An eventful Christmas day

We began Christmas morning getting the girls ready for mass. After they were dressed the girls opened their presents and we would soon be headed for church. But as it turned out, it was not to be.

Earlier during the week Elena had developed an infection on her thumb that was being treated with antibiotics. We were watching it closely but on this day it looked worse. We called the Doctor and were instructed to take her to the ER. :( The nearest hospital did not have pediatricians on call so we decided to go to The Children's Hospital of Boston. It turned out to be a good choice even more so on Christmas day. The day quickly turned into fun for Elena when we arrived. First she received a Christmas bear from a little girl who was delivering them to the patients there. I initially felt they should be given to the children who were really sick. It was just her thumb afterall. However, after Elena's painful procedure, I quickly changed my mind realizing that it is these little things that provide comfort for children regardless of how small the ailment. The procedure was not only painful for Elena, but it was difficult for her to understand what was happening. She looked helpless and confused. It was difficult to watch her in such distress. I was then reminded of how difficult it must have been for my mother watching my brother go through his leukemia treatment for years and of all the other mothers who have sick children in hospitals. I can only imagine their strength and faith to help them get through something so trying.

While Elena waited for this painful procedure Santa came to visit her and personally handed her a gift. She even got a picture with him! She was visited by a child specialist who gave her sticker activities to pass the time while she waited. And to distract her as much as possible from what would happen, she was able to watch her favorite cartoon--Dora the Explorer. She didn't watch much of it once they began, but it provided a small distraction. Thankfully, she didn't place any bad associations with Dora and is still very much in love with her.

We ended up spending half the day at the hospital and left with so much more than what we came with...bears, stickers, toys, balloons. I have to say I was very pleased with the care she received and Elena doesn't even seem to look at the whole event negatively. In her own words, "Es para siente mejor" "It was to feel better." Needless to say we were unable to prepare Christmas dinner in time so we had a 2nd Christmas day the following day and opened the presents that were left. Tomorrow we will go to church and our holiday will be complete. Elena's finger is still healing and we are still watching it closely making sure it continues to heal. I am so very thankful for a healthy family this season. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

Before the hospital








At the hospital





Look closely at her thumb. It doesn't look that bad but you can see where it's inflammed.

Finally home after the hospital






Marisa who is now the proud owner of her very OWN remote!

It finally came!

The much anticipated snow in the eyes of a Texan finally came last night. Although most of the country experiences this type of weather during winter, it was still an unbelievable sight to see for us newbies. It was loads of fun and lots of work, but it was exciting to experience nonetheless. And as expected, here are a bunch of pictures. Enjoy!

At the park before the storm



During the storm (it's not over yet!)


Watching the snow fall from the living room window
Sledding to the donut shop at the corner
Elena helping out little sis.
Headed to the park
Watching the snow. "wow!"
Marisa, unsure of what to think about all this.
Elena with Omar going down the hill at the park.
Marisa and I sliding down the hill.
A Texas style snowman.

...or make your own

If you want to make your own (no-sew!) babywearing poncho you can find instructions for one here.

For my babywearing friends

This babywearing poncho is on sale at Cotton Babies at almost forty percent off. I almost ordered one, but I ended up finding a used on on diaperswappers made of wool. The Cotton Babies one is hemp but should be warm enough for TX winters....that is, if it ever stops snowing there! :) I'll let you know what I think of it once I try it out.

Happy 1st Birthday Marisa!!

Dear Marisa,

I can't believe you're one my little one. The year has surely flown by. Marisa, at a year you are cruising and getting into everything. You are a curious, observant and persistent child. Quite often you have a listening look or watchful eyes at everything going on around you. You have learned to sign more, milk, and can say, mama, dada, and ten (in Spanish meaning here.) You know the meanings to the words dormir, comer, uvas and osito. You love to give open mouth kisses, and I love to receive them. Today you gave a first real hug with arms around me and you held tight. One of your favorite things to do right now is take the books from the bookshelf one by one and throw them on the floor. You also enjoy emptying baskets and bins. You love to dance to music or even move to my singing. You clap or bounce when excited. You love to eat and love all foods. You have never thrown food off your eating tray because you want to eat it all. (Jake was not so happy with you about this one.) I struggle to know when you are done because you are always up for more. Nursing is quick for you as it has always been and when you're done you don't hang around, you are ready to play with your sister. I gave you some whole milk this week but your face told me you didn't like it. This surprises me since I have yet to find a food you don't like. I do hope you will like it soon. You take two naps a day and every once in a while like today, you will take a third nap. You seem to like baby dolls already. Something about them interests you and you are drawn to them if you see one at someone else's house or at the store. You love to be held and love to be back carried. I love carrying you in my carriers because you are so happy to see the world from up high. If you are upset this always makes you happy.

Why, why must babies grow? I wish to remember these times forever. Happy Birthday little one!


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hugging your doll
listening to birthday wishes

With Santa at St. Luke's

Happy times

Tree lighting

Our local town had their tree lighting ceremony today. Elena has been talking about Christmas trees since we moved here, perhaps because they grow here and you can see them on the side of the road. She was thrilled beyond belief and thought we were going to buy a tree for the house. See her big smile in the picture below. She's never smiled so big. Omar assured her he would get a tree for the house this weekend. It will be the earliest that we have gotten one.

Loving the fire truck
the city tree

Omar happily posing with Marisa even with the flower patterned carrier!

Cranberry Bread Recipe

If you know me, you know cooking and baking aren't my strength. I first made this bread in my classroom with my kindergarten students. The entire grade level made it with their students after reading the story Cranberry Thanksgiving, so I had no choice. :) That should explain why it's simple; it's in the back of the book. But regardless of the fact that it's from a children's book, it really is delicious and perfect for the occasion. Go ahead, try it!

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup butter
1 egg beaten
1 tsp grated orange peel
3/4 cup orange juice
1 cup of fresh cranberries

Sift dry ingredients. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Add egg, orange peel, and orange juice; stir until moist. Fold cranberries. Spoon into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for an hour and 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Holiday

At the museum. The only picture I got :(

We spent the Thanksgiving holiday here at home with my parents who were able to be with us for the week. They were great sports treking it to the Museum of Natural Science on their first day here in 24 degree weather! We really felt it since we didn't all fit in one car so we walked, bused and took the subway in the cold. This was my first experience in weather this cold... but no snow yet. We also had some delicious Cuban food. If you ever visit be assured that I will take you there...it is definitely one of my favorite places ever! We walked to Harvard Square, and walked a cemetery. Strange I know, but apparently cemeteries are sights to see and visit here. It really is beautiful and there are many historical figures buried there. The highlight is a tower on a mountain with a great view of Boston. As always my mom made her wonderful thanksgiving turkey and I managed to make dessert...proof below on video! Okay, so Elena helped me, but I contributed nonetheless. :) It was a good Thanksgiving.

Making Cranberry Bread

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Happy Birthday Elena!!

You are three and again it is another emotional day for me as I think back at our lives with you. I get emotional not because I am sad but because I am so happy that you are in my life. You are a playful, loveable, joyful daughter and we are incredibly blessed to have you in our lives.

Update: These days you are quite active. You love climbing on everything including on your Daddy and myself. You ask often to ride down our legs and say, "down the super slide." You have started to do some pretend play and want me to pretend play with you. This is new for me since you have always wanted to play independently. I am enjoying these imaginitive games with you and love to see how exciting it is for you. Unlike most little girls your age you don't enjoy playing with dolls much and you prefer to play with planes, cars, trains, and soccer balls. But I wouldn't say you seek out "boy" things either. For your birthday you made sure to ask for a pink plane. You also love Dora. Funny thing is you first found out about her through merchandise at the store. You love to hum different tunes and one of your favorite songs is Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. You also like "Al Tambor" You like to be helpful and contribute by putting some of your clothes away, putting clothes in the hamper, throwing away diapers, setting the table, putting toys away and feeding Marisa. I have to be so vigilant of this because you want to share what you're eating and it's often a big piece of food. As I take the food away from her you remind me that Marisa only eats small pieces of food. You like to dress up just to practice putting clothes on and when you can't you get frustrated and repeatedly say "ayudame, ayudame." You also like help too. You are learning so much, and I love to watch you learn and discover the world around you. My sweet Elena, I hope you continue to enjoy life the way you do. You have taught me so much and I know I will learn so much more along the way.

Pictures of the day