Life in Ecuador is good!

Life is good and busy! I have not made time to write on this blog because we did not have internet for quite sometime and now that we do, I have been spending my time on other projects. I want to continue this blog, and I hope to do it at least once a month.

Mateo is growing so fast! I think he just went through a growth spurt because he went from a lousy eater to an eager eater which was pleasing to see. I can't keep up with his hair and I need to cut it quite often. Seems like we have settled into a nice routine lately. Sure is nice to sleep in and then have a slow morning while we eat breakfast, shower and clean the house. Before midday we go out for a walk around the busy streets of Quito. Mateo enjoys it so much that almost always falls sleep in the Bob (the stroller).


My mom moved in with us for a month, it was a nice month because we got lots of help watching Mateo. Pat and I took advantage of this and went out more often. There is always business to do in the city.

We have not gone to the land yet because we need to have the car checked and maybe change the tires. We got a used Chevrolet Rodeo that is very roomy.

Mateo enjoys very much the company of Anita, my girlfriend's children. They are older than him but that is what makes them very interesting. There are lots of things to learn from them. I am very glad I can keep in contact with an old friend.

Bath time is very special for Mateo, he has graduated from playing with rubber ducky and moved to more interesting creatures. He has his entire zoo accompanying him while he soaks in the water. Trying to get him out is a battle I have won with the animals but not with Mateo ha ha.

Lately, he enjoys sitting by the stove (we stand by him, don't worry, we won't burn him) and watches us cooking. He knows what he wants and does not hesitate to communicate it to us in any way he can. Also, he is sleeping in his own room and he is also sleeping through the night! I am so happy for that because it means I am also sleeping through the night :)

Yanapana our land

Last weekend we went to Yanapana our property and it took us 7 hours to get there. First we got a taxi to the bus stop, then the bus for 2.5 hours, then had lunch while we waited for the next ride and finally hop in a ranchera for another 2.5 hours in a primitive road. Mateo did very well for his first long bus ride and just the whole experience. At the end, we were so glad to have made it to our beautiful piece of land. Everything is so magic and rich. We were received by our care takers and then visited our dear neighbors. Soon it was time to go to bed and rest. On Sunday, we spent the day seeing the progress our caretakers have made in the past 6 months and looking at things we need to get to make the place ready to receive guests. Casa grande (the main cabin) is almost finished and on our next trip we will bring a stove and kitchen stuff so Pat can start having fun in his big kitchen. And, no, we won't take the stuff by bus and take 7 hours; by then we will have a truck and will be there in 3 hours or so. I also saw our future garden fenced, so it will prevent wild life getting in there. I plan to have a nice garden with lots of things growing there. The pathways and flowers all around the place look great. It does feel like a great place to settle and make it home.

Casa Grande

Caretakers cabin

Guest cabin