Beisbol has been very very good to me.

Family resemblance?

This week saw Sergio attending his first Mexican baseball game, Kathe's return to Phoenix, the beginning of daydreams about our next family move and Ivan test-driving his various baby gadgets. Action-packed!

First, Sergio went to see the Diablos, the Mexico City baseball team. He tagged along with our neighbor and fellow Houston sports fan, Alan.



We owe a lot to Alan and his NBA cable channel as it kept Sergio from spending a less than respectable amount of time hanging out at the OTB place at the mall to get his playoffs fix. Alan and his wife Shelly also gave Ivan Sergio's favorite baby gift so far: an authentic T-Mac onesie with matching baby shoes. Obviously, Ivan has some growing to do before he can fill T-Mac's shoes!

Feel the sleepy eyes.

Have we mentioned that Ivan is going to be a small forward for the Houston Rockets? And according to Uncle Sam, a striker for Liverpool's soccer team? And Grandma Kathe predicts an important artist. Talk about dreams deferred...

By the way, we need to say a HUGE thank you to Sasha's mom for all of her help these last weeks.


Kathe was great company and a tireless helping hand in these earliest days of parenthood. She also did an incredible job of helping us beautify our house so stay tuned for photos of our "new" digs. We all miss Grandma already and Phoenix seems way too far away! Good thing Ivan got his passport last week.

Speaking of traveling, we have some adventures coming up around here. First, we confirmed that we are indeed going to do a job-exchange with one of Sergio's pals in Guadalajara. In August, we will trade houses for two weeks and get a chance to live in another Mexican city for a spell. Guadalajara is famous for being the origins of such Mexican icons as mariachi, tequila and the sombrero. Ole!

And even more exciting (perhaps?), Sergio received his list of job openings for 2009. Sasha has already started building wish lists and spreadsheets as she tries to rank order the more than 500 options around the world. Should the Moreno family learn Swahili? Bulgarian? Thai? Cast your votes soon. It seems like almost every country is up for grabs though that will change as some folks ahead of us in line secure their jobs this month. Goodbye Paris, Tokyo and Copenhagen! In the meantime, we're having some heart-to-hearts as we discuss our own preferences...

How's the stroller access in Burundi?

You only care about napping...

In between all this daydreaming about distant lands, Sasha has been introducing Ivan to his domestic entertainment options. First, there's going to the gym:

Oh it's the deep burn. So deep...

Ivan is really into kicking. We're trying to get him into this very important thing called "tummy time." Since babies don't sleep on their bellies anymore cos of the SIDS scare, they need to spend time strengthening their core so they can learn how to crawl. Ivan likes tummy time in the morning when he will happily lift his head and pretend to be a turtle. In the evening, it's no way Jose. He's just into kicking the heck out of that dangle-y music box. Well, the tune IS a little annoying.

We just installed some shelves to hold Ivan's growing library for those times when he is feeling a little more contemplative:

COOKIE!

He's also got a lively (and apparently eyesight-enhancing) mobile to look at in his big boy crib:


And then there's this set of keys that is almost as exciting as getting a diaper changed. Actually, Ivan's favorite diversion in this part of the house is showering his mother just as she takes his diaper off. Hilarious!

That's private, mommy.

There's also a really sweet little chair that we've introduced now that Ivan is (barely) big enough to start rocking.

Don't stop rockin'

And finally, just last night we tested out the Baby Bjorn with a bit of a dance around the family room. Ivan seemed less than impressed with his pop's moves. In fact, he screamed a lot. Oh well, he'll learn to love his dancing daddy just like his mom does!

I got ass in my pants, ungh!

The coolest development in the last couple of weeks has been what we are almost certain are Ivan's first smiles. They're fleeting and hard to catch on the camera, but Sasha swears this was the tail-end of a smiley exchange:

Might be gas, but that makes him happy too.

Before signing off, we want to send our love to a couple of our friends who are expecting babies any day now. Maura and Cameron in New Orleans are hoping for a Bastille Day birthday (there's stll time!), and Andrea and Djenno in DC are counting down the days for their new arrival too. We can't wait to meet Ivan's future summer camp pals!

And best wishes to the newly married Adam and Ashley (we no doubt missed a heckuva party in New Jersey) and the about to be married Michael and Leyla who are having their own blow out in California right around the corner. Congrats guys!