21st Month

Wow! What happened to March? Well, it wasn't a great month for this family but some good things happened. Scott's grandpa passed on the 4th of March. All the family came down to be together and celebrate his life. It was fun to see everyone and to listen to his recorded life. Xander loved playing with his cousins, especially Chloe, who stayed for a couple weeks. He had some rough tantrums while people were here. He has a terrible anxiety about change. When the last group of people left and he had his home back to normal he was our happy little man again. Then we heard of the loss of Madison Wallace, one of Melissa's young women. She was 16 and she jumped into the Sioux Falls River to save her little brother, Garrett, when he fell in. She lost her life. She was a beautiful girl who was always so happy and full of love for everyone she met. Melissa had a rough time especially as she was unable to go to the funeral. Xander got sick at the first of the month and passed it on to his mom. Melissa was sick for 5 more weeks- 4 of those were severe. It hit really hard. Luckily Xander didn't get it so bad. Xander went to see his new doctor and screamed most of the visit. She noted that Xander is dragging that right leg. Jemile (my sister-in-law) gave us some pointers to help Xander. She worked really close with him for an hour or so and had him standing and walking, while holding her hand. We have been doing those exercises and walking with him all over the house (his new favorite thing). Then, Friday the 5th of April, Xander walked 7 steps all by himself!! So excited! Sweet little boy has his first therapy appointment on Thursday... Xander is getting his sense of humor and loves to have fun... (a little blurry but you get the picture) He loves our morning walks. He sits up and looks around and yells at all the dogs that bark at him... Scott loves to play with Xander. Xander likes to throw himself back when daddy holds him. Scott calls it the bungee drop... He loves to be outside and play in the rocks (no grass here). He'll stay out there and yell at Bones... My baby in his belly shirt with a car... and his first skinned knee- the first of many... He's finally allowing mommy to ready to him. He'll sit in my lap and turn the pages. He loves to rub his food all over his face. He's jabbering more and more. He loves to talk to Bones and they play all the time. He loves to walk around the house as long as mommy or daddy hold his hand. He loves bed time but is less excited about nap time. He still likes to eat bones dog food. He "helps" mommy put clothes in the drawers and then pulls them out. He loves to look through his books all by himself. He loves cars and makes the noises for them as he drives them all over the place. He loves to get into great-grandma's cabinets- she has the best "toys" (measuring cups) that he can "drive" all over the floor. He loves to help load the dishwasher and take the spoons out. He hates his diaper changed and crawls away as fast as he can if he sees the diaper. He screams through the whole diaper changing process. He says "bu bu" for bottle and "dod dod" for dog. He loves to yell for Bones when they are outside and enjoys playing in the rocks (I think he would love a sandbox). He loves to scream...