Nicholas plays with Mommy

The Humid Tropics of Brooktondale

Nicholas is now 11 weeks old and is using his hands quite a lot to grab things, like rattles and toys. He is also able to lift his head up and hold it steady much better. Last night he weighed in around 17 lbs (7.7 kg), but I think he is somewhere between 16 and 17 lbs. Certainly, still a hefty baby!

Yesterday was extremely hot and humid for this time of year, and we had a wild wind storm during the early morning hours (around 2 am or so), with the full moon eerily illuminating the valley. Accordingly, Nicholas decided to be a tropical baby, practicing for his February visit to Juiz de Fora (we bought our tickets yesterday!). For his storybook imagination, this meant cavorting naked through his jungle gym, talking to animals (his stuffed duck and Inca), and hanging out in the hammock: drooling with joy at the howl of the wind, the companionship of family, and the unexpected clamminess of a September day against his soft, smooth skin.

Hello Grandmas! Oi vóvós!

Nicholas says hello to his grandmas! O Nicholas fala "hello"(oi) às vóvós dele.

He is also longing for the lost days of summer as fall closes in on us. Fishing, anyone?
Ele também tem saudade do verão... alguém quer pescar comigo?

Baby Shirt/ Camisa de bebê

Nicholas has been meaning to wear this beautiful embroidered shirt that once belonged to his Dad. Turns out, wearing it was lots of fun and we got some nice photos!

A letter from Nicholas/ Uma carta do Nicholas

Oi família e amigos! Hi there to my family and friends!

Sorrio muito esses dias! I have been full of smiles lately. Espero que você me visite logo para nós falarmos muito: é meu pasatempo preferido! I hope you will come visit me soon so we can talk together: it's my favorite thing to do! Mas tenho muitos pasatempos preferidos... Well, it's one of my favorites...

Beijos, Nicky Love, Nicky

Chatting with Daddy / Batendo o papo com o papai

Discussing their days with each other.... Conversando sobre os dias deles

Mommy Loves Her Chubby Baby! A mamãe ama o seu nenê gordinho!

Today was Nicholas' 2 month well-visit to the pediatrician and he weighed in at 15 lbs, 12 oz. "He's definitely chubby!" the doctor said, but added that is just fine, and that once he starts to crawl, he will more than likely grow leaner. Nicholas' weight puts him in the 97th percentile! He is 24.5 inches long, which is the 90th percentile. And actually, his head circumference (this is so eugenics) is only average. At any rate, he is growing very well and quickly (much to the dismay of his wardrobe stylist, ie, me). Nicky got a few of his vaccines and will receive the rest next month. We've decided to try spacing it out if he doesn't have too bad a reaction to getting his vaccines. So far he only seems a bit sleepier than usual.

Hoje o Nicholas foi consultar com sua médica para exames de rotina. Ele pesa 7.1 kg! "Certamente ele está gordinho!" a médica falou, mas também disse que está bem, e que quando ele começar a gatinhar, vai emagrecer. Em termos de peso, ele está maior que 97% dos bebês da mesma idade! O Nicky tem 62.2 cm de altura (mais alto que 90 porcento dos nenês). O tamanho da cabeça dele não é tão enorme quanto pensávamos, só normal. De todas maneiras, ele está crecendo bem e rápido (só um problema para manter a guarda-roupa!). O Nicky recebeu algumas vacinas hoje e receberá mais o mês que vem. Nós decidimos não lhe dar todas as vacinas hoje para ver como ele vai reagir. Até agora, parece que só está com mais sono que normal.

Speaking of sleep, Nicky has been sleeping in his own room the past few nights and not very well, but he is getting used to the crib, I think! He has begun to discover his own hands and tries to shove his entire fist in his mouth to suck on. He grabs objects well, and continues to have long conversations with us. He can't wait for his Grandma Silvia and Aunt Daniela to come visit in October!

O Nicholas começou dormir esta semana em seu berço em outro quarto, e ainda não está dormindo bem. Eu acho que ele vai se acostumar logo. Ele começou a descobrir os mãos dele e tenta colocar o punho inteiro na boca. Ele agarra bem os objetos, e continua batendo o papo conosco. E está doido para ver a vóvó Silvia e a titia Dani em outubro!