I'm so thankful that I've had the last 3 1/2 months off. Xavier and I have had lots of wonderful bonding time during our week days together. My time at home has made the transition to a family of four easier and lessened the challenges of sleep deprivation.
Now it's time to prepare for my return to work in less than 2 weeks. My first day back is the 31st. I have a few things I hope to accomplishe before then. I'm working on clearing out the clutter on our 3 season porch and our mudroom/storage room as well as some spring cleaning. One of my "secret" passions is organizing so I actually am looking forward to this work. I also convinced Christian to put the TV in the downstairs bedroom so we can turn the family room into a playroom. Christian says he's looking forward to me returning to work so that I stop thinking of ideas that mean work for him. How was I supposed to know it would take 3 hours to move (and hook up) the television? :)
We found a wonderful woman named Cassi who will care for Xavier in our home while I'm at work. She'll bring her 20 month old son so Xavier will have another little boy around the house. I am thrilled to have found her.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Xavier Update
Happy 8th month birthday, Xavier!
Xavier discovered his toes earlier this week. When he's on his back, he can reach his toes, but he can't get them into his mouth. He tries hard but he's just not that flexible, at least not yet. I really must get a photo.
He had his RSV shot last week. The nurse has to weigh and measure him each time to make sure she gives him the correct amount of medicine. He is 26 3/4 inches long and weighs 15 lbs, 6 ounces.
Good news regarding the adoption process. We received an email from the contact person in Canada that Xavier is not considered a habitual resident of Canada. We should be receiving an email soon with a scanned copy of a signed letter stating this. It is my understanding that the lawyer will now be able to proceed with the adoption.
We managed to eliminate one of Xavier's night feedings. He now goes to bed around 6 pm and wakes up at 11 pm and 4:30 am. He was getting up around 1 or 2 am. I stopped feeding him at that time and apparently he decided it wasn't worth the effort to wake up. I would give him a quick cuddle and tell him to go back to sleep.
We think Xavier realizes that Emily is someone special. He's started laughing and smiling when he sees her. Big baby belly laughs with his mouth wide open, eyes sparkling.
Xavier discovered his toes earlier this week. When he's on his back, he can reach his toes, but he can't get them into his mouth. He tries hard but he's just not that flexible, at least not yet. I really must get a photo.
He had his RSV shot last week. The nurse has to weigh and measure him each time to make sure she gives him the correct amount of medicine. He is 26 3/4 inches long and weighs 15 lbs, 6 ounces.
Good news regarding the adoption process. We received an email from the contact person in Canada that Xavier is not considered a habitual resident of Canada. We should be receiving an email soon with a scanned copy of a signed letter stating this. It is my understanding that the lawyer will now be able to proceed with the adoption.
We managed to eliminate one of Xavier's night feedings. He now goes to bed around 6 pm and wakes up at 11 pm and 4:30 am. He was getting up around 1 or 2 am. I stopped feeding him at that time and apparently he decided it wasn't worth the effort to wake up. I would give him a quick cuddle and tell him to go back to sleep.
We think Xavier realizes that Emily is someone special. He's started laughing and smiling when he sees her. Big baby belly laughs with his mouth wide open, eyes sparkling.
Happy Birthday, Emily!
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Emily's 6th birthday was on Monday, March 16. The celebrating began a week earlier when we decorated the house with streamers, the birthday banners (2), and the birthday sign. The birthday hat and birthday sunglasses were put on display.
On Friday, the 13th she went to Pump It Up with her friend from her former daycare, Anna. Pump It Up has large inflatable structures like castles. They had a Kid's Night Out event with playtime, pizza, and a craft. Anna spent the night at our house. It was Emily's first time having a friend sleepover. She was very excited about having a friend sleepover....but she ended up sleeping with her parents :).
Her family birthday party was on Sunday attended by Grandma Jim, Great Grandma Marie (Jim's mother), Grandma Joan (Teresa's mom), Grandpa Ken (Teresa's dad), Krista, Eva, and Wyatt (Teresa's friend from college and her kids), Aunt Heather and Richard (age 1) and Aunt Jenny. Uncle Jeff, Grandma Kristine and Uncle Dave/Aunt Crystal/Evan/Cole were not able to come this year.
The party began as they do every year with recording each child's height on the growth chart. We've been doing this since Emily's 1st birthday party. It's fun to see how much they've grown in the last year. And I love adding the newest babies to the chart. This year we added Richard and Xavier.
Games this year were Pin the Tail on the Donkey, bean bag toss, limbo and the pinata. The pinata has strings to pull to release the candy so now wild whacking in the house. The other fun activity was making ice cream using an ice cream ball - http://www.rei.com/product/743166. I purchased cream (!) from a local coop. The kids and a few adults rolled the ball back and forth for 30 minutes. As promised, the result was wonderful vanilla ice cream.
Nate, the Shelf Elf, made and appearance for her birthday - http://www.elfontheshelf.com/index_html.php. We "adopted" Nate at Christmas, and Emily named him Nate because we got him in 2008. Nate was supposed to return to the North Pole with Santa and not be seen again until next Christmas. Emily was surprised and delighted to see that he returned for her birthday. She talked to him and fed him fresh basil and a mini choc chip cookie.
She is excited about going to the Science Museum and loves the Cootie Catchers. They are very popular in kindergarten but she's never seen any made with pre-printed paper.
Xavier enjoyed the party but got a little worn out from all the excitement. I bundled him up in his swaddle blanket and he feel asleep in my arms almost immediately.
Hopefully I'll have some photos posted soon! Stay tuned!
On Friday, the 13th she went to Pump It Up with her friend from her former daycare, Anna. Pump It Up has large inflatable structures like castles. They had a Kid's Night Out event with playtime, pizza, and a craft. Anna spent the night at our house. It was Emily's first time having a friend sleepover. She was very excited about having a friend sleepover....but she ended up sleeping with her parents :).
Her family birthday party was on Sunday attended by Grandma Jim, Great Grandma Marie (Jim's mother), Grandma Joan (Teresa's mom), Grandpa Ken (Teresa's dad), Krista, Eva, and Wyatt (Teresa's friend from college and her kids), Aunt Heather and Richard (age 1) and Aunt Jenny. Uncle Jeff, Grandma Kristine and Uncle Dave/Aunt Crystal/Evan/Cole were not able to come this year.
The party began as they do every year with recording each child's height on the growth chart. We've been doing this since Emily's 1st birthday party. It's fun to see how much they've grown in the last year. And I love adding the newest babies to the chart. This year we added Richard and Xavier.
Games this year were Pin the Tail on the Donkey, bean bag toss, limbo and the pinata. The pinata has strings to pull to release the candy so now wild whacking in the house. The other fun activity was making ice cream using an ice cream ball - http://www.rei.com/product/743166. I purchased cream (!) from a local coop. The kids and a few adults rolled the ball back and forth for 30 minutes. As promised, the result was wonderful vanilla ice cream.
Nate, the Shelf Elf, made and appearance for her birthday - http://www.elfontheshelf.com/index_html.php. We "adopted" Nate at Christmas, and Emily named him Nate because we got him in 2008. Nate was supposed to return to the North Pole with Santa and not be seen again until next Christmas. Emily was surprised and delighted to see that he returned for her birthday. She talked to him and fed him fresh basil and a mini choc chip cookie.
She is excited about going to the Science Museum and loves the Cootie Catchers. They are very popular in kindergarten but she's never seen any made with pre-printed paper.
Xavier enjoyed the party but got a little worn out from all the excitement. I bundled him up in his swaddle blanket and he feel asleep in my arms almost immediately.
Hopefully I'll have some photos posted soon! Stay tuned!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Another "First"
There's a happy mom at the Kothbauer-King house today!
We put Xavier to bed at 7 pm last night and he slept until 6:30 am.
I can't predict if this will continue. He wouldn't take an afternoon nap yesterday so by evening he was overtired.
Right now he's sitting on his pink foam chair (Bumpo) playing with his toes. Very cute.
We put Xavier to bed at 7 pm last night and he slept until 6:30 am.
I can't predict if this will continue. He wouldn't take an afternoon nap yesterday so by evening he was overtired.
Right now he's sitting on his pink foam chair (Bumpo) playing with his toes. Very cute.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Baby Spoon
Xavier has his own spoon with his name engraved on it. I purchased it from Lisa Leonard, a jewelry artist I discovered recently. (http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/). It says "Xavier 07.17.08". It's very cute AND practical. I'll try to get a photo but in the meantime here's a photo from the website.
Sleep
A typical night for Xavier is bedtime at 6 pm, feeding at 10:30 pm, diaper change at 2 am, feeding at 4:30 am. My attempts to convince him he doesn't need to get up at 2 am have been unsuccessful. He's hungry but absolutely adorable at 4:30 am. He's full of smiles and loves to "talk" to me as I change his diaper. When I feed him he likes to lightly touch my fingers. So sweet. He goes right back to sleep when I put him back to bed.
Yesterday I purchased a SwaddleMe blanket from Baby on Grand yesterday (http://www.kiddopotamus.com/p_swdl_mf.php). I had considered purchasing this earlier because Xavier likes to be swaddled and is now big enough to escape at night. When I saw it in the store I decided to give it a try. The main goal was to eliminate one nighttime visit.
It was a success! He got up at 11 pm and 5 am. That's it. I'll take it. I hope for a repeat performance tonight.
Yesterday I purchased a SwaddleMe blanket from Baby on Grand yesterday (http://www.kiddopotamus.com/p_swdl_mf.php). I had considered purchasing this earlier because Xavier likes to be swaddled and is now big enough to escape at night. When I saw it in the store I decided to give it a try. The main goal was to eliminate one nighttime visit.
It was a success! He got up at 11 pm and 5 am. That's it. I'll take it. I hope for a repeat performance tonight.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Quiet Day
Xavier and I had another relaxing day together. He's seems better but still has a cough. We did some errands today and he charmed everyone with his smiles. Emily is at her gymnastics class with her dad. I'm supposed to be doing some meal planning and finishing the grocery list. X and I will go grocery shopping tomorrow before the snow storm.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Emily's Favorite Activity
Emily's grandpa (Bops) gave her two large cardboard boxes for Christmas. She was thrilled. She loves to build forts. Here's a photo of my living room. I've tried to tell her that not all moms would allow a giant structure like this in the house. :) Pretty lucky girl.
Tummy Time
Xavier needs his tummy time to strengthen his muscles.
Our child development teacher suggested using an inflatable ball for tummy time.
Valentine's Day
I love celebrating holidays. Here are a few photos from Valentine's Day.
This is our table centerpiece that we light most nights during dinner. We change the contents based on the season or holiday.
This is our table centerpiece that we light most nights during dinner. We change the contents based on the season or holiday.
Xavier's 1st illness in the US
This past weekend was one for the family record books. Emily came home early from school on Friday with what turned out to be an ear infection and a bad sore throat. Earlier in the day she went to a play at the Children's Museum on a field trip for her school. She cried during the second half because of ear pain. We went to the dr, confirmed the ear infection, visited the pharmacy and returned home. Once she got started on the antibiotic and took some over-the-counter pain medication she felt much better.
On Saturday Emily was feeling better, I was feeling much worse, and Xavier was a bit out of sorts. On a positive note, we cancelled all our plans for the day and had some good quality family time once Emily and I were medicated. We spent much of the afternoon in the living room with a fire in the fireplace.
Xavier's cold symptoms appeared late Sunday. Today he has a runny nose, watery eyes and a wet cough. He's still eating and sleeping well, and is his usual playful self when on the changing table. I took him to the doctor just to be sure he didn't have an ear infection or problem with his lungs. The doctors at our clinic (all women) are some of the nicest and most caring medical professionals I have ever known. The dr assured me that aside from his minor cold symptoms he's just fine, nothing to worry about. Oh, and they weighed him. He's 14 lbs, 6 ounces.
On Saturday Emily was feeling better, I was feeling much worse, and Xavier was a bit out of sorts. On a positive note, we cancelled all our plans for the day and had some good quality family time once Emily and I were medicated. We spent much of the afternoon in the living room with a fire in the fireplace.
Xavier's cold symptoms appeared late Sunday. Today he has a runny nose, watery eyes and a wet cough. He's still eating and sleeping well, and is his usual playful self when on the changing table. I took him to the doctor just to be sure he didn't have an ear infection or problem with his lungs. The doctors at our clinic (all women) are some of the nicest and most caring medical professionals I have ever known. The dr assured me that aside from his minor cold symptoms he's just fine, nothing to worry about. Oh, and they weighed him. He's 14 lbs, 6 ounces.
Monday, February 23, 2009
We're back!
Xavier has been with us in MN since January 3rd. He's a delightful little guy with lots of smiles. He loves Peek-a-Boo, being tickled on his feet and baths.
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