Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Week 4 - Part 2
Isabella update
Not only can our girl put away a 6 oz bottle in about 2.5 minutes, we have discovered that she loves to feed herself. She loves anything she can pick up and shove into her mouth. It seems like she hadn’t had much chance to feed herself previously, and her dexterity has improved markedly in a week. In the past week she has fed herself: potatoes, yuca, bananas, avocado, watermelon, baby rice crackers, baby “puffs.” She really likes pandeyuca (bread made from tapioca flour and cheese) for her 11:00am snack. The girl definitely has the idea of social eating – if we’re eating, she thinks she should be putting something in her mouth too. As for regular baby foods (like pureed food in a jar), she’s tried carrots (made by Grandma Dawn), apples, pears, peaches, mango, guava, prunes, and rice cereal. All baby foods here in Colombia, in
cluding cereals, have added sugar, and the only vegetables I can find are imports from the US. I figure she should have the “exotic” flavors now since we won’t be able to get them the same at home. She does think the unsweetened rice cereal from the US is pretty boring.
I think I’ve said before that Isabella is a very active baby. She was already sitting independently when we got her, and she is just getting stronger every day. She was able to rotate herself on her tummy and while sitting, and to scoot backward from these positions as well. On Sunday 10/24, she figured out how to get herself from a sitting position to almost on her front, with one leg under her. By the end of the week, she has figured out how to get herself fully onto her front – with both legs out straight.
The only problem is that she knows she wants to be moving around in a forward direction, she just can’t yet figure out how to make that happen. Watch out world – it’s just a matter of time before she’s crawling!
Random thoughts
* I miss church! I haven’t been to a service since we left home, and I really miss it. The church bells ring here every day (3 masses on weekdays, 5 on Saturday, and 6 on Sunday) and remind me that I’m missing worship and quiet time. Maybe we'll make it to an All Saints service this weekend.
* I need a laminated prayer card for the shower – it’s the only time I have to be alone, quiet and reflect!
* Routine is good for everyone! the kids need predictable meals and naps, and so do I!
* I’m really feeling the isolation of being here for nearly a month! I feel done with the adventure and ready to go home – or at least to re-connect with friends.
Process update
I found out on Tuesday that our case has been approved by the court (meaning that the petition was correct and complete) and sent to the Defender of Minors for final approval of our papers from their perspective. I think the Defender of Minors makes sure all the papers relating to the legal custody and rights of the child are in order. As of Friday 10/29 there is no word about the current status, i.e., whether it’s still at the Defender of Minors or has been sent back to the court. Monday 11/1 is a holiday (All Saints Day), so Tuesday 11/2 will be the soonest we could hear any news. Of course, I’ll keep you posted!
Not only can our girl put away a 6 oz bottle in about 2.5 minutes, we have discovered that she loves to feed herself. She loves anything she can pick up and shove into her mouth. It seems like she hadn’t had much chance to feed herself previously, and her dexterity has improved markedly in a week. In the past week she has fed herself: potatoes, yuca, bananas, avocado, watermelon, baby rice crackers, baby “puffs.” She really likes pandeyuca (bread made from tapioca flour and cheese) for her 11:00am snack. The girl definitely has the idea of social eating – if we’re eating, she thinks she should be putting something in her mouth too. As for regular baby foods (like pureed food in a jar), she’s tried carrots (made by Grandma Dawn), apples, pears, peaches, mango, guava, prunes, and rice cereal. All baby foods here in Colombia, in
cluding cereals, have added sugar, and the only vegetables I can find are imports from the US. I figure she should have the “exotic” flavors now since we won’t be able to get them the same at home. She does think the unsweetened rice cereal from the US is pretty boring.I think I’ve said before that Isabella is a very active baby. She was already sitting independently when we got her, and she is just getting stronger every day. She was able to rotate herself on her tummy and while sitting, and to scoot backward from these positions as well. On Sunday 10/24, she figured out how to get herself from a sitting position to almost on her front, with one leg under her. By the end of the week, she has figured out how to get herself fully onto her front – with both legs out straight.
The only problem is that she knows she wants to be moving around in a forward direction, she just can’t yet figure out how to make that happen. Watch out world – it’s just a matter of time before she’s crawling!La Doctora
On Monday, la Doctora, the pediatrician who makes house/hotel calls (we met her with Esteban) came to see Isabella. Isabella needs some immunizations and we needed the doctor to see her first. The doctor walked into the apartment, looked at me, and said, “I know you.” She remembered me from when Esteban was a baby! She looked at Isabella’s health record, examined her, and pronounced her healthy and strong. Always things a parent likes to hear! She said she would have to check on how we get the immunizations done and would call later to let us know.
On Monday, la Doctora, the pediatrician who makes house/hotel calls (we met her with Esteban) came to see Isabella. Isabella needs some immunizations and we needed the doctor to see her first. The doctor walked into the apartment, looked at me, and said, “I know you.” She remembered me from when Esteban was a baby! She looked at Isabella’s health record, examined her, and pronounced her healthy and strong. Always things a parent likes to hear! She said she would have to check on how we get the immunizations done and would call later to let us know.
The Rest of the Week
On Tuesday, we went to lunch at the Halifax for empanadas – and they were great! We had a nice visit with the staff, and met some of the new families. Esteban enjoyed a little play time in the play room. We miss the Halifax community!
On Wednesday, we tried to go to Divercity at the SantaFe mall on the north side of Bogotá. Translated from their brochure: “Divercity is an amusement park where boys and girls between 3 and 13 years pretend to be adults in more than 45 attractions while learning the concepts of how a city. Divercity is a realistic replica of all that exists in a city.” Kids can pretend to be many different professions. On Wednesday, they were full up with school groups and told us to come back on Thursday. I think I was more disappointed than Esteban that we couldn’t get in. We went back on Thursday and he and I went in while Grandma Dawn and Isabella strolled in the mall. It was pretty great! It still had lots of kids inside, and all the attractions had lines. Esteban was pretty overwhelmed and overstimulated (I was too!) by the noise and everything to look at. Mostly we walked around and looked at the attractions, sat in the “park” and watched the fountain while eating popcorn, and played in the ball pit. I think it would be really great for 7 or 8 year olds – really a bit much for my just-3 year old. Esteban was so overstimulated that it took the rest of the day for him to calm down.
On Wednesday, we tried to go to Divercity at the SantaFe mall on the north side of Bogotá. Translated from their brochure: “Divercity is an amusement park where boys and girls between 3 and 13 years pretend to be adults in more than 45 attractions while learning the concepts of how a city. Divercity is a realistic replica of all that exists in a city.” Kids can pretend to be many different professions. On Wednesday, they were full up with school groups and told us to come back on Thursday. I think I was more disappointed than Esteban that we couldn’t get in. We went back on Thursday and he and I went in while Grandma Dawn and Isabella strolled in the mall. It was pretty great! It still had lots of kids inside, and all the attractions had lines. Esteban was pretty overwhelmed and overstimulated (I was too!) by the noise and everything to look at. Mostly we walked around and looked at the attractions, sat in the “park” and watched the fountain while eating popcorn, and played in the ball pit. I think it would be really great for 7 or 8 year olds – really a bit much for my just-3 year old. Esteban was so overstimulated that it took the rest of the day for him to calm down.
On Friday we went to get Isabella her immunization (it turned out to just be one shot) at a clinic in Usaquen, then headed to La Candelaria (the historic part of downtown Bogota) to meet another friend of a friend. The clinic was quite efficient - we only waited about 15 minutes and were seen in an immunization clinic. We met our new friend at his apartment in La Candelaria and he took us to see some of the historic places nearby and then to lunch and a few more sights. Esteban had a great time chasing pidgeons in the plaza, and we all got a workout from walking up the hills on the way back to his apartment.
Random thoughts
* I miss church! I haven’t been to a service since we left home, and I really miss it. The church bells ring here every day (3 masses on weekdays, 5 on Saturday, and 6 on Sunday) and remind me that I’m missing worship and quiet time. Maybe we'll make it to an All Saints service this weekend.
* I need a laminated prayer card for the shower – it’s the only time I have to be alone, quiet and reflect!
* Routine is good for everyone! the kids need predictable meals and naps, and so do I!
* I’m really feeling the isolation of being here for nearly a month! I feel done with the adventure and ready to go home – or at least to re-connect with friends.
Process update
I found out on Tuesday that our case has been approved by the court (meaning that the petition was correct and complete) and sent to the Defender of Minors for final approval of our papers from their perspective. I think the Defender of Minors makes sure all the papers relating to the legal custody and rights of the child are in order. As of Friday 10/29 there is no word about the current status, i.e., whether it’s still at the Defender of Minors or has been sent back to the court. Monday 11/1 is a holiday (All Saints Day), so Tuesday 11/2 will be the soonest we could hear any news. Of course, I’ll keep you posted! Week 4 - Part 1
Q. What do you get when you combine a week of continual challenges of parenting 2 busy children with inconsistent Internet access?
A. A whole week of no blog posts!
So, here I sit at 3:00pm on Saturday, still not sure if the Internet will cooperate to post this, but taking advantage of good nap times to write a week’s worth of updates. The Internet has been sporadic this week. The TelMex tech came yesterday to fix it, and it’s mostly better. At least the phone to the US is working again! I’ll start with last weekend and make my way to the present.
Because both kids are well-rested, our best pics usually are first thing in the morning – before anyone is dressed!
Esteban is a great big brother
Esteban is growing into his role as a big brother! He loves Isabella and is (usually) very careful around her. He gives her random kisses, brings her toys to distract her and cheer her, reads his favorite books to her, entertains her when she’s getting her diaper changed. When he takes things away from her (like his toys and books), he says, “That’s not for you, Missy” in a very sweet voice. He has even been known to give her a little caress on the cheek – while passing her on the way to be mad at me.
He only calls the fire department (on a pretend phone) about once a week to take Isabella (or me, or Grandma Dawn) away.
Week 2 photos
After much wrangling with the Internet, photos from week 2 are finally posted here. There are about 85 because it was a very busy week with ICBF, Esteban’s birthday, grandparents and several day trips. Working on Week 3 now.
Last Weekend
Last weekend was really fun! On Saturday afternoon we went with a friend of a friend to her house “in the country.” She and her family live in Bogotá and have a house about 40km north of the city in Sopó. We went for lunch, Colombian style, which means that she picked us up a little after noon and we arrived at about 1:00pm. We sat outside and munched on empanadas (some of the best I’ve ever had!), enjoying the sun and visiting and watching Esteban play in the sandbox. About 2:00pm, after her kids (ages 9-15) had all arrived from their various lessons in the city that morning, we had ajiaco (delicious Colombian soup with potatoes and chicken) and obleas (think of very thin wafer cookies, about the size of a medium tortilla, with heavy caramel sauce spread in the middle – so yummy!).
There were more blocks than Esteban could fathom, and he built and destroyed several castles after lunch. Then we went outside, visited the horses and cows, and then rolled down the hill. By then the kids were about to melt down from lack of naps, so we headed home (around 4:15). It was a delightful way to spend an afternoon – gracious, interesting people, good food and a beautiful setting that was quiet and away from the city.
On Sunday, we walked for Ciclovia. We got a late start, and headed for Park 93 – about 40 long blocks. It was a healthy walk! We got to the park in time to play a little before it started to rain. We took refuge in the Juan Valdez coffee shop until the shower ended, and then played a little more at the (now empty) park. As we were heading toward a main street to get a ta
xi home, we ran into a delightful couple who are now staying at the Halifax who have 7 month old twin girls. So cute! It started to pour just as we hailed a taxi.
The Rainy Season
We’re finding that most days now start out not raining – not always sunny, though sometimes it is, but not raining – and then the rain starts by about 1:00pm and continues intermittently through the evening and sometimes overnight. We are trying to get out and about in the morning to take advantage of non-rainy times to go to the park, etc. As I understand it, October is the rainiest, and we should gradually see more sun and less rain as we get into November.
It has taken me all day to get this uploaded - between Internet issues with the attachments and expected child/life interruptions.
A. A whole week of no blog posts!
So, here I sit at 3:00pm on Saturday, still not sure if the Internet will cooperate to post this, but taking advantage of good nap times to write a week’s worth of updates. The Internet has been sporadic this week. The TelMex tech came yesterday to fix it, and it’s mostly better. At least the phone to the US is working again! I’ll start with last weekend and make my way to the present.
Because both kids are well-rested, our best pics usually are first thing in the morning – before anyone is dressed!
Esteban is a great big brother
Esteban is growing into his role as a big brother! He loves Isabella and is (usually) very careful around her. He gives her random kisses, brings her toys to distract her and cheer her, reads his favorite books to her, entertains her when she’s getting her diaper changed. When he takes things away from her (like his toys and books), he says, “That’s not for you, Missy” in a very sweet voice. He has even been known to give her a little caress on the cheek – while passing her on the way to be mad at me.He only calls the fire department (on a pretend phone) about once a week to take Isabella (or me, or Grandma Dawn) away.
Week 2 photos
After much wrangling with the Internet, photos from week 2 are finally posted here. There are about 85 because it was a very busy week with ICBF, Esteban’s birthday, grandparents and several day trips. Working on Week 3 now.
Last Weekend
Last weekend was really fun! On Saturday afternoon we went with a friend of a friend to her house “in the country.” She and her family live in Bogotá and have a house about 40km north of the city in Sopó. We went for lunch, Colombian style, which means that she picked us up a little after noon and we arrived at about 1:00pm. We sat outside and munched on empanadas (some of the best I’ve ever had!), enjoying the sun and visiting and watching Esteban play in the sandbox. About 2:00pm, after her kids (ages 9-15) had all arrived from their various lessons in the city that morning, we had ajiaco (delicious Colombian soup with potatoes and chicken) and obleas (think of very thin wafer cookies, about the size of a medium tortilla, with heavy caramel sauce spread in the middle – so yummy!).
There were more blocks than Esteban could fathom, and he built and destroyed several castles after lunch. Then we went outside, visited the horses and cows, and then rolled down the hill. By then the kids were about to melt down from lack of naps, so we headed home (around 4:15). It was a delightful way to spend an afternoon – gracious, interesting people, good food and a beautiful setting that was quiet and away from the city.
On Sunday, we walked for Ciclovia. We got a late start, and headed for Park 93 – about 40 long blocks. It was a healthy walk! We got to the park in time to play a little before it started to rain. We took refuge in the Juan Valdez coffee shop until the shower ended, and then played a little more at the (now empty) park. As we were heading toward a main street to get a ta
xi home, we ran into a delightful couple who are now staying at the Halifax who have 7 month old twin girls. So cute! It started to pour just as we hailed a taxi.The Rainy Season
We’re finding that most days now start out not raining – not always sunny, though sometimes it is, but not raining – and then the rain starts by about 1:00pm and continues intermittently through the evening and sometimes overnight. We are trying to get out and about in the morning to take advantage of non-rainy times to go to the park, etc. As I understand it, October is the rainiest, and we should gradually see more sun and less rain as we get into November.
It has taken me all day to get this uploaded - between Internet issues with the attachments and expected child/life interruptions.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Julien's adventure at home
Julien has had quite an adventure at home. He arrived home to all the house systems (heat, hot water) set for vacation - and promptly turned everything back on. He awoke Wednesday morning to find that the overflow valve on the hot water heater had broken or stuck open - and the basement had 2" of water in it! He spent his one re-adjustment day dealing with that crisis! Luckily, it was a sunny day and many things could get put outside in the sun to dry. Many boxes of papers (which I'd been meaning to go through, really) got wet and may not be salvageable. Oh well, who needs those class notes from undergrad anyway?
We have a court assignment!
Getting your court assignment is the next big step in the adoption process. There are 22 adoption courts in Bogota. Different courts process adoptions at a different speed, depending on the attitude of the judge about international adoptions. We got assigned Court 14. According to Helena, it's "better than average, a bit faster." We have no idea what that will mean for us, but are optimistic that things will move along promptly.
We found out our court assignment on Wednesday, but I'm not sure when it was actually assigned. The person at CRAN who can tell us was out at the end of last week, and Monday was a holiday here (Columbus Day). At this point, it just feels good to know the paperwork is in the system!
We found out our court assignment on Wednesday, but I'm not sure when it was actually assigned. The person at CRAN who can tell us was out at the end of last week, and Monday was a holiday here (Columbus Day). At this point, it just feels good to know the paperwork is in the system!
It's been quite a week
When we last left you...we were heading into Sunday and a trip to the flea market.
We did go to Usaquen on Sunday. It took Grandma Dawn and I almost 90 minutes to walk from the new apartment to Usaquen. The new place is far enough north that we had to walk south to the Cyclovia route, and then across Calle 116. We met Julien and Grandma Ana at the square in Usaquen. They took a taxi and arrived well before we did - they even had time to catch part of mass at the church on the square. It was so late by the time we were all assembled that we had an early lunch before starting our shopping. We enjoyed the flea market. It's filled with hundreds of stalls of artisans and vendors selling everything from lunch to jewelry to textiles and toys. Even if you don't buy anything, it's worth the trip. We had never been there in the afternoon, so I don't know if this happens every week, but we saw a music/dance group who performed in the market. Neither of our kids liked them 
at first - too loud, guy in scary costume - then Esteban decided he liked the ladies in the pretty dresses :)
at first - too loud, guy in scary costume - then Esteban decided he liked the ladies in the pretty dresses :)Monday, Julien's last day with us, we walked to Unicentro (a big mall) to finish our last bit of souvenir shopping for Julien and Ana to take home. And we finally got our empanadas for lunch! While we were there, it started to pour rain, so we took taxis back to the apartment.
Julien's and Ana's taxi came for them at 6:00am on Tuesday. We were very sad to see them go. It's been so fun having 2 abuelas here! And we miss Julien very much. It's a good thing we have a Vonage phone here in the apartment (free calls to the US), and good wireless Internet for Skype! We spent Tu
esday having a relaxing day of regular meals and naps and playing in the park - trying for a "normal" schedule for all of us. Julien called Tuesday evening to say they arrived home safely, and with all their luggage!
esday having a relaxing day of regular meals and naps and playing in the park - trying for a "normal" schedule for all of us. Julien called Tuesday evening to say they arrived home safely, and with all their luggage!Wednesday and Thursday have melded into a blur. Some firsts from those days:
- We discovered that Isabella really likes feeding herself. She has just about mastered getting baby "puffs" into her mouth on the first try. She likes feeding herself so much that she doesn't like to open her mouth for the spoon.
- Isabella also likes to feed herself pandeyuca (bread made from yuca aka cassava and cheese) and french fries.
- There is a sandbox in the park across the street, which required us to get some sand toys for Esteban to play with.
- Esteban has gone pee in the big potty (standing up!) twice! We've been talking about potty training for months, and relaxed all efforts when we knew we were coming to Colombia soon - so this is a big step!
- Sabeth has realized that she may never get anything done (like blogging or watching her DVDs) in the evening if Esteban refuses to go to sleep before 10pm!
It's Friday - we had another low key, low stress day. We've been in the apartment a whole week. It's cold in the apartment! Most homes in Colombia (or at least in Bogota) don't have any kind of heat - and this one is no exception. It's been near 50 at night and only in the mid 60s in the daytime. The apartment doesn't have many outside windows and so we don't get much warming effect from the sun. Good thing the kids have warm pjs and the beds have nice thick blankets on them!
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