Pediatrician & our first in-home visit

Monday June 17, 2024 -Bogota-

Well, first things first. Last night, I was the one who put Andre to bed. I had the lights out and holding and rocking him because he was crying and fighting the fact that he was tired but still didn’t want to go to bed. While I was doing that, I saw a mosquito fly out of the room which got me worried. So after he fell asleep, I put him into the pack n play (his Colombia bed sitting on top of another bed) and then I covered the top of it with a blanket. You know, to create a roof to protect from mosquitoes. Well, 11:30 rolls around and we were all sound asleep when all of a sudden peanut starts screaming, harder & louder than we have heard before. I got up and rushed to him and in the process rammed my knee to into the bed frame, removing a huge chunk of skin. But I got lil man out and really couldn’t figure out what the deal was. Checked his diaper and it was fine, his hands were a bit cold but nothing really obvious. So I held him and gently patted his back and he did burp a couple times so maybe that was causing discomfort? Maybe it was the “roof” on the pack n play? Maybe he was cold? I really don’t know but it was an ordeal. Finally calmed him down enough and put him back to bed and he slept through the night.

Unfortunately, alarms were set to get up at 6am, which is stupid but we had an early doctors appointment. We all got ready to roll and woke up peanut last. Gently woke up with a big smile as if nothing happened the night before. But that really lasted all day. What a trooper! Only Claudia could go in for the appointment. I got to hang out with the other maniacs and go find some breakfast. One really nice thing is that I woke up with whatever crud Andre has and have been miserable with a crappy drippy nose and just lethargic and tired.

Wandering the streets of Usaquen.

We did find a nice little coffee shop that I liked but Mariana, not so much. I guess the music there was too loud and really bad. But the coffee and croissant was good. It was so good, we went there twice because when Claudia was done with the appointment, she wanted some coffee too…so back again. The appointment went well and we got some advice on formula to switch to and discussed some concerns we have with his lack of diet.

Coffee shop Colo in Usaquen

After coffee, we were feeling a bit more lively and wandered the streets for a bit. Nani wanted to shop. This is one of the signs of the apocalypse I think…or maybe she just wants another pirated soccer jersey. She didn’t get a jersey but picked out a pretty leather purse which is again not like her. Mami may have been a catalyst in that purchase.

It was still a bit early so not all the shops were opened yet. But the real surprising part of this walk is that it was Nani’s idea. Those who know my daughter would know that she really doesn’t enjoy “shopping” but it really was her push.

Along the way, I found this creepy owl and took this picture primarily for my mother. Long story and inside joke.

I figured her angle was to score another soccer jersey but it was Santi who got the new Colombian jersey. So excited he broke his public nudity rules and changed his shirt out on the street. He won’t even get in our pool without a shirt! Nani ended up getting this really pretty leather purse. This may have been a catalyst of my wife’s encouragement.

Before going home, we decided on an early lunch. On a backstreet road, we count a place that specializes in chuleta (pork chops) so we enjoyed that. But more notable was the coffee shop next door that the owner was roasting his own coffee on the street! The aroma was just amazing! And though neither of us needed another cup, I did go in and grab an espresso for me and americano for Clau. When I went in to order the coffee, of course he knew I wasn’t from around there and we began to banter. At one point, he accused me of being Bolivian (probably because Colombia had just played, and beat, Bolivia in soccer). He was really funny. I brought the coffee out to Claudia but she wanted it in a to go cup. She went in and was gone a long time and I stayed outside with the kids. She got bamboozled by sales guy and ended up buying a bunch of the roasted coffee. Now the owner of the shop, well, this guy was amazing. What a salesman! This dude could sell ice cubes to Eskimos. Then it was my turn, I went in to retrieve my wife and he suckered me into buying more; whiskey infused coffee. Not really my thing but I know some people who will like this. But what took Clau so long? Turns out the owner also sold some of the coffee roasters and my beautiful bride was getting some info for me. She knows I love the whole coffee process .

We got back for our 2:00 meeting with Daniela. T was the first to see how the transition is going. The kids were part of this meeting too. The kids were holding peanut most of the time to keep him entertained.

Mariana has been asking me to take a lot of pictures of her with Andre to post. Took this one while Daniela took a phone call in the background.

The meeting was short and sweet. It was clear that Andre was clearly bonding with us all very tightly. I was a bit worried since most of the pictures we got before coming here, Daniela is in the photos with Andre. You know, holding him up or whatever. I was worried that he might freak out a bit and want her to hold him too much. That wasn’t he case. He recognized her and had lots of smiles but those were shared all around.

And another photo demand from Nani.

After that, it was just a day at home. I am still sick with whatever crud I came down with. I took a nap while Claudia took the big ones to the park.

Dozing off with the lil guy on my lap.

It was an early night since we need to be up early again tomorrow. Still attempted to post this blog but I couldn’t get all of it to save. My stuff kept deleting without reason. Technology. Clau isn’t surprised I get my butt kicked from time to time.