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!

Feliz Cumplemes!

Today Paloma is one month old! Fernando has a month long vacation this summer and goes back to work August 3rd. Without him at home during this challenging time, I wouldn't know what I would have done by myself. We've learned so much already about parenting, and there's so much more to go. We'd be lying if we said we didn't take pictures all the frickin' time. It's been a spectacular journey so far...

Today, we bought a cake the size of Paloma to celebrate.

Who says newborns don't smile?

You are getting sleepy...sleepy...My moment to slip away and get a few things done. We like to take her out for a walk every now and then to acquaint her with the city sounds.

These cries used to make us nervous, especially since Paloma knows how to scream. We respond to her cries, but they're not so scary anymore.

Skin-on-skin contact at its best. Which magazine should we send this to?

Fernando's face, my hair and eyes? We can never decide.

Yeah, we're tight.

Since Paloma likes motion, we tested out her new baby carrier. Not her thing for now.

All babies love baths - so I thought. It's been hit or miss lately.

We like the 'hawk.

Her mug shot for her U.S. passport. We love this tiny thing!

The Big Meet

I'd been waiting for this moment ever since we found out Rafa and Katya were pregnant too. Pau and Paloma finally met face to face. Any resemblance between the Ruiz cousins?

We laid them on the sofa together so they could get acquainted (and take a zillion pictures, like the proud parents all four of us are.) Paloma, Day 29. Pau, Day 20.

They tried to eat each other.

Behind the scenes of the big meet.

Katya gave Pau some merienda.

One more picture of Pau in his stroller before they went home. Thanks for stopping by, Rafa and Katya. Hope to see you soon, little one!