Thursday, September 29, 2005

Poetry Thursday IX


In September

I walked down the lane
Past the maple tree,
And Post Man wind
Brought a note to me--
A small yellow note
From my friend the tree!

You call it a "leaf"
Just drifting down?
Why, it says, "Old Winter
Will soon be in town!
So it's really a letter
The tree sent down!

Eleanor Hammond

Monday, September 26, 2005

Memory Lane Monday VI









These pictures are from the first time Levi went on a boat. We were camping with Auntie Leah, Aunt Mary and Grandpa Frank. We were at Banks Lake in eastern Washington. It was really a lot of fun. Levi liked being on the boat, but was a little nervous when we were going. He is sitting on Auntie Leah's lap in the picture and mommy is behind hi m. All in all it made him really tired and thirsty. Levi took care of the former and Daddy helped him with the latter. He is about 9 months old here.

Saturday, September 24, 2005

Here's What People Said

So, Levi was baptised last Sunday. We read several blessings/letters to him from different family members, but a lot of people at the service probably couldn't hear them, so here they are in writing

Dearest Levi,

Blessings on you on the day of your baptism. I wish that when you grow up you be a good man, go to a good school and get a good scholarship.

God Bless,
Aunt Mary



Dear Levi,

Today is your baptism and you are almost two. You were born on October 7, 2003, the happiest day of my life. May God bless you with friends, love and hope as you grow into a man. I am so proud of you and you have the best parents.

With Love,
Uncle George



Levi,

I hope I am able to be a good mentor throughout your life. I hope I am able to witness your development from a beautiful young boy into the man that I know you'll become. The man with a kind soul, a strong will, and a heart nearly the size of his great blue eyes. How could you not become that man with the mother and father your have? And if you're ever in a jam, know that there is always God to guide you. You're never alone.

I love you,
Uncle Peter



To my baby Levi,
Love is the basis of all things. As you grow and start to see life in your own way, I pray that you see the beauty and purity in all things.
Never lose hope that in the end, love will prevail. Believe and trust in God for He will always be there for you, there to protect and guide you. Love is delicate and life is sweet, so live simply and love everthing about it.

Love always,
Auntie Claire



Levi,

We want to offer our love and support on your special day even though we could not be there. you are always in our thoughts and prayers. We are so glad to be a part of your life. It is amazing to think that one day you will be a man, and we would be honored if we could help you on your journey. Congratulations on your baptism.

Love,
Jennifer, Clinton, Elyse, and Kylee Endicott



Dear Levi, Maggie, and Schuyler,

Both Rachel and I wish we could be there with your on this wonderful day. We miss you all very much.

Levi, it is hard to believe that you are about to surpass another important milestone in your young life. Your are growing up so fast. Be comfortable knowing that as you journey through life, your are not alone. You are loved and supported, not only by your Mom and Dad, but also by all of your family annd friends. Enjoy today, be happy, be proud! And thankful for all you have.

Congratulations on your baptism. Aunt Rachel and Grandpa Frank love you very much and we are so very proud.



My dearest Levi,

As you grow in age and wisdom, may God's grace and love shine within you and may you always reflect that love.

With love and prayers,
Your loving Grandpa Dwight



Children are a very clear reminder that we are stewards of God's creation. He puts them into our lives and gives us the responsibility of "training them up in the way they should go." It doesn't take long to realize this is a task we cannot do well without God's help. We, as grandparents, are well pleased that you, Schuyler and Maggie, are putting Levi in God's hands and are dedicating yourselves to raising him in a way that honors God. Our prayer for you is that, as you keep your eyes focused on God, Levi will learn from you and develop his own personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

We look forward to watching Levi grow in his knowledge of, and relationship to, the Lord. We commit ourselves to pray for you and to provide support and encouragement to you in this wonderful journey.

Love in our Lord,
Grandpa and Grandma St. Lawrence

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Poetry Thursday


H. Baptism II
by George Herbert


Since, Lord, to thee
A narrow way and little gate
Is all the passage, on my infancy
Thou didst lay hold, and antedate
My faith in me.

O let me still
Write thee great God, and me a child:
Let me be soft and supple to thy will,
Small to my self, to others mild,
Behither ill.

Although by stealth
My flesh get on, yet let her sister
My soul bid nothing, but preserve her wealth:
The growth of flesh is but a blister;
Childhood is health.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

A Fun Time in Boston







A couple of weekends ago, Levi, Mom and Dad went to Boston for a couple of days. We were able to meet up with Aunt Liz, Uncle Matthew and cousins


Alexandra (18 months)



and Samantha (3 months).

Daddy had a conference to go to but we got to explore Boston, see the children's museum and catch up with family. Levi and Zandra had a great time together. She is just about his size and very affectionate.

She made Levi a little nervous at times, but he sure does love her. He looked for her after she was gone. They ran around and played together.




Zandra taught Levi to take bites of rice cake.



He thought it was great fun to take a bite and spit the pieces all over the hotel room floor, but at least he was taking bites and learning to use his teeth. Overall, it was a really fun time and we are looking forward to them coming to see us.

Monday, September 19, 2005

Memory Lane Monday V


This is not a picture of a specific interesting memory, but Auntie Leah left today and we miss her, so we thought we'd show a memory with her in it. Levi in this picture is about 6 months old. We were at the best burger place in the world. At this time, we lived in Moses Lake and Auntie Leah lived in Seattle, so we were pretty close together and could see each other fairly often. It's hard being so far away from family and we miss them dearly, but we have also made wonderful friends here. We only wish we could be near both somehow.

Friday, September 09, 2005

A couple of new photos


Here is Levi enjoying a mimosa with breakfast. Oh wait no, that's Boost Breeze. The lengths that mommy will go to to get him to eat more of that stuff. sheesh.




What do you think is a better story? Time out didn't work so we made Levi scrub the floor? Or, Levi found out grandma was coming and mommy wasn't cleaning, so he took matters into his own hands?

Thursday, September 08, 2005

A Levi Update



Here is an update for any of you following Levi's eating and growing situation. Levi had an appointment at the pediatrician yesterday. He has gained about 4 grams per day in the last month. The goal is 6. That's not too bad, he is staying steady at about the 5th percentile. The doctor was fairly happy with his progress and pleased that he is starting to sleep through the night better. As far as following advice and directives from Levi's various care providers we are doing our best. Some of the advice seems to be conflicting. Here is a summary:

From the pediatrician at Georgetown and the feeding team nurse at CNMC (they confer often) :
1. Get him to sleep all the way through the night without nursing. (working on it)
2. Nurse him no more than five times during the day. (will start working on it after we succeed at the first one)
3. Do not nurse him in the two hours before a meal. (see previous one)
4. Do not nurse him directly after a meal. (see previous two)
5. Try to get him to take 24oz of Pediasure or other nutritional drink a day. (seems impossible at this time - working on it)
6. Do not give him juice/juice smoothies, as they are more filling than nutritional. (hmm)

From the feeding team child psychiatrist at CNMC:
7. Remain emotionally neutral during meals. Do not scold for not eating or praise for eating. (a good idea in theory - we try)
8.Give him a meal or snack every three to four hours and nothing in between. (not working out - see number 4)
9. No playing during meals. (hmm)
10. Time out in high chair for misbehaving during a meal. (tried it once, didn't work, may try it again eventually)
11. Keep him at meal for 20 minutes. (mostly successful)

From the occupational therapist:
12. Brush him with a soft brush and run a thumb across the roof of his mouth every two hours. (we are trying, there is some biting, some forgetting and some schedule conflicts)
13. Bounce him on a ball and tip him sideways regularly to build his abs and help with his balance reactions. (we do this sometimes)
14. Give him things like twizzlers to chew on. (he won't try it)
15. Give him tubs full of different textured things, ie a rice box, a pasta box, a bean box etc. (we've done the rice box)
16. Buy him toys that have unusual texture or vibrate. (have some, always looking for more)
17. Get him to carry around heavy things to work on his strength. (hmm)
18. Give him more advanced textures of things he likes, like juice smoothies. (see number 5)
19. Have him blow out candles, blow bubbles, blow into a straw etc to work on his mouth muscles. (do it every day)
20. Give him lots of stuffed animal kisses around the mouth. (do it)
21. Engage in lots of rough play including air swinging and swinging him in a sheet or large towel. (do it sometimes)
22.Attempt to narrow his base of support when he is sitting. (try, he is not very cooperative)

From the develpmental evaluator at Georgetown:
We are terrible parents and everything we do is wrong and selfish. (we aren't going back to her)

Poetry Thursday IX


The Swarm of Bees
Elsa Gorham Baker

One little honeybee by my window flew;
Soon came another - then there were two.
Two happy honeybees in the appletree;
One more bee came buzzing up - then there were three.
Three busy honeybees starting to explore
Another bee came to help - then there were four.
Four laden honeybees flying to the hive;
They were joined by one more bee - then there were five.
Five tired honeybees with the others mix;
Now there's a swarm of them - a hundred times six.

Monday, September 05, 2005

Revenge of the Dirt



So, yesterday our church had the first of its September outdoor services. After the service, we had a good old-fashioned cookout/potluck/playtime. Levi didn't really get into the food part, but he sure did like playing. At first, the trampoline was his favorite, but that was before he discovered the wonders of dirt. He also had a great time playing with Stacy and Driving Mr. Fantastic's car.





Memory Lane Monday IV



That's Levi rolling around on the floor of our newly vacant apartment in Moses Lake. The movers had just finished packing everything up, and as a last goodbye, Levi wanted to roll around on the ugly carpet one more time. It was actually a little sad, leaving that place, the house that Levi first called home. After a couple days with the folks, we said goodbye to Washington State and moved all the way to DC. What an adventure.

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Poetry Thurday VIII

The Little Turtle
by Vachel Lindsay

There was a little turtle
Who lived in a box.
He swam in the puddles
And climbed on the rocks.
He snapped at the mosquito,
He snapped at the flea.
He snapped at the minnow,
And he snapped at me.
He caught the mosquito,
He caught the flea.
He caught the minnow,
But he didn't catch me