Learning How To Read

Thank you Ate Loreen, Tita Beth and Tito Glenn for my new book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I love the pictures so much, I wanted to share the story with my friends.

Look guys, check this out!

No talking while I'm talking!

Oh yeah, you want some, too?!

Just kidding, Mama!

NYC!

We went to NYC for Memorial Day Weekend to celebrate Tita Joan & Uncle Gary's wedding (Congrats, again! You both looked bee-yoo-ti-ful).

It was hot and humid, whoo-wee! I had to take a shower twice a day!

Here are some highlights from our trip.

Central Park

The Subway

Daddy carried me in the Moby all day long. His back was sorry the next day (Thanks, Dr.Chiropractor for fixing my daddy!)

Our hotel

I love lounging on a big, fluffy bed!

Note from Mama

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).

My First Trip

On May 8, I took my first plane ride ever and flew to Oahu.

I was really good and even got compliments on my good behavior!

Here's the suitcase we took on our trip - it fit all our gear.

I had the window seat

Daddy and me, waiting to board

After swimming in the lagoon

Gio gio's visit, April 2009

Yes, I know my Gio gio's visit coincided with my mama's birthday, but I'd like to think he came all the way from Shanghai just to kick it with me. We spent a whole lot of time eating and drinking and hanging out. In the picture below, uncle was giving me advice on something he called "picking up women." I have to admit, I was more interested in pulling his glasses off, but I have a feeling that I'll have a lot of questions on this subject when I grow up....and I'm glad to have a wise and experienced gio gio to guide me.

Cadet Vargas

So how crazy is my dad? He can be over the top obsessive about certain things. For example, in preparation for my first plane ride, he bought this silly looking helmet to protect me from the dangers of air turbulence. Mommy's attempt to dissuade him were futile. I was apprehensive at first, but eventually I rolled with it and even started to have fun playing top gun!

What's a Rascal?

Ever since I started rolling around, Mama's been saying that word a lot.  Rolling is a convenient mode of transportation - you should try it out!  Mama and Daddy thoughtfully cleared out the coffee table so I have more room to play.  I was getting tired of bumping into things!

Ready for my daily walk...what sights will we see today?

Sitting up is fun!  There's so much more to do in this position.

Like play keyboards!  My favorite song is "ABC," I bop my head in time with the music.

Poppa and Grandma Vargas

Poppa and Grandma came to visit two weekends ago.  I was so excited to meet them!  Our weekend was filled with activities: cousin Omi's and Poppa's birthdays and eating, eating, and eating.  Of course we went to Thanh Long where everyone enjoyed the Garlic Crab and Noodles.  The only down-side was the next morning, when Mama came to feed me, whoo-wee did she have dragon breath!  I gave her the stink-eye but she just laughed at me.

Poppa & Grandma - our first meeting.

Posing with Poppa, Grandma, Great Grandma Minnie and cousins.

Thank you Poppa and Grandma for my new clothes!

When I got fussy, Cousins Bella and Gabriel cheered me up by smiling at me and saying, "Cheese, cheese!"

I can't wait to visit Poppa and Grandma on Oahu!  Hopefully I'll grow into my aloha shirt by then!  C U soon!

My First Easter

I went on my first Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday at the Dunsmuir Estate in Oakland.  Daddy carried me since I'm still too little to do it on my own...but not too little to get a kiss from the Easter Bunny!

It was a beautiful day, sunny and much warmer than expected, so Mama stripped me down to my skivvies.  Eventually, the sun made me drowsy and I dropped off in my stroller while Mama and Daddy posed in front of the mansion.  I can't believe I slept through the tap-dancing bunnies!

 

6 Months - What I Can Do!

 

At six months, I can:

- sit up on my own

- grab my feet

- eat solids - see my little birdie mouth?  

- jump around like a Mexican jumping bean

- show off my second haircut (Thanks, Dad, for keeping it longer on top)

- drink from a cup

Sitting Boy

 

More from Mama

Xavier has made a lot of progress in the two weeks since my last note.  For one thing, he's a lot more energetic, making me wish for more stamina!  He's more vocal in expressing his desires which now expand beyond hunger and tiredness.  Like if he needs a change in scenery, he will look bored but perk up again if given a new toy or taken to another setting.  

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Rolling over - he does this with ease both ways now.  A lot of times I'd put him down on his back, turn around, and he'd be on his tummy by the time I turned back around to him.  He seems to prefer sleeping on his side now, too.  We always put him down on his back but he invariably turns onto his side.  

Sitting up - Xavier sat up on his own for the first time yesterday!  He sat in the tripod position (balancing on bottom and two hands) for a good five minutes and also completely unsupported for about one minute.  

Standing up - Xav likes to test his legs now.  He bounces up and down if you hold him right under his arms.  We also put him in the Jumperoo although he seems to spin more so than jump in that contraption!  

PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT & IDIOSYNCRASIES

Little gourmet - Xavier is starting to be a picky eater!  He can definitely discern different tastes and seems to prefer stronger and sweeter flavors.  For example, he likes home-made Fuji applesauce but will turn up his nose at the store-bought apples.  Sweet potatoes are still his absolute fave so I mix it with other stuff to make it more palatable (I hope he doesn't figure this out soon)!  I've given him broccoli, green beans, and zucchini in this way.

Foot-in-mouth - our little monkey LOVES his feet.  Xav sucks on his toes as if they were the sweetest candy in the world.  It actually comes in handy when I'm changing his diaper since he'll grab both his bare feet and stick them in his mouth, conveniently lifting both legs for me!  When I have to fasten his new diaper though, it's like surgically removing his feet from his mouth.

Snuggler - Xav loves to snuggle up to his Softy (a rolled up beach-towel I put in his crib).  As soon as we put him down, he'll roll onto his side, throw his leg over Softy and grab it with both arms.  If lying on his back, he'll grab Softy and put it on his chest.  Got one caveman here!  And he likes to snuggle with his mama.  If I'm holding him chin-over-shoulder, he'll hunker down so he can rest his face against my chest, right under the clavicle, and sometimes will even make a little satisfied sigh.  That kills me!  

Sleeping in crib - I'm trying to get Xavier to sleep in places other than his crib so occasionally I'll put him down for a nap in our bed or on the sofa.  I'll also take him out in his stroller, just before nap time.  He's been fine with it so I'm not sure why he fusses so often when we're out and about.

Happy Xavier

Last Saturday we went to visit Tai Po Po in Sunnyvale.  I got dressed up for the occasion but even before we left the house, I dropped a little lunch on my shirt.  Oops!  Good thing Tai Po Po didn't seem to notice...maybe my smile distracted her!

 

Truly a Vargas

I don't know why Mama persists in putting socks on me.

Doesn't she notice by now I DON'T LIKE SOCKS?!

Now that I can reach my toes, I like to pull 'em off.  

Sometimes using my mouth, sometimes using my hands!  

And sometimes...both!

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!