3 years old.

he made it to three without becoming a big brother.  my biggest baby.  i love him.  so. much.  my chubby. (except he's not really chubby anymore.)

he worked really hard at being able to get two fingers up to say that he was 2 years old.  and then he had to work at getting 3 fingers up. 

what's your name?
"TWO!" (holds up two fingers)
no, what's your NAME?
"xav."
my name....
"xavier aGUStin!" (often accompanied with an enthusiastic jump)
how old are you going to be?
(holds up three fingers)

he would point to his birthday on our calendar.  "that's my birthday, mom. it's a star wars birthday." yes, you had a star wars birthday, chubs.  his birthday was during vbs again this year, but he woke up early, got to open his first present (a star wars lego t-shirt that he promptly changed into), put on his birthday crown and sang along with me as i sang "happy birthday" to my baby baby boy. 

a couple months ago, i thought there was no way this kid would be ready to start school in the fall.  then all of a sudden he is speaking in many many sentences...and with reason. "owen is crying because ethan hit him.  but he's okay now because he has no more owwies. he fine."  last week eric told him that he was just so beautiful.  his reply: "i'm not a princess, you know." apparently boys are not allowed to be beautiful.  only princesses who are girls. 

he is anxious to learn his letters.  and numbers.  there is no differentiation yet...they are all letters.  it will be interesting to see how much this motivates owen to learn.

my favorite thing right now about xav is that he still gives hugs and kisses with great enthusiasm.  he'll plant a kiss on my cheek.  but kisses always come with...? "HUGS!" and then i get a big two arm hug from my baby boy.  my goodness, i cannot believe he is about to become a big brother.  he's ready.  "oh, mom.  baby anthony is in your belly?" he will be a good big brother, just like his kuyas are to him. 

i told xavier the other day that he is not allowed to be as naughty as he is and have the dimples he has.

he is talking so much now! he counts to 14, he kind of knows his abc's, he LOVES to sing.

songs xav likes to sing:
-pokemon theme song
-wild kratts theme song
-hark the herald angels sing

he also likes to grab a light saber or throw on owen's indiana jones gear and hum the respective theme songs. "bum ba bum bum! bum ba buummm..."

he wants to be independent. he wants to put on his own coat and shoes (even though he doesn't know how) and he wants to undress himself (which he can do). you've never seen anyone so excited about changing. i've disappointed him a few times when we've gone to change his diaper and he thought he would get to change his clothes. speaking of diapers...this one might be out of them before the next baby is born. i might actually have a few months of no diapers. i can't imagine it.

one of my favorite things about xavier is that he likes to pretend. it's fun to watch him play with little toys and stuffed animals and know that his imagination is working. another thing i love about him is that he still cuddles with me. thumb in mouth, head on my shoulder. love it.