Xavier Turns One!
Happy Birthday, Xavier! And greetings to everyone.
We did not do much to celebrate Xavier's birthday today; we did that Sunday. We did, however, pray and thank Father for all He has brought Xavier through this past year, and for His goodness in our lives.
Even though it's his birthday, Xavier has been having a bit of a rough day. He might be cutting a third tooth. His two bottom central incisors (which also might be bothering him), are coming in nicely; they can clearly be seen when his tongue is not covering them.
We opened Aunt Kathy's present over the phone instead of Skype (Skype technical difficulties); she sent Xavier a musical (thanks a lot, Kathy!) animal puzzle. Xavier dove right in; all the animals passed the taste test. Grandma Penny's and Grandpa Dave's present is still rattling around UPS somewhere. Looks like an extended week of celebration.
As mentioned in a previous posting, Rebecca had Whole Foods bake a cake for Xavier. About six inches in diameter, it seemed the right size for Xavier. We originally thought about using a cupcake, but we thought this more fun. As it turned out, the cake was not at all tasty; in fact, it was down-right off-putting. The taste of the frosting hinted at stale mustard, and not a good kind of mustard. The cake itself may have been flavored with ground cardboard and chalk. Even Xavier made faces at the taste, especially the frosting. However, none of that is the point. The point was "The Mess"
Dressed only in a diaper and having no idea what is going on, nor why his mother, grandmother and aunt all close in with cameras, nor why Lena the Dalmatian is not being expelled from the kitchen, Xavier waits. A cluster of adults huddle together at the counter across from him, doing what he cannot guess at.
At last, the candle in the form of a numeral one is lit and the cake is presented. Slowly at first, as though not really interested, Xavier explores the cake. After tasting the unpleasant frosting, it looks like he might be wholly put off. Then, a second wind! Pastry Storm Xavier looks like a category 4. As Mom presented the cake, Grandma stepped in to get a close-up shot just as the photographer snapped the main picture. Chellie aims her camera and Lena waits for the cake to hit the floor (the Dalmatian wonders why there are large plastic bags under the highchair; she is, after all, the official floor cleaner where Xavier is concerned)
The frosting may taste like stale, sour mustard, but still it has sugar and butter! Also, how else does one clean their hands?
Giving his benediction, Xavier thanks everyone for the cake and all the attention, not to mention the buzz stirring within him. We're certain it was not the two bees from the cake.
It snowed all day Sunday, so we weren't able to use the hose to clean him up (just kidding). Charged with a sugar rush, it's off to the bath. Rebecca carried him in after putting on an apron. The waters ran yellow, and after a good scrubbing and his splashing around a while, the towel he dried off with still came away with yellow stains.