Girls' Winter Day Out

While a lovely sick bug has been going around in our family, we've been mainly been indoors if we're not in school or at work.  As a foursome, we've been avoiding the cold and getting ourselves better with some rest and warm cookies. (Okay, it's not that cold.) Even little M is recovering from a stuffy nose and cough. *Sigh* for baby!

But I did promise Paloma that I would take her to see Mr. Claus at the Spanish department store, El Corte Ingles, while the dudes took care of themselves at home. We also decided to roam around downtown at Plaza Catalunya to have some chick time too.

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It was a  sunny, winter day in the pigeon-filled central square.

Plaza Catalunya is probably the most central landmark in the city. The large fountain adds a nice touch.

Paloma enjoys the tickly, cool mist behind her.

The cult of Mac is everywhere. Apple opened a new flagship store recently, and as expected, it's swarming with customers and lookie-loos.

For the first time, there's a covered skating rink in the center of the plaza.

Paloma was engrossed by the kids skating on ice. She said when she's bigger she can practice skating with a little trainer penguin like these kids.

My little clown! There was a stand with a small promotion of a local theater. I guess I'm gonna have to photoshop Mateo into the other cutout.

We're here at the jolly man's house! Our girly girl waits outside the gate.

 

We stepped outside for some more fresh air. Some decorative statues also sprinkle the square.

Birds, birds, and more birds. Also, a sculpture of a horse and a woman bearing an explorer ship reminds us of the lands that Spain conquered.

We're picking up our Santa photo today. See you real soon, lovelies!

Mateo - The Third Month

Before I start slipping on tiny toy cars or stepping on railroad tracks lying around the house, I am taking full advantage of loving this tiny baby who has very little interest in anything besides milk and funny faces. He is awesome! At three months, he shows us his gummy smiles and strong neck muscles. Total stud. 

Now, if I can figure out how to fit in blogging in a timely manner...

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Call him the cooing king. I often have talks with him while he responds in goo-goo's and ga-ga's. Our last conversation got a little heated. ;-)

Paloma still likes her brother. 

Actually, she loves him. Mama's overprotective hands make sure he doesn't slip.

Sometimes I can't believe I'm a mother of two. I love my babies!

 Taking center stage. Now if he could only figure out what's so funny all the time...

For now, he gets treated like one of Paloma's dolls. She checks if her Minnie bow, which fell off her backpack, suits him.

A possible bribery photo.

 Paloma says, "I'll be the mommy, and Mateo will be the daddy." So inncocent.

 His turn for a chuckle.

 Seriously, this is one cuddly baby. Thanks for visiting!

Volume Forty: Paloma

What is it with three-year-olds having their own independent mind? Now that we have a tiny baby to whom we dress as we like and smother with endless kisses without any protests, it's hard for me to accept that Paloma is not that somewhat agreeable baby anymore. She has her own group of school friends, own sense of style ("My favorite color is pink." Surprise.) and her own ideas ("Why don't we put the frames here?").

School-wise, she's adapted well to her school schedule and is really picking up the Catalan language. She knows loads of Catalan songs! Should we sign her up for Chinese classes too? :-P

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"I can do it by myself" is a common sentence. But we don't mind giving her a hand every once in a while.

I often catch her role playing and pretending by herself at home. In any of her three languages!

 

Rain or shine, we walk to school. Twice a day! Since we have our neighbor to watch Mateo, I can squeeze in some alone time with my daughter.

"Mommy, do you need help?" Why, yes...always! Here she taste tests the chocolate chip cookie batter. It's good, as usual!

Saturday mornings are for lounging around. (But not usually for Mommy...)

I'm all for a little creativity. Like her 100% kid-chosen ensemble?

 Fall is here! Collecting leaves on the way home from school is no less than fun.

Our big girl. I know I'll look back at this and realize how little she really is right now.

Hugs to all!

His First Sacrament

I'm learning to embrace this vocation. Motherhood is something I'm trying to understand right now when days are filled with tantrums, dirty diapers, and a messy house that is begging to be cleaned. But it's beginning to be okay that there are these things in our daily lives. I'm learning these past few weeks that the true focus is peace as a family, and with that comes leading a Christian life. 

So as we are all on different spiritual paths, we are leading our littlest one to become a good Christian boy. To make it official, Mateo was blessed by the Holy Waters at our nearby parish. He is now a Roman Catholic, just like the rest of us!

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Paloma and Pau prepare for the grand ceremony in the chapel.

The godfather and father await the blessing.

Ladies' turn! The godmother and I pause for a shot.

Being blessed by the "Powers That Be" that are vested in baritone-voiced Father Evelio.

Don't call him a girly man. Do boys still wear a baptism gown in the States? I do like a traditional gown on a baby.

The celebrating party minus an active Pau and the photographer, my father-in-law Rafa.

The after party! We carried over the celebration with some unique tapas at the local restaurant.

Mateo felt the loooove as the crowd sang, "Bautizo Feliz...." to the tune of "Happy Birthday". I promised him he wouldn't have to wear a dress again.

The guilty couple take in a mouthful of cake before the cutting.

 See you soon!

Mateo - The Second Month

Hello! Baby boy is over two months now, and changing everyday. Physically, he's growing at a healthy rate and filling out those lovely cheeks. And emotionally, he doesn't fuss too much and is pretty easygoing. I guess I'm pretty lucky this time around. We think we'll keep him ;-)

Meanwhile, our neighbor kindly offered to care for Mateo while I take Paloma to school in the mornings. Actually, she's making me! She can't stand the thought of a baby in the cold! We are so blessed to have her.

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Tio Juan Pablo stopped by on the way to Malta to meet his brand spanking new nephew.

He knows who his daddy is. He always follows him around with his eyes. I'm excited to see how this father-son relationship flourishes.

It's official! He can travel now with his US passport. He's looking debonaire in his passport photo if I do say so myself.

Worried, is he? Maybe a little. Mateo's constantly on guard. Paloma doesn't mean any harm when she's planting sloppy kisses on his cheeks or squeezing his tiny hands.

Even though he coddles him a bit too much, Mateo is more in tuned to his sister anyway.

 I force a (what my dad calls) "cheek to cheek" shot with my son. I can't help it!

Our terrible twosome again.

We made our first family trip to the zoo together. It's too bad all the animals were still a blur to him thanks to bad tiny baby vision.

We bought this gigantoid swing when Paloma was a baby because I was so desperate for her to fall asleep in it on her own. It didn't work! Luckily Mateo loves it and we're finally getting our money's worth.

 I caught it! The smile. The most wonderful first milestone!

Last but not least, an impromptu family shot.

Thanks for visiting!