Gonzalez Turkey Day

So Thursday was Thanksgiving at the Gonzalez home and this year more than any other I noticed how completely boy-centric this family is. In total there are 8 cousins (including Mateo). Only 2 are girls and one of the girls is only 1 year old which pretty much leaves the other girl to fend for herself. This year more than last all of the boys are mobil which basically means that there were a lot of raucous footsteps up and down the stairs, balls being thrown, people being chased, people being knocked over, jumping on couches, jumping on chairs crawling under and around furniture, yelling, laughing, and occasional crying. Whew...it was no wonder I saw my mother-in-law reach for a very large glass of red wine and look up to the heavens. I know exactly what she was thinking "next year we are eating out."

Some of the cousins playing in Abuelo's office.

Group HUG!!! Note all of the cousins are not pictured as it is virtually impossible to get them all in one place. We will try again on New Year's.

Mateo, Papi and Padrino are wiped out after a big meal. Nothing like a big dose of tryptophan to put you in a sleepy mood.

What's Happened Since Election Day

I know it has been a while since our last posting, but it has been a busy couple of weeks. Birthdays in D.C. dancing, cleaning, piano playing, wedding...these things take up a lot of time, but we are back on track until the next event (wait is tomorrow Thanksgiving?).

The happy couple, Tio Irv and Tia Astrid, leaving the church on a perfectly sunny crisp Autumn day.

The boys are back in town....Eddie, Orlando, Irv and Leo reunite for the big day. My how things have changed since CMU.

The trio - Tio Leo stayed with us all weekend and accompanied Eddie and I to Irv's wedding.

Dress change - Eddie, Astrid, Irv and I strike a pose at their reception.

Mateo takes his cues  a la Tom Hanks in the movie Big. He had fun running up and down the keyboard at FAO when he went to visit Tio Cesar.

So Mateo has a new favorite "chore" before it was laundry and now it is washing dishes, but only when thick suds are involved.

He tries to use his bubble wand to cultivate the clouds of soap.

For some reason Mateo has taken to putting things (pots, pans, chalk boards, spoons, crates, pencils) on his head and calling them "hat"....maybe he will be a fashion designer.

VICTORY!

So I took this picture on my camera phone in June of this year when we went to go see Obama speak in New York. I really didn't believe at the time that I was taking a picture of the next President of the United States of America. I was moved then when I heard him speak, but tonight I can't grasp the words to express how I feel. I just know that it's a feeling that I don't want to forget.

Election Day

So I just put Mateo to bed and of course he has no idea how incredibly important today is, but as you can see from his shirt we made sure that since he can't really articulate what today means at least he can be a walking advertisement. I would be a liar if I said I don't care how it turns out, but what I am equally excited about is that so many people are voting and getting involved. There is an exciting and nervous energy in the air which I have never felt. Either way I know this is a night we will never forget.

Who's Afraid of the Lollipop Kid

So Mateo didn't take too kindly to me eating a Blow Pop (Halloween candy) and felt it was his duty to take it away from me by any means necessary. Let the battle begin! There was a video, but due to upload limitations the pix below will have to do.

One of many blows to my head.

Now he attempts to push my head back while he yanks at the lollipop stick.

Finally a compromise. I get to keep my Blow Pop and Papi gave Mateo his own lollipop...whew, lucky for me because I was probably going to lose the fight.

Halloween - Mateo's Many Roles

I guess Mateo wanted to start Halloween as soon as possible. Maybe he knew what was in the works because this morning he decided to wake up at 4AM. Both of us were too tired to go in and try and figure out what was wrong so Eddie just brought him into our bed. Normally this tactic is a bad idea because he treats our bed as playworld, but this morning we plopped him in between us and we went back to sleep. He tossed and turned and tossed and turned some more and then finally settled in. He actually fell asleep. Although most of this sleep time was peaceful for all, there were some interruptions like when he insisted on putting his rather large head on Eddie's diaphragm and when he kicked me in my eye socket. So let the day begin...


Mateo in the role of Sleeping Beauty or maybe Sleeping Handsome since he's a boy. You can see that he and Papi were able to sleep this morning, but there was only a sliver of room left for Mami.

Mateo readies himself for his role as DIEGO - the Animal Rescuer

As Diego he enjoys some of the same benefits as Mateo (i.e. getting to snack on cookies in the swing)

He also enjoys a few papas fritas with Mami before he starts on his mission .

Diego - The Climber!


Diego - The Warrior! "Arrrrgh!!!"

Let's switch gears as the weather got chillier, Mateo decides to portray a new character...that of a rabble-rouser (Note the rock in the left hand, straw in the right and the knit cap and hoodie).

Watch how he tries to take down Tigger and Winnie the Pooh by sneaking up behind them.

Finally, Mateo in the role that I love - My Son! Although as you can see, 1.5 seconds after this picture was taken he was off and running once again...ah well...

Autumn Celebration - Part 2

This weekend there was yet another festival in Hoboken which was basically celebrating Autumn. This one was a little different as it was not sponsored by a school, it was thrown by the city of Hoboken and there was also no charge at this one - all rides and food were completely free (i.e. coming out of our tax dollars). It was a really pleasant day weather wise and there were a lot of fun activities - mazes, pumpkins, hay rides, pony rides, train rides and more.

Papi and Mateo look out onto the water with the same inquisitive look.

 

Mateo rearranging the kiddie soccer field

Inflatable Dragon - this was really cool, but I think he was too young. They basically walk along the inside of the dragon from the mouth to the tale. The one hiccup is they need to climb up these ropes (see green section of dragon) to then slide down (see purple section). Most of the kids were Mateo's age and there was a big bottle neck at the climbing the rope section because none of them knew what to do and were just looking around. Adults weren't really allowed on the inside so we were all trying to direct them by peeking through the window and yelling really obvious and unhelpful things like "climb the rope." Finally the man running the Dragon had to climb inside and pick them all up to get to the top of the slide which they all then slid down...completely chaotic.

Mateo investigates the hay before agreeing to walk through the maze.

After being satisfied with the investigation he agrees to give the maze a try and it was a  success.

Drumming in the Harvest

Today we went to the Stevens Coop (his school) Harvest Festival. There were games, food and lots of children. All in all it was a nice family outing.

 

Mateo (with fries in his mouth) me and Eddie (with his mouth full of chilli)

Mateo enjoying some jumping time in the bouncy castle.

I personally thought this was a great shot that shows how much he has grown.

Don't mess with the Gonzalez boys

I pulled this old photo up just to show the contrast from a little over a year ago. This is the same slide, same park, but Mateo wasn't even a year yet and still needed help with balance while going down the slide.

Mateo attempts to channel his Caribbean roots to help drum in the Autumn Harvest.

I Guess We Are Parents

So this week we have been reminded that we truly are someone's parent. Day 1 - Monday was picture day. As you can see above Mateo got his haircut for the special occasion and is wearing a Polo/button-down to ensure he looks dapper. The same day was also the very first parent-teacher conference either of us has ever been to. To me it felt very adult. Until now I have always been on the child end of a parent-teacher conference and now I am receiving feedback on my own child (BTW he got rave reviews. In a nutshell he is a "boy's boy" who loves story time, music time, building blocks, throwing balls and playing in the sandbox all that and he is a sensitive soul to boot). Day 2 - our day to bring fruit for his class. Day 3- my turn to drop-off. Day 4 (tomorrow) - Pot-luck dinner for parents in the 2s program. Day 5 - Friday my drop-off day again. And this is just a half day program, wait until he gets to elementary...whew!

Solo Swimming

                                           

Mateo started his new semester of swimming a few weeks ago and he is doing so well. He actually swims on his own (with a little help from the noodle). This past Sunday he was racing with his Papi. He would throw his tete and then race after it. I have got to admit it was a proud Mommy (he has recently taken to calling me Mommy instead of Mama) moment...I couldn't stop smiling.

Block Party

Today was a good day. The weather was perfect (last weekend of summer) and we went to a block party in Hoboken. One of Eddie's friends from one of his many political activities invited us to the party being thrown on her block. There were tons of kids of all ages, good food,fruit,  sangria and cupcakes. There was also a fun surprise from our local fire department. The little ones loved it.

Mateo enjoying fruit with Papi

Yah!!! Mama and Mateo

Mateo - checking the tires of the fire truck

Now he wants to check things out in the driver's seat

Mateo really enjoyed hanging around the fire truck. Thanks Ladder 1!

Week of New Beginnings

This past week has been both exciting and nerve wracking for the Vielot-Gonzalez household. Last week , September 4th was Mateo's very first day of school at Stevens Coop. He is in a 1/2 day 2s program. The main objectives for the year -handling  separation (i.e. teaching them that when you leave you are coming back) and socialization.  We thought that school was a big enough change for us to handle, but a couple of other "firsts" also popped up. Scroll down to find out more.

The night before his first day we needed to prepare some backup items for the teachers in case there were "accidents, spills and poops."

All smiles and unaware that this is his first day.

We thought this rugby or footballer look would help him prepare for the rough day ahead.

I was probably more nervous than anyone. I think the separation they are teaching is also for the parents. Eddie was actually the one to take him on his first day, so I wanted to be around for as much of the early morning preparations as possible.

Breakfast of champions - Cheerios and a Girl Scout Cookie (he snuck that one in)

This is the FIRST time Mateo has trusted anyone, but Eddie to hold and swim with him in the pool yet here he is having a great time with Nelson and cousins Nelsito and Melanie.

Another FIRST that happened during the weekend that is not pictured - Mateo crawled out of his crib. We woke up on Sunday morning and when Eddie opened his room door, there he was standing there with blankets in hand and a sneaky smile on his face. And so begins another chapter. We have decided to leave the crib rail in its lowest position now in case he decides to attempt it again. We do realize that pretty soon we will need to convert it to a toddler bed. He is growing up so fast...clink...

This Wednesday was my first time to drop him off at school. Here is a picture of his cubby.

Close-up of his mailbox.

Mateo was pretty calm with the goodbyes as you can see with his enthusiasm for this whisk. My heart was racing as fast as this whisk.

Here is a collage that they made in class of the special people in their lives. It is their comfort spot and something to look at if they are feeling a little sad or regressing back into separation anxiety. We are happy to report that today's (Thursday) drop off was tear- free.