Tea with honey

Tea with honey is Mateo's new favorite drink and he asks it all the time to his new favorite parent - Pat! My husband of course is so happy for this. We also have a chatty 2 year old child who is repeating many words and it is fascinating to hear him. Here are some of his words: papaya, banana, bubble bath, bubbles, all the things he likes.

Last week we went to check out a day care center and we liked it very much but Mateo wasn't that convinced. Since we don't need him to be away from us yet we will wait until August. He will be in day care from 8:30 to 12:30 and then he will spend the afternoons with Pat while I go to school. I am going to miss him so much.

Checking out Rocotin - the day care center

Mateo got his first guitar this week. It will be nice to see him someday play one of Pat's 4 guitars.

Another first experience Mateo had this week was to play with dough. First I made it with flour and water and then we got the play-doh at the store. He LOVE it!

He is getting so tall!

This is one of the animals we saw today at the Zoo. It was our first time and we all had a great time. I think we will be coming back to this place again.

Going to see the President

On Mondays at 11:00 a.m. the President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, comes out to the balcony of his palace (house) and greets people as the change of guards takes place. We have attended this event few times in the past, and we like to go whenever we can especially because it is ten minutes away from home.

The President was not present today but we all enjoyed very much the presence of a lot of people, the nicely dressed guards, music and the horses.

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 :)

Back AGAIN in Ecuador ---LOL

It is not a joke, it is for real! We are back again in Ecuador and this time for good.

I will continue to write about our lives here. I think this short trip to California was necessary for us so we can say GOOD BYE to everything one more time. It was necessary to value what we have here in Ecuador and realize that all the dreams we had for so many years are possible. It has not been easy to settle down here but after this California trip, things have been much better.

Mateo is so happy to have "tita" abuelita near by. I am so happy to have my family around.

Life takes you places and you need to make the most of it!

In the airport in our way back

He loves brocoli

Mateo's cousin Isaid on his first birthday

Happy! Happy! Happy!

We are moving back to California!!! ha Life takes you where you need to be and sometimes you do not expect some things. We are very happy with this new move, it will be great.
Pat has a nice job and we will have a nice house in the redwoods. I will stay home with Mateo until I feel ready to put him in child care or until I found a great job, which ever comes first...
I guess, I need to start a new blog named: Back in California again! who knows. I will wait and see how my life unfolds. I won't have family help this time and Pat will be working so I am on my own taking care of Mateo but I think it will be really fun. I have several friends to have play dates with and the community of people where we will live sounds very nice.
Life is good and full. Thanks for reading...

Maybe someday I write a book about our 5 month experience in Ecuador. ha ha

Added 12/30/2010

My new blog: Loma Mar Chapter

Up in the air

Well, life in Ecuador did not turned out the way we thought. We are waiting to see what happens in the next few days. Since we move homes and I have not had a good internet service, I lost interest in posting in this blog. I will take a break.
In the mean time, we are so happy as a family and close to family. We are positive and trying to learn from what it is now. We will be fine, just don't know if in Ecuador or EEUU.

Going everywhere

On the past 10 days we have been really busy. After returning from Yanapana, Pat and I had a date and went to watch Karate Kid the movie. It was a nice escape for us. Thanks to my mom who took care of Mateo. Then, Mateo was a bit sick for few days, later I discovered that he was teething. We also spent few days in my home town Puellaro. We really enjoyed spending time with my grandma and aunt. After that we had Nikki from Hidden Villa visiting us and we took her to Yanapana for couple days. We enjoyed nature a hike in the forest and a refreshing soak in the river. Finally today we went to Papallacta, to some hot springs one and a half hours from here. It was great to soak in hot water with Mateo. As usual he is so happy in the water.
Now I look forward to some weeks at home and get Mateo in some sort of routine.

Mateo and my grandma Anita

Hiking in the forest with Nikki

Happy with dada