Until we housesat for some friends last week, which included Lexi, their beagle.
I think Alleke realized how much work it was to be scared of the dog. Every time the dog came in the room, she had to stop what she was doing and run for the nearest parent. Eventually she stopped caring. Plus, dogs are really just oversized dolls that can dressed up, put to bed, and invited to a tea party.
Until we housesat for some friends last week, which included Lexi, their beagle.
I think Alleke realized how much work it was to be scared of the dog. Every time the dog came in the room, she had to stop what she was doing and run for the nearest parent. Eventually she stopped caring. Plus, dogs are really just oversized dolls that can dressed up, put to bed, and invited to a tea party.
The first few photos might be repeats if you looked at our recent beach photos, but the rest are new, including Alleke playing soccer and basketball, splashing around in the river, riding the metro, etc.
The first few photos might be repeats if you looked at our recent beach photos, but the rest are new, including Alleke playing soccer and basketball, splashing around in the river, riding the metro, etc.
On today's show Alleke demonstrates how to make Saturday morning pancakes from scratch. Watch Alleke's Cooking Show on Vimeo.Alleke's Saturday Morning Pancake Recipe (stolen from Grandma)1 cup buttermilk or natural yogurt1 egg1/2 tsp baking soda1/8 cup sugar1 cup flour1/8 cup vegetable oilAlso, some tips on making pancakes in Spain...
Probably the most common question April and I get when we meet someone in person who has been reading Spain Dad is, "How do you pronounce your daughter's name?"So, for those of you who have been wondering, you can click on the button at the top of the left-hand sidebar that says "hear Alleke's name" to find out...Surprised?
Watch this slideshow in fullscreen. Flash Slideshow Also, if you're interested, here are photo albums from Grandpa and Grandma's visit and our recent day trip to Toledo.Alleke's complete photo albums: 10-12 months | 7-9 months | 3-6 months | 0-2 months
This post is the second one in a set of two. To read Alleke's birth story from the beginning, click here.The next thing I knew another nurse came and loaded up my bed for transfer. We rolled down the hallway, and he tried to make small talk with us as I moaned and made loud noises through each contraction (I think the noises I had been making since my water broke were what scared Kelly the most). By now I definitely felt like pushing, but realized it wasn't the time. Off the elevator, Kelly was pulled aside to put scrubs on, and a midwife walked up and grabbed my hand. She was in process of asking me if it was my first baby when she glanced up and yelled, "Oh, April!". It was Carmen, our midwife from prenatal classes. I'm not sure who was more happy that she was on duty - me or her.Once we got to the delivery room (in the basement) the nurse and Carmen helped me off the bed onto the delivery table which was very narrow and didn't have anywhere for me to put my arms. Carmen
A few weeks ago Alleke's friends at the bread shop asked if they could bake her a cake for her birthday. This morning we stopped by to pick it up, and I took some photos. So, for those of you who are curious to see the cake, and for those of you who are skeptical as to whether people as wonderful as our friends at the bread shop do actually exist, here is proof:Jesús, the ownerErika and Cristina who work behind the counter..and the birthday cake
The biggest surprise of Alleke's first birthday was finding Grandpa and Grandma TG in the living room when she woke up from her morning nap. They traveled all the way from Iowa in the U.S. to be here on Alleke's big day. They will be staying with us for the next two weeks.
Today is Alleke's first birthday, and as promised, we have a guest contributor here to help us celebrate. April (Alleke's mom) is going to tell Alleke's birth story. As a writer, I love a good story, and I couldn't think of a better gift for my little girl than her mom telling the story of how she was born in her own words. So, without further adieu, here's April...On October 2, we had our regular prenatal classes that evening. After doing our normal stretches and meditation, Carmen, the midwife told me and the other woman who was at 38 weeks that it was time to practice pushing. Knowing that our baby girl was due in two days, I figured it was a good idea. After class, we talked with Carmen rehearsing all the things we needed to do if I went into labour. She mentioned to Kelly that she was going to be on-duty in the hospital on Tuesday night and Thursday morning, so if we wanted her to be there, try to plan accordingly.For the past few nights, we had been taking long walks,
Tomorrow is Alleke's first birthday, and to celebrate, I have a surprise from a very special guest contributor. So, stop by tomorrow to find out what it is, and don't forget your party hat.This morning, just for fun, I flipped through the some 2,600 photos I've taken of Alleke this year, and I picked out just five that have special importance to me. Here are the five photos I chose and the stories that go with them.Alleke's Birth DayI expected more responsibility when Alleke was born, but I didn't expect to take care of her all by myself her first two weeks.April doesn't even really remember those weeks. She had a slow recovery, and so, because there wasn't anyone else around, I took care of Alleke myself. I wouldn't have done it if there had been any other way, not because I didn't want to, but because I didn't think I knew how. I was the youngest in my family. I didn't have experience with babies. Others were more qualified.I remember the first night. I tried rolli
Alleke gets a coldAlleke lay on the changing table while I sang her a song and fastened the velcro straps on her diaper. It was early to be putting her to sleep, but she was nodding off already, fighting to keep her eyes open just long enough to moan and reach for me to pick her up. Alleke had a cold, and had spend most of the afternoon resting her head on mom's lap. She had rings around her eyes like red bruises, and when we put her down to play, she just sat there in the middle of her toys staring at nothing in particular. As I lifted her from the changing table into my arms, she began to cry. She coughed, her lungs rattling, and dropped her head over my shoulder in defeat.I walked into the bedroom and reached for the switch to turn on the light, but decided not to. This little girl was too tired for a bedtime story tonight.Alleke chokesI was on the couch in the living room when I heard a knock on our bedroom door. April was in the bedroom helping Alleke get to sleep, and this
