Espanol

When I lived in Argentina (serving as a missionary for my Church), I remember being fascinated with the children - there is something about seeing a child speaking another language. Ever since, I've dreamed of raising bilingual children. Upon meeting Brett, I quickly found out that like me, he had spent time in Argentina (also serving as a missionary). Of course, Argentina set aside, he was everything I was looking for, but this just sealed the deal.

So when we found out we were pregnant, we bought books on how to raise a bilingual child. Then Sadie came and we learned that trying to raise a bilingual child is, well, hard. But we haven't given up. Though I think my Spanish skills are pretty good, there are just some words/phrases you don't know when it's not your first language. And it's just easier and more natural to speak English. But, since being at home, I have really tried to recommit myself to speaking only Spanish to Sadie. Sometimes I succeed, other times I fail. And for a while there, I wondered whether she was even understanding the Spanish since her first words were all English words. But, she would respond to Spanish commands, so I figured something was getting through. In the past months, she has picked up a Spanish word or two (hola and agua). She never wants or says water, it's always agua (in Sadie speak, 'ah-kuh'). Then today, she was watching one of her Baby Einstein videos in Spanish and she just started repeating everything they were saying. Now in her Spanish vocabulary we've added, among others: gato (cat), arbol (tree, she pronounces it similar to her English pronunciation of the word apple, but I can distinguish), ventana (window). She also gives besos (kisses) - though she also says the word kiss - and she has a boca (mouth). There are many other words/phrases that she uses only English for, but alas, my little baby is showing her bilingual ability!

My grandma Vilma is Dominican and ever since I returned from Argentina, she and I have conversed in Spanish. We close our phone conversations with our standard 'Te quiero. Un beso. Chau chau.' And today Sadie picked that up as well. She walked around the house this afternoon saying chau chau ('tao tao'). It is just too cute. I have yet to get it on video, but just to reinforce her cuteness, here are a few pictures:

content

paci and blankie, that's all she needs.

Ready for her close-up

{delectable finger painting with pudding 2.21.10}

{little eskimo 2.25.10}

Dinner

it was divine.

As of late (a post especially for the grandparents)

Life has gone from one extreme to the other in a very short time and we are all getting used to the changes. Sadie and I have spent lots of time playing (with toys, at the park, with friends), learning (to climb, to say new words, new dance moves) and exploring our city.

A visual taste of what we've been doing (in no particular order):

1. Growing hair (albeit not much, but tons for Sadie) and finally deciding to drink milk (only with chocolate in it)
2. Baking
3. Learning animal sounds (baa, moo, quack, grr, sss, neigh is as far as we've gotten though everything always says 'baa' first)
4. Playing with the Tickle Monstor - he's gotten pretty good lately and comes around every single day.

5. Putting puzzles together.
6. Making music (between the maracas, drum and piano we've got a little band going).
7. Getting teeth (zoom in on the picture to see our slow progress on those bottom teeth).
8. Being cute while making lots of messes and getting into everything.

9. Playing with daddy a lot on the weekend.
10. Checking out some indoor play areas.

Excuse the terrible photo quality of the following, between carrying a 25 pound toddler and a stroller down four flights of stairs and the nasty weather we've had, I haven't dared try to lug the big camera around with me. The iPhone will have to suffice.

11.Playing in the snow
12. Doing laundry
13. Trips to Costco
14. Finding a 'Subway Sadie' poster at the NY Transit Museum with friends
15. Playing on the swings...
16. ...and the slide (her new favorite).
17. Building Sadie's first snowman

And for journaling purposes, at 16 1/2 months:
- New words in Sadie's vocabulary include: 'ah-ca' (agua), 'apple', 'honey', 'ep' (help)
- She likes to help empty the dishwasher, pour ingredients into the bowl when we cook, show us her incredible strength by bringing ridiculously large and heavy objects to us
- She is really good at sharing her food, but if she's really into her food, she'll put it in my mouth and then take it out and put it back in her own.
- Walk down the street by herself - no holding mom's hand allowed - she's just too independent for that (she comes by it honestly)
- Go down the slide all by herself
- Climb up on anything and everything she possibly can (including, but not limited to, the stool in the kitchen, her Elmo toy, the ottoman, the bath)
- Sadie loves when we sing 'O Holy Night' at bedtime. Ever since we introduced it at Christmas, she has adored it. We only whip it out when she's having a hard time falling asleep and it calms her right down :)
- Loves to talk, talk, talk constantly (I wonder where she gets that from?)
- Sneaks into her bedroom when we're not paying attention to reach into her crib and grab her paci + blankie and then runs out with the cutest smile on her face, so proud of her sly ability
- Plays a mean game of peek-a-boo (we just love when she puts her hands on her face (not remotely close to covering her eyes and just thinks we can't see her the same, so precious)
- Loves to eat (she would eat ALL day if we let her). Her food preferences are: any kind of fruit, but particularly grapes, pineapple, peaches, pears, watermelon and of course, bananas ('nana'); veggies (broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, peas, beans, zucchini (only sometimes)); LOVES salmon; she is developing a taste for chicken recently but refuses to eat any beef; goldfish; animal crackers; bread; water; pasta ('duh-duh'); rice; quesadillas with guacamole; yogurt; cheese...pretty much anything besides beef and juice and depending on the day, milk.
- Is 100% girl. Sadie can't get enough of her mardi gras beads and bracelets. She puts them on and takes them off all. day. long. And she sits diligently by mom's side to put make-up on together.
- She is definitely little miss independent, but also loves to snuggle with mom throughout the day.

Life Changes

This blog has been seriously neglected over the past 6+ months (I know I'm stating the obvious here) and its neglect is indicative of how very much else in my life has been neglected along with it, given that blogging falls relatively low on my list of priorities. The past year has been quite a ride. Exactly one year and five days ago, I returned to my job at an ad agency - a job that I loved (for those of you in the industry, I know that may be hard to believe :)) - and left my little Sadie home with her nanny/babysitter, Rachael, after being home with her for 3 1/2 short months on maternity leave. Going back to work brought new meaning to the word 'balance' (or lack thereof) but over the past year, I've much enjoyed my job and Sadie has been well taken care of. However, in the past few months, Brett and I decided that our family needed a change so I quit the full-time advertising life (for now).

I am now just a few days into this new adventure. And to be quite frank, I miss work (and I think the competitive side of me always will) but I am loving being at home. What have I done thus far? Picked up a lot of toys. over. and over. and over again. Gone through piles and begun to de-clutter everything I haven't had the time to go through in the past year. Played the tickle monster. Swept the floor, cleaned the bathroom, washed the dishes, picked up spilled cheerios. Fed a little one. Made dinner (and not the kind that you call to order and have delivered) - I've actually cooked (a hobby I used to love). Changed diapers. Grocery shopped. Dealt with a few tantrums here and there. Picked up dry cleaning. Sang songs. Danced to children's music. Mailed packages. Read books to Sadie. Wiped a snotty nose again and again. Given lots of kisses. Been able to sit down and have meaningful conversation with my husband in the evenings. Talked lots of baby talk. Caught up with family.

I haven't yet received any thank yous from my new boss Sadie and she hasn't given me any promotions or raises. But she has given me endless kisses (albeit slobbery), lots of good lovins (hugs) and some fun cuddle time. She has also learned to say 'uh-oh spaghetti-o,' 'help,' 'bye-bye,' 'hola,' 'moo,' and 'baa' all on my watch. And how can you not smile and feel so lucky to be called 'mom' when you get to spend your days with this cute face?

I'm grateful for a husband who supports our family so that I can have the opportunity to be at home. I'm so glad I get to choose my family.

Sadie's First Birthday Party

Sadie had so much fun at her birthday party. She was very friendly, making the rounds from guest to guest (whomever had goldfish or watermelon to share, of course). She was extremely neat, clean and dainty with her cake - just like a little lady should be. Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us (and a big thanks to my friend Hayden who made the beautiful cake)!We enjoyed some of Sadie's favorite foods...
Happy Birthday Sadie Bear!

One year ago today...

...Brett and I awoke oblivious to the fact that this day we would embark on a new journey together - the journey of parenthood.

...I was fully planning to go into work.
...I suddenly awakened when my water broke (thank goodness it was 6:30am in bed and not 9:30am on the subway).
...we spent the day in a hospital room overlooking Central Park.
...we (read Brett) watched the presidential debate between contractions.
...I learned the meaning of pain and endurance.
...we didn't know what sleep deprived meant.
...my appreciation for my parents exponentially increased.
...the most beautiful little girl graced us with her presence (and she grows more beautiful by the day).
...I held MY little girl in my arms for the very first time and fell instantly in love.
...at the end of the night, within an hour of Sadie's arrival, I said what I swore during the first trimester of pregnancy and the roughest point of labor I would never say - you really do forget and it really is all worth it.
...the focus of my concern instantaneously shifted to the little life that was sent to me.
...I began to understand why my mom worried so much for me.
...our lives were forever changed - the best kind of change one could ask for.
...we had no idea just how much joy little Sadie would bring into our lives!

Happy 1st Birthday Sadie Grace! We love you and couldn't imagine life without you!

*all ready to open her presents!

* Opening her presents from her California cousins via Google Video

Perfect 10 Months Old!

Daddy and Sadie sent Mommy on a 24 hour getaway for her birthday so they celebrated Sadie's 10-month birthday just the two of them. Daddy kept the treat tradition going and even let Sadie eat a graham cracker while he enjoyed the cherry cheesecake. Yum!

Fourth 4th!

Brett and I are quite fond of the 4th given that it is the day we met. This year did not disappoint. We spent a lovely morning in Central Park with friends from our church. Then spent a leisurely afternoon at home enjoying family time before heading to Pier 84 to meet some friends (and hundreds of thousands of others) and watch the Macy's fireworks on the Hudson.
Sadie had lots of fun crawling all over the blanket and just hanging out for a few hours before the show. She was, however, anxious for the fireworks.We had a fantastic view of the show - three barges to the south, one directly in front of us and two to the north. It was incredible - a glorified baby Einstein for Sadie! She was mesmerized by all the lights in the sky (picture to come).
And for the grandparents, some pictures of the little one. I just loved this picture - she was getting her charm on for the camera :)

Geff and Carol in the house: part 1

We were lucky enough to enjoy the company of Brett's parents for almost 2 weeks. They originally planned to come so that Brett and Geff could attend the U.S. Open (golf, not tennis) at Beth Page in Long Island. We convinced them to come early to hang out with Sadie while Rachael was out of town. We had SO much fun and Sadie saved up her new tricks to debut while they were here. Here's a sampling of what we did.

Sadie enjoyed many a nap in her stroller. She's a perfect urban baby - loves being out and about and can fall asleep through anything.

Saturday's stop: Castle Clinton followed by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Waiting in line for tickets outside of Castle Clinton.(more statue pictures to come)

We surprised Geff with a birthday celebration at his first (and Sadie's first) Yankee game (and our first time in the new stadium).

Sadie was very into the game (she must take after her dad)...

and her grandpa.

I let Sadie try some of the not-so-reasonably priced, less-than-healthy stadium food (yes, what a great mom...go ahead, judge away). She loves her some french fry.

The Yankees won! After every game they play 'New York, New York' over the loud speakers. Geff and Carol were dancing and singing. We managed to catch a smile though.

It wouldn't be a true birthday without some of the famous fudge frosting. Beautiful (and tasty) job on the cake Carol. Happy Birthday Geff!

We introduced blueberries to the bearsy...you think she enjoyed them?