Quetzalli con Tonantzin.

Lo prometido era deuda. Y asi como cumplio Tonantzin en su momento, ahora yo le cumpli.

Bonita Quetzalli, fijate que yo invoque a Tonantzin para que te protegiera al momento de nacer, y cuidara de tu mami. En su momento yo me preocupe muchisimo por ustedes dos. Y le pedi a Tonantzin. Lo que ofreci a cambio era traerte a ti y a tu mami al santuario de Tonantzin, donde ella se aparecia y se aparecio por ultima vez hace 500 años.

Y ya se cumplio. Acabamos de llegar del Tepeyac. Fijate que te llevamos a la basilica, y te metimos cercquita donde se puede ver perfectamente la imagen de la tilmatl. Despues, caminamos y paseamos. Nos tomamos fotos y video. Para despues subir el cerro del Teyepac.

Desde ahi te tome video donde se podia ver toda la ciudad de Mexico, con gran claridad y cielo despejado.

Bueno Baby, nos vemos, y luego te platico mas cosas de este, tu primer viaje a Mexico.

Quetzalli's first Halloween!

October 31, 2006 was Quetzalli's first Halloween. Her first costume was a Tootsie Roll her grandma bought. On that day, we all went to go trick-or-treating all over town. I was the one driving while Erika carried Quetzalli. Whenever we spotted a house giving out treats, I immediately parked at some distance. I had to grab Quetzalli at some parts while Erika waited inside the car. Sometimes they both went trick-or-treating while I filmed them. It was easy to spot those houses because they had music or Halloween decorations all over the place.

Since she is small - just born a couple of months ago - we decided to make the trip short. But it was worth it. Quetzalli brought back home an outstanding booty being her first time.

Above is a picture of candies. Can you identify where Quetzalli is? We ate the candy in order to make sure were Quetzalli was. It was confusing!

A struggle for life

Hello beautiful Quetzalli, my precious baby girl!

You are indeed a treasure to be cherished by your loving parents. It is impressive how much you cherish life and the willing to live it even when you were born a month premature. You were born so small and fragile, and now your growing.

A blossoming flower at the menacing gates of winter!
You are to tower above gelid obstacles of the giver!

You not only are growing healthy and strong, you are also pretty and charesmatic. You have the gift which I was announced of. You will become a great person. Everyone surprises when they know about how you have grown healthy and without any of the usual complications that premature babies have. You are now around the 5 kilograms, and still growing. This Wednesday November 1st, the day after tomorrow, you will be accomplishing two succesful months of life. Your mommy and me are so happy about your first two months of life on this world.

We can not say it has been easy, but we sure can not dare to say this has been in vain. Your mommy and I have to adapt to your own hours. It is as if you live in you own time zone, separate from the rest of the world time zones. Sometimes you sleep at night, very pretty I might add. Sometimes you don't, at all. This new adventure for you mommy and me wasn't supposed to be easy, of course we knew it. What we did not know was how meaningful and memorable these moments were going to be for us. Some funny! Some sad, like when you got your first earrings pierced.

Two months on this world, two months with us. I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. It sounds cliche, but is true. You are my treasure, all I have that makes me a rich person is you. The reward of life itself! That is why you are our Quetzalli, our precious treasure. Many desire it, others can't understant it, but you are instead the reason for us to exist. You are the treasure given to us by the highest.

Tomorrow is your first Halloween. You are going to be dressed as a Tootsie Roll, a small candy still popular nowadays. We will go out tomorrow to ask for candy at different houses, because that is what all children do on Halloween night.

Your mommy loves you so much, especially now that there's a bond between both of you. She wants to write to you, but she is so busy taking care of you. There will be time for her to share her experiences.

First month

You have lived your first month since you were born. Your mommy and me are so busy taking good care of you, that I even postponed writing to you. But here I am to tell you how beautiful you are, and how much you have grown.

You were born 2.5 kgs, and now you're up to 3.4 kgs. We were all expectant of your weight gaining process. And even when you were born a month earlier, you're now back on track. And still, you keep growing more and more. From the 46 cms you were born, now your 50 cms. You were so fragil the first days, and your mommy took good care of you. She teached you how to feed from her breast. At first you were somewhat reluctant. Maybe because you couldn't find the right position. But as days passed after you birth, you began feeding from your mommy. And that's a good thing, because her milk is considered to be highly nutritional, especially during the first six months. So take advantage, eat those nutrients, and keep growing healthy as you have been.

We also bathe you usually in a daily basis. I am the one that prepares your warm water while your mommy takes your little clothes. At the bottom of the bath place, I put a foam that supports you. I pour in the water, calculating the best temperature for you. Then, when you're ready, your mommy takes off your diaper. I take you in my arms, very firmly so you wont fall down, and I put you in the bath. Immediately your mommy and me start scrubbing you softly. She takes care of your hair, face, legs and lower body. I wash your neck, arms, hands, upper body and back. Sometimes you cry, sometimes you just open your big grey eyes and stare at us. We don't know what you think while you see us bathing you. So we talk with you, and explain you what we are doing. When we finish with you, I grab you out of the bath, hugging you in my arms so you wont slip, and put you over. Your mommy extends one of your pink cute towels, and there we wrap you and dry you. Sometimes you cry again. Now we are used that you like to grab my finger while you mommy finishes. If I'm not there, you start looking for me. Your mommy loves that from you.

Your mommy and me are so happy to have you during your first month of life. What we are proud of is that you started out very healthy. There have been no major problems, except that a couple of days ago I passed you the flu. I got very sick last week, but the doctor gave you medicine. It is funny when we give you your medicine, because sometimes your crying and waving your arms. One time you even hit me and I spilled your medicine drops everywhere. Other times you close you little mouth.

I am so glad to have you this first month. And I am looking forward for more beautiful experiences with you now that I bought you your stroller. What new adventures will come?

Baby world.

We now live in a baby world. Everything rotates around our small newborn baby girl. The smell, the sight, the objects, all the surrounding has changed for us. You are so pretty baby girl. And we love you so much. Since you were born, we are taking care of you day and night. Especially your beautiful mommy, she has been very careful to give you all you need. During the first days, you mommy had to feed you from a special formula designed for premature babies like you. I even prepared your milk by mixing hot water with Enfamil milk powder. Sometimes it was too hot! Although your doctor told us he did not wanted to make you dependant of such formulas, he said it was necessary because you needed to gain weight. The ironies of life, baby girl, because there are women starving to death to be just a bit slimmer. So during the first week, your mommy and me concentrated on giving you the Enfamil powder milk. I think you liked it, at least at first, because you were calm and even sleepy after giving you your milk every three hours.



It's all about you, Quetzalli! Your mommy and me want the best of the best for you. See how small and fragile you are, but your mommy takes good care of you. That's you having lunch on September 5, 2006! It was your second day at home after leaving the hospital where you were born.



And here we're just having fun with you. Notice how much hair you have. Your mommy's hands look gigantic in comparison with your small arms.



This is a close-up! You look so cute. You mommy and me love when you open your little eyes. We can see you have some difficulty at first, and then, wow, your eyes are lively wide open. During your first week in this world, you had the tendency to open your eyes quite briefly. Now, you're opening more often, and wider!

Viernes 1ero de Septiembre de 2006

Viernes 1ero de Septiembre de 2006.

El dia que cambio la vida de todos, y dió sentido a la mía.

En el momento que amaneció aquel día sabía que iba a ser un muy buen día. Aquella mañana se encontraba especialmente fresca y no tan caliente como en días anteriores. El cielo portaba un color azul tan vistoso y parejo, que parecía competir con el de un mar sereno. Despejado, con unas que otras nubecillas desperdigadas, el día emanaba una vibra especial que no cualquier día posería. "Que día tan hermoso!" Me repetía una y otra vez .

Ya para el medio día estuve haciendo unas llamadas telefónicas a varios negocios. Algunas regulares, otras un tanto cortantes. Sin embargo me soprendía que tales acciones no quitaban de mi mente la belleza de aquel día. Pues parecía que los mismos ángeles habían hecho subir al sol aquel día, enterneciendo, por alguna razón desconocida hasta ese momento, el transcurso de Tonatiuh sobre el cielo turquesa.

3:00 pm

Erika y yo nos preparamos para ir a la cita habitual con su médico ginecologo. Una cita más de las tantas que habíamos ido con él. Al menos eso asumíamos, con la única diferencia de que nos había dicho la semana pasada que Erika se hiciera un examen de orina. Así que nos dirigimos un poco ante hacía el hospital, pués ahí esta ubicado el laboratorio, y al terminar podríamos cruzar la calle para arrivar a tiempo a nuestra cita de las cuatro de la tarde con el ginecologo Efraín.

3:15 pm

Le costo trabajo a Erika poder entregar la orina que pedían en el laboratorio, así que estuve tomando agua abundantemente. Salia y entraba, y nada. Así se nos fué el tiempo. Mientras, yo estuve sentado frente a un televisor que tienen en el laboratorio. Había nerviosismo en todo el país, en especial en la Ciudad de México. Tras las elecciones presidenciales del 2 de Julio pasado, los políticos y gobernantes habían entrado en una situación de confrontación que produjo una crisis política. Tanto en las altas esferas como entre el pueblo común y corriente había ya el rumor de un incontrolable estallido social, una revuelta. La situación de por sí crítica y frágil comenzaría a alzarse en peligrosidad en especial a partir de éste día, 1ero de Septiembre, día en que el presidente de la república rinde su informe del estado de la nación. Así ha sido desde hace casi dos siglos. Todos los presidentes, malos o buenos, queridos o no queridos, lo han rendido éste día. Sin embargo, por la crisis política que se vivía en el país, se decía en la televisión, no se sabía que iba a suceder esta vez. Pues el PRD, partido opositor al presidente Vicente Fox, amenazaba con evitar que el presidente rindiera su último informe presidencial. Al ver todo lo que sucedía en México DF, sinceramente quería ya ir con el doctor Efraín y de ahí a la casa con Erika para seguir en vivo lo que sucedía en la camara de diputados. Sin duda, un día histórico para México. Y encima de todo eso, llovía muy fuerte en el resto del país. El huracán John estaba azotando en Los Cabos. Un día complicado, pero a pesar de todo eso, aca permanecía sin molestar el día.

4:00 pm

Finalmente logramos dejar la orina para su analisis, y claro me despegue del televisor para ir ahora con el doctor. Mientras subíamos incluso le iba contando a Erika lo que pasaba en la televisión. Como si fuese un día normal para nosotros el de ir, ver a la baby en el ultrasonido, y salir. Sin embargo, cuando llegamos el doctor Efraín nos preguntó muy urgido si ya teníamos los resultados de dicho analisis. Obviamente le dijimos que no, pues apenas se los había hecho. Mientras mandó a Erika a cambiarse para que se pusiera una batita, me extraño algo. El comportamiento del doctor se había vuelto un poco impaciente, tanto que no espero y levantó el telefono para hablar al laboratorio. Pregunto por las proteinas. El rostro se le desdibujaba cuando preguntaba sobre la cantidad de proteínas. Ya muy apurado colgó y me informó de lo que sucedía. Erika tenía muchísimas proteínas en su orina, y en cualquier momento iba a convulsionar, por lo que debía de inducirle el parto cuanto antes.

Erika salió con su batita, y el doctor la acostó para revisarle su pancita, ver el monitor del ultrasonido, y revisar el estado en general de su cuerpo. Aunque traté de fingir, mi consternación iba en aumento. Al poco rato el doctor le comunicó lo que sucedía a Erika entorno al peligro que existía. Aún así me mando por los analisis, pues deseaba verificar fisicamente otros asuntos. Así que corrí hacía el laboratorio, y tan pronto como llegue, el doctor lo confirmaba, era de extrema urgencia que se tenía que inducir el parto para cuanto antes sacar a la baby. Nos dió permiso de ir a nuestra casa por las cosas, como la pañalera de la baby y dar aviso a las familias.

4:30 pm

Salimos un poco callados Erika y yo del consultorio. Conforme nos acercabamos a la casa, nos inundaba una callada pero presente preocupación. Tanto que al entrar a nuestro cuarto no pudimos disimularlo mas, y dejamos vertir nuestras emociones que traíamos ocultando. Nos abrazamos y le dije que todo iba a salir bien, pues no había ningún problema, mas bien era para evitar complicaciones para ella y la baby.

5:00 pm

Avisandole a mi mamá, nos fuimos todavía nerviosos. Me estacioné y caminando entramos al mismo hospital por la puerta de urgencias. Enseguida dimos aviso a la secretaria a cargo de la situación. Entonces nos hizo sentar para llenar unas formas. Aunque en medio de un nerviosismo rampante, preferí estar de pié. Una cascada de formas para llenar nos inundaron el escritorio frente a nosotros. Uno tras uno firmabamos. Y tal vez el hecho de tratar de estar enterados en los contenidos de dichas formas fué lo que nos calmo. Finalmente terminamos y nos pasaron a unos sillones cercanos. Quien lo fuera a decir! Estabamos en cuestión de minutos en el hospital, con nuestra maletita pañalera, a punto de conocer a nuestra hijita.

5:15 pm

Deje a Erika sentadita y rapidamente me fuí a una farmacia cercana a conseguir algún cassette DVC para grabar digitalmente el parto. Ese era uno de mis anhelos, el encontrarme fisicamente al momente de que naciese mi hija, y filmarlo todo. Fue suerte el hallar dichos DVCs en la farmacia, pues en esta ciudad es raro encontrar dicha tecnología en tiendas. Ahora lo que me preocupaba era que la camara no estaba completamente cargada.

5:30 pm

En dichos silloncitos en que estabamos, llegaron a avisarnos de que era hora, que Erika tenía que entrar a Maternidad. Así que se la llevaron, informandome que en el momento que ella estuviera ya cambiada con bata y en cama me darían aviso para entrar. Nos despedimos, diciendole que al rato la alcanzaba. No sabía que era lo que seguía, no sabía muy bien lo que acontecía, era mi primera vez, era mi primer bebe.

6:00 pm

Llego una enfermera a avisarme que ya podía pasar yo, y que solo se admitía una persona. Así que inmediatamente corrí hacía la puerta donde había visto que metieron a Erika. Abro la puerta, y era un cuarto grande con tres camas y un televisor. En la cama de enmedio estaba Erika con su batita del hospital, y varios cables colgandole para medir constantemente su presión y escuchar el latir de la baby. El problema era que su presión era alta, pero no tanta como para causarle daño. Sin embargo, la presión aumentaba mustiamente. Eso se le reportaba al doctor Efraín. Intentaron bajarle la presión con medicamentos, pero son resultados convincentes. El doctor Efraín vino una primera vez, la revisó, y preguntaba si ya se sentían contracciones. Erika decía que no mucho. Con presión alta las contracciones se presentan, pues el bebe se irrita demasiado fácil con dicha hipertensión. Así que el doctor dijo que iban a esperar un poco más, pero que si los datos prevalecian, tendrían que entrar en cirugia para que por medio de una cesarea se sacara rapidamente a la baby, y sin duda alguna a la placenta, culpable en esta caso de la alza en la presión por las toxinas liberadas por ella.

6:35 pm

Yo estuve al lado de Erika, cuidando siempre de darle animos y mejores deseos. Algunas veces metia entre la platica chistes o ideas graciosas, para darle un mejor momento a Erika, y también tratar de que yo pudiera contribuir a dismiuir la presión. Temía mucho que la situación en que estaba pudiese dispararle la presión. Y así estuvimos, meditando en las cosas que sucederían. Y mientras hablaba con ella, de reojo miraba como iba la presión. A veces no bajaba de 170. La situación era un poco confusa para mí, pues tanto mi esposa como mi baby estaban unidas en un mismo destino. Al poco rato llegó por segunda vez, la revisó, y se preocupó en las cifras de la presión. Así que me pidió que me saliera por un breve momento. A lo cual yo obedecí.

6:45 pm

Se abre la puerta y era el doctor Efraín. Casí al umbral de la puerta me explicó que si era necesario llevarla a cirugia, solo con la cesarea se solucionaría el problema. No había otra forma, pues el tiempo pasaba, la presión aumentaba, y la baby simplemente bajaba muy lento por la apertura. No miento al decir, que a pesar de los pronosticos me cayó de sorpresa. Finalmente era un hecho, la cesarea se efectuaría, ese mismo día nacería mi hija.

6:55 pm

Entré para estar de nuevo con Erika, y tras platicar un rato, y en parte calmarla, llegó una enfermera y me pidió que saliera brevemente. O al menos así lo entendí yo, pues salí de dicho cuarto para permanecer en las afueras de dicha puerta. Para llegar a esa puerta de Maternidad del pasillo principal del hospital se tiene que internar uno en lo que parecería un tunel un tanto oscuro, blanco de marmol, largo y muy frio. En verdad era un pasillo, pero la falta de iluminación y de gente daba esa impresión. En ese que yo llamo tunel, ahí, estuve muy pensativo meditando sobre lo que podría pasar. En ese lugar, a ese momento preciso fué que me encomende tanto a Dios como a demas seres de luz. Estaba, y estoy todavía, dispuesto de intercambiar mi vida por la de Erika y la baby. No deseaba que nada malo les pasara. No era justo que tras un hermoso e inigualable amor que nos entrelazo, luchando rodeados de tantas maldades y envidias que nos acecharon, fuera a terminar de una forma no digna de un amor tan alto y verdadero. Era injusto que un amor que creció a pesar de las circunstancias, un amor que lográ no solo derrotarlas sino sobreponerse en lo alto de cualquier contrariedad. Un geniuno amor, incomparable, único, y tan fuerte que llega a fusionar nuestras almas. El triunfo de nuestro amor sobre los inumerables males que nos acecharon y en su momento atacaron no debía quedar en vano. Era tan injusto que la victoria del amor sobre el mal hubiera terminado estripitosamente. Y así invoqué. Pedí. Hice mis promesas a cambio del decreto de tal triunfo.

7:10 pm

Me preocupé mucho al ver que no salían de dicho cuarto de maternidad. Así que decidí entrar. No podía abrir la puerta por un seguro. Algo me decía que ya no estaban ahí. Pensaba que tal vez existía un pasillo o elevador secreto por donde acostumbrarían llevar a los pacientes al cuarto piso, muy acostumbrado en hospitales. Además de que mi camara de filmación estaba adentro, atrapada. Corrí por las escaleras hacía el cuarto piso del primero. Estaba desolado, al final del pasillo escuchaba una televisión. Se transmitía en vivo la toma del PRD de la tribuna de la camara de diputados, donde daría su informe el presidente Fox. Todos los diputados gritaban, era un desastre. Al entrar de lleno al cuarto donde estaba el televisor descubro a los tres doctores que tendrían a mi bebe, incluido al doctor Efraín y al pediatra Eduardo. Les pregunte por Erika y por mi cámara. Ellos me explicaban que la tenían que cambiar y preparar abajo, de donde yo venía. Así que regrese, corriendo, al primer piso. Nada, no abría la puerta nuevamente. Corrí hacía otra puerta que yo sospechaba era uno de esos accesos secretos. Llego y le pregunto a una secretaria si podía entrar por mi camara pues había quedado adentro atrapada y mi esposa estaba a punto de dar a luz. Ella descuelga y marca un numero. Y espere, un poco, hasta que nuevamente intente ver en la puerta, y no abría. Corrí nuevamente para arriba para ver si ya había llegado Erika al cuarto piso. En medio de la soledad tan solo la televisión. De nuevo pregunté a los doctores, y me decían que Erika estaba en un cuarto aledaño. Fuí corriendo y no estaba. Baje nuevamente al primer piso. Fuí con la secretaria que recien había dejado, y me dijo que no contestaban que probablemente ya se habían subido. Así que salí y me dirigí hacía esa puerta secundaria. Entré, y en varios sillones descubrí de nuevo la televisión mostrando la toma del Palacio de San Lazaro, mientras que alrededor de seis doctores veían muy atentamente la situación en Mexico DF. Uno me logró ver de reojo, y me preguntó que se me ofrecía. Le volví a decir lo mismo, y al verificar la puerta secundaria, ese medico me dijo que seguramente ya no había nadie pues regularmente la cierran cuando ya suben al paciente al cuarto piso. De plano me rendí y subí corriendo por última vez al cuarto piso. Llego y vuelvo a buscar a los doctores. Ya me dijeron esta vez que Erika ya estaba ahí arriba. "Vaya, al menos ya encontré a Erika!" Me dije a mi mismo. Y por curiosidad pregunté por mi camara, y me dijeron que probablemente la traía la enfermera. Una vez que llego la enfermera, antes de preguntarle de inmediato me dio la camara. Finalmente, un alivio. No me perderia del nacimiento de mi baby, y a la vez filmaria el momento para la posteridad.

Me dieron para ponerme encima de mi ropa normal una especial, como las que usan habitualmente los doctores y cirujanos. Estaba muy nervioso, emocionado diria yo. Apresuradamente me colocaba los atuendos verdes claros. Me intentaba poner los zapatos desechables, pero me era imposible el meter mis tenis dentro de ellos. Con la rapidez que hacia todo los rompi de la parte de atras. Rapido me los amarre para que no se notara y me dijesen algo. No habia llegado tan lejos como para que no me dejasen entrar todo por unos zapatos que parecian hechos de servilleta. Termine de vestirme, y me sente. Ahi quede sentado. Trate de filmarme a mi mismo sentado ahi. Solo para despues ver como era mi rostro antes de ver a la baby por primera vez en mi vida. No era una espera cualquiera, era el momento antes de conocer a mi primer hijo.

Llego la enfermera y me dijo que ya podia pasar. Vamonos! Mientras caminaba iba prendiendo mi camara nuevamente. Me condujeron al quirofano, y entre. Se me indico donde podia estar. Aunque ignoro que otras experiencias un tanto embarazosas hayan tenido con otros papas, porque me llamo la atencion que me dijeran donde sentarme en caso de marearme, desmayarme o vomitar. No tenia ganas de sentarme! Menos en ese momento tan historico en mi vida. Nunca en mi vida iba a volver a presenciar en persona el nacimiento de la hija que me hizo padre. Podran venir mas hijos, nietos, y demas, pero el primer hijo es el que me marcaria para siempre como padre. Es el antes y despues.

La operacion comenzo. A Erika ya la tenian amarrada a manera de crucifixion, pero acostada, claro. Los doctores comenzaron a operar, y yo a filmar. Todo lo que hacian lo enfocaba. Pero debo admitir que la mayoria del tiempo tan solo sostenia la camara, pues estaba muy entrado en lo que sucedia. El doctor cortaba la pancita de Erika. Mientras ella, despierta pero algo adormilada, no sentia nada y solo me miraba. A veces le tomaba a ella. Mientras filmaba con una mano, con la otra agarraba la mano derecha de Erika. A veces se la apretaba, solo para ver si me la apretaba de vuelta. Cosa que si hacia. La cesarea continuaba a contra reloj. Ya alcanzaba a ver la pancita abierta, y en ocasiones veia hacia adentro. El pediatra por el otro lado, esperando, miraba. En ese momento el ginecologo se desespero un poco porque por mas que metia sus manos, no sacaba nada. Parecia que la baby no se dejaba. Algo sucedia, pues ahora le estaban empujando la parte superior de la pancita de Erika. Inmediatemente el anestesiologo le dijo a Erika que esa parte de la operacion la iba a sentir un poco. Sin duda se reflejaba en su rostro, y en su apreton, no muy firme por la anestesia, pero si contundente.

En eso... van sacando algo! Era una bolita moradita! Al parecer la espaldita! Al sacarla completamente, agarro forma la baby! Era una nina hermosa! Ese momento en que la sacaron del interior de su mami me impacto muchisimo. Me marco. Siempre habia visto la pancita de Erika, pero tan solo era eso lo que yo veia, una pancita. Ahora, en ese momento descubri que era lo que habia adentro, como un fascinante regalito. Era mi hija! Una personita! Finalmente era una realidad. Todos mis suenos, anhelos, ideales, todo giraba alrededor de ese momento de segundos. Y yo no lo sabia, hasta que estuve ahi para verlo y atestiguarlo. Mi vida cambio en ese instante que se repite ahora en mi mente una y otra vez. Como aquella cancion, ese perfume, algun color, asi se repite en mi cabeza esa bella imagen. La imagen de una bebe... preciosa.

El pediatra rapidamente la atendio, limpiandola de su boquita y naricita. Unos segundos despues que el pediatra la habia llevado a unos metros de su mami, la baby comenzo a llorar. Erika la alcanzo a escuchar y me pregunto si era ella. Y le dije que si. Apenas termino que atenderla y limpiarla, el pediatra la sostuvo de su cabezita repleta de cabello y agarro sus piernitas para llevarla con su mami. Asi fue como Erika la vio por primera vez. El pediatra le comunico que era una nina, para despues felicitarla. Y mientras Erika lloraba, le acerco a la baby para que le pudiera dar un besito.

Tal fue el nacimiento de Quetzalli. Asi fue como yo lo vivi. Nadie me lo conto. Para nadie va a significar lo mismo dicho dia que para su padre y su madre. Ese 1ero de Septiembre de 2006, mientras el mundo afuera seguia su curso, el pais se desmoronaba, los huracanes azotaban, aqui nacio un nuevo ser, simbolo de la esperanza de amor y justicia. La belleza aun existe, no es algo que veas o sientas, sino algo que se vive. Mi hija es un ejemplo de ello.

























Pequena Quetzalli:

Te dedico este escrito para ti. Es la cronica de tu nacimiento tal como yo lo presencie. Espero lo conserves en tu memoria para siempre acordarte como comenzaste tu vida en este mundo, y en tu corazon para que sientas cuanto te amamos tus papas. Te queremos mucho!

You've just arrived to this world!

Unexpectedly, beating all odds, you were born in a surprising day that I will never forget. While your mother and me went to a regular check up, the doctor suddenly told us to go immediately to the hospital after verifying some data at your mom's urine analysis. The lack of proteins in your mommy's body were putting both of you in danger. With great haste we came back to our house, and nervously started to put together yours and mommy's things. Your mother was specially sad about the whole emergency. While I calmed her down, we came back to the hospital area. The doctor's office is just across the street from the hospital.

After signing your mother into the hospital, and hence, labor, your mommy and me waited just some moments. After a rather short moment, the doctor said you and your mother couldn't resist for natural labor. So a C-section operation was the only and ultimate choice.

It was done on the fourth floor of the hospital. The operation was very well planned amid the Mexican President's address on the State of the Union (Informe Presidencial). Basically everyone was watching the political crisis: congressmen took Congress Palace in order to ruin the President's speech. That was happening in all national TV channels while I was putting some special clothes to go inside with your mother to see you born. I was summoned, and began filming the surgery.

The moment you were taken out of your mother's belly will be remembered forever. You were so small. Your pediatrician told us you were four to five weeks early. It was impressive to see you for the first time. The pediatrician, after cleaning you up and down, took you with your mother, who was still half sedated. She cried will giving you a kiss.

Friday September 1, 2006 will always be remember as the day you shone our lives, and gave meaning to my own.

I love you so much baby girl!

Today in the morning I told all the city you were born. At my space of the Sunday morning radio show I told everybody you were born.

¡Hola baby Quetzali Edith!

¡Hola baby Quetzali Edith!

Te habla tu mamá, quiero decirte que aquí tu padre y yo te anhelamos mucho, estamos contando los días para el gran evento de tu llegada. La verdad es que queremos que todo este listo para cuando ya estés aquí no te haga falta absolutamente nada. Mucha gente ya te ha dado regalitos muy bonitos y aparte los que tu papá y yo hemos comprado con todo el amor del mundo.

El doctor dijo que en aproximadamente 5 semanas ya estas lista para nacer solo es cuestión de que tu digas “ya”. Así que ya te podrás imaginar que todo el mundo ya esta ansioso por verte.

Se que cuando seas grande y vayas a tener tus propios hijos te preguntaras que se siente o que sentía yo al tenerte dentro de mi, pues te diré, se siente una gran emoción, a veces hasta de la nada, es como si te llenaras toda de amor y de orgullo. Se siente una gran pasión por la vida, es muy hermoso sentir como te mueves dentro de mí. Cada cosa que heces es como algo majestuoso y mágico, o mas bien como increíble. Tu papa y yo a veces nos imaginamos que tal vez lo que estas haciendo es moviendo tus manitas o tus piecitos y nos da mucha alegría y orgullo el saber que estas ahí adentro haciendo tus travesuritas.

Eres una niña muy hermosa y grandota, dicen que a veces duelen los golpecitos que dan los bebés cuando ya están en los últimos meses, y pues tiene algo de verdad. En mi caso lo que pasa es que ya son mas fuertes, no es que duelan, si no que como ya creciste como que ahora pegas donde antes no, y ahora son muy diferentes los golpecitos. Eso de que se te hinchan los pies pues si es verdad, aunque a mi casi no me sucede, es muy de vez en cuando. Eso si, los ascos son muyy ciertos, y las agruras. El vomito lo tuve muy poco la verdad, lo que si siempre tuve, y ahora mas, es el dolor de espalda. Ese es el que mas he sentido. De todo lo demás, esta perfecto. Ya después te contaré del parto.

Te preguntarás: ¿Por qué mi mamá me cuenta todo esto? Y la respuesta es muy sencilla, por si el día de mañana que vayas a tener a tus hijos yo no pudiera estar ahí por obras del destino, ya sea porque estés viviendo muy lejos o simplemente nunca se sabe. Así que esto ya queda para cuando tu o tus hijos lo quieran leer. Ah, y también pueden escuchar tu corazoncito, ya que tu papá se encargo de ponerlo en internet. Fijate mi vida, esos fueron tus primeros latiditos. Todavía recuerdo cuando recién te conocimos a los 2 meses y medio. Eras todavía tan chiquita y preciosa. Se veía tu corazón latir tan fuerte que hasta parecía que se te iba a salir. Eras tan pequeñita, y como ahora eres tan grandota. Como se ve tu carita cuando bostezas tan tierna o cuando traes hipíto. Eres una joya preciosa, es por eso que te llamarás Quetzali.

Nos encanta escuchar el latido de tu corazón. Se escucha como si fuera un ferrocarril. Ese latidito a todo lo que da, es el sonido de la vida, de tú vida. Tu padre y yo nos sentimos muy orgullosos de ti y te prometo que siempre va a ser así, por el simple hecho de que existes y eres nuestra hija. Te prometo que vas a ser muy querida.

Hay pequeña bebé, te amamos mucho, en este momento te estas moviendo como si estuvieras brincando ahí adentro. Y se siente tan bonito.
¡Gracias por existir!
Atte.
Tu mami.

Beatings at my baby's podcast.

Another sound has being uploaded and podcasted from my unborn baby, transmitting from her mommy's womb to the world. Interested people on hearing a small unborn baby's heart beating inside the womb, here's the third sound:

powered by ODEO

And here´s the second sound, for those who forgot to hear it:

powered by ODEO

Si tienes problemas escuchando los soniditos del corazoncito de mi bebé a traves del podcast, simplemente puedes bajarlos manualmente, cuya dirección del tercer sonido es:
http://media.odeo.com/8/2/5/babyheart3.mp3

Each time I upload a new sound, I will be posting the original file, from which you can download it to your computer directly, and later play it.

Technorati: pregnancy baby podcast unborn sounds womb bebe embarazo sonidos utero yollotl

Sounds from the womb.

~~~As of yesterday, my unborn baby is already podcasting her sounds through the Internet. Those sounds from the womb are very precious for her mother and me. Especially because one day, when she is born, she will hear them. She will see how delicate she was inside her mommy's womb. And also the interest of her parents to record her movements not only in our memory, but electronically. ~~~

Oh, you move! A lot, I might say. Today, in the year 2006, we do not posses any device that record and save into a computerized memory lot the sensation of actually feeling a baby moving inside the belly. I ignore if at your time, in the future, when you grow older and taller, such inventions will exist. Today we barely have sound recording devices and computers. What I did, baby girl, was to connect a cable from the Bebe Sounds gadget (the one that captures your sounds in order for us to hear you from the outside) into my laptop. I recorded it, then saved it to a memory stick (because I don´t have Internet connection right now). I downloaded the sounds from the memory stick to a computer with Internet connection. Then I converted the audio files, from WAV to MP3. Don't laugh baby girl, I know in the future you will hear of such terms at museums or ugly books. Maybe in the future you will have more innovative devices as computers with brain cells, or even the ability to save software and files in our own cells. At least that's what I have read the future will be, the future you will live you teenage and adulthood.

Those MP3 files, then, were uploaded to a podcast, your podcast, at Odeo.com. Since MP3 files are compressed, they save space, in this case, space in the cyberspace. So many website, today, prefer MP3s for audio.

So anyone interested in hearing your sounds from the womb will simply have to push the player to the left of this post. Once they've found it, they push it once to activate it, and a second time to actually play it. If those people turn un their headphones or audio equipment, they will hear you! This is the technology we have today. You might see it in the future as something came out of the Stone Age. But we are doing the best we can today, in the dawn of the new millenium. Only because your are the dawn our new life as parents.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Audio files with your heart beats uploaded so far:
http://media.odeo.com/files/3/4/3/703343.mp3
http://media.odeo.com/files/3/2/9/706329.mp3

Technorati: pregnancy baby podcast unborn sounds womb bebe embarazo sonidos utero yollotl

Your first podcast!

Who could have ever thought that an unborn baby would be transmitting through the internet? Well you do, pretty girl!

You are already sending your first sounds from inside your womb to the entire planet Earth. Your noises, and your drumming heart are already in the Internet. You mother and me are so proud of you by hearing those special noises through a special device. Now, after recording some feed, your heart is on the web. What a famous baby you are already becoming. You are still unborn, inside the warm womb, and you are already trying to emulate your father (that's me) by broadcasting, instead of radio, through the Internet.



powered by ODEO

baby pregnancy unborn podcast heart bebe

Primer escrito de tu mami.

¡Hola Baby! Este es el primer escrito de tu mami hacia ti, ya que tu papá ha estado escribiendo cada vez que puede pero yo no había tenido la oportunidad de hacerlo por mil razones.

Fíjate que me siento muy feliz por que te tengo conmigo, me gusta sentir y saber que creces dentro de mi a cada instante, me encanta cuando todas las noches te mueves y me empiezas a dar pataditas, como comienzas (me imagino yo) a jugar dentro de mi y te revoloteas toda, que por cierto avisote que eres una niña muy inquieta ya que siempre te estas cambiando de posición, o estas atravesada o con la cabeza hacia arriba en lugar de hacia abajo, pero la verdad no importa por que ese es uno de los momentos que mas hay que disfrutar ya que no se volverán a repetir, al menos contigo.

El día de ayer, 3 de Agosto del 2006, fuimos tu papá y yo a ver al doctor, o mas bien dicho a verte a ti, te encontrabas simplemente hermosa, tus manitas estaban en tu cara así que lamentablemente no te pudimos ver bien tu carita en el eco, al menos la parte de tu boquita y tu naricita, lo bueno es que dijo el doctor Efraín que te encontrabas en perfectas condiciones, que estabas de buen tamaño y que todo estaba bajo control, también nos dijo que de aquí en seis semanas ya estabas lista para nacer, que era cuestión de que tu decidieras cuando salir de mi pancita, pero por mi no te apures, tomate tu tiempo.

La verdad es que todos aquí ya te estamos esperando ansiosamente, tanto tus abuelitos maternos como tus abuelitos paternos, todos te están regalando cositas para cuando tu llegues a este mundo, tu papi y yo ya nos estamos preparando para tu llegada, hemos visitado muchas tiendas de babies en donde te hemos comprado muchas cositas para que te veas como una reyna y lo necesario para que no pases frió ahora en época de invierno.

Estoy muyyy felizzzzzzzzzzzz de que hayas decidido que nosotros seamos tus padres, y quiero decirte que vamos a poner todo de nuestra parte para tratar de educarte bien y que no te llegue a faltar nada en este mundo, tu papi y yo estamos muy orgullosos de tenerte y que vayas a ser nuestra hijita, eres la mejor bendición que Dios nos pudo mandar, espero que seas muy feliz a nuestro lado, ya que nosotros vamos a ser muy feliz a tu lado.

Your first party, the babyshower!

Hello baby girl! How are you doing inside you mommy's belly. Great, I imagine. You're growing so fast. Faster than we thought. Your mom and me were predicting that you will probably come out to be tall. Or with thick bones, maybe, as me. Obviously this is our first pregnancy, and we are discovering new things, like seeing a belly being inflated as a ballon.

Let me tell you, baby girl, that last Saturday you had your first party: your baby shower! And indeed it was a shower of presents for you. Here you have a beautiful baby girl who hasn't arrived to our world yet, and she's already recieving tons of presents. I was not present during your baby shower, because it was meant to be only for women. So I was secluded in our house in the back, we're you live right now. Well, not exactly. Because once in a while I peeped through the windows trying to catch some gossip of what was going on inside.

Apparently they played games, and some won prizes. But all of them gave you presents. Afterwards, during that night, your mom and I were analyzing each present. They were clothes, mainly, and toys or bags. Technically the bags are for us, in order to keep and carry your everyday needs once you are born. But of course, baby girl, they're for you. All presents were thought for you. You see how many people are giving you presents, doesn't matter how many or how expensive, but indeed the intention is recognizable. When I thought of how many varied presents you recieved, I remembered another baby. That baby was born more than 2,000 years ago. And eventhough he was born very poor around animals, he undoubtly recieved presents in order to welcome him. Jesus recieved gold, incense and myrrh. It meant a lot during those times. Of course you are still unborn, but you see baby girl, people are already thinking about you even before you are born.

You will be followed by many, or at least have importance over a signicant number of persons. You are very special. Not many babies recieve that much attention. Now imagine the unborn like you. Are still forming in your mommy's belly, and people already welcome your arrival, present you gifts, and ask about you. That is how your life will be. You will have a degree of importance when you grow up. How much will it be, I ignore it. But I just know, baby girl, that you will be not only special, but important.

Pregnancy baby bebe maternidad maternity babyshower gifts unborn

A jumping belly!

Hello baby girl! How are you today? Very active I may say. Lately you have being moving a lot, up and down inside you mommy's belly. Sometimes it hurts a little, says your mom. I have witnessed you constant movements. You mom is sure you are making exercises by pushing hands or feet. I don't know what to think, because frankly it is amazing how much you move.

Last night, we were watching your current home, you mommy's belly, from the outside of course. What we saw is really hard to describe, and even harder to write. Your mommy's belly began to move as the waves of the sea. We could literally see you moving. You mom's belly button went left, right, left... up, and right. It was incredibly fun, and at the same time shocking to already be seeing our beautiful daughter moving.

I don't know if this will last more weeks, or even months and years! Will you be sport oriented? I sincerly don't have the answer to that. But at least you are proving something really important, the most important of all, your anxious wish to live life. It doesn't matter if you become an olimpic athlete, what matters is that your wish for life is undisputable. Never surrender under the gloom of a self-proclaimed defeat, tear down the tyrannical ruleship of sadness, and overcome triumphant all evils to live life with open skies.

A bigger baby!

Baby, long time has passed since I last wrote you. I have been busy, mainly because I married your beautiful mom. All things went well for both of us, but specially for you. When you arrive to this world, your mom and me will be waiting for you precious baby with all the things you need for your first days in this world. You're still small, but not so much now! You've grown enormously in comparison with the rest of the months. Your mom and me are in pure awe by seeing you growing day by day, almost hour after hour. It is impressive young baby how life works, especially inside the womb. Right now the womb is your home, very cozy for you I might add. Last Thursday we went with the doctor, with yet another appointment. Guess what baby, you mother and me caught you peacefully resting in complete relaxation. In fact we saw how you yawning without hesitation. Your small and fragile arms floating, and you were resting on your mommy's stomach.


By the way, according to the doctor, and after many deliberations, he finally said you are going to be a baby girl. I don't know about you baby, but out here we are having some political turmoil after the July 2nd elections in Mexico. Many polls pointed toward different candidates, and still today after the election, no one still knows who won. With you baby, this will be different, because all "polls" (ultrasounds that is) indicate you are going to be a baby girl. There was first a 90% chance, then it went up to a 98%. Finally, last Thursday the doctor told us he was a 100% sure you are going to be a girl. Who is the only one that truly knows? You! Both your grandmothers are preparing you your babyshower. A baby shower is a party were people gather with presents to celebrate and welcome the arrival of a baby. In this case, it is you! Right now, while I'm writing in this warm night, I have to my right the first invitations my mom is doing for your babyshower. You see baby, you haven't done your proper arrival and people are already thinking about you. Invitations, parties, and presents are being thought for you, and only for you, and you aren't still here. Imagine baby girl, when you arrive, everyone will love you. Above all, your parents, your mother and me, will cherish you more.

It is good to know people are preparing your arrival, but it is better to actually have your parents ready for you. We love you so much already. I hope you will love us as much as we care for you already. I only hope, because you will have complete freedom to choose how much to love us. I, personally baby girl, will not force you to love me. But to the contrary, my sole duty to you is to love you and give you all I can humanly can. That's it! It is up to you how you will look to us, according of course, to our actions. Yet I swear, baby girl, that I will do my best, and even more, to look after you. To protect you from harm and evil, and to give you guidance. I will not impose you anything, only my love. I ignore wich will be your favorite type of music in the future, or your favorite actor, or even your political position. I even ignore which religion you will choose, or what kind of spouse. Maybe I will agree in some things with you, maybe not. But that's secondary baby. The only thing that I don't ignore is that I will support you because your are my unborn daughter. At any stage of the road you decide to take, always remember that I love you. And that, baby girl, is good enough.

Well, baby girl, I have to go for now. I hope to write you sooner. I promise. But for now, keep resting, now is the time! Rest!

New ultrasound! And first recommendations for my cherished baby!

Hello baby, how are you? Maybe I should not be asking you, because me and your mother saw you through the ultrasound thingy. And you were so pretty! Well made!

We arrived to the doctor's office with a VHS cassette, well actually two, because the doctor, your doctor, told us that we should now be bringing these cassettes were he could recording all your ultrasound images. After making some regular questions to your beautiful mommy, the doctor took us to his ultrasound room. I am already loving that room because that is were I get to see you. Your mother also loves to see you, you make her crazy.

The monitor was turned on, then the doctor pushed some buttons and grabed a strange lollipop-like stick. Through that stick we can see you when it is touching your mommy's belly. The image appears in the monitor. And then... in a mist of pixelized lines... a baby appeared! It was you! Bigger indeed! We were surprised how much you grew up. Oh my baby, you are growing so fast. My mother, your grandmother, is right when she says: "Los hijos crecen muy rapido, y cuando menos te lo esperas, ya crecieron sin poder retroceder el tiempo." I still remember when you were the size of a nut. You're not that size any more. You're bigger!

"Esta muy cabezon", said the doctor. The same thing your mother has been telling me. She argues that your head will be as big as mine. Don't listen to your mommy when she tells you that. Just tell her there's a genetic reason for us to have more space for our super brains. She'll laugh, but she'll love you so much as she loves me, and even more. The doctor said is normal for babies to have big heads at this point of your growth. So you just focus on growing, and resting.

_-_-_-Now read this baby, for one day you will be born. Some day in the future you will have enough understanding, and patience, for my following first recommendations. -_-_-_

Oh my baby, it is good to see you there, resting in such amniotic serenity. Rest! Rest now! For life is not for resting, but a continuous quest for prosperity. There are obstacles and barreness in life. But I am certain, my young unborn child, that you will surpass obstacles and give life in the barren. You are special. And I love you so much, that I will help you in any problem that may come to you, for I will never hesitate to even give forth my life for yours. That much I cherish you. You are me. And you are your mother. You are nothing more but the desired product of an unchallenged love that resisted through battles from enemies and envy from the jelous. My young unborn child, you shall never feel ashamed, for you exist from the proud stand your mother and me made against the claws of society. That is why you are special. You are not an eventuality of life, but rather a gift from life.

Treasure this, and you will find the greatest treasure of all existance. Is it hope? May it be spiritual growth? Or is it self-esteem? What about love? I ignore it, for I believe everyone must find their own treasure. It will not be easy, my child, winged dragons called cuelebres guard the treasure. Once you are born, it will be already awaiting for you, shining inside a cave at the top of a steeped mountain. Do not feel abandoned, for I will be guiding all your steps, even after I die. Having said that, you will have complete power to choose every step you make in life. Alas! Freewill! Do not spoil it. And remember me and your mother will always be with you.

_-_-_-_ End of first Recommendations. _-_-_-_

My old closet is already waiting for my baby to use.

It is official, the closet I used when I was a baby will be given to my baby by his grandparents. My mother says she wants to give it to the baby as a present. She prefers the baby to have it instead of not being used. It is made of wood, with two pictures of cuddly cubs. Since it was not used for years and years, they are beginning to clean it, but more importantly, to spray it with insecticide several times.

Yesterday I saw it. It actually looks good. I thought... Who would imagined that it was first used by me as a baby, and now my son or daughter is going to have it also? That's were my clothes and towels were kept in the early 1980's. Now is the 21st century, and the closet still survives, and will be used to keep my unborn baby's little clothes and warm towels.

It is for him, because only my unborn baby will use it. When he or she grows up, we will tell him about how in the beginning it was mine, but that we passed it to him or her.

We are all thinking of the unborn baby. But while everyone imagines how he or she will look like, to whom he or she will look like, Erika told me a "complaint". It was a good one though. She told me the baby is moving, and sometimes it hurts a lot. I laughed, and hugged her. Erika says it is because maybe he or she is going to be very travieso. But the baby doesn't care of what happens in the outer world. He is still playing, having fun, and getting his food inside her mommy's belly.

Oh, if we could only keep that environment for you baby! There are many good things in this world I would like to share with you baby, but also many bad things I can not hide. Oh baby!

My baby is growing!

We went to see a different doctor, because Erika did not feel comfortable with the previous one. So with this new doctor everything was different. Or maybe that's how we percieve it. After he made some questions about Erika's health, and what pills and vitamins she is taking, we went to what is now becoming my favorite part of these consultations: the ultrasound!

The ultrasound was turned on, the screen flickered, and then... the baby! It is amazing how incredibly fast he or she is growing. Oh yes, we still don't know the sex. But I was shocked how many little baby wasn't so little anyomore. Everything was distinguishable. His head, his thin arms, his legs, most of his organs, and even the spinal cord. Oh, the spinal cord! So perfectly made, with its small and intricate bones. The doctor said my baby was all formed from the inside and the bones, but he still lacked meat to fill in the gaps. That was the reason we could see my baby's bones and stomach. But the doctor said it was normal, and next time he would be getting fatter, as a normal baby.

He was playful. When the doctor was explaing us where his arms were, then suddenly the baby would move them. Then when he was showing us his or her legs, the baby just jumped, and the doctor said: "Oh, he jumps!". The was spinning upside down like a top. At some point my baby was moving too much, that stopped with his or her buttocks up. It was funny.

Can you imagine? My baby has still months to go, and he is already playing! He is definetly having a blast inside her beautiful mother. By the way, the proud mother keeps having a bigger belly. I already bought another maternity pants, and a shirt at Target. We are excited about our baby.

We are talking about what names would be fine for our baby, but our problem is that we still don't know if the baby is going to be a girl or a boy. It doesn't matter if the baby turns out to be a boy or a girl. I personally don't have a preferance... as long as it comes out complete and healthy.

My baby keeps growing.

My baby keeps growing in her mother's womb. Her belly keeps growing at a steady pace. It is really interesting to think that my baby is growing inside Erika's belly. Her belly keeps growing straightforward. But yesterday she told me, joking, that the baby behaved bad because it is moving all her insides. I said that it was natural, but she told me it is getting more recurrent such movements.

Related to food, Erika is not eating as she used to eat. Yesterday night we went to a restaurant famous for its salads. It was supposed to be a light meal, but she was full very quick. I have also noted that she does get hungry, but eats less.

Talking to the baby

Yesterday, after Erika when to pick me up under the international bridge we talking about the baby. She pointed out that she talks whenever she can to our unborn baby. Sometimes she explains things, or sometimes just talk. Erika asked me why I don't talk to our baby as much as she does. Typical questions coming from her. I answered her that I do talk to him or her sometimes. And she said it was not enough. I laughed and said, "You talk all day to the baby because you carry him or her in your belly".

But still, I know I should talk more to my unborn baby. Could he or she hear me? Or does he or she feels our vibrations? I was thinking that while gently rubbing her belly. It is still somewhat small, but I think is growing. I can not stop imagining the size of my baby, probably smaller than my hand.

We were also talking about where to have our baby. I first wanted to have him or her delivered in the US side. But then I second-guessed. Not for the price, because I would do anything for my baby. I even had already layed out my plan to ask the money loaned to the bank. But I thought thoughly about the consequences of someone being an American. The good things are not only access to the United States, but also the benefits you get. The bad things would be, specially in this world of terrorism, the danger of being an American abroad. Many of us know about how terrorists pin-point American tourists in Egypt or other anti-American nations. I don't wish that to my baby. Now imagine this... today the world is getting smaller. Forget the Internet, tourists and bussinesspeople are just about everywhere in the world. Can you picture how the future would be. I don't know about flying cars or teletransportation, but what I am certain of is that the world will be even smaller. My unborn baby will live in such a small but dangerous world, that being an American adds only more danger to it.

I know my baby will be like me, and will dream of traveling, meeting new people, discovering other cultures and places, that he or she will some day in the future want to travel around the world. I know this, it's in our genes. Or let's say because of his job, he or she will be working in another country. I don't want that my son to have any troubles when traveling or living in other countries because of his nationality. Sadly, this world is like that even today. What should I do? Time is running, and before I know it, I will have to make a life decision.

Maternity shopping

Since we knew last Wednesday we having a baby for the first time in our lives, Erika and I wanted to do everything right for the baby. But before that, I noticed that Erika would have to wear loose clothes because I wouldn't like the baby to have any problems because of his or her mom's clothing. So we went to Laredo, TX to buy some maternity clothing for her. This happened last Saturday, when she came out of work. The border crossing lines were horrible, because of Spring Break in the US and Benito Juarez holiday in Mexico. So people both sides of the border wanted to cross. So we decided, instead of going all the way to Colombia bridge, to walk across the bridge.

One thing we have noticed is that Erika is getting more tired. I was worried that she would get weary of walking under the sun. But she said it was fine, so we walked all the way to Laredo's downtown where we took the bus to the Mall.

In the Mall, we went to several stores that we knew sold maternity clothing. So we bough some blouses for her, we skipped buying pants or skirts because I already bought her some in Nuevo Laredo. That is why I told her to focus on blouses, shirts, and such. We also went to Motherhood. I actually have to say it was my first time in such a store. I knew it was there, but I never imagined how many clothing and accessories designed for mothers-to-be would be. They even sold energy bars and books made specially for moms. What caught my attention was a device which lets you hear your own baby. I ask for the price, and they said something around 30 dollars. So I will probably buy it in the coming weeks. I also saw in the same Motherhood store some thongs and bikinis for pregnant women. I think it was strange, or at least to me, but you know, many mommies want to be fashionable. I was surprised of how many things were made for pregnant women. Or maybe it has to be with the fact that I was never aware of such things, specially a life with a mom-to-be. Well I am immerse in that life now.

After that we kept walking. We looked at some stores, specially at one which I forgot the name, where they sell futuristic gadgets. Since Erika and I are moving to my new home, I thought we would need an air conditioner. But I found interesting a ionic cooler, or ionic breezer. The name slipped my mind, but I think it was interesting instead of buying the very expensive the home or "window" air conditioner. And when we were looking at all those futuristic devices, I told Erika if she could imagine what new things will be around when our unborn baby is all grown up. If I was suprised with all those things, imagine what life will live my baby, I really hope a comfortable and pleasant one.

Finally we went to another store, JCPenny. We noticed maternity clothes to be expensive, but we really loved the whole baby section. They sold all kinds of clothing, towels, pillows, shoes, sock, and even toys. Basically we were familiarizing with all our options, especially monetary.

Since we do not know yet if our baby will be a boy or girl, we prefered not to buy anything until we know and the baby showers are done. We returned on bus to Nuevo Laredo, with hopes of coming back to look around for more stores.

A new blog for an upcoming baby

This is the beginning of a blog for my first baby, which is still unborn. I will be recording events as well as emotions regarding my future baby's arrival, and even after his arrival to this world. By this, I want to leave a testimonial to my baby about everything that is happening related to him or her.

Amoxtli is a word in nahuatl, one of the many Mexican languages of the indigenous Anahuac. It means book, but also serves to describe a written chronicle of something. In this case, I want to leave into posterity whatever is related to my first baby.

Este es el comienzo de un blog para mi primer bebe, el cual aun no nace. El proposito de este espacio es ir registrando todo los eventos y emociones que rodeen el arrivo de nuestro primer hijo. Quiero que este blog, este amoxtli, quede asentado como un testimonial para el futuro.