What awaited him:

We safely arrived in Virginia after a flight of continual *wakefulness* on the part of the youngest among us.  All was worth it, however, as Mateo was happily greeted by Uncle Robert and Gram's super insightful Christmas gift, the Rainforest Jumperoo.  A 5 month-old and his parents could ask for little more.   

*Fun for the whole family with the Jumperoo to follow in subsequent posts.

5 months old, will travel

It is hard for us to believe that our little guy is already 5 months old.  Life with him just gets better and better.  He is constantly smiling and has just discovered a high-pitched "chirp" that he uses when he is most gleeful.  He is happiest when he is standing and requires less and less of our assistance doing so, mostly just relying on us for getting him up and maintaining his balance now.  He has discovered how to grab things and bring them (everything, that is) into his mouth--you know where he has been by the presence of his saliva.   He remains a great eater and sleeper and, most importantly, brings so much joy into this home.

And so, with Christmas upon us and this little red elf in tow, over the Atlantic and through the Virginian woods, to Grandmother's house we go! 

rain colors

This is the biological phenomenon that occurs outside our living room window each day at 2pm during the rainy season.  The doors of the elementary school across the street become host to dozens of adult umbrellas greeting their little offspring umbrellas' ebullient exit and zig-zagged dispersion from school.

Giving solids a go

*bib courtesy of Grandfather Mario



He took down the puréed fruit like a champ and finished with one less sock and one more smile. We think that Mateo could probably do a decent job of polishing off a leg of lamb, though, if given the proximity, so strong is his interest in food at this point.

To Sunnier Climbs

Our holiday weekend (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception) began with a 9-hour train ride to the southwestern coast of Spain on Friday to visit Maria, Francisco and Mercedes, Mateo's 6 year-old cousin, in Alicante.

The sun was out in ways Asturias won't see for months, the town was celebrating the holiday, and we spent most of the weekend walking outside, eating well and watching Mateo and Mercedes engage in cousin-play.

Mercedes has her way with Mateo

a morning at home

awaiting dessert

off to mass, Mateo with his godmother and Mercedes

cousin socks

While Mom does laundry...

The little one, swaddled and surfing the net with Grandfather.

Winter is here

...and with it, the gratifying task of bundling this happy baby, indoors and out.