look, mom, new trick!

Rafael has started holding his own bottle from time to time. The nanny says he'll even do it with the big bottle! This one was just a little prune juice to get things moving...




And, as promised, fist eating.

our cultured kids

Rafa and Sylvia had some great cultural experiences today that they won't remember tomorrow. But, good times, nonetheless. We skipped church to attend a Simchat Bat, a baby naming ceremony in the Jewish tradition. It was a beautiful ceremony honoring some wonderful women in the families of the parents for whom the baby girl was named and celebrating the life and hope of the little sweet pea. Sylvia, of course had a ball. There were so many people to flirt with and smile at. Rafael was a little overwhelmed and preferred to just rest in D's arms. I was amazed at how many strangers came over to talk to us and treated us like family and friends and also a little saddened that the experience really stuck out to me that this is a rare thing. When I mentioned it to D, who agreed about the friendliness and kindness, he said, "maybe we should become Jewish!" If only this were the norm. I am now motivated to act accordingly when I have the opportunity.

After a nap and lunch, we watched the last couple innings of the Rice baseball game (undefeated) before strolling through campus and checking out the new Plensa installation.







Sylvia LOVED it! Of course she loves checking out anything and everything new, but that's beside the point.

little hands and feet

The Vassariños are making their transition from baby blobs to interactive infants. Rather than just flailing and kicking, they now move their arms and legs with purpose. Both kids like to scootch down in the bouncy chair so that they can put their feet up. (I must have taken the pic on D's phone, so you'll have to wait for the visual.). They also reach out an grab things. Like glasses. And earrings. And hair. And ears. And those suckers pull hard! Tonight Sylvia used her feet and wrapped them around my arm and pulled it near her!

It's incredibly fun to watch them gain control over their bodies. Of course, everything they touch goes instantly to their mouths. Including brother's arm.




Fingers, too.


I'll try to catch Rafa, he likes to gnaw on his whole fist. And he attacks it with vigor. It's hilarious.

playing some more

Ok, well maybe eating. Or trying to.

playing

mid-week fun

The nanny's daughter is in her first school musical today at 1pm, so I let her have the afternoon off to attend. Which means I've been able to play with these two!

more about sleep

The glory days of long hours of sleep are but a memory. Sylvia has sleep regressed. Hopefully it's just a growth spurt and will be over soon, but it could also be teething, her cold, poor naps, or a whole variety of things. She also is breaking out of her swaddle, but can't put herself back to sleep without it. Here is how I found her at one point tonight.




Which is why we're awake now since she woke up and couldn't go back to sleep until we reswaddled. Not a crutch we love but all attempts to wean her from it have been woefully unsuccessful. We'll try again at 6 months. Rafael, on the other hand, is starting to learn to sleep without it, although I have now found him sucking on his fingers since they're now available, which I was hoping to avoid. I might have to surrender that battle. At least he's sleeping well. That might be a tradeoff we are willing to make. Ok, she's now been quiet for 10 minutes, so I better catch a few more z's before dawn.