More Updates and a Video for Tia Lala

Xavier is moving a ton. Some may find this not as amazing, but he's my first so humor me. Climbing his gate and standing...seems pretty cool to us. These days Xavier is standing in the tub even. He loves taking a bath so much that he practically lunges into the tub, he helps take his clothes off and he stands in the tub and lunges into the water - literally. He also drinks the water...yuk.
Xavier's abuela is worried about him getting hurt on her watch but it is unavoidable. Today he threw himself off the couch. Last week he stood up in his high chair while having dinner. I turned my head to say something to my mother and he stood up on the seat...yes, he was buckled in. Move over Britney Spears.

This is the video I promised. There are two clips and I think tia Lala would be proud, especially because he is on his way to signing with you!

The first is Xavier in his walker at his abuela's house. He is getting more mobile in the walker as well. He runs full speed until he hits the wall...or a person. He can also manuever around corners, spin and do a K or U turn better than his madrina.



C:\Documents and Settings\Daniel\Desktop\Leche and Running on Vimeo

The second video is something we haven't seen much these days. We were impressed that he could sign milk (and was doing it when he was also doing his distinctive milk cry), but since he started waving he can't be bothered. When he learns to clap he will probably no longer wave...

Pictures I Should Have Posted

Here are some pictures I took over the last couple of weeks that have not made it on the blog - but are too cute not to share. The one below is another waving picture. It's "in" right now. That's all he does...I don't think he knows what it means, but so adorable.

Kissing the cat...Kiko, the one who loves him and loves his abuse.

Trying to climb the gate. This is why I'm not sure how long the gate will last. Eeeek!

Busy Weekend

A lot of activity this weekend...Saturday Xavier climbed all over every surface at his activity class. He had his own cheering section, two aunts that came to watch. That afternoon we sat on tia's grass after shopping at her garage sale. We got a great grill, but we left without paying! Oops, sorry! Xavier has been eating grilled food all weekend and loving it. Sunday we went to Millennium and Grant Park. It was sooo hot! We cooled off with some ice cream. Unfortunately, we forgot our camera...

On Monday we took a stroll through Hyde Park and the U of C campus with Mariusz (a friend visiting from Poland).

We made our way to the park so that Xavier could try the swings out again. Last weekend he tried them with Dylan, who is an old pro.

This time he finally figured out how to sit in the swing...sort of. He's still a little twisted.

Then we went to the Med and I let him try my milkshake. He doesn't know how to drink out of a straw so I wasn't worried. I guess a milkshake can be a pretty good incentive to figuring this out. I had to share all the way back to the car. Xavier yelled like his father did the first time he tried ice cream.

His uncle Gabi and aunt Tsubasa came over in the afternoon to hang out with us and Xavier decided to show off his newfound skill.

I couldn't get him to stand long enough to get a picture, but he had no problem standing for Tsubasa. I think he was flirting. Sorry, Bud, this girl is spoken for.

For Anello Grandparents

Just wanted to post some pictures of Xavier wearing new clothes sent by oma and gramps. The sweet boy misses you and will hold gramps to his promise of kicking the ball around!

Solito on Lake Shore

We spent Saturday trying out Greek food (is lamb oked in the baby books? Who knows...these days he just wants food that is NOT on his plate) and taking a stroll to Lake Shore. We sat for a while and watched sailboats, kids riding their bikes, Daniel juggling, and the grass. He has tried crawling on grass in the backyard and thought it felt weird but eventually decided to explore (and pull it out by the fistfulls). Of course, our grass has not been cut this spring and cut grass feels sharp to his hands, so he stayed on the blanket and wouldn't let any part of his body touch the grass. I'm sure this phase won't last long, but for now it's nice to keep him contained.

Don't touch the grass!

Xavier must think that's easy, he doesn't seem impressed...

Solito lasted a bit. He lost his balance once, but regained it by holding out his arm. He thinks because he is holding my finger I must be keeping him up...

Ok, Xavier, keep thinking that. You can't tell from the picture, but he isn't bearing weight on my hand. I guess it just made him feel more secure.

It helps that he his feet are very wide apart! However, when I let go he freaked and plopped down on his butt.

Wave Bye-Bye and Attack the Cat

Lots of new developments. Some captured on video, but need to get them from madrina. We had technical difficulties in the first attempt to get them to me. Tia Lala, you are going to be so proud when you see one particular video!! We shot this one for you. I'll try to post it this weekend.

So what is Xavier up to these days? Waving bye-bye, still attacking cats, and solitos. No pictures of solitos. That would be tough since I sit by him waiting to catch him when he falls. Essentially, he's letting go when standing and managing to stay standing on his own for a bit. He's cruising in his play area and on furniture, and sometimes stands using only the wall

Here is the one handed, royal wave.













Two handed wave.













Open and close wave. He's trying them all out to see which one he likes best.












Chasing Kiko and she's trying to hide...under a toy? Doesn't work.













Kiko playing dead, hoping he will leave her alone? She might be dead...the way he pounces on her. Poor Kiko, but why do you stay in the fortress with him?

Xavier's Fortress

We've had to stay away from the camera for a while...Xavier's been grumpy and we're not sure why. Could be the cold he had, the change in formula, or could he finally be teething? He doesn't let us get close enough to check. He is once again his happy self and we were able to take some pictures and video of play time. He is now a little over 8 months old and as active as ever. So, his dad built him a fortress and his mom found him some padding that will soften the blow when he hits the floor. Enjoy!



C:\Documents and Settings\Daniel\Desktop\Ojala... on Vimeo

Hmm, I'm not sure how long that gate will last...