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Do You Habla?

Hola!

Como Estas?

Yesterday was a rough day in the WB house… but we’ve moved passed it and we’re back to our happy place 🙂

Amidst the chaos, I did my best to make M a healthy lunch.

Avocado Cream Cheese Sammi, A very ripe peach, and Kashi Crackers.
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M Looooooves avocados!!! I’m pretty sure she would eat a whole one on her own!
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For a girl whose gums are in pain… she sure did gobble up her lunch!

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Do You Habla?

Did you know that I’m hispanic and can’t speak a lick of spanish?! Its so embarrassing! I grew up with both my parents speaking spanish. My mom wanted us to habla, but my dad wanted us to learn English first. So… English it was! My brother and I never learned Spanish. Its so sad 🙁 I’ll be in a store and a little old Mexican lady comes to me to help her translate… and I can’t 🙁

My husband who’s 85% Irish speaks more Spanish than I do!

I need to learn Spanish…. I want to be able teach it to M.

You’re probably wondering where this little epiphany came from… right? Well, this past weekend I met a little girl, same age as M, and she spoke both English and Spanish. She was thirsty and asked her mom for “Agua… Water”. She said both. I continued to watch this little baby/girl say words in two languages. She saw our neighbors dog and said “Pedro… Dog.”

I can’t even get M to say the complete word “Dog,” she says “Daaa” for “dog.”

I would love M to grow up speaking two languages… but honestly… If I can get my 16 month old to say any word other than “more” I’d be happy 😉

Regardless… I need to learn Spanish and use it if I want M to learn it.

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On My Agenda:

  • Go for a 6 mile run with M
  • Pay Bills
  • Do some housework (laundry, organizing)
  • Wash car
  • Work on Weekly Bite updates
  • Work on Weekly Bite newsletter
  • Look into purchasing Rosetta Stone????

Have a wonderful Thursday!!!!!

28 Responses

  1. Lauren at KeepItSweet said on September 2, 2010 at 8:18 am

    i have been considering picking up french again (studied it in high school and college)… my boss’ daughter is 3 and speaks english and mandarin, it is incredible

  2. Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday said on September 2, 2010 at 8:20 am

    It will be really hard for M to become fluent in a language that she doesn’t hear at home, but it would probably be even harder for you to become fluent in Spanish.

    Languages are tougher to learn the older you get and less you are exposed to them.

  3. Jessica @ How Sweet said on September 2, 2010 at 8:23 am

    I can’t imagine a little girl speaking both languages! That is incredible. I took Spanish for 8 years but can barely speak any. I wish I could too.

  4. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said on September 2, 2010 at 8:27 am

    Awww, so sorry to read about M’s painful molar situation 🙁

    I always wished that my parents had raised me to be bilingual!

  5. Estela - Weekly Bite said on September 2, 2010 at 8:27 am

    Samantha – I agree… it is harder to learn it as we get older… but there’s no harm in trying 🙂 Its always worth a shot 🙂

  6. Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman said on September 2, 2010 at 9:16 am

    When I have kids, I definitely want them to grow up understanding more than English. I minored in French and was fluent until I spent five years with no one to speak to. Anyhow, I always wanted my kids to know French at a young age. Not as practical as Spanish in this country, but I’d like to be able to talk with them, too.

  7. Lindsay @ The Ketchup Diaries said on September 2, 2010 at 9:22 am

    I’m Portuguese and don’t speak a lick of it, either. It’s a shame that we don’t enforce this more in America! Especially Spanish. Everyone in America should speak Spanish!!

  8. Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) said on September 2, 2010 at 9:41 am

    I think my kids know more Spanish than I do and I took it for 3 years in high school and was in the accelerated class for it. You have to practice it to remember it. I think it is great that you want to teach it to M. You could really learn together and that is the best part, right? Enjoy your day Estela! Hopefully the day will be better for M!

  9. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic said on September 2, 2010 at 9:47 am

    I speak a little Spanish, and I’m fluent in Filipino, English and sign language 🙂 I do notice though that my Spanish gets worse each year, mostly because I don’t get to practice it. Good luck! PS – avocado and cream cheese sandwich sounds yummy!

  10. Mimi said on September 2, 2010 at 9:55 am

    I think it’s helpful to know another language, but I’d rather be great at one than good in multiple. That being said, it was nice to go to Germany and be able to communicate.

    P.S. The sandwich sounds great!

  11. The Candid RD said on September 2, 2010 at 10:16 am

    I always thought that if you grew up around people who spoke a certain language, that you would learn to speak it automatically. Guess not? I can completely understand your frustration with not being able to speak the language of your parents. I can also understand wanting to teach your daughter Spanish! I wish I would have learned another language at a really young age, because I know it’s easier when you are younger. I do know a good deal of Spanish but Nick and I have played around with the idea of buying the Loretta Stone series so we can learn more! They are said to work very well, but boy are they expensive.

  12. Chicago Cuisine Critique said on September 2, 2010 at 10:25 am

    My mom’s said of the family was Spanish and she too grew up never learning a bit. It was important to her that my brother and I learned at least a little bit of Spanish (just like you with M) so aside from my grandfather speaking to us when possible, she had us watch Sesame Street in both English and Spanish. I definitely think it was beneficial and I have to say that it made me grew up continuing to want to learn more. Probably more information than necessary, but just thought i’d throw the idea out there. 🙂

  13. Heather (Heather's Dish) said on September 2, 2010 at 10:33 am

    i used to habla 🙂 but seriously, i’m going to teach my kids what little spanish i know! i think it’s so important for them to learn when they’re young!

  14. Mo@MommyRD said on September 2, 2010 at 11:06 am

    Poor little M – hopefully her gums are feeling a little better. That yummy lunch would make me feel better. 🙂

    I took 4 years of Spanish and barely know a lick of it now. I didn’t keep it up, and it’s amazing how fast you lose it.

  15. Nicole @ Making Good Choices said on September 2, 2010 at 11:07 am

    My husband went to Ecuador for a year out of college and became fluent. It’s pretty funny bc when we go to spanish speaking countries people assume I speak it because I have darker skin and then he’s the one that responds.

  16. Marisa @ Loser for Life said on September 2, 2010 at 11:35 am

    I hear ya on the language thing. I’m Italian and can’t speak a lick, either. My parents speak it, but like you wanted me to learn English. My whole extended family lives in Italy and I can’t talk with any of them. It’s tragic. I’ve decided to try and learn also. Check out http://www.livemocha.com . It’s a Rosetta Stone-type language program online and it’s free! I’ve been using it this summer for myself and the daughters. It’s neat b/c you can see pictures and hear the pronunciation along with it. M would enjoy it, too!

  17. Beth @ DiningAndDishing said on September 2, 2010 at 1:27 pm

    I would love to know another language so I know what you mean! It would be great to just learn 2 as you grow, rather than trying to pick one up later on in life. Best of luck if you do try it out!

  18. Tina said on September 2, 2010 at 1:36 pm

    You’re giving me a kick in the rear to practice Spanish more with M. I speak Spanish (not 100% fluently but conversationally and well enough) and always wanted my child to know a fair share as well. I just don’t use it anymore and so forget to use it with her too.

  19. emily (a nutritionist eats) said on September 2, 2010 at 1:56 pm

    I’ve been wanting to try out Rosetta too…
    Are there any spanish immersion schools near you? My friend’s son goes to one and they speak only espanol at school. I would love my kids to do something like that!

  20. Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) said on September 2, 2010 at 2:06 pm

    Avocado + cream cheese sounds yummy!

    I’m part Cuban and only know about 10 words of Spanish, lol. My mom is half Cuban and speaks even less. haha

    Jenn

  21. Erica said on September 2, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    I so want to learn Spanish too. I even received Rosetta Stone for Christmas last year and have not utilized it as much as I would have liked 🙁

  22. Sam said on September 2, 2010 at 4:04 pm

    It is a small world after all.

    Our 14-month-old girl just cut 3 teeth last week, and working on teeth #s 11 and 12. Holy hectic. She also has a love for avocado, but only with cream cheese not solo.

    My family is primarily french, and though I am certified bilingual (from high school) I could barely give someone directions. I actually signed up for French classes for late September!

    Bon Chance.

  23. kate said on September 2, 2010 at 10:05 pm

    Cream cheese + Avocado is a perfect lunch combo (teething or not!).

  24. Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum said on September 3, 2010 at 11:10 am

    I used to be nearly fluent after spending time abroad, but I am very rusty. The other day I heard some people speaking Spanish in a restaurant and it sparked this desire to re-learn it! I am working on it! 🙂

  25. Ernestine said on September 3, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    I just found your website. I really like it. I like the fact that you cook healthy and that you are hispanic. I’m hispanic too! I learned Spanish by reading the bible to my mother when I was little. I didn’t know what I was reading but I eventually came to me. When your daughter is able to read buy her some books in Spanish. Don’t lose hope. She’ll pick it up. You do get rusty if you don’t use it. I’m lucky that my mother speaks fluently so when I need a fresher course, I just call her up.

  26. lynn @ the actors diet said on September 3, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    i wish my chinese was better. being w/ my parents these last few days, i realize that i can understand them but never have the confidence to respond back.

    happy anniversary too, by the way!

  27. Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) said on September 4, 2010 at 2:45 pm

    I speak very little spanish. I’ve been working on it and practicing more and more.

    Avocado and cream cheese sounds great 🙂

  28. the Success Ladder said on September 4, 2010 at 11:36 pm

    This is a very interesting point of view. Your blog is refreshing, but I wish one could find more content, though. I am looking forward to reading more from you. Keep up the good work. thanks.