HEATHER WILKINSON | Photographer

My little boy turned 3 today.  I feel proud.  I also feel so sad about it that I could cry.  (ok, I did a little this morning)  He’s just growing up so fast and it scares me.  Like most parents, I’m scared that I’m going to screw him up.  I’m also scared that I won’t enjoy him enough, that I won’t take enough pictures, and that I won’t be able to remember certain things about him that I desperately don’t ever want to forget.  In a matter of just a few seconds he can make me want to scream with frustration and then turn around and have me laughing hysterically and texting Dave about the funny thing he just did or said.  Like the other day when I bundled him up and kicked his whiney little self outside and looked out to see him on his hands and knees eating the snow off the back porch.  He’s so strange sometimes =)

If you haven’t spent 5-10 minutes with Levi to witness all of this firsthand, I’ll quickly sum him up for you:

He’s quite the entertaining socialite who’s loud & hyper, eager to help, and very observant & curious. He’s both wild and gentle. He loves all things about his dad and trucks/trains/tractors, and his favourite hobbies include cat-chasing, nagging for snacks, and initiating kitchen dance parties.  He’s a bit of an intense little guy, which keeps things interesting!!

I didn’t really know what to expect when I became a mom.  There are days that I’m not really sure that I’m quite cut out for the job of running a business from home while taking care of two needy little people.  Sometimes that means that we get in the vehicle and go for little drives so that mama doesn’t lose her mind! Days here at our house are almost always chaotic, messy, inefficient, and exhausting.  But I love it.  My life here with Dave, Levi and Ruthie is just so far beyond what I’ve ever wished for and could ever possibly deserve.  I’m reminded today on Levi’s birthday of just how blessed we are and am filled with an extra dose of love for my little family.

Naturally, I’m going to do a brief recap of the last 3 years in pictures, focusing mostly on this past year….

He started out pretty cute, cowlick and all…

There was a Cheerios phase….

Even at just 14 months old, he was eager to help with my office renovation…
Fast-forward a bit….. We liked him so much that we decided to have another…
…. and he thought that was pretty nice….
He absolutely LOVES “RuRu”.  Sometimes that love comes in the form of side-tackling, but we’re working on that.
He’s pretty innovative…
… and the kid makes a great monkey face.
Then there was a lengthy tractor-tipping phase after watching the movie Cars….
He always makes sure that his puppy has way more food and affection than necessary.
This next photo is the perfect summary of their relationship…
He’s so boyish and handsome…
Spaghetti is his favourite, just like daddy.
But he still loves Cheerios…
I frequently walk into a room and see Dave and mini-Dave having moments like this…
I wonder where he’s seen this before….
He can be a little moody now and then…
Loves to do just about anything with daddy…
Watching trains with his new kitty….
He’s still cute when he sleeps…
He likes to keep busy…
And he still has that cowlick, and it’s as fierce as ever =)  Gosh, we love this little guy…
These last two photos below are from our family photo session with Rebecca Sehn when we were in Vancouver in September.  Love, love, love!!
Happy Birthday, Levi!!