Notes: At 17 months Caelum has his debut performance

Caelum's First Day at French Académie: A Joyful Start
November 4, 2024, was a major milestone for Caelum Levine as he began his academic journey at French Académie, following in the footsteps of his big brother, Asterius. The day began with an emotional moment as Caelum joined us dropping off both Asterius and Alline at the International School, setting a supportive family tone for the day.

The first day of school for Caelum was nothing short of delightful. As he entered French Académie, he was warmly welcomed, much like his brother who had been greeted by Tootsie, the school mascot, on his first day. The images from both occasions reflect a charming parallel; while Asterius had his memorable encounter with Tootsie captured in joy, Caelum too had his moment, showing a blend of curiosity and cautious excitement as he met Tootsie.

Caelum thrived from the start, quickly engaging with the teacher who was impressed by his eagerness to participate. He explored the classroom, showing a keen interest in the colorful array of toys. His interactions with other children were heartening, as he shared toys and participated in group activities, displaying signs of social confidence and adaptability.

A heartwarming moment was captured as Caelum navigated through his first school activities, from puzzles that caught his focus to interactive games that sparked joyous laughter. These first steps at French Académie were not just about learning and playing but about beginning to build the social and educational foundations that will accompany him throughout his life.

As the day progressed, the joy and learning continued, with Caelum fully immersed in the vibrant school environment. His parents, filled with pride, watched their youngest son start his schooling with such enthusiasm, promising a bright and exciting future ahead.

July 4th, 2024, marked a momentous and bittersweet milestone for the Levine family—Caelum’s first birthday. While the day was filled with love and celebration, it was also marked by Amy’s absence as she continued her recovery from brain surgery at Mayo hospital in Rochester. Despite not being physically present, Amy played a central role in making the day special, coordinating every detail from afar, from planning the decorations to arranging the creation of a beautiful strawberry smash cake.

The festive atmosphere was brought to life with a colorful balloon arch and thoughtful decorations, set up by Amy's friends. In the kitchen, Nanna, Tugba, and Auntie Dafna worked together to bake a delicious strawberry smash cake.. The heartfelt teamwork reflected the shared love and effort that went into making Caelum’s big day so memorable.

Initially hesitant about the smash cake, Caelum soon dove in, exploring the sweet treat with his little hands.

Although Amy couldn’t be there in person, her love and dedication were evident in every aspect of the celebration. Caelum’s first birthday was not only a reflection of the happiness he brings to the family but also a reminder of the strength, resilience, and unwavering bond that defines the Levine family. It was a day of gratitude, love, and the start of many more cherished memories to come.

March has brought a burst of growth and a flash of green to the Levine household as Caelum celebrates his 8-month milestone. Dressed in a cheerful ensemble with a four-leaf clover motif, Caelum seems to have embraced the spirit of spring.

Caelum's development has been as swift and vibrant as the seasonal changes. Sitting unaided with  confidence, he's mastering the art of balance and poise. With his keen eyes set on the world around him, he's pulling himself up to stand, eager to see the world from new heights. And when it comes to mobility, he's a veritable bolt of lightning, crawling at speeds that would make the quickest leprechaun green with envy.

You can see the curiosity sparkling in his eyes, a clear reflection of his eagerness to interact with his environment and the loved ones who fill it. Caelum's journey this month has been one of visible joy and discovery, his rapid development a testament to the lively spirit we've come to know and love.

At 8 months, we celebrate not just the leaps and bounds of Caelum's physical abilities but also the charming personality that's unfolding with each passing day. It's not the green of his attire that makes this month special, but the growth and glee we see in our little boy, which brings a wealth of joy to the Levine family.

February is a month filled with love, and this year in the Levine home, it's also the time we celebrate Caelum reaching his 7-month milestone. Our charming little man has shown us just how quickly he's growing, not only in size but in spirit and curiosity.

Adorned in festive red 'XOXO' suspenders, Caelum is already embracing the spirit of Valentine's Day, his outfit a cheerful emblem of the love that envelops him. These suspenders are more than just a seasonal choice; they're a tribute to the affection that defines our family. Yet, the true heart of the celebration is Caelum's newfound mobility. With the eagerness of an explorer, he's mastering the art of crawling, claiming his freedom with every inch he conquers.

Witnessing Caelum's journey, we're acutely aware of the swift passage of time, of how these fleeting moments are the ones we'll cling to in years to come. We're holding tight to the present—each determined crawl, each joyful chuckle, each tender look he shares with us. Caelum, at 7 months, is a bundle of joy, spreading love and laughter in his very own, unique way.

Six months have flown by, and what an exhilarating journey it's been with our little Caelum!

Every day, he shows us his growing curiosity for the world around him. Now, he's eagerly exploring the diverse world of flavors and textures as we introduce him to solids. It’s a messy affair but undeniably fun, filled with curious scrunches of his nose and delighted grins, especially when he gets to taste his new favorite, goat milk kefir.

Caelum's mobility is on full display as he rolls across the room with purpose and determination. His latest achievement? Standing tall in his activity center, where he creates his own kind of symphony, pounding on a keyboard with the excitement of a budding DJ.

However, with this ever-growing fascination with the world comes his reluctance to miss a single moment—even for sleep. Naps have become brief interludes in his busy schedule of exploration, and bedtime is met with a resistance only a wide-eyed, eager baby can muster.

This post features a heartwarming video that shows Caelum seated in his new high chair, eagerly awaiting a meal from none other than his big brother, Asterius. It's a special moment, marking the beginning of many shared meals and the deepening bond between the brothers. As Caelum sits in anticipation, you can see the trust and admiration in his eyes for Asterius.

So here’s to Caelum, our bundle of energy and cackles, who has reached this wonderful six-month milestone. We can't wait to see what the next half year brings!

As Caelum approaches his 5-month mark, he's been achieving some remarkable milestones that truly set him apart.

1. Early Mastery: Sitting Up Unassisted
Caelum has demonstrated an uncanny ability to sit up from a lying-down position unassisted, a feat most babies don't tackle until 7 to 9 months. Check out the video in this post to witness his impressive independence!

2. 'Tripod' Sitting
Caelum is displaying impressive sitting skills by sitting in the 'tripod' position, a milestone typically achieved between 6 to 8 months.

3. Rolling Like a Pro
Rolling over is another skill he's mastered earlier than most. Not content with just going from back to tummy, Caelum is now confidently flipping back and forth, and he's even started log rolling across the room! Babies usually reach this level of mobility around 6 to 7 months.

4. First Tastes: Greek Yogurt and Avocado
Caelum is exploring the world of solids, having enjoyed his first tastes of Greek yogurt and creamy avocado. This culinary adventure usually begins around the 6-month mark for most babies.

5. Teething Ahead of Schedule
While the average age for a baby's first tooth is around 6 months (though there's quite a range), Caelum's front teeth are already starting to push through his gums!

Acknowledging Alline's Remarkable Support
A heartfelt and resounding thank you to Alline, our Au Pair extraordinaire, whose dedication, love, and care have been instrumental in Caelum's remarkable development. Your unwavering support is a gift that enriches our lives every day!

As we celebrate Caelum's 4-month birthday, we're thrilled to share that Caelum is now rolling over from his back to his front!

While most babies start with the tummy-to-back roll, Caelum has decided to first master the back-to-tummy roll before rolling from his tummy to back.

Watching his determined efforts and seeing the pride in his eyes as he accomplishes this feat fills our hearts with joy.

Caelum turned three months today and what an incredible journey it has been! He continues to amaze us every day with his growth and development.

Caelum weighed in at an impressive 17.6 lbs, a size typically seen in a 5-month-old, and just 12 lbs less than his (nearly) 3-year old brother, Asterius! He's forging his own path, consistently ranking in the 95% - 98% percentiles for growth. Caelum is clearly thriving, and his boundless curiosity about the world around him keeps us all on our toes.

To mark this milestone, we've captured a special moment  between Caelum and his ever-attentive big brother. Check out the video below to witness the bond between them. And don't miss the hilarious one-liner from Asterius as he puts his hand up to the camera and exclaims, "No Paparazzi!". Asterius is not only Caelum's playmate but also his protector, always ensuring Caelum's comfort and well-being. Caelum, in turn, is captivated by his big brother, and Asterius' playful touch never fails to elicit a beautiful smile. This video showcases the precious bond these two brothers share, and we couldn't be happier to witness their journey together.

It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming Caelum into our world and now he's already 2-months old.

A week before this milestone, Caelum had his 8-week pediatrician appointment, and it's safe to say he's left the newborn phase behind in a flash. Caelum's growth has been nothing short of extraordinary. He weighed in at almost 15 pounds of pure adorableness placing him comfortably in the 97th percentile for two-month-old weight. He head circumference and length are all proportional and measuring in the 90+ percentiles as well.
 
Caelum's growth has been so remarkable that we've already had to retire his 0-3 month-sized clothes in favor of outfits designed for 6 months and beyond. It's a true testament to his thriving spirit, and it brings us immeasurable joy to witness these remarkable milestones.