Wild Thing

Xavier has become quite an adventurous little guy. He has figured out how to climb up on the couch and will do so all day. Today while I was making dinner I literally had to stop every minute to check on him to see what he was doing. He couldnt just play with the million toys he has, no, he has to run a muck on the couches. I finally put him up in the high chair and made him sit there so I could keep an eye on him. It doesnt stop with the couches. He loves to climb on our coffee table as well. Oh, and today he figured out how to move the gate and went in the front hall to get his shoes.

I have my hands full my friends.

Xavier and His Crib

Xavier has officially been sleeping in his crib for over a week now! It is so exciting! There have been some nights he didnt do very well, but others he slept through the night. Yep, I said it, he slept the whole night! It has been so wonderful to have our bed again and to have a full nights sleep. I havent had one in over a year! Its nice.

Last night he didnt even cry when he got put in his crib. He just laid there and fell asleep. Amazing!

Yesterday.

Last night I went to the movies with Samara. Before I left I asked Jeremy to give Xavier a bath. When I came home Jeremy told me something. This is my take on the situation:

Xavier is let to walk around after he is dried off from his bath, before a diaper is put on.

Xavier: Saying something to Jeremy
Jeremy: What?
Xavier: Saying same thing to Jeremy
Jeremy: Huh?
Xavier: Says the same thing again.
Jeremy: Wha-

Xavier pees on floor.

Dead Animal Smell

Yesterday we noticed a dead animal like smell in Xavier's room. We looked everywhere in that room to try and locate the smell and could not. It seemed to be a little better when we had his door open along with the windows but you could still tell it was lingering. I called maintenance today and they cant sent an appointment with the exterminator. "He'll just call you when he is available.", the woman said.

Really? So I have to live with this dead animal smell until its convenient for the exterminator to come and take a look? What do I do in the meantime? We are trying to transition Xavier to his crib and its crucial we keep up on it or we will be back at square one. This just adds to the list of why I dont like living here.

E i e i o.

Something from my day yesterday:

Jeremy: Old MacDonald had a farm, e i e i o....
Xavier: E i e i o.

It's just a phase, right?

Kids grow out of things, right? Say, like throwing things, or throwing things at babies? What I am about to tell you is something I am not proud of and feel extremely horrible about.

Xavier sometimes likes to throw toys and such. It's noting really serious but we try and teach him not to throw in the house. He is only 1 so he obviously can't fully understand his actions. Today was a pretty bad demonstration of that. He took his shoe (for some reason he is obsessed with shoes and will play with them) and threw it at baby Alexander while he was swinging in the baby swing. I couldn't believe it. Here we tell him to be nice constantly and to gentle with the cats and to Alexander and he throws his shoe at him. I was also embarrassed and felt it was more my fault for letting him play with his shoes and not keeping a closer eye on him.

I don't ever remember any of my younger siblings acting the way that Xavier does. Now, I am not saying Xavier is bad all the time but there are things he does that need to be corrected. I just to know how to correct it. I appreciate my parents so much for the discipline they gave us. I wouldn't be the person I am today without it. I just want Xavier to be the same.

Any suggestions on discipline??

Weaning: Ummm....

So I gave up! People aren't perfect, ya know!

I started reading information about weaning and one of the sources said that if I do it too abruptly the Xavier could get traumatized. I stopped weaning after read that.

We will try again once I read more on it.

Weaning: Day 2

Last night was much better than the 1st night. I gave Xavier milk before bed and he slept from 10:30 until sometime early this morning. I nursed him and he went back to sleep and then we woke up at 7:30am. He probably didnt need to nurse but I just did it anyway.

I think he is getting the hang of it and I hope soon he will sleep through the night and be totally weaned!

Weaning: Day 1

Last night I decided to full on wean Xavier. I knew it was going to be hard and I was never really ready to do it but there were some things recently that pushed me to do it now. 

Last night wasnt that bad. Jeremy got him to sleep by rocking him; we usually do this. About an hour later he woke up and just would not go back to sleep. I would rock him, he fell asleep for a minute, woke up, fell asleep, woke up, ect. He finally fell asleep for more than 5 minutes and I went to lay him down and he woke up. I came out in the living room and laid with him on the recliner. Same thing happened with falling asleep then waking up. Then I thought that he actually might be hungry or something so I put him down while I got him some milk in a sippy cup. I warmed the milk up a little so it wouldnt be so cold and he drank a lot of it right away. Then we laid together while he drank the rest. He fell asleep and I moved him in the bedroom and he slept for 4 1/2 hrs. He woke up at 5:30am and I got him milk again and he fell asleep while we were in the living room. He woke up again at like 8am and I finally broke down and nursed him because I was so tired I just wanted to sleep a little bit longer. Plus, I really needed it. 

So that was my first attempt at really weaning Xavier. He also needs to break this whole not sleeping through the night thing. Its getting old. 

My plan for tonight: Give him a sippy cup of milk right before bed. Rock him to sleep. Get up and give him milk if he wakes up. Get up in the morning when he wakes up even if its at 7am. 

Please pray that I get through this because I am basically doing it all by myself. 

Timeline

Lately I just havent felt like writing much. I just always find something better to do. Whether its play with Xavier, tidy up the house, craft, something is always better. I will try and make more time for writing because I like to do it and there is no reason not to.

Anyway, so since I havent posted anything in a month I will give you a timeline of things that happened in the last couple weeks of April. 

April 15th - Melanie came to visit!

April 16th - We had Xavier's 1st birthday party! It was Dr. Seuss themed. It was a good time. You can see photos here.

April 17th - Family photos! The talented Tanya Price took our family photos and I really like how they turned out. You can take a peek right.....HERE!

April 19th - Arrived in Ireland for our 4 day mini vacation. We drove from Dublin to Killarney. 

       April 20th - Toured Killarney and then headed up to Bunratty.

       April 21st - Toured Bunratty area and then headed up to Galway.

       April 22nd - Me and Jeremy's 5 yr anniversary! From Galway we went up to Dublin and toured Dublin.

April 23rd - Left Ireland to go home to Germany. To see photos, you can go, here. Samara picked us up from the airport that day and that was the first time I saw her in over a month! I missed her so much!

April 24th - Easter! We celebrated Xavier's first Easter with us! It was a nice day with some amazing friends. 

April 25th - My 25th birthday! It happened to be a German holiday so we really couldnt do anything but go out to dinner and then we came home and I opened my presents as well as had an awesome cake that Melanie and Samara made for me. 

April 28th - Xavier's actual 1st birthday. You can see photos and read the blog here.

April 30th - Melanie leaves us. Sad day.

May 7th - We took a little trip to the town of Triberg in the Black Forest to see a waterfall and to see the area. It was really nice. The hike up by the waterfall was really steep and it was hard pushing a stroller, but it was a good workout! Haha. Here are some photos.

May 8th - Mother's Day! My 2nd one ever! It was a nice day. Jeremy woke me up with tea in a new mug that says "I <3 Mom" and a book entitled "My Mom's The Best Mom". Both of those from Xavier. Jeremy made breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He also did everything for Xavier and did the dishes. We went to the playground and just spent the day with each other. =) Here is one of my favorite photos from that day.

May 12th - My friend Ana had her baby! It was so exciting because we have been walking together to try and start labor! It worked and she has a healthy, beautiful little boy named Alexander James. 

Wow, the past month has been a busy one! It has been really beautiful lately, well, actually the last couple of days have been rainy and cool, but today it was really beautiful. I hope it stays this way for Memorial Day weekend! I want to go do something but havent figured it out yet. Hmmm.....

Thanks for reading!

Xavier is 1 year old!

Our 1 year old! Wow!

It makes me crazy to think that Xavier is already a TODDLER! He is not a baby anymore. =( I remember thinking Xavier is 1 day old, then 1 week old, that turned into 1 month old and now he is 1 year old! Time flies when you are having fun and our first year with Xavier was nothing but!

*Xavier has added "hello" and "uh-oh" to his vocabulary which "uh-oh" sounds like "ahhhoooo"! Its super cute. He says it when he drops something or he falls.

*Xavier can sign "please" and "mama". He is trying so hard for "more" and "milk" as well. He recognizes more signs than he can sign himself though.

*We have started giving Xavier whole milk. He LOVES it!

*Xavier's 7th tooth has started coming in. Right next to the front lower left.

*Xavier loves any food we give him. He especially likes green beans.

Isnt he just precious?!

*Xavier likes to talk on the phone and will put the phone, or another toy, up to his ear and say "hello".

*He recognizes when I say "icky" it means something not good.

*Xavier does NOT like to be covered up with blankets when he is sleeping. He will kick the blankets off of him obnoxiously at night.

Im sure there are more things, but those are the highlights I can think of. He still amazes me daily and I love him so very much!!

On Xavier's actual birthday we had a little get together with some friends. I made cupcakes and we had ice cream and opened up presents as well. The presents he opened up on his birthday were mainly from friends and family in the states. Xavier sure got spoiled this year! Lucky little man!

Here are some photos from his birthday:

Beautiful Melanie!

 Pretty Samara!

 Xavier with his Aunt Mellie!

Starting to open presents!

 

 The cupcakes I made for his birthday!

When we were singing "Happy Birthday" to him, he just wanted to touch the flame.

Starting to eat his cupcake!

 He actually liked his cupcake! He ate almost the whole thing!

Playing with his new toys!

Our family!

WWII

Since they have been doing construction here they keep finding things that are buried. Well, today I guess they found another bomb from WWII!

Scary, huh?

My Pearl Necklace from Jeremy

Yesterday I was holding Xavier while we were walking around this drink store. I looked over at him because I saw that he was chewing on something. I looked in his mouth and he had my big teardrop pearl in his mouth and was munching on it! When he was looking at it, he must have tugged too hard and broke my necklace and snatched it, right off my neck!

I am so thankful I caught it before he tried to swallow it! =\

Xavier is 11 months old!

Time is really flying by! Xavier is already 11 months old and going to be a year in 1 month! Holy cow! When did all of this happen? I guess it took 11 months, but really. Hahaha

*Xavier is a dancing machine! He loves to dance and does it often! If you say "Dance dance", he will!! =) Its so cute!

*Xavier no longer has a gap in his front teeth! The 6th tooth has broken through and slowly is making it's full  appearance. 

*He can put some shapes into the right spot. His favorite is to put the orange pentagon into its right hole. 

*He likes to kick toys around. 

*He has been trying to use a fork while eating. It cute and he is getting the hang of it.

*When Xavier swings he says "Oooo". 

*He likes to play peek-a-boo.

*He also loves to chase you and be chased!

*Xavier has begun really climbing on things. 

I am getting everything ready for his party. I still have to think of food to have. I know some of the things I am making but not sure on others. Its going to be so awesome!

Construction

We have lived on this base for a year and a half now. For as long as we have been here there has been some sort of construction going on. Its loud. Its dirty. Its frustrating. Its annoying. It should be done!

There is also construction going on across the street from our place. They are tearing down old buildings so we cant even open our windows for fresh air!

=(

Oh. My. Gosh.

I can't believe Xavier turns 1 next month! Ahhhh!!

Thats all.

=)

Xavier is 10 months old!

Holy cow! My baby is already in the double digits! Yikes! You want to know what Xavier has been up to? Well, here it is:

*Xavier can clap and LOVES to do it! If he is happy he will clap. He will also clap if we start saying "Yay" or "Yummy!". Anything positive, really. =)

*Xavier can say "dog" and "duck". When he sees them he says it. He also tries very hard to repeat other words he hears. Its so cute.

*Xavier has 5 teeth! One of his front teeth hasnt popped out yet. It looks funny, but cute! =)

*He also likes to grind his teeth. I hate it!

*If you ask Xavier for a kiss, he will give you one. Open mouthed, of course! Haha

*This started a while ago, but Xavier gets shy. If there is someone he doesnt know talking to him, he will smile and put his head into my shoulder/chest area. Its so cute.

*Xavier can "be nice" to Winrey now. He barely ever grabs a chunk of hair anymore! Im glad.

*He likes to stack his toys, put toys into other toys (little one into a bowl type one), and he likes to throw his toys.

*When we give Xavier food for dinner, after he takes a bite he says "ummm" or "nummm". Since we first started feeding him solids I would always say "yum" or "yummy" and I think he is saying it now. 

*He weighs 24 pounds and is 30 inches long!

Our little boy is growing up so fast! *tear*

Winrey's First Feline Fun Show

I got an email a couple of weeks back about the special events that were coming up. One of them was "The 3rd Annual Feline Fun Show", once I read that I knew I had to sign Winrey up for it!

About a week later Winrey had a vet appointment and I signed her up for it. You had to choose which categories you would like her to compete in and so I chose; "Fluffiest Tail", "Longest Tail", "Best Decorated Cat Carrier", and "Longest Whiskers". The other categories were; "Most Lovable", "Cartoon Cat Look Alike", "Fattest Cat", and "Best Trick".

We got to the show at about 10:30 to get set up and they had a goody bag for each participant. It was filled with a lint roller, a can of wet cat food, cat nip, and a ball. I thought that was really sweet! we got to our table and we had a name card with a balloon attached. They spelled her name "Winney" though, and Jeremy had to correct it.

The show overall was really fun. Samara, Jeremy, and Xavier were there to cheer Winrey on. Haha. There were a lot of cats there and some were really beautiful and some were not so cute. At all. There was only one little cat fight, thankfully! Winrey took 1st place in "Longest Whiskers" her longest one measured at 4 inches! She took 2nd in "Best Decorated Cat Carrier". With ribbons, she got cat treats and another can of food. I thought that was sweet as well! I had a lot of fun and I cant wait for Winrey to participate next year!

Here are some photos from the event:

Winrey being all pretty! <3

Although this cat didnt place anything it still had a place in my heart. Cheesy I know. HAhahaha I LOVED this cat and thought it was beautiful!

 Such a good sport! =)

 This cat won a place for "Best Trick". I dont remember what "trick" it did or what place it got.

 Elvis won "Cartoon Cat Look Alike". I guess he looks like the cat from "Stuart Little". UGLY! He also won "Judges Choice".

 This cat won "Fluffiest Tail" Gosh, its so ugly. Haha

 Izzy won "Longest Tail". Her tail was 11 3/4 inches! WOW!

Panoramic of all of the fun happening! =)

 Winrey trying to hide in my purse. She was comfortable with all of the other cats.

First place winner for "Best Decorated Cat Carrier"

Winrey's prizes

This sweet little girl came up to us and asked if we wanted a souvenir ribbon for Winrey. We said yes and she drew the cat on the white part and wrote her name. It was so cute. We gave her a dollar after she insisted we didnt. Hahaha When we said we were going to give her money she said "What will my mother say?" all concerned. Hahaha it was cute!

Our Experience with Buying a New Vehicle

We originally wanted to wait until we moved back to the states in 2012 to buy a brand new car. When we got here we bought a 1999 VW Golf and were planning on using that while in Germany. However, when we got back from a 2 month vacation in the states our car decided it wanted to grow mold. There was a leak somewhere (we still dont know where it came from) and despite being covered with a car cover it leaked and got moist with no ventilation. I was totally disgusted and while it was very cold out here we didnt know how we were going to clean it and ventilate it. 

Jeremy did a pretty good job cleaning it out and we got enough ventilation to keep it dry. Thank goodness. We still didnt want to have that problem again so we decided to buy a new car. 

In early December we went to the Volvo dealer and talked to the salesman named Jason and looked over some things. We were sent home with a booklet with features and a list of options and accessories.

We looked over everything that we would want and made sure that if we wanted something that it was logical and useful. We were getting really excited! I mean, this was our first brand new car. The next thing we needed to do, after we got a price in mind, was look for a loan.

Jeremy called USAA and they couldnt get us a loan for high enough. He then called Navy Federal and they did give us a loan for high enough PLUS a really low interest rate! We were so happy and so excited that it was finally coming together! They sent us a check! Yay!

A couple of days later we went back in to talk to Jason and we ordered our XC-90! The only thing was that we would have to wait about 2 months for it to be custom built and shipped to Stuttgart. We were OK with that, as long as it came before Roberta came to visit. The estimated date of arrival was the 25th of February.

So we waited and waited and waited. Getting anxious for our new vehicle. Then finally, the day came!!!!

And, we now have our new XC-90:

Isn't it so pretty? =)

So I guess what I was getting at with this post is that our whole experience has been awesome. We never ever felt pressured to do anything and it was just a smooth process. I am so glad that everything came together and we got it just in time for Roberta's arrival. Jason was just awesome and so helpful throughout the whole thing. He didnt even wear a tacky green suit or anything! =)

Living in Germany

Here are some things we have learned while living in Germany:

1. The drivers are dumb jerks.

2. If a candy package states that it is sour and even uses the term "crazy sours" and looks just like the American package, it wont be sour. At all.

3. There are no places to eat breakfast over here. Its weird.

4. They have amazing pretzels with butter.

5. Germans really do like their beer.

6. There is a fest for practically everything.

7. Their desserts arent as sweet as they are in America.

8. Snitzle is super good. Especially with a mushroom cream sauce.

9. Some Germans are nice to Americans and some aren't. They sometimes get mean if you don't know the language.

10. ^Not all Germans know English.

There are plenty more things, but I cant think right now.