Little Ballerina

Isabel was very excited to have her hair tied back in a 'bun'... and very concerned about looking 'just right'!!
She sure loves performing.

Today Isabel had her first ballet recital. Anaïs and I drove to the school to enjoy the show... and it was truly beautiful. Eight little girls and one little boy danced along side with their teacher. Just the opening was enough to get me teary eyed as the kids made a big circle which expanded to grow, then huddled together to unite everyone. This was followed by a beautiful greeting that was reminiscent of an abridged sun salutation: Hello Mr. Sun (reaching up to the sky), Hello Mother Earth (reaching down to our toes), Hello to all the animals (reaching side to side)... and it went on. The entire performance made reference to being a part of nature. Not to mention, the glorious sun outside that made everything sparkle.

Here is a little slide show...


You can make your own Animoto video!! It's fun and easy.

baby talk

Life is full of beautiful moments and opportunities to celebrate them. Though I am finding that with three kids under five it's getting more difficult for me to capture them all... whether on film or in words. Today was one of those perfect days... that has left me with no photographs, but so many wonderful memories. It was a holiday in Colombia and so Isabel was home and we all enjoyed a gorgeous sunny day at the park with great friends. It was delicious... and everything seemed to go at its own rhythm with perfect coordination. Yet is also made me realize that if I cannot capture pictures, I would like to capture words.

So often I am busy just being present with my kids and I completely forget about my camera (though that is a good thing)!!! As I watch my kids play, interact with each other, engage with the world, I find myself taking mental notes... wanting to savour each word, hoping that I will remember that exact phrase, the hug, the exchange... craving to imprint it upon my mind as I move into the next moment without hesitation. Hoping that I will remember it the next time I sit by the computer so that I can write it down for safe keeping. Sometime it happens, I remember, I write... and I know it will not be lost. Other times the moment drifts into the past with a faint lingering reminding me it had existed at one time not so long ago. And as my kids grow I also see the little repetitions... Anaïs doing things at two that I still clearly remember of Isabel. Leo bringing memories of Anaïs at his age.

As I watch them I want to remember everything... but more than that, I want to savour what is happening right now as life moves from one moment to the next. Knowing that it will not be the same again tomorrow. Enjoying the magic while getting through the challenges and opportunities too.

*****

At the age of two, one of my favourite things about Anaïs are her words. I simply adore how she puts together sentences to make sense of the world around her through language. She seems to dance between Spanish and English as easily as her older sister. Her comprehension is outstanding (as it has always been). Though it always makes me giggle that 'party' and 'potty' sound the same. As does 'warm' and 'worm'. A 'blanket' is called 'banket'. Whenever something happens that she is not so fond of (e.g. her shirt gets wet, or she finds a scratch on a toy), she will simply say: "no matter" (a little phrase she picked up from her older sister, and one that is often accompanied by a little shoulder shrug signifying that she is moving on)... already so aware of the things that really do not need being fussed over. Of course, she is only two and so there are times when the fuss still does happen, often when we least expect it. Or perhaps when we should be most prepared!! 

Anaïs Maria

Anaïs is a little spark, fiercely independent, and if at all possible likes to do EVERYTHING on her own. She puts on her own clothes (changing her pants at least 15 times a day... i am not joking). She is not a fan of underwear and usually takes it off as quickly as she can and simply puts on her pants (without anyone knowing about it). If there is something she has trouble reaching she is not shy to find a stool and get it herself. She easily navigates everything to do with potty time (including getting the training seat on the toilet and wiping her own bum). She positively adores getting massages and will lie still and enjoy the healing touch from anyone who offers. Her favourite food... cookies. No surprise there considering that cookie (galleta) was her first word in both languages. Quickly followed by 'gasses' (as in sunglasses). She is now at the stage where she loves to cook and bake (both in our grown up kitchen and in her pretend kitchen). Anaïs has started to play imaginary games with her sister, and this has sparked a new expression that she uses all the time. Whenever she wants to do something that we would prefer she does not (e.g. blow bubbles in the house, put cream in her hair), she looks at us quizzically and says: "For real?" Which, oddly enough, actually means 'for pretend'.
Another popular word in her vocabulary is "nervous", which she seems to apply to anything that is new or unfamiliar to her... the word along with the perfect facial and physical expressions to capture the feeling of actually being nervous or scared. It's quite impressive. Yet is seems she is just testing this one out for size, for she continues to embrace the world with little or no fear. The things that make her 'nervous' might be more influenced by her age: dogs, loud cars. Ironically, she loves to be startled... she can around the house for hours just yelling boo and then cracking herself up. Her other favourite games are playing chase (especially if there is a hide and boo aspect involved), and tickling (both receiving and giving... especially her papa's feet). She adores dancing... just turn on the music (anything) and she begins to move to the beat.
She also seems to have a self-gauge for discipline... when she does something she knows is not the right thing (like being a little too rough with her little brother), she goes to her room and lies on her bed (or listens to music on her CD player), then comes out with a hug and says 'sowee' (sorry) to the person who might have been harmed. It's quite remarkable given that we don't even actually apply 'time-outs' at home... though I do encourage quiet/reflective time when needed. She is also at the time in her life when everything (anything?) can spark a very strong reaction. We do our best to embrace her expressions of frustration, but there are certainly those moments when I just want to turn down the volume. But then I look at that sweet face and all I can do is love her and squeeze her. I guess like any parent, it is just hard for me to watch her have those strong reactions because I don't want her to be upset or feel harmed by the world around her. Oh if only it were so easy...
Whether happy or distressed, Anaïs has the most charming way of being in the world. She loves to share (sometimes on her own terms) and always makes sure to give a share of anything she has to her sister, a friend, or anyone who is near. She has a keen sense of fairness; which at times means she is outspoken about it being her turn too. She loves to play, and she loves to laugh... at the world, at herself, at everything. Anaïs is exactly who she is with no apologies... now that is a lesson to learn. She is perfect.

Ready to go out.

Isabel is a little bright light. She adores her friends and loves to play. She seems to take after my maternal grandmother in the priority she gives to her friends... both young and old. The other day we had good friends over for lunch and she said about the baby: "Daniel is still my friend, even though he is a baby. I can still play with him." Speaking of playing, she adores to pretend to go on trips, to play house/family, to go to work, to be the teacher, to perform. One of the girls favourite games is to play mama and baby: whereby Isabel is the mama and she takes care of Anaïs. It might be one of the most heartwarming exchanges to watch... to see how sweet these two can be with each other. Isabel's bed is also full of her favourite little toys and the group of them keeps on growing. Just the other day I overheard Isabel explain to Anaïs that she cannot sleep in her top bunk because there isn't enough room with all her little 'sleepytime babies'.

Isabel also adores reading, and is beginning to enjoy more and more solitary time (where she can actually sit for longer than a few moments without the company of another person). This is 'growing up' for the little girl who said she needed two toilets in her bathroom so that she and her sister can go potty together... at the same time!! This wonderful little girl loves to dance... she started ballet a few months ago and continues to move to the beat of her own drum. She has a heart of gold that makes her a fantastic big sister to both brother and sister. She never stops talking or asking questions and demands full participation from her counterparts. She seems wise and mature beyond her years, and at times I observe her in the world, or listen to her ability to integrate information, and I am amazed. Isabel has a spark that lights up a room the moment she smiles (again, something she inherited from her maternal great-grandmother). She is perfect.

Isabel Chloe

Leo is the most easy going kid I have ever met. And like his sisters at this age, he is always full of smiles.  he is a tickle bunny and giggles from deep inside his belly. He seems to adore his sisters... whether they are greeting him with hugs in the morning, performing for him, pulling off his socks, smothering him with kisses, or just being with him and around him. He loves to cuddle. He loves to eat. He is eager to move and pushes off his feet. He chews on anything he can, and nothing seems to bring him down. This little man really does not ever cry... even Isabel is amazed!!
At the moment, his favourite thing seems to be eating... he has discovered food and does not hold back. This evening at dinner he ate a bowl of avocado, followed by three (not kidding) bowls of pumpkin squash. Let's see if this give him enough sustenance to sleep cozy tonight!!

He seems to be taking in the world around him with his eyes... looking at everything with delight and absorbing it with a massive appetite. Leo can make anyone drop their defences and feel completely at ease with a mere glance and his amazing smile. He is perfect.

Leonard Maksalon

I know I am the mama, and I adore my children without boundaries or expectations... yet I cannot help it. They are each so unique, so beautiful... perfect little human beings. 

Boys & Girls

People often ask me if it is different having a boy? And I wonder, 'different from what'. Different from having a girl, of course (being that I have two girls and now a little boy). To be honest, I never really know how to answer this question (though after the number of times it's been asked you would think I could have developed a clever response). Each of my kids is unique in my eyes... in physical make-up, in personality, in their interaction with the world. Who they are, how they relate to the world, and how they relate to me seems less determined by their gender, then simply by the people they are growing into. My relationship with each one of them is marked by who they are. How I engage with them, the way we talk, the way they behave... boy or girl, they are individuals, perfect human beings.

Leo trying to eat his toes... one of his favourite games!!!

Yet this week I realized something very different about having a boy. It is something that I have always recognized, but never fully articulated. With all three of my little ones I have enjoyed 'early potty training' (which goes by many names such as elimination communication or diaper free, and has varied approaches). The premise for me has always been simply to watch the cues for when my kids need to pee/poo from a very early age. It was never a big deal,  nor did it cause any stress for me or for the child. It simply required me to be present, aware and willing to follow through when the opportunities arose: which usually entailed sitting the child on the potty or holding them over the sink or right on the toilet with me at times when I knew they needed to go to the bathroom. Of course, using cloth diapers has also been a great incentive for getting my babes on the potty early.
With Isabel I began at seven months; by ten months she stopped pooping in her diapers and would let me know when she had to go. With Anaïs I was inspired to begin much earlier; by four months she started to cue me when she needed to go poo and pee. Yet with Leo, I was resistant to begin... I imagined pee all over the bathroom mirror and had no idea how to manage dealing with taking him to the bathroom. Having learned the cues from my girls, I was able to understand very quickly when Leo needed to go. In fact, I noticed very quickly (at about two weeks) that Leo did not like to poo in his diaper. Whenever he had to go he would squirm and fuss until I removed his diaper and set him 'free'. So I would usually remove his diaper and let him relax on a changing blanket at which point he would be happy and spend half an hour pooping (seriously!!).
However, the idea of actually taking him and sitting him on a potty stumped me. Though I will admit I did not even realize my resistance until just recently. When at more than five months I finally put Leo on a  potty for the first time. Of course, as soon as he began to pee it went all over the bathroom counter (on which i had the potty resting to be able to hold Leo at my height). In my next attempt, I held Leo over the sink with his legs up... the mirror ended up getting a nice bath. The fact that Leo does go pee the moment I sit him on the diaper (or turn on some running water), and that he has now successfully had three days with no poos in his diaper (when I only began sitting him on the potty three days ago) makes me inclined to persevere. At least the potty is catching the poo, even if the pee seems to make itself far less contained. I guess I am still learning. And if someone asks if it's different having a boy, I have a clear answer... biology clearly makes it so!!!

Leo's first meal... ahuyama (pumpkin)!!!

Today Leo enjoyed his first meal... that did not consist of breastmilk!! At just over five months he is weighing in at 20lbs (just over 9kg). Each time we sit down to eat together he watches us with intent and licks his lips: as if to emphasize the fact that he desires to join in on the action. So, we decided to give in to his appeal for 'real food'. Today I steamed some fresh ahuyama (pumpkin) and mashed it up (mixed with a tiny bit of boiled water). The result was unbelievable. This kid did not hold back... he devoured five large pieces of pumpkin without hesitation (that's about one small jar of baby food!!!) , and then still enjoyed some breastmilk after his meal. I think my favourite part of this experience (aside from the passion and excitement with which Leo devoured EACH and every bite... opening his mouth for more), was his attempts to feed himself... taking hold of the spoon and putting it right into his mouth (mas o menus). Now we have to buy a high chair... any suggestions???
I would also love any favourite homemade baby food recipes (vegetarian, of course)!!

why have you been holding back on me for so long!!!

hey, please don't stop feeding me!!

How do I use this thing?

Happy and fed!!!

A little something for mom & baby...

In May, I decided to organize a baby massage course... an excuse to get together with other moms and spend quality time with Leo. The series consisted of four wonderful sessions led by my dear friend and massage therapist extraordinaire Katherine. Each week she offered new nuggets of wisdom about the influence of colours on our mood, different ways to apply herbs and scents, specific techniques for every part of the body, and general insights about how our body stores, releases and exchanges energy. ... not to mention JOY... each week, she shared with us pure joy!!!

Katherine... with some herbs and special massage oils she made for all the mamas and babies.

Every Monday, I would make a fresh batch of Chai tea and bake some special treats with Anaïs. She now wakes up each morning eager to get to the kitchen and bake with mama. What began as an idea of bonding time with Leo, and creating an open space for new mama's to come together, also afforded a special opportunity for Anaïs and I to enjoy some quality time!!

Leo enjoying a little back rub from Katherine.

We all had so much fun sharing this time together (sometimes with big sisters joining in too), that we are going to shift into a series of mom & baby yoga classes. And in a few weeks, return to a new series of massage classes.... and on and on! I love it when things grow so organically.

A little video clip I made to cherish the memories of this special time (turn on the volume, it may take a minute to download, then it's just 30 seconds). Enjoy!



You can make your own Animoto video!! It's fun and easy.

walking around town

Today Leo decided that five months is long enough to wait... he wants to walk, NOW!
I suppose with two older sisters running circles around him, he just wants to join in!!

one moment just hanging out on his belly, observing the world...

And then, insisting on walking as he held papa's hands...

And a few photos of the girls being silly cuz nothing warms my heart more than their smiles... and they sure love being silly together (plus, it's a rare photo with all three... even if leo is just snuck in the back)!!! Hard to capture them all on film at the same time... i have been trying!!!

changing our ride...

Today we took the car in to the dealer to 'trade up'. One of the realities of being a family of five is that we no longer fit into our car... not with all of the car seats properly aligned. Being that we live in Colombia, we have been able to get away with having Isabel ride in the middle with the two car seats boxing her in. Amazing how quickly one is willing to take on the rhythm of the culture in which one lives... well, at least that is my justification!!! Needless to say, we always knew it was a temporary solution. We purchased this car when I was pregnant with Isabel, and it has been good to us for five years. Oddly enough, being that we are living in Colombia, we had a buyer for our car, loooong before we actually get our new car (which is currently on a boat making it's way to Colombia, at which point it will hopefully be only a few weeks until it clears to reach its way to us). In the meantime, we are enjoying doing more walking and sticking close to the 'hood. A good friend was in a car accident the very day that we brought our car into the dealer... it was a reminder that we were ready to let this one go for something safer that fits the dimensions of our entire family... and perhaps even has room for a guest or two when we have visitors!!! Now we just have to get a new car seat for Leo... as he has already outgrown the infant seat!!

final drive around the block with the girls in the back... seriously, they were sooo happy!!!