An Iowan and Wisconsinite found themselves in Buenos Aires, Argentina for two years.
He did some commercial insurance brokering, she did some English teaching, then they moved back to Chicago with a baby porteƱo.
Here's their little story...

Sunday, December 29, 2013

James, Month 1

...after we got home from the hospital, we took a lot of photos, full of many 'firsts'...

Th 11.21.13
  • first night home: asleep by 1am, up to eat at 5am...not bad boy!
  • toes pokin' out
  • two firsts in one - first outing and first visit to his pediatrician!


  • Dra. Adriana gives a thumbs up, even though James didn't so much like stripping down or being weighed (p.s. we had our first pee-without-a-diaper-on experience 10 minutes before this in the waiting room while changing his diaper)

  • the beginnings of a good swaddle
  • wide-eyed at bedtime
  • James' first little crib, borrowed from a friend

F 11.22.13
  • mom and dad couldn't wait to see Catching Fire, and of course Grandma couldn't wait to babysit - his first babysitter! 
  • this is James saying, "Sure mom and dad!  Go see a movie...enjoy yourselves...I'll stay home and chill with Grandma!"
kinda...
  • according to my mom, he did just fine...didn't even need the 2 ounces of pumped milk while we were out, so when we got home, Jake got to feed it to him - his first bottle!
  • one of our favorite things about James...his super funny faces



  • his wet noodle body positions are pretty funny too



  • sorry...just can't help myself
Sa 11.23.13
  • James reaching for my camera string
  • and for daddy's giant finger
  • brunch on the terrace
  • first bath...not such a fan
  • first game day...GO IRISH! GO BADGERS!

  • first visitors at home
  • James says THANK YOU for the beautiful flowers, card, and yummy ice cream
  • a few attempts at a family game-day shot
can you spot the flying chupete in the photo on the right?
  • James foot vs. Papi foot

Su 11.24.13
  • first time in his carrier
  • ...and on the bus
  • failed attempt to get churros and hot chocolate led us to ice cream instead

M 11.25.13
  • more faces...


 Tu 11.26.13
  • chilly morning let us try out the hat made by Great Grandma Ruth
  • getting Grandma some medialunas
  • Grandma's secret swaddle...on his side with his head covered


W 11.27.13
  • first of many tramites (appointments)...this one to get his official birth certificate

  • a swift tramite gives us time to re-try the churro/hot chocolate idea...yesss....(James may or may not also be eating under that blanket)
  • first subway ride
  • first sink bath...appears to like it no better than his tub

Th 11.28.13
  • Happy Thanksgiving to those from the US!
  • baby photo shoot (photos coming soon)



  • muchas gracias Mechi!  we really enjoyed the photo session...you did a beautiful job, especially with an infant who just didn't want to nap (at least until we got home...then he slept all afternoon)
  • which gave us time to prepare for our feast - YUM!

F 11.29.13
  • tramite II: pick up birth certificate and apply for DNI and passport
  • getting his fingerprints done...what a champ!
  • playing hide-and-seek
  • after James projectile pooped on his little friends that were unfortunately in his line of fire on his changing table, they hung out outside to dry after a ride in the washing machine...don't they look cute?

Sa 11.30.13
  • James likes looking out the window
  •  lil' guy kinda doesn't fit in his carseat so well

Su 12.1.13
  • giraffe feet!

  • sleepy parents... 

M 12.2.13
  • after brunch we walked to the big Carrefour at Paseo Alcorta...where James almost made it through without needing to eat...but then I found myself nursing him while walking the aisles...I'm so glad breastfeeding in public is no big deal here!
  • the next series of photos is mine and my mom's attempt to get a good US passport photo of James...we had a real good laugh...James did not

  • here's the winner (believe it or not...this one worked best out of 21 photos)

Tu 12.3.13
  • tramite III - US embassy to apply for US passport and report his birth abroad
  • James the observer...looking out the window
  •  mom and grandma's attempt at springerle cookies

W 12.4.13
  • onesie gift from a coworker of Jake's - perfect little muscle shirt for the heat
  •  tummy time with grandma
  • nap time too
  •  guarding his chupete (pacifier)

 Th 12.5.13
  • mom's last day...gotta soak up some sun!
  • we frosted some of the un-frosted sugar cookies that my mom brought...can you believe they stayed intact so well in her carry-on?
  •  check out them feet
  • we won't talk about Grandma's farewell...let's just say it was super sad and not easy...we miss her
F 12.6.13
  •  first day without Grandma...feeling sad

Sa 12.7.13
  • our sad attempt at an artsy photo...newspaper from the day James was born
  •  still warming up to bathtime
  •  but hey! was able to chill a little bit at least!

Su 12.8.13
  • this is what I saw when walking in the room...yes our son is under all that
  • Jake covered him with a table cloth, his blanket, and a onesie on his head...hey, whatever works!

M 12.9.13
  • is that an eyebrow raise I see?
like father, like son 

Tu 12.10.13
  • hey, hey, hey! look what came in the mail!

  • spot the difference?  James' does NOT say EXTRANJERO across the top...our son is officially cooler than us

W 12.11.13

Th 12.12.13
  • hey! more good news!
  •  what a handsome photo! ;)

F 12.13.13
  • a miracle! the last of his documents!
was great coming home to this!
  • well look at you Mr. James...dual-citizenship
  • officially able to travel internationally!

Sa 12.14.13
  • this is how James feels about the heat...and his parents strolling him miles and miles to buy coffee and check out Full City's new location (sorry buddy)
  • my long and lean boys stretching out and cooling off


 Su 12.15.13



M 12.16.13
  • a favorite of James' - stretching out on his changing table


Tu 12.17.13
  • he also enjoys crossing his legs while eating


M 12.18.13
  • 1 month today!
  • another eyebrow shot:
  •  salute to where he was born (thanks Lo!)
  •  a boy and his favorite toys
  • this next montage cracks me up >>>
  • semi-calm: 
  •  hysterical cry (you can almost hear it!):
  • passed out:
  • ...and always lots of hand movements


  • it's been a super busy, but great month Jamesito...can't wait for many, many more