Gabriel and Liam meet

Yesterday Glenn, Ceri and Liam came to Chicago and we met for brunch. We had a very good time, and we hope to be seeing more of them now that we live so close (they live in Madison, Wisconsin). I think we'll go visit them in a couple of weeks or so, so that the kids can have fun and play for a while.

Thanksgiving with Abuelo Ernesto and Tia Melissa

We had a few visitors for Thanksgiving this year in Chicago. Abuelo Ernesto was here with Oca, as well as Tia Melissa and Tio Can. MJ made the best turkey I've ever had (after my mom's, of course) and I made a few veggies. Barbara made a pumpkin pie that was just superb.




Gabriel is talking more and more every day. He's still behind his class in that department, but he is way ahead when it comes to motor skills. He is one of the few kids in his daycare that drinks from a cup with no lid, he builds the tallest cube towers, and he runs the fastest. He is the sweetest little boy.

The Ringling Bros Circus is in Town

So we went to the circus yesterday and Gabo had such a great time. He had a chance to see up close and personal the elephants he talks about all the time, not to mention the tigers, the dogs, cats, horses, birds and zebras. But what he liked the most was the clowns.
He did pretty good for a 1 1/2 year old. He watched the first two and a half hours of the show before trying to take a nap on the bleacher's floor. Maybe next year he'll be able to check out the whole thing.

Here are a few pics from our day. Tia Prima Ma Betty and MJ went with us.

Family Pictures

At the day care center they wanted Gabriel to have a picture of the whole family, so we decided to go and get our pictures taken by a professional. Here they are!

Primeras fotos de David Alfredo

Hoy me hicieron el ultrasonido para chequear al bebé, y ¡es varón! Se llama David Alfredo. Aqui están sus primeras fotos.

Baby's name, Toronto, day care and more

Hola todos,

This week Gabriel had his first week at day care, and he seems to like it. He's still going through not seeing us all the time, but he'll get over it. His teachers are very nice (all four of them), and Gabriel likes them too. Of course, nothing like his old teacher, Mona, but she was really special.

Barbara also started to teach this past week, and her class is very engaged. She really likes it. The hours are not so hot, but her students are better than her students at UL. She also went to the doctor and we will know in four weeks the gender of our new baby, due February 21. We are very excited about that.

About the baby's name. Leave your suggestions as comments. We have ideas, but nothing final. The main restriction is that the first name has to work both in Spanish and English. Examples of names that doesn't work are Jose and John. A name that works is Gabriel. We need names for both girls and boys, so don't be shy now.-

Ok, lets talk about the pictures. I have a few from my recent trip to Toronto, and a few from Gabos doing crazy terrible twos things. Enjoy.



This is me with Rebecca, my god-daughter.













This is Daniel, looking good... as always.












This is Raquelita with her new story book












This is Tio Nelson, also looking really good.












These are Tia Lulu and Rebequita











Gabo and a bucket of Legos











...and more Legos











Before going to school.












Oh yeah baby. Italian is always so good.

El Abuelo Alfredo en Chicago

Grandpa Alfredo came to visit us in Chicago for a few days last week. We had a great time even though the apartment is only half unpacked. Is a little bit better every day, but it's not easy to fit a 3 bedroom home into a 2 bedromm apartment.
Gabo was great with his abuelito. The first morning, when dad left for work, he cried as he left. I guess Gabriel thought it was a really short visit. El abuelo did not forget to bring his cammera, so here are a few pics form our first days in Illinois.
By the way, we love Oak Park. We are not moving any more (I really hope so).