Sunday, October 16, 2011

Natural Disaster "Xavi"

My mom says that when I was a baby, I was a little tornado...creating messes from one to room to the next in a blink of an eye.  Well...it looks like we have one of those too.  It's such fun for him to wreak havoc in our little "cottage"...emptying my "office" trash of paper to recycle, playing with boxes and the contents, messing up Mario's piles of school papers and notes, pulling things off tables, chairs, anything within reach, and when bored, moving on to the next area for more fun.  I try to pick up at the end of everyday, and try not to worry about the messes...right now, it makes me giggle...even as he is pulling tshirts, shorts, and pajamas out of his dresser and throwing them all over his room.  The funny thing is that sometimes he knows he's doing something he shouldn't be doing...so when he hears me coming towards him or I say "Xavi! NO!..stop doing ________"...he startles a bit and "sprints" away.  Here are some pictures where I've caught him in the act...
counting the wipes from the newly delivered box...just making sure we get what we paid for mom...

These clothes were all clean and folded in the basket...well, not for long when Xavi is around.

No, the exercise ball and breast pump bag do NOT need to be in the bathroom...

did I do that?

hmmm, what can I do with these?
Yeah, but when he looks at me and smiles like this...what else can I do but scoop him up, hug him and laugh?


whew...I'm tired now!  What else can I get in to?



Saturday, October 15, 2011

I think I can, I think I can...

Remember that childhood story about the little engine that could? I can relate...

A week before every trip we have to take, I start to dread the preparation, the airport negotiation, the constant anticipation...and not in a fun way.  Every month we travel to WI for work and every time Xavi has risen to the occasion, but I still spend plenty of time being anxious and dreading the whole trip. The week before I start with the lists - appointments to make, shopping/errands to do, cleaning I'd like to get done, plus packing clothes, food for Xavi, toys, books, supplements, and getting the carry on/diaper bag just right.  The real butterflies start two days before and by the day before I'm hoping to have it all done so that I can relax the night before...and drink my coffee sitting down before the car comes to pick us up. 

Well, THAT never happens but somehow, we make it into the car for the 30 minute ride to the airport, get undressed for security, recombobulate, buy water, board the plane early, get stuff organized in the seat just so, head to the back of the plane to wait while it loads, take our seat at the last minute, and play/sleep (hopefully) for 2 hours.  Upon touchdown, we're off to find our next flight/gate, play/eat until it's time to board again, and do it all over again.  Once we get to MKE, we collect our stuff from the baggage claim, let's count em:  one diaper bag, one stroller, one car seat, one suitcase, one briefcase on wheels, one baby and one momma. I usually pile it all on top of a rolling cart and carry Xavi in my Moby against my chest.  This draws plenty of looks, especially as I navigate two elevators to get to the car rental section...and there are lots of nice people that hold doors, pick up items I drop, and help balance the load on the cart.  Then we load the car, install the car seat, get Xavi in his seat for one last leg...the last time he screamed the 45 minutes to gramma and grampa's house.  And how could I blame him?  If I wasn't (ahem) 37 and if people weren't looking (haha), I'd do the same thing. 

"ummm, yep mom, I fit!"

doggie to rest my head on? Check. mom's neck pillow? Check.
The return trip is much of the same but in reverse...each trip starts with "I don't think I can do this" and  trepidation for the constant planning/anticipating of each next steps.  With each "victory", that voice changes to "I think I can, I think I can...".  Each time the plane goes into descent, again, "I think I can, I think I can.." Each time we make it to the next leg, "I think I can, i think I can...".  Each time he falls asleep and I can let my guard down just a little bit and read my Kindle...". I think I can, I think I can..". Each time, Xavi looks at me and smiles during all of this or plays his little heart out in the middle of an airport baggage claim, "I think I can, I think I can...".  Each time, Mario sends me a message to stay strong, relax, and be safe..."I think I can, I think I can..".  Once we pull off of 59, onto Highway ZZ, with just a few miles to go...I finally start to think "I know I can, I know I can...".  Once we see hit San Juan Capistrano and then our exit, Camino de Estrella, "I know I can, I know I can...".  Hooray!



We are preparing for another adventure next week...off to New Mexico for my hall of fame induction, then off to New York for our Master's in Nutrition final exam, then off to Wisconsin for a week of work, and then HOME.  So, my little voice "I don't think I can do this..." has officially started ( I know, negative...but am open to any support and hugs :)).  Comfort comes this time knowing that Mario will be with us for this first week, that Debbie will be there in NY to love Xavi while we are sweating the exam, and that mom and dad are waiting to love us in Wisconsin. 

Relaxing fall walks with gramma, grampa, and Taz

Playing with Taz's bone

Dragging around Grampa's shoe...quite a load!  14s!
Here's some memories from our last trip...and here's to many more adventures AND memories!
Surprise!  Sister and Cousin reunion...In town for the Packer game and to love us while we are close.
Thanks everyone for another good memory.

Gramma Mimi came too...Xavi wouldn't go to her this time, but he wouldn't go to anyone else that week.

The best kind of mornings...undressed and no place to go.

VitaKids playtime

Tubby time

Tazzie loved the attention and his new buddy

Walking with Gramma while mom had to go do work stuff

Lovely Miss Armandina at VitaKids

Last leg heading home..."I know we can" whenever there are smiles like this

Go Pack! Great garage sale find...Thanks Gramma momma!
Thanks to everyone who supports us every day and on every trip.  Thanks for those on both ends praying for our safety and "victorious" arrival.  Thanks to the nice seat mates that offer encouragement and kindly play with Xavi.  Thanks to the people that stop and ask if they can help OR those that just do (Put my briefcase in the overhead bin (tricky with a baby on board), open my stroller, wait patiently while we get organized, etc, etc).  Thanks to those that stare incredulously as I walk by with the rolling luggage cart...it makes me feel proud, well, as long as the bags stay balanced long enough to look like I  am in control of this operation.  Thanks to Xavi for being such a good, happy boy...to be content to be with momma regardless of the location/circumstances...and for reminding me that I CAN do this and anything else that we set our minds to. 

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Baby Steps

He's been taking steps on his own for a month or so but has been reluctant to do much more.  Just this week, he started taking four, five, six steps towards a particular point, goal, person.  He is very much in control and is very strong...no doubt he'll be diving off the couch before too long.
Matter of fact, I turned my back on him and looked back to find him ON THE COUCH.  The little monkey climbed up there using the ottoman.  Good thing we taught him to go backward off of steps...nevertheless, I won't be leaving him to get into trouble, but boy oh boy, it can happen in the blink of an eye.  Handsome rascal...
serious business...looking to go deep.
(sorry Packer peeps, but we are a blended family here.  Have to alternate game days)

He and Mario have always played hard but lately it's been so fun watching them.  They play chase and laugh...Mario encourages him to make as much mess as possible (I know, hard to believe, right?) and they smash stuff (loudly) together.  Xavi has a twinkle in his eye if his dad is anywhere in the vicinity...so much so that he's refused to go to bed for the last two nights because he doesn't want to stop playing.  We wake up with him in between us, cuddled, cozy, and I hope, feeling as loved as he is.