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.

Dear Xavier - 5 Months

Dear Xavier,

This month we celebrated Thanksgiving, and oh how we had lots to be grateful for this year! You continue to prove that, despite being born early and with minor complications, you are a fighter and are determined to be strong, healthy, and happy.

At your four-month checkup last month, your pediatrician was so impressed with your growth and weight (around 12 pounds now!) and the skills that you're mastering already. She said that, if she didn't know better, she wouldn't have guessed that you were the 'lil fragile preemie that you once were.

You're even practically off your supplemental oxygen! We still have your tanks and concentrator to use on an "as needed" basis, but we haven't had to use them in ages. I'm pretty sure we will be rid of them for good after your next checkup in a couple of weeks.

And, after quite an ordeal with insurance, you were finally approved for Synagis, the monthly injection to help protect you from RSV. Even though I am still taking every precaution I possibly can to keep you healthy this winter, I am very relieved that you are getting this extra bit of protection. I continue to pray that we can ward off sickness in this house so that we can all remain cold/flu/RSV-free this season.

All in all, we can't get over how happy you are. Your smiles are endless, your chuckles are precious. I will never stop saying it: I.Am.Blessed.

Love,

Mommy

Here are a few of my favorite pictures/videos of the month:

Proof that your sister loves you.

She even thinks you worthy of gold stickers.

Some skills that you're mastering:

You love going for walks.

And you love Daddy, too.

We love you.

And your sister, too.

Our family on Thanksgiving

Happy Fall, Y'all!

It's probably not a coincidence that my birthday marks the beginning of my favorite season - Fall. I love everything about Autumn. The crisp, cool weather. The need for sweaters, but not bulky winter coats. The oranges, reds, and browns. The crinkling of the leaves under my feet. Plump pumpkins and juicy apples. And Halloween.

And, on this last day of October, here are a few of my favorite Fall pics.

Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Patch pics with Lolo and Lola

My Pumpkin Kids

Fun at Oktobertest

Halloween Costume Fun - Lissie's donut costume won her first place at a costume contest! She also had a blast going trick-or-treating.