It will be a loooong 3 weeks

Soon after Emilio gave her a goodbye hug and kiss and went upstairs for his nap, Maria Rosa took a taxi to O'Hare and caught an Iberia Airbus to Madrid. Though I threw my body across the doorway in a desperate attempt to keep her from leaving, she managed to get away. During her two-week stay with us, Emi's abuela worked non-stop, changing diapers, shopping, cleaning house, doing laundry, playing with Emilio, taking him to the park, and feeding all five of us. She will be greatly missed. Luckily, she and Emi's abuelo Jaime are coming back 3 weeks from now on the 14th and 15th of December respectively and they will both be able to stay with us for a longer stretch of time then.

Siesta Time

Every afternoon before he takes a siesta and every night before he goes to bed (and every morning when he wakes up), Emilio gives his sibs a kiss and a gentle pat on the head. Sometimes, we wonder if he may be holding on a little too tight when he goes in for the kiss, so we're encouraging him to find another balancing point, but his enthusiasm for the ritual is hearwarming.

El ojo de la abuela

These photos were taken by Maria Rosa, who has been taking to Emilio to the park everyday (and sometimes to 2 parks in one outing). She has learned among other things that her grandson is a tree-hugger.

La abuela multitasks

La abuela talks to her cousin Elvita in Buenos Aires about the birth of Nina and Pablo, entertains Emilio by kicking balls under the gate between the kitchen and the play room, and gives us all a lesson in effective multitasking.

Short Shirt, Long Legs, Doo-Waa, Bye-Bye

In this video, we see how Emilio says good-bye to Grandmother and Granddaddy and thanks them for the Musical Blocks they gave him for his second birthday.

Emi Meets the Sibs

Emilio's Second

Birthday Moves

Birthday Flight

Birthday Ride

Bedtime Granddaddy

Grandmother and Granddaddy took a cab from Midway and got to Carmen just in time for Emi's bedtime bath and story.

Birthday Eve

Julie and Nathaniel dropped by the house this morning to bring Emilio presents--a Tiger Tee and a "Little Storyteller"--in celebration of his 2nd birthday tomorrow. (Jack came down with symptoms of mono this morning and couldn't make the trip.) Once he'd set his eyes on the Little Storyteller, Emilio realized he didn't want to divide his attention between it and his guests, so he bid the gift givers an abrupt adieu. Thanks guys (and get well soon, Jack).

Llego la abuela

Before flew into town on an Iberia jet this afternoon, Emilio hadn't seen his abuela since December 10th of last year. This visit will last until Saturday, November 24th. Jaime will come on the December 14th and Maria Rosa will follow him on the 15th and they will both stay with us until the 9th of January. We are very happy that they will be able to stay with us for so long.