Peru

The bulk of our trip to Peru was spent hanging out with my family, just as we wanted it to be. Natalie had so much fun running around Grandma and Grandpa's house and mostly enjoyed all the extra attention she received!

Playing and reading with Grandpa
Playing peek-a-boo
Playing the piano with Jonathon. This was a favorite!
I love this picture of Jonathon and Natalie - so sweet.
Lunch with Grandma

My mom and I took Natalie to an "infant park" one day. Apparently "infant parks" are only for children 4 years old and under, so it was perfect for her. The coolest thing there was a permanent trampoline structure that she could run around and play in. It was completely enclosed and she was the only one playing in it at the time. She especially loved the bouncy balls inside the trampoline, which she attempted to carry around like purses. (I'll have to do a separate post about this girl's love for handbags!)

Russ, Natalie and I had a few hours on our own one day and decided to hang out at Larcomar, which is a huge mall that was built right into the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean in Lima. Even though you aren't supposed to swim in the water in Lima, it provided a nice view.
Natalie figured out it is much more fun to push the stroller than ride in it.
I don't know what these women were dressed up for, but I loved how colorful their outfits were.

Jonathon opted to celebrate his birthday a few days early so Natalie and I could be there for the official birthday dinner. Happy 14th Jonathon!

It was so fun to be with my family and especially for me to see Natalie interacting with her Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle. She misses you all!

A Peruvian Thanksgiving

I love traditions. I love the expectation of a specific series of events and the comfort and security provided. Thanksgiving is typically a time of tradition for me, especially when I am celebrating with my parents and we get to do things the same way we have since I was a little girl. This year was a bit different, but I learned that while I will always love traditions, sometimes it can be even more fun to try something new. A Peruvian Thanksgiving was definitely something new.
Obviously, Thanksgiving isn't a holiday in Peru, so that created some challenges right off the bat. No cranberries for a delicious sauce, no canned pumpkin (unless you decide to check a few cans in your baggage from the states), not a whole lot of turkey. Fortunately, family is the main ingredient so when Russ, Natalie and I flew in to Lima to be with my parents and Jonathon we were well on our way to a great Thanksgiving.
We ended up attending a huge gathering of American families (mostly State Department families stationed here in Lima) and had a feast. Everyone brought their favorite dishes and, even with about 90 people, there was food to spare. Because it is spring time here, we ate outside in the backyard and many of the kids played in the pool. They also had a little bouncy house with a slide that Natalie loved. I was a little worried she wouldn't like the slide because it was so big, but she couldn't get enough of it! Not my typical Thanksgiving, but so much fun. We had a wonderful time and are so grateful we were invited to participate!

Loving spending time with Uncle Jonathon

Thanksgiving picture with the whole group (We missed you Marc, Rebecca and Gerrit!)

Glorious Fall

Admittedly, there are a few times of year where I always find myself wishing I was in San Diego, i.e. the peak of August's heat and humidity and usually around February when I just want to go outside without freezing. Those wishes are almost never granted, but that's ok as long as I get to experience the beauty of a northern Virginia fall. There is truly no where else I would rather live during the months of October and November. Every day I find myself in complete awe of the beauty around me.
We took advantage of the nice weather and brilliant colors on Sunday and I had to pull out the camera to document it all. Thanks to our good friends who made it possible for us to take a family picture and to Russ for getting some great shots of Natalie and me.
Gorgeous leaves and my wonderful family? I will love these pictures forever.

Natalie is ONE!

I can't believe I have a toddler! It seems like Natalie has gotten so big all of sudden and is doing all kinds of grown-up things. Take walking for instance - babies don't walk, but toddlers do! Seeing her walk all around our house and up and down the sidewalk has instantly made her older in my eyes. Natalie has also started dancing when she hears music. I think her little knee bending and bottom bouncing is the cutest thing I have ever seen. (Boy is she going to love reading that when she's older :-) Ha!) Two of Natalie's presents included a baby doll and a little stuffed penguin. She immediately "cuddled" both of them and has since been giving hugs and cuddles to all her other toys.



Natalie's actual birthday was on a Thursday. We had a good relaxing day, went to the park and had waffles with blueberries for dinner. She sure loves those blueberries! She also opened her presents and was forced to pose for a few pictures with her new loot.

We had an official "first birthday party" on Saturday with some friends and had a fun time. I think she enjoyed seeing all her friends, though the sheer number of friends all at once was a little overwhelming for her. Normally she doesn't have so many people talking and looking at her all at the same time! When we sang "Happy Birthday" and gave her a cupcake she was a little hesitant to dig in. She very daintily stuck one finger in the frosting and gave it a lick. I think she was still getting used to something so different and never really dug in. Later that night however, Natalie saw an extra cupcake sitting on the counter. She immediately started pointing and made it very clear it was what she wanted. I pulled off a piece and she shoved the whole thing in her mouth, then begged for more. I think she's getting the hang of the whole cupcake thing now. :-)

Natalie's one-year well check-up isn't until Friday, so I don't have official stats, but according to our best weighing and measuring skills, Natalie is about 20 pounds and 30 inches long.

Busy Little Bee

Halloween has gotten a whole lot more fun in my book now that I have a baby. I don't have to worry about a costume for myself. Instead, I get to dress Natalie up in the cutest little costume and hand out candy to other cute kids in my neighborhood, all while eating pumpkin bars. This is now a holiday I can get behind.
Natalie got to wear her costume twice, first to our church "Trunk-or-Treat" and again last night. Such a sweet little bumblebee. (You'll notice in the pictures the antenna didn't last long. At least she didn't mind her wings!)

Trunk-or-Treat

Halloween Night