This is a catch up post of how we've been starting the holiday season and all the fun I've been having while being at home on maternity leave! I've had to work some (which I knew would happen), but overall it's been a wonderful time filled with lots of visits to the immigration office (that is a story for another post) and time to get to play with my little man G and get to know sweet Finnula. FYI lots of pictures.
Christmas always really starts for me once Thanksgiving is over. This year we had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our good friends from Leon. Through a united effort we managed to make all the Thanksgiving staples we were craving ... though there were some modifications. Everyone pitched in and though dinner was a little later than we had thought (due to me not defrosting the turkey in time .. ooops.), it was a wonderful dinner, made even more special by sharing it with good friends who were beginning their first anniversary celebration!
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| I'm not really sure why they made this at Gustavo's school since they don't celebrate Thanksgiving here, but he came home one day with this headdress and a maraca |
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| Very carefully coordinated cooking (with Abby!) of all items to make sure the were all done for dinner |
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| Rafael showing off his carving skills (who knew?!?) |
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| Finally sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner only 4 hours after I thought it would be done. Oh well. With our lovely friends Elder & Abby |
Gustavo also recently had his Christmas pageant at school. As I may have mentioned before he loooooves to dance. After practicing for weeks at home, he got to dance on stage and also got to be a wise man!
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| Outfit number 1 |
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| Gustavo with his classmates |
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| Gustavo with his class and teacher dancing on stage (all of these children are the same age as Gustavo) |
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| Wise man |
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| I dont know who you are, but my mom (who's over there) told me to come up here.... |
You may notice that Gustavo is literally a head taller than all of his classmates (they are all the same age within a few months). We took him for his 2 year old check up and the pediatrician told us this is the largest 2 year old he has ever seen -- at 38 inches tall and 41 lbs. This puts him well above the growth curve for two years olds .. in fact he would still be in the 50% percentile for 5 year olds. Using a height prediction formula he might be between 6'2" to 6'8" eventually. Oh boy.
R's dad was just here for a visit. He got to meet Finnula and play with Gustavo who had so much fun with his "'Buelo" (abuelo = grandpa). We were sorry it was a short visit.
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| Hanging out in the morning |
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| Sharing monkey with 'Buelo |
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| PapaTilo and Finnula |
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| Coloring with 'Buelo |
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| Finnula went on a nap strike the day I went out for lunch and was only able to fall asleep in 'Buelo's arms |
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| Taking a walk near our house |
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| Gustavo striking a pose |
Speaking of Gustavo speaking he has new words everyday, which means we have to be careful about what we say, but also gives an insight into things that we do say. Favorites include " Oh NOOO", "Why???" both when something happens (like him throwing a full cup of water on the floor). When we ask him "Did you do that?" He looks at us with a serious face and says "Luuuunnnaaaa". So I guess he wants us to believe the dog did it. He refers to himself as "Tayo" and Finnula as "Ooola". So far he has been very good about sharing with Ooola though he does have some definite ideas about when he is not pleased with the choices we give him "Otro Otro" (otro = another one).
Finnula is also growing growing growing! She was 8.5 lbs at birth and at her one month check up she was 12.5, so that's a pound a week. She and Tayo have fortunately coordinated their sleep schedules which includes going to be every night by 7:30 p, Oola then wakes up at 3 and goes back to sleep till 7, Tayo however wakes up at 5:30am. Luckily they both take a nap in the afternoon, Oola 11 or 12-3 or 4, Tayo 1 to 3 or 4pm. Knocking on lots of wood that this continues.
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| Happy happy girl |
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| Finnula's Nicaragua Christmas outfit |
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| Trying to get everyone together for a Christmas card |
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| Still trying ... a version of this coming to you in a Christmas card sometime soon. |
Hoping that everyone in getting in the holiday spirit -- with the non stop fireworks this month we certainly are!
Love from Nicaragua
