Happy 1st Birthday, Xavier!

X-man is one!

We are back from our amazing week in Colorado. There were so many wonderful adventures but Xavier turning one was the highlight. We had a small party for him on the deck of our cabin overlooking Columbine Lake, tucked up against Rocky Mountain National Park. 

The birthday boy, who had a cold, was beyond exhausted and barely made it long enough for us to shove a burning flame on a sugary dessert in front of him. Reid and her kiddos partied with us. We had a BBQ dinner, cupcakes, champagne and the guys took the 4 kids out on the boat after Xavier went to bed. 

Happy birthday, Xavier. Love you tons and tons and tons.

Sleepy cupcake face

Biggest Sister

God-sib Arden

The birthday night cruise

Hawk Walks

Three new neighbors moved in - juvenile Cooper's Hawks. We've taken to going on evening Hawk Walks with the girls armed with binoculars. They prefer the telephone poles by our house and in our backyard where they've perched for several weeks occasionally eating a pigeon or a rat (note their gross dinner in the photo). Our goldfinches fled for a while but have recently returned. They must have decided there were enough pigeons in the 'hood to keep the hawks distracted. The hummingbirds never seemed bothered at all and even the mockingbirds and the crows have started to take their territory back squawking and attacking. We've met a lot of non-feathered neighbors on our walks too, all of whom seem just as fond of the triplets as we are.

We leave on Saturday for a week in Grand Lake, Colorado where we've rented a 3-bedroom cabin right on the lake. We'll get to see my God-kiddos and two of my most cherished friends - Reid and Dara. I'm also hoping to see a moose. That would make me super duper happy.

Missing: Two Front Teeth

With Christmas (in July) coming up, maybe that's what Addie will get from Santa - her two front teeth. This extra wiggly one came out with a little help from a strawberry starburst. I think she looks rather adorable. The last front top tooth, as it was getting closer to making it's final exit, was migrating closer to the center since it found itself with more space, giving Addie a rather unusual snaggletooth look.



That same evening, Addie and I got to have a special night out. We rode the train (still a pleasant novelty) to the Staples Center to see the Sparks, LA's women's basketball team. Addie cashed in her "Turtle" treat and got a giant fluffy puff of pink cotton candy which she shared with her friend Petra who we met up with. The girls loved my office's suite which was perfect since they could drink ginger ale and dance, not bothering any of the other guests. I cherish the rare opportunity to have Addie all to myself (and an arena of women's basketball fans).

11 Months

One year is right around the corner! Xavier celebrated his 11 month birthday with a case of HFM. Kicked out school for a week (thanks Papa Mit for being his nanny), he had an initial low fever and spots. Spots and spots and spots. His eczema exacerbated the rash which, while viral and goes away on its own, had to be treated with oral antibiotics because of infection. We called him Sir Spots-a-lot and Spoticus.

I am about 95% sure he said his first word. Eliza. He said it so clearly a few weeks ago while we were picking up Eliza from her classroom but I thought it was just coincidence. Another mother next to me even turned around. Didn't that sound like Eliza? But now he says it every time we go pick her up, Lyzuh. I am not surprised he says Eliza. He probably hears her name the most usually followed by: Leave your brother alone! Gentile! Don't pick him up! Don't hit Addie!

Xavier is starting have an opinion too. He gets upset if someone (ahem, Eliza) takes a toy from him, or if he doesn't feel like getting buckled in his car seat and would prefer to chew on my car keys. Eliza is a great helper though too and is happy to find him other toys and bring me his diapers and wipes. Xavier  also has a very high-pitched squeal when he's happy or excited. Sometimes it sounds like we are raising a baby pterodactyl. I sure do love this little guy!



Photo by Addie

Father's Day

Who wouldn't want a dad that's good at floating? The kids are very lucky indeed. We all are to have such a great Po.



We celebrated with Papa Mit too over lunch in Malibu and the afternoon at the beach. My own Dad was off riding camels and trying not to get dehydrated in exotic Tunisia. Amazing! Love to all the Dads in my life.