somewhat of an update

So it's been completely crazy around here with all the pre-trip running around. Finally, we're all set (or at least as all set as we get) and I have 30 seconds to write up an update that will have to suffice as Emi's 22 month update.

Emilia mia is a non-stop chatterbox. It's amazing how many words she's picked up all of a sudden. Some of the newbies are "truck", "waso" (vaso/cup), "setate" (sientate/sit down), "tasha" (from Backyardigans cartoon), "tapa" (blanket), "Chola", "trapo" (trapo/rag/towel), "nino" (little boy), "oso" (bear), Jean (Miss Jean from the Y), Lolo (also from the Y), bisa (bicicleta/bicycle), "caco" (casco/helmet), "oe" (Zoe), "alla" (alla/over there). She also strings words together to form sentences like "Emi sit here", "Mama sit here", "Emi Mama car bye bye vroom vroom" and my personal fave "washete" (a combination of "wash" and "lavate"= wash hands... hurrah for Spanglish!) It seems like each day she's got another word that pops up. She's also gotten pretty good at recognizing her friend's cars in the parking lot at the Y.

The puffer for her asthma and the singulair have done a tremendous job of keeping her lungs nice and clear. She hasn't had a drippy nose since she started her new meds so we're hoping things will stay like that for a long time.

A big thing for Emi right now is imaginary play. She loves to pretend cook and spends ages talking to her baby doll, reading her stories, and the incessent diapering. Here's an example of what I'm talking about...



a follow up...

Other developments include a change in our sleep pattern. Some days, Emilia will take a 3 hour nap... other days, like today, it's more like 45 minutes. I think a 2-year molar is starting to come in so we're relying on baby Orajel to get us through. Also, Emilia has become a bit of a picky eater. She's not interested in eating breakfast at all and for lunch she pretty much only asks for "hummy bap" (hummus and bread). Perhaps she's getting in touch with her Middle Eastern side? :)

She is, without a doubt, the greatest joy we've ever known.

We depart for Quito tomorrow morning... 1 1/2 hours to Miami and then a 4 hour flight to Quito. Here's hoping we all make it with our sanity relatively in tact. Kate's mom, Anne, was kind enough to loan us their portable DVD player and, as a surprise to Emi we bought a couple of "Curious George DVDs, books, and even a tiny stuffed George as plane entertainment. Hopefully we'll be in good shape. Postings from the middle of the world will be sporatic, but I'll do my best.

Ciao!