Clear, blue skies and hot, humid Barcelona weather. It's here!! Summertime is in full swing, and I'm not kidding this time. We hit the beach three days this week because we wanted to soak up as much sun as possible. I'm trying to make up for all the lost time I'd to spend indoors during these cool, wet other three seasons of the year. It's oh-so-sticky and I love it. Sun, I will never take you for granted!
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After a winded, 45-minute walk to the beach, we set up our sundome we've been dying to use.
Baby's first tan lines from our long stroll. Oops!The sweet sands. Break out the shovel, rake, pail, and all the goodies! Putting her birthday gifts to good use.
Getting ready to jump in the sea.
Ta-daaa! My Mr. Sandman...
...which was quickly destroyed by a terrorizing Baby Godzilla.
Babies and water = endless fun.
Not too happy that we dug her in halfway.
Day Two in Badalona. Blanca and I caught some rays.
Cousin Jorge and Paloma played in the new kiddie pool.
It's like rain...in a watering can. The novelty!We'll be back!
After much thought, Fernando and I decided to have a small party for Paloma at our neighborhood park. You see, there are signs around almost all municipal parks that signal "no stepping on grass". But we were rebels breaking the law. And honestly, no one really seemed to care. Carry on!
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All dressed up with somewhere to go. Where's the party at?
Tio Rafa with the two kids.
I learned how to make royal icing and lots of other recipes. Mama in the making!
One of the two piñatas I made. Not too shabby, eh?
Blanca with the babes.
A first swing.
Swing #2.
It turned out to be the girls' piñata.
A few co-workers of Fernando's.
Tita Katya knows how to have fun.
Boys' piñata.
It only took two swings for the boys' piñata to be broken. Oh well, next year, dudes!
Opening gifts.
Ready for the beach. Could this be the beginning of a Hello Kitty craze? (I hope not.)
I made a tres leches cake. Sluuuuurp!
Proud parents + birthday babe + cake.
We all ended up looking at our own cameras.
1-2-3-blow! May your wish come true!
Can you believe this? I completely forgot to give Paloma our gift and feed her cake at her party! So we had a small after party at home. We're party animals!
Our baby turned one on Sunday. What a day. What a year! The past week got me very nostalgic and reminiscent about the last few days of my pregnancy, the long labor, the unexpected C-section, and our intense stay at the hospital. I remember being at the supermarket with Fernando and my parents and feeling the first, light contractions on a Friday night. I remember being on the hospital gurney, feeling nervous and seeing my mother’s concerned but happy face when they whisked me away for what was thought to be a natural childbirth.
I also remember that at this time, while at the hospital recovering from my C-section, I was trying to soothe a hungry, inconsolable newborn. It was exhausting and emotional. Actually, the first three months were very difficult for me. Having people know our child as a “llorona” (“crybaby”) made me sad for her (and me), but Fernando and I did the best we could to show her love despite her persistent cries. We tried to stay positive!
And now...here she is! A year later, she is a bright, observant, and happy baby. And calm. I don’t have to say it, that’s what everyone tells me. She can also sign “milk”, “more”, “eat”, “bye-bye”, and blow kisses. And so much more. A year later…life can’t get any richer than this, right?
Just the other day I was in the kitchen cooking, and I watched Paloma crawl down the hallway. It left me with a certain sadness that she was moving away slowly and independently with each milestone. It was at that moment she turned around and crawled right back to me! And that put a smile right back on my face.
Here’s too many more happy years of joy with our little dove, our Paloma.
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Hours before birth. Hmmm...what was I feeling at the end of this video?
She's home.
We had a long, hot summer.
Tiny thing in the bath.
The crying I was talking about.
More joyous crying for my birthday.
She used to fit in the Boppy pillow. These are sweet moments indeed. Another video. Newborn movements are so funny.
Getting bigger.
And bigger.
And now...this past month. Paloma with Fernando's kind friend, Gustavo.
First Frankenstein steps.
Hanging out with her cousin buddy Pau on the slide.
We see, we saw, we conquered the see-saw. The playground is endless fun. We frequent the playground often. (I'm also learning about playground politics.) New shades. Do you think this lens shape complements her face?
Her "I did it!" gesture.
My crawler, soon-to-be walker. Sigh.... Thanks for visiting and checking our blog. Party pics in the works!
Baby's first tan lines from our long stroll. Oops!
The sweet sands.
Break out the shovel, rake, pail, and all the goodies! Putting her birthday gifts to good use.
Tio Rafa with the two kids.
Ready for the beach. Could this be the beginning of a Hello Kitty craze? (I hope not.)
New shades. Do you think this lens shape complements her face?
