Mary Poppins?

Wednesday was Mari's first official day back at work and the first day since last May that Emilio experimented with spending part of the workday with a babysitter. Jack and Julie recommended Dionne to us (she and Nathaniel are pals) and when we met her and her 21-month-old daughter Michelle last Sunday it was easy to see why. The threesome was getting along famously when I left for work this morning and when Mari came home this afternoon , the happy state of affairs continued. Dionne reported that Emilio had eaten well, played well, napped long and cried not at all, which was welcome news to his mama and papa. Dionne and Michelle are coming back on Thursday and on Saturday (Mari and I are actually going to the movies--woo hoo!) and next Tuesday (maybe), but then, alas, they will begin working with another family. Obviously, we hope Emilio's next babysitting experiences are as successful as today's.

¡Que los cumplas feliz, abuela!

Revelry, Ritual and Another Clean Bill

Emilio and I took a break from the Cowboys delightful 30-7 slaughter of the Saints on Monday night (note the iconography on the Cowboy onesie that Brian brought him on his most recent visit to the Windy City) to indulge in our nightly round of Karaoke. Current hits include: "I Got You Babe," "Born to Be Wild," "Monday, Monday," "Beat It," "We Got the Beat," and "Rocket Man." Our harmonies are a work in progress.

At his nine-month check-up on Tuesday, Emilio weighed in at 22 pounds and got his Hepatitis innoculation. The shot was a shock, but he got over it quickly, and Dr. Samayoa told Mari that Emilio looks entirely healthy.

A week from today, Mari starts back to work so we are currently trying to figure out what we're going to do about childcare. When we make a decision, I'll post the details here.

The Swimmer

Misa Criolla en el Millennium

Llegan los tios

The Nephew