Final good bys

First of all, before I forget: to all those who have spaces on MSN, the new changes they´ve done to the sites don´t let me leave comments, but do know that I´ve read you and once I figure out how to post comments again I´ll be letting you know.
I can´t tell you just how many times I´ve sat and began writing to be cut short by a baby who wants to nurse again or a little girl that demands my attention, so I´d better be quick this time!

Moving here I find myself constantly coming to terms with the fact that there will be many loved ones and acquaintances that I´ve left behind whom I´ll probably never see again. No final good bys, no seeing them pass on from this life. It is hard... it was hard when I´ve heard about two of my primary school teachers who passed away within a week or so from each other though I hadn´t seen them in years. It was even harder these past few weeks as we waited to hear about my 93-year-old grandmother who has been dealing with pneumonia and going in and out of critical moments that we´ve all thought could´ve been the last. She´s much better now I´m told. But today what lingers in my heart is how hard it is to show my love and support to those left behind by their loved ones.

The mother of a dear uncle passed away yesterday... my brother was kind enough to call us once he got to the funeral home and both my mom and I were able to talk to him. But how do you attempt to bring comfort to someone who can´t see you? How and what do you say when usually it is the warmth of the embrace that soothes? I know he knows we love him. I know he knows we´d be by his side if we could yet we are left with the coldness of a crackling telephone connection that won´t let us see into each other´s eyes or hold in a silent embrace that would speak so much more than words... that is one I didn´t see coming and my how tough it is!!

My little girls

Three + weeks...

It has been a bit over three weeks since we got home. Some days I feel full of energy and projects and ready to take on this place and finally make it "home", some other days I would be the happiest just sleeping! I don't think I'm loosing more sleep than I lost with Elena, the big difference is that I can't bring myself to "sleep when my baby sleeps" as I did the first time around because I have a darling little girl who needs me too and I rather be awake for her than missing out on her day because of catching some z's. So, here I am... trying to make the best of what I have before me, living one day at a time.

On my days of energy nothing seems to phase me, on my tired days anything and everything can. One of the things I find myself dealing with this time is the usual question posed, mostly by strangers: "Is she a good baby?" What is one supposed to answer? "oh, no... she's awful, she wakes me up when I'd like to sleep" Are you kidding me? A baby does what a baby is supposed to do... some sleep a little longer, some cry a little less but I do not think you can label them of "good" or "bad" because of that. Now, I know there is probably nothing ill meant by the question, but it really gets to me... some days more than others. At any rate, regardless how little sleep I may get, regardless how long my baby may cry and regardless how little my babies like slings, swings, carriers and any other contraption designed to hold them while mom does something else, I always think they are a wonderful, awesome blessing and I never grow tired of admiring and loving them... I think I'm biased!

Another before & after

Before...


After... (notice we moved the fridge)
Another angle from the kitchen... (this is were the fridge was originally)
Pardon the mess... we´re still working but you can appreciate the major changes!

We're still here...

Life is busy yet I'm still "required" to lie low, so all my "to do's" are being accomplished at an amazingly slow pace. I'm not complaining though... I know it is just a season and it will be over sooner than later and I really want to enjoy my newborn!

The kitchen is almost finished. At least everything has been moved down and our meals are being had there. We still need to work on the organizing of everything in and around it and finishing touches to make it feel "mine" but that will probably take a bit of time. One or two details a day is all I have managed so far but I'm happy. I'll post before and after pics soon.

Elena's bangs were getting into her eyes again... I braced myself and came to terms with the fact that we won't be able to have someone experienced, let alone professional, take care of it. So yesterday before giving her a bath I thought I'd try to trim it myself. After all, how hard could it be if I stuck to just trimming very, very little to get it off her eyes. Got myself a pair of sharp scissors (or so I thought), combed her wet bangs and got to it... except I forgot my sweet girl is no lifeless doll and she moved at the wrong time. Well, now my little toddler's bangs are ridiculously short, I feel so badly!!! Oh well, live and learn... if you see her, please don't comment on her bangs, I feel so awful and am still so emotional that you might see me burst into tears at any comment... he,he,he...

Hole in the wall!!

This is one I never thought I´d be happy to say: "We have a hole in the wall!!! Hooray!!"

If you could visualize this, you are standing in front of the "hole in the wall" that connects now the downstairs apartment to the upstairs we´ve been living in. It leads into the main bedroom of the apartment, which we will obviously be loosing but have a vision to turn into a dining room some time in the future. From this standpoint, our main entrance would be to your left and the stairs to go upstairs would be to your right.

And this:

is our very own back porch!!! Hopefully tomorrow we´ll have a "cleaning day" with some wonderful friends who´ll come and help us and if everything goes well, we may be moving the kitchen down as well. That will free up space up here amazingly and will also keep this apartment so much cooler.

We are a happy bunch!