Xavier's First Indian Summer
Greetings to everyone.
Xavier is growing faster than we realize. Already he is beginning to fit into his 3 month onesies. This means his newborn onesies are too small. Hallelujah! He still has some growing to do before fully fitting into his 3 month sizes, but it is amazing how fast he is burning through clothing sizes. It seems like last week he outgrew preemie sizes.
The Denver area has been having a wonderful Indian Summer these past few days. After coming home from work, it seemed a waste to stay inside the house. Rebecca and I decided to mobilize Xavier and the dog for a family walk to enjoy the changing of the seasons. Though warm, still we followed the rule from the NICU and bundled Xavier in one more layer than we were wearing.
At least it's not pink with bunny ears. You can see from Rebecca's attire, how nice the early evening was: warm with a tinge of cool as the sun neared setting, but still high enough to provide a comforting warmth and enough light to enjoy the fauna.
We placed Xavier into his stroller without using his car seat bucket. He lay flat on his back, wearing his blue bear suit (yes, it's a bear), and he watched the autumn colors as we strolled by them.
Awesome is our God, Who gives us all good things to enjoy! Our stroll today was one of those good things.
New Toys
Greetings everyone!
Over the weeks, so many people have been so generous to Xavier and to Rebecca. Many have given little toys for Xavier to play with, rattles, taggies, bears and other stuffed animals. Until recently, these toys set unused on a shelf because Xavier did not show any interest or skill with them.
About a week and a half ago, we placed a softball-sized plastic "mesh" ball (given to us by Rebecca's wing of the Wyoming ANG) on Xavier's belly as he lay in his swing. He was able to lift the ball, holding it by parts of its thin frame. He moved it back and forth between hands, and eventually pulled it to his mouth to try and suck one of the little "rattle disks" woven into the frame.
We realized quickly that we should start him with toys that would involve the mouth, meaning ones he could "taste" or suck on. Since his primary experience with manipulating items involves his mouth (bottle nipples ans syringes), we thought we could leverage that to help introduce him to other items. Our thoughts have been borne out. Now he has several toys which he can "mouth" and he plays and manipulates them with alacrity.
Always, thank you for your prayers.
With mom away for a couple of days, Xavier hung out with dad as he worked from the kitchen table. Sitting in his new "belly pillow," Xavier can keep an eye on dad as he codes away. Rebecca says this is one of the best $25 she has spent. Xavier likes this pillow more than his swing, and it's mobile!
Recently, Xavier has begun handling small items, and manipulating them with purpose. This rattle has become one of his favored toys because he can put it into his mouth and suck on it. We've highlighted several of his hand positions showing his developing command of manipulating items.
Finally, A Smile Captured
Hello, Everyone.
Xavier is doing well. He is growing, as evidenced by his recent "feed me every two hours" schedule. Most of the time he eats the whole 70 cc. When he does not take the whole bottle, he will take 50 or 60 cc.
Of course, this new schedule is harder on his parents. When we travel somewhere, we have to pack twice as many bottles, or decide (and commit to) not staying away from home too long. Also, this makes nights more interesting, although Xavier does sleep for 3 to 4 hours during most nights still, which is a blessing to his parents.
Thank you all for your support and prayers.
This, being the first day of October, Xavier favored us by letting us capture one of his smiles.