Week 25: Silvan's first Solstice, Hannukah, and Christmas

This week, Silvan got to celebrate three different winter rituals. We're not sure he made much distinction between them: all three involved shiny wrapping paper, which he loves. We started the week with our observation of the Solstice. Silvan has been enjoying our live Solstice tree all month, and on this day we opened all our presents together as a new little family.

We also lit our first candle for Hannukah on the Solstice. We're celebrating Hannukah with Yifot this year. She taught us how to make latkes, and we ate them until we got sick. Yif has this awesome militant menorah from her folks in Israel:

When our celebrations were winding down later in the week, Bruce's parents came out from Dodge City, along with two chihuahuas and their puppies, to celebrate Christmas with us. This was their first time meeting Silvan. He was very taken with his Grandpa Zink's beard, and with his Grandma's hair and glasses.

We all spent a lot of time talking, and Bruce cooked clam chowder and roasted a duck.

Bruce's father taught us to make candles out of tangerines, and his mother taught Yif some knitting tricks.

Silvan was pleased with his toys, the lights and candles, and the attention. We are all about tired out.

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Weeks 23 and 24: Big city

Look what Silvan can do with a potato these days:

Silvan is definitely not a newborn anymore. We decided it was time to take him to the city for the first time. Bruce, Yifot, and I are all fugitive Cincinnati folks, so we loaded up and headed there for the weekend. Silvan got to experience his first hotel room, his first time waiting to cross at a light, and his first breakfast at the Proud Rooster (vicariously):

Silvan got to take a close look at a gazillion plants at the Krohn Conservatory. He also had the honor of being carried around and made much of by the storied proprietor of Sitwells Coffeehouse, our friend Lisa.
This visit also marked Silvan's first attendance at a punk basement show. Several punks commented on his hairstyle.
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Silvan at 22 Weeks

Silvan is looking like a little boy to me lately. His chin is emerging from his neck fat, giving him a pointy, pretty fox face. He has begun holding a toy in each hand, and can fish his pacifier from a pile of blocks with something like grace.
This week, we got a long-tie carrier to lug Silvan around in. We're having a lot of fun experimenting with different ways of wearing Silvan in it. He loves spending the day riding around on my stomach, watching all the totally boring things I do.
Also this week, Silvan ate his first mango. He was extremely pleased by it.
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21 Weeks: Baby's First Thanksgiving

This week, we loaded up the jeep with Silvan, Yifot, Daisy dog, and all our myriad stuff, and headed off to Missouri to have Thanksgiving with my folks. Silvan did great on his longest journey yet, provided we stopped at diners and antique shops periodically.

My folks, as usual, grabbed Silvan up and I didn't see much of him for a few days. Silvan has decided that his Grandpa is really funny (possibly, funny looking). There was a lot of hysterical laughter from Silvan, and a nice walk on the rock beach by their little house deep in the woods.
Silvan got to meet his great-grandparents, Jim and Gretchen, for the first time. He was very interested in his great-grandma, and held his great-grandpa's finger in his little hand.

I was more grateful for the things in my life this year than I can remember ever being.
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