Seven Months

Nicolas playing with his friend, Zoe

I haven't been blogging recently.  I barely have time to even read blogs anymore.  I rely on Facebook and AOL news to connect me with the outside world! Well, and Play Group.  Its been a lifesaver to be able to get together with other moms who have kids the same exact age as Nicolas.  We compare growth milestones and talk about concerns and achievements.  Its been fun to see all the babies grow, change and become so active and interacting with each other.

Nicolas is now seven months and is really changing.  His personality is so fun, but he's also got his really grumpy times, which is something new in the last couple of months.  He's starting to crawl and will do anything to get to the objects he really wants...the remote control, our DVDs and the wires running to the TV speakers!  He's also decided that he really enjoys vegetables.  Its been a little struggle, trying to figure out what he would eat.  And of course, he's not a big fan of anything that I home-cooked and froze for him a few months ago.  He's in love with green beans and has also been eating: peas, spinach, sweet potatoes combined with pumpkin and carrots, apple sauce and butternut squash.  I try to force some peaches and prunes every couple of days to keep his insides moving!

There aren't any teeth showing through yet, but Nic has been chewing on everything.  He really likes to rub his Born Free sippy cup against his gums for relief and because it makes a really fun sound.  He goes through about 2 shirts everyday because of his crazing drooling and we've had to take special care of the rash on his neck from the wetness.

We went to Brazil for almost three weeks in September so that Nicolas could meet all the rest of his family.  Everyone loved him and did not want to see him get on the plane.  They all spoiled him rotten, jumping at any little sound he made and lavishing him with kisses!  Grandpa fed him apples, which came out looking the same as when they went in and Tia Daiana taught him to touch his pointer finger to hers, E.T. style.  We were able to take Nicolas to his first theme park, Beto Carrero World, where he rode the carousel, the flying elephants and the train.

After living out of suitcases for three weeks, though, we were all ready to get home.  We were all tired and grumpy by the time we caught our fifth plane in 24 hours in Denver.  I couldn't even walk the terminal so Alex had to catch a ride for us on a cart. 

The time changed the day after we got home, so getting Nicolas adjusted to the five hour time difference was very trying.  We've been trying to get him to sleep for longer stretches in his crib during the night, but he isn't having any of it.  A few nights last week, he did really well and it really helped his daytime naps, but recently its been a struggle once again.  I don't mind him in our bed, I just wish he wouldn't take up 75% of it!! :)

The leaves had all changed color and fallen while we were in Brazil, and now it has been snowing/raining the last few days.  Surprisingly, Alex is really enjoying the colder weather...we will see if it lasts through his first morning of driving to work!!  I, on the other hand, am having a really hard time with all the dreary days during the last week.  The sun only came out during one afternoon and besides that, the skies have been gray all day long!  I think Nic and I need to find some inside activity outside the home to burn off some of his energy.

Nicolas got to see his first snow on Saturday morning...not sure he was all the impressed!  And we are all looking forward to his first Christmas.  He sent his wishlist to Grammy the other day.  A full page of fun things, pictures included...who needs Santa when you have Grammy? 

We also had our Christmas pictures taken.  It was the first time that Nicolas wasn't all smiles for the photographer.  I'm not sure if he was tired, feeling a little bit of stranger danger or if this is the new him...a little more grumpy, a little less easy to please, but still the cutest kid in the world!