Kayla's First Time Finger Painting

One thing Kayla really likes is lotion.  She loves when I put lotion on her hands for her to rub on herself.  When she is in the bathroom while I am getting ready she always points to my lotion.  One day she was swirling it around with her finger and I just knew she would love to finger paint.  She has painted once before with a brush but never have I let her go at it with her hands.  So one day when I was feeling brave enough I got everything all set up while they were napping and when they woke up we made some art.  She loved it!

 

Here she is signing "more" for more paint which she did a lot.

Joshua wanted to use a brush so of course once she saw him using a brush she wanted one as well.  She got such a kick out of dipping her brush into the paint.  Anytime I wasn't looking she would take that opportunity to put the paint brush in her mouth. 

My little artist. 

 

 

Pregnancy Update: 36 Weeks

Four more weeks to go and I am Levi sure is getting huge!  Everything is coming right along with this pregnancy.  No issues, praise Jesus!  My only complaint is the terrible, no good heart burn I get every single night.  I got heart burn with the other two but I really think it has been worse with this one.

Joshua is super duper excited about Levi joining our family.  He talks about him so much and likes to feel him moving around.  Last week when I told him, "5 more weeks" he got a big smile and said, "and then 4, and then 3, and then 2 and then 1!"  He adores babies and is so gentle with them.  He tells me all the ways he is going to help me with Levi.  For instance, he tells me when I am feeding Levi and Kayla says, "nnnnack" (snack) he said he will give her a snack for me.  I cant wait to see him be a big brother again!

I am not sure how much Kayla understands at this point, more than I know I am sure, which could explain her recent clinginess.  She loves her baby dolls.  She walks around the house holding them over her shoulder saying, "SSHHHH" and giving them kisses.  She also likes to feed her dolls bottles and push them around in the stroller.  We play in Levi's room and I try to practice putting her baby doll down for night night but she doesn't really like that game. She just wants to hold the babies not lock them in a room by themselves with the lights off. My guess is that she will love having her very own real baby doll at her house but will very much want my attention when I'm tending to the baby or to be in my lap when I nurse.  She is a Mama's girl through and through.  I keep reminding myself that if she does get jealous it will be short lived. 

Of course we have been playing a lot of "house" with baby dolls around here in preparation for Levi.   

Giving baby a bath.

 

She puts on her sunglasses, says "bye, bye" and takes

off with her stroller waving.

Places to go! 

 

Can't wait to be a family of 5 real soon!

 

Levi James

 

Baby Boy has officially been named...Levi James. 

 

Most people think of Levi from the Old Testament but I tend to think of The disciple Matthew whose Jewish name was Levi.  In a book that I have titled, Twelve Ordinary Men, the author describes him as spiritually hungry, a true seeker and humble.  He talks about how he dropped everything to follow Jesus without hesitation.  He truly knew his need for a Savior!  He also notes how "in the joy of his new found relationship, he embraced the outcast of his world and introduced them to Jesus." 
 

These are the very things that we pray for our own little Levi. 

 

And James?  Well we just like that name ;)

 

But in reading about James I learned that Jesus nicknamed him a name that means "Son of thunder."  I pray that this little boy has passion and zeal for the Lord.

 

Can't wait to meet our little Levi very soon! 

Camping Trip 2014

Last weekend my boys went on a camping trip with most of Daniel's extended family.  Even though it rained for most of the trip and was pretty chilly they had a great time!

The weeks leading up to camping Joshua was so excited.  We talked and talked about all the fun things he would do, did camping themed crafts, and looked at pictures from last years camping trip. 

Last year was his first tent camping experience with Daddy and Uncle Andrew.  Since it was all boys he has it in his head that boys sleep in the boy tent and girls sleep in the girl tent.  Which reminds me of this funny story.  Since I knew the weather was going to be chilly I told him that if he got cold at night to snuggle up to Daddy.  Then I told him a story of how when Daddy and I went camping together a long time ago and it was really cold at night so to keep warm I snuggled up to Daddy.  In the most shocking way tone he said, "You slept in the boy tent? 

Uncle Andrew bought a large tarp when he heard it was going to be rainy.  Him and Daniel strung it in high trees so they could have some relief from the rain.  Daniel kept saying how this saved their trip. 

Joshua wanted to climb up the tree and help.

 

Their set up.
 

Canoe rides and fishing. 

Daniel said Joshua just loved the canoe. 

 

 

 

 

In Daniel's words, "We gave birth to a natural born fisherman."  Joshua caught the first THREE fish of the camping trip.  He also caught the most fish!  It was while they were out on the canoe and sadly, Daniel didn't have his phone so no pictures of my boys first fish.  But please believe me, just because we don't have the poof doesn't mean this is a fish story :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Petrified Redwood.

 

 

 

 

A little hike to the lake. 

 

 

 

 

 

As always, Joshua enjoyed being with Matt and Sarah. 

Daniel kept telling me how cute Joshua and River were together.  He said they had so much fun together.  Joshua told me all about how he showed her his fishing worms. 

 

 

 

I so wish I could have been there but I don't think Kayla or I (being 32 weeks pregnant at the time) would have done to well sleeping in a tent.  It is a good thing we stayed back though.  Kayla cut a molar while they were gone and was not herself at all!  She slept way more than usual.  She slept in, took longer naps than usual and went to bed early and definitely was not her happy self the short periods she was awake.  thankfully that didn't last long and she was back to being happy happy happy by the time her boys got back home. 

I have enjoyed all of Joshua's camping stories that he has been randomly sharing since they have been back.  Shortly after their trip he was putting on his tennis shoes when he stopped to smell the inside of them and then declared, "My shoes smell like camping boys!"  He sure had a blast!  When I asked him what his favorite part was he said, "Going to bed when it was dark."  I am not sure if that meant sleeping in the tent or if it is because at home it is still light out when he goes to bed.  Even though he was exhausted I heard he was such a trooper!  Daniel said he would grab a nap whenever he could (short car rides) and even fell asleep driving a short 4 miles down to the lake. 

Lastly, here is a neat story Omah emailed me after their camping trip that I want to remember forever.  

The first night we were there, we were all sitting around the fire having a great time roasting marshmallows and talking. Joshua was having the best time of all, eating and staying up late. After an hour or so, I got up to get something from my tent after it had gotten pitch dark. I had a tiny flashlight and headed out about 20 yards when I realized I wasn’t on the path. I called back to the group that I couldn’t find the trail and couldn’t see. They aimed their flashlights at me and were chuckling that I got lost in such a short time, when all the sudden Joshua jumped up and said, “I’m coming Omah, I will help you! We’ll find the path.” He forged right through the foliage, that to him would be tall, and took my hand. Everyone called out to walk to the left so we did and found the path. I wish I’d had a recorder so I could remember exactly everything Joshua said, but it was things like – We’re walking together, there’s your tent! I’m not afraid!

 

I could hardly believe what had happened as I thought about it. My THREE YEAR OLD grandson jumped up to help me when no adult did! It was like God suddenly showed us what He has put in the very core being of who Joshua is. Isn’t that amazing? He put aside any fears or obstacles he might have had and jumped up to help someone, even though he’s so young. I think it was more than just helping someone, but that God was showing us in the natural something about Joshua showing the way spiritually. I think God put a shepherd’s heart in him and that he will just naturally show people The Way during his lifetime, and help them on that path.

 

So exciting to have God give sudden revelation about Joshua like that! Love, Mama Jill

 

 

 

 

 

July Recap

We had a very busy and fun filled July. 

For the 4th of July Dan and the kids, Omah, Papa, Uncle Andrew and Aunt Anna went to see Great Grandpa in Holyoke.  I stayed home and got a much needed break.  Joshua always loves going to Holyoke.  The day before they left he woke up from his nap saying, "It's Holyoke time!"  I felt so bad telling him that it was the next day. 

A few days before they left we got some fireworks and had a little pre-4th of July celebration so I could see him enjoy some fireworks. 

Holyoke

My babies crashed in the car on the way there. 

 

 

 

 

Going for a ride in Great Grandma's high chair. 

 

We made a bird feeder and the birds ate ALL the seeds off of it. 

 

It was fun to look out the window and catch a glimpse of the birds in action.

So much fun watching the birds enjoy their treat.

 

We took the kids to Cabelas for dinner and then looked at all the animals.  They absolutely loved it!  

 

My animal lover.

 

Kayla spent her time pointing to all the animals and trying to mimic their sounds. 

So excited!

 

This screen was Joshua's favorite part.  You select different

animals and hear what sound they make. 

 

Kayla making a wolf sound.

Run Joshua run!

 

 Well visits for each of them. 

Joshua got his blood pressure taken for the first time and thought it was so exciting. He got right up on the table and laid down.  Guess he wanted to be nice and comfy.   Now when he takes our blood pressure at home he tells us what the nurse told him, "Okay this is going to hug your arm."

 

 

Great Aunt Diane took all the little cousins out for a day of fun.  

 

They ate at MC Donald's, played at the park, went to a petting zoo, rode a train, and played in fountains.  He had a busy, fun filled day.  When he got home he told me, "I love my cousins!" 

 

   

Joshua and Mr. Mike.

 

 

Showing River his owie.  I love her face.

 

 

 

 

What a fun and thoughtful (and not to mention brave) Aunt Diane is!  Joshua really enjoys her!

Feeding the ducks at the park. 

  

 

 

Notice that both my kids have a mouthful of bread?  Guess they thought

the bread was for them too. 

 

Someone might be a little too big for this toy.

Daniel and I enjoyed a nice and relaxing two day stay-cation while the kids stayed with Omah and Papa. 

Our day in Breckenridge.

 

 Gondola Ride up the mountain.

Me pretending to be all relaxed enjoying the scenery.

How I was really feeling.  Yes, I am afraid of heights.

  

Ice cream by the river.

 

31.5 weeks pregnant during this trip. 

 

We celebrated Aunt Brooke's Sweet 16.

Talking to Trio.

 

Happy Birthday Auntie Brookie!

 

Joshua had a dentist appointment and did so well.  Cavity free! 

 

 

 



 The kids and I went to the Wildlife Museum and then enjoyed a picnic lunch near a waterfall. 

 

Kayla loved this snake.  When she saw it she couldn't get out of her

stroller fast enough to go check it out. 

 

I think Joshua's favorite part was riding this wolf. 

And some other pictures from this month.

 

Swimming with his nighbor buddy.

 

"At the car wash!"

 



Time for baby's check up.

Kayla's first bowl of cereal.

What?

 

Seeing this in my rear view mirror never gets old. Kayla 

sometimes will reach out her arm to Joshua for him to hold it. 

Joshua's way of making his bed in the morning-lining up

all his stuffed animals that he sleeps with. 

Making Lego soup.

Playing at the library.

Kayla's newest interest is in lids.

Measuring his Lego tower.

Papa and Kayla.

I looked back in the back seat and discovered I wasn't running errands alone after all.

 

Picnic on his favorite rock in our front yard.

Popsicle time with two of his best friends.

Story time with Aunt Sydney.

Our first time riding in a cart like this.  If you look closely you can

see Joshua is smiling so proudly at Kayla.

Target practice.  He is shooting the letters I call out. 

 

Giving her baby water.

This girl loves playing in water.

 

 

 

See, I told you it was a very busy month :)