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levi {2.5}

Levi hit the two and a half point just before we went on our trip to Colorado. I had wanted to take some pictures of him while we were there but the the family-sickness-that-ruined-our-vacation struck. I had kind of forgotten about the whole picture thing until we were on a walk the other day and we came upon this big tree that had fallen down. Levi loved crawling all over it and I made a mental note to bring my camera the next time we went on a walk. A few days later we stopped at the tree again to take a few pictures of the big two and a half (give or take a few months) year old.

I really love this age. I mean, there are days where I want to pull my hair out when he goes “digging” in my bed after I just made it…or I feel like all I do is discipline him for wrestling his baby brother…or I wish he would stop talking for just five minutes. There are those days too. But mostly I just love spending my days being a mama to this spunky two and a half year old.

Dear Levi,

It is hard to even write down what I want to remember about you as a two and a half year old. There is so much. You say and do so many funny things. Here are just a few:

“It’s okay I play with your phone mommy?” – The answer is usually no.

“I just texting somebody.” – Lately you’ve been texting your Uncle Ben to pick up loads of cows for you.

I don’t think so. “I think so.” I don’t think so. “I think so.” – You like to argue. You say it in a sing-songy way with a giggle. πŸ™‚

“I love you all the way to China!” – You yell this to me as I walk down the hall leaving your room at night.

“I need some fresh milk.” or “I need some really cold milk.” – You love your milk.

“Nice hair, mommy.” – Usually it is when my hair is looking not so nice.

“Thank you for the good dinner mommy.” – Your sweet words almost make me love cooking. Almost.

“Put your hands up! Levi’s a big boy! Woot-woot!” – This is your chant after going potty. We’ve had lots of dance parties in the bathroom lately.

“Mom! I gotta go potty! Mom! I gotta go potty!” – Your latest stalling technique at bedtime. Nice try, buddy! πŸ™‚

“He doesn’t talk.” – Referring to your brother who will be lucky to ever get a word in with you around to speak for him.

You love to sing. You know every song on the radio and I’m amazed when I hear those songs coming out of your mouth. You know my favorite songs and you always tell me when they come on the radio. “It’s your song, mommy!” Right now we love singing 10,000 Reasons together. It is our favorite. I love hearing that little voice of yours singing songs of praise to Jesus! I am praying that you always have a song in your heart.

Jump! This is you being brave. You are pretty cautious. You have to try new things a few times before you get comfortable. You are definitely not a risk taker. I am okay with that. I am pretty sure your little brother is going to make me worry enough for both of you.

You love people and are always up for a party…just like your dad. You love when your friends or cousins come over to play and you love going to their houses too. Β You like to be on the go and know the names of all your favorites stores and restaurants. If we are home during the day I often hear, “What-do-ya wanna do now, mommy?”. You like to have a plan for your day…and you love to “help” me with whatever that plan may be.

If you had your way you would be on the farm with dad every moment of the day. You love spending time with him and you love the farm. You know the name of every piece of equipment and you know everything that goes on there. When you are home you usually spend lots of your time playing farm with your millions of tractors. You put me to shame with your “farming knowledge”.

Β Your favorite foods are…macaroni and cheese, cheese sticks, goldfish crackers, strawberries & blueberries, and M&M’s. And guess what?You were finally brave enough (you have a sensitive mouth!!) to try ice cream and popsicles. You are a fan.

Your favorite books are…Knuffle Bunny TooΒ andΒ The Jesus Storybook Bible

Your favorite movies are…Thank You God for Colors and Shapes and Heroes of the Bible

You love picking out and giving gifts to people. I love giving gifts too so it has been so fun to have you share in my excitement. You even like to help me wrap them up! It is all about presentation, right buddy? πŸ™‚

When we go on walks you always ask if we can walk to Cora’s stone. You love going there and you always look for flowers to leave at your sissy’s stone. One time as we were loading up in the stroller and getting ready to leave I told you to say goodbye to Cora. You said, “Mommy, Cora’s not here. She in heaven!”. The Lord uses you so many times to give me gentle reminders and encourage my broken heart. I love that.

With a “big boy” hair cut and “big boy” pants (you are officially potty trained!) you really seem like a BIG boy. I am having a hard time adjusting to my baby turning into a little boy this summer! I am so thankful that you are my son, Levi. You bring so much joy to our house and I am thankful for these long summer days that we get to spend together. It is a privilege to be your mama. I love you all the way to China!

Love, Mama

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  • Shawn - Love this, Jess. So precious. My oldest will be sixteen in January. Your accounting of Levi reminds me of so many priceless memories I have with him. Two and a half is such an age of wonder and discovery. Your comment about how he said Cora wasn’t there made my eyes fill with tears. You are a wise woman to teach your sons how very alive and real Jesus is. It is an awesome task raising godly children. You are well on your way.ReplyCancel

  • Kara - SO STINKIN’ CUTE! That’s all I can say. πŸ™‚ Hope we get to see that big boy again sometime soon! (And congrats on the potty training!!!)ReplyCancel

  • Elaine - Our son Drew is 15. I wrote him one letter when he was very young. I always meant to do more. I can’t believe how fast the years flew by! I love that you wrote Levi. And will keep writing him. What a sweet legacy of his mama’s love. What an affirmation of the wonderful person he is. I’m gonna write Drew another letter. Real soon. Thankfully he still hugs his mama.

    P.S. We always celebrated the kids’ half birthdays when they were little. The fast food of their choice and a small little gift. Sweet memories. We have almost 3 teenagers now!ReplyCancel

  • Stefanie Arnold - oh my word, he’s too cute! Yay for being potty trained! Huge load off Mama’s back. No pun intended πŸ˜‰ReplyCancel

  • Michelle from Australia - He is SO gorgeous. And growing up SO quickly. It seems only yesterday that I was checking the computer, rather obsessively, to see if you had posted that he had arrived safely πŸ™‚

    God Bless you Jess for sharing your family with ‘us’ in BlogLand. I am truly a better person, and Mum, for ‘knowing’ you.

    M xReplyCancel

  • Toni :O) - He is soooo precious. I love his heart and his smile, it lights up his face! He’s so adorable and such a blessing, glad he makes your heart sing.ReplyCancel

  • Cristin - Too bad we live so far apart. I think our little guys would love each other. I have a farm-a-holic silly boy too! I love reading about your precious family!ReplyCancel

  • Andrea - This is so cute! He is such a handsome little guy! What a sweet little blessing:)ReplyCancel

  • Kim - Love this! Love that you continue to share your sweet family with us.

    KimReplyCancel

  • Bryn - And… now I am in tears. I am at that age where babies are closer and closer and you just made me want to go out and become a Mom today!!

    Love your little boy and hope I am blessed with one with just as much spunk.

    I love your China quote. He is a gem.

    My brother’s daughters have a new baby sister and their 3.5 year old says, “She doesn’t talk. She will talk when she is 5” πŸ™‚ Melts our hearts.ReplyCancel

  • Kalyn - Is Levi sleeping in a big boy bed yet?ReplyCancel

  • Carolyn Dewey - Precious!! What a handsome boy he is!ReplyCancel

  • amanda - bless the lord oh my soul, ohohoh my soul
    worship his Holy name

    me and my six year old’s sing that song too. πŸ™‚
    i love pouring those nuggets of scripture and worship into their hearts. cause the rest of the time they are listening to Red Hot Chili Peppers with daddy. ho hum!

    your sweet Levi! he’s precious!!ReplyCancel

  • Heather - Hi There! I so love your blog! And your boys are absolutely adorable. I enjoy reading about them. I have an almost 3 year old little guy and I can very much relate to the constant talking,the love of tractors and of course the little boy spunkiness! It is the best age, of course I keep saying that with every age that he is but it’s true!
    Thank you for sharing all your stories and precious memories with us.

    HeatherReplyCancel

  • Carrie - Thanks for your blog, Jess. It’s so nice to see another Christian mom just living life and raising her kids. Keep up the good work! πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • Jane - This is so wonderful. Little boys growing up is so challenging and rewarding at the same time. I wrote a post today about my oldest being a senior in high school….you always hear about how fast time flies….wow, it really does!

    And Levi is so darn cute!! Congrats with the potty training!ReplyCancel

  • Laura - I LOVE this. Makes me sappy about my baby turning 2 soon!!ReplyCancel

  • Jess - Kalyn-No, still in his crib. He has always been such a good sleeper in his crib and never tried to climb out. We were just talking about that it was probably time for a big boy bed. Soon!ReplyCancel