Lockridge Land: 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.