Thanksgiving 2010

Winston is 5 months old today - at this time 5 months ago, Dave and I were sitting on the couch, watching TV, and timing contractions. When I think about all that we've experienced in these 150 days, I am stunned it is such a short amount of time - it feels like Winston has been with us forever (in a good way).
Winston has maintained his sunny disposition as he's gotten bigger. He wakes us up most days with a "THUMP THUMP" as he swings his legs around his crib and pounds his hands on either side. He is slobbering like a champ, and invariably is chewing on something - clearly preparing for the joy of teething. He's also testing out his voice - screeching and cooing and mimicking our mouth movements when we talk to him. He loves to play - right now Dave is holding him and pretending they are in a boat rocking side to side by waves. Winston is delighted and can't get enough.
We measured Winston a few days ago and he is 25 inches and about 16 pounds...fairly average as babies go but he feels very solid and strong and is getting so heavy that I have a hard time hefting him around in his baby carrier. Objectively, he is not fat - but he looks so different than he did just 2 months ago that the ladies at daycare call him "gordo" and remark that he went fromt being the smallest to the biggest overnight.
Winston and I survived his second plane ride a few weeks ago - we visited Los Angeles where I had 3 solid days of work and Winston basked in the attention of Kathy, Barb, Mary Jo and Sarah. He was an angel on the flights, and we're hopeful he'll maintain that angelic disposition during the next few weeks, as we're scheduled to visit Houston and Madison in December.

Winston experienced his first thanksgiving yesterday here in Miami. I think next Thanksgiving will be more revelatory for him - right now he is still exclusively drinking milk and missed out on the delicious meal prepared by Michelle and Andy. Winston basked in the attention of Andy's Aunt Susan and Uncle Jim and their children.

We were entertained by the whirling dervish that is Lili - she was in rare form yesterday after missing her nap (which I am told actually increases the energy level...good to know).

Dave and I are looking forward to the long weekend, our last at home for the next few weeks. We are debating the wisdom of buying our Christmas tree now (and having a totally dried out tree by the 25th) vs. waiting a bit and risking a tree shortage which always seems to happen here in Miami.

Everglades

Winston has started to sleep for longer periods of time at night. He is usually in bed by 9 pm, awakes at midnight for a light feeding, and then sleeps soundly until 6 or even 7 am. Dave and I are both getting plenty of sleep and it makes everything so much better to be well-rested.

On Monday morning, we awoke to find that Winston had flipped himself over in the middle of the night, from his back to his belly. We've not actually seen him do this during the day, but it is yet another sign that he is growing and gaining control over his body.

Dave has noticed that Winston is much more alert - he watches each of us very intently when we are in the room and brightens up considerably whenever he sees new people or hears conversation. He is definitely a social baby - he loves the hub bub whereever we are, and nothing beats flirting with a pretty girl.

We've had somewhat of a cold spell this weekend, so we took advantage of the cool weather to take Winston to the Everglades for the first time. Here are a few pictures of our adventure.

Winston and I communing with a billy goat at ROBERT IS HERE, the best fruit in S. Florida. We bought a box of veges and a key lime pie milkshake, which was awesome. A visit to Robert is Here is part of the ritual of visiting the everglades!

I am wearing Grandpa Kuhl's hat - can't wait until Winston is big enough to wear it and hear stories about his great grandpa.

Dave and Winston getting their gangster on (although neither of them look particularly tough...).

Halloween 2010...Annie, the Penguin, and Cleopatra

We had an eclectic mix of costumes last Sunday, and fun was had by all. Michelle and Andy brought Little Orphan Annie (Lili) over to visit Cleopatra (me) and Penguin (Winston). Lili was just about the cutest Annie ever. Her grandmother actually made the costume 30 years ago for Michelle!

We stayed close to home and gave out candy to gaggles of kids (but fewer gaggles than in years past, perhaps because it was a Sunday). It is incredible to think that next year, Winston will be able to navigate himself around the block as a trick or treater.