Why does blogging have to be so hard?

We are still alive and doing well. Having time to write a blog post isn't easy to find. Levi is now 16 months old and we've hit the terrible two's already. 

This week is spring break. Spring break to me used to mean relaxation. However now that I have a little boy, relaxation isn't in our vocabulary! The only relaxation time I get is nap time; if that even happens. 

Levi is around 27lbs and still as tall as ever. He loves to play outdoors. I can't wait until the weather decides to stay nice, so we can have more time outside. He has learned to climb up on the couches and chairs, so there is never a dull moment here in the Kelly household. 

I hope to get back to the blog soon to post some adorable Easter pictures we had taken of our little guy. 

 

ONE, is the new number!

Can you believe it that my baby boy is ONE today? Yes, I said one. I sure hope you can, because I definitely cannot. I'm 28 years old and this past year has been the fastest year of my life. Seriously. I thought time was moving quickly when I graduated high school, then college. Time was moving quickly as my job went by, friends had babies that were growing. But nothing and I mean nothing compares to when you have your own child.

This past year has been amazing. And amazingly hard. I love being a mom. But figuring this whole mom thing out, hasn't always been easy. We've had our ups and downs, but I'm thankful for God's grace and the grace of others when the downs were present.

We celebrated Levi's first birthday on Saturday, November 26th with a rock star (guitar) themed party. Surprising, huh?  Levi was (and still is) a little under the weather. We later found out he has a double ear infection. He's currently battling that so things haven't been so pleasant around here. We were blessed to have so many friends and family come to Levi's party to help us celebrate.

A few things I don't want to forget:

• He weighs around 25lbs. (He has lost a pound due to being ill.) 
• He is 30.5 inches long. Which I'm told is tall. Maybe we have a basketball player on our hands!
• He can walk. He's quite good at it now. He started around 11 months old. 
• He still loves his pacifier. Momma is going to have a hard time taking it away. 
• He had his first haircut! 
• He says the words mom, mom, and mom. :-) He can also say Hi. And he repeats the word good. Well when he wants to. :-) 
• He loves food. Meat is his favorite. 
• He loves music. Really, are you surprised? 
• Levi LOVES and I mean loves his Daddy. 
• Levi also loves Yo Gabba Gabba. That is the only show that holds his attention. He gets so excited when we turn it on for him. 
• He has learned to wave hi and bye. Again, when he wants to. 
• He loves to shake his head "no" now. 
• He loves computers. Just like his daddy. Oh and iPhones are his favorite.
• Sleep is something he does NOT like. We so wish he did. 
• He has four teeth.

That pretty much sums up our one year old little boy. He bring so much joy to our lives. And we are so blessed that God gave Levi to us. We treasure him everyday.

A coworker asked me today how I feel. I said the same as a year ago: exhausted. :-) My one year old sleeps like a newborn. Or maybe even worse! I'm sure being sick and teething does not help. He just would rather be up, I guess. I've been told to read books, try this, and try that. But Levi is Levi and babies are all different. So it is what it is. It's a season of life and I'm getting pretty used to only 5 or so hours of sleep a night, if that.

I have to give a HUGE shout out to all of my wonderful friends and amazing family who has helped us "survive' the first year. It really does take a village to raise a child. I'm so thankful for my friends who love Levi like their own. I'm thankful for his babysitters. I'm also thankful for my family who cares for and loves Levi just as much as we do. And I'm super thankful for my mom, Ree, who watches Levi one day a week and is by my side whenever we have needed anything. She also has supplied Levi with diapers the first year of his life. :-) We are beyond blessed. And thankful.

Our first family picture, 11-30-10

Our family picture at his first birthday party!

The YUMMY treats!

Happy Birthday to Levi!

We had a photo booth at the party (thanks John!) and this is my mom, dad, and aunt. And Levi's expression says it all!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY LEVI BECKETT KELLY!

Oh where has the time gone....(and Levi's first haircut!)

I'm fully aware that I'm way behind on my blogging. I have no excuses. Just the normal daily life that is busy. I'm going to try and catch up the months I've missed and I'm really, really going to try and make it back for his 1st Birthday post, yes you heard me right, he's almost one. Really, where has the time gone. I ask myself that everyday. 

Well today, 11-19-11, we took Levi to get his first haircut. Let me start by saying that yes I know, he's not one yet. Some folks may think we took him too early. But I have yet to see a rule book on when you should take your child to get their first haircut. :-) We chose to take him because his hair was longer than his ears. It was growing like a weed and it was time. And Levi did GREAT. He wasn't at all phased, of course the sucker (his first) helped. Here are a few pictures of my almost one year old! 

First Haircut

Happy Baby Boy

 All done! Handsome baby boy! 

 

 

 

 

4, 5, 6, better late, than never!

Levi is 7 months old! Where has the time seriously gone? I'm a little behind, but wanted to post a pictures from 4, 5, & 6 months! I won't even promise 7 month pictures any time soon. Ha! I have tons of summer pictures to upload as well. I have every intention of blogging during nap time, however I either end up holding him or falling asleep with him during nap time. Oops. Hey, he's only a baby once! And I only have summer break with him, then it's back to work!

My first attempt at rice cereal....you see how well that went! But he LOVES food now! 

Levi's first wedding!

Levi and his (Great) Nana 

I hope to be back soon to tell you about all of the summer fun we've been having!

Happy Daddy Day!

Happy 1st Father's Day to my wonderful husband and the best dad a little boy could ask for! Levi loves his daddy so much. He's gets so excited to see him after work each day. I can't wait to see the bond they form as Levi gets older. Thank you for being a great Godly example for our son.

This was taken at my baby shower. (I did not see the button said Baby on it until after I had written the word Daddy. So it says Baby Daddy. Some of us got quite the chuckle!)

The day we came home from the hospital, you are a daddy! 

 

Your little Colt's buddy! 

 

Levi and Daddy at his Baptism 

Levi LOVES his Daddy!

 

Mark and I are also very lucky to have great dad's. And they are both wonderful grandpa's to our little guy. Levi just adores his Papa (my dad.) Levi is the first grandchild on my side and my parents can't go a few days without seeing him. We are very blessed to live in the same town as them and have them be a part of Levi's life. 

The day my dad became a grandpa. Levi and his Papa.

Papa, Grandma, and Levi on Christmas Eve

Levi with his Daddy, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa

 

 Happy Father's Day Mark, Frank, and Dan! And to all of our family members and friends who are dad's. We love you all and are so very blessed to have you in our life!

Time is flying by!

Just a quick post about my baby boy, things I don't want to forget... (I hope to get pictures uploaded soon and I'll of course share!) 

Levi is now 6 months old! (hard to believe) 
He had his 6 month check up yesterday and he weighed in at 20lbs 1oz. Yes, he's a big boy and I love it. He's also very tall, 28 and 1/2 inches. He's a little off the charts, the doc said. He comes in at 102%. And the doctor also said he's developmentally advanced. (Must be all that music he listens to!) It just baffles me how much he has grown up! Makes me sad too...
Some tidbits I don't want to forget---

• rolls from front to back and back to front
• sits up on his own
• holds his own bottle
• loves his sippy cup
• so far he loves all the veggies and fruits he's been given!
• size 3 diaper
• wears 6-12 month clothes, depends on the brand, however he has to have 18 month one piece outfits, the boy is tall!
• loves to grab glasses, hair, earrings, etc. 
• loves music! he "sings" right along 

Levi is growing quick! I have 10 days of school left, then I'm free for the summer! (Well between church & family events, I'll be kept busy...but at least I'll be home with my baby boy!) And I truly hope to blog more and get things done around the house. 

Happy June!

Mother's Day

What a beautiful day. My heart is bursting with joy today as I celebrate my first mother's day. Although parenting isn't always easy, every rough moment is worth it. Totally worth it.

Levi wanted to make sure mommy remembered that today... Mark was up and out the door early, he had to lead worship today at church. I had to get myself and Levi ready and out the door by a certain time. Usually not a hard task, I've done it many times in the past five months. However, Levi didn't want to cooperate this morning..or I should say his bodily functions did not want to cooperate. :-) I was ready to give Levi a bath and he pooped everywhere. Thanks, Levi. After the bath, I dry him off and get ready to diaper and clothe him. I turned away for one second to grab his butt cream and the next thing you know he is peeing EVERYWHERE. All over his clean body, his clean diaper, and his changing table. Thank you, again. And the whole time he was happy as a clam.

I'm so grateful for my own mom. I love her and she is one of my best friends. I thank God everyday for amazing parents.

Happy Mother's Day to all you momma's out there. And I mean all (step moms, grandma's, aunt's, teachers and friends who care for children.)

My mom and Levi

The day I became a mom. I love you Levi Beckett. 

Off to another week of work! I am counting the days down until summer break. I can't wait to spend my summer days with my baby boy!