Abby, Zoë and Enzo

It seems like I was just doing an entry about you being one week old and now here you're already a month!  It's odd how it can seem like just yesterday I was getting to know you in the hospital, but at the same time how it can feel like a lifetime ago, as if you've always been here.

You are just now beginning to be awake more during the day and if last night is any indication, you might be ready to give up your boycott of sleeping at night.  Day time eating times are out with everyone being lively and we chat with you, while night time is kept dark and uninteresting.  It's not that you are awake and ready to interact, you just have a hard time with gas which doesn't make for good sleep.  Last night you had one three hour stretch of sleep and a two hour stretch of sleep, and then were up more frequently after that, but those stretches of sleep sure were nice.  Sometimes your sleep is restless, due to the belly issues, but hopefully once your digestive tract matures more, this will get better.  Also I think that once we're back home and I'm eating more greens as well as fruits and veggies, and less of the fried and junk foods we've been having here, that should help.  It is great to see you awake more often.  Abby and Zoë love it when you stares at them.  Sometimes they'll go get a playing card or something for you to focus on while you're getting your diaper changed and they love it when the object keeps your attention and they rave about how they kept you happy.  The only thing about awake time here without a bouncy seat or something of the sort, it pretty much means me holding you upright so that you can check things out.  You're really strengthening your neck muscles as well as your chest and arm muscles though.

I think that you are going to be a cuddler.  I know that all infants like to be held, it's logical that this would be their preference, but you hve some extra snuggle habits.  Sometimes when I pick you up or move you from cradling to upright, you'll grab both hands and arms around my neck as if you're hugging me.  Also, you like to hold things tightly to your body, even if it's not me.  When you're having a diaper change, I'll put the burp rag by your arm and you'll grab it it and hug it tight to your body the whole change.  You also like to reach out and grab my shirt and clutch it to yourself either while you're eating or when you're lying next to me in the bed.  It could just be my wishful thinking of wanting a cuddly little boy who likes to snuggle his Mommy, but I think you're going to be a love bug.

As far as physical changes go, you're starting to lose your hair now.  Just like the girls, you're losing it on top, while the back and sides still have dark long locks.  Daddy keeps saying how much your face has changed, already making you look older.  And needless to say, you certainly have grown.  While for the girls coming to Brazil has been an adventure, for you the adventure will be going home for the first time.  We're wondering what your reaction to things will be, like the plane ride, being buckled in to your car seat for the first time, hence not being able to just nurse while driving down the road, sleeping in your playpen, sitting in your rocker and having tummy time on something a bit more interesting than the orange couch cover.  And of course, meeting all of the friends and family who have eagerly been waiting to spend some time with you.