Practically Summer

80 degrees today!

Travel Plans Gone Awry

So we're on Spring Break. We had grand plans...to introduce Xavier to his cousin Conner in NJ. Then there was a sprinkling of snow on Friday...and the airports shut down on Saturday. Because it was spring break all flights were full and we were once again unable to take a trip to the east coast. This is getting old - not that we're bitter, ok we are - but we didn't have anything planned this week at home. If you recall from a previous post, I mentioned that it is a MUST to have interesting plans to keep a toddler busy. Frankly, I thought we were doomed.

So Saturday we rode around town with luggage in the trunk of the car hoping against hope to get out. Sunday we hung out with my sister and brother (my parents did get out and are in Mexico!). Monday we went shopping for some b-day presents. It was a very warm day and we let Xavier run around the Oakbrook Mall. He caught sight of a few toddlers with balloons and stopped to stare and yell bomba (balloon)! He was so excited...not sure if it was to see the balloons or that he knew what they were called. So we asked the family where they got them and found out it was in the kids shoe section of Nordstrom. Decided to check it out and hopefully get a balloon out of the long walk. As soon as Xavier got the balloon he began to beat on it and cry! He was so upset that is was flying away from him (helium, child). We had to run out of the store immediately. Xavier beat on the balloon and yelled mine and mio the whole way out. I was sure everyone was staring and thinking we were raising a very violent baby. He popped the balloon (very loudly) in the car. Didn't seem to faze him. Tuesday we decided to take it easy and ran some errands and went to Chinatown for lunch. We thought it would be a perfect day for dim sum since it was a weekday and probably very quiet at our favorite restaurant...it was, until we got there. Xavier insisted on saying hi and bye to everyone in a very loud voice and laughing and singing, also very loundly, with some screeches thrown in for good measure. He was happy, through a minor cold and new teeth coming in, but too loud to stay there so we ended lunch early.

Wednesday brought a new adventure as we decided we absolutely needed something to do for all our sakes. So we drove to Cincinnati. Hey, they have a great zoo...yes, so do we but we also had lots of rain and it was cold. It was 80 degrees in Cincy! The grass was green and daffodils had bloomed and we walked around without jackets or sweaters...it felt like summer (not spring) had arrived. Daniel even walked around in shorts and a t-shirt.

The drive was about 5 hours with pit stops...here's a shot in the car...it was good practice for a road trip we're planning this summer.

We walked around a cute neighborhood and had a sleep over at the Gaslight B&B. In the morning we ate a yummy breakfast while Xavier slept in.
This was our room and you can see where we set up Xavi's pack n play. The living room...It actually was relaxing to get away.

Here we are at the manatee exhibit. No flash allowed so this is the best I could do.

Though the weather was perfect the day before, the day at the zoo was not as nice, it rained a bit on us. We waited the rain out with the sea cows and some tutles, Xavi learned to say tortuga.

Here's the Rhino and an eagle that is taller than Xavier.

When we got into back in the city we went straight to the med to eat. Because eating in restaurants isn't going too well these days, we played in the lot while D ordered and waited for dinner to arrive.

Here's Xavi sliding on his own. He's becoming quite a daredevil and now goes down the slide head first! I didn't go up with him, because he can do it on his own, so this was all his idea.

And a few other ways. Knees first and feet first.

At least he has some fear...he closes his eyes when he gets close to the bottom...

Today, Friday, was back to business as usual. Xavier went to daycare and I worked for a bit and ran errands. No special plans for the weekend, a cancelled playdate...we'll think of something.

18 Month Stats

Weight: 25lbs 6oz, 50%
Height: 33.5inches, 85%

Head circumference is in the 90% (down from 95%), but I don't have the exact measurement. Amazingly, to his vertically challenged mother, he is in the 85% for height. D said it may be the last time. Well at least he's growing into his head! And there were no shots this time. We'll be back for a visit with the doc in 6 months time, when Xavier turns 2.

On the Road Again

Spring is here and so is our new stroller. It's a jogging stroller and we are excited to get out on lake shore and start running...I'm hoping to run the LaSalle Classic Half M again and D wants to join...the short training runs only, of course. Xavi loves the stroller and has been asking to go out in it since we got it. Luckily, we've had 60+ degree weather since the weekend (today was cooler, but still stroll worthy), so there have been trips around the block, through the college and to the playlot. At the playlot, he's gotten very good at climbing up the stairs on his own and sliding down - feet first and belly down. He has gotten quite upset when he heads toward the house, so we've had to be sneaky on our way home. He can't spot the house or the car because the drama begins. Today, he had to come in with the stroller. And wasn't happy to come in or get out of the stroller. Yay, Spring!

So Funny

I don't think he even knows what he's laughing about, but it happens a lot - he'll just start laughing....

This is a long video, I've been holding out. I just hadn't found the time to put it all together.

Xavier in a Box

Before anyone gets upset, we didn't do this to him...he put the box on his head himself. He cried when we took it off. He also got in the box, no surprise there, and spun around with the box on this head...until he got dizzy and fell down. Peaking through the hole.
This while trying to get ready to have breakfast with Isa and Dylan. He loved eating with them and was introduced to blueberries, but also lost Elmo that morning. Gotta get a new one soon-- before Xavier notices. He probably didn't notice after breakfast because he had to say goodbye to Isa and then walked down the street holding hands with Dylan. They'd look at each other and laugh at some private joke. Moms held on to the other hands. It was really fun to see them playing together like big boys. They also raced cars when we got indoors.