Thankful

We had another busy weekend as Grandma and Grandpa Lockridge came to town for a few days, we celebrated another 1st birthday and enjoyed another weekend of warm weather. We didn't get very many pictures so we'll have to raid Grandma and Grandpa's camera when we see them this week. We're really trying to take Levi along with us as we do things and go places and he seems to be pretty flexible as long as he gets a really good nap here and there. I'm not sure if he'll always be this flexible but for now we're really enjoying this stage.

With Grandma and Grandpa enjoying the beautiful weather.

Levi has always been a great sleeper- he goes down easily, he naps really well, he goes right back to sleep in the middle of the night- but his mom is definitely ready for sleeping through the night to be the norm not the exception. I think we're inching towards that goal but it sure seems slow going. We've had about four or five nights of 7+ hour stretches and even two nights of 8 1/2 hours, but then the very next day we're back to a random wake up at 3 or 4 hours. We're definitely down to one feed at night so it could be much worse but, boy oh boy, am I ready.

Napping with Daddy. I love his sleeping face!

We are officially gearing up for the holiday season and we're taking off a whole week to go North for Thanksgiving. I'm so excited to take Levi home and share in our very first Thanksgiving as a family of three. We have so much to be thankful for this year that my heart feels overwhelmed so I thought I would write down a few big ones.

-Family- We have the most amazing families in the world. Two sets of parents (and Grandparents now!) that love us and our son unconditionally. They are awesome examples of the parents we would like to be and we're learning a greater appreciation for them daily. We're also so blessed to have my sister Sarah live so close and be such a great Auntie and come and visit and babysit. She is one of my favorite people in the world and Levi is so lucky to have her around. We have loved having Charlie and Christina finally living on the West coast and have loved getting to see them more often this year already. What a fun holiday this will be with them as a married couple. And my brother Bryan is one awesome Uncle too! He always makes Levi laugh on Skype and he's brought around a pretty awesome girl that we've all fallen in love with too.

-Levi- I am overwhelmed daily by the gift that we've been given. I'm thankful that he's here and healthy and that I'm already getting little glimpses into the boy he's going to be. I know I'm biased, but I think he's just the cutest and smartest little boy ever and I LOVE that I get to stay home and be with him every day.

-Dave- Life isn't always easy and there are bumps along the way, but I'm so glad that I chose a man like Dave to go at it with me. He's such a hard worker and provider that I am able to stay home with our son. He is so fun loving it's contagious and he helps me to get over myself and join in on the fun of life. He makes me laugh. Every day. And now I get to watch him become a Dad. What an incredible experience it is to watch someone transform before your eyes. I love Dave and I love Levi but there is something so special about watching your husband love your child. I'm sure Levi doesn't realize how blessed he is yet, but someday he'll know how awesome his Dad is.

My list of thankfulness could go on forever but that's it for today. What a blessed girl I am!

PV Weekend

This past weekend we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and head out to our favorite spot in Palos Verdes: the Trump Golf Course. We hadn't taken Levi on our little hike down to the ocean yet so we packed him up in the Bjorn and brought Hannity (of course) and headed out to see some great views.

Hiking with Daddy

Our attempt at a family picture. On the far right you can actually see Hannity too!

Then on Sunday we went to the Terranea Resort to explore another side of the little cove and have some lunch. That place is AMAZING! It would make no sense for us to go and stay there (and it's costs an arm and a leg) but, wowzers, it is incredible. We had lunch outside with ocean views and then walked around the paths. We even saw a huge pod of dolphins swimming by. If anyone wants to come and visit us we would love for you to stay there so that we can use their amenities too!

After lunch at Terranea.

Then we had our 3 month appointment with the pediatrician and got a couple more shots. He did great, a little yelp and then lots of smiles for the whole office. We were encouraged to stop swaddling him at night because he's rolling over in his crib now. I'm not quite sure how that is going to go over but it's probably time. And then just to prove how strong he is Levi decided to roll over on the table as the Dr and I were talking about his rolling skills. What a show off! He's definitely growing and pretty far ahead in his developmental milestones and motor skills. The Dr keeps asking us who the athlete in the family is and I just laugh and say "well, it's me, obviously!" Haha, I'll claim those chunky thighs but I think we all know where his strength and athleticism will come from. So the goal is to keep challenging him to move and roll and get stronger and stronger. We're so proud of our little muscle man! The Dr also mentioned that after our next appointment it may be time to start some solid foods so we can keep him growing and satisfied. Looks like by Christmastime we may have another new adventure into the world of rice cereal!

One last picture for the Grandmas! :)

Loving bath time and that "other" baby he sees in the mirror.

3 Months!

Levi turned 3 months on Tuesday! These last 13 weeks have flown by and we are loving this time with our little guy. He's getting so big and changing and learning new things every day! I think because all of these milestones happen so slowly it makes them all seem like such HUGE accomplishments. I know I'm biased, but I am so impressed with him daily and I get so excited every time I think he's figured out something new. Here's a little peek at Levi at 3 months:

Levi Daniel at 3 months

We missed our Tuesday doctor appointment because I had the stomach flu (terrible, terrible, terrible) so I had to reschedule and will know his exact measurements next week but until then our scale at home has him weighing in at a whopping 16 pounds!  He feels huge to us and has already doubled his birth weight. And Dave swears that he's also already half my height... we'll see about that but I do think he's pretty long too!

This is what happens when Daddy is around the help take pictures. :)

Levi is getting stronger by the day. He's loving his tummy time and can almost roll from back to front when he's on his playmat. He rolls around in his crib every night but we're thinking it might be a combination of swaddling and his mattress-- either way it might be time to loose the swaddle. He loves to stand (while we hold him, of course) and always wants to be facing out as we carry him around because he likes to watch people and Hannity. He loves when we sing songs and read books and he babbles right along when we talk to him, but that shouldn't be a surprise with parents like Dave and me! 

I know I've mentioned this before, but Levi loves his Dad! When Dave talks or walks around a room, Levi is fixated on him. We are so blessed that Dave works from home, so whenever he can he takes Levi with him or puts him in his bouncer or his bumbo chair and lets him tag along. Here are a few pictures of our "little Dave":

 Adidas shirt and shorts on. Who knew it would be in the 80's/90's in November??

Levi and Dad just getting some work done.

And getting ready in the morning.

He also loves spending time with Grandpa when he comes to town on business.

Month 3 is going to be a big one for Levi as we get to travel home again to celebrate his 1st Thanksgiving with both of our families. We can't wait!!!