A Journal of Urban Living

Or, the Adoration of the BBQ Guests… Take your pick.

last Friday

Even more photos for Simon stalkers after the jump…

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Hesitant and grossed out at first, Joanna was a quick study with the diapers. Then she discovered her true talent — as a Baby Whisperer.

hammock time

Here’s Jo and Simon at Tummy Time. Peter was spotting, which was needed.

Simon got his middle name from my grandfather, Oscar de Jesus Duque.  Papito died July 18 in Bogota at age 93, five days after his first great-grandchild was born. Cancer had already stolen his mobility and energy, so it’s not a sad death.

It sounds something out of a Garcia Marquez novel, but we think having a namesake helped Papito let go.  My aunt Ellie says he even talked about one last trip to the States to meet him.  She says he was scared and Simon Oscar let him make peace with dying.

The only sad part is that my mom couldn’t go down to Bogota for the funeral because she doesn’t have her passport with her.

I hope Simon Oscar shares his great-grandfather’s sense of adventure and his insatiable appetite for life.

Papito and Mom (Oscar and Madeline), Joanna's college graduation, 2007

Madeline (aka Mom) hadn’t decided what she wants to be called by her first grandkid.  But now she’s lobbying for “Nana” or “Nonna,” like Colombian kids call their abuelitas.

She’s been so much help, up all hours almost as much as I’ve been…

My dad is coming soon I hope.  Sally and Duke are due in late August.

Popeye

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