Five Big Ones

It's been five big years since that sunny February day when we welcomed Levi into our family. We had tickets to a Spokane Symphony concert for that night, but I guess Levi couldn't bear the thought of being squished against my ribs for hours listening to classical music (he's more into drums and a catchy beat) and decided it was time to make his entrance almost 3 weeks early.

Everything about that day was calm. The sun was shining with promises of an early spring. I was well rested thanks to the medication the doctor had prescribed for me the night before. My water broke around lunch time, but the contractions were light and unpainful. I got my epidural early and sat contentedly doing crossword puzzles. Then Levi was born just as the sun set, and just in time for me to order dinner. 

For being 3 weeks early, he weighed in at a healthy 7 lb 12 oz, with sweet chubby little cheeks and an adorable dimple in his cheek. He had soft dark hair and thick manly little eyebrows, which he immediately pushed together in a scowl, then stuck out his lower lip and with a little quiver, let out a soft cry. They bundled him up and handed him to me. I traced his eyebrows with my finger and talked to him, and he stopped crying instantly at the sound of my voice and just stared right into my eyes. He knew who I was.

Life over the past five years has been both joyful and eventful with this little boy. For about three of those years he was the master of sneaking into things he wasn't supposed to, there was no place high enough to put things you didn't want him to reach, he seemed constantly to be trying to improve his time on his 10.2 second record of turning an orderly room into a complete disaster zone, and I was sure he was hiding a check-list somewhere of things that would and wouldn't flush down the toilet, with special marks next to those things that would clog it up.

My mind has been stretched, my sanity levels have been pushed to the edge and straight off, and my heart has grown incredibly. This world gave me Levi to help me learn many things. Not the least of which, is true patience.

Over just the last year Levi has grown so much. 

He is such a sweet boy. He has a big heart and loves his baby brother so much. He has a soft spot for animals. He loves play dough, nerf guns, video games, board games, painting, basketball, hot dogs, and Mater. He loves to wrestle with his dad and brothers. He tells me often "Mommy you look beautiful", and will sincerely compliment me when I clean a room or put up a new piece of decor. There is a quiet strength to him that you can sense, and I know this little boy is going to grow up into an incredible man. I am so grateful to have been blessed to be his mother, joyful moments, insane moments and all.

Here's how he spent his 5th birthday.

Playing "hide and shoot" with his brothers and their nerf dart guns.

Licking beaters from his cupcakes.

Making all the noise you can possibly make with those humongous punch balloons...

Enjoyed his favorite dinner: Rotini and cheddar cheese, hot dogs, doritos.

Making that birthday wish and opening presents...

This cute cute little boy enjoyed the show.... And had some birthday dinner and cake of his own...

Playing the new wii, which happened to arrive that day, so that made it extra fun...

Happy 5th Birthday Levi!!!!!