Greetings to everyone.

Xavier scored an "electronic aquarium" from the recent baby shower. It produces lighting effects like light showing through wavy water. It has a little crab, turtle, octopus and clown fish that move about. It has a couple musical scores to listen to, plus ocean wave sounds. It also has a remote control!

We hooked it up to his crib and turned it on. Xavier gives us a glimpse of his excitement!

Hello to everyone!

Rebecca and Xavier are truly blessed to have so many friends and family!

Today they attended a third baby shower, put together for the many people who touch our lives, but live in the southern side of Denver (or further south, like Colorado Springs). Even so, several people came from Fort Collins. For some, it was the first time to see Xavier without an oxygen tank.

Hosted by Cindy, a close friend to Rebecca, and planned by Cindy and Rochelle, Rebecca's sister, all of Saturday afternoon was taken up by the festivities. Everyone enjoyed themselves.

One of the ladies in attendance used to work as a US Customs inspector and then for the USDA. Several of her tales of what goes on, especially with the company Monsanto and their "Roundup Ready" seeds gave many a sobering education into the state of our food supply.

This is the first baby shower Xavier has attended. This left daddy free, alone and confused as he didn't know how to occupy his time without a baby to tend to. So, he spent $200 on supplies to build an insulated box around the solar collection tanks, one of which had to be replaced earlier this year. Rebecca made sure Daddy got some of Rochelle's delicious left-over cake.

Everyone enjoyed themselves, even Xavier who made his rounds through the arms of the ladies in attendance. Rebecca says the face on the train planter looks like Xavier. The blanket is hand-woven by our former Fort Collins neighbor.

Rebecca's good friend, Cindy, who honored us by being Rebecca's Maid of Honor at our wedding, hosted the "Southern Shower". Xavier, his favorite crinkle book in hand, sits happily in Cindy's lap, uncaring of the camera recording the moment.

Greetings to everyone.

Yesterday, Penny, Rebecca's mother and Xavier's maternal grandmother, flew in to celebrate a baby shower thrown for Rebecca and Xavier.

This is Penny's second visit with Xavier, and how things have changed from the last time she saw him! At the end of May, Xavier wasn't even a month old and less than 14 inches long and under two pounds in weight. Now, Xavier is probably longer than 20 inches, close to eight pounds and closing on six months. Five months ago, Xavier fit in the cup of her hand; today, it requires two hands to hold him.

Chellie, Rebecca's sister, came down Saturday for the shower and she spent the night. In the evening, Penny and Chellie kept watchful eyes on Xavier while cooking delicious enchilada sauces for Sunday dinner. Rebecca and I seized the opportunity and drove into Denver to have dinner and possibly catch a movie. We did have dinner at a Polish restaurant, but instead of a movie, we walked around and viewed the Denver night life.

Penny plays with Xavier before breakfast.

Helping Xavier with his "teething" keyring, Penny coaches him in developing some motor skills. (No, Xavier is not yet teething, but he does like to gum the keys). Compare Xavier's size the last time Penny held him.