Happy days

Easter came and left, we had so many Easter egg hunts and parties, and my parents got to experiment Easter in this country. It was a nice time, specially because Luca is doing so well that he is enjoying everyday just like if nothing had happened to him. We are just one week away from his activation. This is exciting. He will be able to hear sounds in a different way. He can hear some with his left ear now, he responds to sound and he does great in therapy, but the truth is that he is not capable of repeating words or sounds with just that much hearing. A new world will start for him next week. His implant hearing will be progressively adjusted so that his brain can get used to this new type of stimulation and with a lot of work from all his therapists and early interventionists and me, he will learn how to speak, because he can already manage to communicate without the need of words.

La pascua llego y se fue, tuvimos tant busqueda de huevos y fiestas, y mis padres pudieron experimentar la pascua en este pais. Lo pasamos bien, sobretodo porque Luca esta tan bien y porque esta disfrutando de cada dia como si nada le hubiera ocurrido. Solo nos falta una semana para su activacion. Es emocionate. Sera capaz de oir sonidos de manera diferente. Ahora oye algo con su oido izquierdo, responde a los sonidos y le va muy bien en la terapia, pero la verdad es que no es capaz de reproducir palabras o sonidos con solo esa capacidad auditiva. Un mundo nuevo empezara para el la semana que viene. Su audicion por el implante sera ajustada progresivamente para que su cerebro se acostumbre a este nuevo tipo de estimulacion y con mucho trabajo por parte de sus logopedas, asistentes sociales y mio, sera capaz de aprender a hablar, porque de momento ya se las apanha para comunicarse sin necesidad de palabras.

OK I wrote this post 3 days ago and only now I realize that I didn't post it! Anyways, I have more to share by now.
Yesterday, after a week having that splinter in my finger I took it out. The nail grew enough to posh it a little and then I managed to grab it with tweezers. Thanks to all who gave me advice! I was getting desperate but actually it didn't hurt, so I even managed to continue quilting a bit.

OK, escribi esto hace tres dias y ahora me doy cuenta de que no lo publique! Bueno, ahora tengo mas que compartir.
Ayer, despues de una semana con la astilla en el dedo me la saque. La unha me habia crecido lo suficiente como para empujarla un poco fuera y luego me las apanhe para sacarla con unas pinzas. Gracias a todas las uqe me dieron buenos consejos! Me estaba volviendo loca pero como no me dolia, aun me las apanhe para seguir acolchando la quilt de mi madre.

Today is a happy birthday for someone in my family. And this is specially for her:

Hoy es el cumpleanhos de alguien en mi familia. Y esto es especialmente para ella:

Quilts that last generations

I am finally quilting mom's quilt. I did the patchwork years ago, when I was writing my dissertation, but never put it together to start quilting. Now that my parents are here I thought it would be a good time to quilt it and give it finally to her so she can enjoy it. Unfortunately, I went a bit overboard with the quilting, well, it's not unfortunate, it is just a lot of work and I am afraid that if I don't keep it up everyday I won't finish it before they leave. The problem now is that I got a splinter under my finger nail on the index right finger, which is the finger I use for pushing the needle through, and since I don't know how to remove it, I am worry about making it worse. So here I am, half way through with the quilting, and I have the feeling I have not enough days, without these that I shouldn't use my finger. It's not a big deal, I will finish it later, but when I'm alone I don't have much time and it looks like I could have another PhD before this one is finished...

Por fin estoy acolchando la colcha de mi madre. Hice la parte de patchwork hace años, mientras escribia mi tesis, pero nunca puse las tres capas juntas para comenzar el acolchado.. Ahora que mis padres estan aqui pense que seria un buen momento de acolchalo y darsela por fin a ella para que la disfrute. Por desgracia, me pase un poco haciendo acolchado, bueno, no es una desgracia, solo que es mucho trabajo y me temo que si no lo hago a diario no lo acabare antes de que se vayan. El problema ahora es que tengo una astilla debajo de mi uña del dedo indice de la mano derecha, que es el dedo que uso para empujar la aguja, y como no se como sacarla, me da miedo que se me vaya a poner peor. Asi que aqui estoy, a medias con el acolchado, y me temo que sin suficientes dias, sin estos que no deberia usar el dedo. No pasa nada, lo acabare despues, pero cuando estoy sola no tengo mucho tiempo y parede que podria tener otro doctorado antes de acabar esta colcha….

Anyways, this is me last Friday, Luca’s surgery day. Each of us were at home doing something that relaxed us and made is feel good, with a feeling of satisfaction and happiness knowing that the surgery was a success.

En fin, esta soy yo el viernes pasado, el dia de la operacion de Luca. Cada uno estabamos en casa haciendo algo que nos relajaba y nos hacia sentir bien, con ese sentimiento de satisfaccion y alegria por saber que la operacion habia salido tan bien.

Easter bunny

The first round of the Easter bunny came to the villages where we live. The kids enjoyed it, not so much the bunny but the eggs and chocolates yes! Luca was experiencing a new tradition, that last year we also had but he probably doesn't remember that he sat on top of the Easter basket thinking it was a stool...

La primera parte de el conejito de pascua llego a las villas donde vivimos. Los ninhos lo disfrutaron mucho, no tanto al conejito pero los huevos y los chocolates si! Luca estuvo experimentando una tradicion nueva, que el anho pasado ya tuvimos pero que probablemte no recuerde que se sento encima de su cestita de pascua pensando que era un taburete...

Luca's recovery

Hi again!
This surgery was an amazing experience for all of us. Luca doesn't stop surprising us. He did so good, and he behaved so well after the surgery. He didn't even try to get the bandage off for 3 days and I wonder what he was thinking about it. One thing was clear, as soon as that thing came off he pointed at his ears asking me for some sound. He was a bit disappointed when I only put one hearing aid, but he will soon learn that the wonderful world of sounds will be available to him through that cochlear implant. How exciting.

Hola de nuevo!
Esta operacion fue increible para todos nosotros. Luca no para de sorprendernos. Estuvo tan bien y fue tan bueno despues de la operacion. Ni siquiera intento quitarse la benda de la cabeza durante 3 dias y me pregunto lo que estaria pensando. Lo unico que me quedo claro es que en cuanto esa benda cayo, su apunto a los oidos pidiendo que le pusiera sonido. Se quedo un poco fastidiado cuando solo le puse un audifono, pero pronto aprendera que el maravilloso mundo de los sonidos estara a su disposicion a traves de ese implante coclear. Que emocionante.

Today he finally agreed to wear his new smock and he played in the house with play doh, good thing because if it were for him, he would be all day running around in his little car and playing soccer, which we have found out not to be the best thing to do after surgery. Maybe in a couple of weeks he will be allowed to do his normal life, for now, just for short periods of time.

Hoy por fin estuvo de acuerdo en ponerse su nuevo baby y jugo en casa con plastilina, que esta bien porque si fuera por el, estaria todo el dia corriendo con su cochecito y jugando al futbol, que hemos visto que no es lo mejor despues de la operacion. Quizas en un par de semanas tendra permiso en llevar una vida normal, por ahora, solo a ratitos.

Last sunday at Minerva's circle, I learned how to make a nice notebook cover. So easy and so inexpensive and such an impressive result! Tere, from Chile, taught us how to do it, and we had a great time. These workshops are turning out a lot of fun.

El domingo pasado en Minerva's circle, aprendi como hacer una cubierta de cuaderno muy bonita. Fue tan facil y barato y con resultados tan impresionantes! Tere, de Chile, nos ensenho a hacerlo, y lo pasamos en grande. Estas clases estan siendo muy divertidas.

Today I run into someone that I rarely see. It is a woman that works at a restaurant at the University and frequently saw me and my husband. She liked him a lot, she had a lot of good things to say about him. She stopped me today and asked me if my husband had passed away. She of course knew about it, she had read it in the news and was shocked and cried a lot when it happened because she had very good memories of my husband. She said she had seen him the day before with his little boy, very proud of him. It makes me happy to see how people, even those who didn't know him all that well felt so much for this great loss. It makes me happy and sad. They can't believe I smile when I talk about him, although it is not always like this, I preserve this happy feeling within me. He was with us while the surgery happened this Friday and everything was fine.

Hoy me encontre con alguien que no suelo ver. Es una mujer que trabaja en un restaurante de la Universidad y que me solia ver alli y a mi marido. A ella le encantaba el, tenia muchas cosas buenas que decir de el. Me paro hoy y me pregunto si mi marido habia fallecido. Por supuesto que lo sabia, lo habia leido en las noticias y se quedo en estado de shock y lloro mucho cuando ocurrio porque tenia muchos buenos recuerdos de mi marido. Dijo que le vio el dia de antes con su niñito, muy orgulloso de el. Me hace feliz ver que gente, incluso aquellos que a penas le conocian todos sintieron tanto su ida. Me hace feliz y triste. No pueden creer que hable de el con una sonrisa, aunque no es siempre asi, mantengo este sentimiento alegre dentro de mi. Estuvo con nosotros durante la operacion este viernes y todo fue bien.

Success!

Hi everybody!
We are home already! Luca had his cochlear implant surgery and everything went great. It only took 40 min and he is doing great. We are all very happy and thank you for all your thought and prayers. I am attaching a couple of pictures of Luca, before and after surgery.

Hola a todos!
ya estamos en casa! Luca tuvo su operacion de implante coclear y todo fue de maravilla. Solo tardaron 40 minutos y esta muy bien. Estamos muy contentos y os agradecemos por todo lo que os habeis estado acordando de nosotros. Os mando un par de fotos de Luca de antes y despues de la operacion.

Some crafts for the closests ones

My parents are here helping us and entertaining us too! Luca is having a blast and he loves his abuelos. I am too enjoying this time with them, and I am so happy that Luca is healthy lately because they get to see him in a very happy and joyful mood.
We are just 1.5 days away from the surgery, and I am getting more nervous by the minute. I keep on telling myself that this is going to be OK, and that so many kids have this surgery and they recover even faster than one can expect, but still, it is hard to think about the surgery.
For now we are just enjoying ourselves, and trying to make the best out of his hearing aids.

Mis padres estan aqui ayudandonos y entreteniedonos tambien! Luca se lo esta pasando pipa y le encantan sus abuelos. Yo tambien estoy disfrutando de este tiempo con ellos, y estoy tan contenta de que Luca este tan sano ultimamente porque asi le ven de muy buen humor y jugueton.
Solo nos quedan 1.5 dias para su cirujia, y me estoy poniendo nerviosa cada momento. Sigo pensando que todo va a ir bien, y que tanto ninhos tienen esta cirujia y que se recuperan aun mas rapido de lo que uno espera, pero aun asi, es dificil pensar en la operacion.
Por ahora estamos disfrutando los unos de los otros, e intentando hacer lo que podemos con los audifonos.

I have been crafting a little, just for my parents while they are here. I made my mom a little scarf, following the challenge that Kelli had last month, I know, I'm late but I needed some motivation, and knowing that my mom gets sick easily when her throat gets cold was a big one. And I found some fabrics that were cozy and that looked nice and this is how it looked.

He estado haciendo cositas a mano, solo para mis padres mientras estan aqui. A mi madre le hice una bufanda, siguiendo la iniciativa que a Kelli propuso el mes pasado, ya se, estoy retrasada pero necesitava algo de motivacion, y sabiendo que mi madre se pone mala cuando su garganta se enfria, era una gran motivacion. Y encontre algunas telas agradables y bonitas y asi es como quedo.

I also wanted to make something for my dad. Men are difficult to make stuff for but since he is always studying or reading something (even my blog conveniently in English and Spanish!) I decided that a book mark would do. He liked it but he doesn't use it. He carries it around in his wallet.

Tambien le queria hacer algo a mi padre. Los hombres son complicados para regalar pero como el siempre esta estudiando y leyendo algo (incluso mi blog que convenientemente esta en ingles y espanhol!) decidi que un separador de libros estaria bien. Le gusto mucho pero no lo usa. Lo lleva de un lado para otro en su cartera.

I also made the famous 10 day Amish bread that tastes so delicious! A friend of mine told me about it and I remembered that I had the batter in my freezer since 2 years ago! It took me 10 days of massaging the batter but the results were worthwhile!

Tambien hice el famoso bizcocho Amish de los 10 dias que esta buenisimo! Una amiga me hablo de el y me recordo que tengo una masa en el congelaodr desde hace dos anhos! Me llevo 10 dias masageando la masa pero los resultados merecen la pena!



Thanks everybody for thinking of us. I know that with so many nice thoughts coming from all over the planet Luca is going to be great. I will keep you all posted after the surgery!

Gracias a todos por acordaros de nosotros. Se que con tantos buenos pensamientos viniendo de todas partes del planeta Luca va a estar fenomenal. Ya os contare como va todo despues de la operacion!

New presents

My sister in law, chaparrita, sent me from Spain a wonderfully beautifully and hand crafted skirt! Look at me with my new skirt! I am so happy but I am also amazed by how perfectly fits me! I really don't know how she made it and I'm sure really quick and just my perfect size. Thank you so much chaparrita you are great! and I love my new skirt!

Mi cunhada, chaparrita, me envio desde Espanha una falda maravillosa, bonita y hecha a mano! Mirad como estoy con mi falda nueva! Estoy muy contenta pero tambien impresionada de lo bien que me viene! No se como la hizo y seguro que rapidamente y justo de mi talla. Muchas gracias chaparrita eres increible! y me encanta mi falda nueva!

Not only that, she also made an apron for Luca with the frog theme with a head band matching it. I couldn't get Luca to wear the apron, but the head band... he liked it. He loves cooking so he will enjoy this one for sure! Thank you too!

No solo eso, tambien me hizo un delantal detalles de rana y una cinta de la cabeza a juego. No consegui que Luca se pusiera el delantal, pero la cinta en la cabeza...le encanto. Le encanta cocinar asi que lo va a disfrutar seguro! Muchisimas gracias!

Here comes the sun

Little something for great people
Detallitos para persona increibles

Some sewing for some birthdays

It looks like I haven't been sewing or doing anything in the crafts department lately, but the truth is that I have! I just don't have much time to take pictures or download them or post them! But I just did it, because some of these things will be given away sometime this weekend.
Today is my friend's birthday, she has prepared some surprise games for all my quilting group tomorrow so we are all eager to see what she has planned and to celebrate with her this happy day. I also have another little birthday today, of a one year old called Danielle. I made her this bag with her initial. If she is like Luca, she will carry it around all day. I think bags are a fun toy. At least for my son....who also likes to put lipstick all over his face...mmm we may have a problem over here now that I think about it. Any male role models around willing to teach some more macho stuff to Luca? Oh well, he will be more sensitive than most men.

Parece que no he estado cosiendo o haciendo nada de manualidades ultimamente, pero la verdad es que si! Solo es que no tengo mucho tiempo de hacer fotos, bajarlas o ponerlas en el blog! Pero lo acabo de hacer, porque algunas de estas cosas ya no estaran conmigo despues de este fin de semana.
Hoy es el cumpleanhos de mi amiga, ha preparado algunos juegos sorpresa para todas la chicas de mi grupo de quilting asiq ue tenemos ganas de ver lo que ha planeado y de celebrar este dia feliz con ella. Tambien tengo otro cumple hoy, de una ninha de una anho que se llama Danielle. Le hice esta bolsa con su inicial. Si es como Luca, la llevara a todas partes todo el dia. Yo pienso que las bolsas son un juguete divertido. Por lo menos par ami hijo...al que tambien le gusta ponerse barra de labios por toda la cara...mmm puede que tengamos un problema por aqui ahora que lo pienso. Hay algun modelo masculimo que este dispuesto a ensenhar a Luca cosas mas masculinas? Bueno, sera mas sensible que la mayoria de los hombres.

And this is the final bag that I did for my workshop, I was making it while everyone else made theirs so I could show them the steps. I liked the corduroy green fabric. It was a fun workshop and tomorrow we will showcase all the bags that are finished.

Y esta es la bolsa final que hice para mi taller, estaba haciendola mientras las demas hacian las suyas para que pudieran ver los pasos a seguir. Me gusto la pana verde. Fue un taller divertido y manhana enseharemos las bolsas que estan acabadas.

Our adventure is about to start

I can't believe that February came and went almost already away from us, and a very exciting March is approaching. Yes! My parents will be here in just 4 days and we will be ready to start our journey with Luca's cochlear implant. The final surgery date, still without the insurance approval, is March 14th, it's a Friday. Luca will be in early in the morning and out that same afternoon if everything is going as planned. Then hopefully the recovery won't be too hard on him. Parents of children that have gone through this say that it is harder on the parents than on the children. Let's hope that's true and that soon he is ready to play and be his cheerful self again.

No me puedo creer que Febrero haya pasado casi ya, y que el emocionante mes de Marzo este llegando ya. Si! Mis padres estaran aqui en tan solo 4 dias y estaremos listos para empezar nuestra aventura con el implante coclear de Luca. La fecha final para la operacion, aun sin tener la aprovacion del seguro, es el 14 de Marzo, es un Viernes. Luca entrara temprano y saldra esa misma tarde si todo sale como esta planeado. Entonces esperemos que la recuperacion no sea muy dura para el. Los padres de niños que han pasado por esto dicen que es mas dificil para los padres que para los niños. Esperemos que asi sea y que pronto este preparado para jugar y ser el niño feliz que suele ser de nuevo.

Today it is also the 1 and a half year anniversary of Luca's papi departure. He would have been a great support during all this process, he was very conscientious, responsible and such a caring a loving father that he would had made sure that Luca would get the best of the best in our hands. I am just trying to do what we would have done together and the important thing is that Luca is a happy boy with every important need met. He has plenty of love coming from all over the planet, that's for sure.

Hoy es ademas un anho y medio desde la partida del papi de Luca. El habria sido de gran apoyo durante este proceso, era muy consciente, responsable y un padre tan preocupado de su ninho y que tanto le queria que se hubiera asegurado de que Luca tuviera todo lo mejor de lo mejor en nuestras manos. Solo estoy intentando hacer lo que hubieramos hecho juntos y lo importante es que Luca es un niño feliz con todas sus necesidades importantes cubiertas. Le llega mucho amor procedente de todas las partes del planeta, eso esta claro.

I have been reading a lot lately about cochlear implants (CI), the surgery, what's right after, what's next, what to expect, how others went through the journey, how to raise a deaf child that actually can hear but that he is actually and will always be deaf...these things have been going around my head a lot lately. I accept the fact that he is deaf, in fact I think this is just one more characteristic of his very complex and rich and funny personality. I wouldn't change who he is, but at the same time, it is painful seeing how he is getting behind communicating with his little friends. We communicate well, we use sign language and I also seem to be able to read his mind, like moms do, but what about the rest of the world? That's why when I knew that his degree of hearing loss was so big, I hoped he wasn't in the border line to understand some but not all so that he is still a candidate and that way he can still have access to all sounds, even though with a cochlear implant is not exactly the same as having normal hearing. I know that he won't hear much right away, the stimulation of the nerves starts slowly and is progressively turned up and also adjusted to his responses in the following weeks. I will have to test him and pay a lot of attention to make sure his CI is programmed properly, otherwise he could be hearing poorly for months and his progress would be restricted.

He estado leyendo mucho sobre implantes cocleares (IC), la operacion, que ocurre justo despues, que es lo que sigue, que esperar, como lo han pasado otros que tuvieron la misma experiencia, como criar a un niño sordo que de hecho pude escuchar pero que es de hecho y siempre sera sordo…estas cosas me han pasado por la cabeza un monton ultimamente. Acepto el hecho de que sea sordo, de hecho creo que no es mas que una de las caracteristicas de su muy compleja y rica y divertida personalidad. No cambiaria quien es, pero a su vez, es doloroso ver como se queda atras comunicandose con sus amiguitos. Nosotros nos comunicamos bien, usamos el language de las señas y tambien parece que puedo leer su mente, como hacen las mamas, pero y el resto del mundo? Por eso cuando supe que su grado de sordera era tan grande, esperaba que no estuviera en el borde de entender algunas cosas y otras no para que aun asi fuera un candidate a implante y asi el podra tener acceso a todos los sonidos, aunque con un implante coclear no se oye igual que con el oido natural. Ya se que no va a oir mucho al momento, la estimulacion de los nervios empieza de manera lenta y va subiendo progresivamente y tambien se va ajustando dependiendo de sus respuestas en las siguientes semanas. Le tendre que estar examinando y prestando mucha atencion para asegurarme de que su IC este programado adecuadamente, sino podria escuchar poco durante meses y su progreso estaria restringido.

But all of that will be later, for now, I still have my little boy who signs all the animals even though half of them he is not getting them right, he is still very cute. Check it out...

Pero eso sera despues, por ahora, todavia tengo a mi chiquitin que hace todas las señas de los animales aunque la mitad esta apuntando animales que no son lo que dice, pero aun asi es muy gracioso. Mirad...

Two years celebration

It's been two years since I started blogging. I was reading for a while before I found the courage to have something to write. These have been the toughest, and more drastic years of my life and I have enjoyed so much having this little window all this time to share my private world with so many people known and unknown all over the world. It's been my therapy, just like the fabric shop and my meetings with creative friends, and I am so glad that I decided to do it and I hope to continue doing it for a while, because when I read it, it brings back a lot of memories and details about my life that otherwise would be forgotten sooner or later.

Han pasado dos anhos desde que empece a blogear. Estuve leyendo un tiempo antes de encontrar el valor de tener algo que escribir. Estos han sido los anhos mas duros, y los mas drasticos de mi vida y he disfrutado mucho de tener esta ventanita todo este tiempo para compartir mi vida privada con tanta gente conocida y desconocida de todas partes del mundo. Ha sido mi terapia, como lo es ir a la tienda de telas y juntarme con mis amigas creativas, y estoy tan contenta de que decidiera hacerlo y espero continuar haciendolo por algun tiempo, porque cuando lo leo, me trae memorias y me recuerda detalles sobre mi vida que de otra manera las hubiera olvidado tarde o temprano.

Today I had a lot of friends over at my place for a Brazilian dinner. It is so nice to have so many nice friends and be able to share moments like these with them once in a while. I do this every time my sister in law comes for a visit. Without her I couldn't do it, she helps me so much with Luca and I also have a great time making parties with her. This brings her closer to my friends and therefore to my world. And Luca had a blast, especially with his little friend, once again.

Hoy tuve a muchos amigos en mi casa en una cena brasilenha. Es tan agradable tener tantos amigos tan majos y poder compartir momentos como estos con ellos de vez en cuando. Estas fiestas las hago cada vez que mi cunhada esta de visita. Sin ella no podria, me ayuda tanto con Luca y tambien nos lo pasamos en grande organizando fiestas juntas. Esto la acerca mas a mis amigos y por lo tanto a mi mundo. Y Luca se lo paso pipa, sobretodo con su amiguita, una vez mas.

Not settling in for less

Not settling in for less. This is what Kelli said the other day, on Valentines, and I agree. I see so many people that just take whatever is in front of them just because they don't want to wait or look for something better, something perfect and appropriate, and it makes me sad. I fortunately didn't settle for the average when I got married and that made my life very happy and I was able to create memories that will last a life time, even though our relationship was so short. I realize now how clear and authentic it was and how lucky we were, because I see not everybody experiences something like it.

No conformarse con menos. Esto es lo que Kelli dijo el otro dia, el dia de San Valentin, y estoy de acuerdo. Veo a tanta gente que simplemente se conforman con lo que tienen delante porque no quieren esperar o buscar algo mejor, algo perfecto y apropiado, y me da pena. Por suerte yo no me conforme con menos cuando me case y eso hizo que mi vida fuera muy feliz y pude crear memorias que duraran una vida entera, aunque nuestra relacion fuera tan corta. Me doy cuenta ahora de lo clara autentica que fue y de la suerte qeu tuve, porque veo que no todo el mundo tiene la misma experiencia.

And I also think this same philosophy should be applied to everything, big things and small things. It's like buying fabric, I try to look for the sales, and sometimes I buy something that is not amazing but just nice, just because it's on sale, and the really nice fabrics are out of my reach. So then, when there is a general good sale, which in Joann's, the fabric store that is my therapeutic going out destination, I do that, I buy those expensive fabrics at a reasonable price, not cheap but affordable. Then I am happy all day and weeks an when I decide to use the fabric, and I think it is really worth while. My other problem is that the nice fabrics I tend to preserve for who knows what, I don't use them because they are too pretty...

Y tambien pienso que esta misma filosofia se deberia usar en todo, cosas grandes y pequenhas. Es como comprar tela, suelo buscar las ofertas, y a veces compro algunas que no son increibles pero que estan bien, solo porque estan de oferta, y las que son super bonitas estan fuera de mi alcance. Asi que cuando hay una oferta general que esta bien, hago es, compro las telas caras pero a un precio razonable, no son baratas pero si razonables. Entonces estoy feliz el resto del dia y en las siguientes semanas y tambien cuando decido usar la tela, y pienso que realmente merece la pena. Mi otro problema es que las telas bonitas las suelo guardar para quien sabe que, no las uso porque me dan pena porque son tan bonitas...

Since this coming month, actually since yesterday, it is going to be a very busy time with lots of family visits around here, I decided to not go to my "I don't need it, so don't buy it just because it's pretty" thing and I got some inexpensive new plates and a bowl and a few cups that are lovely and a new set of sheets for my guest bed. I love them all and it makes me happy looking at them.

Ya que este mes que viene, bueno, desde ayer, va a ser un mes ocupado llenos de visitas familiares por aqui, decidi no hacer lo de siempre y decir "no lo necesitos asi qeu no los compro solo porque es bonito" y me compre unos platos, cuenco y vasos baratitos y preciosos y unas sabanas nuevas para mi cama de invitados. Me encntan y me hace feliz mirarlos.

I am glad I bought things that I really liked and this time they were even on sale! double pleasure!

Me alegro de haber comprado coasa que realmente me gustan y esta ven incluso en rebajas! Placer doble!

And happy birthday to the model on the banner of minerva's circle, such a great 5 year old!

Y feliz cumpleanhos a la modelo de la foto del titulo de minerva's circle, que ninha increible de 5 anhos!

Painting

Too many things happening these days and it's hard not to go crazy thinking and being anxious. I thought I have to get back to something I had left a long time ago, and try to finish the two-canvas painting of Luca when he was a baby.

Demasiadas cosas han ocurrido en estos dias que no es facil no volverse loca y estar ansiosa. Creo que tengo que volver a algo que deje hace mucho tiempo, e intentar acabar la pintura en dos lienzos de Luca cuando era bebe.

The workshop was fun again, although it was hard for me to do it and look after Luca at the same time. At least he had a little friend to play or fight with. More about the workshop at Minerva's circle.

El taller fue divertido otra vez, aunque es dificil para mi hacerlo y cuidar de Luca a la vez. Por lo menos tenia a su amiguito para jugar o pegarse con el. Mas sobre el taller en Minerva's circle.

And yesterday was a nice day as expected, these little ones made it special.

Y ayer fue un buen dia como esperaba, estos dos chiquitines lo hicieron especial.

Workshop

Last week we started our first workshop in the Minerva's circle workshop series. I was the first to teach, and it was a lot of fun and great success. We had an amazing setting, 7 sewing machines, 3 irons, a cutting table, and 12 girls eager to learn how to make a bag. It was a nice mix of people, almost 50% of them from Chile, which we've come to the agreement that Chilean are cool and therefore we are glad they are multiplying in our group, but overall a nice exciting working environment. It took us a long time to choose the fabrics and to get them cut correctly and to have everybody knowing what they were supposed to do but by the end of the 2 hours, you could already see all these different interesting looking bags and all these girls saying, oh no! it's already 6 pm! And since we didn't have enough time to finish, we will continue tomorrow, in another promising Minerva's circle meeting.

La semana pasada empezamos nuestra primera clase en la serie de talleres de Minerva's circle. Yo fui la primera en ensenhar, y fue super divertido y un gran exito. Tuvimos una preparacion increible, 7 maquinas de coser, 3 planchas, una mesa de cortar, y doce chicas con muchas ganas de aprender como hacer una bolsa. Era una mezcla de gente muy buena, casi el 50% de las chicas eran de Chile, que hemos llegado al acuerdo de que los chilenos son guays y por eso estamos contentos de que se esten multplicando en nuestro grupo, en general fue un ambiente de trabajo con mucha ilusion. Nos llevo mucho tiempo elegir las telas y cortarlas correctamente y que todo el mundo supiera lo que tenian que hacer pero al final de las 2 horas, ya se veian estas bolsas tan diferentes e interesantes y se oia a todas estas chicas decir, oh no! ya son las 6 pm! Y como no nos dio tiempo a acabar, continuaremos manhana, en otra reunion prometedora de Minerva's circle.

And this past week, we both have been sick, already on our way to recovery, but I realize that life is a constant fight against adversity. I also know that the way I try to handle things, the way I try not to make huge deals about something that is actually a big deal, takes a lot of my energy, but the ending result is better because there is nothing worse than transmitting negative vibes to others. This weekend looks like a lot of good vibes will be flying around. Today I will be the godmother of my little neighbor, she is like a niece and Luca's best friend, and that will bring a good opportunity to be with people that I love. Have a wonderful weekend!

Y esta ultima semana, los dos hemos estado enfermos, ya estamos casi recuperados, pero me doy cuenta de que la vida es una lucha constante contra la adversidad. Tambien se que la manera en como yo intento manejar mis problemas, la manera en que intento de crear un gran problema de lago que es realmente lo es, me quita mucha energia, pero al final es mejor porque no hay nada peor que transmitir malas vibraciones a los demas. Este fin de semana para que habra muchas buenas vibraciones. Hoy sere la madrina de mi vecinita, es como una sobrina y la mejor amiga de Luca, y eso nos dara una buena oportunidad para estar con gente que quiero. Que tengais un buen fin de semana!

More awards on Valentines

Happy Valentines everyone! Not that I care too much about this holiday, I really don't like how consumerist this "holiday" has become around here, but I guess children enjoy the giving away card and little surprise from someone else thing and I suppose if you are in love it could mean something too. I got my share of Valentine surprises this morning, a couple of awards. First, the arte y pico award from Maddy and Wouter, with such a nice little excerpt about my blog. And then a second award! "You make my day award". This time coming from Carol. Thank you so much for thinking of me, reading me, leaving comments and being always there! This blog community is something else! I do believe, like Madddy and Wouter say, that part of my happiness is coming from the internet! from the blog community and from the creativity and inspiration that are connected to all of this. I couldn't have had a better Valentine's present :)

Feliz dia de San Valentin! No es que me importe mucho este dia, la verdad es que no me gusta lo consumista que se ha convertido este dia por aqui, pero pienso que los ninhos disfrutan eso de intercambar tarjetas y de las pequenhas sorpresas que vienen de otros y supongo que si estas enamoradotambien significa algo. Yo tuve mi pequenhas sorpresas de San Valentin esta manhana, un par de premios. Primero, el premio de arte y pico departe de Maddy y Wouter, con una pequenha descripcion tan maja de mi blog. Y luego un segundo premio! "El premio de me alegras el dia". Esta vez proviene de Carol.Muchisimas gracias por pensar en mi, por leerme, por dejar comentarios y por estar siempre ahi! Esta comunidad blogera es increible! Yo cre, como dicen Maddy y Wouter, que parte de mi felicidad proviene de internet! de la comunidad blogera y de la creatividad e inspiracionque estan conectadas con todo esto. No me podian haber dado un premio mejor de San Valentin!

OK, Having said all of that I just received a heart shaped box full of chocolates, I guess it does feel nice when people come to you and tell you that you mean something to them. Anyways, lets see how the day ends.

OK, despues de haber dicho esto, me acaban de sorprender con una caja en forma de corazon llena de bombones, la verdad es que si que da gusto cuando la gente viene y te dice que significas algo para ellos. En fin, a ver como acaba el dia.

And I have signed up into 2008 CAOK photo pool, from the calculated acts of kindness that Kelli started. I made some cheese bread, like my friend Gisele used to, and I had them given away to all my neighbors, that one by one were swinging by my front door yesterday afternoon. It was great to share something I enjoy a lot with all these good friends.

Y me apunte al grupo de fotos de CAOK 2008 de actos de amabilidad calculados que Kelli comenzo. Hice unos panes de queso, como mi amiga Gisele solia hacer, y los di a todos mis vecinos, que uno por uno se iban pasando por enfrente de mi casa toda la tarde. Me encanto compartir algo que yo disfruto tanto con todos estos buenos amigos.

And I also baked a banana bread for a good friend who is leaving, hopefully to come back in a few months. Have a wonderful trip Saraswati and best of luck with everything!

Y tambien hice un pan de platano para una buena amiga que se va, esperemos que para volver en unos meses. Que tengas un feliz viaje Saraswati y te deseo mucha suerte con todo!

Happy Valentine's day everyone! Here is my valentine...

Feliz dia de San Valentin a todos! Aqui esta mi Valentin...

Sundays

Getting back to my old routine of Sundays I decided to take Luca to the botanical gardens. This time, our neighbor joined us. It was a quiet walk, around a garden full of beautiful corners and beautiful plants. This time of the year is not the best one I think, many trees have lost their leaves and many things died through the winter, but there were still a lot of beautiful things to see. I think I am going to get back to going there regularly again.

Volviendo a mi antigua rutina de los domingos decidi llevar a Luca al jardin botanico. Esta vez, mi vecino nos acompanho. Fue un paseo tranquilo, alrededor de un jardin lleno de rincones bonitos y plantas preciosas. Esta epoca del anho no es la mejor creo, muchos arboles han perdido sus hojas y muchas plantas murieron durante el invierno, pero aun hay muchas cosas bonitas para ver. Creo que voy a volver a ir regularmente.

I even got to sew some buttons to a smock I'm making for Luca...more pictures when he allows me, so far he hates wearing it...got traumatized trying it on while I made it...with a pin...

Incluso llegue a coser unos botones a un baby que le estoy haciendo a Luca...mas fotos cuando me deje, de momento odia ponerselo...se traumatizo probandoselo cuando lo hacia...con un alfiler...

I love sewing outside in the sun, it was great, and my neighbor even helped me!

Me encanta coser fuera en el sol, estuvo genial, y mi vecino incluso me ayudo!

And this is what we worked on in our Sunday's first workshop at Minerva's circle. We only got half way there but it sure was lots of fun. We are continuing this coming Sunday. Looking forward to it.

Y esto es en lo que trabajamos en la primera clase del domingo de Minerva's circle. Nos quedamos a medias pero lo pasamos en grande. Vamos a continuar este proximo domingo. Estoy deseandolo.

Imitating

Luca in this picture has his grandmother's glasses on, upside down and he is reading a book, I think he thinks that this is what people do to read. He is like that, he is an imitating machine and this the most incredible gift that he could have. Today we went for the first time to a school that is 2 h away from where we live, but well worth the trip. He did great, and I was impressed with him, even though I know what he is capable of and I see him every day. He imitated sounds and movements, just like if he had been there several times before, and it was specially remarkable knowing that he doesn't have full access to sounds. His hearing has definitely improved with the last surgery, I can see that and it is like a breeze of fresh air for me, but I can also see that there are many sounds that he can still not hear. I just can't wait to see his face when he gets finally all kinds of sounds from a cochlear implant. Hopefully soon.

Luca en esta foto esta con las gafas de su abuela del reves y esta leyendo uun libro, creo que piensa que esto es lo que la gente hace para leer. El es asi, es una maquina de imitar y este es el mejor de los dones que pudiera tener. Hoy fuimos opr primera vez a un colegio que esta a 2 h de aqui, pero vale la pena el viaje. Le fue muy bien, y yo estaba impresionada con el, aunque se lo que el es capaz de hacer y le veo a diario. Imitaba sonidos y movimientos, como si hubiera ido ya varias veces, y era especialmente increible sabiendo que no tiene acceso completo a muchos sonidos. Su audicion desde luego que ha mejorado con la ultima operacion, lo veo y veo que es como una rafaga de aire fresco para mi, pero tambien me doy cuenta de que hay muchos sonidos que aun no puede oir. Tengo muchas ganas de ver su cara cuando por fin escuche todo tipos de sonido con su implante coclear. Espero que pronto.

I am preparing a bag workshop here in our Sunday group, and I should be busy this week getting it ready. I better come up with something creative and easy to make. Pictures will come soon.

Estoy preparando una clase de como hacer bolsas en nuestro grupo de los domingos, y debo prepararme durante la semana. Sera mejor que se me ocurra algo creativo y facil para hacer. Ya pondre fotos.

An award

I received the Arte y Pico award by IZAS for being creative. Thank you so much IZAS, another great blog friend from Spain.

IZAS me otorgo el premio de Arte y Pico por ser creativa. Muchisimas gracias IZAS, otra gran blog amiga de Espanha.

IT comes along with rules...

Y viene con reglas...

1) Choose 5 blogs that you think are worth this award because of their creativity, design, interesting material and what adds to the blog community, doesn't matter the language.

1) Debes elegir a 5 blogs que consideres sean merecedores de este premio por su creatividad, diseño, material interesante y aporte a la comunidad bloggera, sin importar su idioma.

2) Each award given should have the name of the author and the blog link so everybody can see it.
2) Cada premio otorgado debe tener el nombre de su autora y el enlace a su blog para que todos lo visiten.

3) Each one awarded, should show the award and the name and link of that who awarded it.
3) Cada premiada, debe exhibir el premio y colocar el nombre y enlace al blog de la persona que la ha premiado.

4) The Arte y Pico link should be shown so you can see the origin of it.
4) Premiada y premiadora,debe exhibir el enlace de Arte y pico, para que todas sepan el origen de este premio.

5) Show these rules.
5) Exhibir estas reglas.

Here it is!
Aqui esta!

http://www.arteypico.blogspot.com/

And the awards go to....
Y los premios van a...

Gisele in Quilting in the garden, for her inspiration, creativity, friendship and much much more I can't describe in just a post.

Gisele en Quilting in the garden, por su inspiracion, creatividad, amistad y mucho mucho mas que no puedo describir en solo un post.

The girls at Minerva's circle for what it respresents in my life.

Minerva's circle por lo que representa en mi vida.

Maddy and Wouter in Live from Florida for the way the relate their family stories and also for their enchanting lives.

Maddy y Wouter en Live from Florida por la manera en que describen sus historias familiares y tambien por sus vidas encantadoras.

Clara in A colcha d'avo for her amazing creativity and enthusiasm.

Clara en A colcha d'avo por su increible creatividad y su entusiasmo.

And last, Kelli in African Kelli because she has so many qualities that I would like to have too.

Y por ultimo Kelli en African Kelli por tener tantas cualidades que a mi tambien me gustaria tener.

Needless to say, I visit weekly so many nice blogs, many of which I can't even remember how I got to them in the first place and that I wonder how didn't I read it before, so many interesting people, interesting crafts, interesting pictures, so much to read and to get inspired with. This award is dedicated as well to all of you.

Y no hace falta que lo diga, semanalmente visito tantos blogs preciosos, muchos de los cuales ni recuerdo como llegue a ellos y que me pregunto como no los habia encontrado antes, tanta gente interesante, manualidades interesantes, fotos bonitas, tanto que leer y por lo que sentime inspirada. Este premio tambien va dedicado a todos vosotr@s.

Three stars

I just realized this is my post number 201! so I passed the 200 post mark without even noticing! That's because I enjoy blogging. On top of that, If I don't my sister starts telling me that she is bored of looking at the same post, Maria Jesus, my mom's English teacher cannot tell my mom what's new in my life (do you use my blog as a conversation starter:)?), and everybody else wonders why am I so busy and don't have a few minutes to spare in my computer. Anyways, on top of that I always have something that I want to share, so many things going through my head but not enough time to write them and illustrate them with good pictures.

Me acabo de dar cuenta de que este es mi post numero 201! asi que pase la marca de los 200 posts sin darme cuenta! Eso es porque me gusta escribir en el blog. Encima, si no escribo mi hermana me dice que esta aburrida de ver el mismo post, Maria Jesus, la profesora de ingles de mi madre no le puede contar a mi madre lo que hay de nuevo en mi vida (usais mi blog como motivo de conversacion :) ?), y el resto del mundo se pregunta porque estoy tan ocupada y no tengo ni unos minutos para escribir en mi ordenador. De todos modos, ademas de eso siempre tengo algo que quiero compartir, tantas cosas pasan por mi cabeza pero no tengo suficiente tiempo para escribirlas e ilustrarlas con buenas fotos.

I made a blanket based on the background of this blog. I bought this fabric in Knoxville, TN when I was visiting my friend Gisele, and it was supposed to be the back of another fabric, but then I figured it was going to be too thick for Florida's weather (we were wearing t-shirts today) and so I am planning on making two blankets now. I put a lot of thought into this one, it is simple, and I like that, it has vibrant colors, and that's just me, and it has many meanings behind that I will keep to myself this time.

Hice una mantita basada en el fondo de este blog. Compre una tela en Knoxville, TN cuando estaba visitando a mi amiga Gisele, y se suponia que iba a ser la parte de atras de otra tela, pero pense que iba a ser demasiado gruesa para el clima de Florida (estabamos con camiseta de manga corta hoy) asi que he pensado en hacer dos mantitas ahora. Pense mucho antes de hacer esta manta, es simple, y por eso me gusta, tiene colores vivos, y esa soy yo, y tiene mucho sentido, pero eso me lo guardo para mi esta vez.

Luca is back to his old self. Finally! I was worried that it was taking much longer that I had expected. But today finally he ate and played normally and didn't get too cranky. Let's see tonight, because he is in a milk drinking mood lately, and I am exhausted from so many excursions to the kitchen. I put his hearing aids yesterday because he asked me for them and because he seemed frustrated without them. I was amazed when he had them on, I started saying ahhhh! and he would hit me to make me be quiet! he was listening to me and I was bothering him! You have no clue what that feels like, just happiness. Then he decided to say ahhhh! and did that for at least one hour, he was just enjoying hearing his voice. I think that after 5 months wearing his hearing aids, he is starting to learn how to listen. Amazing. Tomorrow, we are heading to Orlando to visit a public school that has a program for deaf children like what we want to start here in Gainesville. Me and another mom are working on this, and we will make it happen, sooner than later.

Luca ya esta bien. Por fin! Esta preocupada de que le estaba llevando mas tiempo del que pense. Pero por fin hoy comio y jugo como normalmente y no se puso muy pesado. A ver que tal esta noche, porque esta veng a a pedir leche ultimamente, y estoy agotada de tantas excursionaes a la cocina. Ayer le puse sus audifonos porqeu me los pidio y porque parecia frustrado sin ellos. Me sorprendio cuando los tenia puestos, emepce a decirle ahhhh! y el me pegaba para que me callase! me estaba escuchando y yo le estaba molestando! No sabes lo que significa eso para mi, felicidad plena. Entonces decidio decir ahhhh! y lo hizo por lo menos durante una hora, estaba disfrutando de oir su voz. Creo que despues de 5 meses con audifonos, esta empezando a aprender a escuchar. Increible. Manhana, nos vamos a Orlando a visitar un colegio publico que tiene un programa para ninhos sordos como el que queremos empezar aqui en Gainesville. Yo y otra madre estamos trabajando en ello, y lo conseguiremos, antes de lo pensado.

Surprise for ME!

I couldn't believe it when the postman came walking down the walkway with a big envelope in his hands and looked at me, that I was reading a book in the middle of the yard while watching Luca play with his cars and tricycles, and said "You are not the one living in number 3 right?" while he pointed upstairs, and I said no! because I live downstairs, but then I thought...wait! I do live in Number 3! So I said yes! It's for me! This never happens to me, it always goes to the neighbor's house, what was it? who was it from?

No me lo podia creer cuando el cartero vino por el caminito hacia mi casa caminando con un sobre grande en las manos y me miro, mientras leia un libro en el jardin vigilando a Luca mientras jugaba con sus coches y triciclos, y me dijo "tu no eres la que vive en el numero 3 verdad?" mientras senhalaba hacia el piso de arriba, y le conteste no! porque yo vivo abajo, pero entonces pense...espera! que si que vivo en el numero 3! Asi que le dije si! es para mi! Esto nunca me ocurre, siempre se van para la casa del vecino, que era? de quien era?

It was from Alicante, where my family lives, but they didn't tell me anything was coming my way. He said, it's from Spain, wait a second until I finish filling out the paper, then you can see who is it from in the back of the envelope. I had a minute to think about it but I couldn't imagine! When I flipped it around, a name I am not familiar with showed up, it wasn't anybody in my family or any of my friends...wait! I do know that first name! And then I figured it out, one of my blogging friends had sent me an unexpected surprise! I was so happy!

Provenia de Alicante, donde vive mi familia, pero ellos no me habian avisado de que me iban a mandar nada. Me dijo, es de Espanha, espera un momento hasta que rellene el papel, y entonces puedes mirar el remite por el otro lado. Durante un minuto pense de quien podia ser pero no me lo imagine! Cuando le di la vuelta, lei un nombre que no me resulta familiar, no era nadie de mi familia ni de mis amigos...espera! Si que reconozco el nombre! y entonces me di cuenta de quien era, una amiga de la blogosfera me habia mandado una sorpresa inesperada! Que felicidad!

Carol sent me and Luca two beautifully made handcrafts! A pincushion made with cross stitch, so cute! and a bag for Luca, so he can put all his toys in the car or whatever he decided he wants to do with it. He loves bags, so he is really into this one! and she also cross stitched his name with a balloon on it! What a nice surprise! Of course it came along with a nice letter explaining everything, including who had been her secret spy that gave her my address! So sweet! This world of blogging and crafting is wonderful, always full of happy moments, and kind acts by people you may have never even met in person. Next time I go to Alicante, Carol, we will have to drink a horchata and finally meet face to face. Thank you so much!

Carol me mando a mi y a Luca dos cositas preciosas hechas a mano! Un acerico hecho a punto de cruz, tan mono! y una bolsa para Luca, para que ponga sus juguetes en el coche o para lo que el decida que quiera usarla. A el le encantan las bolsas, asi que esta feliz con esta! y tambien le puso su nombre a punto de cruz con un globo! Que sorpresa tan agradable! Y por supuesto vino con una carta muy bonita explicandolo todo, incluido quien habia sido su espia secreto que le habia proporcionado mi direccion! Tan amable! Este mundo de los blogs y de las manualidades es maravilloso, siempre lleno de muchos momentos de felicidad, y el buen hacer de tanta gente que ni siquiera he conocido en persona. La proxima vez que vaya a Alicante, Carol, nos tendremos que tomar una horchata y conocernos cara a cara finalmente. Muchisimas gracias!!