Levi Lessons continue...

In many regards, Levi Joseph Smith handles life completely opposite from his peers. The avenues that are most difficult for raising children are a walk in the park with little Levi, but all aspects of childhood that should be relatively textbook, throw him (and us) into a whole new novel written in another language.
For example, most children have difficulty learning to share, but Levi rarely says no to a request for his assumed toy or trinket.
Most children hesitate when asked try new foods, but Levi never turns down a new bite even if it's snails, squid, or spicy tuna.
Most children give value to some type of security item, but Levi has never found comfort in anything, no blanket, pacifier, stuffed toy, or prized possession.
Most children would wake up when stripped of blankets, covers, and quiet, but Levi stays sound asleep until the opposite. Pull his blanket up, and his motor sensors will spark alertness and anger.
Most children prefer sitting when using the bathroom for an extended period of time, but Levi only wants to stand regardless of the end result.
Most children are leery of new adults, but Levi is more uncomfortable with small children than grown men.

My sweet baby boy's peculiarities have stumped us at moments, but really they all stem from a child that was stripped of his natural environment, and placed in a harsh world too early, asking more of him than he could give. Levi doesn't always seem to understand cause and effect, so I have to remind him that he's not ready for certain tasks, foods, or milestones that his peers can handle. However, Levi stumped me with his new sweet mantra: mommy, try, again, try again. 
My eyes welled. I forgot how his physical and mental strength actually surpassed his peers. I forgot how often he's been asked to keep trying, keep fighting, keep going. As much as he (and I for that matter) gets frustrated with his limitations and language barriers, he has proclaimed this life lesson enough that his brothers are finally copying him. At the dinner table the other night, Silas presented Roman with a hypothetical scenario where he couldn't win a race. "What would you do Roman?" he asked. Levi quickly responded in his quiet whisper, try, again. "No Levi," Silas snapped. "Let Roman answer." (As if Silas has never been first to the table). "Ro Ro, what do you do if you can't do something?" Roman searched his vernacular for the write response. Levi couldn't help but repeat his quote like was lyrics to his favorite song. Try, again. He beckoned. This time Silas assumed his teacher-role and commanded Roman to learn the song. "Roman can you say, try again?" As Roman cutely copied, I couldn't help but feel enormous gratitude for Levi's life. He continues to change the way our lives are learned. He continues to challenge each of us to be different and to quietly keep going. I couldn't ask for more than that.  Sometimes we just have to repeat the phrase until we get over the hurdle and learn the lesson.

Levi's new leg brace didn't stump him at all. Next week we will meet Dr. O to see if it's good enough to withstand the challenge. 

Levi wants so badly to wear "big boy" underwear, but his physical limitations are hindering him a bit. After multiple accidents and multiple requests to "try again," I went the naked route. We still aren't there, but we'll keep at the "try again."

With so much rain in our town, the tiny creek in our backyard as become the boys' "river" where they LOVE to play and soak themselves in mud.

Little Luca loves to watch!

It's hard to say "no" to the natural desire boys have to get dirty and play outside. I have embraced it, and I pray one day for a mud room in our garage.

I love that even with all their new Christmas gifts, they prefer to be outside planting with daddy or inside creating duck tape car ramps with daddy!  

So much I love about boys!

I must add that with his steady patience and re-attempts at life, Levi was the first to successfully soar his car down the double decker ramp!

~Again Buster