levi {two}

I wanted to take some pictures of Levi on his actual birthday. I thought maybe I would try to take a few outside, but it was pretty cold. Levi had been with his dad that morning hauling manure out of the cattle pens into the fields. Sounds gross, I know...but apparently it makes for the best birthday ever when you are a two year old boy. :) He came home from the farm and was walking around the house with his monkey hat still on. I had wanted to take some pictures with the red balloons from his party, but they were all deflated the next morning. Bummer. So, I plopped him up on the table around the sad balloons and it actually looked pretty cute. These pictures were a happy accident...empty dessert table, deflated balloons, and cute monkey hat. And Levi was making the best faces. I love them. 

Dear Levi,

Two months after you were born, your big sissy would have been turning two. I remember wondering what it would be like to be the mama of a two year old. And now YOU are two. You have shown me what an awesome privilege it is to be the mama of a two year old. Two year old boys are the best and your dad and I think you are pretty awesome.

You talk and sing ALL THE TIME. I have a constant companion to talk to and I love it. You say so many words and even talk in complete sentences sometimes. These are a few of my favorite things that you say..."Mommy hold you" - when you want me to hold you, "There we go" - when you finish something, fix something or obey, "Oh my, Levi", "ba-nan-nan-a" - banana, "oh-sailor" - four wheeler "BIG" - you say it with much enthusiasm. You can count to ten and sing your ABC's. I have no idea who taught you to do that. You sing all day long and you always want to be sung to before you go to sleep. Your favorite song is Holy, Holy. You learned it at BSF and it is so sweet to hear you sing those words. You also like Jesus Loves Me, The B-I-B-L-E, and we started singing Away In the Manger a lot over Christmas. You especially love when Papa will play the piano and sing with you too.

You love to eat cheese sticks (or any kind of cheese, really), goldfish, oranges, macaroni and cheese, tacos, M&Ms, and you love to drink milk. You do not love ice cream or anything too cold in your mouth. And you won't drink juice or pop...milk and water only!

You love to play with tractors and cows, build towers with blocks and knock them over, ride your tricycle around the house, play playdoh, throw balls, drag chairs around the house, "help" mama cook, color, and wrestle with anyone who will let you jump on them...but that is just when we are inside. You would live outside if you could. You love to explore, ride your four wheeler around the yard, collect rocks, go on walks, build sandcastles in the sandbox, and swing. And if you could go to the farm everyday with daddy you would love it. Riding in tractors, trucks, and getting rides on the real four wheeler is the best. You love to talk to your daddy about what is going on at the farm and you go along with him at any chance you get. You probably know more about the farm than I do! I love the special bond you are building with your daddy.

And even though you are already such a farm boy, you love to read too...that makes your mama so happy. You would read books all day if someone would sit and read to you. Your favorites right now are the Knuffle Bunny books and the Otis books. Your daddy and I have read them so many times that we have them memorized. Good thing your favorite books change every once in awhile.

You have a blanket ("ba-ba") and an alligator named Ally that you sleep with. You got Ally when you gave up your pacis and he hasn't left your side since. And I can't forget your imaginary friends. You have two...Ishama and Bobby. When we ask you where they are at you always say Walmart or Bammy's house. Silly boy.

This year you became a big brother. It was a hard transition at first, but most days you love your baby brother, Griffin. You always want to know where he is right when you wake up. You are dying to wrestle with him, but we always tell you he is too little. And you just started saying "lub (love) you Mama, Griffin" when you head up the stairs to bed. So sweet.

You have such a fun loving personality, silly laugh and those big brown eyes of yours know how to melt your mama's heart. Some days you wear me out, but I am so thankful that I get to be your mama and spend my days with you. I can't wait to keep watching you grow...just don't grow too fast.

I love you so very much.  

Mama