Four Months Old! Quatro meses de idade!

Dear Nicholas,

Today is a blustery, cold, terrible day... but your smile and lively spirit keep away the (early) winter doldrums. Even though it is snowing in October (sigh...), our lives are every day more joyful with your growing awareness, abilities, and with the love you give to us and others so freely. Just by being yourself, such a radiant being, you make the world brighter and happier! You are the cutest pumpkin indeed!

Lately you have been making many new sounds, and using your hands with increasing skill, especially to grab Daddy's nose! You have grown so big so quickly, everyone is astonished you are only 4 months old. Your eyes are big and bright, and anyone who sees them makes a comment on their beauty. You love bright colors now, and eagerly grab your stuffed turtle and bear and clutch them to your chest. Everything goes in your mouth; you bite Mommy's fingers with your toothless gums. You are adoring spending time with your Aunt Dani and Grandma Sílvia. Tummy time is no longer frustrating for you, although you try to crawl to no avail. But it won't be long before you are happily exploring the whole house!

We love you Nicholas-Prucolas! Happy 4 months birthday!

Love,

Daddy, Mommy, Inca-Incolas, Manny, and the rest of your big family and many friends!

Abobrão!!

This past Saturday, Nicholas wore his pumpkin costume at the Big Red Barn and competed in the Costume Parade contest. Although he had just woken up from a nap (just in time for the contest!), and wasn't very smiley, he managed to win the most votes out of a field of 17 kids! But, being a gentleman, Nicky decided (partly since Mommy and Daddy tallied the votes, and Mommy had organized the contest) that he would forgo his prize and let the next children, who were older, have a memorable Halloween victory. But, the truth is-- he was the cutest! : ) Ele foi a abóbora mais bonitinha!

Family, família

Together at last! Juntos por fim!

Nicky's past week has been eventful: he finally got to meet his vovó Sílvia and tia Dani! Nicky was all smiles at 7 am when we picked up vovó e tia in JFK airport. He has really enjoyed playing with his Aunt and Grandma since then, learning all kinds of songs and games! As for Sílvia and Dani, they have been a bit shocked by the unseasonally frigid weather we are having here-- walking on the beach in scarves and heavy coats was certainly a new experience! They have gotten to do a bit of shopping and sightseeing. Nicholas also got to spend some nice time with Grandma and Grandpa Spofford... everyone thinks he must be taking after Grandpa, with his blue eyes and big appetite!

Nicholas now weighs over 19, and maybe even as much as 20 pounds. Our scale isn't terribly accurate, but it does seem to give a general idea of the giant-ness of Nicky. He has had his first taste of rice cereal mixed with breastmilk, as his appetite seems to be overtaking my current milk production. But on the plus side, I have lost some more pounds!

Boa viagem! Beijos! Have a great trip!

Nicky sends his Grandma Sílvia and Tia Daniela lots of kisses and wishes them a wonderful, safe trip to New York this weekend. He can't wait to meet them! Now that Nicholas has learned to purse his lips, he is making the "b" sound with great fanfare. Soon, he'll be saying "beijos" (kisses)!

O Nicky manda muitos beijos para a vovó Sílvia e tia Daniela, e ele espera que elas tenham uma viagem ótima a Nova Iorque este fim de semana. Ele está todo empolgado para conhecer sua família brasileira! Agora que o Nicholas aprendeu apertar os lábios, está muito empolgado por conseguir fazerd o som da letra "b". Logo ele dirá "beijos"!

Hungry baby!

Bebê faminto (reparem a clara má-nutrição da pobre criança) flagrado tentando roubar comida da própria mãe...

Discoveries

Reading With Daddy!

Nicholas has two copies of his favorite book, The Big Red Barn, by Margaret Wise Brown. Today he held the book by himself! One is a special copy from his friend, Kris Corda, who runs the Big Red Barn at Cornell where Nicholas' Mommy and Daddy met. The one he is holding is an everyday copy. This book is wonderful because the illustrations are very detailed and the language rhythmic.

Nicky is also much more aware of Inca, and has reached out to "pet" her a few times this week. Exciting discoveries! At over 18 pounds (8.16 kg), and around 26 inches long (66 cm), he is outgrowing his clothes very quickly! Some of his dark hair is falling out and being replaced by lighter colored hair. He continues to be extremely vocal, coughing for attention, laughing like crazy, and demanding to go outside for walks. Perhaps he has learned this from Inca! He also is chewing on things alot, and is getting quite talented with his hands.

Moleque de lata!

The other night, while watching the movie "Ironman" (Homem de ferro) and eating our delicious, almost totally homemade pizza (except for the cheese and toppings), we got to joking about the Brazilian version of Ironman, portrayed by Nicholas: Moleque de lata (Tin Boy). Of course, this was in very bad taste, but it made us laugh. Nicholas, undaunted, decided to go for it, and became a playboy extraordinaire, even dancing with the bride at Mary and Brian's wedding last night! He hasn't quite made it to the technical genius aspect of the Moleque de lata job description, however...maybe in a few more months...