El Parque (or the park across the street)

Today it has not rained...yet. I say that because it has rained everyday for the last week. Even now, those dark clouds are coming but it is sunny right this second. I guess that is living in the moment. It is nice to go outside and feel the sun on your skin, moving from a place that has sun 300 days of the year, it is different here. Definataly taking some getting used too.
So I walked across the street to take some pics and this is what I get.

A view of the park straight across the street.





Basketball hoop and a wood structure to play on. Also Hannah's car.


The back side of the wood structure...


The little kiddie swings...


The jungle gym with the damn bell that the kids love to ring...


A view of my house, and Lucy's house (mine is on the left) from the park.


My house.



My back patio with grill.


Our back yard with the super high fence.




And now for something completely different...me at almost 36 wks. Helen is so big that I may not fit in the car for much longer...





I am going to make a new blanket. This is my test pattern for gauge and I think it will work out well. The stitch is called Sharp Chevron and is a series of increases and decreases (which I have little experience with decreases). I really like the look of it but true to the name, it has a very defined ripple which I can not decide if it should have less of one for a baby blanket. I guess I will get some opinions but I am glad that I figured out the test sample (I had to start over a few times). This is for Brenda and her shower is going to be the end of September as her baby is due at the end of Oct. Lots of babies here. We have a six month old across the street (Santiago) and he is a really cute baby. So very nice.

been lazy.

I look at my blog and think, when is the last time I posted...wow. My excuse...I have been lazy. Not really busy because that makes me seem important and going back to the days when I was really busy but just lazy. Pregnancy makes you that way. These last couple of days, I have not slept well, so what is my excuse for not posting??? I just lay in bed hopping that sleep comes my way. I calculated it out that I am asleep on average maybe 4-5 hours every night but lay in bed for 10 or so, just trying to get some rest. That is 50% at best, or a big fat F on the grading system. Plus I get to see Anthony Bourdain at 4 am. His humor is conforting when all is dark and I could be laying awake for hours. Ever since the days of school of many all nighters (ask my roommates) and going to bed at 2 to wake up at 6, when I graduated, I vowed to never do that again. Since then, I have never had insomnia until now. I guess it was a good run because I don't see me getting good long sleep until Helen is maybe 4 or 5 if I am lucky.

I think I really should take some more pics. Pics of here, pics of anything. If it does count, I did find my house on google earth the other day. That was exciting to know that the elevation of the house is 6207 ft. E-mail me if you want to really know where. I will take pics tomorrow because today it is raining and yep, I am lazy. well more just tired. I think she is growing because my tummy touches the sterring wheel now and last week I had an inch or two left. Good thing I only have a few more weeks left.

I have been washing things, left and right. That is a good sign, right? Also have been getting the bed ready, the chaging table ready, the carseat ready, todos. We washed the car seat padding (just in case of what, not sure. it was new...just washed it because it gave Carmen something to do). I really got in the nesting mode and wanted to wash everything. Well I bring it down and she runs up and grabs the basket from me and asks "any special instructions?" I guess she wanted to do that. I told her all baby stuff with baby laundry soap.

You know, who knows if you really need it? I mean, will babies die if you wash it in regular soap or is it just a ploy to keep that division of the laundry soap in business. I am not sure. It was also recommended that Austin and I take each baby product we bought (soap, shampoo, powder etc) and test a small amount on our skin to check to see if we have a reaction. If we have a reaction, baby will too apparently. I figure hey, it might be fun to test spots on our arms and legs one day. See if we have to go to the farmacia for cortizone.

Well I have been just rambling on. Just some thoughts as we come near. you know when Austin comes home Wed, this will be the last weekend we have together alone without baby. That just amazes me. More pics to come if I can get un-lazy. Well I guess I best get back to bed.

Yo gano!!!!

Well I went to play mehjongg yesterday and right afterwards should have gone straight to vegas. I was winning double and won Q28 when it was all said and done. Yo lo gano!!!!! I was even playing at Iveth's table (she and Mirium have been playing for a long time). We had a good time talking, playing and Cynthia made some amazing fish and rice. She is taking cooking classes and her hubby loves it. We love it too. All in all, it was a wonderful day.

We got the car back today too. Iveth helped me pick it up and it started and ran like a champ. Down here, they are very big on if they replace something, they give you the old used parts. We had to tell the guy at the Wal-mart 4 times that no, we did not want the old battery. So I have a the old alternator in my front seat. I don't feel so lonely in the car now, ha ha ha! It is a bit heavy but maybe I can move it tomorrow.

Also getting ready for Monday. Our Maid Carmen starts. Wow, a full time maid. That is amazing. So cheap too. So I have to get some uniforms for her but other than that, she is set. I figure we can shop for her first day. I can also show her what is what. God bless my spanish.

I actually think that all that dumb spanish television is paying off...more later.

Cute stuff...

I just had to post pics of some of the things I got from the shower. Very cute.

A baby Sweater.....


A little toy for her to play on....when she is older.


The cake minus a few letters. Welcoming Helen and Sebastian.


Bibs and shoes...


Socks and Booties.


Some nice outfits and a blanket.


A Green dress and some t-shirts.


Pants.


All in All, i have been impressed with the what I got. I was not expecting a baby shower but it was good that we could all get together and have a good time. I think between what we bought at the baby expo that we went to this past weekend, we got most everything we need for this little one. I sure hope so.

Baby Shower!!!!! And Mehjongg.

Well Mehjongg was at my house this week. We get together and play like mad, talk, eat, and generally try to forget that our husbands are away all the time. It makes the time pass and i like it. Plus I am getting good. well better at least, but not if I keep playing Iveth (she is killer).

So a few days before, I get the call that they want to do a /baby shower too. Sure thing, I don't mind. So this morning Cynthia comes by and decorates my house, I love it. She is so clever. It was a bit thrown together but it totally worked.

So I got some things for the baby, clothing, a toy, some shoes, and a diaper cake!!!! Tina made it and it is so neat. So here are the pics. (oh and I only lost Q22 this week, last week was Q50). I told you I have to stop playing at Iveth's table.

Here is me and Karen. She is from Canada and really nice, eh?


Here is me and Araceli.



Me and Michelle.


Me and Iveth.


Me and Mireim


Me and Hannah.


Hannah, Cynthia, Mireim, and Iveth.


Me and Araceli's sister in law (Can not remember her name!!! Sorry)


The Diaper cakes!!!! One for me and one for Iveth.


Us preggos and the cakes.


Some flowers that were brought as a gift of Mehjongg.


The Diaper cake up close.


Me holding gifts.