A Whirl-Wind Week Begins
Greetings to everyone.
This week begins a very busy week. So busy, in fact, that it will take at least eight days to get through it.
Xavier has a visit with a urologist. Nothing serious, but mom and dad have some questions. The answers we get may decide whether or not we have him circumcised.
Xavier celebrates turning six months old (out of the womb) this week. Though two months early, still he is developing as though he is a six month old term baby. Thank You, Jesus!
In addition to turning six months, Xavier gets his six month checkup this week. We are looking forward to all the data we've been deprived of these last two months (Babies R Us really needs to have a scale in their store!). Dad is betting Xavier will exceed eight pounds by 3 or 4 ounces, and will be near 22 inches in length. We'll know later this week.
Part of this checkup will also continue Xavier's vaccination regimen. In addition to this, Xavier will get his first RSV shot. This is noteworthy and another blessing to count: our insurance has approved 6 months of this monthly shot. The pediatrician's office was stunned, telling us of their great surprise we were approved for the entire season. They tell us getting the whole season approved is rare. We thank Father for His good hand upon us!
After his checkup, we head south to close on a house. This should be fun, with Xavier still recovering from several pokes and (probably) a blood draw. We have already packed the Infant Ibuprofen and will ask the doctor for the recommended dosage. Foreseeing the "fun", Rebecca has put in a request to the doctor to reschedule should the office get a cancellation this week. They are booked up three months out, but we are hoping for a break.
Xavier will be baptized this week! Usually done on Sunday, special consideration was given to allow the many people who want to attend his baptism to make it. Sundays are difficult for most people, but Saturday allows most of them to attend. Xavier's Aunt Kathy wants it videoed and posted to Youtube so she can see it. We'll see...
Crowning this busy week, Sunday will be Xavier's first communion.
Xavier has started showing more of his independence during the last two weeks. While exciting, it brings with it a new challenge for his parents to deal with: recognizing his emerging demonstrations of will and working with them constructively. Now, it's one more item on our check list:
- Is he hungry?
- Is he in some other kind of discomfort or pain?
- Does his diaper need a change?
- Is he gassy?
- Is he tired (and fighting it, one of his new tricks)?
- Is he too distracted by the noise or activity around him?
- Is he frustrated because he's not getting something "his way"? (probably a more general case of fighting going to sleep)
As mentioned previously, Xavier has discovered his feet: a developmental milestone! He spent a good twenty minutes exploring his legs and feet and toes, most of the time bordering on an angry dislike of something. His ear-piercing screeches of frustration, we realized, were because he could not get his feet (or toes) to do what he wanted. We (working with our new challenge) thought it best to stay out of the argument he was having with his lower extremities. This picture was taken after he resolved whatever problem he was having.