My LuLu & Matteo!

Feliz cumple Agustina!

2011-10-01T21:29:00.004-04:00

Matteo 19 months!

2011-09-15T17:51:00.002-04:00

Mi nena!

2011-09-11T23:06:00.003-04:00

Splash into Summer 2011

2011-08-13T22:41:00.003-04:00

spring and summer 2011...

2011-06-28T22:50:00.005-04:00

2011-04-22T22:42:00.003-04:00

Agustina and Matteo!!

Art by Agu!

2010-06-13T21:02:00.005-04:00

Happy Birthday Matteo...100 days old celebration!

2010-05-31T20:57:00.004-04:00

Cousins Visit!!

2010-05-08T11:34:00.005-04:00

Great visit with Vivi, Chris, and Brianna!!

Matteo's room

2010-04-24T09:57:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday Sergio!!

2010-03-23T13:42:00.007-04:00

feliz cumpleanos Papi!!

Tia Maria visits!

2010-03-23T13:40:00.002-04:00

Matteo Julian

2010-03-23T13:07:00.006-04:00

Sweet baby!
8 lbs already!

Agu y su hermanito!!

2010-02-23T13:32:00.007-05:00

Llego Matteo!
Matteo Julian Salguero
Feb. 19, 2010
6.3 lbs.
19 in

Winter fun!!

2010-01-10T16:18:00.002-05:00

Sometimes you just have to take off your pants and spinnnnnnn!! Enjoy!!

2010-01-01T20:48:00.002-05:00

Go Agu, Go!!

Happy Holidays!!

2009-12-25T22:51:00.011-05:00

Our first Holiday in our new home!!
We had a wonderful day filled with food, friends and love! We started out the day with home made waffles, then on to a very intense game of Candy Land (thanks to our wonderful friend Sharon!!), then some singing and dancing. Sergio treated us to home made spinach and meat canelones followed by apple pie, ice cream, cheese cake (thank you Uncle Joey), and fruit salad. It was quite cold outside today but inside out house we were all very warm!!

Tuvimos un dia hermoso en nuestra casa nueva, con comida rica, amigos y amor. Empesamos con un desayuno de waffles, despues jugamos un jugo que nos dio una amigo, bailamos, y contamos. Sergio nos hiso canelones de espinaca y carne, despues pastel de mansana, helado, cheese cake, y ensalada de fruta. Hacia mucho frio afuera pero adentro de nuestra casita estaba bien calientita!!

Mi panza!!

2009-12-20T12:25:00.006-05:00

Yeah we got a bit of snow last night!!

Dec. 2009

2009-12-14T16:56:00.004-05:00

Some photos from the last month of 2009!!

2009-11-29T21:44:00.005-05:00

Baby #2!!

Agustina will be a big sister soon!! Here's a look at our baby boy who is always dancing on my bladder!!

Agustina's 3rd birthday!!

2009-10-10T22:04:00.012-04:00

Thank you everyone for a great time
....despite the rain!!

Slish splash!!

2009-08-11T23:15:00.005-04:00

Fun day at the water slide!!

Agustina moves up!!

2009-08-06T19:58:00.005-04:00

After almost 3 years in room 8 (an infant and toddler room) at Stony Brook Child Care Services, Agu graduated into preschool room #5. It was a rough start...we have to walk past room #8 to get to room #5...this is still a bit difficult for her, but now she is adjusting very well. Although Agustina misses her teachers and friends in her old room, (she asks about them every day and they ask about her!!) she is making new friends and is enjoying all the new activities which include: expanding her vocabulary while learning new song (5 little monkeys jumping on the bed and the watermelon song!!), exploring with science while observing water flow and testing which objects sink or float, strengthening her small motor skill while experimenting with colors and drawing, and practicing her problem solving, communications, negotiation skills. We are so proud of her.

Despues de casi 3 anos en el clase #8 (con los mas chiquitos; de 3 meses a 3 anos) en la escuela Stony Brook Child Care, Agu se graduo a la clase #5 con los chicos mas grande (3-5 anos). Era dificil al principo por que para ir a #5, tenemos que pasar por el frente de la clase #8. Se esta adaptando muy bien. Estrana las maestras y los amigos, (pregunta por ellos todos los dias) pero ahora esta haciendo nuevos amigos y le encanta todas las actividades que incluyen; expandiendo su vocabulario con las canciones nuevas, explorando cientificamente con agua y probando cual objecto flota or se unde, reforsando las actividades motrises experimentadado con colores y dibujos, y practicando como resolver problemas, comunicacion, y negociando. Estamos muy orgullosos de ella.

To all our family and friends...thank you for all your help!!!!

2009-07-23T18:15:00.006-04:00

Painting, cleaning etc....

2009-06-28T18:28:00.004-04:00

lots of work!!! But we are getting close!!

2009-06-05T19:53:00.006-04:00

Please Be Gentle
Author Unknown

Please be gentle with me for I am grieving. The sea I swim in is a lonely one, and the shore seems miles away. Waves of despair numb my soul as I struggle through each day.
My heart is heavy with sorry, I want to shout and scream and repeatedly ask, "Why?" At times, my grief overwhelms me, and I weep bitterly, so great is my loss.
Please don't turn away or tell me to move on with my life. I must embrace my pain before I can begin to heal. Companion me through my tears and sit with me in loving silence. Honor where I am in my journey, not where you think I should be.
Listen patiently to my story, I may need to tell it over and over again. It's how I begin to grasp the enormity of my loss. Nurture me through the weeks and months ahead. Forgive me when I seem distant and inconsolable. A small flame still burns within my heart, and shared memories may trigger both laughter and tears. I need your support and understanding. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. I must find my own path.
Please, will you walk beside me?

Thank you Nancy...my neighbor and friend. I know you walk the same path.

Below are some photos that I put together. This is a work in progress...so if you have photos you would like for me to add, just send them. Thanks Ig for putting it in pdf for me.

http://michaelgracewines.com/mecha.pdf

Happy Birthday mom!

2009-05-03T16:39:00.007-04:00

A man came up to me at the end of mom service back in November. He shared a great story about mom with me. He said that he has known mom for nearly 20 something years. They used to work together at Isla Vista School. He said that every morning he would greet mom by saying,
"Buenos dias (good days) Mercedes."
Mom would reply,
"Buen dia" (good day).
Years went by with the same greeting... day after day. Finally one day he asked mom,
"Mercedes, every morning I say 'buenos dias' to you and you always reply to me 'buen dia'. Why is that?"
Mom said,
"I like to take one day at a time."

Today, on mom's birthday I long to hear her voice... to touch her sweet face. Quite often she would call me when there was something interesting on TV; her favorite movie (anything with vampires or Ice Age!!), soccer games, Latin Grammys, or any special episode with animals or birds.

If she were still with us, today she would be celebrating her birthday with her amazing group of friends. Mariana told me that they are still getting together to honor mom.... thank you. I'm sure tasty food and great drinks will be involved.

I remember mom as a free spirit... kind, sensitive yet strong and independent. Mom believed in human rights. She was the voice for those who did not have one, especially children. She made a home away from home and taught us, her children, to take care of each other.

I miss dancing with you. Mom it's really difficult, but I'm trying to take "one day at a time".

Agustina and friends!!

2009-05-02T11:55:00.006-04:00

Uncle Joey and Aunt Lili

Baby Lucas and Agu

check out my new violin!!

Mystic trip!! Home of the beluga whales...

2009-04-29T22:20:00.011-04:00

Beluga whale!!

Fun in the indoor pool!!

Agustina canta en Italiano!!

2009-04-09T21:21:00.008-04:00

Agustina sing with Josh Groban

Agustina sings in Italian and plays her imaginary violin to Josh Groban and Andrea Corr"s "Canto alla vita"!!

2009-04-03T19:55:00.004-04:00

Songwriters: Thompson, Linda, Marx, Richard
Singer Josh Groban

To Where You Are

Who can say for certain
Maybe you're still here
I feel you all around me
Your memory's so clear
Deep in the stillness
I can hear you speak
You're still an inspiration
Can it be?

That you are mine
Forever love
And are watching over me from up above?

Fly me up to where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile to know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are

Are you gently sleeping
Here inside my dream
And isn't faith believing
All power can't be seen

As my heart holds you
Just one beat away
I cherish all you gave me everyday

'Cause you are mine
Forever love
Watching me from up above

And I believe
That angels breathe
And that love will live on and never leave

Fly me up
To where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile
To know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are

I know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are

Happy Birthday Papi!!!

2009-03-22T23:14:00.012-04:00

We spent Sergio's 33rd birthday with the family in New Jersey. It was a pleasure meeting Chris. Thank you Bri, Vivian, Chris, Belkis and Alberto for a wonderful dinner. Happy Birthday Sergio!! Here is a photo of Chris and Vivi's beautiful fish tank. Yes that is a blue star fish!!

"We're going to Kentucky..."

2009-02-05T22:07:00.004-05:00

Agustina the soccer player/singer!!

Tio Joselo y Tia Lilia

2009-01-25T15:42:00.006-05:00

Danubio... el equipo de papi!

Long Island Children's Museum

2009-01-25T15:28:00.008-05:00

Fun time with Jane and Max at the museum!

In Memory of Our Uncle Pete

2009-01-15T07:42:00.008-05:00

Remembering Uncle Pete....

Quote from Pete's short story: "As I look back on my life, it was not that exciting as most, but it is my life."

I feel blessed to know Pete. Although it was difficult for me, after having lost my mom recently, I am happy to have been able to spend some time with Pete this week. Everything reminded me of mom. But I took a deep breath and managed to go every day this week. From experience, I knew that I would not regret it.
Every time I went to visit him at the hospital, his wife of over 53 years (my dear friend Susi) was by his side. They would hold hands. Susi rarely left his side. From time to time Pete opened eyes, he would always look around for his true love and then say, "I love you babe."
This is true love, dedication, respect. I take away a lesson of humanity, love... pure loyalty.

Today it snowed for most of the day. Light, soft, beautiful snow. Agustina and I went to brush the snow off of Susi and Pete's car. On our way back we made an angle.

I find myself asking the same question: how can we be so advanced, iphones, laptops, etc... and we can't stop cancer!!

Never too cold to eat ice cream!!

2009-01-10T20:37:00.006-05:00

Saturday was Agustina first day at Music Together (http://www.musictogether.com/)
Here she is eating ice cream after class. And yes that is snow falling in the back ground!!

2008-12-31T13:02:00.001-05:00

For the love of Orchids

New Hat and Monkey!

2008-12-25T00:47:00.009-05:00

Meet Katie, the monkey!

Two Strangers and Orchids

2008-12-23T22:12:00.010-05:00

So... tonight after work, I went to Stony Brook Hospital to visit Pete (aka Uncle Pete- our good friend and neighbor). Unfortunately his cancer returned but now localized in his lungs. I had mixed feeling as I hustled in the cold towards the hospital. Although this is not the hospital that mom spent many days in...it's a hospital non the less. It is however, the hospital dad spent many days in, with chemo running through his veins...hoping to beat the Leukemia. Dad has been in remission for 7 years.
I made it to the 19th floor, scurried over to the North side and towards room 19. Pete was happy to see me. He seemed comfortable. He has a photo of Agustina up in his room, along with the pictures she drew for him the other day. So, we talked...radiation, chemo therapy, power port, dry mouth, ....and of course onto the topic of my LuLu. He adores her and she loves him. She knows that her "Uncle Pete has "a boo-boo". I listen intently as Pete shared the conversations he over hears between the nurses just outside his room at 3:00am.
"Oh, young kids these days", he chuckles.
After a very nice visit, we said our good byes and I headed to the elevator. There was a friendly looking man waiting for the elevator. I caught the sadness in his eyes and I'm sure he saw mine. I did my usual looking around. Maybe I'd find a photo up in one of those displays things of someone I know... Stony Brook is such a small community.
I turned around and found myself facing a huge beautiful painting... probably 4 feet by 6 feet. As I looked closely I realized that it is a painting of 5 or 6 pink and white orchids. Was I the only one who noticed this gorgeous painting? I felt like someone placed it strategically there for me.
By this time the elevator was ready for us and the friendly man was holding the door for me. I stripped my eyes away from the painting and entered the elevator. I got a chance to look at the orchids just one last time before the doors closed.
In the elevator the man took one deep breathe then said to me, "It's amazing how hospitals do a great job of just completely draining people." Then he took another deep breathe. Although I did not know this man at all or what he is going through... I knew exactly what he was talking about. I could see the sadness in his eye. I notice how tired, worried and scared he was. I could tell that he too had spend countless hours at a loved ones bed side. I know that feeling and the look oh so well.
"Yes, that's true", I responded. I don't know how or why but I continue with, "Did you see that painting of the orchids in front of the elevators?"
'Yes", he said.
Again, I don't know why or how but I showed this person my tattoo and told him about mom.
He smiled at me and said, "That's amazing. You know my wife would say that your mom is here with you. It's a sign. She will always be near you."
I felt my eye wet with tears as were his. The elevator opened.
"Happy Holidays", he said to me stepping out of the elevator
I took a deep breath, "Happy New Year".

Fun in the snow!!

2008-12-19T16:50:00.005-05:00

Quite a snow day today!!!

In my heart

2008-12-05T16:05:00.008-05:00

Though you cannot always see the bird singing, if you listen with your heart, you can always hear her song. Though the ones we love may leave life as we know it, in our memory, the love we knew will always carry on.
By: Marjolein Bastin

Thank you Mrs. Ercole!

Agustina playing and working...

2008-11-28T17:14:00.030-05:00

Meeting Darius and the crew.... what an inspiration!! Read about...learn about....then join the fight!!

2008-10-27T22:32:00.012-04:00

Darius, is an amazing person who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). I was fortunate enough to be able to meet Darius and his crew at a fundraiser. One of Agustina's friends at school, Javier, was also diagnosed with DMD.

Suzanne and I with some members of the DGW crew.

Darius and Javier sing...

Read more about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy:

http://www.dariusgoeswest.org/
http://www.hopeforjavier.org/

Support DMD by purchasing the "Darius Goes West" DVD and help Darius and his crew reach their goal of selling 1,000,000 DVDs before Darius's next birthday!!

Homecoming at Stony Brook University!!

2008-10-27T22:08:00.008-04:00

Fun times at SBU Homecoming!!

Go Seawolves go!!!! Watching the game with a friend from school.

Agustina and Wolfie!! A little nervous...

Happy Birthday to me!!!

2008-09-30T21:44:00.016-04:00

Uncle Joey and Aunt Lilia, thank you for the Elmo book.

Time to celebrate...

Here are my new Elmo slippers!!

For my 2nd Birthday, we had a small party at home. Here is Jane and me and my new umbrella!! Thank you Hedi, Max and Jane!!

Yummy ice cream cake!! Happy Birthday to me...

I also had a pizza party at school with my friends!!

Thank you grandma and grandpa for coming over and having empanadas and cake with me.

Happy 2nd Birthday Agustina. We love you.... love Mami y Papi

Primos

2008-08-26T23:13:00.005-04:00

Welcome Lily

2008-07-21T11:00:00.002-04:00

Mom and Liliana Clair
Born July 19, 2008
7 pounds 6 oz
20 inches

Beach Bum

2008-07-13T22:06:00.001-04:00

A day at Westhampton beach.

2008-07-05T10:21:00.002-04:00

Here are some photos from the zoo here on Long Island with Aunt Maria!

New Bed

2008-07-03T14:57:00.000-04:00

Agustina has a new bed.....that she sleeps in...most of the time!!