MAXIMO

We're very excited for Maximo to grow up and become a little more independent. I will, however, really miss carrying him in the baby sling. Since it has been so hot here, I didn't really sling him much over the summer except to the market or grocery store. Today, is a gray, misty Sunday, so we decided to go for a walk - with Max cozied up next to me in the sling.
Let me preface this with something I've said many times before: this is the best country in the world to raise little kids! Besides the availability of top-notch house help, people are just so accommodating when you have a baby - whether it be in the grocery store, airport or mall. And everyone smiles and coos over Maximo like he's the first baby they've ever seen (and they are plenty of babies here - even cute gringo ones like ours).
But, for all the sweet things people say about our baby, we always get advice. It is funny how complete strangers love to give us advice about parenting. One very common thing here is to really bundle kids up... So, when it was starting to warm up in December, I was forever being scolded for walking around with a sock-less baby.
Today we were out for a walk - it was probably about 60 degrees F, but cool and misty on the coast. He was wearing a long sleeve t-shirt, jeans, (and yes) socks! and his arms were wrapped in the sling as he was cuddled up next to me... He was happy, checking out the bikers, dogs and people walking on the malecon. Then, two men walked past and a finger points at me and one says, "A hat! Your baby needs a hat!" (I went ahead and translated for you).
We can't win! I wish I could think quickly in Spanish to retort either, "Mind your own dang business" or really what I was thinking,
"Socks, Senor, did you see my baby was wearing socks? I was consciously thinking about the weather and pulled out socks for the first time since November."

(I'll post about our beach vacation and how Max's sleeping is going later when I have more time - I did post some pics from our trip already)