Happy happy 35 months!

Is it really almost that time? We're less than one month away from the big T-H-R-E-E. Wow! 

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For the much-celebrated regional holiday of St. Jordi, we went to our local civic center, where they were giving away books to kids who drew a picture. Paloma makes a quick scribble.

She got it! The gently used Catalan version of "Hungry Little Caterpillar" and said artist drawing above her.

She also made a rose and a cute dragon bookmark (with my help ;-)).

I kind of hate these random rides sprinkled throughout the city. Your almost-three-year-old wants to go on them so you can stop and pay for it! But it makes for a cute picture and memory ;-)

The chocolate lovers of the family show off their beards and 'staches.

We have an annual pass to the zoo, which has a nice playground where Paloma and I have gone during the week when it's nice and emmmmmpty.

Can't resist a cousins shot.

Paloma has always thought of size in terms of family. It used to be papi-mommy-baby-sized clouds, cars, leaves, etc. Here she's pointing to her foursome of oatmeal grains as papi-mommy-sister-baby. "It's a family!" she squeals.

We were lucky to have one very warm summer-like Saturday this month. Paloma pooped out in her swim ring on her daddy. We can't wait for summer!!

See you next month when a certain someone reaches a new milestone. Hugs to everyone!

P.S. Should I keep doing monthly posts like this? I know people stop counting in months after age two-ish but I kind of like this format. Maybe I should rename it? Waiting to hear from my thousands of subscribers...

We Heart Organic

A few weekends ago, we went to the BioCultura Fair, an annual fair of 600 exhibitors of products and services that foster a more responsible consumption respecting the environment and our health. More and more, we are slowly adding a few new things to our daily routines that add to a greener lifestyle. You know it can get expensive!

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There is a section called Mamaterra, which is an ecological festival for babies and tots.

With the help of her daddy, Paloma got to race a tricycle, so in the end they choose where to recycle a certain product. They're winning!

There were some nice gardens where kids can learn about horticulture and its benefits.

Paloma participated in making a frog with a fly, made from recycled milk cartons.

Some clothing made from organic cotton, of course.

Paloma loved the look of these natural instruments.

I'd love to have a few of these unique hanging stringed instruments to decorate our home with.

Paloma and papi pose with the cow, a symbol of fertility and nurturing.

Green, green, and more green.

Rustic-looking soaps au naturelle. There were two sides of the fair, the food side, and the non-food side. It was madness trying the samples!

Lots of places offer organic fruits and veggies sent to your home. We got to meet our vendors, who had the best prices in the city, I think.

Lots of yummy foods to sample.

We picked up a few products that we buy on a normal basis. 

Paloma took a rest by these suspicious rocks.

Organic paella and the local favorite, fideua.

Paloma shows off  her freebie, a cute little planter with soil and petunia seeds. We're ready to plant some more!

See you soon!

The Bump - Six Months

While my belly is growing slowly, I'm starting to feel the weight of the babe when I'm running errands around the city or chasing Miss Paloma around. Tiny Mr. Ruiz Ancheta is active and kicking, seeming to be hanging out on my left side for some reason. Soon he'll take up the whole belly. I'm ready for it! 

I really am enjoying this pregnancy...and temporary silence!

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Paloma can't wait for the little one to arrive. She kisses my belly often as if he was really outside.

Me in normal clothes, however, my tops are starting to look like crop tops. P.S. Stunning yarn and paper necklace provided by Paloma R. for Mother's Day ;-)

And lastly as we await our second one's arrival, Paloma's maternal instincts are super-sharp. Here she's giving milk to her baby. The innocence!

Spring Fair in Barcelona - Day 2

Day 2! We headed back to the Feria de Abril the following day to be joined by a classmate of Paloma's and our Italian friends, her two lovely parents. Paloma lent Viola her dress that she wore two years ago...wow was Viola excited to be sporting the ruffles!

Paloma wore her dress that she wore last year, which was custom-made by Fernando's aunt -- lucky girl. All I had to do was pull out a seam and, voila!, longer dress. There seems to be more hidden seams all over the place. I think I can still work with this dress for another year, or maybe two!
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Some ladies prepare to dance and sing outside the casetas.

 

Meanwhile, the girls check out how cute they look.

They had fun running around the fair holding hands. They wouldn't let go!

Another girl spotted wee ones like her all dressed up...but maybe Paloma wasn't too excited about the new trio.

We went into a caseta to have some lunch and enjoy some dancing. These older girls performed a little ditty for the crowds.

Those moving ruffles again.

How lucky is this guy in the middle. Oh yeah!

Paloma enjoyed the ambience and her accessories.

Viola flashes a sweet smile for the camera.

We went out again only to see the girls link hands again. I sense mischief...

There they go...

...and they're off again! See you soon!

Spring Fair in Barcelona - Day 1

Now becoming an annual tradition, the Feria de Abril de Catalunya is our go-to event when we can't make it down to Southern Spain. During the fair, there are casetas, where people eat, drink, and dance sevillanas, a folk flamenco-style dance from Seville.

This time, we went twice during this week-long event. On the first day, we joined Katya, Rafa, and Pau, who were also with some friends and a few relatives. 

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The colors, the ruffles, the pretty ladies...

 I started getting carried away and took pictures of some random women who looked great in motion.

Sevillanas has specific moves full of turns that make those ruffles fly.

 My sister-in-law told me this woman is a sevillanas dance instructor. It shows, no?

 Lovely smile.

 This woman shows passion. Those hands and that glance!

 Lourdes is Katya's friend, who nicely donned a modern print of the traditional polka dots.

 Rafa and Katya show off their moves too.

 This young gal seemed nervous at first, but she danced so sweetly.

Pau and Paloma couldn't keep their tiny hips still either.

Paloma in motion! She got this dress last year as a hand-me-down, and this year it fit her nicely.

Pau watched Paloma in all her twirling girliness.

More passion!

It was fun watching all the lovely ladies.

Round of applause. That was fun!

The Ruiz brothers and their happy kiddos.

Day 2 coming up!