Happy One Month Birthday!

Xavier and his Daddy

Mommy is great when you are hungry, but Daddy has some special skills, especially playing, burping (well, Mommy just thinks it is great when Daddy gets Xavier to burp), and sleeping on his chest.

Daddy and Xavier's favorite games include: strength building (putting toys just out of reach to encourage reaching), wrestling with the blanket (a very closely supervised game), and visually tracking toys.

Mommy favorite is Daddy's ability to put him to sleep when nothing she has done works!

Visits from Family

We've had more visitors in the last week than we have in the last year.

Somehow, I don't think everyone is interested in me and Justin.

Grandma and Grandpa Mitchell are here the most. Sometimes I think that if Grandma Mitchell had her way, Xavier would get smuggled out in her purse.

Aunt Laia and Uncle Marco made a special trip all the way from St. Petersburg.

Welcome to the World:

Xavier Joseph Graves

Born: Jaurary 3, 2010

8lbs, 9oz

21 inches

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Graves Family!

Justin has successfully finished the first semester of his MSW. I have passed my psychology licensure exam. Our house is decorated for the holidays, and the most important things on my "must be done pre-baby" list have been crossed off. So much to be greatful for!

We hope that all of our family and friends are also enjoying a wonderful holiday season.

Finally: What is missing from these pictures?

Oh! The Baby is what is missing....

Some new pics

Here is a picture of "the belly" at 32 weeks:

And some pictures from my shower:

The bear crocheted by Grandma Mitchell.

Future Grandma, Mommy, and Aunt
As you can see from the background of this picture, he is a very blessed baby.

As of right now, I am at 35 weeks - about 4 to 5 weeks from estimated delivery date! It is finally starting to feel real. Next week we will graduate from our birthing class, and I am getting anxious about having things done, like the car seat installation. Also, I have "hit the wall." I didn't realize this last month would be so tiring and uncomfortable. He seems to have gotten in the habit of "snuggling" right up under my ribs or crashing straight down onto my bladder. Luckily that is preparing me for childbirth, since I am now beginning to look forward to it as a way to get my body back rather than something scary or painful.

Entering the last month of pregnancy as the same time as Advent has been very helpful for me. I am trying to concentrate on "expectant waiting and preparation" and not get too anxious about the details, knowing that those will all get taken care of, or weren't that important to begin with.

I certainly have a new appreciation of the Nativity story and how brave Mary was to travel to Nazereth, away from her family. I am glad Joseph was there for her, just as I am glad to count on having Justin with me!

First Halloween Costume

I think we won the prize for youngest trick-or-treater this Halloween.

Here he is at 30 weeks gestation, already a very cute pumpkin.

Or if you want to see how his Mommy is progressing:

And I am even bigger now...

We've got under two months left, and heading into the home stretch. We have started our birth classes, and my baby shower is this weekend. I sometimes look down at my growing belly and think "Wait, I'm not ready for this!" It's a little late now! Most days, we are both really excited about the prospects of being parents.

The news from the doctors continues to be good. At the last visit with the perinatologist, he told me that all of the complications he was concerned about would have emerged by now. In fact, he called the baby's heart "beautiful" and wanted pictures of it to show med students. I'm so proud!