Busy Summer

Summer is just getting into full swing and we've already had our share of adventures. Levi is at such a fun age and we're loving watching him explore his world.

So, what have we been up to? We explored Reinstein Woods, we've splashed in puddles, went to the pier, went strawberry picking, enjoyed camping, hiking, and found a worm.







As usual, check out the links on the side to see even more pictures and video.

Sleep

Tonight we begin a new routine. We are hoping to change up the current sleep pattern. We have three goals that we ultimately want to accomplish:

1) Levi sleeps the entire night in his crib.
2) Night wean.
3) Levi falls asleep on his own- not needing to rock to sleep.

We have a plan. A flexible plan. We have been debating doing this for a while now, and each weekend that came brought with it reasons why it wouldn't work to implement the changes. This weekend Tony has Friday and Monday off, giving us (hopefully) ample time to make progress on our plan.

I am going to miss cuddling with Levi in bed, but I'm hoping he will get better rest and enjoy his own space to sleep. I am going to miss the middle of the night feedings (even if only a little), but I am hoping he will eat better during the day and continue to grow.

I expect these next few nights to be rough, but I am hoping it will all be worth it. I know it will be hard on us to hear him cry in protest of some changes, but we will be right there comforting him and I am hoping that in the end this is what is best for Levi.

I thought I had all the answers before Levi was born- we will never do this and we will only do that. If only I had as much confidence now.

Here's to hoping for the best.

Update

To see the most recent post about Levi's birthday, head over to my blog.
tarapetty.blogspot.com

Also, there are lots of new pictures so feel free to check those out (link on the side bar).

Now that I have updated the pictures and blogs, and things have (or will be soon) calmed down, I hope to post more frequently.

Distraction

Tomorrow is Levi's first birthday. We had plans. We were going to celebrate and make his day special.

But yesterday he woke up with a fever and the doctor confirmed he had an ear infection. Last night he barely slept. Today he is exhausted and his body is working so hard to heal itself. I doubt he will be up for any adventure tomorrow.

I hate seeing my baby in pain. I hate that there is nothing I can do to take his pain away. I can hold him and love him, but he still hurts. He looks to us as if to ask why we are letting him hurt. As if he thinks we have the power to stop it and are letting him be in pain.

And the timing seems like it couldn't be worse. Not only is his birthday tomorrow and family will be arriving soon to visit- but there is a major recall on most infant medicine.

So today, when I would much rather be focused on his birthday and celebrating his life, I am struggling to make sure he is pain free and comfortable.

I know at the end of the day, I am overreacting. It is a simple ear infection. He will be fine. He is healthy and strong. I am fortunate that this is the exception to his health and not the norm. And I am grateful that Tony and I are able to love on him and cuddle with him as long as he needs it.

Levi doesn't care what day we celebrate his birthday- in fact I'm sure he will be perfectly happy to have a quiet day with his parents. I just want him to have the best. To know how loved he is. He deserves nothing less than pure joy and happiness.

"Helping" With Dishes

The other night I was working on getting the dishes cleaned while Tony and Levi were playing. After a few minutes, Levi wanted to know what I was up to and, after watching me for a bit, decided he wanted to help. Or maybe just play in the sink full of water.

Bed Time

We have been working on establishing a set bed-time routine to encourage Levi to fall asleep earlier and go down easier. We try to read three or four books each night as a part of our routine. This particular night he was exhausted and by the time we finished the first book he was out.

Nine Months

Levi turned nine months old a few days ago... so I thought I would update this blog with a list of new things he can do now that he is a big boy... :-)

- He is walking. He can stand on his own and walks short distances. Yesterday, he walked a few steps, stopped, turned, and walked a few more steps to the couch.

- He says, "Momma" and, "Dada". Usually they are combined with a bunch of other gibberish and babble, but we love it none the less.

- He can count. Ok, just kidding on that one. He's working on it though. :-P

- He eats more foods then I can remember. There was a time when I could list all the things he had ever eaten - that time is now gone. He loves apples and bananas, most vegetables, most other fruits as well, and he's even started to eat cereals, oat meal, rice, pasta, etc, etc...

- He doesn't have a pacifier any more. A week or so ago we decided it was time and we threw all three of them away. (We kept his original one though, for memories sake.) The first night was a little difficult - but not too bad. And now we are in a routine. It's getting easier every day.

- Unfortunately, he still wakes up often during the night - and ends up sleeping with us every single night. We are working on it - and hopefully this weekend we will make some progress on this.

- He STILL has no teeth! We are guessing that he will get several in a single month pretty soon - but who knows.... so far, none though.

Well, that is enough updates for now. Check out the latest pictures and videos from the links on the right - there is one of him taking a few steps - one where he decided to hide his pacifier on us, and some great pictures on picasa of a trip we took to the Buffalo Botanical Gardens. Check em out.