Debbie's for a Partylite party. Levi was very well behaved and enjoyed himself. We played a few games and were all laughing uproariously and Levi would clap or open his mouth wide and force out a laugh to join in with us rowdy ladies. It was really a wonderful evening.

BIrthdays

Today Grandmother KP is in town as well as Uncle Wes and auntie Joanie. We had a little family evening together and went to eat at 26Brix where Levi quickly made some new friends with diners surrounding us. He is such a little ham. One lady about four tables away was playing peek-a-boo with him and her suitor was making faces. He had a good time. Their mac-and-cheese is really tasty but Levi liked some of the other things he got to try also. He was such a good boy, even though we had him up pretty late. We opened some presents when we got back to the house and Levi also helped with that.

Buyline Winner!

Today we got a call from the Buyline, a local classifieds paper, notifying us that I had won 1st prize in their Halloween contest. The contest consists of finding special ads in the paper and noting them on a form, mailing the form in and then correct answers are put into a drawing. Apparently I won a pumpkin, a latte, and a pizza.

Fall Festival

Well today was my birthday and we started it off by going to church. We were a little late to Cradle Roll but Levi was still able to participate in about half of the activites. After church Jenee' and Thad invited us over for lunch so we were happy to go and do that. Lara also brought me a chocolate cherry cake she had made which was very good, and Matt gave me some purple calla lilly flowers.

This evening was the church's Fall Festival. We did not get to go last year so wanted to be sure to make it this time around. I had a costume on hand for Levi of a dinosaur but it didn't fit quite right and I went out and found him a new one. He went as a Lion, which worked out great because the hair of the mane matched his own hair color quite nicely. We went in and sat down with Thad, Jenee' and their daughter Maddaly who was dressed up as a little cowgirl, so adorable! Jen and Cal and their daughter Jannie sat across from us and Jannie was a purple pegasus unicorn, also very cute!

We glanced around the room and saw that there were many booths of games and one such area was a face painting by a woman in the church. This is the same lady who makes a quilt for every baby born at the Eastgate church. She did an awesome job painting whiskers and a nose on Levi to match his costume. Then it was time to eat. There was salad and a variety of breads and cornbread, and five kinds of soup. They had a scandinavian mushroom which we all ate, a white chili (lactose-free) and a regular chili, a cheese soup and a potato soup. They also had mint hot chocolate, another kind of hot chocolate, ciders, and sodas. They put out some kind of dessert later but I didn't get any because I was eyeing the carmel apples out of reach above the stoves.

After we ate we took Levi around to all the booths. The first one was a pegboard that you would send a wiffle ball down and try to hit the spot with a sponge. Levi tried about four times and didn't nail it, so we went to the next one. This one was a board with three holes and you have to try to throw a little bean bag through the holes. I got one on my first try but I bombed out on the others. We won a prize for that and got to pick from the basket. There was a little plastic toy cellphone with a "game" inside of it, Levi liked that so we chose it for our prize. Then there was a ring toss, which I also didn't do so well on. We went over after that and drew a face on a mini pumpkin with permanent markers. Levi enjoyed that.

There was a costume contest for everyone so they called the kids up front and had them all line up and then they clapped and took their photos. Then they told us to go sit down and they called up the adults in costume. The adults were voted on by applause for 1st-4th. The winners were a couple who dressed up as a beekeeper and a bee. They were quite deserving. I was kind of disappointed that they didn't vote on the kids though! I was hoping for at least a 2nd place. :-)

After that they announced that the caramel apples would be for sale so I went over and bought two. They were so good, Levi couldn't wait to have his turn. We both got all sticky and it was worth every bite. Matt got some great photos this evening so please be sure to check out the shutterfly link and order yourself a print.

We had a fun time and came home and Levi and I both were so tired we went right to sleep.

October 16 2007

Here is a fun pic of Levi enjoying a hotdog. He is starting to manage some foods ok on his own now. He is also being quite vocal the past few days, trying out new sounds and volumes. Still not walking on his own but I can guide him by holding only one hand.

Pointing elsewhere

This morning Levi was playing in the bathroom as I was getting ready for work and he stood at the tub's edge and pointed up to the shower head. This is the first time I have seen him point at something (other than our noses).

Levi found a nose

Today I came home from work and Matt said "watch this" as he was holding Levi. He asked Levi "Where's my nose?" and Levi pointed right to Matt's nose. So then I asked Levi "Where's MY nose?" and he pointed right to mine.

First step!

Today Levi took his first step. He repeated it a few times over and it was very exciting. Matt predicts he will walk by week's end. He also is big enough now to fit into his "Levi's" camo outfit, so he wore that today and looked awesome.