Semana 33/52// Week 33/52

Carla and Auggie left for Burundi this week. Mom had a meeting in Bujumbura the whole week. Sebas and Jason stayed in Port au Prince. Auggie was such a good sport and never complained during the trip (loooong one!!!), he was just the opposite, he kept smiling to whoever looked at him People kept tell me, he is such a happy boy!!, the best was in Miami, when we were in the same elevator with one of my favorite latin singers (Carlos Vives). He was smiling at Auggie and saying hello to him. Then he told me that my baby was very cute. While he was saying that I was thinking, you are the cute one !!! :)

We went to see the famous Burundian drummers at the office in Bujumbura, Auggie di not cry and was very focus looking at those amazing drummers jumping so high, that I think they were going to jump over me.

On Sunday, the four of us were finally together. We had some people over to take advantage of a swimming pool that we have in the complex that we are staying until finding our own place.Sebastian was running naked and swimming just with his floaters. He refuses to wear his swim suit after he leaves the pool for the first time. He says that they are wet and he does not like to be wet. Who understands this boy!!!

Carla y Auggie se fueron a Burundi. Tuve una reunion en Bujumbura toda la semana. Sebas y Jason se quedaron en Puerto Principe. Auggie fue un capo, durante todo el viaje nunca se quejo (y fue uno bien largo!!!), al contrario se la paso sonriendo a quien le diera bola.La gente me decia, que nino tan feliz tienes!! Lo mejor paso en Miami, compartimos el ascensor con Carlos Vives, uno de mis cantantes queridos. Carlos Vives, estaba que le sonreia al Auggie y le decia Hola, hola!! Y luego me miro (directo a los ojos :)) y me dijo que mi bebe era muy lindo!!. Cuando me decia eso, yo por dentro decia, no el lindo eres tu!!! :)

En Bujumbura vimos a los famosos tamborilleros de Burundi en la oficina de mi chamba. Auggie no lloro y estaba muy concentrado viendo saltar a los bailarines; tan alto que pense que iban a pasar sobre mi cabeza.

El Domingo, llegamos de vuelta a PaP, y los 4 por fin estuvimos de nuevo juntos. En el almuerzo 3 familias vinieron para pasarla en la piscina que hay en el conjunto de departamentos donde estamos quedandonos hasta encontrar nuestra casa. Sebastian anduvo corriendo calato y nadando solo con sus flotadores. El enano se niega a usar ropa de bano despues de salir de la piscina por pirmera vez. Dice que la ropa de bano esta mojada y no le gusta andar mojado. Quien entiende a este chico!!


  Sebastian

Weekly pic: Naked Foto de la semana: Calato

Auggie

Weekly pic: Office boy (My office gave Auggie a CRS t-shirt his size)
 Foto de la semana: Chico de oficina (Mi oficina le regalo a Auggie un polo con el logo de CRS)

With Egide watching the drummers (see next pic)'
Con Egide mirando a los tamborilleros (ver la siguiente foto)

Burundian drummers (this is what Auggie was watching)
Tamborilleros BUrundeses (Eso es lo que Auggie veia)

Con mi amiga Schola // With my friend Schola

Loco calato / Naked nut

Mas locos calatos//More naked nuts

Chicos guapos //Handsome boys

Temb attack // El ataque de Tembo

Con la Julita // With Julie

Semana 32/52 // Week 32/52

Esta semana mama se fue al Nor-Este del pais, a la frontera con Santo Domingo. A pesar de no haber estado nunca alli, senti como que conocia un poco el lugar. Hace unos (muchos) anos lei un libro sobre esta zona y la matanza de Haitianos en Republica Dominicana que me impacto mucho, las imagenes del libro se me venian a cada rato durante el viaje. Auggie no fue esta vez conmigo, asi que los dos enanos se quedaron con su papa (no me esponsabilizo de las fotos de esta semana :) )

Aqui un par de fotitos de la zona (hechas con el telefono). La primera es del Fuerte Libertad, construid bajo la batuta de Luis XV para defender el lugar de invasiones. Esta parte del pais es tambien conocida porque aqui llego Colon y es donde la Carabela Santa Maria se hundio contra un arrecife coralino. No se si se nota en la foto, pero las paredes del fuerte estan hechas de coral y conchas ademas de piedra.

La segunda es de la Citadel un fuerte en las montanas contruido por un general Haitiano para defenderse de las invasiones de Napoleon. A la ida se veia desde el avion de lejos. Pero a la vuelta, pregunte a los pilotos (dominicanos ellos) donde deberia senatrme para ver el fuerte mejor. No solo me sentaron en el mejor asiento sino que se desviaron hasta pasar literalmente encima del fuerte, la vista era espectacular, pero no tenia buena camara Si siguen el enlace debajo podran ver una mejor foto de la construccion. Al final del viaje agradeci a los pilotos por su gentileza, y en tipica respuesta dominicana me dijeron: A tu servicio mami!!

http://afterthebatey.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/citadel.jpg


This week mama was traveling to the North east of the country, close to the border with the Dominican Republic. Despite the fact that was never there before, I felt like I already knew the place, years ago I read a book about this areas and the killings of Haitians in the hands of the Dominicans, it really made an impact on me.  Auggie stayed with his dad this time ( i do not take responsibility for this week's pictures :))

I am also including a couple of pictures of the area (took with my phone). The  first one is Fort Liberte, built under Louis XV, King of France to defend the place from invasions. This part of the country is also known as the place were the main ship of Christopher Columbus, the Santa Maria sank agains a coral reef. I do not know if you can see that the walls of the fort are made with corals and shells besides stone.

The second one is the Citadel a fort in the mountains built by a Haitian general to repel Napoleon invasions. I saw it from far in my way to the North East. In my way back I asked the pilots of the planes (They were from the DR) were should I sit to see the fort better. They not only gave me the best seat, but also flew literally above the fort, so that I could have the best view. Unfortunately I did not have a good camera. You can see a better picture in the link below. In the end I thanked the pilots and in a very Dominican fashion they told me: At your service mami!!
http://afterthebatey.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/citadel.jpg

Fort Liberte

Citadel

Sebastian

Weekly pic: again in teh bathroom //Foto de la semana: Otra vez en el bano

Auggie

Weekly picture: Mommy, I can read!! Foto de la semana: Mama, puedo leer!!

Making dinosaurs // Haciendo dinosaurios

Toy Story 1, Toy Story 2 (the new distinction that Sebastian does about his favorite movie)
Toy Story 1, Toy Story 2 (la nueva separacion de pelas que Sebas hace ahora de su pelicula favorita)

Durmiendo a pierna suelta // Deep asleep

Arrocito, arrocito!!! Rice, Rice!!!

Week 31/52 // Semana 31/52

Segunda semana en Haiti. Los chicos siguen haciendo amigos. El huracan Isaa nos forzo a quedarnos en casa sin salir por 3 dias (En nuestro caso -desgraciadamente no es el caso para ciertas partes del pais-, mas precaucion que dano real, pero uno no sabia que iba a pasar). Estuvimos muy contentos de por fin salir el domingo y estar con otras familias.

Second week in Haiti. The little ones keep meeting more friends. The Isaac Hurricane forced us to stay at home for 3 days (In our case more a precautionary measure that real danger -unfortunately not the case for some parts of the countr-y, but we did not know what to expect at the time). We were very happy to meet with other families on Sunday and finally get out of the apartment.

Sebastian

Weekly pic: Water being Foto de la semana: Ser de agua 

Haciendo vacas cagonas / Making  pooping cows

Armando el rompecabezas que le mando la tia Sarandel. Gracias Tia!!!
Putting together the puzzle that his aunt Sara sent him. Thank you Tia!!

The book worm does not stop..not least in the toilet!!
El pequeno come libros no para...y menos en el bano!!

Cada chiqui con su amigo //Each boy with a friend

Auggie

Weekly pic: Sesame street happy  // Foto de la semana: Felicidad de Plaza Sesamo

Taco Auggie..ohh those lips, they are just not existent // Taco Auggie...Ohh esos labios, simplemente no existen

Mirame a los ojos!! // Look at me in the eyes!!!

Week 30 // Semana 30

Llegamos a Haiti el lunes y con todas nuestras cacharpas completas (alguna vez tenia que suceder). Todavia no hemos podido ver mucho. Yo llegue casi directo a la oficina. Pero lo poco que hemos visto es super interesante e inesperado. Muchas colinas, la montana aquisito nomas, la playa cerquita. Mucha gente, y muy junta. Lo primero que pense en nuestra ruta del  aeropuerto a la casa de huespedes de a oficina es que estaba en el Congo (aunque menos crazy). Se respira mucho color y mucha vida por aca. Los enanos ya conocieron a al menos 3 amiguitos cada uno, verlos jugar con otros ninos es priceless!!!

We arrived in Haiti last Monday with ALL our luggage (it was about time for that to happen). We have not yet seen much. I basically arrived to go directly to the office, but for the little we have seen, the place seems to be very interesting. A lot of hills and mountains right next to us, the beach very close by. A lot of people in the same place. The first thing I thought from our ride form the airport to the office's guest house, is that I was back in the Congo (although less crazy). The place is full of color and very lively. The kids have already met 3 friends each, seeing them play with other kids is just priceless!!

Sebastian

Weekly pic: Mama, Where is Auggie? / Foto de la semana: Mama, donde esta Auggie?

Auggie

Weekly pic: Big head//  Fotod e la semana: Cabezon

The boys playing together (and not just one next to the other)
 Los chicos jugando juntos (y no solo uno al lado del otro)

Going back to their old semi-naked beings
Volviendo a sus viejo habitos de semidesnudez

Shiva Auggie

Mama, ya no mas fotos!! // Mama, no more pictures!!!

Woody undies // Calzoncillos de Woody

Una pasusa en la exploracion del barrio
A pause at exploring the neighborhood 

Mes 9 // Month 9

El enano cumplio 9 meses a unos dias de llegar a Haiti. Andamos de nuevo en plenos cambios, asi que el mobiliario de este mes tambien cambio :).

El chiqui esta super movido y es un alma feliz que sonrie a medio mundo. Aqui las fotos:

Our little Auggie turned 9 months just a few days after we arrived to Haiti. We are again in the middle of changes, so our backgrounds and props have also changed this month.

Auggie does not stop moving around. He is a happy soul that smiles to everybody. Here the pics:

9 meses 9 // 9 months 9

Can you see my first tooth and 1/2? // Puedes ver mi primer diente y medio?

With my JFK hairdo and my silly face // Con mi peinado JFK y mi cara de opa

Mami y si intentamos en esta silla? // Momy what if we tried on this chair?


And here how he has changed during the last 9 months. Y aqui como ha ido cambiando durante los ultimos 9 meses:

Week 29/52 Semana 29/52

Last week in the US. Getting ready to go to Haiti. We had a nice family gathering to celebrate Nana's 91 birthday. We took advantage to take (finally) a picture of all the 6 cousins. Poor Eli was not happy with the idea, I think he was not happy to be seating next tohis tormenter (read here Sebastian L)

Sebastian of course wanted to be with his hero, Mr. Miyo (Milo). He has copied so many mannerisms from Milo and just wants to play with him.


Nuestra ultima semana en los Estados Unidos, listos para partir a Haiti. Tuvimos una bonita reunion familiar para celebrar los 91 anos de Nana Hoke. Aprovechamos para (finalmente) tomar una foto de los 6 primos. Pobre Eli, no estuvo muy contento con la idea de sentarse al lado de su torturados (lease Sebastian L)

Sebastian por supuesto se snto al lado de su heroe Mr Miyo (Milo). El enano ha copiado muchos de los manerimos de su primo Milo y solo quiere jugar con el.

Sebastian

Weekly pic: In love with Milo // Foto de la semana: Templado de Milo

Auggie

Weekly pic: Free roamer Foto de la semana: El andariego

Los primos Hoke/Queenan// The  Hoke/Queenan cousins

Eli scaping the group picture// Eli escapando de la foto de familia

The Hoke Gang (Hoke/Queenan/Glyer/Locke) La PAndilla de los Hoke ( (Hoke/Queenan/Glyer/Locke)

El Auggie amado// The loved Auggie

Week 28/52 // Semana 28/52

A more quiet week after my mom and Betty Sue left. We had a nice get together with Jason's maternal side of the family. His aunt Nancy and his cousins Laura and Kelly came to visit with their families. Sebastian had a great time with cousins Gavin and Talia. They played with trains and Talia showed us that for our next visit she will be a great babysitter for Auggie.

The other highlight of the week was Sebastian's first hair cut. He was kind of scared in the beginning, but at the end he was so relaxed (he had a head massage) but also so tired that he fell asleep. I had to hold his head to finalize the haircut. The stylist told us that it was the second time in her life that a kid fell asleep during a hair cut. Now we have a more decent Mowgly.

Tuvimos una semana mas calmada despues de que mi mami y Betty Sue nos dejaran. Tuvimos una bonita reunion con la familia materna de Jason. Su tia Nancy y sus primas Laura y Kelly vinieron a visitarnos con sus respectivas familias. Sebastian la paso super bien con sus primos Gavin y Talia. Los enanos jugaron con trenes y Talia nos mostro que en futuras visitas estar lista para cuidar a Auggie como ninera profesional.

La otra gran actividad de la semana fue el primer corte de pelo de Sebastian. Al principio estaba un poco temeroso, pero al final se relajo tanto (le dieron un masaje a la cabeza) que se quedo dormido. Tuve que     sostener su cabeza hasta el final del corte. La estilista nos dijo que es la segunda vez en su vida que un nino se queda dormido durante el corte de pelo.  Ahora tenemos un Mowgly adecentado.

Sebastian

Weekly pic: Playing with trains (He calls them chu chuuu!!) Foto de la Semana: Jugando con trenes (los llama Chu chus!!)

Playing with cousin Gavin // Jugando con su primo Gavin

Before the hair cut // Antes de la peluqueada

During the hair cut (my camera died, but luckily Jason's mom had a camera, more pics to come, especially the ones with Sebas sleeping :)
Durante la peluqueada (mi camara murio en medio de la cortada, felizmente la mama de Jason tenia una camara, ya pondre mas fotos con el enano durmiendo en plena cortada de pelo)

After the hair cut //Despues de la trasquilada

Auggie

Weekly pic: Auggie & Talia //Foto de la semana: Auggie & Talia

Los 4 fantasticos // The fantastic four

With Jason's maternal side of the family // Con la familia materna de Jason