Visitors from another country

Vinicio's Dido, Tia and Primo arrived on the 4th of July. The perfect day to receive visitors from another country. Because they live in Brazil, this is the first time he has met them. It has been so much fun to watch the cousins interact. Theo is nine months old and is so sweet with Vinnie. Sometimes he wants to grab Vinicio or hit him, but when you tell him "gentle" or show him with your own actions he gets really gentle and touches Vinicio ever so softly, and Vinicio loves to share smiles with his auntie, grandfather and cousin.

Every time Vinicio wakes up in the morning or from a nap he smiles and smiles. I guess he really likes his beauty sleep. He will be so grumpy when he falls asleep and so happy when he wakes. The days have been long for him, but he can sleep in his carrier, in his stroller, in our arms or wherever he is. As of this writing he is asleep in his dad's arms in a lounge chair.

He just changes every day. He is getting bigger and bigger and is out growing so many of his clothes so fast. He is a tall boy and he just keeps getting longer. The shape of his face seems to change a lot too, as does the distance that he can see. It used to be that you had to put your face right up to his to get any reaction. Now, you can smile at him from a distance and he will smile back at you.

His normal reaction to getting a bath is to scream until his face is red and he is shaking with anger. Today, expecting the same reaction, I was not looking forward to giving him a bath. The reaction that I got was wholly unexpected. He just lay back and enjoyed the bath. He didn't scream or cry. At one point I lay him down in the water and let go and he just stared up at me smiling, everything but his face submerged in the water. It was so charming.

We learn something new every day.

Trippin'

The last month has been very eventful and exciting. We had visitors and went on a very fun road trip to California. Aunt Chloe and Uncle Erik came into town for the long Memorial Day weekend to meet Vinicio for the first time. We were still getting used to Vinicio's schedule and learning how to do things with him. Between getting him dressed,changing his diaper, packing his bag and putting him in his carrier it took us about an hour just to leave the house. Needless to say we didn't do much that weekend. The focus was primarily getting to visit with his aunt and uncle, which was very fun.

Then, my school term ended and on a whim Diogo and I decided to make a trip down to California. So, we packed the car and made a 12 hour journey down to my parents' house. There, Vinicio got to meet his Uncle Eli, his Aunt Charlotte, and his Grandpa for the first time, and to see his Nana again. Diogo and I got to leave him with my parents and swim in the lake and the Yuba River. It was such a treat!

After that we spent a night in Sacramento where we visited with Chloe and Erik again, before heading down to Yosemite National Park. We camped for 6 nights and Vinicio seemed to love it. In the park we went in the river, took little hikes, drove around the park, lay in the sun and even watched some world cup soccer games. We had a blast and were so surprised to see how well Vinicio adapted to the outdoors.

After arriving home Vinicio had 5 days of pure bliss. He didn't cry or get upset almost at all in those 5 days. I think that being out in nature was good for him. It helped him to find his inner peace.

Adventures about town continued

Here is another picture that I wanted to add.

Adventures about town

After staying at home for over a week we all became a little restless. So, once the sun decided to show itself here in Portland we decided to head out and about to enjoy ourselves. On Friday morning we put Vinicio into a baby wrap carrier, which he seems to love, and we headed out walking. We made a loop in our neighborhood and headed home.

As soon as we got home Diogo got inspired to enjoy more of the lovely sunny day, so we drove out to the Columbia River Gorge to take in the sun and watch the boats pass on the river. We walked around a bit spotting a tiny bunny rabit and a woodpecker. Then, at the top of the hill we sat in the shade and enjoyed the panoramic view of the river and the hills on either side.

Then, yesterday, we walked over to Alberta street to enjoy the Art Hop. The street was closed to cars and there were vendors out selling art, crafts, food and drinks. There was live music and graffiti art. We ran into some people that we know and met new people on the way. Having a baby with you is a great way to meet people. Everyone wants to see him. We met up with Carol and walked around checking out all of the awesome art.

Today was a special day in Portland. It was the NE Portland Sunday Parkways. Miles of the roads in the city get closed to cars and people bike, walk, skateboard, or roller skate a big loop that leads to several different parks. At each park there is live music, food, games, and general merriment. We ran into more people that we know and enjoyed chatting and visiting with them. The weather was nice, warm but not too hot. We had a picnic in the park with Carol and Morgan, then Vinicio had a picnic too. It is so convenient that he can always take his food to go.

Life with Vinicio

Life with Vinicio

Here we are, Vinicio has been with us for less than a week and already it feels like forever. It is hard to remember what it felt like before he was born. We were waiting so anxiously for his arrival and once he got here all of that anxiety and impatience went right out the window. Now we are living each moment as it comes. The pace of our lives has slowed down, allowing us to treasure each minute that we have with him. Every expression and every movement seems captivating and amazing. He has us under a magical spell that makes us love him more than anything in the world.

So far he is a very easy going baby. He cries when he is hungry, has a full diaper or when we change him, but other than that he is mellow and calm. He likes to eat and sleep, staying awake for only an hour or so in between naps. Closeness seems to be his favorite thing and he is easily calmed by being held or pulled close and talked to. This works well because all Diogo and I want to do is hold him close and comfort him.

My mom, his Nana, was staying with us for the last two weeks, so she was here for the birth and around to help us out for the first five days of his life. He loves his Nana so much. Every day he sat for hours with her on the couch, napping and hanging out. She left to go home to California this morning and will come back in the summer for a visit with my dad (Grandpa) and my brother (Uncle Eli).

So for now, we are on our own and we feel prepared for this. Diogo and I are good at taking turns waking up in the night and sharing the chore of changing diapers. Now if only Diogo could breastfeed...