Best wishes for 2009!!

Buscamenparis o donde sea...

So happy to see you all on Saturday. Even though we are spread all over the globe, we manage to keep in touch; and that is simply awesome. Of course not everyone was there, but we thought of each one of you.

Despite the horrible events that froze our hearts, September 2001 has an extra meaning to us. With our belongings stuffed in a suitcase we arrived to the city of lights; ready for innumerous adventures that for some us where key for the course of our lifes. It would take me ages to summarize just a pinch of what happened those years, but I am pretty sure we all have our own flasbacks.

After 5 Years in Paris it was my turn to move on. With my soul mate, we started a new life in Prague, and two years later Lucia came to fulfill our highest dreams. And now it’s simply amazing to meet with you again, after so long. We haven’t changed so much, have we? Marriages, babies, new jobs, new destinations… but we are still the Spanish bunch, too noisy for the “Maisel” and always ready for some drinks in the kitchen before running for the last metro.

I miss you all, but I am glad to know that life goes on with its ups and downs, and to see how good you all look.

Take care.
Hasta la proxima chic@s!

St Lucia

Yesterday it was Lucia’s day. According to the Julian calendar, the night of Lucia, December the 13th, was the longest night of the year. But on the 1700s the revised calendar placed the winter solstice on the 21st December. In traditional celebrations, Saint Lucy comes as a young woman with lights and sweets. Just like our sweet Lucia, the light of our life.

Last weekend we went to Budapest. We enjoyed the city during the light hours (not many) and the night life too. It’s the 2nd time for Lucia there, but I guess she didn’t notice. It was sunny during the day, but freezing too. We had planed to go to the night baths; only possible on that weekend. Apparently once a year they empty the waters from the public baths, to get the place clean for the new waters; and so they allow these night openings, when you can enjoy a drink or more in a bathing suit. Sounds fun but also not very hygienic to be honest… Friday we had diner at Absinth’s - nice food for a reasonable price and a couple of absinth’s included in the menu. On Sat we went to Goa’s, fusion restaurant where we had good laughs and ... ta tatattaaaaaaa Palinka – Hungarian fruit brandy. But as responsible new parents that we are, we drank with moderation :). And yes, it is possible!

This weekend we are staying calmly in Prague. It feels good to stay home with the family and enjoy the simple things, baking a cake, relaxing in a nice warm bath, playing with Lucia… Now we’re all in the sofa, and for the first time, Lucia stoop up with no support at all. Her legs are getting stronger, and she’s having a better control of her balance. It’s amazing to follow her everyday-progress from so close. And I love it when we both mom and dad can witness it.

Yes we can... but for real?

I can’t take out of my mind a recent post read in Elena’s blog. It freezes my blood. When I think that most of the time we are living inside this bubble where life seems "fairly alright" (let’s not get into details or this sunny day will turn deep black). While out there, people, millions of them, who struggle every single day to keep on living. Hunger, diseases, abuse of power, injustice, lack of information, education… the list could go on and on.

Elena talked about two little boys from Nairobi, who lost their mum in tragic situation and with a dad that would be better off… She’s helping as mush as she is allowed; since her actions can be misconceived and could mean more trouble for those little angels. If there’s a God somewhere, why tolerate things like this to occur, and so often. Freewill to men… “tu parles”. Why so much fuzz about the WallStreet crush; what about all those who are really sinking. Still no bonuses this year for them? Of course not, but WallStreet is recovering and they will get their bonuses like every year, thanks God! :(

Can’t help feeling guilty for not doing something myself. We are lucky to live comfortable and in good health. And we are grateful for that, everyday. We are lucky yes, but we have worked hard too to come this way. Still there must be something I can do.

My godmother has been helping an orphanage for years now. She goes there every Friday. She spends the afternoon with the kids, plays with them, feeds them… a warm hug is sometimes enough to make a difference. Lucia is 9 months today; I would do my best to show her that we can try and make this world look nicer.

The rich will get wealthier and poor will become poorer; is the terrible fate of mankind. But don’t miss the slightly opportunity, no matter how tiny it is, to change this.

Découvrez

Tori Amos!

Teeth

Tomorrow you will be 9 months old. You are becoming a big baby now. Difficult to stay still, curious and adventurous, greedy with the cookies and so gracious even to people you don't know.

The teeth are coming too and they seem a bit unpleasant. A toothache is quite painful, so I guess it must hurt a bit. But once you have some teeth you'll be able to experience new food. And I am pretty sure that will make you happy. We'll try chopped fruits, cheese, pasta… Today we can hardly see it, but we do feel it on the front lower side. So tiny! I should maybe stop feeling it with my finger or one day you will give me a hell of surprise, ay!

We understand that you don't feel very comfortable these days, and we are doing the best we can. But you know, we've all gone through this, and it will be over soon (I hope).

It feels great to hear the dulcet sound of your giggles again… guess the pain is gone… but for how long?

Having a bad day?

Stand up and dance!!!

Take one of those cheer up song you know, rise your monitor volume and dance your worries away. It works! I recently discovered this Anis' song, and I cant help dancing to this beat! Like the Monkey song from the Jungle book. You start by taping your feet, swinging your hips, and there you go! Enjoy it!

"Y'a des hauts, bes bas, des bas et des hauts, De drôle de débats et d'la démago. Des coups d'pression des coups dans l'dos, Des coups d'bluffs et des rodéo"
Anis - Rodeo Boulevard

Snow & bla bla blaaa

The snow came to town today. It's her first visit this winter.
The first time Lucia saw the snowflakes falling.


She started talking, baby language of course. Non-stop. Guess she has a lot to say!

Magical moments…

When I hold you in my arms while you are falling asleep. It’s magical. Your little rounded face resting peacefully on my elbow; I know you are running to the land of the dreams, but you are still close to me.

Hope to share many more!

"Soft and low when the evening comes - Holding you, sleeping in my arms - I remember there was a time - When I used to sing for you - Do do do, do do do..." from Tracy Chapman latest album: Our Bright Future

Découvrez Tracy Chapman!

Lucia is 8 months

Lucia is growing fast, zummm she’s 8 months. She knows who is dad and mom, she answers to her name, she knows her cat Aramis. She likes playing with the jingle balls, with her teddy bears, and with all her bunch of toys. In fact anything is a toy for her. So we must be careful to keep things out of her reach. She picks up the things she likes and pulls away the ones she doesn’t. Selection is the key!

She makes lots of noises of her own, and tries to communicate. We are starting to learn these baby signals. Like I’m hungry, I’m tired, I need a cuddle, and where are you mom!!! This last one I get it quite often. I read that she might be in this phase, where she’s discovering, that in fact, mom is not part of her, so it is hard for her to see me leave or to not see me at all.

We play the “cocoo” game often, so that she will learn, that even if she can’t see me, I’m still there. And then when she finds me, and she opens her arms wide, how can I just don’t take her in my arms and squeeze her tight, feel that particular smell of her, mmmm, one of those magical moments.

My baby, my moment.

90 years since the foundation of the independent Czechoslovak state

Exactly 90 years have passed since the founding of Czechoslovakia on October 28th 1918, a date that is still celebrated as a national holiday in the Czech Republic. It was the creation of the Czechoslovak state independent from the Austria-Hungary which Czechs and Slovaks were part since 1526.

Czechoslovakia’s “First Republic” survived for just 20 years, brought to an abrupt end with the Munich Agreement of September 1938. On the night of 29 to 30 September 1938, four men - Hitler, Chamberlain, Mussolini and Daladier, deliberated the fate of Czechoslovakia without it. The resultant agreements let Hitler annex the Czechoslovak border regions - the Sudetenland. The Czechoslovak government finally accepted in the hope that peace in Europe could be saved. But six months later the German occupation of what remained of the Czech Lands started. In fact, Hitler never abandoned its plans of destruction. On March the 14th 1939, its decision to occupy the Protectorate of Bohemia-Moravia is taken. The next day, at dawn, Nazi troops enter Prague.

During the 40 years of communist rule, the pre-war republic and its founding father, President Tomáš Masaryk, were virtually a taboo subject. The First Republic was portrayed as a period of capitalist exploitation and weakness, culminating in Czechoslovakia’s failure to stand up to Hitler in 1938. But with the fall of communism the pendulum swang the other way and the republic came to be seen as a golden age of democracy and prosperity.

So today, we are commemorating the founding of a state that no longer exists…

Source: Radio Praha

Friday 24th Oct
Lucia was sick for the first time last Wednesday. Nothing serious; just some low fever. But you know, if was the first time, and as they say; there’s always a first time for everything. Well there you go!

At first I noticed that she was sleeping longer than the usual, and then those red chicks. I called the pediatrician and she suggested some analgesics. Luckily I had Paracetamol at home for babies (though I don’t remember when I bought that). Anyway, babies don’t take pills like we do, they take drops, syrup (depending on the age) or suppositories. I had these last. Ummm… Lucia didn’t seem very comfy with it, neither did I, but it worked perfectly. After the second those, fever was gone complete.

Today, she’s back to normal. Energy restored 100%, ready to crawl all around the apartment and scatter her toys all over the place. And she’s back to signing. It feels so good to see her like this.


Monday 27th Oct
Fever is still out of sight, but now we both have flu; runny nose; coughs...
Outside is grey and rainy. Great Monday ahead! :(

Discover SoKo!

Here she comes...

Life in

hasn’t changed much lately. But Lucia is getting faster every day. Her crawling skills are better and of course she’s trying new stuff. She likes climbing, on anything she finds. Today she tried climbing over Aramis, poor cat. She loves standing up, so she doesn’t miss an occasion to hold tight and stand on her feet. Still she doesn’t have enough strength on her legs to last long. But I think she knows is just a matter of practice and determination.

Here we are, both on the bed. Lucia climbing on my back while I try to write these lines. Not easy.

Time to sleep my little angel. Sweet dreams to you.

Big P is back

Well is not the first time (first time I think I was 13); I already had it twice since I stopped breastfeeding. Still, it feels… it feels something. Puff.

I feel like having hot chocolate (I already prepared it) and enjoying it in front of a weepy mov; Sleepless in Seattle, Love story or Terminator - hey, the good guy dies in the end!.

Maybe this is exactly what we ARE supposed to do when P is for a visit.
Maybe I should just forget all about it, and don’t cancel the climbing tonight.
Maybe I’m using big P as an excuse not to go climbing.

Last time I went climbing, I was 5 months pregnant with Lucia. I remember it was getting hard to attach the harness around the pronouncing belly… cute… :)

Question… should I stay home cooing or should I go and do the monkey? I promised the boys I will come tonight. But P just knocked on my door an hour ago, so unexpectedly! Although is good to know that for the moment, there will be no siblings for Lucia. Big dilemma, amongst the terrible crisis bursting, the world hunger, the neverending wars, the child abuse… I feel terrible, why do I worry about such a stupid thing when the world out there is suffering. There you go, my weepy mov: the world in 2008…

Discover Marketa Irglova!

Lucia’s style

Is everywhere, look at this girl… (same haircut) I even think she has a very similar dress... :)



Angelical voice, modest girl outfit, sweet guitar chords… but Theorical girl will surprise you. Lucia likes this particular song. Her voice reminds me a bit of Dolores Mary O'Riordan from the Cranberries.

Lucia started crawling last week. She moves slowly, but she goes everywhere. She likes following Aramis, that cat, but for the time being he’s faster. The other day she was playing with his tail and he said nothing. Of course she wanted to put it in her mouth, like she does with everything she gets hold-of, but daddy was there to stop her. Really, these little ones need constant surveillance. Even when she’s sleeping I like checking on her from time to time. I always walk on my tip toes making sure i wont wake her up; as she has like a 6th sense, and somehow feels whenever we entered the room.

This is why I was also thinking of moving her to her room. But, believe me or not, just after we made this decision, she stopped sleeping the whole night through. Like if she knew. I guess the teeth have more to do with this, but anyway, the result is the same; she stays we us. These past two nights were hard; she wakes up crying and is not easy to calm her. It must hurt badly those tiny miny teeth. Poor baby.

I also decide to start cooking. First try, potato and zucchini puree. The magic touch is essential, tea spoon of olive oil and bit of kiri type cheese. She likes it!! 10 pts for mummy (thanks to Babycook!)

Breakfast chez Paul

Yesterday it woke up sunny and not so cold as the days before. A perfect day to go for breakfast. Diaper change for Lucia, shower for mum and dad and we were ready. We usually go to Savoy (a really nice cafe) but it is good to change. Some weeks ago we saw that Paul was opening in Flora. David wanted to check if they were open already.

PAUL was founded in France in 1889. Today it has a network of 330 bakeries and pastry-makers throughout the country. IT offers a selection of country-style and fancy bread, viennoiserie (i.e. croissants), pastries, cakes and desserts, snacks and sandwiches.

Verdict:
Quiche: 10/10 :)
Viennoiserie: 7/10 should be crunchier.
Bread: 8/10 (we were expecting more variety)
Coffee: Good.
Decoration: French tea house style. Very nice.

We were quite happy with the overall. Reasonable price (cheaper than Savoy). It was a nice Sunday morning.

7 Months

7 months ago i was lying completed knocked-out in a hospital bed. Not feeling my best, but something wonderful had arrived in our lives, you, Lucia, my angel.

You were born on March the 3rd, it was raining hard outside and you came almost in a blink of an eye. At noon I arrived at the maternity and around 3pm you breathed for the first time. Well, I am not sure about this timing as I was deep asleep; you cant imagine how I regret that I wasn’t there for you, on these very first seconds of your life. But here we are 7 months later, you have grown up so fast and healthy. I have become a mummy, a good one I hope and daddy is not bad either.

We love you baby. Happy month-anniversary.

I love Madrid!

It should be raining and partially covered... but it is NOT!!! I love this city.

The sun is shinning and we have the pleasure to enjoy more than 20C. Back in Prague we were no more than 14.

Going for lunch with my sister to a place called Rubaiyat. Jezz how am i ever going to start my diet!! I need to get rid of this belly. Ok, ok, as soon as i´ll get back home. I promise!!! For now, i will just enjoy every single bit of it! :)

Salud!!!

Flying again!

Here we go again!!! Weather is awful now, but still. It's always nice to go to Madrid.

We will take some mini-vacation, but still dont know where to. Easy-jet has Madrid-Malta...Mmmm. We'll see.

Lucia started already with the spoon, she doesn't eat she devours!!! Check it out!

August almost gone

My brother is leaving on Friday, another month that just flew away, so fast...

I am going to miss him, a lot. Now i know. But, he has to go back to his own life, his friends, his "things" you know?. Still i 'll hell miss him. :(


pss pss; on this photo where is Lucia hiding? :)


I have to pack for our road trip to France. We are leaving on Friday too, early in the morning; that's the plan. We'll roll for 10 hours; hope Lucia and Aramis will be fine. Guess we'll have to stop quite often, but better like this.


We are also going to the pool tomorrow. First class for Lucia, hope she'll like it and hope i'll understand - it will all be in Czech, of course.

Praha - August 1968 (part 2)

Pamphlets and flyers spread information about the occupation, calling on Czechoslovaks to resist peacefully and reaffirming popular loyalty to Dubcek and the other reform leaders, who had been interned in the early hours of the invasion and shipped off to Moscow for "negotiations" about the country's future.
Newspapers and magazines continued to publish, often with the words "Legal" or "Free" added to the masthead to indicate that they were not in the hands of the occupiers. Radio continued to broadcast from secret transmitters even after the central radio building in Prague had been battered into submission. Flyers printed in Russian were designed to explain the situation to Soviet soldiers, many of whom had little idea of where they were or what they were doing there.

Cover of the periodical The World in Pictures, from August 21, 1968. The picture caption reads: A view of the situation in front of Prague radio, 21 August 1968, at 10:35 a.m. They were still broadcasting from the building. The headline reads "WHY?" in Czech and Russian.

The popular opposition to the invasion was expressed in numerous spontaneous acts of nonviolent resistance. On January 19, 1969, student Jan Palach set himself on fire in Prague's Wenceslas Square to protest against the renewed suppression of free speech.

The country persisted in a state of tentative resistance for months. The reform leaders who had been interned and brought to Moscow for negotiations were more or less forced to sign the so-called Moscow Protocol, which re-instituted controls over the media, and rolled back the reforms in other ways.

Protests on August 21, 1969 were brutally suppressed and turned out to be the last mass demonstrations against the invasion, as the country settled down into the gray years of bureaucratic oppression known as "normalization."

Czechoslovakia remained occupied until 1990.


Sources:
www.lib.umich.edu/spec-coll/czech/
Invaze68: Josef Koudelka
Wikipedia

Praha - August 1968 (part 1)

In the morning hours of August 21, 1968, the Soviet army invaded Czechoslovakia along with troops from four other Warsaw Pact countries. The occupation was the beginning of the end for the Czechoslovak reform movement known as the Prague Spring.

The Prague Spring was a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during the era of its domination by the Soviet Union after World War II. The reform movement had been brewing for years, fed by economic problems as well as growing demands from Communist intellectuals for more freedom and pluralism within a socialist system.

In January 1968, the Communist Party's Central Committee replaced its hard-line First Secretary Antonin Novotny with the moderate reformer Alexander Dubcek, who eventually sided more and more clearly with the forces for change. In March, censorship was loosened and Novotny was relieved of his other function, President of the Republic. He was replaced by a career soldier, Ludvik Svoboda, whose last name in Czech means "freedom" - a purely linguistic coincidence.

In the following months, censorship was further loosened, some political prisoners were freed, and topics that until recently had been taboo began to be openly discussed. These reforms were not received well by the Soviets who sent thousands of Warsaw Pact troops and tanks to occupy the country. Although the Czechoslovak reformers always affirmed their intention of remaining within the bounds of a socialist system led by the Communist party, the reforms eventually began to take on a life of their own.

The Soviets attributed the invasion to the "Brezhnev Doctrine" which stated that the U.S.S.R. had the right to intervene whenever a country in the Eastern Bloc appeared to be making a shift towards capitalism. Still the days leading up to the invasion was a rather calm period without any major events taking place in Czechoslovakia.

Before and after

Lucia, baby your hair was growing so wildly, that you urgently needed a haircut.

So, mom and dad bought some special scissors designed for your stunning hair. I watched some "how to" videos on the net, but I didn’t get much of them. So in the end, just 2 basic cuts, chop in the front, chop at the rear and that was it. You didn’t let us do more. :)

Jezz you were moving so much I was afraid to hurt you accidentally. 3 minutes and we were done. And this is the result. Seriously it doesn’t look that bad, does it?

You are still the cutest ever.

But if you prefer... hairdresser next time.

Haircut

Now I know why I was so short-tempered lately. That time of the month… you know. Yes, my period is back. Don’t know if I should celebrate or start to cry. Well that’s part of the symptoms, right? So, this means I am ready for more babies… ha ha just kiddin’ of course. Hilarious sense of humor; is that also a symptom? So this explains everything!!

We are back to normal now. Lots of love, and “ma cherie” here “mon bebe” there. The usual.

Lucia got her last set of vaccines for the moment. She’s doing great. 6.750kg and 64cm. Big baby girl. Long hair too, so we decided to cut it, just a bit. We chose to do it at home. Mission accomplished and no ears missing, ha ha ha!!! But it looks… let’s say quite modern. Sort of manga style but much nicer of course. Last time I cut someone’s hair, it was to one of my Barbie dolls. Next time I think we’ll take her to the hairdresser. But still it was fun!!!

The pediatrician told us we can start with the veggies. We’ll wait a couple of weeks and then start with the spoon phase. Guess I will end with veggies puree al over. Mmm.

Too many things going on lately.

Don’t know what to start with…

Well let’s say first I got really mad at David. On Thursday we went to bed quite pissed with each other. The night went long for me, couldn’t sleep on my side of the bed so far from him; but stubborn as I am, couldn’t get closer to him either. Awful endless night. The reason, stupid one like always. But anyway, we had planned to go to Budapest for the weekend, so in the end we made things up for the trip.

We left for Budapest on Friday afternoon, a bit later than scheduled, but with enough time ahead us. 530Km with a baby wasn’t that hard after all. We just stopped once for fooding(*) and Lucia slept like an angel the rest of the journey. So at 7pm we were in a very nice studio just by the Great Synagogue. The second largest synagogue in the world that can take in 3,000 people - the largest stands in New York.

On Saturday we met with our friends. Ruxi stayed with us and the rest left for the F1 races. So we jumped on one of those flashy buses and went touring. It was really hot and at first I thought we wouldn’t last long, mainly because of Lucia. Poor baby. But with lots of refreshments and some big hats, we made it.

Heroes' Square - according to the legend Gabriel appeared to St Stephen in his dream and offered him the crown of Hungary. This why a 36 m high Corinthian column dominates the square with Archangel Gabriel on its top holding St Stephen's Crown. It reminded me of the independence square in Kiev, much smaller of course.
Széchenyi Bath - one of the largest spas in Europe. The Neo-Baroque building established in 1913, recalls the atmosphere of the Habsburg Monarchy. The water supply comes from 1250 m depth.
Gellert Hill - a 140 m high dolomite rock rising above the Danube in Buda. According to the legend witches visited the hill every night. Part of the drinking water supply of Budapest is stored in an inner reservoir within this hill.
The Citadel - a fortress was built on top of the Gellert Hill by the Hansburgs. From here we enjoyed the most stunning views of the city.
Chain Bridge - For centuries only a pontoon bridge connected Buda and Pest, and then Count István Széchenyi (1791-1860) came up with the idea of constructing a permanent bridge across the Danube. Construction began in 1842 and lasted almost 50 years. A tunnel was dug under Castle Hill to provide easy access to places in Buda behind the hill. This tunnel is exactly the same long than the Chain Bridge. According to a popular anecdote, when it rains the bridge can be pushed into the tunnel to prevent it from getting wet.
Castle district – between its charming crooked streets you can find the buda castle, the fisher Bastion, the Matyas Church and many other places of interest.

On Sunday morning I went with Ruxi to Szechenyi Bath. Very relaxing, but a bit crowded. Felt kind of dizzy afterwards, but maybe it was because of the hot temperatures. Then we walked around the castle district but didn’t have time for any visit. We’ll come back, for sure

Lucia is 5 months now. She’s a much more active baby now, not missing a detail of what’s going around her. She sings to herself and even starts warbling.

My brother is in Prague now. He’s staying over for a month; he will be in internship with David. Is good to have him home. He’s very helpful with Lucia and I love seeing them together…

(*) feel like making up words…

Time to tidy up the wardrobe

I have put away all the pregnancy clothes. It was time. I have folded them tenderly hoping to use them again sometime. I’m not sure if it feels like ages when I was with the womb or if it feels like it was like yesterday. It depends. Contradictory thoughts flow in my mind right now. And so I’m packing all those warm memories along with the clothes. It was great to be pregnant, magical, like being in a fairytale. But like in any story with some hard times too. Of course I would like to go through it all again, someday, but simply not yet.

Now all I can think of is Lucia. I can’t imagine a life without her. It’s amazing how much you get from these little creatures. I have my ups and downs, but whenever I’m not feeling my best I look at my angel, and somehow the sorrow washes away.

We started with the bottle a couple of weeks ago. I don’t know what happened, but out of a sudden I run-off of milk. I drink a lot, and insist on breastfeeding her, but there isn’t enough. She still latches right on, but gets all stressed as she doesn’t get much milk. And I can’t help feeling guilty. I am really sorry I can’t nurse her anymore. Not only for the benefits of the mother’s milk, but because it was a special moment between us, and also it was so easy and comfy. Now we are struggling with the bottles that have to be cleaned, sterilized, ready… But at least she wasn’t difficult with that; it seems like she didn’t mind the change. As long as she gets milk.

Lucia, I am so sorry I can’t nurse you anymore. I’ll keep trying, but I think we’ll have to move on. LU

14 Juillet

Today we were invited to a reception at the French Embassy in Prague.

Food, drinks, and a speech. Even the Czech Prime Minister was there; and so were we!! Many french living in the Czech Rep though...

My baby and the boys enjoying the reception.

The 14th July symbolizes the end of the Monarchy and the beginning of what is now called the First French Republic. The Bastille, a prison at the time, was stormed on July 14, 1789. This event came to represent the end of the king's power and the transfer of power to the people.

Thanks!!!

We had a great time in MADRID, thank you all!!

Ready to go back?

Summer days in Madrid are over now. Feels strange. I dont want to pack, i dont want to leave all this behind, but we have to go back to our home. I'm all messed up now. "Should i stay or should i go?" like the Clash said.

We've had a great time here, although is not always easy to live again with mom and dad, but still i'm not sure if i want to leave.

My life is in Prague i know, but maybe is time to move on. All this contradictory thoughts in my mind are driving me mad. I guess when i will be back home, everything will be fine again. I really hope the sadness i'm sinking in will dissapear. I'm going to miss you all so much. A month just went by so fast...

Lucia is 4 months now, and she's still the most beautifull baby to our eyes. She's all tunned and loves the swimming pool.

Lucia y el futbol

En este momento solo se habla de futbol en este pais... Hoy España se clasifico para la final de la Eurocopa. Que cosas!

A Lucia, lo que es el futbol, no se si le gusta, pero ver esas manchitas de colores moviendose sin parar de un lado al otro le encanta!!! Asi que ahi la tenemos con esos ojitos tan lindos clavados en el televisor.

Estamos en la final!!!! :)

Yo no soy muy futbolera, pero oye, una se alegra (pour uina vez). Me iria de fies y todo!

Mañana viene Mel, se quedara unos dias en Madrid. David esta de Rodriguez en Praga, despues de una semanita en Madrid y otra en Asturias. (y yo de Rodriguez en Madrid...) Y la peque, pues cada dia mas bonita, mas grande, mas... de todo.

Lucia you are three months old now.

I know keep repeating the same old song, but you are growing so fast! We spent 24 hours together and everyday I can see the differences. And I don’t mean just in size. You are now 5.300Kg and 60cm. Big baby!!! But you have changed so much in other aspects.

You are more communicative. Apart from crying when you are hungry or need a new diaper, now your are starting to sort of speak – still gluglu glagla – to show when you are not happy or to simply call our attention. around you and you suck your wrist (guess is hard to find the thumb out of all those tiny fingers). It’s so funny to see you doing all these new “tricks”.

I guess you are also starting to recognize mom and dad. You smile at me when you wake up, while we play, when you see you dad and also some other people you are getting used to see. You are simply growing up, and I am so happy to be there to see it.


You know, I’ve never been so glad with such a “job”. It’s not a mere trifle, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. You know I am growing up too. I just hope I’m doing it fine.

Rain is back in Prague, so no more walks in the park. Today we have appointment at the orthopedist to check on your bones. Hope it will stop raining when we have to go, or we’ll get soaked!! On Monday you had your first vaccines. The typical one against diphtheria, polio, tetanus… and a pneumococcal vaccine. This second one is optional (and not included in the insurance immunization schedule) but I’ve read that it is highly recommended. The pneumoniae bacteria are responsible for causing invasive diseases such as pneumonia, blood poisoning and meningitis. You will need 3 doses, so only two more to go! You had no side effects; you are so strong my little angel.

Week-end in Vienna and many other things…

Lucia, last Friday we made our first road trip; destination Vienna. Around 300km from Prague. You slept all the way through so I thing you are ready for some more trips this summer.

On Saturday it was Maira&Georg’s wedding. You might not remember anything about it later, so I will note some things down for you to read one day.

The way to Vienna was just fine, not much traffic on the road. When we were 40km from our arrival point I moved to the back of the car, as you woke up and seemed tired of the journey. To my surprise I noticed that the suit bag was missing. We had to pull over. It seemed we had forgotten one of the most important things, our clothes for the wedding!!! I had packed the three costumes together and somehow we left them in the closet. What to do; go back?

First thing is first and as you seemed quite tired we decided to check in the hotel and think later. But the thing is, we had no map of the city, so we got lost and turned around for a while.

Once in the hotel, after dissuading your Dad to go back to Prague for the clothes; we came with a “common sense” solution: SHOPPING!!!


Saturday 24th May
7:30 – wake up; feed you
8:30 - shower and breakfast
9:30 – emergency shopping in the city centre
11:00 – feed you again; hairdresser
12:00 - back at the hotel. Iron Dad’s shirt, get dressed, get you dressed
13:30 – leave for the wedding
14:00 – arrival at the church, perfect timing, just when the bride and the broom were entering.

As you can see, your clumsy parents managed it all in the end!

It was a great weeding!!! Thanks Maria and George!!!

One more year...

Older... and happier!!!!

Perfect mom?

Thinking back to my life so far, there are certain things I’m not proud of. I haven’t been "good" all the time, I know, and I wish sometimes I had chosen differently. But we can’t change the past, can we? Free will we are given, and although we dont mean to do wrong, we do.

Now, I would like to be a good mom for Lucia. A perfect mom? Naaa i dont think so. There’s no “how to” so I’ll just have to follow my instinct and try to do the best I can. I would do anything for our little angel. I think about all these times when my mom used to tell me “one day, as mom you will understand”. I think I know now what she meant.

How to be sure you are doing the right thing for them? Like, should I take her on my arms every time she cries? Or should I let her cry a bit? Hard to say. Maybe is this special bond between a mom and her baby; but when she cries, my whole body responds. I just can’t ignore that!

These little ones, they can’t speak, so the only way to draw our attention is by crying. Somehow, you learn to distinguish if they are hungry, if I they need a clean diaper, if the are cold or if they simply need a hug for comfort. If you take some time, you will learn to catch these signs. But (of course) sometimes you’re tired, and need some rest – difficult to make a new born understand this. So it’s not always easy... but that’s the way things are!

But then you know, they smile back to you and you see that they are happy, and none of the rest matters anymore.

Lucia is starting to be more active now; like she’s aware of her hands and would like to start using them. Here she’s playing, well it looks more like a box combat, but still cute.

Behind blue eyes

Lucia is 1 month. Time just flies flies flies!!!

She’s gorgeous, what else can I say! Breastfeeding is a success now, and I’m really happy about it. She’s healthy, gaining weight and looks great. She has big appetite and now she’s over the 4 kilos. She follows you with her big blue eyes and she smiles very often. She also cries a lot, mainly in the evening; maybe she doesn’t like the fact that the day is over… Mmmm

During the day she’s fine, and loves to go out to the park. We go to Hlavickovy sady, nice park just by the corner. Guess she just like being taken for a walk in her flashy fashion orange pushchair. We’ll go now as soon as this post is posted!

The neighbors next door just moved in, young couple with a baby girl. I can hear them now. Oh my, these walls are quite thin!!! Hope it will be fine! Their girl is a year older and they both share the same name… how about that? Though pronounced in Czech sounds slightly different.

Time to get some sunshine in our b*** i mean faces. Ciao!

Take a break...if you can!

Lucia is almost 1 month. These past weeks have been non-stop. I hardly have time to do anything apart from taking care of her. Sometimes is hard, I won’t lie to you, mostly since my mom left, but in the end you get so much in return, you don't mind.

Eventually, in the evenings I regret not doing more things with her; I could talk more to her when she’s peacefully sitting on her transat chair. Maybe play more with her. But the truth is I need the “free” time for my shower, to get some rest, washing machines, Aramis, check the emails in a wink, call my mom… I could say I’m on duty 24h! :)

On Friday I had an appointment with my doctor to check the c-cut scar - everything is back in place and I can almost return to normal life. The thing is I had to shave my legs, as since I came back from the hospital I never had the chance to. So I took one of the morning breaks to do it, but Lucia decided one leg was enough. I can't go like that for my check-up! In the end, after failing to convince Lucia I needed both legs, I ended sitting on the bathroom floor, Lucia in one arm and shaver on the other. Hard to believe but it is possible! She didn’t mind the sound of the machine (for instance, Aramis hates it), she even kind of felt drowsy. It was not easy but in the end I had both my legs smooth and hairless, Yuppie!!!

I wish I could note down all this “curious” situations I live everyday, but that would take me one of my so claimed breaks…

Lucia is already 3.780Kg. She’s gaining weight, hurray!!! She’s an angel. At night she only wakes once, around 3a.m/4a.m. Later she asks for her breakfast around 7a.m, just like Aramis. So I can’t blame on her that I don’t get enough sleep. Somehow my body is used to her timetable now, and I do wake up with her, or even before her. It’s amazing how my body is responding to this new life, like if we both had synchronized watches. Daddy is also helping a lot; he takes care of most of the diapers changing. I just wish he could be more time with us during the week.

Have to go, is time to feed the little angel, once more!

Lucia is born

It was Monday 3rd March. Somehow I knew the time had come, but had my doubts.

At 12h00 we left for the hospital and once there, I knew I was not going back home. Straight for check up; 4 cm opened already. The contractions got more and more regular, so far not very painful. The monitoring seemed ok although the baby was sleeping. I was prepared for a normal labor but it turned out different. Normal amniotic fluid is clear and relatively odorless, but mine was colored. Green- or brown-tinged fluid usually indicates that the baby has passed meconium (stool formed before birth that is normally released after birth in the first bowel movement). This can be a sign that the baby is under stress. Occasionally, a baby may breathe the fluid into the lungs, which may result in serious breathing problems (meconium aspiration syndrome) that require prompt treatment.

So I was sent directly to the surgery room for an emergency c-cut. What can I say I was so disappointed, I felt like I had done something wrong. I was so much looking forward for participating in Lucia’s arrival to this world. And then, everything went so fast, I just remember someone telling me everything was going to be fine, I remember David, I guess once the operation was over and then the observation room.

I cried, 9 months waiting and no sign of my baby or David. My body was in pain, but what hurted most, was that I felt like a part of me had been stolen.

But when I first saw her, it was like the pain vanished and nothing else mattered. My little angel, my baby, finally we were face to face.

Tomorrow, 39 weeks!

At 37 weeks Lucia is gaining weight and enjoying the last weeks in mommy’s womb. She’s fully mature and ready to be born anytime. I never thought I could ever be this big; believe me, I’m gigantic!! So is time to relax, to have fun, and to rest, don’t want any stress on us. I take a lot of naps to compensate the short night sleeps, I read, I spend time on me… soon I won’t have time for this anymore!

Today, last day at 38 weeks and to be honest I’m starting to get tired of the pregnancy. It’s harder and harder to move, my feet and ankles are swollen and I feel I am running out of energy. Lucia still moves, I can feel her right now! Guess she tries to tell me that soon we’ll be face to face. But on the other hand, I’m a bit sad this 9 months journey it’s almost over. I have a look at my womb, so big, so round - with Lucia inside - and I can help thinking that I will miss it. I will miss this constant interaction between us, so unique… still it will be so nice to have my body back!

I am so amazed at how fast the time went... It feels like it was just a few weeks ago when I found out about the baby and now she will be here any time!!!!

36 weeks and 1 day!

The clock is still running, and it seems the count down started already. Future mummy and baby girl have been on this amazing trip for 9 months already. And believe me, this is getting HUGE!! Not easy to carry these kilos around anymore! (this photo is from a month ago! so try to imagine now)

At 33 weeks all her sensorial organs are functioning. She’s aware of the aquatic media she’s in and catching her toes or sucking her thumb is quite an experience for her. As for me, I feel her every move now. Can’t tell exactly what she’s up to, but I know she’s not still. Lucia’s need on proteins and fats are going to be considerable the followings weeks. Mmm food glorious food!

At 34 weeks she’s getting bigger and so am I. So I guess I won’t be walking anymore more, but rolling. Jezz!! She must be around 2’2kg. Every woman tends to carry her baby differently and this can impact on how pregnant (or not pregnant) you look. I have the feeling I look like I could deliver anytime; really, I can’t see my feet anymore! Where did they go?

The fatigue is setting in again. I don’t sleep much given the restless nights of frequent pee breaks and tossing and turning, while trying to get comfortable. This is the hardest part. The doctor noticed I am struggling with low hemoglobin, so from know on I will need extra dose of iron every day. Nothing to worry, we’ll be just fine. This is also why I am feeling so tired lately.

At 35 weeks Lucia is already upside down, "ready to leave the boat commander"! She doesn’t have much room to move anymore, but the kicking hasn’t stopped. My main concern now is how I will cope with the labor. Is time to start packing the maternity bag, buy dippers, prepare the baby clothes, and think about the “birth plan”.

At 36 weeks Lucia is still growing. At the end of this week, she will be considered full-term; i.e. we can expect her anytime! I am starting to feel increased pressure in my lower abdomen, which makes walking increasingly uncomfortable. This is what they called as baby starting to “drop” down the pelvis. I think I also felt my first Braxton Hicks contractions, ouch! There are not the same as the ones I will feel during labor! Hopefully for me they are not very intense and so far I jus had a couple of them, but they do cause some discomfort.

I’m on maternity leave already. So I will just relax and get as much rest as possible. Mmm I like that!

Ready??

They say a spermatozoid is the smallest cellule of the human body, while the ovary is the biggest one. And combined together they create life. Each of these cellules contains all the genetic information from both the parents. At the same instant a spermatozoid enters the ovary, the whole genetic code of a new life will be establish. Amazing right!!! At that precise moment, even though our parents would not even know we are there, it will be already settled if we’ll be a boy or a girl, tall, short, timid, dynamic…

It’s simply awesome to have the power to create life. I feel so graceful. I know I’m lucky and I thank Mother Nature for that. Little Lucia will be soon around us. I just can’t wait to hold her and feel her skin next to mine, when still attached by the umbilical cord. I guess is a magic moment for every mother. 9 months together, some hours of struggle and then she’s there, with a whole life waiting infront of her.

I just hope I did everything OK so far. Maybe I should have rested more, eaten better, listen to gentler music than NIN, Vitalic, Foo fighters…

Today I decided it was time for Vivaldi, but still my favorite piece is from the “Summer”, Concert n° 2 in G minor, the Presto part. It has so much energy; I can sort of feel the vibrations from the string instruments under my skin. Surprisingly I feel calmed and strong. I close my eyes, and my worries are gone I feel easy in mind, just for a little while, it feels so good.

Then, when the last note gets lost in silence I get back to reality. The D day is almost here, and am I ready?

This film just came out in the USA - The business of being born; do I really know all my options, how to make this easier not only for me but mainly for Lucia?... ? Hummm

Hey, this is a pic of the hospital, spooky right? Looks like Mr.Potters school! :)

32 weeks and 3 days!!

At 30 weeks our baby is getting bigger and bigger. Calcium, iron and proteins are very important at this stage for the cell growth and multiplication, essential for her organism. She must be around 1.3Kg or more!

At 31 weeks I think there is less and less room in there. I can feel her moving quite often, and sometimes this is not very comfortable I must say. But I like to see her interacting with me in a way. I talk and sing to her and I hope she likes it. I have some trouble sleeping because her kicks and somersaults keep me up, but hey, afet all this moving is a sign that she is active and healthy.

Today at 32 weeks her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth. Her nails have reached the end of her fingers and to my surprise, I dreamt about this last night. That she sort grabbed my finger and i could feel her nails… curious. On Friday my doctor will tell me how the baby will come to this world, normally she should be turning herself head down, before she gets to big to do it.

We already told everyone; she’ll be called Lucia. We chose this name long time before conceiving her. One day we were talking about babys and stuff and somehow we both instantly agreed on this one if a baby girl. Our little Lucia, mom and dad cant wait to see your face…