What Xander Says

One year and 6 months into Xander's life, the kid has a bit of a vocabulary.  As with most kids, you've gotta speak his language to know some of the words he knows, but it gets the job done.  Sometimes he makes a sound, or basically says a word with his mouth closed, or hums a word, but we know what he's trying to say (some of the time).

Xander's first word was kitty, but he doesn't actually say "kitty".  First he said, "ti ti" for kitty, and then Mama would say, "Yeah!  Kitty, that's right!"  So since she always answered Xander saying "ti ti" with "yeah..." Xander changed it to "ti ti ya" and then "ti ta" and now he's gone back to "ti ti".  Any way he says it is pretty dang cute.

Xander also really likes to pet the kitties.  He's gotten much better at petting them nicely instead of sorta smacking them around.  He also really enjoys a good hug, and kitties are no exception.  If he's lucky enough to get close to one, he gives them a big hug.  After many hugs, he realized that when he listens to the kitty with his head on their chest, he can hear them purr.  So, eventually he started saying, "ti ti... hsssss sssss sssss", sorta like this!

The kid is just so dang cute!

After kitty, Xander started to work on Dada and Dad.  Dada he has down, but Dad sounds more like "daT" with a hard T sound at the end.  He also noticed that his Dada chews a lot of gum, and chewing gum makes a noise, so he started to make that noise around his Dada, and now that is part of their ritual when Dada comes home from work.  Dada walks in from the garage making the gum smacking sound and Xander starts to do it right back.  Very sweet.

We think, after Dada, Mama was probably Xander's next word.  But somewhere in all of that he started to want to communicate about food.  It was (and still is) difficult to know when Xander is hungry and what he would like to eat.  So once Mama and Dada started trying new foods with him, Xander sorta made up his own language.  When he had something he didn't like, he would either not make any noise or spit it out, make a face, gag, shake his head or something to sorta let you know.  But if he DID like something, he'd finish it and say, "HA!"  So that's how Mama sorta figured out his likes and dislikes over time.  Mama would offer him more and say "more" too, so eventually Xander would say "ha" or "mam" which was his way of saying "more".

Later, after we had the "ha" and "mam" system down (most people mistake "mam" for "mom" but it is definitely food related because no one really calls Mama "mom" in front of Xander) he discovered his love for beans.  Whenever Mama would offer him black beans, Xander would make a hard G sound with his mouth closed.  Almost like he was saying beans without moving his lips.  So Mama thought that was his way of indicating that he wanted beans.  But then he started making the hard G sound for other things - and that's when it clicked.  "G" didn't mean "beans" it meant "yes".  At least where food was concerned.  We'd start to offer him choices at meal time and he would stay silent until you listed a food he wanted, he'd make the "G" sound and that's how you knew what he was willing to eat that time around.  It was a major breakthrough.  It wasn't long after that when Xander started saying "moo" when he wanted milk - we'd always offered him milk by asking if he wanted "mmmmmmmilk" so he translated that long m sound into "moo".  Unfortunately, he doesn't say that one that much anymore, but it was cute while it lasted.

Xander has a giraffe that plays sounds and helps him fall asleep - he loves that thing.  He carries his giraffe around, hugging it, changing the sounds it plays, and chewing on its face.  We've called the giraffe either "giraffe" or "raffie" when offering it to Xander, searching for it around the house, etc.  Xander picked up on "raffie" and started calling him "ra ra".  It's pretty freakin' cute.

Xander also sounds things out.  Since Xander was maybe 3 months old (maybe younger) Mama and Dada have read him books each night before bedtime.  At the end of each book we say "the end" in a certain sing-songy sort of way each time.  Somewhere along the way, Xander picked up on this and at the end of books he hums "the end" the way we say/sing it.

He's picked up on a lot of things and has some other sounds and noises he makes consistently too.  It's funny because Mama can remember asking her Mom at a young age what her first word was and what her next word was, and so on... but her Mom couldn't really remember.  She said she had made a list somewhere and would try to find it, but how could Mom not remember!?  Now Mama gets it - things happen so fast and if you don't write everything down the moment you realize it happened, before you know it you can't remember when things happened, where, and so on.  So, thank you, blogosphere, for keeping some of that stuff maintained for us while the rest, sadly, remains a mystery in our minds!

Mama, I help!

Once upon a time, Mama and Dada got a large couch for the family room.  Then they adopted two kitties and endless seas of dust bunnies began to accumulate under the couch.  A special broom was acquired to tackle the hard to reach mess.  Later, Mama and Dada brought Xander into the world and with him came many toys, both big and small.  All the smaller toys have found themselves under the couch at one time or another, and it was necessary to retrieve the special broom from its closet each day to retrieve these toys.  Finally, Mama just hid a long duster under the couch that she could grab any time she needed to get toys out from under the couch.  Bonus - the duster doubles as an under the couch cleaning tool, as that was closer to the original intention of the item in the first place.

Mama thinks she's pretty crafty and that Xander won't notice or even be able to reach the duster until one day...

... when Mama turned around and Xander looked like he was sweeping the floor with the duster!  He was really just playing with it, of course, but the way he moved it back and forth it was like he was trying to vacuum or sweep the place.

He was so diligent that it was difficult to get a photo - he was moving all over with that thing!  Action shot!

Thanks, Xander, for helping Mama clean up.  Now if you could just get your own toys out from under the couch and put away at the end of the day...

Playin' With Kitties

Our kitties are pretty mellow overall, but they have their moments.  Because they have a tendency to get bored and do things they shouldn't (for example, claw the couch, eat pillows, etc.) it is necessary for us to play with them a little each day so they can get some exercise beyond their usual routine and the daily wrestling matches and chase scenes (they are pretty entertaining sometimes).

Recently when Dada came home from work and got out one of the kitties toys (feather's on a stick) for a play session, Xander took a keen interest.  Before we knew it, Xander had picked up the kitty toy and eventually the cats caught on and started playing with him.  This is pretty big time because often the cats just look at us and our toys like we are nuts if we think they are gonna play... but they were pretty interested in what Xander had to offer.  

You can see that both cats were intrigued, which is also something since most times Mute starts to play but Sark catches on and dominates and she goes off an pouts about it - but here they are both in the forefront trying to get in on the action.  So cute!

Hanukkah 2012

This year Hanukkah fell in early December, starting on the 8th.  On that, the first night of Hanukkah, we all met up at Gigi and Pappu's house with Selena, Jason, Samara and Jeremy to celebrate the festival of lights.  

When we arrived, Gigi and Pappu were still getting ready and we were the first ones there... so, what to do, what to do?  Oh, how about play the piano!  Xander LOVES music and really likes to sit at the piano and play.  

Sometimes he takes his play time pretty seriously.

Dada was teaching him some new notes.

Awww!  Our little dreidel champion and his Dada!

TA DA!  OH!  LIGHT!!!

Macy was there too!  We didn't document it, but at one point Xander was going on Uncle Jeremy assisted Macy Rides - he sorta loved it.  Macy was a trooper to put up with it all.

After a wonderful dinner including Latkes (which everyone LOVED including Xander), it was time to clean up and open some presents!  Xander got the present opening started with his first gift from Auntie Selena and Uncle Jason.  Wow!  How did they know Xander wanted these awesome blocks? (Thanks Amazon wish list!)

They also gave him a play pair of shoes where he can learn to tie laces, zip zippers, button buttons and use velcro too.  Awesome toy, thanks!

Auntie and Uncle Famularo also got Xander a custom book with his name in it.  The book goes through the whole alphabet and tells Xander that he can be anything he wants to be, from A to Z.  Very sweet.

Lots more gifts were opened by everyone involved and a good time was had by all.  Thanks to everyone for being there and helping to make Xander's second Hanukkah a special one.

On the second night of Hanukkah, we were at home... but not for long!  Auntie Samara and Uncle Jeremy came over to our house to babysit Xander while Mama and Dada went to a Seahawks game.  But not before lighting the Hanukkah candles of course!

Before we knew it, the last night of Hanukkah was upon us.  Mama says it is the prettiest night of them all - just look at all the pretty candles!

One of our favorite parts of Hanukkah this year was the same thing that is the favorite part of our days - spending time together as a family, getting good hugs and having good laughs.  The best laughs are Xander's, so we'll leave you with one of our best Hanukkah memories...

Time to Meet the Dentist

At just under 18 months old, Xander was a little past due for his first dental exam.  So, Mama and Dada took him in to meet everyone at the Dentist's office in early December.

The first visit is mostly to get Xander acclimated to the office and the idea of going there to have his mouth looked at, but if they can get any actual work done, that is a bonus.  At this age, children have "lap exams" as seen here.

Xander got a fun new toothbrush and let Laura take a look in his mouth and brush his teeth!

... 14 ... 15 ... 16!  16 teeth!  Just 4 more left to come in before baby teeth start to make way for permanent teeth in a few years.

Then, it was time for the dentist to come take a peek.

Doctor Huang says everything looks great!  Mama and Dada have been doing a good job brushing and Xander was a fabulous patient - that is everything we could have hoped for!

Xander had done such a good job - everyone said kids usually scream at least a little at these appointments, but Xander was all quiet and accommodating.  The staff were trying to send us on our way as they didn't want to keep poking around in Xander's mouth and upset him, but we asked that he get his first fluoride treatment before we went.  Xander was a real trooper and got his full treatment too!  What a good job, Xander!

Boyous & Borechas

This year for Hanukkah, Amy got a little crazy.  See, earlier that month, we all had breakfast with Auntie Vi (Anthony's Papa's sister).  

She put out a spread for us including some Boyous and Borechas.  Perhaps we should back up the story even further...

What are Boyous and Borechas you ask?  Basically they are savory pastries loved by many people, including various members of the Benezra family.  Boyous are a spinach and feta cheese treat with parmesan over the top while Borechas are potato and parmesan filled pastries with more parmesan over the top.  (Pastels, not featured in this article, are a similar treat filled with meat, so Amy has never had them nor attempted to make them)  All of these pastries are labor intensive and time consuming to make, so it is rare that any member of the family make their own.  (With the exception of Auntie Vi of course, she really enjoys making them and sharing them with her family.)  Certain relatives have found locations that sell these items, but even with sources of ready made Boyous and Borechas, these items are still rare gems.  Anthony once explained to Amy (when she first learned of the magic pastries) that having these delicacies in your possession (typically in a deep freeze hidden in the furthest recesses of your freezer) is like having gold bars.  They are very valuable and relatives will come out of the woodwork to try and get them from you.  

A couple years ago, Auntie Vi invited us over so she could teach Amy how to make Boyous and Borechas.  Amy had every intention of making some of these delicious treats in the future, but time got away from her and it never happened.  But, after that breakfast with Auntie Vi earlier in the month, Amy got a wild hair...

She and Anthony had finished most of their Hanukkah shopping, but one person was harder to buy for than others.  Larry!  What to get for Larry.  We came up with some ideas but found them all to be too lame to follow through on.  So Amy got adventurous and super generous and decided to make Boyous and Borechas for Larry.  She knew it would be a lot of work because she would have to make a double batch of at least one thing so Anthony could keep some, but she also hadn't touched even the recipe for a couple of years, she was rusty at the least and worried her products would come out not so hot.

Amy got all the ingredients and started to work on Thursday before Hanukkah at 2pm.  She didn't sit down until 10pm and there were still some dishes to get done at that point.  Needless to say it was a lot of work, but she wound up with 84 Borechas and 26 Boyous.  And best of all, she now has the experience under her belt so she feels like she can make them a little more often than never or once a year and Anthony will surely enjoy that when the time comes.  

Thank you, Auntie Vi, for inspiring Amy to get her bake on!  The finished product turned out pretty dang good!  While the Boyous weren't really fit to photograph and got put away before we remembered to take photos anyway, the Borechas were something to write home about.  Ooooh, look at those!

Play Time with Dada

Sometimes Dada (and Mama) gives Xander a piggy back ride down the stairs.  Other times, Xander just rides a Dada.  

Like this, see!?

Dismount.  Check.  Be super cute.  Check.

Awwwww!  Hugs!

Awwwww!  TICKLES!!

Clap clap... TA DA!!

And no play time is complete without some silly faces... These two sure love each other a whole lot, can't you tell?

Xander's Friend, Adam

On Thanksgiving weekend, the Hawks played an away game.  We used that as an opportunity to spend some time with Paul, Karly and Adam.  We don't get to see them that often as two couples with fairly young children often times find it difficult to coordinate schedules, but we finally did it!  Yay!

Xander got to spend some time with his new friend, Adam, and all the boys got to play and hang out.  For those of you who don't know, Paul and Anthony are childhood friends and share many memories as young boys together.  How fitting that their sons are around the same age and will have an opportunity to be in each other's lives too!  

Thanksgiving 2012

This year we did what we always do for Thanksgiving - first we spent the actual night of Thanksgiving with Xander's Gigi and Pappu at their home in Mercer Island.  On our way to dinner we picked up Great Nana and Papa Benezra and their cake.  They thought they were bringing the only dessert, so they got a cake that took up most of the back seat... it was like we picked up three people to take to Thanksgiving.

Lots of other family was there including Auntie Selena, Uncle Jason, Auntie Samara, Uncle Jeremy, cousin Brian, Great Uncle Mark and Great Aunt Cindy with her Dad Hardy, Great Uncle Rob, Auntie Samara's Mom and her fiance Kevin.  Xander got to spend at least a little bit of time with everyone, but he hadn't eaten that much before we got there so he was pretty fussy to start out.  However, this meant he was hungry enough to try new things!  He tried SO many things at Thanksgiving and he ate them all.  Of course, after Thanksgiving he's refused to eat half of those same exact things, but at least we know he's tried them once.  

We had a nice time feasting on traditional Thanksgiving dishes, good desserts, wine and quality time with the family.  Xander really enjoyed himself, as did Mama and Dada.

On Saturday, we headed down to Yelm to celebrate the holiday with Grandma and Grandpa.  Grandma made sauerkraut and noodles with some other goodies and everyone enjoyed the meal.  Xander was on pretty good behavior and didn't get freaked out when Katie did her usually scream session during the evening.  

Xander spent some quality time on the couch with two of his favorite guys, and of course his Catch Me Kitty that we brought from home.  We also brought his orange bucket (pre handle falling off) that Grandma had given him on a previous visit.  He LOVES that bucket and subsequently all buckets now.

Here's a shot of Katie looking curious - we don't think she'd seen our camera before that day.

Perhaps the funniest and cutest part of the evening was when Xander discovered the ceiling fan.  Grandma and Grandpa have a lot of ceiling fans in their house to help the heat from the pellet stove circulate around the house.  When Grandpa turned on the one in the family room, Xander couldn't take his eyes off of it!

These photos don't do the experience justice, but Xander wanted to keep exploring and playing in the house while never taking his eyes off the fan - it proved to be a difficult but not impossible task.

At one point he would look up and start to track one of the blades with his eyes.  We couldn't capture it in photos, but it was pretty cute to watch.

It is always fun to see the wonder in a child's eyes, and we think we did a pretty good job of capturing it here.  Xander never stops surprising us and giving us that warm feeling inside by just being who he is - the cutest little boy we know!

17 Months

17 months was a fun age for Xander.  He has mellowed out a little (not gotten as tantrum-y as previous months) and has also gotten a lot better about trying foods and eating things.  One of the cutest things he does these days is play with his Catch Me Kitty.  We've already posted about that once already, but he just looks so dang cute playing with the thing!  Awww, he likes to give all the kitties in the house hugs, even plastic orange ones.

Winter Shoot

Here are a few photos from our winter photo shoot with Eliza Truitt taken in early November.  It was cold outside and a little rainy, and our little guy was getting over a horrible cold, but we managed to get a few keepers.  Enjoy!

Xander was happy to be back indoors, for sure!

Xander really likes to read the book Auntie Samara and Uncle Jeremy made for him before they left for Israel.  He reads it every Friday night and since we were trying to cheer him up for photos, we thought he'd like to give it a look and a listen.  He loved it!

MmmmmmmmWHA!!  Kiss sandwich!  Yum!

We couldn't have gotten the cats to do this on purpose if we'd tried.  Eliza managed to capture this just before they parted ways.  The kitties can be so cute sometimes!