Smiles for Miles

Oh Levi,

The sweetest thing about you is your sweet sweet smile.  It can LIGHT UP a room.  Strangers from across the store stop to receive one.  Neighbors get eager to see you so they can get one to brighten their day.  You have the absolute best smile in the world.   Whether it's just hearing your name or seeing a dog, your smile is infectious.  But the one person who can make you smile no matter what, is your sister.  The amount that you adore Charlotte is amazing.  I, too, think she's quite the funny kid.  But, at least for now, you think she's the best thing in the world.  Even your dad can get you to smile these days!  That's huge!  

Not to toot my own horn, but I think I'm tied with mom as your next favorite person.  You enjoy pulling my hair and having me lay next to you.  It's a guaranteed smile party.  I hope that every single day you know how much your smiles makes our hearts light up.  

We love you Little Boy.

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Girls Day

Some days, girls just need to have fun.  After several sleepless nights with Levi, mom decided you guys needed a good time out, just you two. So, off to get a pedicure!  What a crack up you were, and you definitely had the place laughing.

  

"You like my little toe?  Thanks"

"Where's my water" when your pedicure wasn't just like mom

"I would like a pink foot and a blue foot.  I like pink, my daddy like blue" 

Mom had so much fun and I think you did too!  She asked you if you wanted to do something else fun and you were so excited the day wasn't over.  Eager eyes lit up when you heard it was ice cream time!  Up next was getting dinner.  Man, sitting at bar looked a little too natural for you.  You chatted it up with the bar tender right away:)  

We love so much having little brother in our family, but it's good to have a little girl time every once in a while.  So I'm told.  

Love,

Nelson 

Half Way Roly Poly

At 4.5 months we mastered one of our milestones...rolling over!  You've become SO strong with SO much energy. Is this sign you're going to be like your dad...he was, lets say, a very "active" child.  So the last few night of trying to put you to bed have been like wrestling a bear.  On the plus side, I'm going to get the buff arms I've always wanted.  

One night I was sweating from trying to get you to calm down.  So I played you down, took you out of your swaddle and you started to flop around like crazy!  So I helped you to your belly and boom, you rolled right back over!  You even surprised yourself!  Since then you've done it a couple more time, but really only one time can count as you being able to meet the milestone, right?!  

Keep up the good work Little Boy!

Happy 3rd Birthday Charlotte!!

How have three years with your sweet heart fly by oh so fast??
You have been the most joyful and remarkable thing that has ever happened to our lives.  You bring us the biggest laughter and the best smiles every single day.  Sure, some days are challenging with a  toddler, but when I look back on our years together it will be your one-of-a-kind personality that brighten by every day that I think of.

You are so inquisitive and curious about the world.  You want to know "why" things are and you are SOOOO in tune to conversations.  Even when we don't think you are paying attention, you are.  You ask funny things like "is you telling me?" when you don't understand something.  Or use phrases like "no harm, no foul" or "mom, do you hear my words".  When you want to negotiate you may say "mom, let me tell you something".  You continually tell us "I love my mom my dad" which fills my heart with utter joy.  You love our animals "Nelson is our best boy.  Nelson is my hubby" and "Cindy is our best girl".  You have good manners and say "thanks" for things often, especially when Mimi makes you dinner.

We love spending every minute with you.  Taking you to parks, on walks, picnics, lunching, the petting zoo just to name a few.

You have such sincere compassion for others (most of time!).  When someone is hurt you are quick to offer a hug or a toy.  When someone is sad you try and cheer them up. You understand peoples feelings by just looking at them.  Something that is way beyond your young years of three.

You are a creature of habit and enjoy a good routine.  Playing for hours is something you love, but no matter how late the night may be, you still want to "watch my show, take a bath, read a book, go to bed".  We worked many many many long nights of getting you to love bed, but that is something you have become a champ at.  (and shhhhh don't tell, but you're still in a crib when most other kids your age have been in a big bed for quite some time!).

Three has also been the number of hours (yes hours) that you became potty trained.  Okay, give or take some, but it was really painless.  Once you knew the diaper fairy was coming, you knew it meant business to get the job done.  An example of your determination.

Things you love:
mommy, daddy, nelson, cindy, levi
M&Ms
Candy
Cake
Cookies
Sugar sugar sugar!
Animals
A good park
Playing with your friends Bennett, Will, Josh, Brody, Bryn
Paw Patrol
Dolly
Your Blankie
Being a big kid (pushing shopping cart, pushing dolly in stroller)
Painting
Swinging
"Picnics"
Your grandparents


You are a dream come true, sweet Charlotte.  We are so proud of you and cherish every bit of your kind heart.

My dreams for you are to....
Live Simply
Dream Big
Be Grateful
Give Love
and Laugh Lots

I love you my sweet daughter.
Love,
Mommy