Pau's arrived!

He's here! Pau Ruiz Salmeron, our new nephew arrived on Monday, June 29th -- nine days after our daughter. I haven't had a chance to meet him yet since I've been at home with Paloma, but hopefully we can visit next week. We're so happy for proud parents, Rafa and Katya.

I think it's love.

Proud papi.

A hand-eater just like Paloma.

Pau's adorable twin cousins, Maria and Emma. Gotta support that head!

I hear the nautical theme is hot this summer. Baby's got style!

Watch out, Pau! I can't wait to get my hands on those chubby cheeks.

One Week Out in the World

I think I've got a problem when I feel so busy with the baby, but I spend a lot of my "free" time on the Internet. It's mostly looking at pictures of Paloma and Facebooking while there's a mountain of laundry to be done and clutter to be de-cluttered. So while I'm being productively unproductive, I'm posting are a few recent pics. I can't help it!

Testing out her new wheels for the first time. The magic of motion.
Baby sleep. = A good break.

Also, it's divine to watch a baby in deep slumber.

With all that hair, Paloma was starting to look a little...greasy. My mom showed me how to wash her hair in the kitchen.

Oh my gosh. She LOVED this.

Lesson #33 in parenting after a week: Babies love a good bath.

Baby spa day ended successfully. Refreshing!

Paloma Ruiz Ancheta

Finally, a fresh post! If you haven't heard, a life-changing event has happened in the last week. As I type this, Paloma is now a week old. What a journey!

My parents, Fernando and I headed to the hospital after midnight Friday night, June 19, since I was feeling contractions. They were irregular, so I was unsure if labor was really happening.

After a positive labor in progress, Fernando got in his uniform ready to cut the cord!

This forced smile shows that labor started to intensify after about 3 hours, but I could handle it.

I tried sitting on one of those birthing balls to ease the pain of contractions. Didn't work! I refused the epidural because of the possible side effects. I tried to be a trooper! I was fully dilated at about 10 am on Saturday and just wanted this baby OUT. But after three more hours of contractions, I was informed that Paloma insisted on entering the world face first. Because of that, she was stuck and could not descend (grueling contractions for nothing!!). Docs and nurses made an effort to turn her, so I was forced to get the epidural. Little did I know it was heaven, and my contractions now felt like nothing. I had coherent conversations with Fernando as they came and went. Paloma still wouldn't turn with the doctors' help, so the last means was to have a C-section.

What! She was out in no time. Ahh...our baby!

Nice to meet you.

We stayed in the hospital for five days and acted like her paparazzi.

She looks quite Filipino in this picture.

It's amazing. The nurses have a soothing effect on the babies. This is after they groomed her and tucked her in. Bow down! Bow down!

I got a nice collection of these bows to match different outfits. Hehe...I love dressup.

Day of check out! Fernando also has a knack for calming her down.

Her first ride home in a car seat. We made sure she had a full stomach to avoid any scream attacks.

We had to go back to the hospital the day after to get her weighed. My mom and dad have helped out a ton!

Doc checked her reflexes. All healthy. Thank you, God!

Still Pregnant.

My parents have been in town for about a week and a half, and we've done a lot of touristic exploration since then. In the meantime, I'm still knocked up! EDD is tomorrow. Will she really arrive? Here at 40 weeks and about to explode.

My parents braved public transportation.

First touristic stop is the typical walk down Las Ramblas. Dad couldn't stop taking pictures of the street performers.

A tourist with Dracula and Frankenstein.

Fernando got pulled in by a Flamenco dancer. Ole!

Mom and Dad in Port Vell.

Me in front Casa Batllo.

A classic Barcelona shot. Mom in front of the Sagrada Familia.

In the neighborhood of Borne, they cooked a huge paella for a feast.

Older folks dancing Sardana, a cultural Catalan dance.

We made our way to Park Guell.

Mom really enjoyed it.

The tiling on this colorful park makes me happy.

Dad and his camera are inseparable.

Cousins on the Way

Fernando and I visited his brother Rafa and his wife Katya in the nearby pueblo of Sant Boi. By coincidence, Katya and I are both expecting at almost the same time. My due date is June 16, and hers is June 22 - just a week behind us...but who knows, right? I'm so excited for the two cousins to meet. It's gonna be awesome!

You will never be bored with Emma and Maria, Katya's twin nieces. My Spanish is most challenged when I'm hanging out with these sweeties.

These two are best buds. Can you stand their smiles?