New Furnature
Greetings to you all.
For some time Rebecca and I have wanted to get Xavier a little desk and chair, preferably one with some shelving. We've shopped around and kept our eyes open. A month or so ago we found a suitable desk set at Costco. However, several surprise emergency expenditures left our budget raw and bleeding. We were not able to pick the set up. Costco cycles items out quickly, but we thought it would be available on-line later.
We pulled the trigger on getting the desk set last weekend. Xavier's great aunt, Mary Jo, gave him a nice little gift last year. We have been holding on to it, thinking it would go toward an indoor climbing gym. We decided Xavier needed a desk more than the gym. Rebecca hit Costco and found the set on clearance at a savings of $40. The set consists of four pieces: the desk (with shelving built into the leg stretchers), a two person bench and two chairs.
Last night, after dinner, Rebecca headed for church (she would miss Sunday because of Guard Weekend; I stayed home with Xavier as he does not do well away from home after about 6:30 at night, it's too close to his bed time). I cleaned up the kitchen from dinner, grabbed a toolbox, and said "Xavier! Let's go build your desk." (yes, some assembly was required)
Xavier excitedly followed me into Middle Earth, his eyes on my toolbox the whole time. It took an hour to assemble the desk, bench and chairs. Most of that was keeping Xavier away from dangerous items he found in the toolbox.
Why is it fun to dig out six screwdrivers, hold them all at once (the blades and shafts pointing in all directions), then stand up and toddle (or run) to somewhere else in the room? How is it Xavier can skip all of the safe items in the toolbox, and find the one loose razor blade (he had to dig for it)? He also found the tiny wire nuts fun to suck on. Did I mention they were tiny, about half an inch in length? After he discovered the socket wrench set, I picked up sockets all night, or chased Xavier down before he could "store" sockets away in some secret place like a squirrel.
The list goes on. Xavier had a blast. The assembly project might have taken :20 minutes instead of an hour. This is why I don't have pictures of Xavier doing actual helping with the assembly. There wasn't time between his juggling razor-sharp items for me to fetch my camera.
But help he did. He saw Daddy using a ratchet wrench, and he had to get in on that! Together, we tightened many nuts onto many bolts.
We got it set up in his room. Xavier loves it! He sits in the chair playing with toys. The desk has even dampened his determination to push chairs around the kitchen and get into mischief on the counters, stove and sink. But closing one Pandora's Box opens another. Xavier uses his chairs to reach the items on his changing table, the items we want handy, but not within Xavier's reach. The baby monitor; diaper cream; hand lotion (which he pumps and smears all over his dresser); the wipes which he pulls out one after the other like Kleenex.
The Tongue-tie Decision
Greetings to everyone.
A big "Thank You" to all who emailed us asking about Xavier's tongue tie and what the doctors have said.
We would have had an answer sooner, but Xavier's speech therapist (whose opinion we wanted before setting up the exam with a Children's Hospital specialist) had to cancel Xavier's appointment due to a family emergency. We never got around to rescheduling; instead, we decided to wait until Xavier's next appointment.
That appointment was today. Several good things came out of the meeting today. The first being that Xavier's tie is not hindering his speech nor his ability to swallow. Rebecca and I have thought this would be the case as Xavier has been demonstrating recently he can stick his tongue out nearly half an inch and hold it there. Having Robin's input, we decided not to seek the opinion of the specialist. There is no need to subject Xavier to the surgery. Hallelujah!
Another thing emerged from today's session. Xavier chose to be "chatty Xavier" today for a change. As Miss Robin interacted with Xavier, she noted he is making all of his vowels and consonants, and doing so well. He has the ability to make all the sounds. And, Xavier is speaking with complex sentences, though still Xavierese. Robin thinks Xavier's brain is still wiring/learning how to control his mouth and tongue. Rebecca has stated often she will be exceedingly glad when Xavier starts talking so he can tell us his frustrations and desires, rather than throw a tantrum. Looks like we are on track, but Xavier's time schedule.
Miss Robin also mentioned Xavier's understanding of complex speech when others speak to him. This is something we have seen for months, but this is the first time Xavier has demonstrated it significantly for Robin to observe. She was impressed.
Xavier's Paternal Granddad Gets a Turn
Greetings to everyone.
This morning I had planned to meet my father at a local pancake house for breakfast. Rebecca and I thought this meeting might double as a good opportunity to let my dad meet his youngest grandson also.
My dad has met Xavier briefly in the past. The first time we ran into my dad at a hospital. We both paid a visit to my uncle (Dad's brother, Gene). Dad was coming and we were going. It was past Xavier's bed time, and he was letting everyone in the hospital know it. He was being a little pill. My dad barely had a chance to see Xavier; Rebecca and Xavier's great aunt, Beth, whisked him to the car (Xavier was not demonstrating the best of behavior, and we were still battling some of those early issues with Xavier).
Dad met Xavier again last summer. We had breakfast with one of Dad's brothers, Xavier's great uncle, Con. The adults discussed the topic which brought us to the breakfast while Xavier played quietly near the table. As we got up to leave, and Dad went to hold Xavier for the first time, Xavier cried and put up a fuss. It was past his morning nap time and not knowing the man holding him pushed Xavier over the edge into crying and demanding his own father hold him. For me, it was disappointing, and I think for Dad also.
Before leaving to meet Dad this morning, Rebecca made a suggestion. "Why not have your father come here? I'll fix us breakfast." Brilliant! A better atmosphere. Xavier could run around in a familiar environment. Introductions could be made at a convenient pace. I called Dad, and he agreed to the change of venue.
Because Dad is without a car at the moment, I picked him up and drove him over. We enjoyed breakfast together: pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage and something called a Crans's Cake: a sweet bread loaf laced with ribbons of chocolate. Xavier sat in his highchair and ate with us.
After breakfast, we brought Xavier over to meet his granddad. Handing him over, Xavier did not squawk or squirm too much. Dad sat Xavier on the edge of the table in front of where he sat. The two got acquainted. Dad played typical games one plays to engage a child you've just met. Xavier warmed quickly and gave Dad a big, toothy Xavier grin and a giggle/laugh. They spent a few minutes together before I had to drive Dad back home.
I have longed to have my dad meet Xavier. This morning's meeting brought a tear not only to Dad's eye, but mine as well. I wish I had thought to have a camera ready to memorialize their first meeting.