Sleeping without the Swaddle

Remember Mateo like a burrito? Yes, he looked like a burrito to me since day one because that was the only way he could fall asleep and stay that way for a long stretch. In several occasions we tried unsuccessfully to encourage him to sleep without the swaddle and it was a waste of time. He would be a big threat to his pretty face because trying to go to sleep he will scratch his face to the point of hurting himself. Not anymore! Finally at 5 months of age, almost like a little miracle, he stopped needing to be swaddled. Now he is taking his naps and sleeping at night with a different look. He looks like a little man and not a burrito anymore. I love his little hands now touching my face or my hair at night. I love my baby!!

Mateo just born

Mateo at 5 months

5 month old!

It is amazing how big and alert Mateo is now. His days are so much fun to live that his sleep hour in the evening has moved from 6 to 7 or 8 pm. His naps also went from 5 to 3 a day. There is so much to see and learn. Sadly, these past two days Mateo has been sick with a cold, his very first cold. The sudden changes from hot to cold made him vulnerable to get sick, I think. The doctor said he should be fine in couple of days and that he should be fussy as well. Yes, last night we were awake often comforting him and I had to sleep almost sitting so he can breath well. He also slept hugging me at night and during his day naps today, it was a nice cuddling time. By the end of the day today, it seemed like the worst had happened and tomorrow I hope it will be a better day. Let's see what night we have tonight.

We love our boy and every time we (I) feel so tired I remember the blessing he is in our lives.

Happy Birthday little one :)

Hidden Villa fun

He is so active now

Where did my little baby that once used to just eat, sleep,  poop and be easily entertained when awake go? I have another baby now! He definitely has grown to be a lively, curious, always alert infant. He now wants to learn it all, reach everything and run it by his drooly mouth. We can't stop his learning, we need to be on the move thus we are always finding new ways to keep him entertained. This month he has learned to roll over very well and not just that but he is starting to attempt to crawl and reach objects in front of him. He has started to taste strawberries, watermelon and apples and loved their taste.  He has smelled tons of flowers and gone for a stroll around the farm every morning. He has enjoyed Bob Dylan and Beatles' music. And to finish his busy days he has a bath every afternoon at 5. 

We are all enjoying so much Mateo's changes, he is the light of our lives. 

My dorky hat

A song for Mateo

I used to play this song everyday for Mateo, when I was pregnant. 

Pilgrim by Enya

Pilgrim, how you journey 

On the road you chose

To find out why the winds die
And where the stories go.

All days come from one day
That much you must know,
You cannot change what's over
But only where you go.

One way leads to diamonds,
One way leads to gold,
Another leads you only
To everything you're told.

In your heart you wonder
Which of these is true;
The road that leads to nowhere,
The road that leads to you.

Will you find the answer
In all you say and do?
Will you find the answer
In you?

Each heart is a pilgrim,
Each one wants to know
The reason why the winds die
And where the stories go.

Pilgrim, in your journey
You may travel far,
For pilgrim it's a long way
To find out who you are...

Pilgrim, it's a long way
To find out who you are...

Pilgrim, it's a long way
To find out who you are...

Do we have a sleep problem?

It all depends how you see it. If I think of the lack of restful sleep I have every night, yes, we have a problem. But if I consider all the changes Mateo is going through so fast, no, I think it is all normal and it will get better with time. Mateo has slept 12 hours a night (waking up 2 or 3 times) since birth. Taking care of him at night has been pretty easy. I never had a bad night because he wakes up, eats and goes right back to sleep, no fuss no mas. However, since I went back to work (6 weeks ago) his sleep schedule has changed very much. Now he is waking up every two or one hour! Based on what I have read,  two things could be the cause of this change in night behavior; one, he is making up for the food he does not get when I am gone to work in the mornings (he is very lousy with the bottle) and two, he wants to nurse more because I am sleeping next to him. I feel more tired in the mornings now and hope he sleeps longer soon. Yesterday, I almost give up this situation and I had Mateo started the night in his crib alone. Two hours went by and I had him again in our bed. I could not let him cry to go back to sleep as some doctors recommend. I just can not do that to my little baby. 

Looking at the big picture, he is sleeping very well at night and is a very happy and content baby during the day. After all, he is rolling over, chatting and so interested in everything and everybody that he can not keep up with all. He needs to eat more and feel safe and secure next to us. I think we are doing what resonates better with us as parents. He is happy and I am happy, just with a little less sleep than before he came to my life.

I like the doll

I love my daddy's beard

I am a drool factory

I love the train

The first thing my father bought when he knew I was a boy

I love him very much

Good times

Today we enjoyed an Ecuadorian feast! We had lamb, fresh harvested corn, rice, plantain, aji and chocolate cake with fresh strawberries for desert. It was delicious!

In our way to harvest the strawberries and the corn, we had the pleasure to spot a hawk very close. I think the hawk had a big prey at sight, maybe a snake. He had his eyes fix on one spot that did not move when I got close to take the photo. What a beautiful creature!

The strawberries here at Hidden Villa are so good. I eat so many in such short time. I let Mateo try one for the first time. He seemed to like them. No funny face with this one.


Few days ago, Pat set up the hammock in our backyard under a tree. Mateo loved it! It is a nice place to hang out on the hot afternoons. 

Great place to go after a long day of work. Have a beer and cuddle with baby.

Lorelei gave Mateo this hat as a gift. He looks so darn cute in it. 

Bath time is so refreshing for Mateo, specially these days that are so hot. He tries to reach objects now.