levi {eighteen months}

Last week Joel and I took Levi to the park. I really wanted to try to get a few 18 month pictures. Joel came along to make Levi smile for me...and of course because we like his company too. But instead of looking at his mama and smiling, Levi ran and ran and ran...

and played and played and played...

and gave his mama "the look" when she pointed the camera at him.

I even tried to do one quick family photo and this is as close as we got. It was way too stressful for this little man to stop playing and take a picture with his mama and daddy. So I gave up.

And we just let Levi play instead. These pictures do a much better job of capturing Levi at 18 months anyway. He is constantly on the go.

And constantly performing. We were singing "Read your Bible...

pray every day...

and you'll grow, grow, grow."

While an 18 month old sure can wear a pregnant mama out, I am loving this age.

I love watching Levi's little personality grow.

He is constantly making me laugh...just like his daddy does.

And he is a daily reminder to me of the blessing of life and God's faithfulness to our family.

This is Levi at 18 months {just so his mama doesn't forget}:

*You are a BIG boy and very heavy for me to carry around. Good thing you love to walk. Your official stats are 26 pounds and 2 feet 9 inches tall.

*You babble constantly and are saying so many words. My favorites are ma-ma {of course}, wide (ride), bon mow (lawn mower), ba-be (baby), mil (milk), du-see (Lucy, our dog), nay-new (thank you), duck (stuck) and wok-wok (rock, rock). You are starting to say people's names too. It is so cute. And you even say "Joel" just like mama says it and then laugh. So funny.

*When you say goodbye to me you yell "bye-bye" and blow me a kiss or lots of kisses. Love it.

*You love to help your mama. You like to put away the silverware when I empty the dishwasher, throw trash away for me, walk down the driveway with me to get the mail, pick up toys, vacuum and sweep.

*You would stay outside all day if you could...even in the crazy heat we have been having this summer. You like to play in your sandbox, push your four wheeler, swing, play in the water, and collect rocks and sticks.

*You love wrestling with your daddy. You run and jump on him and laugh and laugh and laugh.

*You love to "wide" with daddy. He always gives you a ride in his truck up and down the driveway when he gets home from work. And if you get to ride on his four wheeler or in one of his tractors you think it is the best day ever.

*Actually you love doing ANYTHING with your daddy. :)

*You are a major performer and love it when people laugh at you. You like to show people how you know all the different parts of your body, your "fast feet", give people "the look", dance, give high fives and fist bumps, and sing songs.

*You are such a good sleeper at night and usually take a long afternoon nap. You like to rock-rock, read books, and sing songs before bed. It is one of my favorite parts of the day. Hopefully your brother gets your sleeping skills!

*And speaking of brothers...you are going to be a BIG brother in about two months. So hard to believe. You are a sweet, sweet boy. It is such a privilege to be your mama and spend my days with you. I can't wait to see you as a big brother!