Birthday Report

T W O Y E A R S O L D! It´s official: he´s not a toddler any more...he´s a preschooler!

Fabi started to prepare for his second birthday a few days ago. I would ask him: "How old are you going to be?" and he would reply "DOSsssh". He had to practice how to hold 2 fingers up instead of just his index finger.

Then the first birthday gift arrived by air mail from Costa Rica: a -printed-"quiqui" (cake), a birthday card and a pair of arm band floaters. Since we practically live across a swimming hall I can imagine the fun we will have during summer!

MasalaDad had a trip to Saudi Arabia this week and he will be back next Thursday with a birthday surprise, of course.

This year Fabi had his birthday during Lent season, on a Saturday. My friend Rong (from my university days here in Erlangen) lives in Nuremberg and came to spend the whole afternoon with us. First we had lunch at a Chinese restaurant, where Fabi enjoyed a taste of some veggies and rice and I enjoyed sushi (with chopsticks!) Fabi was fascinated by the big fish tanks and the big fountain with (huge) fish and 2 live turtles that were swimming in it. He even got a chinese picture frame as a gift on behalf of the restaurant.

Then we did some window shopping (and actual shopping). His paternal uncle and grandparents wanted me to get him an outfit and a bycicle as a gift. I still have to decide on the outfit, but Fabi came home with a ´ride´, which is a small police car (that stores some puzzle figures in the seat).

When we came back home, we had a small cake cutting celebration. I was surprised to see how Fabi was able to blow out his "Teddy Bear" candles! Then we put together his car and he was one happy little boy.

I can´t thank my friend Rong enough for her company and especially for taking all the pictures. (I am still yet to find my camera charger!) She sent me some pictures that you can see here, as a preview of the fun we had on Fabi´s birthday. More pictures will come later when I get a CD that Rong is preparing for us.

Fabi also enjoyed talking on the phone with his Dad, his uncles and grandparents. His godfather, Sudeep, sent him a beautiful e-mail. Fabi's friend Stephanie and her parents, Sandra and César sent him an e-card, which he enjoyed a lot. He asked me to see it several times, as he enjoys hearing the birthday song over and over again. Also thanks to my friends Johanna P. (for her call) and Nidhi and Céline for their greetings on this site! :)

Don´t think the celebrations are over! Next Tuesday, Fabi will blow out the candles among his new friends from "Creciendo Juntos", a play group of babies of Spanish speaking families here in Erlangen.

HAPPY 2nd Birthday, Fabi!

Dear Fabi,

When I met you 24 months ago, I would have never imagined that you would grow up to be such a funny little boy. You love to laugh and play a lot, but I love the way you make me laugh and play with you.

You have started to express yourself and I have always been wondering what goes through your head. With all the sounds and small words you have started to pronounce I now have an idea of what you´re thinking.

You love your Daddy so much and it shows when he´s back from work at the end of the day or when he´s back from a business trip after a few days, because all you want to do is be with "Papá! Papá!!"

You´re quite the social type and you surprise people when you make eye contact with them or when you wave good-bye as we´re stepping out of a bus.

In general you are a well-behaved little boy who can be distracted long enough to sit down for a meal at a restaurant or stay still during Mass at Church (most of the times!) But...boy! do you have your temper! You still have to learn not to want to bite your Mom when you´re mad and that there are many other words besides "NO". You have started to repeat new words and you answer correctly when I ask you the English word for "manzana" (apple) and the German word for "water" (wasser). But lately, I have especially enjoyed asking you how many years old you are now and you say "DOSsssh" while holding up your index and thumb.

"FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS, mi chiquito! Te amo!" ....

Tu Mamá

"HELLO WORLD!"

This post could also be titled "How I survived 3 months and 4 days without blogging".

The fact of the matter is that our first 3 months back in Erlangen went by in a flash. At first we stayed in a furnished apartment right in the heart of the city and have now moved to a bigger apartment (that we´re still in the processing of furnishing ourselves). The best part is -of course- to have again a computer and Internet connection at home!

Since we arrived in Germany, we´ve met old friends and made lots of new ones. I have been taking pictures , but posting them is not going to be as easy as I thought (to start with, I have to find the camera charger that I have misplaced during the shifting between apartments).

The good news is that I have lots to blog about and I know how eager some of you are to hear about our recent adventures. As always...thanks for reading....and for commenting!

It´s good to be back!