Essence of Levi: New Skills and Talents

Levi has been developing exponentially over the last month. In the first year of his life, most of his development was marked by physical tasks he was now able to accomplish. Now, Levi's development is apparent not only in new physical abilities but also in new cognitive abilities. He has truly become a mimic, imitating just about everything Sam and I do. For example, he loves to sweep (we even had to buy him his own broom that is light enough for him to haul around), but he often insists on trying to wear my apron while he sweeps because Mom does. Another wonderful example is the other day Sam read our Dilbert-a-Day calendar, laughed, then handed it to me. I read it and laughed. Levi was not about to be left out... he demonstrated his desire for the calendar (by grunting and reaching, as usual), then he looked at it for minute and started laughing a fake laugh. It was hilarious.

Here is one of Levi's new physical abilities: climbing. A little scary, as he now tries to climb in and out of the bathtub, his high chair, the shopping cart....




Here is one of Levi's new cognitive abilities: mimicking. So Levi loves the great outdoors and would stand at our sliding door banging on the glass and pointing outside. We would take him out on the balcony so he could point at the birds and everything else he could possibly see, but one of us would have to stay out there the entire time because the railing is not up to code (a problem with living in an older building) and Levi could easily fall through the posts. Well, I got the awesome idea (thanks to Mom and Dad Clements) of buying a piece of lattice work and using wire to attach it to the balcony railing. Levi watched intently as I cut the wire and then used pliers to tightly twist it around the balcony posts. As soon as I finished and put down my tools, Levi was ready to show me he knew how to do it, too.

(Sorry... some of this video is WAY close up. I was backed into a corner.)

Essence of Levi: Over the Head, Around the Neck

I can just imagine what is often going through Levi's mind: "Oh, this is an object of any sort? Let's see if it will go over my head and then hang around my neck." Luckily, here it is just diapers. However, cords are his true love. My new motto should be "constant vigilance". The cutest new effort this fascination has brought about is Levi trying to dress himself, including socks and shoes. But... that's going to take (A LOT) more practice.

Essence of Levi: Books

Levi loves books: listening to them, reading them, standing on them, destroying them.... Here's proof.




(Did you notice how Levi tried to put the books back on the shelf? He is such a good cleaner-upper... provided he doesn't injure himself in the process.)

Essence of Levi

So I thought is would be fun to take some videos just trying to capture Levi in his essence. He is such a character, and it is so fun to just watch him as he goes about his business. Hopefully these videos will give you a taste of Levi's developing personality.... especially since that was my point in shooting them. :)

p.s. Most of these are pretty much silent films with the occasional sound of my bum scooting along the carpet as I move further away from the approaching Levi or my "sultry" voice talking to him every once in a while. Oh, but the good news is, I did catch him babbling a little bit!