We drove our totaled crimson volvo over to Home Depot today.
The car wouldn't start. The car started. We got lost, took a wrong turn. The car turned off.
We finally made it and went all out purchasing an Oregon Noble fir. We're official!
After seeing two ladies almost come to blows at the 99c store, I sauntered over to buy some lights some place else. What is it about the 99c store that makes people feel so powerful and feisty? Where is the Holiday spirit?
I'm thankful for the tree, a symbol of Baby B's first Christmas, and our first Christmas as a familia. I printed out pictures of all of us and our beloved family members and with a little glue and ribbon--they became ornaments. The tree is beautiful!
We may not have many presents under this tree, but I'm happy that we have one--and it may be the only year that Baby B doesn't try to tear down the tree or peek at his presents.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Capítulo 6/ Chapter 6 Baby B Infirmary
It is that time of year. I've already spent a few nights moonlighting at the Baby B infirmary. We got through his first cold and fever without going to the doctor.
A few weeks later and now he has a cough. Orale, we're a little concerned because he's coughing like un hombrecito and I read some of the symptoms. First, there are cold-like symptoms, then after 1-2 weeks the coughing starts. I quickly got on the internet and checked out what whooping cough sounds like. It ain't pretty.
Thanks be to Baby Jesus that my son isn't whooping or barking. I'm hoping to implement a time tested, curandera approved method--la garrita.
La garrita: A little wet (warm or cold) cloth applied to different parts of the body, primarily the forehead or stomach to bring down a fever.
Until then I'll be Sana Sana Colita de Rana-ing.
If you want to suggest some more remedios, send an email and hopefully we can get through the season without having to call up la curandera.
A few weeks later and now he has a cough. Orale, we're a little concerned because he's coughing like un hombrecito and I read some of the symptoms. First, there are cold-like symptoms, then after 1-2 weeks the coughing starts. I quickly got on the internet and checked out what whooping cough sounds like. It ain't pretty.
Thanks be to Baby Jesus that my son isn't whooping or barking. I'm hoping to implement a time tested, curandera approved method--la garrita.
La garrita: A little wet (warm or cold) cloth applied to different parts of the body, primarily the forehead or stomach to bring down a fever.
Until then I'll be Sana Sana Colita de Rana-ing.
If you want to suggest some more remedios, send an email and hopefully we can get through the season without having to call up la curandera.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Capítulo 5/ Chapter 5 First Day of the Dead
He suited up in his Muertos t-shirt that his fav auntie gave him--calavera and all.
He's a brave little soul that didn't cry when he saw the Aztec dancers and just opened his ojitos real wide when the drumming started. I wish I could say that he took tons of pictures in the arms of calavera painted ladies, but he just fell asleep.
It was the first small step for him. Hollywood Forever Cemetery Dia de los Muertos.
I hope that when he gets older he will realize how mexican he really is and that I was trying to raise him right--celebrating and honoring all of the people before him.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Capítulo 4/ Chapter 4 Gymboree en Espanol
Baby B and I are going tomorrow for a free Gymboree "Preview". I am all for it but now i'm having second thoughts. None of the songs are going to be in Spanish. What I want is a Gymboree en español.
What would it be called? Jimnacio-ree, Juega-rama?
Anyone know if Gymboree in Spanish exists? If it does, can I work there? Can Baby B work the front desk.
I was also thinking of some other products that need to be available in Espanish.
Like Baby Einstein Music--but it would be Mariachi Baby-Like Bebé Vicente Fernandez.
My Baby can Read--Mi Bebéé lee mas que tu madre
Gerber baby--Bebé Tapatio
My list of things to inventar--it's getting longer.
What would it be called? Jimnacio-ree, Juega-rama?
Anyone know if Gymboree in Spanish exists? If it does, can I work there? Can Baby B work the front desk.
I was also thinking of some other products that need to be available in Espanish.
Like Baby Einstein Music--but it would be Mariachi Baby-Like Bebé Vicente Fernandez.
My Baby can Read--Mi Bebéé lee mas que tu madre
Gerber baby--Bebé Tapatio
My list of things to inventar--it's getting longer.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Capítulo 3/ Chapter 3 Baby B A True Americano
I've been thinking about what it means to raise a bilingual baby.
Not only is he the product of a teacher/panda/pendeja + teacher/poet/vagabond, he also has to grapple with the fact that he comes from perfection. I am what you would call Mexican-American--a Chicana while my husband is Argentine-American--Argentino by way of Miami.
You could say that Baby B is a true Americano. I mean, my familia has been part of the Americas since my tatara-abuelos 5x removed came over from Espana and hooked up with my Indio counterparts. My husband's familia can trace its' roots back to Quechua speaking peeps and he's also Italian/Lebanese. So what is Baby B going to say he is?
I'll tell him he's the real thing. His roots have been here for hundreds of years. Plus he represents the North and the South, what son! I'm teaching him to throw his N and S signs right now.
Will he identify with other Latino kids? What unites us here in the U.S.? What makes us "hispanic" or "latino"? I've made a short list of ideas...
Chanclaphobia? Everyone who's crossed their mamacita the wrong way know the wrath of the chancla. However, my husband and I have a NO Spanking policy since graduating from the Harlem Children's Zone's Baby College. Plus I want Baby B to know that I am the boss without having to exert any effort--just a look or an eyebrow raising.
Familia-itis? Part of my husband's familia lives in Miami but the majority of my husband's family lives in Argentina. So the only flare up of famila-itis that he may encounter is from my side. I'm an only child but I have enough tias, tios, primos and primas to fill a mariachi festival. (Familia-itis does not include an endless love of and devotion to LA ABUELA)
El cucuy? Now this one if definitely someone that NO baby in el norte or sur de america will mess with. Misbehave and the boogeyman is going to come get you.
Ritmo--Rhythm? I don't know the exact figures, but I think it would be safe to say that at least 90% of latinos can dance. I know that every familia latina has at least one rogue family member that can't dance. The odds of Baby B being rhythmless are very slim. Both my husband and I have been known to start a conga-line, dance-off, or soul train line so I think my son is in the clear.
This list is endless, but I know that raising a bilingual baby of Mexican and Argentine descent is something special. Hopefully Baby B will learn about where he comes from and say it with orgullo.
He's an Americano Verdadero.
Not only is he the product of a teacher/panda/pendeja + teacher/poet/vagabond, he also has to grapple with the fact that he comes from perfection. I am what you would call Mexican-American--a Chicana while my husband is Argentine-American--Argentino by way of Miami.
You could say that Baby B is a true Americano. I mean, my familia has been part of the Americas since my tatara-abuelos 5x removed came over from Espana and hooked up with my Indio counterparts. My husband's familia can trace its' roots back to Quechua speaking peeps and he's also Italian/Lebanese. So what is Baby B going to say he is?
I'll tell him he's the real thing. His roots have been here for hundreds of years. Plus he represents the North and the South, what son! I'm teaching him to throw his N and S signs right now.
Will he identify with other Latino kids? What unites us here in the U.S.? What makes us "hispanic" or "latino"? I've made a short list of ideas...
Chanclaphobia? Everyone who's crossed their mamacita the wrong way know the wrath of the chancla. However, my husband and I have a NO Spanking policy since graduating from the Harlem Children's Zone's Baby College. Plus I want Baby B to know that I am the boss without having to exert any effort--just a look or an eyebrow raising.
Familia-itis? Part of my husband's familia lives in Miami but the majority of my husband's family lives in Argentina. So the only flare up of famila-itis that he may encounter is from my side. I'm an only child but I have enough tias, tios, primos and primas to fill a mariachi festival. (Familia-itis does not include an endless love of and devotion to LA ABUELA)
El cucuy? Now this one if definitely someone that NO baby in el norte or sur de america will mess with. Misbehave and the boogeyman is going to come get you.
Ritmo--Rhythm? I don't know the exact figures, but I think it would be safe to say that at least 90% of latinos can dance. I know that every familia latina has at least one rogue family member that can't dance. The odds of Baby B being rhythmless are very slim. Both my husband and I have been known to start a conga-line, dance-off, or soul train line so I think my son is in the clear.
This list is endless, but I know that raising a bilingual baby of Mexican and Argentine descent is something special. Hopefully Baby B will learn about where he comes from and say it with orgullo.
He's an Americano Verdadero.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Capitulo 2 / Chapter 2 Baby B's Midday Buffet
As we speak I am feeding my baby and typing with one hand. Baby B was born almost 6 weeks ago and I relish the hours between 1am and 4am because it is the longest stretch we will sleep in 24 hours.
I decided to breast feed for many reasons. 1) Healthy for Baby B and me. 2) Bonding 3) Portability 4) It's GRATIS. I am finally in the groove with nighttime feedings and poopings that come at 4am. But let's address an issue that has come to light--my Baby B is an addict. Adicto a la leche.
His addiction did not surface until after my husband and I recognized the leche adicto's pattern. He loves, can't get enough, can't stop won't stop for the MLB--and it's not baseball.
What is MLB? It's the Midday Leche Buffet. Baby B will feed 4-5 times in a 2 hour span. I read about it in La Leche League's The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and they call it "cluster feeding". I call it addiction and my little panzón is on his way to bigger pants. Sometimes I think he's faking. Other times he falls asleep with a smile. Most of the time his muffin-top makes his newborn t-shirt turn into a mid drift top. These trips to the buffet are promptly followed by the midday SIESTA.
I'm only able to write this posting right now because of my favorite mom liberator--my MOBY Wrap. This modern day reboso is just a flexible fabric that wraps all around you and helps you hold your baby and have a life. I boosted my Moby wrap wearing confidence by going to a free sling clinic at the Pump Station in Santa Monica. I highly recommend this place if you live on the Westside.
If your bebe has is an adicto or you want to reach out and take him to an Leche Addicts anonymous meeting, send a message my way.
Pandita.
I decided to breast feed for many reasons. 1) Healthy for Baby B and me. 2) Bonding 3) Portability 4) It's GRATIS. I am finally in the groove with nighttime feedings and poopings that come at 4am. But let's address an issue that has come to light--my Baby B is an addict. Adicto a la leche.
His addiction did not surface until after my husband and I recognized the leche adicto's pattern. He loves, can't get enough, can't stop won't stop for the MLB--and it's not baseball.
What is MLB? It's the Midday Leche Buffet. Baby B will feed 4-5 times in a 2 hour span. I read about it in La Leche League's The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and they call it "cluster feeding". I call it addiction and my little panzón is on his way to bigger pants. Sometimes I think he's faking. Other times he falls asleep with a smile. Most of the time his muffin-top makes his newborn t-shirt turn into a mid drift top. These trips to the buffet are promptly followed by the midday SIESTA.
I'm only able to write this posting right now because of my favorite mom liberator--my MOBY Wrap. This modern day reboso is just a flexible fabric that wraps all around you and helps you hold your baby and have a life. I boosted my Moby wrap wearing confidence by going to a free sling clinic at the Pump Station in Santa Monica. I highly recommend this place if you live on the Westside.
If your bebe has is an adicto or you want to reach out and take him to an Leche Addicts anonymous meeting, send a message my way.
Pandita.
Capítulo 1/ Chapter 1
¡Hola!
Let me introduce myself--I'm Pandita. A former NYC high school teacher turned full time mom. I'm dedicating a year of my life to my son, Baby B, and staying home to mold him into the most fabuloso baby since Little Ricky on I Love Lucy.
My poet husband and I both speak English and Spanish--somos nativos. He's an Argentino from Brooklyn/Miami and I'm a Chicana from L.A.
We are both teachers by trade and recognize the importance of literacy in a baby's life. I taught Spanish and he taught English in the NYC school system for 9 years collectively. We plan on passing on our linguistic herencia to our babe, thus we have started a strict regiment with Baby B already.
His first outing was to the Santa Monica Public Library and our daily routine includes libros, Wee baby flashcards, canciones, and mental lagartijas (push-ups) in both English and Spanish. Dora la Exploradora's got nothing on Baby B.
This blog will document my experiences involving motherhood, marriage, and being a Chicana mom in L.A. Maybe we'll even get some exposure because I couldn't find any gente de color on any mommy blogger sites.
Follow along and enjoy this bilingual baby bonanza. ¡Orale!
Pandita
Let me introduce myself--I'm Pandita. A former NYC high school teacher turned full time mom. I'm dedicating a year of my life to my son, Baby B, and staying home to mold him into the most fabuloso baby since Little Ricky on I Love Lucy.
My poet husband and I both speak English and Spanish--somos nativos. He's an Argentino from Brooklyn/Miami and I'm a Chicana from L.A.
We are both teachers by trade and recognize the importance of literacy in a baby's life. I taught Spanish and he taught English in the NYC school system for 9 years collectively. We plan on passing on our linguistic herencia to our babe, thus we have started a strict regiment with Baby B already.
His first outing was to the Santa Monica Public Library and our daily routine includes libros, Wee baby flashcards, canciones, and mental lagartijas (push-ups) in both English and Spanish. Dora la Exploradora's got nothing on Baby B.
This blog will document my experiences involving motherhood, marriage, and being a Chicana mom in L.A. Maybe we'll even get some exposure because I couldn't find any gente de color on any mommy blogger sites.
Follow along and enjoy this bilingual baby bonanza. ¡Orale!
Pandita
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