Levi's First Christmas

This year we spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Austin area. My family came and stayed at our house, and we spent time with my mom's family in Dripping Springs at my cousin's house. Levi got to meet lots of new family members this holiday season!

Blair used the wrapping paper scraps to wrap this present

Grammy and Levi

Meemaw loves little babies!

My "little" cousin Holt with Levi

Levi with some of his presents.

He got a lot of stuff that was still on our registry.

Not very exciting for him but helpful for Mom and Dad!

Chad and Landry, Mat and Levi

After Christmas in Austin, we headed to Kingwood to spend the weekend celebrating with Mat's family.

Aunt Marilee and Kadence snuggling

Grandad and Cameron snuggling

Opening Presents

We are still recovering from all of our fun over the last few days- all 3 of us have colds.

We've spent a lot of time lately doing this:

Merry Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse (or George)

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there

The children were nestled all snug in their beds (or in Pops' arms)

While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads...

Merry Christmas!

Church

We finally took Levi to church today! He dressed up for the occasion with an adorable tie.

This picture drives me crazy because it is crooked, but it is the only one that turned out somewhat decent. I was trying to do too many things before we left.

Levi did pretty good through the singing but protested just in time for the sermon. It was so good to finally be back at church!

2 Months

Today our baby boy is 2 months old! I can't believe it. We went to the doctor this morning. The two adjectives she used were "gorgeous" and "perfect." :) He weighs 9 lbs. 12 oz. and is 22 inches long. He is in the 30th percentile for both height and weight. He has finally graduated to size 1 diapers, but his newborn clothes still fit best.

The doctor heard a heart murmur but said that this type was very common in newborns. She wasn't concerned and just said it was something for us to listen for at his next appointment. Levi also has a clogged tear duct that she said should close up in the next few months. We love Dr. Spellings. We went today with quite a few questions about sleeping, eating, and vaccinations, and she answered most of our questions before we ever had a chance to ask them!

Levi got his first round of shots today. He was ANGRY while he was getting them but slept for almost 4 hours (without me holding him) afterwards.

Levi is on a good routine of eating, playing, and sleeping every 3 hours. He takes good naps- as long as someone is holding him! I am usually up with him 2 times at night- once around 11 or 12 and then again at 3 or 4. He has definitely become a more efficient eater (which I am thankful for!). The biggest problem at night is that I am falling asleep while he eats!

This month we have started seeing his beautiful smile and hearing him beginning to "talk." I have definitely seen a change in his overall mood. You can see evidence of this in the pictures below! His happiest time of day, and my favorite time, is after he eats his first meal in the morning. He smiles and laughs and enjoys looking around. He has especially loved looking at the Christmas tree and lights this month. He will crane his neck to look at the tree while he eats.

I only have a few more weeks at home with Levi before I go back to work, so I am trying to cherish my time with him. I am hoping that he is able to sleep longer stretches at night soon so that I am not completely sleep deprived when January 4th gets here!

1 Month

2 Months

Levi is staring at the Christmas Tree

(and apparently so is the bear!)

You do what you gotta do...

Levi loves lunges! There have been several days in the last 2 months that Mat and I have done many laps around the living room and kitchen trying to calm Levi down.

Hmm...

I wish I knew what Levi was thinking!

Guard Dog

We've always wondered if George would make a good guard dog. Tonight, while they were on a walk, Mat found out that he would make an excellent guard dog...as long as the intruder was an inflatable snowman. Apparently George spent a lot of time ferociously growling at the Christmas decorations on our street.