The Boy Eats!

Feeding Xander has always been a bit of a struggle for us.  Especially since we started with solid foods.  But, slowly over time Xander has been getting better.  He's been trying new things, liking some, and repeat eating some of those too.  Progress is really all we can ask for!

When Xander and Mama went to Costco to pick up a few things, there was a lady giving out samples of fish sticks.  They were supposed to be pretty good and Mama couldn't remember the last time she had a fish stick, so she gave one a try.  After blowing on it quite a bit (the lady warned us it was hot) Xander tried a bite.  Mama couldn't believe it - not only did he eat it and swallow it, but he ate more!  We went back for seconds and thirds!  This was quite possibly the first and only time Mama has ever bought something as Costco based on a sample.  Since then, Xander has continued to eat fish sticks.  Mama and Dada couldn't be happier to have found something the little dude will eat!

Xander also likes Mama's veggie lasagna!  He liked it so much that he fed it to himself from his own plate!  This is something Xander doesn't do often because Mama and Dada prefer he not make the biggest mess ever... so everyone is working on getting over that and making progress!  Note the photo documentation!

See!  I feed-a-self!

Another discovery that has been a game changer is Xander's love for smoothies!  We've made so many smoothies since that it's about time for another blender!  We've about burned the motor on ours clean out!  Mmmm!  Smoothies!  Xander says Mama's smoothies are the best - made with frozen strawberries, blueberries and banana, yogurt and orange juice.  Mmmm!  So simple, but SO good!  It's a hit with the whole household (at least everyone with two legs)!

Xander also enjoys the occasional meal out of the house.  Ok, really Mama and Dada enjoy them more... and truthfully they would be more enjoyable if Xander liked eating out of the house more than he does, but he does alright.  Here, Xander took Mama out for sushi!  Xander enjoys the veggie varieties and Mama and Dada are happy to have an adventurous eater on our hands, even if it is only occasionally.

Yard Bunny

Towards the end of March, Mama went to visit Grandma in Yelm.  Mama wanted to help Grandma around the house while she was recovering from surgery.

While Mama was gone, Dada spotted our friend the Yard Bunny.  Dada managed to get a quick photo of the little fuzzy one.  It is hard to see (camera phones aren't the best) but if you zoom in we think you'll see the bunny mid-hop as he travels from the grass to towards the fence.  

So cute!

Later, on another visit from the bunny (or so we assume, there could be multiple bunnies, we hear they multiply quickly...), Mama was able to get some photos with the real camera.  They were taken through the window and screen, so they could be better, but woah, that's a pretty good close up all things considered!

Sometimes the cats will see the bunny in the yard and make noises as if to say that they want to go outside and "play" with the bunny... and if Xander sees the bunny, of course he meows at it because he things all critters are kitties... We love when the bunny visits and we look forward to many more!

Hangin' Around

Sometimes Xander and Mama like to just hang out and take a couple photos.  Mama does all the photography of course.  Here are a couple shots from March of this year.

Xander's extreme close up!

Even the Dreidel Champion needs a rest now and then.

If there is one thing Xander loves, its his buckets!  He loves to play with them, carry them around, rip the handles off, play with the parts individually, put things in the bucket, take them out, and start it all again!

Xander still likes the swings at the park quite a bit.  He hasn't quite figured out how to hold on by himself, so we're still using the little kid swing, but he's got plenty of time to learn and we are in no rush!

This picture was taken in the morning when Dada and Xander said bye to Mama as she drove off to pick up Grandma from her first chemotherapy treatment.  They wanted to say bye and also send their love photographically to Grandma too - thank goodness for cell phone cameras!

The boy is just growing like a little weed, and we are trying to love and appreciate every moment along the way!

Sark Hugs

Back in March, while Sark was still recovering from his ordeal, Xander didn't want to stop chasing the kitties.  So, once he figured out where Sark was hiding on the couch each day, he started terrorizing him as he does most things.  Since Sark was pretty out of it and had no desire to move, Xander was able to give him a couple hugs here and there.  Documentation below!