Dear Xavier - Six Months

Dear Xavier,

Oh, my. Six months old. In just half a year more, you will be one. You have rapidly outgrown all of your preemie, newborn, and many of your 3 month clothes, while weighing in at over 13 pounds!

And now you are a completely wireless baby! No more pulse oximeter. No more supplemental oxygen. No one would know that you spent two months in the NICU just by looking at you today. Despite some minor heart issues that haven't yet resolved, you are amazingly healthy and strong.

You are so smiley. And easy. A friend recently asked me if you are really an "easy baby" or if I'm just used to being a mommy and picking up on cues. While the latter may be somewhat true, I really do think that you aim to please. You stopped using your pacifier early, and for the most part you've always been easy to put down to bed. When you're awake, you love to chuckle and giggle and take in everything around you, including your sister's silly antics.

I love how you and Lissie interact. You are very good-natured when Lissie tries to teach you things, like how to use a breast pump and tell you where your nose is:

You also don't mind her constant hugs and her trying to set you up with her friend:

I can't wait to see how you two will be when you're a little bigger, but I'm also okay with slowing down the time and relishing in the baby stage.

I love you, Xavier.

Love,

Mommy

Xavier's First Christmas

Who would've guessed that this year we'd be celebrating yet another First Christmas?

Xavier and Lissie both had a wonderful few days with the grandparents, as we celebrated Lolo Ernie's birthday early on Sunday, Christmas Eve dinner, and Christmas Day Lunch together.

And, oh, the presents. I'm pretty sure the two have enough clothes, toys, and books to last quite a while. Such beautifully blessed children!

Of course, we can't forget the food!!! Here are some tasty highlights:

The best prime rib you've ever tasted.

Justin's special mac & cheese

Lola's Lumpia

The meal was Lissie approved!

And while X is too young to really understand the true meaning of Christmas, I think that Lissie vaguely has an idea about what it's about. Leading up to the holiday, I would tell her the story of the Nativity. As such, she's started leaving the crucifix in Xavier's crib in what I can only imagine is her way of making sure that Jesus has a comfortable bed to sleep in instead of a manger. She also took great care in making sure he was fed. Only an innocent child could come up with that!

Yet, she was still afraid of Santa:

Happy Birthday, Jesus. Thank you for blessing my family with health, happiness, and good fortune. We love you.