Happy Eighteen Months

Paloma Version 1.5 has arrived! It's really official. Paloma is a thing-flinging, tantrum-throwing, scribble-making, mood-shifting, toy-dropping but more importantly hip-swinging, fun-loving, doll-hugging, proud-parent-making toddler.

This past week, Sweet P has been at home with a cough and cold, so things been kind of rough at home as she was more clingy and feeling miserable. Poor thing kept looking out the window! But I want her 100% before we spend our trip to Seville for Christmas. Since she'd been out, she'd also lost her appetite, which I know is normal. This worries me though because it always makes me feel guilty that she's on the low percentile of her weight chart. But she's part Filipino...we're tiny!

Any .5 of Paloma's age is and will always be so significant for me also because it marks the death anniversary of my paternal grandmother, who I think about fondly this time of year. Missing you sooooo much, Lola!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Enjoying the seasonal city lights.

I wonder when imitation will really start to be helpful. She's got the rubber glove on, now when are we on to cleaning toilets?

It's getting funner and funner with Cousin Pau.

Pau also feeds Paloma some melindros. Yum!

The two boogers with cousin Macarena.

We can't resist putting P next to a large random figure for a photo opp. I don't even know this guy's name.
Ponytail! Now if only she wouldn't touch it or roll around so it would come lose...
Still waiting for a hand with the domestic chores...dumb learning curve...
Making phone calls as usual.
Enjoying Papi make a clown of himself so we can get a smile.

I don't like to post "ugly" pictures, but I also wanted to show a piece of reality. It ain't all beautiful, people!

Sweet P gave me a hand while I put together her kid's table. She was still trying to fix it for another half hour after it was mounted...
Checking out how funny she is in the mirror.
Being totally amused with this wedding favor that lights up.

She looks older here. I just love how her face is totally exposed.

Squeezing clementines for fun.
We celebrated her uncle Rafa's birthday. Here comes the cake!
Learning of spatial relationships in the works.

My parents gave Paloma a doll for Christmas, which she has learned to love. She kisses and hugs it and says, "Awwww..." It's so sweet!

See you all soon!

As the big day approaches

It's been a great few days with our friends Catherine (my former roommate in Seville), and her beau, Johnny. They are visiting from the UK for this long holiday weekend here in Spain. We were expecting some other friends from Seville to stay with us, but the unannounced strike by Spanish air traffic controllers put flights to a complete halt until Saturday evening. Unbelievable!

But we made the best of it. The fivesome (Cat, Johnny, Fer, Paloma, and I) took a walking tour around Barcelona and enjoyed the delightful atmosphere of the glorious holiday.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

At Plaza Catalunya ready to go.

Let's get some Christmas!
We ran into the Santa Lucia Fair, which is a nice installment of 300 stands selling gifts and Christmas goodies.

Naked wreaths just dying to be adorned and embellished.Logs, wood, beautiful natural textures.I can't help but drool over anything miniature these days. Here are accessories to dress up your Bethlehem scene. Maybe next year for us...when we'll have a slightly wiser toddler.

Mini pots make me want to make a mini stew.

Paloma sits in her stroller quietly with her little hands folded.

Handmade wooden elves. So sweet.I found the perfect kitty mittens to dress up those cute little hands.

Call it gross or strange, or maybe just a very healthy attitude towards defecation. Here Cat showcases the infamous Caga Tíos, or "poo guy". In Catalunya, it's holiday tradition to have this yule log displayed in the home. On Christmas, the children hit him with sticks while singing songs and he poos Christmas gifts. I know!

Squatters. And I'm not talking about people who take over an abandoned home. Look closely...

Caganers are small statues that sit randomly in a nativity scene away from the manger. They are pretty explicit and show a man with his pants down, bottom bare, and excrement on the floor. They are displayed for humor, I suppose. The original was just a Catalan peasant, but now they make popular figures like athletes, politicians, and entertainers. Which famous poopers can you see?

Fernando checks out a pooping Obama, which costs 17 euros. Michael Jackson, 15. You'd think the deceased would be more, no?

Cat and Johnny by the Barcelona lights.

La Rambla, a major touristic street looked fabulous. We're soaking it all in!

Now let's forget about the poop!

Happy Seventeen Months

We are definitely in the toddler hood. Our little one is developing a strong will, a larger vocabulary, and some faster feet. The highlight of the month was when she learned how to hug and say "Awwww....". It's so lovely.

I've been taking her to Kindermusik class once a week, which is a music and movement class of eight other toddlers. She also has books and CDs that correspond to the class, which she loves reading because the content repeats itself. I just put on the music at home and she does some of her signature dance moves. And I thought I'd never be that parent that just commands their kids, "Dance! Dance!"

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Chasing a peacock at the zoo.

I found her eating yogurt on her bed once when I couldn't find her. But no food in bed!
She rocks this snail like a pro now.
My budding artist. One of my dreams while pregnant: arts and crafts days. Can't wait!
Swinger.
Taking a snooze on Passeig de Gracia.Waiting for her buddy Jack at a park in the beautiful Montjuic. No dog poop here. Play away!
Sunny days were awesome for almost the whole month of November.

Pooped from seeing the Pope.

Organizing things is big fun.
This one cracks me up. The classic...

...peek-a-boo! Never fails.

Taking play seriously with cousin Pau.
What have I done. She loves the Youtube videos of Sesame Street songs. My personal favorite is that of Andrea Bocelli putting Elmo to sleep. So endearing!
Happy holidays, everyone!

The Pope is Dope

As a Catholic, I was excited to know that Pope Benedict XVI was going to come to Barcelona to consecrate the Sagrada Familia, the masterpiece cathedral by Antoni Gaudí. Wanting to avoid the thick crowds around the church, we decided to join along the streets, where the Pope would be passing by to greet the masses with a friendly wave and arms-raising.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

There were lots of followers waiting for His Holiness after Mass. Large screens were put up for all to see the service.

As imagined, security was tight, tight, tight. The Pope was scheduled to leave the Sagrada Familia to the archdiocese, which was to be a 15-minute ride.People were eager to make their statements. This sign reads "Miracle urgent: 1 politic honest". I don't know if it's Catalan or very bad English.Of course, there were several protestors as well. The top balcony says, "Use the condom." There was also a flashmob of gays and lesbians who were to kiss for two minutes outside the church as the Pope arrived. Wonder if he even saw them. Overall, it was peaceful.

Paloma mounted the Palomamobile while we waited for the Popemobile. "Popopopopopo....!!!"

The royal family, the president, and lots of politicians were there. The only one to greet the crowds was the Queen of Spain, who sat in the back seat of a speedy sedan and waved. See how accurately I was able to take the picture?

Here comes His Holiness...

Eeks! See that hand waving in the lower left corner? I have a picture of the Pope!
Ah, didn't know the Popemobile went faster than 10 mph.
Until next time...!
Two seconds after this, the crowds dispersed like cockroaches. May we meet again, dear Holy Father!