Note from Mama

I can't believe Xavier's now been a part of the world for 6-months.  Sometimes his presence is still surreal to me, like, Wow - he's REALLY here!  and he's a real person!  Part of my wonderment is perhaps due to his seemingly warp-speed development in the last couple of months -- he is so much more active and capable now.

MILESTONES

Solids - Xav started solids at 5-months and now eats baby food 4x a day.  He loves loves loves sweet potatoes and carrots, cannot get enough of the sweet orange good stuff.  He does NOT like avocado or banana (flat out rejection).  He's a very good eater!  He opens his mouth without coaxing and even wipes his mouth himself (ha ha, only b/c we have the burp cloth close at hand and he is still in the oral stage).  It's really funny, he usually looks around while he's eating (b/c he's little Mr. Alert) and if you're not fast enough with the spoon, he'll turn and stare at you - mouth still open - as if to say, what gives?!  Another funny thing, Xav makes yummy sounds!  Whether drinking or eating something he likes, he'll croon "Mmm, mmm, mmm."  I say "croon" b/c it's the only way I can describe the way he utters the sound - not monotone, almost humming.  Pretty soon I'm going to have him try feeding himself, ie. after I give him most of the food, I'll let him go to town.  Yes, my OCD self is gearing up for major mess! 

Sippy Cup - We are practicing the sippy cup with Xav.  He understands the concept - as soon as he sees the cup, he opens his mouth and reaches for it - but he's not yet proficient with actually drinking from it.  Most of the drink goes down his mouth and onto his clothes!  

Rolling Over - Xav can roll over both ways although he's much better at rolling from tummy to back.  He's only rolled from back to front a few times and usually with coaxing (I'll put a toy in front of him while lying on the floor with him).

Sitting Up - Still practicing but he's made improvement...record is now about 30 seconds (?) vs. about 1 second!

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

You seriously can see the wheels turning in Xav's head.  He gets cause-and-effect now.  For example, he knows that if he hits his piano keyboard, it makes noise.  Or if he presses the buttons on his mobile, it will turn and play music. Xav seems to learn quickly - especially when it comes to eating! - he knew what to do with the sippy cup after one try.  He also understands social interaction or that an action requires a response.  For example, I play Peekaboo with Xavier in two different ways, and depending upon what I do, he responds differently!  If I put a cloth over his face and say, "Where's Xavier?"  He'll pull off the cloth and look at me expectantly for me to cheer.  If I put the cloth over his face but say "peekaboo," he waits for me to pull the cloth away.  It totally cracks me up.  He will also instigate games, like he'll put the cloth over his face, pull it off, and give me a huge smile!