the gene pool

My husband is Mexican (well seven-eighths Mexican, but I'll get to that later...) but I seem to forget that. I just am so used to him as a person that I don't notice the brown complexion, dark hair, etc. Case in point... several years ago the 2 of us were in a questionable "ethnic" neighborhood in downtown Chicago (we were lost) and I was kind of afraid, not knowing where we were, and so forth. I said to Manny that I hope our car doesn't break down, because what would happen to a couple of white people here? He then reminded me that he is, in fact, not white at all. Oh. Oops. Anyway, I say all this to point out that our baby is actually of "mixed" ethnic background. Kind of cool, I think. For his sake - and just for fun - I want to write it all down and try to sort it out.

So, this is how Elijah's heritage breaks down...
Manny's family:
Paternal grandparents - all Mexican born (some ancestry from Spain several generations back, some indigenous people in there too)
Maternal grandparents - Pete is from Mexico, Nanny is from Colorado - her father was American (unknown origin), her mother was from Greece.
(This makes Manny 1/16th Greek, 1/16th "American", and 7/8th Mexican.)

My family:
Paternal grandparents: Grandma Joanie is English, Grandpa Lloyd is 100% German.
Maternal grandparents: Grandma Theresa is 100% German. Grandpa Jones was 1/4 Native American, 3/4 German.
(This makes me 1/16th Native American, 1/4 English, and 11/16th German.)

The recipe for Elijah = 1/32 Greek, 1/32 "American", 7/16 Mexican, 1/32 Native American, 1/8 English, and 11/32 German.
Bake at 98.6 degrees for 9 months, or until naval pops out. Push very hard when instructed by a professional, wash thoroughly, feed often, kiss and hug frequently. And you'll have one very cute baby!!
Did you follow all that?
Anyway, until last night I thought Elijah had inherited mostly Manny's ethnic traits like hair, eye, and skin color. But much to our surprise we discovered that he not only enjoys eating rice, beans and tortillas, but also the often distasteful German cuisine.
For supper last night Elijah ate the following: bratwurst, sour kraut, mashed potatoes, fresh tomatoes, and green beans (which alone is quite a feat). And what's more - HE ENJOYED IT! Can you believe that?! I won't even put half that stuff in my mouth. He's a brave little boy - but he doesn't know any better. :) I'm proud of him for trying new things. So it turns out he's staying true to his German roots too, all 24% of them.