Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Lockridge Boys Update

It's been a while since we've done monthly updates, and I'm not about to bring those back, so I thought I could write out a few things about our growing boys to help me remember this time with them. That's really what this blog has turned into anyways, a journal or a photo book for our family to look back on and remember. If other people read it (and comment on it!) then all the better, but it's truly for us as a reminder of where we've been and all the fun we had there.

Levi is 2 years, 10 months old.
38 lbs.
40 inches

He is so much fun! It seems like overnight his language has exploded. He still gets talking quickly and then only I can understand him, but he tells us whole stories and has full conversations with us. It is really cool to get to interact with him like this and to see where his mind is. It's also extra special when Daddy travels for work and he can call in and actually talk to Levi on the phone. 

Levi has finally found his singing voice too. He speaks in a low tone of voice and he sings even lower. It's pretty hilarious so I'll have to upload some videos soon. 'Take Me Out To The Ballgame' is a big favorite and "Woody's Song" ('You've Got a Friend in Me') from Toy Story is close behind. He knows most of the words, makes up the rest and will just sing as loud as he can. 

Levi is still a picky eater and does not like most fruits or veggies, much to his parent's dismay. He ate everything as a baby and somewhere along the way just stopped. He's growing constantly so he's obviously not hurting from it, but I do wish he would branch out a bit. 

He is super athletic and we haven't found much that he isn't good at. He climbs, jumps, throws, runs, balances, bats. He loves to be outside and he loves to be active. We tried out a gymnastics class this Spring and he enjoyed it. He has incredible upper body strength and could do some things that were way out of his age level, but the class was a little slow for him so we'll move on and try something else in the Fall. Right now we have him enrolled in swim lessons (see picture above) and he LOVES it! At Grammy and Papa's house he wears a life jacket thing and he can swim all over and jump off the diving board too. He's a little more hesitant of things this summer than he was last summer but if we give him a little time he usually has it conquered in no time. 

He loves his little brother and he calls Caleb his best friend. Levi loves his Mommy but he adores his Daddy. Any time he can follow Dave or go with Dave do something near Dave, Levi is happy camper. 

Levi is mostly potty trained but, to be honest, we're still working on the #2's. I know he'll get it, I'm just ready for that to happen. :)

We sure love our big guy and we can't believe he's almost 3. Where does the time go?!



Caleb is 1 year, 8 months
34 lbs
35 inches

Caleb is a crack-up. He is really funny and he knows it. He's a big flirt with anyone who will give him eye contact and then he hides behind me and pretends to be a shy guy. He really just loves attention and if he's not getting it he usually comes up with a way to make you laugh-- sometimes it's just by throwing his head back and making an exaggerated laughing sound, "Bwaaa hahaha!" He has a sweet heart and gives hugs and kisses unconditionally. For the most part, he's a really easy going kid.

He idolizes his brother (who I'm pretty sure he's calling "Buddy") and we've affectionately started calling Caleb "Me too" because anything Levi is doing Caleb wants to be doing it too. Of course, they get on each other's nerves, and they're both loud boys so the noise level is often HIGH, but deep down they really, truly love each other. It's one of my favorite parts of being their Mommy.

If Levi is our singer, Caleb is our dancer. It doesn't matter where we are, if he hears music he stops to move. Actually if he hears a beat of any kind, it doesn't even have to be music! He's a pretty smooth guy! :)

Caleb has always been a "talker" but now he's starting to use more and more words we understand. Every once in a while he says something and we all look around and say,"Did he just say what I think he just said?" So he's now using names for people, things he wants, please, sorry, and a smattering of other ones I can't think of off the top of my head. He can say some animal names, and all his animal sounds; in fact, we often hear him in his crib neighing like a horse or whatever else he decides to be that morning. 

Caleb is also our super good eater. He literally eats everything. Brussel sprouts, asparagus, lasagna, I put things on his plate sometimes just to test him because I don't think he'll eat it but I don't want to be the one who limits him. He obviously has preferences, but I've never seen a toddler eat more things. 

I know I said he wants to do everything Levi does, but I mean he REALLY wants to! If Levi has to go potty, Caleb wants his turn to sit. Levi puts on his shoes, Caleb tries to put on his shoes. Levi starts picking up his toys, Caleb starts picking up toys. Levi wants milk, Caleb wants milk. I guess that means we really need to stay on top of Levi and make sure he's doing what he's supposed to be doing!  



These kids are just incredible to be around. Of course we have our off days, they fight, we argue, it's not all rosy; but getting the privilege to watch these two crazy boys grow up every day is just the best thing I could ever imagine doing. They're at such fun ages right now, so they're both doing and learning new things every day. We just love them! :) On that note, here's a few more odds and ends of pictures that have fallen through the cracks but are too cute not to share.

Family bike ride!

Buzz and Woody



Time for swim lessons!

Levi: "Mom! Look what I can do!"

Donuts with Daddy.

Blueberry picking.

Turtle watching.

Our latest family picture attempt at Concert in the Park last week.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Backyard Cousin Campout

This past weekend we had scheduled year two of our annual cousin campout. Due to unforeseen circumstances, it was cancelled. :( So the Lockridge's set up the tent and the fire pit and hosted a backyard campout instead!

The big boys in their camping chairs!
Levi, Charlie, Jack, Caleb

Now with Ashley the picture director: "Everybody hold up a chip this time!" 

Uncle Joel and sweet baby Liam.

The big boys eating their dinner.

Roasting marshmallows! Levi especially thought this was awesome. Although he never ate any!

Jack showing off his before marshmallow.

Auntie Amy and Liam
Next year he'll be in on all the big boy craziness!

And because we weren't *really* camping, we were able to shove all the kiddos in the bath to rinse off the marshmallow stickiness!

It was a great night! The kids went strong until hours past their bedtime and then we packed everyone off to their respective houses (much to Alison's dismay) and the Lockridge party of four +Hannity, slept in the tent all night long. Well until about 5:45am when Levi woke up and yelled, "The sun's up!" Oh geez. :)

Saturday, June 1, 2013

We LOVE San Diego!

We spent this past week in sunny San Diego, with my family, at Paradise Point Resort. I had been there twice before for fun girls weekends (woo hoo!) but this time we took the whole family and had an absolute blast! Here is our week in pictures:
The view from my parents' room-- not too shabby!

The boys favorite pastime? Chasing ducks! And Seagulls. And each other.

Our one and only Lockridge land family picture attempt. Squirt gun and crackers in hand.

My big boy had so much fun on vacation. He "loves San Diego!"
My sweet little guy is looking more and more like a big boy these days.

We spent a lot of time playing in the sand and swimming in the pools.

The men folk soaking up some sun.


We got to ride some jet skis in Mission Bay too!
We brought Levi's bike and he was able to scoot all around the property.

Sweet moment with Auntie Sarah at breakfast one morning.

We went to Seaworld one day and it was awesome! The kids loved it and so did the "big kids"! :)
Caleb, Mommy and Uncle Bryan checking out the tide pools.

Getting ready for the Shamu show.
This was Levi's face the entire whale show. He just couldn't get enough of the "Shampoo" jumping out of the water. 
The underwater whale watching was amazing. This Mama and baby swam around and around in circles as we just sat and watched. It was incredible to see how big they are!

Getting ready to touch and feed the sting rays.

The day was long and hot so our boys got lots of good rides from their Aunties and Uncle and Grandparents. Lucky boys!

We also got to stop by the San Diego Children's Museum. It was a highlight and I would highly recommend going if you're in the area.
My little monkey.

Grammy in teacher mode with her grandkids and their very own chalkboard chairs.

Playing drums, making noise, what they do best.

Inside the rain house.
 We made a stop to one of our favorite San Diego attractions: the USS Midway. We love seeing all the Americana, the planes, the veterans, and the chance to see below decks.
Caleb and Papa taking in the airplanes and helicopters.

Grammy and Levi counting planes taking off from the San Diego airport.

In the Captain's chair telling the planes to "Go! Go! Go!"

Having a snack on the fantail.

Daddy and his boys!

On our way out of town, we stopped at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Lots of walking, lots of tired boys, but we got to see some great animals.
Caleb and his Grammy.

Tram twinsies!

Piggy Levi.

One more night stay in the OC, then on the road home. We made one last stop in Bakersfield to see some great friends and meet their sweet little girl, Libby. We played and had some ice cream and then hopped back in the car for the long drive home.
Libby, Levi and Caleb. (Libby and Caleb are about a month apart in age.)

This guy got in some great naps in the car. We tuckered him out!
Long story short: We had an amazing time! We loved our hotel and we will totally be going back there. We saw a ton of stuff, ate some great food, didn't get much sleep, had a lot of great family time, and we are so thankful for the time we get to spend together. We LOVE San Diego!

for this child I prayed, and the LORD answered my prayer 1 Samuel 1:27