Fun things about Lev (Guest post by Cambrie)

I don't want to forget all the fun things about Lev while he develops. So here are some facts that will evolve as more life happens.

During the first six weeks of his life, he frequently had his fists closed but his pointer fingers sticking out. Both of them. Unfortunately, I never got a picture but it basically looked like this:

After he sneezes, he always grunts or coos.

He LOVES books. He's not even three months old yet in this picture!

He loves to kick his feet up in the air and hold them there. See photo below.

When he wants our attention, he coughs. Bryce and I aren't looking at him and then Lev says: cough cough until we look at him. This kid loves attention. Just like his mom.

He has STRONG gag-reflex responses to whenever we put food or medicine in his mouth. At one month, a midwife came to see him at our house and gave him Vitamin K. He gagged exactly like the video below and she said "He's so advanced." Yes. His gag reflex is so advanced. What every doting parent wants to hear. In this video, we let him lick some tomato soup off of Bryce's finger.

 

Guest Author: Cambrie

I don't love to write, but I love Lev. So, here goes.

Becoming a parent is one of the best things--if not THE best thing--in my life. (Marrying Bryce was pretty great, too.) I did NOT anticipate how I would love it. I had a life list of things to check off and it was just an item on the list. However, that is not what happened. From the moment that I held Lev in the hospital (you know, after they sewed me back up), I was never the same. I love him dearly. Whatever he does is the most adorable thing or the most interesting thing or the funniest thing or the best thing I have ever seen. I mean, look at this kid. How cute is he! Even with that strange pattern of hair loss.

He adds so much meaning and light into our lives. I haven't slept more than five hours at one time since he was born but I don't even care. I love sleep but I love Lev more.

Let's be real. I get frustrated and I need time to myself. I do. And luckily, I have a great partner who lets me take that time so I can come back a better parent.

We always talked about how people who have kids always say: "You gotta have kids" or "It's hard but it's worth it." We rolled our eyes. Don't they HAVE to say that since there's no going back? Now I am here and I finally get it. They meant it. And let me just give you one piece of advice: you gotta have kids.

Just Some Lev Cuteness

 Lev is just so cute we need an outlet. 

He thought our weekly goals were hilarious, especially when I made that ooo sound. 

Crazy how much he has grown since he was born. And how much hair he has lost. Just like his old man.

He and his mom were tired so I sat up and watched them nap. He was pretty happy to get cuddles with his nap.

And finally just some random pictures...

Some Swiss Magic

With a newborn it becomes difficult to get out of the house, even in Switzerland. Add the coronavirus pandemic on top of that and it's pretty brutal. But the allure of the countryside is too strong at times, even for those hurdles. Here are a few random excursions we have taken to keep sane.

Kleine Scheidegg

Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen on the train

Running at the Gurten, Bern's local hilltop escape

Paragliding near Thun with Sridar (Para). Flying felt strangely natural. I thought it would feel dangerous, but it felt just like all those dreams I have where I can float if I just focus hard enough. Very tempted to get certified.

The launch. This was one of the coolest experiences I've had here.

We took a trip to Brig just to get out of the house. It was a quick hour train ride. 

Train to Brig

Brig was abandoned due to corona restrictions (we also went on a weekday).