Xavier walked on July 2nd.  He was holding on to the couch upstairs and then turned sideways and just started walking.  He took 5 steps and Angelica and Arianna noticed and just when he heard them praise him, he sat down.  Since, he has walked with the baby stroller or musical push toy, but no control as to where he is driving or how fast.  He is practicing standing and is pretty good at playing with a toy or eating something while standing.  He would really like to climb the stairs or anything.  He is good at going up the stairs.  He has not attempted going back down.  He loves to climb things, so we need to do more securing of book cases and chest of drawers because he can open cabinets and drawers and then climb.  He pulled the little chest down on him in my closet.  He was ok and not phased.  We did put plastic up on the railing so he cannot climb it last weekend.  So far it works, but we need more and a gate for the top of the stairs.  The house is not quite baby proof yet.  This may be why Angelica has him in the walker so much.  It is also why he is taking a while to walk.

July 7th:  Birthday party at Culver's!  He loved his new toothbrush and the cake.  We went to Culver's for a small family birthday party.  Angelica, Damien and Carla's family made it.  We had hamburgers, cake and sundays.  Xavier had no problem digging into the cake, even before we gave him his own piece.  He did almost touch the flame, but gladly everyone was watching and stopped him.  I was holding him, but did not see it coming.  He had fun with the family, was glued to me and walked around while holding on to my hands.  He wanted to to to the teenagers that were working there.  He definitely wants to charm new girls he sees between 17 and 40 yrs old.   

July 8th:  Xavier got mad.  He has a new emotion and found two ways to deal with it.  One is to ram his walker into his nanny, Angelica, and the other is to throw food or toys down onto the floor.  No tantrums yet and he still obeys "no no," but we will have to help him deal with it.

July 9th:  Xavier ate a whole soft plum and loved it.  He really got the hang of biting into it.  I had to take it away when he put the seed in his mouth.  Then he had mac and cheese (cheddar organic) and loved it.  He already had dinner with Angelica at the pool, but had all of this and green beans.  He is a good eater.  He did have a difficult time feeding himself mac and cheese while dancing in my lap.  He is also great at drinking water from a straw.  He had a lot of this too.  I still gave him milk to go to bed with, and he wanted that too.  I started infant vitamins in his bottle last night.  His doctor recommended it at his first visit.  I guess it is a good idea.  I can put it in his milk at night.  We will see if I can keep the habit.  I also have to begin brushing his teeth.  I got the tooth paste on the 8th and he loves to chew on toothbrushes.  He also has 8 teeth and teething for the molars, especially bottom R.

July 10th:  Xavier did not want dinner.  Go figure.  He refused the corn from lunch.  It was chunky, so I gave him baby cereal and he refused this too.  Maybe he is not feeling well or getting picky.  I put him to bed with the bottle + vitamins.  We will see how the night goes.

Arianna is being sweet.  I got home and she was practicing gymnastics upstairs in her gym outfit.  She wanted me to see her stretches, so me and Xavier watched.  She also cleaned her room and bathroom with Angelica.  She did want to help me pack, but refused to say please for dinner from Angelica.  I was strict and told her if she could not say it, then no dinner and bedtime now.  She refused, said it is not fair and she was embarrassed.  I gave her several chances and then that was it.  I wish she was not so stubborn.