Who likes oatmeal anyway?

Around four and a half months, Xander started to get a little fussy about his bottle feeding.  He got to a point where he'd gone through a 24 hour period without ever finishing a bottle and not eating a whole lot through that time.  He wasn't sick or all that fussy in general, he just didn't want a bottle.  His Mama and Dada got worried because this is really out of character for him.  As it turned out, these new parents were misreading his cues and trying to feed him too often and we've since gotten it all straightened out.  But... back when this was all going down we were desperate and tried giving Xander some baby oatmeal.  The doctor had already cleared us for solid foods, but we'd elected to wait till he was 6 months or we thought he needed to try something new.  So... here are photos of his first bite of food!

For all you experienced parents out there, this should look about right.

Xander also got pretty serious about trying to hold the bowl, but we had it under control...

We'd tried feeding him in a bumbo seat at first, but then we moved him to his high chair for the first time!  And he was enjoying himself...

Dada took a turn feeding his son...

It wasn't all smiles, but there was no crying and when it was all over Xander's expression seemed to ask, "Did I do good?"  Yes, sweetheart, the best!

UPDATE:  After the first feeding, Mama and Dada decided that we would try giving Xander a small amount of cereal twice a day, but only so long as the little guy was still refusing his bottle.  Mama tried with the cereal again two more times, but Xander refused to eat.  As it turns out he was just trying to eat too often and now he's back to just bottles... see you back at the high chair in a month or so, buddy!

Blue Bear Cub

This Halloween it was time for some cuteness!  FO SHO!

2011 - the year of the blue bear cub!  He's ferocious....ly handsome!

When Mama suited him up in this ensemble, she almost passed out from the sheer adorable level...

And when Dada saw his first photo via Instant Messenger at work he said, "OMG is all I can say!"  Ya basta!

Mr. Popular

Xander is so popular that everyone is trying to book a date with him!  Recently we all went over to Nana and Papa's house to visit with them and Aunti Vi.  We had a nice Sephardic breakfast and took advantage of the photo op.

Aunti Vi needed some one on one time with the little man...

Nana couldn't resist getting in on the Xander action for long...

Nana sure loves this little guy!

In closing, Papa has an expression he likes to toast with, and he and Nana have a candy dish engraved with that saying... to health, love and wealth, and the time to enjoy them!

Don't forget about the kitties...

Gotta show the kitties a little love and give them a blog post here and there.  These were taken during Xander's 4 month photo shoot:

How much are those kitties in the window?  Pretty pricey... first we'd never part with them for money, and second, you wouldn't WANT them... trust me... little miscreants... 

Sup, I'm Sark, I'm a smooth operator... can't you tell?

Uh, what, huh?  I'm Mute, I don't pay much attention to anything other than that which I want to...

Sometimes we look the same way, do the same things...

Other times we don't...

When I work at it, I can be pretty well mannered and I'm always easy on the eyes...

And I was born cute, or so my Mama told me, so everyone puts up with my Diva attitude because of the cuteness factor...

4 Months - strong and growing!

4 months old... time for another of Mama's famous photo shoots!

Who can resist taking hundreds of shots of this precious face?

This one documents a first for Xander... this was the first time he intentionally grabbed something with this hand!  He stared down the camera strap, focused, got his hand to go the right direction and PRESTO!  GRAB!!

The next day it was time for a couple of belly shots.  He doesn't LOVE being on his belly for too long at a time, but when he's cool with it, he's SO cute!

Chillin' on the landing of the stairs with his Mama and Dada's picture looking over him...

His 4 month appointment went awesome - vaccines taken like a champ and officially in the 50th percentile or higher for all the important stuff... way to GROW buddy!!

Beneezee's 4 Year Anniversary

For our 4th Anniversary, we wanted to go to the TD206 restaurants that we haven't been to yet.  TD206 is what we call Tom Douglas's restaurants.  We started off at the Palace Kitchen.  We had a drink and appetizers including a salmon corn chowder (a non-traditional chowder, more like a soup) and olive poppers (SO good!).  

After the Palace Kitchen, we went to Dahlia Lounge.  We ordered a raviollini dish that Amy was skeptical of (but admitted later that it was the best dish of the night) and an ahi dish that was very tasty.  

Finally we finished by going to Lola's for some kebabs. We got 1 salmon kebob and 1 fig and halloumi cheese kebob.  We were Kebob-ing, and we hope you like kebob-ing too.    

It was fun to go appetizer hopping at the TD206 restaurants, we highly recommend it, and was a cool way to celebrate our anniversary.

It is funny how fast the time flies by.....

Doesn't feel like this was that long ago.  Next year is a bigger milestone.  Bring on #5!

3 Months Old & Getting Cuter Every Minute!

Since Xander is already 4 months old, we thought we'd just share a few choice photos of his third month here on Earth...

Dude can really rock a hat!

And the serious face...

And the smile that reminds Mama of Grandpa Brelsford...

And he sure does love his Dada!!