What day is it?

Since Juan's arrival, the days and nights have run together, the weekdays feel like weekends and dates have ceased to be of importance. Bathing is not a priority, and neither is sleep, though both would be a breathe of fresh air. The first week was a breeze. sleeping 3 hour stretches, no real crying or complaining to mention. We thought we had gotten lucky and had skipped all the sleepless nights that all new parents remember with a wincing look in their eyes. But the honeymoon is over and the roller coaster ride has begun.

The song, "Up all night, Sleep all Day" comes to mind.

Little Juan, or Nickie, or Johnny, or whatever you want to call him, as he is a buffalo of many colors, is a delight. He is beautiful and growing fast. (eating like a champ!) He has already, in less than a month, reached 10 pounds, and we estimate he gains around 50grams each day. Needless to say that most of the clothing we received as gifts he has already outgrown.
He smiles frequently and grunts and growls like a feral cat if you try to kiss him while he is nursing, and is already showing signs of a very strong personality. (was there ever a doubt?)

After everything was said and done, he ended up being born an Aquarius, in the year of the ox, in the element of earth.

The Ox or the Buffalo sign symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work. A person born during this year will be dependable, calm and methodical. A patient and tireless worker, he sticks to routine and conventions. Although he is generally fair-minded and a good listener, it is difficult to make him change his views as he is stubborn and often has strong prejudices.

This child will not be a crybaby. He is unusually tough and can endure hardship. A rugged individualist, he tends to begin speaking late and would rather settle arguments with his fists. Stubborn and unyielding, he can turn the house upside down when he puts his mind to it. He is not the fussy type but will be adamant about the few concessions he demands.

So far, all of this has rung true. He is not a crybaby, he simply wants to be held, and lets it be known...not by crying but by grunting and sputtering, turning red, and then finally screaming until his little fists tremble. hahaha oh what awaits me!

He has nights where he sleeps like a champ, and others where WE don't sleep but an hour or two.

We have enjoyed these last three weeks tremendously, and none of us are looking forward to Monday when Claudio has to go back to work. We have filled the days with firsts: first baths, first day at the river, first bottle, first doctors appointments...etc and we will be sad to see the vacation days go back to routines, though, it will be a mere three days until my mommy arrives for 2 weeks, so the depression will be covered up with excitement.

So here are a bunch of photos of Juani's first month of life. Enjoy!