Caterpillar cake

Years ago my mom made a fun cake for my brother's birthday, and she graciously offered to make it for Wyatt's third birthday this year. I was glad to have such a fun centerpiece for his birthday, and grateful not to have to make it!

I did figure that it might be nice to show the steps to this fun and easy cake for future use, so here goes.

What you will need:

• a box cake (and ingredients it calls for)
• bundt pan
• two jars of icing (or make your own)
• milk
• food coloring
• fruit roll ups (extra plastic wrap & scissors)
• mini powdered donuts
• M&M's
• coconut shavings
• a display board (foil)

You just make any flavor box cake in a bundt pan and let the cake cool before shaping it into your caterpillar.

While the cake is cooling we added some yellow dye to store bought frosting, but you could make your own frosting if you want.

Boxed Cake - Cooling

We also thinned out a small amount of the colored frosting for the first layer of icing by adding small amounts of milk until we got the consistency desired (it is up to you how thin you want it, thin enough to spread easily, not so thin that it will get completely absorbed by the cake) - this helps with the crumbs so that the final look is cleaner.

Also while the cake is cooling, setup your cake plate/display. We just used a cookie sheet covered with foil, but you could get as fancy as you want.

We also colored some shaved coconut to look like grass, this will help cover up any little bits of frosting that end up on the cake display (of course if you wanted to cut pieces of parchment paper to stick around the base of your cake while frosting that would be fine as well).

One the cake is cooled (and removed from the pan), cut the cake in half (you'll have two half circles) and then cut one of those halves, in half. You now have three pieces.

Cut into three pieces

The largest piece becomes the tail or back of the caterpillar. The two smaller pieces will be put together to add some curve to your caterpillar - arrange as seen in pictures. You might have to shave off pieces of the top of the cake so the cake sits flat, and you might have to shave off the ends of the pieces so they line up fairly close.

Arrange pieces - our large piece broke - we fixed it with icing

Once you have the cake pieces arranged use the thicker icing to help fill any gaps in between the pieces. Then you can use a pastry brush to lightly brush away some of the loose crumbs.

Now put on your layer of the thinned icing, be gentle, but don't worry too much about the crumbs and bumps. Allow the icing to dry.

Covered with thinned icing

Once the icing is dry apply a generous layer of the yellow icing.

Cutting circles - roll up is sandwiched between two pieces of plastic wrap

Once the you are done applying the icing, you can add your spots. We used a couple of fruit rolls up - My mom had this great idea of putting a piece of plastic wrap on the roll up so that it was sandwiched between two pieces of plastic (the one is that is comes wrapped on) in order to cut out the circles easily with a pair of kitchen shears. Place the circles on your caterpillar randomly.

Caterpillar cake complete!

We used cow tails as the antennae, small powdered donuts for the eyes with brown M&Ms.  And spread the green coconut around so our caterpillar was crawling across the grass. A great, fun and easy cake for a kids party!

The big three

It is amazing to say - I am a mother to a three-year old! I know, unbelievable. Sure the past three years have had some rocky moments, times when I thought the mommy-business might not be for me (granted there is no return policy for kids, and I know that, so those thoughts never stayed for long no matter the situation) other times when I just felt way too overwhelmed to enjoy the ride, but overall the experience has been more than enjoyable, and I wouldn't trade any of it.

Mickey birthday card from Oma and Opa

We decided to just have a small little get together this year to celebrate Wyatt's third birthday. It was nice to not be worried over decorating and cleaning and setting up. We just got to enjoy the weekend. We had immediate family over for dinner and cake with a few presents for the birthday boy.

Mickey pancake for dinner

The dinner menu was based on Wyatt's favorite - Breakfast! We had pancakes with strawberries, a sausage/egg casserole and hash browns - Wyatt was thrilled. Daddy even made a rustic Mickey mouse pancake - which was devoured quickly.

Candy Land from mommy and daddy - Little Einsteins in background new favorite

Of course before we got to gifts, there was a minor breakdown, since Wyatt is going through the "how-many-tantrums-can-I-throw-in-a-day" phase, but after that we did alright. The biggest hit of all the gifts was a train-Uno game Nana got him. Sure he isn't into actually playing the game yet, but he was more than into driving his train around and shooting the cards out the back. Very adorable.

Showing off his new train game and stickers from Nana

Then it was time for cake. All week we have been talking about the caterpillar cake Nana was going to make for his birthday party, and it did not disappoint. Wyatt was all about pointing out the eyes and circles on the caterpillar. And of course he was a ham while we sang happy birthday. He also got a kick out of blowing out the candles, which had stars on them.

Happy birthday boy with his cake!

Yeah it was a low-key celebration, but it was filled with love and happiness (a few tantrum tears). It was the perfect way to celebrate my biggest boy's day.

Four in four

I'm not sure I was a real TV junkie ever, but I have always had my favorites. You know those shows that you just can't miss. Since my life is revolving around two little munchkins right now there are many shows that I have put on the back burner - save for free time, thank you live streaming! My point is that one of my all time favorites was Gilmore Girls, don't laugh, it was great! Through some strange coincidence Rory was in the same grade level I was when the show started so I felt I was meant to watch the show. For those of you who were also Gilmore-fanatics you might remember a pivotal episode when Sookie informs Lorelai that Jackson wanted "four in four" - ringing any bells? Well if not, the four in four Jackson wanted was four kids in four years!

Right now that you have stopped laughing, or scraped yourself up off the floor, take a deep breath. I don't know who would really want that, I'm sure there are people out there, but personally no way! Imagine all the diapers! All the crying... Nope, not for me.

Why am I even talking about this you might be wondering? Well over the weekend Patrick and I got to experience what it would have been like to have had four in four. Yep! For a few hours we had four kids all within a year of each other (well close enough anyway).

Over the summer we helped out a family friend a few times when they needed a sitter while they were both at work, so I didn't think twice when they were looking for help again. Of course now I have two of my own, but I figured I'm not pregnant, so I'll have the energy needed to compensate. And thank goodness I had that energy!

Overall the morning was actually a ton of fun. But it was quite a sprint to the finish line. We just bounced from one activity to the other all the while changing diapers and filling cups.

Wyatt and Lydia's sticker creations

We made pictures with stickers.

Lydia watching the crazy boys play

We played with balls and cars and trains.

Break in the action for cheese

We played in the basement - made good use out of all those tumbling mats.

Lincoln hammering in some nails

We had breakfast and lunch as well.

Levi trying his hand at the tool bench

After our guests left and our two little guys were napping I had a moment to sit back and realize just how tired I was. A happy tired, but still. I guess that is why they say kids help keep you young. You don't have time to worry, so no worrying, no aging right? At least that is what the commercials lead me to believe. Either way, I'm glad we did it, Wyatt got to play with friends. Our parenting skills got some extra practice. And I was left with that feeling you get when you know you helped someone out. Overall, our morning with four in four I would say was a success. But I'm glad I didn't plan for such a family for us.

Crafts with Nana

I have said it before and I will say it again, there are so many times I am super grateful to have my family living close by.  While I was still not feeling 100% my mom stopped by during her lunch break (that's right, in the middle of her workday!) to play with Wyatt a little. I had been just too tired to do much of anything and felt like I was boring the little guy!


So my mom stopped by and brought a little craft. She had a stack of magazine cut outs, all of different pictures kids might like. And a large sheet with a heart on it. Wyatt was going to make a collage of the things he liked. Now that was a hit!

Wyatt searched through the pile, and found all the vehicles he could, then added some of his favorite snacks, like grapes and pretzels and finished the whole picture off with Goofy! Of course there was glue involved so that might have swayed him - but he really enjoyed that project. (It has had a place of honor on the fridge since it dried!)  The gluing was such a hit, they spent another 10 minutes or so gluing pom-poms onto a piece of scrap cardboard.




Nana even got in a short game of chase, which resulted in a tired Wyatt for nap time!





Sure it was a super short visit, but it was jam packed with attention and love - just what we all needed!

Snowman!

As unbelievable as it might be for fellow NEO natives, we just recently had enough snow for a fun day out in the snow. Yes, and it's the end of February. 

We took advantage, even though I was under the weather. 

It was time to learn to build a snowman. Sure we had a couple of days of snow play this winter, but never enough snow for snowman building lessons. So here was lesson number one for such a skill.

Making it snow on top of his snowman!

Well it ended up being more of snowman-mound. But cheers for the first lesson. 

We have been reading a fun book that GG Nancy got the boys for Christmas, What the Snowmen do at Night, and that meant our snowman had just quickly partaken in such fun events! 

Surprisingly more snow fell during nap time, so our snowman was completely hidden after only a few hours. Plus all the snow melted after two days, but that first snowman was a great hit. Maybe with some luck we will have great snow on someone's third birthday (only days away now) and we can work on lesson number two!

Valentine's Day

Valentine's day this year came in the midst of family illness (already mentioned in earlier post), so it was fairly low key. For the most part I don't like to make a huge deal out of the day, but I do think it is a fun time to show a little extra love to those you care about.

Wyatt started it all off with a special gift made at church. He was very proud of it, and lovingly said to me as we walked to the car after church, "for mommy, see kisses!"

It took me until the 15th to feel well enough to actually get our celebration going, which was fine, because really love can be poured down on a family any day of the year!

Well the Valentine Fairy paid a visit to our house while Wyatt and daddy ran a couple of errands. And here is what she left for Wyatt.

 Wyatt really enjoyed looking through the house for his surprises. It was a fun way to shower a little extra love on my biggest boy. Surprisingly enough, he also enjoyed the cookie!

As far as a gift to Patrick, I used a wonderful idea I found on pinterest - it was perfect!

 This way I can continue to shower my husband with love throughout the year - the perfect Valentine's gift!

Winter illness

I am starting to realized how totally blessed we were that Wyatt didn't get his first cold until he was eight months old, and that cold wasn't all that bad. Sure he got the typical running nose with the weather change, but nothing catching. After the past two weeks I have truly been grateful that he was so healthy, especially for a preemie. There was a time when I thought that would be the biggest struggle I had with kids. Of course I've come to realize that each challenge can be a serious struggle while we are going through them. And each struggle helps to strengthen us for the next challenge, because they just keep coming.

I'm sure you have guessed that we have been sick - and by we, I mean every single person living under this roof has gotten this yucky cold. Wyatt and daddy had it first, early last week. For them, it was a typical cold - running noses, small cough, sleepiness - then they shared with Levi and myself. Oh, I wish they hadn't been so thoughtful. Levi and I got the super version. All I can say is yuck!

Through some great miracle Patrick as able to stay home a couple of the days during the last two weeks because there were days when I simply couldn't get out of bed. I made myself alert enough to feed Levi, but that was it. I only ate because Patrick brought me food! Yeah, that is some serious illness for me.

One major side effect of this particular bug for me was laryngitis, yep I had no voice. The family chatterbox was silent for a good ten days. I'm sure some of you are thinking that meant the house was fairly quiet, but it just meant that Wyatt, Levi and Patrick filled those quiet times that I normally would have filled. During those times I started to realize that although I couldn't stand being sick this particular side effect might actually be a lesson for me.

   Image by AlicePopkorn

I was forced into silence. (Of course my house didn't fall into silence, I mean have you met my kids? They learned quickly that they had to speak up to be heard with the parents they got.) I was surprised how not being able to talk gives you an amazing amount of time with your thoughts. I didn't waste my efforts trying to work through my thoughts with Patrick like usual. Just let them sit in my mind and tumble around my skull. I wish I could say I came up with some profound insight during that time, but alas, nothing! Just that I didn't need to talk as much to be part of my family. My two-cents aren't as needed as I used to think. Again I wish I could say that I have turned a new leaf and will be less chatty for no reason, but I highly doubt it. I am just pretty sure that this was a needed break for my thoughts to resonate inside myself as a way of reclaiming me - the me I have been my whole life, not the new me that is a mom and wife more than just plain me. So now that my voice is back, the virus gone, I am ready to start again.
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So here we go - heading into Levi's sixth month of life, and Wyatt's fourth year, I am re-energized for the challenges of life. I guess that is one way to get me prepared Lord - just maybe next time a shorter period of illness would be nicer.

My preemie: three years later

Three whole years! Absolutely amazing.

Three years ago I was completely uncomfortable. Preparing for baby shower. Knowing that I wasn't really prepared for a baby to be in my house - the nursery not even begun, hospital bag not even put sort of together, not even attended one birthing class. Yet the arrival of Wyatt was days away. I didn't know that, I thought I had at least a month left, closer to two in fact. So I was just moving along.



My first lesson in God's timing was a tough one. Especially since I have always been prepared for major life events - lists made, schedules put together, supplies bought, etc. That was just not going to how my first experience in childbirth was supposed to be.

Wyatt  - 2 days old

Looking back, God did prepare me to be a mother to a preemie. He made sure my community service time (a requirement in high school) was on the preemie floor of the local children's hospital. Sure I thought it was all my decision to volunteer at the children's hospital, but it was His decision to place me on that specific floor. It was His plan that I enjoy it so much that after my 60 hours were over I continued to volunteer with those preemies for three more years. It was His plan that the nurses started to respect me and teach me little things about caring for these special babies. That plan gave me the level of preparedness I needed as a control-freak, to be a first-time mother to a preemie.

And my preemie was perfect. Sure he was early, and wouldn't eat. But that was it. No major health problems. No underdeveloped organs. I was blessed.

Wyatt's 1st birthday

Many people have commented on how calm I was about having my baby in the hospital. Then for a few months we had to keep detailed notes on all his eating habits, which again I just did. I remember those days, they were stressful, but I was calm. For some reason I wasn't worried, not really. God prepared me well for that stage of my life.

Wyatt at 2 1/2 years

Now just about three years later, we are still getting good reports that he is perfectly healthy - a dream come true for every mom.



This stage, the tantrum stage, the learning to be a person stage without know how to clearly express oneself, is turning out to be a little more stressful. But I am grateful to be at this stage because it means that the baby stage is past. And I'll be honest I'm ready for the busy schedule that comes with a school aged kid - well at least I think I am!

Wyatt 2 weeks away from being 3 years old!

 









Early birthday

I tried, I really did. I mean at least in my mind I was doing a good job of trying.

I should back up because you don't know what I am talking about!

A little over a week ago Oma informed me that Wyatt's birthday gift was in the mail - since they live out of state, it was easiest for her to have it shipped directly to us. Made perfect sense to me. So of course the great birthday gift arrived right after Wyatt got up from his daily nap. Since it wasn't crazy cold out, I made the decision to leave it on the porch (hidden from view from the street mind you) until Wyatt was distracted with daddy play time later in the day. See recently we have received quite a few boxes at the door and Wyatt has loved opening them. So I knew that if he saw that box he would have to open it, post haste.

Again I tried! It's the thought that counts right?

Well I forgot to call Patrick on his drive home to inform him of my great plan. I got all caught up in taking care of Levi, preparing dinner, wearing out Wyatt and keeping the house from generally burning down (you know the drill moms!). Needless to say my very helpful husband noticed a box on the front porch after he pulled up and figured I must have been too busy to get into the house and brought it in. So when Wyatt greeted him at the door the box was a huge hit!

Look daddy!

Yep, I tried! So after almost an hour of trying to convince Wyatt that the box had nothing worth opening in it we gave in - what can I say we are softies! And allowed him to open the box. I was hoping that someone in the LeapFrog company would have figured that little kids wouldn't be able to wait to open packages and had put the great toy in some non-descript cover inside the box. Yeah I know wishful thinking. As soon as the tape was torn back and the flaps were flown open, there was Wyatt's great birthday gift from Oma and Opa - a Tag system! With quite a few books! Oh the joy on this (almost) birthday boy's face was great. I was real sorry Oma and Opa couldn't see it.



Open - hurry!



So he got part (we somehow managed to hold back a couple of books) of his birthday present early. It happens! And now he gets to enjoy it a little longer than he other gifts. No biggie right?

Organizing my time

Alright I admit it, I am a type A personality, so for all of you close friends who have been waiting for me to admit it, there it is. In writing.

Now I am hoping that even though I am extremely organized and want things to be the way I see is the best possible way to be, that I am not quite as over the top as let's say Monica (from "Friends"). I mean I don't want people to think that is all I am, right?

However, my day/life always seem less stressful when it is organized well. A side effect to this is that I tend to spend much of my time putting together lists and such to help me stay organized, then when nothing actually gets done I am frustrated at not being productive! Yeah, I know crazy.

In the spirit of Kairos, I decided to make one more chart to manage some daily chores in order to structure my have-to's as housekeeper. See I figure if I have structure on that end, it will help me to keep my time more clear for God's time. Maybe that is backwards, but to my type A brain, it makes sense. So anyway, I put together a weekly/daily chore chart AND had it laminated, so I couldn't keep making changes to it! 

Yep, laminated, and on the fridge

I know brilliant, right? This way each day there are a set amount of chores that I need to do, but that's it. No more one more thing. Just focus on the list, and then be done with it. I mean sure there is always more I could do, I mean it's a house to take care of, there are always things that need done, cleaned or fixed. But this is a structure, which my mind appreciates, but it's set, so I can't waste time coming up with a list every morning.

Part of this structure includes clearing time to read my bible, read some devotionals and pray, so that I am clearing my schedule for God, in order to focus my day on his desires for me.

So yeah, not quite the huge leap from giving up complete control to Kairos, but for me, it's a baby step that seems to be helping.

Reading Event

One of the best gifts I received from my Nana was a true love for reading. It didn't matter what I was reading, she was interested. Really interested. As a result I learned how to lose myself into the world of fiction. It was always a place to go to release emotions, fear, sadness, joy, love, the list is endless. I am forever grateful to have had such a great woman show me the world of fiction.

This love has made me a determined mother - determined to make sure my kids know how enriching the world of fiction and reading can be.

I believe I am on the right track at least because Wyatt loves going to the library to get books, well and to play on the super cool computers (they have touch screens for the kids). But at least he loves going!

This past weekend was the annual Family Reading Festival at our local library. We went last year and had a really wonderful time. It was Wyatt's first time at an event where we were in the audience and he had to sit - granted it was only for one stories and then we danced for a couple of songs (read this post for more on our fun time last year.) So with fond memories I made sure we were all ready for another fun library event.



Decorating a foam bracelet



Wyatt was into it this year. We stopped at a bunch of tables - there were tables set up by local preschools, businesses and such with crafts for the kids to do. The Akron Symphony held our attention for a while. They had simple drums that the kids were allowed to play with - different sticks and such to make it more interesting. While some kids were getting instructions on what to do Wyatt just strolled up to the table, grabbed a drum and stick and went to town. He is very musical. While he was playing I entered us into a drawing to see Peter and the Wolf, although after more thought, I might take Wyatt anyway - it could be a fun experience.



Playing with a homemade shape finder



Levi hung out with daddy in the stroller most of the time. He really enjoys being in crowds, of course he gets to be safely in his stroller and not worry about getting lost or anything. So he helped daddy pick out some movies to rent, books to borrow and take pictures.

Riding in the stroller

In the main kids area Wyatt made a paper bag puppet. They had a ton of crafting material set up and the kids were allowed to fill a paper plate with whatever odds and ends they could find to create there masterpiece. Wyatt picked out two large yellow google eyes and a ton of crinkle paper strips before heading to an open chair to start assembling. We had a ton of fun. He found a small wooden spoon (the kind that come with single serve ice cream) and decided it would make the perfect mustache! I don't know where this new fascination with mustaches came from, but he's been on a roll with them.

Before we left he got to pick out one book to take home - not just to borrow, but to keep! That is one of the best parts of the event I think. Each child - even teenagers - get to look through tons of brand new books. I told Wyatt he was allowed to pick just one as we entered the room, and he understood.

He picked up the first book - "oohh. Mommy this one" Take two steps down, put that book down, pick up a new one - "ooh mommy, this one!" And so on for at least four different books before he came across a Little Einsteins book. "No mommy, this one! Show daddy" with that statement he picked his book, walked out of the room and straight to daddy to show him his new prized possession. Now there is a young fiction lover!

Mission completed: another generation of fiction-loving, library-going in the making!

First trip to the zoo

While I was just a mom to one, we went places all the time. I mean every day we went to the gym and then did errands and we got in fun little events on a regular basis. I didn't really think much of it. We had fun, we got out of the house, Wyatt took great naps as a result. Seemed like a no-brainer. Other parents sometimes commented on how amazed they were at our schedule, but again I just figured it was no big deal. Baby number two has changed my mind.

Levi all cozy in the stroller - Wyatt picked out his hat

I am not sure if it is because there are two kids now, or Wyatt's been potty training, or just because it's winter, which translates as no sun (sun = energy for this mommy), but for some reason I have no real gumption to leave the house most days. Yeah we get some errands run during the week, but only if we have to and most of those have drive-thrus!

Although since we've been back from Disney, I've had a little more energy and a little more confidence in my abilities to handle two kids in public. So when it was in the upper 50's on the last day of January I knew I had to get my little guys out of the house.



Levi's view of the lion



I took the opportunity and we went to the zoo! It was Levi's first official trip to the local zoo, and I think he really had a good time. Through some kind of miracle, my dad was off work that day and joined us. Wyatt was very grateful to get out of the house. He was all about checking out the zoo keeper's kitchen (a little play area near the lion exhibit where kids can pretend to be zoo keepers). He played on that thing for a good 20 minutes. We then beelined for the jungle gym near the bear exhibit. Again Wyatt played for a good while.



Wyatt's favorite animal - the Jaguar (he calls him a lion)



Levi seemed to enjoy the lion, he watched while Wyatt played. We didn't go through the whole zoo like usual. It was too close to nap time to make it very far, but we made it to the lions, tigers and bears! Then we took a snack break in the cafeteria, spent some time watching the fish. Overall had a nice relaxing trip to the zoo. The whole trip reminded me how great it is to get out of the house, even if it takes a little more planning now that there are two kids.

It was absolutely gorgeous out. I couldn't remember a January that was so perfect for NE Ohio. I'm very grateful for the mild winter because I am not sure a regular winter would have helped me in the slightest. I can easily see how mom's get depressed, I mean being stuck inside because of weather is depressing by itself. Throw in stir-crazy kids and I can only imagine.

SuperBowl and family

I have read that Americans in general aren't spending enough time with their families. And when I think about it, I guess I could see how this is true. I mean we are all striving to maintain jobs in order to pay the bills and such, then there is the whole "culturing" our children with different activities and play dates. Not to mention the ever growing importance placed on "me-time" and "downtime".



Nana & Wyatt working on a puzzle at our weekly dinner



But for me I cannot imagine looking at my calendar and not seeing a family function scheduled. I am truly blessed to be part of a large family, whose Italian roots have grown deep in America. It is very important for me to make dinner at least four nights a week and sit at the table to eat. Granted Wyatt isn't a big fan of this tradition, and tends to eat a bite and then find some other activity to do instead of eating, but Levi seems to enjoy being strapped into his high chair and watch mommy and daddy eat. As I have mentioned before my little family of four goes over for weekly dinner at my parent's house. It has been great to spend an evening with my parents each week, plus Wyatt looks forward to his time with Chief (that is what he calls my dad, I'll have to put up a post about that, or have I already?).

On top of those small traditions, my extended family is awesome at always having a reason to get together. During the holidays those reasons are easy to come across, then of course being a big family there is usually a birthday to celebrate. But even when those aren't on the calendar there are still events we come up with - like movie night, or most recently the Super Bowl!



Levi chewing Wyatt's football



Yep that's right, my extended family, hosts a Super Bowl party every year. For the past five years we have come together to watch the game, the commercials and halftime show. It is so much fun. And of course we have great food!



Chief helping Wyatt climb up "the moutain-top" (yes it is a cat tree)



This year Wyatt was all about going to the Super Bowl party. He had picked the Giants to win and stayed with that predicition for a week and through the game. I know very impressive.  Soon after we arrived he enjoyed pizza and pretzels and popcorn, and then quickly moved to playing with anything that could be made into a toy. For example, some small metal accent tables magically transformed into drums, which he played for the anyone who would watch. He realized an elliptical in the playroom of the basement made a perfect boat and sang "Row row row your boat" with Nana for a good while. Then there was the ping-pong table - oh that held his attention through the second quarter and halftime!

All that imaginary play allowed for some great adult talk with my cousins, aunts, and great aunts. Which is always welcomed for stay-at-home moms I've decided. Plus Levi enjoyed making his Super Bowl party debut. I mean who doesn't love a baby?



Silly Uncle Jordan- You're too big for Wyatt's tent



So yeah I guess many Americans get swept up in the culture of do and go, but for me that do and go seems to be focused on family get-togethers, and I am okay with that.

Levi's play time

Bittersweet - Now there is a word that I used a ton while I was working towards my English degree. It was perfect for all those classic British Lit stories that teachers love to assign students. At least I thought it was. I mean there was always a heroine who didn't end up with the love she deserved, just the man that would best provide, or something like that right? So I would say I used that word a ton. Now that I am a mom I think I have found the true meaning of the word bittersweet. The definition lies in watching your kids grow up. You so want them to become the best they can, which you know requires a move away from baby-like behaviors, and yet, those baby coos and giggles and behaviors are what you live for!

I cannot believe how fast Levi reached the four month mark - and that was a good 10 days ago now! He is all about growing up so he can play with his big brother. I can't say I'm completely surprised, just amazed. Everyone told me it would be like this, Levi watching Wyatt and wanting to be part of the action.



Loves it so much he's drooling



He has completely mastered rolling over, both from his back and his belly. In fact he has started to this barrel roll towards Wyatt whenever he can. It is quite adorable and entertaining. Of course after two complete rolls he gets frustrated and upset because it is just not a very efficient way to move. Still it is a stage that I am relishing in.

After such a show of wanting to be involved I dug out the exersaucer and Wyatt's old Jumpy Horse. Levi was so grateful. Now he can stand in the exersaucer and play with Wyatt. The first time Levi was in it, I was impressed that he lasted for 20 minutes. Granted by the time he was done he was exhausted, but still.

I love watching him grow even if it is bittersweet.



Learning how to operate the whole thing from his big bro