And...we're back!
Xavier is now officially in his 2nd year of life - we celebrated his 1st birthday on 24th of September (just the three of us) and then a big BBQ on the 26th at his Ninong JB's place.
So what's happened since my last note?
Cognitive Milestones:
Communication, whoo-hoo! The first word he recognized was "clap." Here's what he does:
"Good job!" - claps
"Arms up!" - will hold one or two arms up
"High five" - occasionally will hold one hand up but will wait for you to high-five him
"Where's your head?" - will smack his head as if his ears are water-logged
"Where's your hair?" - same as above
Physical Milestones:
Xav is now Upright Man, standing up well on his own and holding his balance. He is not walking yet but cruises around holding onto furniture or the wall. He is a total speed-crawler. He also climbs on EVERYTHING and treats our home as if it were a gymnastics/acrobatics arena. Ray and I struggle with wanting to give him his freedom but then jumping in to save our monkey from total destruction. The other day he tried climbing the step-ladder - that is the last time I'll have it out when he's around!!
Personality:
Xav is a social little dude. If we are laughing, he'll start fake laughing. He loves being tickled. He is very affectionate. When Ray comes home at night, as soon as he hears the key in the door, he crawls over to the door and beams at Ray (soooo cute!). Or if you lie down on the floor, guaranteed he'll crawl over and snuggle you for a second. I die.
My top descriptors for Xavier:
affectionate
stubborn/persistent
focused/observant
Xavier CANNOT be distracted. If he wants something, that's what he wants. Period.
We are working on this but hopes are low (he is the product of two very stubborn people, perhaps it's genetic?).
His most notable likes and dislikes right now are:
Likes/Loves
Being thrown up in the air
Climbing things
Being anywhere high (like on Ray's shoulders)
Throwing things (he enjoys throwing food on the floor)
Sitting in the swing
Snuggling
Taking a bath
Dislikes
HATES being confined (this includes his crib... )
Wearing socks or shoes
Other observations:
Xav is fascinated by people right now, especially other kids. He will stare and stare and stare and stare. If someone admires him, he'll smile. Once at dinner, a table of older ladies were cooing at him, he kinda ducked his head, and then grinned and pointed at them (very Joey/"how you doin'?"-like).
