August 09

August brought Papá to the United States--to stay, this time-- and brought me back to be with both of my guys in VA while I did a rotation at DC Children's Hospital for the month. Aside from the fact that I had to wake up each morning around 4:45am and leave my sleeping family to go to work, it was all mollified by knowing that Mateo was spending his days in the company of his dad and grandmother and that I would usually get back home in time to enjoy the late afternoon light and neighborhood summer activities at their side.

No better way to celebrate our U.S.-European co-heritage than attending the DC United v. Real Madrid soccer match, courtesy of my father. We cloaked ourselves in the Spanish flag (no joke) and had a spectacular afternoon, made all that much sweeter by Madrid's 3-0 victory-- it's no secret where our loyalties lie when it comes to futbol.

A Sunday trip to the Natural History Museum. Mateo couldn't get over the big cats (a mix of fear and fascination, I think) and spent the better half of the afternoon roaring in his stroller.

Mateo and the mailbox = a love affair that lasted all summer long

This image epitomizes the summer.

A little bit of post-nap grogginess makes this little one stop and snuggle where usually he would run/laugh/point/roll/shout/explore.

Best buds

(If you're happy and you know it, fireman edition)

I was amazed by the length of this fish's tenure in our kitchen. A surprisingly resilient helium balloon, this guy became a steady presence in our summertime play.

Loving the guac

(By way of introduction)

This is how I often found him upon returning from work.

There is little more relaxing than rocking chairs on the porch on an August afternoon...

...especially when fresh fruit and Guinness (the dog) are involved.

The grandparents' house is not too slowly converted into a child's paradise.

An afternoon in Georgetown: We looked at beautiful row houses and Mateo focused on parking meters.

A quick jaunt up to New York to sign the lease on our new apartment

A return to our neighborhood, two blocks from the hospital and--equally important--1 block away from Central Park and its infinite play-grounds

The Summer of S.kype

The result of a summer spent straddling the Atlantic Ocean and the need to somehow see each other on a daily basis:

good morning

witnessing daily improvement in walking from afar

family portrait

three-way adoration

play

call over

looking cool for the extended family

close-up

demonstrating his new skills

and again

By the end of the summer, Mateo would lunge for any computer he laid his eyes on, sure that his Papá was waiting for him inside of it.

How grateful we are that our long-distance familial situation was a temporary one.

July 2009

We shared the first days of July in Virginia with Bernardo, before his return to Spain. Then, Gram, Mateo and I headed to Manitowoc, Wisconsin for the 4th of July in cousin heaven before I returned to NY for my sub-internship in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Upon returning from a visit to the fire station with his summer play group

(Won't you stay this age forever?)

An afternoon walking in and outside of Union Station before Papá left Washington

A flight of play en route to Manitowoc

Afternoon light and all the in-flight entertainment we will ever need

Cousin bliss for Mimi, Mateo and Lola; one very happy mama and aunt

Mimi does wondrous things.

Katie and I with our happy brood on the new front porch; two generations of cousin heaven.

Peeking

Fourth of July

Love

The first of three 1st birthday celebrations, this one for his mama's sake

A most joyous visit from Juanny, de facto grandmother extraordinaire! (Mateo is seen here clothed in her handiwork.)

Blessed, too, by a summer barbecue in the good company of my high school English teacher and dear friend, Dave Sharrett, and his lovely wife, Vicki, up for a visit from Central VA

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My wonderful maternal grandfather, Bomps, passed away in late July, and his siblings, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered in Manitowoc to celebrate him. I was unable to go, but was transported there through the generosity of my sister and Aunt Sarah, who sent me a handful of pictures each day. I am quite sure that Bomps was smiling in heaven at the sight of four generations of loved ones reunited in his honor.

Telling Bomps stories

Happiness is.

Rumbling up and down the driveway with his cousins

a beautiful shot of abuelo and grandson

The photographer-sister herself, carrying sweet Adeline inside her

Mom/Gram, looking especially like her own mother/my Gram (and Bomps' beautiful wife)

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails...

June 2009

June marked the beginning of 2 months of separation for Bernardo, Mateo and me. This would have been devastating, rather than merely heartbreaking, had it not been for the extremely generous grandparents who offered their home, time and fullest energy to take care of Mateo in Virginia for the summer while B finished his teaching and Masters program in Spain and I did a month of pediatric hematology/oncology and a sub-internship in the neonatal intensive care unit in New York. It was impossible to feel devastated once we saw what a wonderful time Mateo was having at "summer camp" with his grandparents, as much as we ourselves missed him and each other. I also had the good fortune of being able to return to Virginia almost every weekend to spend 2 days with the little one each week.

M helped me unpack, inspecting each item thoroughly.

Newly arrived, back in Grandma's arms for the summer

Stopping for a friendly visit on the way into mass

During one of our many, many trips to the fabulous park near my parents' house; he looks like a miniature striped train conductor here

Helping his abuela unload/reload/misload the dishwasher, an oft-repeated activity (my mother's patience is lovingly immense!)

A perfect activity for this new and enthusiastic walker (oh, those legs!)...

...with the perfect companion. (I love this picture.)

Aunt Julie and Uncle Matthew in the house, a treat for all of us--Mateo, especially-- and a look into the future as this lovely couple is now expecting a little one of their own

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An interview at Beth Isreal Medical Center in NY was the perfect justification for sneaking in a 10-day visit with Papá.

Such a happy arrival for all of us!

One of many tender scenes with these two

Exhibit B: Coming home from morning mass together

This may have been the start of this child's extreme appreciation for bubbles (think trembling excitement, shrieking, dancing...).

The pool man with his beloved Swiffer, taking his jobs quite seriously

Backyard buddies

(Be still my heart.)

Poolside lunch, a string of happy days

A short break for outside exploring during mass

Lingering outside of church