Easter is approaching

One day at Minerva's circle we learned how to decorate Slovakian easter eggs. Don't they look amazing? I loved it, now I am on the egg diet to get more shells:)

Un dia en Minerva's circle aprendimos a decorar huevos de pascua Eslovacos. A que son increibles? Me encantaron, y ahora estoy con la dieta del huevo para conseguir mas cascaras:)

Good surprises are great

Last night I was going to be treated to a coffee with babysitter included. Little that I knew that 14 good friends and 2 of their children came to meet me with big smiles and lots of presents. Wow, what a wonderful evening! Days like this make me realize how lucky I am to be surrounded by such great friends. It is great to feel this affection coming from all places! thank you friends!

Anoche me iban a invitar a tomarme un cafecito con ninhera incluida. Lo que no sabia es que 14 buenas amigas y dos de sus ninhos se encontraron conmigo con grandes sonrisas y muchos regalitos. Wow, que noche tan buena! Dias asi me hacen darme cuenta de lo afortunada que soy de estar rodeada de amigos tan buenos. Es increible sentir este carinho que viene desde las todas direcciones. Gracias amigos!

Happy birthday to my ears!!!

One year! One whole and amazing year! One exciting year of sounds for Luca! Today a year ago, he experienced sounds through his cochlear implant for the first time, and he wasn't happy, but I was, and I knew he was going to be soon, and sure enough, it just took him about an hour to feel comfortable and go with it. Now he is responsible for his bionic ears, he asks for them and lets me know if they are falling or most of the time (well I better retract this, he has lost one twice in two days and since he still hears with the other one, he doesn't even mention it...). My little guy is growing and his cochlear implants are part of him now, and he is loving them. And now I sometimes forget that he is learning to listen, he is adapting so well to them that he acts just like any other hearing kiddo. Go Luca! And what I am loving the most lately is how much he is enjoying music. I din't have my hopes up on that one since he was making me hush when I sung to him just a month ago, but now, now he sings along and plays different musical instruments and dances around, oh what a joy! Happy to youuuuu!!!! (that's how he sings happy b-day to you).

Un anho! Un anho entero y alucinante! Un anho excitante de sonidos para Luca! Hoy hace un anho, experimentaba los sonidos por primera vez a traves de su implante coclear, y no le hizo mucha gracia, pero a mi me encanto, y sabia que pronto a el tambien, y asi fue, solo le llevo una hora en aceptarlo y sentirse comodo con el. Ahora es responsable de sus oidos bionicos, me los pide y me dice si se le estan cayendo casi siempre (bueno mejor retiro esto porque ha perdido un implante dos veces en dos dias y como sigue oyendo por el otro pues no me lo dice...). Mi chiquitin esta creciendo y sus implantes cocleares son parte de el ahora, y le encantan. Y ahora a veces me olvido de que aun esta aprendiendo a escuchar, se esta adaptando tan bien a ellos que actua como cualquier otro ninho oyente. Go Luca! Y lo que mas me encanta ultimamente es que disfrute tanto de la musica. No tenia muchas esperanzas en ese departamento porque me hacia callar cada vez que cantaba hace tan solo un mes, pero ahora, ahora canta conmigo y toca diferentes instrumentos musicales y baila, que alegria! Felizzzz para tiiii!!!! (asi canta el cumpleanhos feliz el)

forgiving

I am always joking about quilting, or rather hand quilting being forgiving...or anything I make, meaning that if it has mistakes, they are forgiven because that makes it special and handcrafted. Better than made in a factory in China, right?? Anyways, I went to a farm a few weeks ago and found amazing quilts made in the late 1800s...you can imagine how much I looked at them, and I paid attention about materials and the way they were made, and they were forgiving, I mean the corners didn't necessarily match but still made it look so nice and special. I loved the fabrics too, you could see some were pieces of clothing.

Siempre estoy de juerga con que acolchar a mano perdona mucho...o cualquier cosa que hago queriendo decir que si tiene fallos, que son perdonados porque eso lo hace especial y hecho a mano. Meor que hecho en una fabrica en China, no??? Bueno, fui a una granja hace unas semanas y encontre unas colchas increibles hechas a finales de los 1800s...os podeis imaginar como las mire, y como preste atencion de los materiales y la manera en que estaban hechos, y eran perdonados, osea que las esquinas no coincidian necesariamente pero aun asi eran muy bonitas y especiales. Me encantaron las telas tambien, se podian ver que algunas eran de ropas.

Visitor

Today I had a nice visit outside our door. A nice red cardinal came sat there for a while and then flew up the tree.

Hoy tuvimos una visita fuera de nuestra puerta. Un cardenal rojo muy bonito vino y se sento ahi un rato y luego volo al arbol.

Not a cookie girl

Did I say I was going to bake a dessert from that one book every Sunday? well, it never works out the way I plan, but I have to say I did make something this time from another place.
I have tried to make these lemon drop cookies, and had to repeat the recipe. First, I used a bad ingredient. Bad idea, really bad, my house even smells like it, and it was awful. These is how they looked (actually they looked pretty good but tasted horrible).

No habia dicho que iba a hornear algo de postre cada domingo de aquel libro? Bueno, nunca me sale de la manera que lo planeo, pero he de decir que hice algo de otro lugar.
He probado a hacer estas galletitas de limon, y he tenido que repetir la receta. Primero, use un ingrediente malo. Que mala idea, muy mala, mi casa aun huele asi, y estaban asquerosas. Asi se veian (la verdad es que se veian muy bien pero sabian horribles).

Now, a visit to the grocery store and a little bit of a more experience baker (after the previous disaster) and I made these...much better!

Ahora, una visita al supermercado y un poquito mas de experiencia como pastelera (despues del desastre previo) y salieron estas...mucho mejor!

Creativity

I have been creatinve with Luca since I see that htis makes his more motivated to learn. I am also more motivated by seeing the he is starting to draw things and write letters, I had no hopes just a week ago, so I have been gratefully surprised to see his increasing interest.

He estado creativa von Luca desde que veo lo mucho que le motiva esto para aprender. Tambien estoy mas motivada viendo que esta empezando a dibujar cosas y a escribir letras, no tenia ningua esperanza hace tan solo una semana, asi que estoy sorprendida muy gratamente al ver como aumenta su interes

I have sewn bean bags for them to throw them at school in games. This was the teacher's idea and now I am thinking about putting letters on more bags I will make to keep at home.

He cosido bolsitas de alubias para que las tiren en el cole en juegos. Esta fue la idea de la profesora y ahora estoy pensando en hacer lo mismo poniendo letras en bolsas para casa.

I also made a dragon head for them to throw the bena bags in. Throw the eyes, mouth and nose, I think it will bring lots of good vocabulary. It was a challenge when she told me make a dragon head with a box, but I did it the best I could think of.

Tambien hice una cabeza de dragon para que tiren las bolsitas de alubias dentro. Las tiararan en los ojos, boca y nariz, y creo que les servira para aprender mucho vocabulario. Fue un poco de desafio cuando me dijo haz una cabeza de dragon con una caja, pero lo hice lo mejor que pude.

And then I had to make a drangon head for them to wear! That was tough, cuase I had to make it the right size, and make sure it would stay while they do some games. I could have made a mask that they could hold with a stick, but they needed to have their mouths ready to blow a horn too, so this is what I came up. I hope it doesn't break apart! but Luca was happy to model it for me. Hope they all enjoy it!

Y luego tuve que hacer una cabeza de dragon para que se la pusieran ellos! Eso no fue facil, pues tenia que hacerla del tamanho adecuado, y asegurarme de que no se les caiga mientras hacen juegos. Podria haberla hecho como mascara y que la hubieran agarrado con un palo pero necesitaban tener la boca libre para poder soplar una trompetiilla, asi que asi salio. Espero que no se rompa mientras la usan! pero Luca se puso contendo de probarsela para mi. Espero que todos la disfruten!

Dora the explorer

It is funny how lately Luca has become much more interested in things that are typical for younger children. The truth is that until now he couldn't understand much of it so he didn't have a strong connection but finally he is able to follow stories and characters and he is going through the same interests as hearing children, maybe one year younger hearing children. It is a great feeling for me, we are getting there, it is taking so much work and so much effort but he is following the right path. He continues using words that I have been teaching for a month and all of a sudden he has started using them all, after so many repetitions, so many conversations about cats, cars and cows. It is a great feeling and at the same time, I realize we have a long way to go. And lots of work ahead of us.

Es gracioso como ultimamente Luca se ha interesado tando en cosas que son mas tipicas de ninhos mas chicos. La verdad es que hasta ahora no las podia entender mucho asi que no tenia mucha conexion pero al final es capaz de seguir las historias y los caracteres y esta pasando por los mismos intereses que ninhos oyentes, quizas que ninhos un anho menores. Es un gustazo para mi, estamos llegando a ese punto, nos lleva mucho trabajo y mucho esfuerzo pero esta siguiendo el camino correcto. Continua usando palabras que yo le llevo ensenhando desde hace un mes y de repente las esta usando todas, despues de tantas repeticiones, tantas conversaciones sobre gatos, coches y vacas. Me da mucho gusto y a la vez, me doy cuenta de el camino que aun nos queda por recorrer. Mucho trabajo por delante.

And I'll tell you about that new atraction he has. Now he is crazy about Dora the explorer. She is a mexican girl that speaks in English and Spanish and has a friend who is a monkey. It's very educational and they repeat things a million times. There is a fox that says "Oh mann!!" and Luca repeats it and until I found it where it was coming from I thought it was funny that he spoke like a grown up hahaha! He saw a fabric with Dora and he wouldn't let go, the fabric had pink all over, so I bought him a piece and now we are making letters and outfits and things for him to learn motivated by Dora.

Y sobre esa nueva fascinacion os cuento. Ahora se ha vuelto loco con Dora la exploradora. Es una ninhita mexicana que habla en ingles y espanhol y que tiene un amigo que es un mono. Es una serie muy educativa y repiten las cosas mil veces. Hay un zorro que dice oh man!! y Luca repite esa frase que hasta que yo me di cuenta de donde venia, pense que era de risa que estuviera diciendo eso, parecia un hombre jajaja! Vio una tela de Dora en la tienda y no se separo de lla, la tela toda rosita, asi que le compre un pedacito y ahora estamos haciendo letras,trajes y cosas con ella para que aprenda mas cosas motivado por Dora.

I bought him a Dora kite today, focusing all this fascination towards a good language lesson, and he found a sticker of a cochlear implant in one of his sticker books. He didn't know what to do with it until he saw Dora. Dora, the kite, needed one too, just like him.

Le compre una cometa de Dora, enfocando toda esta fascinacions que tiene hacia una buena leccion de lengua, y encontro una pegatina de un implante coclear en uno de sus libros de pegatinas. No sabia que hacer con ella hasta que vio a Dora. Dora, la cometa, necesitaba tambien uno, igualita que el.

Trying something new

I saw in a tutorial how to do free motion quilting. I remember I tried it once when I first got my sewing machine and it was a disaster. I never did it again. But in the video it seemed so doable....so I decided to give it a try. I looked for the free motion quilting foot for a while and even though in y mind I though I had such a foot, it didn't seem to be among the many feet I own. Well, until I found yet another bag with my accessories, and three more feet showed up. I can't believe I have so many accessories that I don't know how to use...what a waster of potential...anyhow...I found it so I gave it a try. I was very excited quilting this mini quilt I made. It was quite easy and it looked ok while I wasn't breathing. Then I finished making some funny looking loops, took the quilt out of the machine and....I wasn't too happy. The back didn't look as good as the front, the stitches were loose, for some reason the tension didn't seem to be right. I wasn't going to pull all that work out, it was too much, and it wasn't THAT obvious, so I decided to adjust the tension better and requilt it now making some diagonal parallel stripes. This time, I liked how it worked out.

Vi un tutorial de como hacer acolchado de movimiento libre. Me acuerdo que una vez lo probe cuando me acababa de compara la maquina de coser y fue un desastre. No lo volvi a probar. Pero en el videoparecia tan factible...asi que decidi intentarlo. Busque el pie de acolchado libre, pero no estaba entre los mcuhos pies que tengo. Bueno, hasta que encontre otra bolsita con mas accesorios, y tres pies mas aparecieron. No me puedo creer que tenga tantos accesorios que no se como usar...que desaprovecho...pero bueno...lo encontre asi que lo use. Estuve muy emocionada acolchando este mini tapiz que hice. Fue bastante facil y no parecia mal mientras no respirase. Entonces acabe haciendo esos circulitos tan graciosos, saque el tapiz de la maquinay..no quede muy contenta. La parte de atras no tenia tan buena pinta como la de delante, las puntadas estaban sueltas, no se porque pero la tension no parecia estar bien. No iba a sacar todo ese trebajo, era demasiado, y no era TAN obvio, asi qeu decidi ajustar la tension mejor y volver a acolcharlo haciendo ahora unas lineas diagonales paralelas. Esta vez si que me gusto como quedo.

This is a book mark I made a looooong time ago, I am sending both to someone quite far away. I like being productive, it makes me feel good. Now I am also making things for Luca's classroom, more on that soon.

Este separador de libros lo hice hace muuuucho tiempo, voy a mandar las dos cosas a alguien que esta lejos. Me gusta ser productiva, me hace sentir bien. Ahora tambien hago cosas para la clase de Luca, mas sobre eso pronto.

Wonderful walk

Thank you everybody who commented, participated and contributed to our fund raiser! It was so much fun, and we did pretty good! Our team, Go Luca! came up 4th in the general classification and Luca came up 2nd as the individual with most funds raised. Amazing! And it was great having our family and so many nice friends sharing a wonderful day with us. I made some t-shirts for the event and I was happy with the final result, Luca and his implant were obvios and cool!

Gracias a todos los que comentasteis, participasteis y contribuisteis en nuestra recaudacion de fondos! Fue muy divertido, y nos fue bastante bien! Nuestro equipo, Go Luca! saco el 4 puesto en la general de equipos y Luca salio el segundo de los individuos con mas fondos recaudados. Increible! Y nos encanto tener a nuestra familia y tan buenos amigos compartiendo un dia tan maravilloso con nostros. Hice algunas camisetas para el evento y me gusto el resultado final. Luca y su implante se veian claros y chulos!

The ribbon cutters:)

Los que cortaron el lazo

Walk 4 hearing

This Saturday, there will be a fund raiser in Gainesville organized by the Association of Hearing Loss of America, in particular, a walk for hearing, to help raise awareness about hearing loss and to help people with hearing loss. I will help by adding here some facts. Did you know that...

• 31 million Americans have some form of hearing loss
• 22 million Americans have noise induced hearing loss that could have been prevented
• People with hearing loss tend to be underemployed and make an average of $12,000 less per year than their hearing peers
• 3 out of 10 babies in the United States are born with hearing loss

Sounds like these facts are not real...but they are...and even for us, who are so familiar with those, they seem really striking.
If you would like to join our team and walk with us, here we are, in the Go Luca! team.

Este sabado, habra una recaudacion de fondos en Gainesville organizada pr la Asociacion de Sordos de America, en particular una caminata para para oir, para ayudar a aumentar el conocimiento sobre la perdida auditiva y para ayudar a gente con hipoacusia. Ayudare anhadiendo aqui algunos hechos. Sabiais que...

• 31 millones de estadounidenses tienen algun tipo de perdida de audicion
• 22 millones de estadounidenses tienenperdida de audicion inducida por ruido que podia haber sido prevenida
• La gente con perdida de audicion tiende a tener menores posibilidades de encontrar trabajo y suelen ganas una media de 12,000 dolares menos al anho que sus companheros oyentes
  
• 3 de cada 10 bebes en los Estados Unidos nacen con perdida auditiva

Parece que estos hechos son irreales...pero no...e incluso para nosotros, que estamos familiarizados con esto, parecen verdaderamente sorprendentes. Si te gustaria unirte a nuestro equipo y caminar con nosotros, aqui estamos, en el equipo Vamos Luca!.

All about awards!!!

I have said this before and I say it again, what a pleasant world of blogging and crafting! Always running into amazing people that make you want to read more, make more, and post more!
This time I was caught by surprise when my cyberfriend and also Alicantina like me, left me not one, not two but three awards in her blog!!! I wish I could make her cake or something and mail it to her, but it wouldn't be good by then...thank you so much Pumuki I don't know if I deserve them but for sure you are so generous!

Lo he dicho antes y lo digo de nuevo, que lugar mas agradable este de los blogs y las artes! Siempre encontrandome con gente increible que me hace querer leer mas, hacer mas, y escribir mas! Esta vez me pillo por sorpresa cuando mi ciberamiga y tambien Alicantina como yo, me dejo no uno, ni dos, sino tres premios en su blog!!! Me gustaria hacerle un bizcocho y mandarselo o algo pero cuando le llegue no va a estar bueno...miles de gracias Pumuki no se si me los merezco pero lo que esta claro es que eres tan generosa!!

I give the awards to others who deserve them! The truth is that there are so many blogs that I read and that I am attracted to for different reasons that it is hard to choose, although the rules tell to choose several blogs, I rather pick one and make it simple. The best looking blog goes to Lolita Blahnik that I think is very entertaining and I love looking at her pictures. The one for the most audacious woman goes to IZAS that with her blog she shows that she is a very complete woman and a very kind person! The last one, the creative blog, goes to Laura that is always showing something different and I love looking at her work.

Yo paso los premios a otras personas que se los merecen! En realidad hay tantos blogs que leo y que me atraen por diversas razones que es complicado elegir, y aunque las reglas de los premios dicen que se deben elegir a varias personas, yo prefiero simplificarlo asi. El blog bien visto va para Lolita Blahnik que me parece un blog super entretenido y me encanta ver sus fotos. El de la mujer bien resuelta se lo lleva IZAS que con su blog demuestra ser eso una mujer muy completa y ademas es una persona tan agradable! Y el ultimo, el blog creativo, se lo entrego a Laura que siempre esta ensenhandonos algo diferente y me encanta ver sus trabajos.

One year ago

Can you believe it's been ONE year since this day? No I can't believe, Luca had surgery already a year ago, and I can't believe he is doing so great. He listens to all kinds of environmental sounds and repeats them, right away, he beeps when the microwave does it, he makes the sound of a horn or a bird, whatever it is that is catching his attention. It's really amazing, and I know it is only going to get better from now on. Today we had a wonderful day outdoors, summer is here! and Brazilians know how to make delicious barbecues! no doubt about it!

Os podeis creer que hace UN anho de este dia? No,no me lo creo, Luca tuvo su primera operacion de implante hace un anho, y no me puedo creer que le vaya tan bien. Escucha todo tipo de sonidos ambientales y los repite, al instante, hace "bip" cuando el microondas lo hace, hace el sonido de un claxon o de un pajaro, lo que sea que le atraiga. Es increible, y se que va a mejorar aun mas a partir de ahora. Hoy tuvimos un dia increible fuera, el verano ha llegado! y los brasilenhos no hay duda que saben hacer barbacoas increiblemente deliciosas!

Cute...

And this is she, modeling, with her NOT pink outfit and blanket. Cute uh?? I can't wait to meet her.

Y esta es ella, posando, NO vestida de rosa y con su mantita. Que mona ehh?? Tengo muchisimas ganas de conocerla.

Babies

Here goes the proof that I have been sewing lately. I made these presents for two babies. One was born in February, my friend's baby, and I made her a blanket for her to play with, a hat and jacket.

Y aqui va la prueba de que he estado cosiendo ultimamente. Hice estos regalitos para dos bebes. Una nacio en Febrero, el bebe de mi amiga, y le hice esta mantita para que juegue, un gorrito y una chaquetita.

I liked it and I didn't go to original with the second set, same fabrics, small variations. A card to start with the theme, a hat and jacket, an undershirt with the same motive and a pacifier holder, and finally the blanket, with more strap to hold toys or pacifiers.

Me gusto y no fui original con el segundo set, las mismas telas, pequenhas variaciones. Una tarjeta pra empezar con el tema, un gorrito y chaqueta, una camiseta con el mismo tema y un chupete con cinta para colgarlo, y al final una mantita con varias cintas para agarrar juguetes o chupetes.

This time it was for my niece Carmen and I embroidered her name on it.

Esta vez fue para mi sobrina Carmen y le borde su nombre.

Proud of my CIs

I have received comments in the past about how unlucky I am for all the things that have happened to me in the past recent years. I cannot deny that losing my husbands is something that I just don't wish to anyone, and I wish it hadn't happened to me or Luca, but most of all I wish it hadn't happened to him, my husband who is the one who lost his life. Now, Luca's hearing problem, I just don't see it like that. When I found out Luca was profoundly deaf I was upset, in shock and wondering why again, in this same hospital I had to receive shocking news like this, but at the same time I knew, this was a challenge but not a misfortune. He was alive! He was a happy boy, he had so much potential to enjoy life, the ability and the support to do so! No, this is not something to feel sad about, he is deaf, and has cochlear implants that help him hear and have a very smooth life. He is a happy boy overall, he knows how to communicate, love, laugh and is responsible with his implants knowing he is just 3 years old. He is having the opportunity to be challenged and to learn and be exposed to so many things at such a short age, that I think he is a fortunate little boy. Needless to say, I am the most fortunate mama, he is teaching me so much and we are learning together. I can only say and we both have grown tremendously and have met amazing people in the process, how lucky are we? Now, how can some people be ashamed or self conscious of having a hearing device because they are not "normal" is beyond me. I will always teach Luca to talk openly about his implants to those who look or ask about it, it's not healthy to hide things, especially when they are so important in your life.

He recibido comentarios ultimamente sobre lo poco afortunada que soy por todas las cosas que me han ocurrido en los ultimos años. No puedo negar que perder a mi marido sea algo que no se lo deseo a nadie, ojala que no me hubiera ocurrido a mi, ni a Luca, pero mas que nada desearia que no le hubiera ocurrido a el, a mi marido que es el que perdio la vida. Ahora, el problema de audicion de Luca, no lo veo asi. Cuando me entere que Luca era sordo profundo estaba disgustada, en shock y preguntandome porque de nuevo, en ese mismo hospital tenia que recibir noticias tan chocantes como esta, pero a la vez sabia, que esto era un desafio y no una desgracia. ¡Estaba vivo! ¡Era un niño feliz, tenia tanas posibilidades de disfrutar de la vida, la capacidad y el apoyo para hacerlo! No, esto no es algo como para entristecerse, es sordo y tiene implantes cocleares que le ayudan a oir y tiene una vida sin contratiempos. Sobretodo es un niño feliz, sabe comunicarse, querer, reir y es responsible con sus implantes considerando que solo tiene 3 años. Tiene la oportunidad de tener retos y de aprender y de ser expuesto a tantas cosas con tan poca edad, que creo que es un niño muy afortunado. Ni falta hace decirlo, yo soy la mama mas afortunada del mundo, me enseña tantas cosas y aprendemos juntos. Solo se que hemos crecido un monton juntos y que hemos conocido a mucha gente increible en el proceso, que afortunados ¿no? Ahora, como hay gente que puede estar avergonzado o con complejos de sus audifonos o implantes porque no son “normales” no me cabe en la cabeza. Siempre le enseñare a Luca a hablar abiertamente sobre sus implantes a aquellos que miran o que preguntan, no es sano esconder las cosas, sobretodo cuando son tan importantes en tu vida.

And changing topics, I did bake this Sunday but not from my book. I made some chocolate chip muffins from a box, wonderful boxes that they sell here that you just add oil, water and eggs and you are good to go. But I did make from scratch, a wonderful vegetarian lasagna that my friends taught me how to make and it was good. We had a celebration for a friend who got her doctorate and this is all we ate...you see she deserved a big celebration!

Y cambiando de tema, si que hice algo al horno el domingo, pero no de mi libro. Hice unas magdalenas de chocolate de caja, maravillosas cajas que venden aqui y que solo le añades aceite, agua y huevos y ya esta. Pero si que hice desde cero, una lasaña vegetariana maravillosa que me enseñaron mis amigos y estaba buena. Tuvimos una celebracion para una amiga que se ha sacado el doctorado y esto es lo que comimos...como veis se merecia un buen festin!

I am not trying to make anyone hungry here but my friend Pilar made an AMAZING lemon cake with poppy seeds that not only was incredibly delicious but also look, it was sooooo beautiful! We are thinking about having a cake decorating class in our group, anyone interested in teaching? I think she could teach us because this cake easily bein one of Martha Stewart magazines :)

Y no estoy intentando que os entre el hambre pero mi amiga Pilar hizo un pastel INCREIBLE de limon con semillas de amapola y no solo estaba riquisimo sino que mirad, era preciosisimo! Estamos pensando en hacer una clase de decoracion de pasteles en nuestro grupo, alguien interesado en enseñar? Creo que ella nos podria enseñar porque esa tarta podria estar facilmente en una de las revistas de Martha Stewart :)

We need more drama in our lives

Yes, this is my conclusion, we need more drama in our lives. I have noticed that when we talk about things that involve some sort of dramatic situation, the words related to that sink into Luca's brain like a charm. For example, now according to him, everything is at one point "empty" or "popen" (broken). The interesting thing is that I haven't worked on these words too much and he just got them right away. He got them and used them and used them again in correct circumstances. Now, work with a regular object words "boat" or "cat"...even though I have worked with him nonstop with words like that , every day, in different circumstances, he would eventually get them receptively, but not expresively. And then one day, after weeks/months out of a blue, in a situation where I am not drilling him, he just says it, even without the implants on. Today he finally said "CAT". The most interesting thing is that the "k" sound is new for him, he is just starting to say it, maybe that's why it took him so long, but there is no excuse for "boat". He says it beautifully but only recently he started labeling it correctly.

Si, esa es mi conclusion, necesitamos mas drama en nuestras vidas. Me he dado cuenta de que las cosas que tienen algo que ver con una accion dramatica, las palabras relacionadas se meten en el cerebro deLuca como si nada. Por ejemplo, ahora segun el, todo en un momento dado esta "empty" (vacio) o "popen" "broken" (roto) . Lo mas interesante es qeu no he estado trabajando mucho con estas palabras, sino que las aprendio enseguida al oirlas. Las aprendio y las uso y las uso de nuevo correctamente en diferentes circunstancias. Ahora, trabaja con una palabra de un objetocomo "barco" o "gato"...aunque he estado repitiendolas miles de veces, cada dia en diferentes circunstancias, solo las acabaria aprendiendo a reconocerlas, pero no a decirlas. Y ya un dia, despues de semanas/meses, de la nada, en una situacion en la que no le estoy haciendo trabajar, lo dice, incluso sin los implantes puestos. Por fin dijo "cat" (gato). Lo mas interesante es que el sonido "k" es nuevo para el, esta empezando a decirlo, pero quizas por eso le llevo tanto, aunque no tiene escusa con "boat" (barco). Lo dice perfecto pero solo hace poco ha empezado a llamar a los barcos por su nombre.

So, what do I need to do to make things more dramatic, to make them sink faster??? I need to be more creative, like soap operas. Wish me luck.

How can love multiply and spread towards a new little person that you had never met before but that is very close to your heart even before being born? I don't know how, but it's amazing how it happens.

Como puede ser que el amor se multiplique y se reparta hacia una personita que nunca habias conocido antes pero que esta cercana a tu corazon incluso antes de nacer? No se como, pero es increible como ocurre.

Carmen

I am so happy and excited to know that my newly born niece is healthy and happily out in the world! And her name is Carmen...I am so happy and I can't wait to see how she looks (although we all know that her daddy's genes are stronger, so we can pretty much picture her already). Soon we will be able to sing to her and give her a serenade...(and maybe she will be happy that we live so far away).

Estoy tan contenta y emocionada de saber que mi sobrinita recien nacida esta sanita y feliz fuera en el mundo! Y se llama Carmen...estoy tan feliz y me muero de ganas por verla (aunque ya sabemos que los genes de su papi son mas fuertes, asi que mas o menos nos la imaginamos). Pronto podremos cantarle y darle una serenata...(e igual se alegra de que vivamos tan lejos).

Carmencita, we love you very much and can't wait to see you and your family!

Carmencita te queremos mucho y tenemos muchas ganas de verte a ti y a tu familia!

300

This is my post 300, which means that I post 100 times a year...almost 3 times a week! that sounds like a lot. Well this week I'm increasing the numbers because I got organized and got all my pictures together and all but this is not usually the case. Anyways, I found some links to the John Tracy Clinic that I liked. This is such a wonderful place that I don't get tired to let everyone know about it.

Este es mi post numero 300, lo que significa que escribo unas 100 veces al anho...casi 3 veces a la semana! eso parece mucho. Bueno esta semana estoy aumentando los numeros porque me organize y puse todas mis fotos juntas y todo pero eso no es lo tipico. Bueno, encontre unos enlaces a la clinica de John Tracy que me gustaron. Es un lugar tan increible que no me canso de hacerlo saber a todo el mundo.





And here anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new niece with no name so far! ahh! I can't wait to meet that little one. Soon.

Y aqui estoy esperando ansiosa la llegada de mi nueva sobrinita sin nombre aun! ahh! No me aguanto ya y tengo muchas ganas de conocerla. Pronto.

Crafts at school

I try to volunteer to Luca's school weekly. I think it is important for me to see what they are doing, while helping the teacher, and also for Luca to see me involved in his life at school. He will learn that I think that what he does there is important and that I want to know more about him and his little friends at school. This past week I went and was asked to make the bulletin board into a spring theme. I am not big on themes, but since this is what they do, and also it is a good oportunity for the kids to talk about something new, I went onboard with the task and make an explosion of "Spring" on the bulletin board. The teacher told me that the kids liked it, and that now they talk about butterflies, birds, flowers, etc., when they go by it. I am glad the do.

Intento hacer de voluntaria en el cole de Luca todas las semanas. Creo que es importante ver lo que estan haciendo, mientras ayudo a la profesora, y tambien para que Luca vea que estoy inolucrada en su vida en el cole. Se dara cuenta de que creo que lo que hace es importante y que quiero saber mas sobre el y sus amiguitos en el cole. Esta semana pasada me pidieron que hiciera el tablon de anuncios de la entrada ambientado en la primavera. A mi eso de los "temas" no me va mucho, pero como eso es lo que hacen alli, y creo que tambien es una buena oportunidad para que los ninhos hablen de algo nuevo, me meti en el proyecto e hice una explosion primaveral en el tablon. La profesora me dijo que a los ninhos les gusto, y que ahora hablan de las mariposas, los pajaros y las plantas, etc., cuando pasan por su lado. Estoy contenta de que sea asi.

Three years

I have been thinking for a while now that I have been in this world of the blogosphere for 3 years now. Time really goes by quickly, and it has been such an enriching experience for me. I have learned a lot, and I have challenged myself a lot too. I have met wonderful people and it has filled up a very special part of my life. I sometimes think about how my life would be without the internet, how different! How much our lives are influenced by it! In a positive and not so positive way. In general more positive than not. I have gained so much! And hope to continue at least for a while, I guess until one day I get tired or I feel is time to move on. But for now, I will be around. I still have much to share.
Thanks for reading, for leaving your comments and for teaching me so much! thank you, thank you, thank you!!!


He estado pensando un tiempo que he estado en este mundillo de la blogosfera durante 3 anhos ya. El tiempo vuela, y ha sido una experiencia muy enriquicedora. He aprendido mucho, y me he puesto desafios tambien. He conocido a gente maravillosa y ha llenaod un lugar muy especial de mi vida. A veces pienso como seria mi vida sin internet, que diferente! Que influenciadas estan nuestras vidas por el internet! De manera positiva y no tanto. En general creo que mas positiva que negativa. He aprendido tanto! Y espero continuar por lo menos un tiempo, creo que hasta que un dia me harte o piense que es hora de seguir en otra. Pero por ahora, estaremos por aqui. Tengo mucho que compartir.
Gracias por leer, por dejar comentarios y por ensenharme tanto! gracias, gracias, gracias!!!

Baking Sundays: apetizer today

Following this recipe by Kelli I baked a delicious tomato feta phyllo tart to share with my friends at Minerva's circle. I didn't bake any sweets this week since I knew there were 2 cakes coming mmmm.

Siguiendo esta receta de Kelli hornee una tartaleta deliciosa de tomate, queso feta y milhojas para compartir con mis amigas de Minerva's circle. No hice nada dulce pues sabia que esta semana iban a traer dos tartas mmmm.

Of course, seeing such cakes, I forgot to take a picture of this tart. It's better to show the strawberry shortcake and the black forest cake that my friends maade. Amazing, both.

Claro que, al ver tales tartas, se me olvido hacer foto a mi tartaleta. Mejor ensenhar el pastel de fresas y el de la selva negra que hicieron mis amigas. Increibles, los dos.

And here is the birthday girl with her new purse. She liked it :)

Y aqui esta la cumpleanhera con su nuevo bolso. Le gusto. :)

Red bag for a stylish woman

This is the project I was telling you about, my impossible project...well guess what! I finished it! I have to say I am very proud of myself because yesterday I just didn't know how to proceed. The problem was that the material is very thick and stiff and it's some kind of plastic that when you are sewing on the shiny side, it doesn't move much under the sewing machine foot and it is a nightmare, it bends and breaks the needles and also may hurt the machine. So I had to sew the handles by hand, which took me over one hour each and almost left my fingers on it. But to my surprise, all the finishing part was done on the reverse side, and on that side, the machine runs like a charm, so I got lucky, and making some adjustments to the original design, I ended up making my own unique bag. And this is it:

Este es el proyecto del que os hable, mi proyecto imposible...bueno pues a que no sabeis que! lo acabe! Tengo que admitir que me siento muy orgullosa de mi misma porque ayer no sabia como continuar. El problema era que el material es muy grueso y tieso y es un tipo de plastico que cuando coses por el lado brillante, no se mueve bajo el pie de la maquina y es una pesadilla, dobla lass agujas y las rompe y puede hacerle danho a la maquina. Asi que tuve que coserle las asas a mano, lo cual me llevo mas de una hora casa una y casi me deje los dedos en eso. Pero para mi sopresa, toda la parte del final se hacia por el reverso, y en ese lado, la maquina corre que da gusto, asi que tuve suerte, y tras hacer algunos ajustes al disenho original, acabe haciendo mi propia bolsa. Y aqui esta:

The lining was my own addition, I love this fabric, I think it looks great with the red part.

El forro de dentro es mi propia adicion, me encanta esta tela, creo que queda bien con la parte roja.

This is how it should have been, but I just couldn't sew on top of all those layers, so that's why I added that top rectangular part.

Asi es como deberia hacer sido, pero no podia coser por encima de todas esas capas, asi que por eso le anhadi la parte rectangular de arriba.

And now I hope that my friend how is having her birthday today, will enjoy it!

Y espero que mi amiga que cumple anhos hoy, la disfrute!