Baby Love

Paloma weighs about 9 and a half pounds. Our arms are getting buff! I know I shouldn't get too attached, but it makes me sad that I've had to retire Paloma's newborn-sized outfits. I mean, the slim fit is in, right? I got the message when she screamed after I tried to squeeze her head through her teensy lion T-shirt. Goodbye, microscopic socks and itsy bitsy caps. Until Baby #2!

Paloma is seven weeks now. That's seven weeks for Fernando and I in our unrehearsed mommy and daddy roles. We used to be overwhelmed with this new baby business, but now we're getting the hang of it. In the early weeks, I was convinced that Paloma was a "fussy baby", but now I think she was just being a normal baby (with frequent bouts of drama). There were days that just drained us, and there still are sometimes. Even though it's been exhausting, we don't regret all the loving work that's been done. Those challenges help us to get to know our little dove.

Recently, when we talk to her, Paloma's been giving us her most genuine, affectionate smiles and tender nods and coos. This is how we know she loves us. And we love our bright and passionate baby.

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When we're out and about, one of the benefits of carrying her versus having her in the stroller is her expanded scope of vision. She couldn't stop gawking at the leaves and branches that hung above her.

A Phillies phan. Thanks phor the bib, Porter phamily!

She locked gaze with a friend via the mirror.

Bath time is fun again! Hail to the bath seat! We've gone from zippy 20-second baths to a whopping 5 minutes. Splish, splash!
I'm about to make my next hair appointment so I could get me one of these head massages.

She chillaxes while her dad maintains his strict diet.

She likes showing off her hot ride.

Made them look! My tricks never fail.

Under the sheets.

Lunchtime! She loves holding her imaginary fork and spoon.

Her favorite pillow-top mattress.

We love holding her close and tight because one day she won't want to be held anymore.

Why, oh why did we not try this position before?

She loves it!

Fernando took a hand at it.

The ladies of the house need our beauty sleep.

Sleepy troll face.

Sugary sweet face.Oh-so-saaaad face.

The fine details. I noticed how pointy the bottom of her big toe is, pre-walked on.

The four bulbous toes that follow are curious also.

Work it, supermodel!

The shelves are dusty, crumbs need to be swept, there's laundry to be folded, but we wouldn't change this for anything!

Shopper in Training

We did it again! Another successful excursion outside the home. Last night, we decided to take Paloma on her first shopping experience at a nearby mall. I didn't realize how easy it was to get to Glories, an outdoor shopping center. It's just a five minute walk to the tram station, then five more minutes on the tram.

On the way there, we passed by the suggestive building, the Torre Agbar.

Carrefour, my Walmart/Target fusion store.

Paloma getting burped while Fer and I ate at a famous restaurant, Burger King.

We left at 10 pm, but it was still about 75 degrees.

The local tram station.

We found a seat for Paloma's huge tub. But I think it could double as a baby recliner in the living room. Someone hand her the remote!

Break Time

Although I adore staying home with our dear Paloma, there are times when I go a little stir-crazy. Lucky for me, the hubby encourages me to go downtown by myself and disconnect from babyland. Gradually, I'm ridding myself of new mom's guilt and enjoying a breather outside of home life.

Also, now that Paloma has more interests outside of milk and sleep, we've been taking more frequent walks around the 'hood. The fun thing about it is watching her gape at common things like stoplights, tree planters, old men with canes. I now know that any small baby suffering from low self-esteem should go out and meet strangers, some simply cannot resist making a fuss over these tiny creatures.

Barcelona has several parks, but so few with stretches of grass. We live next to the Parc de Sant Marti with tons o' green.

Barceloneses emerge from their homes to enjoy the park when the temperature drops in the evening.
Park-goers can admire the reflection of this square man-made pond.

Or they can play fetch with their dog. Attaboy, Fido! Good dog.

On Sundays, you can watch some classic futbol.

Paloma imitated the distressed mother of the famous Great Depression photo by Dorothea Lange.

There was a gargantuan nest built by these chirpy green parrots that dwell throughout the city.

I wanted Paloma to wear one of these luscious white flowers we came across along the way. She wouldn't have any of it. As a kid, I also unwillingly posed for my father's camera. And the cycle continues...An aging church stands at the backdrop.

Fer and Paloma stand below a sun dial from the days of yore.

"Remember that time passes / Road to eternity"

We decided to get some grub and noticed this solar-powered car thingy.

A savage homicide! Fernando thought the stuffed animal murder was committed against Mike Wasowski.

But I knew it was just some Joe Schmoe.

Nothing like freshly shaven meat for dinner. I love the kebab.

All the fixings.

Fer used to hold Paloma like a hot loaf of bread. Now he can do baby in one hand, beer in the other. Oh, and after I took this shot, my motherly instincts took over. Two hands!

Homebound for Now

Fernando goes back to work on Monday (Boo! Hiss!), but since practically the whole country makes vacation plans during the month of August, business hours are cut short at the bank too. So that means that Fernando gets off at 3pm the whole month (Hooray!). Not a bad deal, huh? Since our little one arrived, needless to say, we've been homebound lately. I ain't complaining.

First smiles are the best. I felt like this one said, "Thanks, Mom and Dad. I'm beginning to like you guys."

I'm realizing that raising a baby is about trying new things to see what they like and don't like, and then maybe revisiting things they don't like. This is something she loved. Tummy time on Dad's chest.

It's true. Fernando has gone shirtless all summer here at home.

We spent Thursday and Friday around town getting Paloma's double passports in order (Read: more mountains of paperwork). We dared to take public transportation with Paloma and survived...no crying spells. Phew!

Because the Spanish passport office told us the picture that I took of Paloma was too dark, we had to go to a nearby studio to get her picture taken before the office closed. They clearly have never taken passport pictures of small babies.

Me taking a picture of the photographer taking a picture of Paloma.

On Friday, we went to the US Embassy and had to pass through the tourist-jammed downtown. But someone (okay, me) forgot their camera to document our first major outing for the blog. Grrr...

I was so disappointed by that "professional" picture that I decided to take my own for her US passport. This one doesn't have fingers coming out of her head.

Lucky girl - double nationality!