Santa! Oh my God! Santa's Coming! I know him! I know him!

I wish my kids were as excited as Buddy the Elf to see Santa, but they always get seriously shy while they wait in line to chat with the guy in the big red suit.

This year we unexpectedly stumbled upon him the day after Thanksgiving at the aquarium.  We were totally unprepared-- the kids weren't in their Christmas outfits, Levi was asleep in the stroller, and I'm pretty sure that Wyatt hadn't even brushed his hair; but it was FREE and there were 2 people in line in front of us so we thought we were pretty lucky to bump into him.

Ruby was a little quiet, but she did sit next to him and talk to him.  Wyatt refused to say a word and only came close because Brandon sat down on the bench, too.  On the way home Wyatt confessed that he didn't talk to him because it wasn't the real Santa Claus.  (Ruby told Wyatt that it was one of Santa's helpers who was doing what Santa would do if he were here instead of at the North Pole getting ready for Christmas.)

As soon as we got home they wrote him letters, just to clarify that he knows what they want for Christmas.

Love my silly kids and this Christmas tradition.

What's in a Name?

The other day we mentioned to my mom that Levi was named after Levi Savage.  She acted surprised, so for those out there who don't know about how we came up with the tiniest Linford's name, here's the story:

Brandon has a relative, John Linford, who was a Mormon handcart pioneer in the Willie Handcart Company.  His best friend was a man named Levi Savage (the movie 17 Miracles chronicles his experiences on the trail).  Levi was a devout man who sacrificed quite a bit for his family and faith.  He was courageous enough to stand up and speak his mind when he disagreed with church leaders and humble enough to be publicly reprimanded even when he was right.  In a touching act of friendship, he gave our ancestor--John Linford-- his final meal before he passed away on the trail to Salt Lake City.  It's our hope that our little Levi will look up to his name's sake and cultivate these same Christlike characteristics in his life.

Levi's middle name is Jude-- as in the song, "Hey Jude" by The Beatles.  It has always been one of my favorite songs.  The lyrics are so beautiful:

Hey Jude, don't make it bad

Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better
You were made to go out and get her
The minute you let her under your skin
Then you begin to make it better
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
You have found her, now go and get her

Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better
You're waiting for someone to perform with
And don't you know that it's just you, hey Jude, you'll do
The movement you need is on your shoulder
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah yeah
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her under your skin
Then you'll begin to make it
Better better better better better better, oh
Nah nah nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah, hey Jude
Nah nah nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah, hey Jude

The story is that Paul Mccartney wrote it for Julian Lennon when his father left his mother for Yoko Ono. Originally, it was entitled "Hey Jules," but Paul thought Jude sounded better, so he changed it. Apparently, Paul was very involved in Julian's life and was more of a father figure to him than John. I find the back story really touching. And I hope that my little Levi Jude remembers to take life's sad songs and make them better; that he won't be a fool and bottle up his emotions and grow cold when life is painful; and that he remembers the power to be positive in the face of adversity is always with him-- right there on his shoulder.

1 Month Old

As of November 14, little man Levi is 1 month old!  We are so glad that he came to our family.  We love his gentle easy going spirit.
He typically eats every 2-3 hours during the day and every 4-5 hours at night.  I'm delighted that he actually sleeps in the vintage family cradle.  As long as we warm it up with a heating pad before we put him in it and bundle him up he happily sleeps (and so do we).

So far, he enjoys snuggling, riding in the car and going for walks in the stroller and dislikes bath time.
His brother and sister adore him.  They love to pet his head, give him hugs and kisses, and tell the world that he is the cutest baby ever.

 

Levi is starting to be more alert.  When he's awake he tracks sound with his eyes and is generally pretty happy.
Here are his well check stats:

2 week-
8 lbs 15.5 oz (50%)
21.2" long (55%)
14.8" head circumference (50%)

1 month-
10 lbs .5 oz (50%)
21.9" long (60%)
15" head circumference (45%)