Ready for the second?

Today was supposed to be the day Luca got his second implant turned on. But we have decided to postpone until tomorrow so that he is in the best conditions so we can continue with an evaluation that they are doing at school. Every time he gets a new program or something changes with his hearing it is a huge change in many ways, and it is reflected in the way he acts. For me it is a constant game of guessing whether his behavior is due to his hearing, to some changes around his life or to his age. It is very frustrating and complicated at times and other times, things flow like a charm and we are all happy. Today he was impressive in therapy. He said things I have never heard him saying and his behavior was exceptional. I wish I had recorded it! I was listening to some recording yesterday of a girl that got an implant at an early age and the way she was improving with time until 9 years of age. It was amazing and I guess it is hard for me to see the improvements because I am with him all the time, but he is getting better and better. It's encouraging to see these things.

Hoy se suponia que iban a conectar el Segundo implante a Luca. Pero hemos decidido retrasarlo hasta mañana para que este en las mejores condiciones posibles y podamos continuar con la evaluacion que le estan hacienda en el colegio. Cada vez que le ponen un programa Nuevo o algo cambia su audicion es un gran cambio en muchos sentidos, y se refleja en la manera de actuar. Para mi es un juego constante de adivinar so su comportamiento es debido a su audicion, a algunos cambios en su vida o a la edad. A veces es muy frustrante y complicado y otras veces, las cosas salen como la seda y estamos felices. Hoy me impresiono en la terapia. Dijo cosas uqe nunca le habia oido decir y su comportamiento fue increible. Ojala lo hubiera grabado! Estaba escuchando a unas grabaciones ayer de una niña que fue implantada temprano y en la manera en que iba mejorando segun crecia hasta los 9 años. Era incredible y yo creo que a mi me cuesta ver lo que mejora porque estoy con el todo el dia, pero se que va mejorando. Me da muchos animos ver estas cosas.

At school I've seen the other kids to carry notebooks with things that they make at home and then they share at school. Since Luca only goes 2 times a week, I wasn't told that we were supposed to do this. This frustrates me at times, but I have decided that instead of being frustrate, I will just take action to do the same the best way I can so that Luca can be at the same pace as the others. We have started the so-called experience book. We put images, drawings, pictures or whatever we think of related to his experiences the day before going to school. Then he tells me about it, and he is supposed to tell his friends about it when we go to school. Here is our experience book.

En el colegio he visot que otros niños llevan blocs con cosas que hacen en casa y lo enseñan a los otros niños en el colegio. Ya que Luca solo va dos veces por semana, no he sido avisada de que teniamos que hacer lo mismo. Esto me frustra, pero he decidido no frustrarme y en su lugar, simplemente hacer lo que sea necesario para que Luca lleve el mismo ritmo que los demas. Hemos empezado lo que llaman el libro de experiencias. Ponemos imagenes, dibujos, fotos o lo que sea que creamos que esta relacionado con las experiencias del dia anterior antes del cole. Luego el me lo explica, y se supone que se lo tiene uqe explicar a sus compañeros cuando vaya al cole. Aqui esta nuestro libro de experiencias.

We have also made a boat with an ice cube tray and some cardboard and a toilet paper roll. It is easy and it is very useful to teach them to listen, by putting whatever, people, animals, cheerios, m&m’s or goldfish on it and making it rock as a reward. It seems silly but it works, and that’s what matters!

Tambien hemoshecho un barco con una bandeja de cubitos de hielo y un carton y un rollo de papel higienico. Es facil y muy util para enseñarles a escuchar, haciendoles poner lo que sea, gente, animals, cereals, lacasitos o galletitas en el y haciendolo mecer como recompense. Parece una tonteria pero funciona, y eso es lo que importa!

Wish us luck tomorrow and we will keep you posted!

Desearnos suerte mañana y ya os pondremos al dia!

Suitti: The new shop

How do you start a new business? This is a question that goes around a lot in the craft/blog world since many of my creative peers hope that one day they can make their hobby into a way of living. I have to admit it, it has crossed my mind too. I have been reluctant though because everything I make is either for my own enjoyment or to give away as a present. I feel a great satisfaction doing that, and on top of that it is more forgiving because nobody is paying for the merchandise. On the other hand, if I had the space and time to make things that could be sold, it would give me another kind of satisfaction, helping maintaining my family in a home based business while not leaving my obligations to a side. Luca requires so much attention 24/7 that I can't imagine how I could devote myself to a job from 9 to 5. I am so happy I can be with him and help him now that he needs me that I consider that my full time job. But who knows, one of these days I will have some time to myself and I will be able to create the business I dream of.

Como se empieza un negocio nuevo? Esa es la pregunta que se hacen muchas personas en el mundo de las manualidades y de los blogs ya que muchas de mis companheras creativas esperan que algun dia su hobby se convierta en su forma de vida. Tengo que reconocerlo, tambien se me ha pasado por la cabeza. Aun asi he sido un poco reacia porque todo lo que hago es para mi propio disfrute o para regalarselo a alguien. Me encanta hacerlo asi, y encima uno se fija menos en los fallos porque nadie esta pagando por la mercancia. Por otro lado, si tuviera el lugar y el tiempo para crear cosas que se pudieran vender, me daria otro tipo de satisfaccion, ayudando a mantener a mi familia con un negocio en casa sin dejar mis obligaciones de lado. Luca requiere tanta atencion en cada momento del dia que no me imagino como me podria yo dedicar a un trabajo de 9 a 5. Esto tan feliz de poder estar con el y ayudarle ahora que me necesita que eso lo considero un trabajo a tiempo completo. Pero quien sabe, uno de estos dias tendre tiempo para mi y podre crear el negocio con el que suenho.

My sister in law started creating beautiful things by hand inspired by me, I think. She was already very creative and talented and she just needed to try new things. She started knitting, which she used to do as a child, crocheting, and then wanted to learn how to quilt. She learned all by herself with information from the internet. Then she wanted to make bags like me and then she just went wild creating all kinds of things. Later on she got a sewing machine of her own and then soon she started her own business. I am so proud of her for being so brave and mostly productive! and the things she creates are beautiful and with very good taste. This is her shop and I am very honored to present it in my blog.

Mi cunhada empezo creando cosas preciosas a mano inspirada por mi, creo yo. Ella era una persona muy creativa y con mucho talento y lo unico que necesitaba era probar algo nuevo. Empezo tejiendo, lo que ya solia hacer de ninha, haciendo ganchillo, y luego quiso aprender a hacer quilts. Aprendio sola con la informacion que saco de internet. Luego empezo a hacer bolsos como yi y luego ya se volvio loca creando todo tipo de cosas. Mas adelante consigio su propia maquina de coser y pronto empezo su propio negocio. Estoy tan orgullosa de ella por ser tan valiente y sobretodo tan productiva! y las cosas que hace son bonitas y de muy buen gusto. Esta es su tienda y es un honor para mi presentarla en mi blog:

New shirt...the project runway effect???

Yes, all of the sudden, I decided that I need to make myself some clothes...even though it has been proven in the past that it always fails one way or another and rarely I get to use the clothes that I make. Well, I have been successful in the past making skirts, and even pants, but tops...not so much. This thing of fitting the bust into a pattern from the store...doesn't seem to work well.

Si, de repente, he decidido que necesito hacerme ropa...aunque he comprobado en el pasado que siempre falla algo de alguna manera y rara vez llego a usar las prendas que hago. Bueno, me han salido bien faldas y pantalones, pero tops or camisas....no tanto. Esto de ajusta el pecho al patron de la tienda...no funciona muy bien.

But it might be the fact that I am hooked to this show on tv that they have challenges about making clothes that has made start with it again. I really enjoy it and become more addicted to my sewing machine when that show is on. Some time ago I made myself a skirt. It was nice but just like most of the things I make or buy, I don't have anything to wear with it. So I decided to buy a shirting material to eventually make a shirt. This week, in Luca's pre-surgery days, I decided to make myself more calm by making the shirt. I am happy with how easy it was, how fast I made it and how good it looks...but the problem...it is to small for me!!! oh no! I didn't think about fitting before the final cuts. That made me glad to know that Luca's surgeon has made many many surgeries before his, and he wouldn't make the beginners mistakes like I do! Well, it doesn't look too bad in the fist two pictures, but just because I wasn't breathing when I took them...next time I will fit it first.

Pero puede ser el hecho de que este enganchada a un concurso de television en el que hay que hacer ropa, que me haya hecho empezar de nuevo. Lo paso bien viendo el programa y cada vez me siento mas adicta a mi maquina de coser cuando el programa esta en la tele. Hace tiempo me hice una falda. Estaba bien pero como la mayoria de las cosas que me hago o que me compro, no tenia nada que ponerme con ella. Asi que decidi comparme tela de camisa para en algun momento hacerme una. Estoy contenta con lo facil que ha sido, con lo rapido que la he hecho y como ha quedado...pero el problema...es que es demasiado pequenha para mi!!! oh no!! no pense en probarmela antes de dar los ultimos cortes. Me dio tranquilidad el pensar que el cirujano de Luca ha hehco cientos de operaciones antes de esta, y no cometeria los errores del principiante como yo! Bueno, no esta muy mal en las dos primeras fotos, pero solo porque no estaba respirando cuando las hice...la proxima vez me la probare antes.

And this one went to Chile

My friend organized a workshop at Mineva's circle to make dolls that would be donated to an orphanage in Chile, where she is from. She just left today and she will deliver 6 cute little dolls that hopefully will make happy 6 little precious kids. I finished mine last night, I have been carrying this doll with no hair or face for a long time, and finally this is how CARLA came out.

Mi amiga organizo una clase en Mineva's circle para hacer munhecas que serian regaladas a un orfanato en Chile, de donde es ella. Hoy se marcho y se llevo 6 munhequitas que esperemos que hagan felices a 6 ninhitos preciosos. Acabe la mia anoche, he estado llevandome esta munheca sin pelo ni cara a todas partes durante mucho tiempo, y al final asi es como CARLA quedo.

You can't hardly see it, but under the dress each one of those dolls has a sparky heart.

No se ve bien, pero debajo de los vestidos de estas munhecas cada una tiene un corazon brillante.

Successful surgery!

Thank you everyone for thinking of us in such a special day. Luca went in like a champ and came out calm and right now if you didn't see the bandage on his head you couldn't tell he had a cochlear implant surgery today! amazing, beyond our expectations. We hope it continues like this in the following days.

Gracias a todos por acordarnos de nosotros en este dia tan especial. Luca entro como un campeon en la sala de operaciones y salio tranquilito y si no vieras la benda de la cabeza, uno no pensaria que hoy tuvo la operacion de implante coclear! increible, mas alla de nuestras expectativas. Esperamos que su recuperacion continue asi de bien en los proximos dias.

This is my name!

In a week from now I hope I'm at home relaxing (probably getting over my headache) after getting out of the hospital with Luca and his second cochlear implant surgery. It's nerve-racking and at the same time exciting. The good thing is that this time he will have his other ear to hear with the implant and he won't be off for 3 days like last time. I guess my problem here is that the first time was so quick and amazingly great that I am afraid that things can't be as good this time around, so I want to be prepared for it before I get stressed out.
I bought him a bracelet to wear that says that his a CI user and that he can't have any MRIs. Now I just have to get him to wear it. He likes make up, necklaces and sunglasses, why not bracelets right? I have the feeling that he will lose it soon, we will see.

Dentro de una semana espero estar en casa relajandome (seguramente reponiendome de mi dolor de cabeza) despues de haber salido del hospital con Luca y su segunda operacion de implante coclear. Me da nervios y a la vez emocion. Lo bueno es que esta vez tendra el otro oido con el que podra oir a traves de su implante y no tendra que estar en silencio tres dias como la otra vez. Supongo que el problema que tengo es que la primera vez fue tan bien y tan rapido que me da miedo pensar que no sea igual esta vez, asi que quiero estar preparada antes de que me estrese.
Le compre un brazalete para que se lo ponga que dice que usa implante coclear y que no puede tener resonancias magneticas. Ahora tengo que obligarle a que lo use. Le gusta el maquillaje, los collares y las gafas de sol, porqeu no los brazaletes no? me da la sensacion de que lo va a perder pronto, ya veremos.

And now that the "school year" has just started I need to get used to new beginnings, many questions are going around my head and uncertainty makes me stressed out. I guess the human being wants stability, that is what make us most comfortable, but sometimes it looks like it takes a long time to get there. In the meantime, I have started getting together with my friends on Sunday, maybe that will get me into the routine to sew again and get back to my regular life and I will give a break to questioning about the future for now. It was nice seeing them I missed our Sunday meetings.

Y ahora que el "anho escolar" ha empezado tengo que acostumbrarme a nuevos comienzos y muchas preguntas rondan mi cabeza y la incertidumbre me agobia. Creo que es humano querer estabilidad en la vida, eso es lo que no hace sentir mas comodos, pero a veces tiene que pasar mucho tiempo antes de que eso ocurra. Mientras, he empezado a juntarme con mis amigas los domingos, quizas eso me haga meterme en la rutina de coser de nuevo y de volver a mi vida normal y me hara descansar de hacerme preguntas sobre el futuro por ahora. Me alegre de verlas, echaba de menos nuestras reuniones de los domingos.

And this is something my mother in law gave me, a little bowl with a picture of an amish block on it, pretty ah?

Y esto es algo que mi suegra me regalo, un bol chiquitin con un dibujo de un bloque de una quilt amish, que bonito eh?