Weekend Photo - Hanging Out In Mexico
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February 25th, 2007
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In Mexico With Grandfather Isaac (age 8 months)
When Daniel was 7 months we took some time off and spent three months in Mexico so he could hang out with our family in that part of the world. He adapted very quickly and had a great time getting to know his relatives. We baptized him and arranged a nice big party. Since then we've been to Mexico once a year and in another three weeks we're leaving the winter weather in Sweden and head down to Mexico for a month of warm weather, stunning beaches, and family.
Fathers in Mexico are in not involved in raising their children. Period. A couple of hours of playground time during the weekend and a good night hug in the evenings is the norm. But I was really pleased with the time Isaac spent with Daniel during our long visit. Long work hours and horrible traffic limit the time he has available but my son was really excited about spending time with him. Every morning he would crawl (he was only 8 months old) into the bedroom extremely early and then sit in the bed and play. During breakfast Daniel would sit in Isaac's lap and enjoy some fruit trying his best to make his suit dirty. Weekends meant long walks for exercise or light shopping. And Isaac got to see Daniel take his first steps on the front lawn in front of the house.
Our last visit to Mexico was a year ago when we also spent a month in various parts. No crawling then, we had moved on to the tricycle, verbal communication, and more advanced games. He was constantly talking about his grandfather, "Abuelo", and of course his grandmother, "Abuela", who he's really close to. And now it's time for him to practice his Spanish for a month while he gets to see family again. Of course together with his sister who Daniel is so proud of and people over there are dying to see. Our relatives are lucky and will meet Annika after her reflux and colic related stomach problems are gone. The first few months it was a struggle making her laugh, now it's a challenge catching her without a smile. A nice change that we all appreciate.
This year we're doing less adventure related stuff since we have two kids with us but are looking forward to a week on the beach on the Yucatan coast, a week on the beach in Acapulco, some days at an Hacienda outside Mexico city, and also a week in the city itself. The worlds largest city. I'm looking forward to feeling like a superstar dad again. The Mexican men make the Swedes with their gender equality views and involvement in home and children seem like the best catch in the world. And who doesn't enjoy a little positive feedback every now and then? With a little luck I will once again explore the golf course and hang out with Playboy models. This time with Annika in he Baby Björn. My awesome, cute, secret weapon in my quest for female attention.
How do babies and toddlers cope with jet-lag? Does it affect them at all? Thanks.
ah.. upcoming vacation to mexico sounds lovely. We went to the Yucatan a few yrs ago (pre babies) and loved it. If you havent already gone snorkeling/diving in the cenotes, I highly recommend it. I went 25 feet under cave diving and had 200 feet of visibility. It was one of my most memorable and interesting dives I have ever done. So peaceful and almost being in space.
If you havent figured out, i used to have an adventurous life before kids and we hope to get out there this summer for more hiking, biking and water adventures. With twins, traveling is an adventure in itself!
Love the picture. One question though…How the heck do you manage to get 3 months off. What do you guys do for a living!!!! Can you please teach me your trade!! lol
What a lovely, lovely pic. That’s grandfatherly love, BEAMING.
Both my kids spend lost of time with their grandparents. We live in a 5,000 sq/ft home with the in-laws. Upstairs is ours and downstairs is theirs. My father in-law was an entrepreneur who did well for himself. He is now 72 and comes up every morning to have breakfeast with the kids while me and my spouse prepare ourselves for work…
How does mastercard say it…priceless…
its wonderful that the kids get to meet their grandparents and spend time with them… its an old fashioned concept to spend time with family, yet i think kids grow up so much better this way…. with a sense of history, heritage and self..
Erik’s Great Grandpa Hing is so doting on Erik and its wonderful to see (wish we could say that with Erik’s actual Grandpa Tom, who is only spending less than 15 minutes each day with Erik! Ugh!)
Great Grandpa Hing is actually suffering from early stage of Alzheimer (he’s 84 years old!) and every morning for the first week we were here, he would ask, what is Erik’s name?
Every night he would try so hard to remember it but now, we’ve established a daily routine where Erik spends morning nap with his Great Grandparents, then again during early evening, and right after Erik’s bath. Great Grandpa knows Erik’s name very well, without any reminder :o)
When we went away for 2-3 days to Darjeeling, Great Grandpa missed him so dearly and gave him extra hugs and kisses before we left. This is what our holiday is about!