Little Levi: 7 Months Old

A note from Mommy: Hey everyone! This month has been jam packed with fun and our little guy's personality has really taken off this last month. We are amazed at how he is developing into his own little character and we are so in love. I sure hope Levi can recall all he's done this past month! Let's find out...

Hi world! Levi here. I am officially 7 months old as of September 23rd. There are no wellness check ups at this age (although I do get vaccines.. delayed schedule) so I am not able to inform you of my growth. We won't know my measurements until my 9 month check up. I guess Mommy and Daddy could measure me and attempt to weigh me. They don't have the proper equipment though. But who knows, maybe they'll get anxious and do it just for a rough estimate. It's crazy how fast babies grow!

We have done so much this past month, my baby brain can hardly retain all the information!

Mommy and I joined a "Stay at Home Mommy Group" with a hundred plus North Raleigh/Wake Forest area moms. The calendar is always full of activities in the area. You pick and choose which activities/events you want to go to. We went to our first "outing" at Durant Park and went on a stroller walk with 3 other moms and their babies. It was nice! We haven't been to any other activities with the group because of how busy we've been! But we are looking forward to going to more.

My Grammy (Daddy's mom) has watched me a few times this past month. It's been such a big help! And of course, who doesn't love hanging out with their Grammy? She always takes me on walks in my stroller because she knows how much I love it. Thanks Grammy!

Mommy and I also joined a weekly Women's Bible study. It's not affiliated with any church or denomination. It's called CBS (Community Bible Study) and classes are held all over the nation. This year Mommy is going through the book of John for 9 months! She's very excited. There is child care during this 2 hour period each week, which is great! I love socializing :)

My "aunt" Autumn visited from Florida and we went bridesmaid dress shopping with Mommy. Autumn helped play with me while Mommy tried on dresses. After that, we went to the mall and some stores and hung out. I miss you already Autumn!

I initially was going to go on my grandparents (Mommy's side) boat on Labor Day but Mommy and Daddy ended up going by themselves and left me with Grammy. So I thought I would have more to tell you about my first Labor Day, but it was pretty low key for me! Just hung with Grammy for the afternoon!

I also had my first sleepover AWAY from my parents. My grandparents (Mommy's side) kept me all day one Saturday, I slept over and then returned back to my parents Sunday at church. I did really well! This makes Mommy and Daddy very happy and now they are confident that I am able to sleep somewhere without them. I am a great sleeper so who ever watches me doesn't even need to get up with me until I get up in the morning. They took me to the mall again (I love to people watch!) and they had fun keeping me to themselves. Mommy and Daddy REALLY enjoyed sleeping in Sunday morning.. like, REALLY.

My Mommy celebrated her 26th birthday on September 6th. Happy Birthday Mommy! On the 7th we had a "50s/Rockabilly" party at our house for her and her good friend Yana (Mommy of my baby friend, Ezra). Lots of people, and 2 other babies, came and it was so fun! I went to bed at my usual time and although the party was really loud, I slept like a champ! Before I went to bed, of course the adults had to get pictures of the babies.. here are a few!

This is Arianna, she really digs me!

Here is my buddy Ezra.. we plan on getting into lots of trouble as we get older

Here is me with my parents, 50s style!

The last big event that happened this past month was my first out of state trip to Florida, which included flying on a plane for the first time! We went for my Grandpa's (Mom's side) brother's wedding. I cut TWO teeth the day before we left (we'll get to that later) so Mommy was very nervous about how I would do dealing with that and being on a plane. I pretty much rocked it, to say the least. Our first flight leaving Raleigh left at 7:15am meaning I had to wake up at 5am, which I am NOT used to. So my day started very early. We finally landed in Miami around noon and then had another 2 hour drive in the car to the Keys. I only slept maybe 30 minutes all day until we got to our hotel. I was a little fussy on the plane, but nothing major. Then during the trip we were on the go a lot so my schedule was off, but even with that, I did pretty well. The only break down I had was after we took a day trip to Key West (2 hour drive from where we were staying). Since I didn't nap all day (I'm not an "on the go" napper.. I prefer my bed!), I was exhausted. When we got in the car at 9pm I fell asleep.. for about 45 minutes. After that I screamed and cried my head off. You could not comfort me, I. WAS. TICKED. Who could blame me though? Other than that incident I did pretty darn well. On the plane rides home, I did even better than before. I took better naps on the plane and even slept in the car better. Besides traveling, I had a lot of fun meeting family I have never met and may or may not see for a long time. Everyone doted on how cute I was :) There was a pool on the property and I really enjoyed it because I could sit in 2-3 inches of water and splash away! At first I was a little uncertain because the water was a little cool. By the last day, I was a splashing fool! Here are some pics...

Lounging with Mom at the pool

Daddy getting me acclimated

Me being super cute sitting in some rose petals after the wedding

Family photo.. I wasn't looking though, whoops!

YaYa, Uncle Garrett, Granpa, Daddy, Me and Mommy

I loved watching/listening to the steel drums

Hanging out with Daddy at Fat Tuesdays in Key West (a daiquiri bar, of course I couldn't have any)

Having dinner at the original Margaritaville in Key West

Key West sunset.. beautiful!

Ok now you are filled in on the events that have occurred in the last month. Now let's talk milestones/habits!

-I am a champ at sitting up now. I still fall over, but very rarely.

-I had TWO teeth pop through at the same time. Mommy initially felt them before they were really visible. It's been 2 weeks and they still aren't all the way up. They are visible tough. Can you see them?

-I do this "beating/patting" thing with my hand (usually right hand) on my toys or objects. Daddy and Mommy think it's hilarious. I'll take a toy and just tap, tap, tap it. Sorry I don't have a video, you'll just have to visualize it!

-I blow raspberries with my mouth

-I babble and talk a lot.. the syllable I say the most is "bah"

-I get upset easily at new/startling situations. For example, Mommy brought me over to the house she used to babysit at with Addie, Austin and Cameron. When we walked in the door, all the kids were really rambunctious (what's new?) and coming up to me saying "Hi Levi" and all up in my grill and I'm just not used to all that commotion, so I busted into a full fledged wail. Apparently, I need to ease into situations.

-I am developing quite the attitude. Mommy refers to me as the Dude with the Tude. I am generally a happy baby, but I certainly know how to show my frustration at any given moment. I whine, grunt.. just to let you know I'm not happy. I may only be 7 months, but I know how to work it and try and get my way!

-I KNOW when it's bath time and get SO excited. When Mommy brings me into the bathroom and turns the faucet on and starts taking off my clothes I kick, flail and squeal and laugh because I just love it!

Here is my "general" schedule (subject to change if we are out doing something during the day.. then we modify as needed).

7-8am: wake up, eat breakfast which includes a bottle and rice cereal with fruit

2 hours after I wake up I am ready for my nap, so around 9-10am and I sleep anywhere from 45 mins to 2 hours. If I wake up after 45 mins Mommy leaves me in my bed for a while to see if I'll fall back asleep. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't!

11am-12pm: Bottle and rice cereal with veggies

1-2pm: Go down for nap #2... sleep for 45 mins to 2 hours, just depends!

3:30/4: Bottle and rice cereal with veggies

4:45-5:15: Nap 3# if needed (depends on my temperament, sometimes I can skip. More often than not, if I'm home, I usually take this nap). This nap is always 30-45 minutes.

7/7:30pm: last bottle of the night

7:30/8: bed time! And I go down without any fuss! Mommy and Daddy read with me, pray with me and lay me down and I'm usually asleep in minutes. Most people are amazed by this. Mommy and Daddy never got in the habit of rocking me or any other night time habit to get me to fall asleep (don't get me wrong, they love to snuggle me! But they really enjoy that I go right to sleep with no qualms) . They've always laid me down when it was time for bed and I eventually learned that laying down and lights off meant bed time! After I fall asleep I sleep all the way until the morning. Occasionally I whimper in the middle of the night and all I need is my passy replaced.

Overall, my 4 feedings stay consistent day-to-day, it's my naps that move around depending on our daily activities. The above schedule is typical on days we are able to be home for naps.

Here are a few videos of me over the past month!

Here's me having fun in a mirror