Move Over, Jane Fonda!

In the words of little Vivian Loeffert, "Work out, [Mateo], work out!"

Living in PJs

Papá says that Mama obsessively dresses Mateo in pajamas. I feel completely vindicated in light of images such as this:

Manitowoc style

Thanks for the sweater, Aunt Katie! The size on the tag says "12 months" but Mateo just thought that he would go ahead and grow into it 9 months early. 'Attaboy! It is like giving him a big hug from you everytime we put it on. And while the matching hat didn't make it to the photo, he falls asleep in it every night. (It is getting chilly here in Asturias.)


(His pose suggests that Mateo views this as his "thinking sweater.")

Mis-placed

You know that you are living in a house with older men when, during the course of one week, the following objects are found resting on the baby's polka-dotted, concave diaper changing pad:

1. Britta water dispenser (full)
2. T.V. remote control
3. Monthly bank statements
4. Plate of olives (?!)

The only thing missing is someone with whom to laugh about it in person.

Ode to Oviedo

All eyes (at least all Spanish eyes) were on Oviedo today as the annual Prince of Asturias Awards were celebrated here.

[Wikipedia says: The Prince of Asturias Awards (Spanish: Premios Príncipe de Asturias, Asturian: Premios Príncipe d'Asturies) is a series of prestigious annual prizes given in Spain by the Fundación Príncipe de Asturias to individuals, entities, organizations or others from around the world who make notable achievements in the sciences, humanities, or public affairs. The awards are presented in Oviedo, the capital of the Principality of Asturias at a ceremony presided by Felipe, Prince of Asturias. The Prince of Asturias Awards were established in 1981. A sculpture expressly created by Spanish sculptor Joan Miró is presented to the yearly recipients.]

It was a beautiful day and so Mateo and I went into Oviedo for an early afternoon walk through the city, an outing which I am quite sure will be one of the highlights of the season for us. It was sensational. We weaved our way through the heart of the old town, which was a'buzz with celebration and palpable excitement for the impending appearance of the Queen, Prince and Princess of Spain, as well as the likes of Rafael Nadal, Ingrid Betancourt, Margaret Atwood and the rest of this year's prize recipients. The cobbled streets were filled with people of all ages, gathering to watch and listen to the sea of bagpipers and traditional dance troupes that painted what seemed like every street corner and plaza, their familiar Asturian drum beats and castanets dancing. There were flags of all nations strung between the beautiful buildings and houses lining the main street in the heart of the city. People filled all of the sidewalk cafes and streamed out into the street crowds. It seemed like everyone wanted to be a part of the movement and music-making in the streets. The stone buildings of the old town turned to gold in the autumn light. It was stunning. It felt like the entire city was alive and happy. And terribly proud of being Asturian. What a gift to be a part of it!

City Hall

A view of the Cathedral (where B and I were married)

One of Oviedo's many plazas (above) and the sidewalk along San Francisco Park, one of the places where our walk took us

The streets of Oviedo

A view of the doors to Teatro Campoamor, where the ceremony is held, surrounded by crowds of bagpipers, dance troupes, fans, etc.

Mario and grandson watching the ceremony on television later that evening. (Yes, Mateo looks surprisingly engaged by the televised event.)

Getting his "Tummy Time" On

There is a lot of grunting and attempted elevation on his part and much encouragement and laughter on my part. He doesn't get all that far, but I think--comfortably planted on this colorful blanket alongside him and with my warm mug of morning coffee in hand--that that is just fine for right now.

Cheers to 3 months of this:

The oldest and youngest members of this household have become fast friends. They are, without a doubt, able to bring the best out of each other. It is a real treat to watch.

So, we are grateful and touched to see that our 93 year-old grandfather--one who, in order to entertain himself, I think, regularly fabricates answers to mundane questions, sneaks around the house and spies on the rest of us from corners, hallways and doorways, makes all of his morning and afternoon whereabouts a mystery even though our neighbors always tell us where he has been seen, who is constantly on the look-out for an unrealistically cheap haircut, and who has been known to spoil his appetite for lunch by eating a very late breakfast followed by a glass of white wine and tapas around town-- has the priceless gift of Peter Pan-like magic with our 3 month-old boy.