Dando Gracias (Thanksgiving)

It is my favorite american holiday and yesterday we had a great time as usual with Andy's family. We had the pleasure to have the Duveneck House all for us. Mateo was very entertained by everyone and all their sounds. I took many photos and videos so we can remember this day, next year when we are in Ecuador. I can believe that last year I was pregnant and this year Mateo was interested in everything. Next year he will be running around.... We will miss everyone and this great tradition.

Food all over

Mateo loves solid food now! All we are giving him to try seems to be of his taste. It is also very fun to watch him eat and enjoy the food in (and out) of his mouth. 

These are some memorable pics of his meals trying to make it to his stomach. 

7 months old!

Seems like many new milestones are being met at this age. Mateo is now able to sit by himself on the ground and stay entertained with his toys for a long period of time. His crawling skills have also improved and now he reaches things placed within one or two feet of distance. I think he will be crawling in Ecuador next month.
He is eating more and more things... we have gone from apples and bananas to butternut squash, sweet potatoes, rice, potatoes, carrots, spinach and getting ready to keep tasting the world of food. 

He also seems to have memory because when we ask "donde esta la muneca" (where is the doll) he looks at the wall, exactly where she is, and when we say "where is the dog" he looks right at where he is... as you can see he will be bilingual!
In the last week, I have take him out for a short walk in the afternoon just when the sun is heating up the green grass. There are lots of birds eating underneath the oak trees, and when I point at them and say "birds" he smiles and looks at them very intrigued. I tell him, he will help us preserve our Ecuadorian land so many birds can live in the trees, he looks at me and smiles.
Today, we moved things around the house and he seemed to have noticed that his crib was in a different place. He was very vocal the rest of the day and he would look at certain places of the bedroom and make the sound like he was telling us something. It was pretty cool to see him do that. Mateo keeps growing and growing and so our love for him. We are very happy with him!!

In memory of Mr. Filiks

Mateo my son:  

Today was a sad day at home, we had to put to sleep our dog and companion of 6 years- Mr. Filiks. We had not choice. He tried to bite you last week when you just place your little hand in his ear. He has never been too close to you in your 6 months of age, maybe because he has been always jealous of all the attention we give you now. He was our "baby" and companion before you and we did not know how your arrival might impact his behavior. Your father and I did not want to take the chance that he will hurt you. We will always hold the good memories with him. 

I love my life!!!!!

Time flies! I am so busy day after day but I love my life! I love being the mother of Mateo.

A typical day starts between 5:30 and 6:30 depending when Mateo decides to come back from dreamland. We cuddle, laugh, sing, change diaper while still in bed until around 7:00. Then Pat takes Mateo and hangs out with him while he makes coffee in the kitchen. I shower, make breakfast and hang out with Mateo until 8:00. Before I leave at 8:30, I feed him and put him down for a nap. I am gone to work from 8:30 to 1:30 so my mom takes care of our baby during this time. Pat is lucky to stop by the house at least once in the morning and he also sees Mateo and my mom walking around the farm. Since I am working part time I make the most of my time at work and get many things done, feeling very efficient and accomplished. When I am back from work, we have lunch and I spend time with Mateo. In the afternoons we go for a walk around the fields, go to the store, play in the ground or nap together. In the evening Mateo gets a bath and goes to sleep before 7:00 or 7:30 at the latest. Then is the time to listen to Pat's kitchen party while he makes dinner. After usually very yummy dinners, I spend time doing some more work. After that Pat and I enjoy music, a comedy show or just quiet time taking care of our own business. Around 10:30 it is bed time again.... and here we go again.....

Eczema

"Oh, what a cutie, I love his rosy cheeks", people would comment on Mateo's face. It is not that he is rosy... he has baby eczema and it is driving him and us crazy! It started when he was 3 months old, exactly 2 days after I went back to work. His doctor does not seem to be too concerned because according to her, it is common in babies at this age and it will go away in a few months. Doctors, books, websites, blogs, message boards and I do not know what is causing it. It could be allergies to the dairy I eat, the pets, the weather, the clothing, the soap, anything! It is difficult to live with this baby condition because I see my baby get very rosy and uncomfortable when the flare ups happen. It becomes very itchy and he hurts himself when he scratches.

We are trying different things to see if we can figure out the root of the problem but no luck so far. I guess I just need to be patient and see the beauty beyond those rosy cheeks of my Mateo.

I do not care I have eczema, I am happy anyway!