The Quest for a Jumperoo

This past week I tried to focus on getting a Jumperoo for the little guy. Of course I tried to get one used first as it is cheaper and 'reuses'.

I tried Craigslist. The first couple of times I looked there were a few. But I thought I could get cheaper. And only one was close by. Of course I didn't jump and it was gone the next day. I kept looking and nothing showed up. Finally a local one did, but the person selling never responded. One did show up for a good price, but was far enough away that gas would offset the price anyway.

So I tried resale shops. The two closest focus mainly on baby clothes but I checked anyway and came up empty. I'd been at Once Upon a Child last week and saw a couple so I called to check and they no longer had them. I called two more Once Upon a Childs and finally found one that just got a jumperoo in. We drove all the way there just to find it smelled of cigarette smoke.

So I gave up and bought a new one. Xander loves it. It fits the rainforest theme that we seem to be collecting, it has a swivel seat so he can turn around and obnoxious sounds. I am kind of glad it's new because he immediately went for the chew toy and tried to swallow it. Of course Xander can only spend so much time in it before he gets overloaded and panics, but it's a nice break for me. This thing will have amazing resale power.

Day at the Museum

Yesterday Xander and I adventured down to Cincinnati to visit his aunt and uncle.

First, Xander, Aunt T and I went to a bridal shop so I could help her pick out a bridesmaid dress. She tried on bunches and found one that will look great. In the process of helping her I had Xander on a bench and was playing with him. Well, I stand up to clip T's dress and what do you know Xander is on the floor screaming. He didn't roll off, but somehow swiveled himself and pushed off of the wall. He's fine and I'm still beating myself up about it. I'm always careful and this one time I get distracted by pretty sparkles, he takes a dive. The best part? All captured on webcam, so the sales people and random strangers online all saw it.

We then picked up Uncle Tallie and went to the Museum to see the Bodies exhibit. The day was gorgeous and 68, so of course I develop a migraine. Ugh. So T and Tallie go to see it while I hang out and try not to get sick in front of the thousands of people there (seriously, for a Wednesday it was packed). Fortunately Xander was great, good mood and cute as a baby can be. He learned a new trick too: while the baby carrier is in the stroller I didn't buckle him in and took out the BundleMe and Xander took that as a sign to pull himself up to sitting. I was a little freaked out that he'd do another dive, so while I waited I laid him on a table to wiggle.

But we did get this picture. I couldn't get Xander to smile. He'd only gape at the camera so I figured I'd play along.

dinnertime hijinx

More of us goofing around after dinner....








It's the crab rangoons that give him strength!

Sitting around the house...

6 Months!

Little Xander had his 6 month check up today. Here are the stats:

Weight: 16 lbs 11 oz (pretty average)
Length: 26 in (closer to average than it was last time)
Head: 16 in

The doctor seemed almost impressed with how great Xander seems to be doing (but that might be my motherly exuberance). The doctor was also impressed with my shoes and asked where he could get a pair for his wife.

Xander handled the shots a little bit better this time, he stopped crying before I even picked him up.

Um, I'm trying to remember all of the fun little details I think "Oh, I should blog about that." Like how his hair is finally starting to cover his bald spot. And he can now consistently get his toes to his mouth. Or how he laughs at me for no reason that I know of (and I do go check myself in the mirror).

Here's a quick story for you: We went to Steak 'n' Shake for dinner a couple of weeks ago. Xander got a little fussy while we were trying to eat so we did the ole stand by of putting the ketchup bottle in front of him. But looking at the bottle is no longer good enough, now he has to HOLD the bottle. And let me tell you it's hard to scarf down a double steakburger when a six month old is trying to suck on a ketchup bottle like it's his regular bottle. (and for those worried, Chris was actually holding the bottle for Xander so don't report us as bad parents)(yet)

Road Trip!

X had his first non-holiday road trip on Sunday to Cincinnati. First we visited his Crazy Uncle Frank and his new baby (I had food on my fingers, otherwise I would have tried holding him up a little better):


So right before we took that picture we were eating and Xander was being fussy. I had just finished some ribs so I stuck one of the bones in his mouth to suck on. I think he liked it. Amanda was upset because he was getting rib sauce on his shirt, I defended myself with "who cares, he's quiet!"

Xander got to try out a bouncy seat. This is on Xander's Easter wish list.


Then we visited Aunt Sarah and wished her a happy birthday!


Then we visited Aunt Trisha and watched "The Princess Diaries".

Happy St. Patrick's Day

... from Xander's feet!

Teething and Food

I guess Xander is really teething now. There is drool everywhere and everything within reach must be chewed on. Friday was particularly bad for some reason, he needed constant attention and kept getting upset. I even went so far as to call the doctor to ask about giving Xander Tylenol, but due to the White Death (blizzard of '08) no one was available. Then I remembered that lots of people gave us teethers! Wow, I can't believe I forgot those. So I opened a few packages, wash the various bright squishy shapes and Xander happily chewed away.

Yesterday due to the White Death, Chris spent some time at home and we decided to begin the real food. We dug out the special spoons and washed them, dug out a lined bib and opened up the rice cereal. We mixed the cereal with some milk, but kept it very thin. Feeding then commenced as one of us held Xander on the counter (I don't know why we didn't use the high chair, that would have made sense) and the other would spoon little slurps into his mouth.

At first Xander just let it dribble down his chin. But pretty soon he'd got his mouth open and was eating. Ok, so lots still dribbled down his chin. But he didn't hate it! He almost had the hang of it at the end.

Not much new

Xander is doing just fine despite his cold lingering in the form of a cough. It doesn't seem to phase him too much, he just gets really cranky when tired.

Here's a lovely shot of Chris making him laugh.

The little bugger has learned the fun trick of leaning forward too. Not a big deal unless he is in the swing. And actually, he was doing it in his high chair while sticking out his tongue, Chris and I cracked up because it looked like he was trying to lick the tray.


He has also discovered the light fixture that hangs above our stairway. Every time I carry him down from his room, he sees it and cranes his head back to keep it in view. Then he his little pumpkin head will get too heavy and he'll snap his head back up.

Xander is also not quite as friendly with that baby in the mirror. At first it was all smiles. Now it takes a little for a smile to appear. He also is reaching for the baby. He wants a friend!