de Abiega, party of 3

Meet our Family.

On October 22nd at 2:05 pm, Carolina Lola de Abiega Richards was born weighing 8.8 lbs and measuring 21 in. We are in love. Carolina arrived at Clinica Nuestra Señora del Rosario in Madrid, Spain. After holding the doctors off a few weeks to let her arrive on her own, she wasn´t dropping and finally reached a weight limit that a cesarean was scheduled for the Monday after her due date. Nervous as can be, mom and dad anxiously awaited the time she would arrive. Within 45min we were all reunited.

our 1st family photo

meet Carolina

The de Abiega´s

40 weeks of Carolina

Tomorrow is the deadline and boy are we ready for our new arrival!! Mom arrived on Wednesday and we've all been busy with last minute preparations. Fingers are crossed for an on-time arrival and in the case not, she'll be here Monday, October 22nd at 2pm (this little one is growing like a weed, so we've been lucky to wait it out for the past few weeks, but doctors tell us it's now showtime!)

It's been such a good pregnancy. With the exception of early 2nd trimester sickness, mom & baby have been doing great. I've been so lucky to have the energy these past weeks to get around town. Lots of afternoons walking around Madrid, meeting friends for lunch and shopping. What I'll miss most: the acrobat in my stomach! She is such a mover and it has been so much fun to feel her growing and moving around. Started around week 16 lightly and she is going strong to this day- 11pm is her favorite time- a night owl for sure! What I'll miss least: Dr visits that only talk about weight (mine, not the baby). They are obsessed here and I cannot wait to load up on the pasta, french fries, chocoloate and croquettes next week!!

ooohhh weeee, we're so excited!!

Belly Shots of Carolina Lola

Baby Shower: Spanish Style

I spot a new trend! The Spainards, not accustomed to baby showers and the such, ate this up! After hosting an American style baby shower for Javi and Ani in January, they more than reciprocated by throwing a fiesta for Baby Carolina. With the help of our dear friends, Natalia and Marga (and I hear Paco and Tigre pitched in a hand), we had such a good time celebrating "spanish" style. Ani was decked out in a Flamenco dress, they decorated with red and white polka dots, cupcakes, Spanish tapas and Sangria. We played musical bottle, celebrity baby matching, guess the belly measurement (ohh they were so off! =) and a bottle chugging race between Ricardo and I. So much fun!

For those planning upcoming showers, let me tell you, the homeade photo booth was a Huge hit!

      

Tapas and Decor

With Almudena and Teresa

Welcome home sign and matching "baby's first" calendar from Natalia and Marga, along with so many cute outfits and gifts for Carolina

I won! =)

the difference between US and Spanish baby showers...... here w/ the after hours crew at 1am.

Bodas y Bodas

Wedding Season in Spain!

First to Bilbao to celebrate with Zaloa (a friend of Ricardo´s from his 1st trip to the US back in 1994)

The best cocktail hour by far! It took place in the gardens of an old estate near the sea, complete with live Jazz band

In all Spanish weddings the bride and groom take pictures with each set of guests

Candy stations have made a hit in Spain

Cute photo booth idea

Next to Madrid for the Wedding of Oscar and Esther, our 2 dear friends now living in Paris. Though the pictures are quite obscure, it was a beautiful cathedral in the center of Madrid.

They had the photo booth here as well, which everyone ended up with the props for the rest of the night! (p.s. Ani´s hat isn´t a prop- just the red clown noses that come with it =)

BBQ

Final BBQ of the Summer- and soooo enjoying the terrace......  (w/ Jose Luis, Miguel, Bea and Nerea, Artemio and Mayra, Tigre, Javi and Ani)