Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Our Girls...
A wordy post will follow sometime in the next few days (hopefully) but for now, we have new pictures of both of the angels God has entrusted to us. To say we feel humbled would be an understatement....
Friday, August 7, 2009
Costa Rica!
The Alfaro Family was excited to begin our trip to Costa Rica. The last time we visited Ivy learned to crawl. This time, she was ready to go and play with her cousins! In Charlotte, we boarded the airplane...
After the pizza, popcorn, and cake, there was a pinata for Ivy to break. Once a few pieces of candy fell out, she left the breaking to someone else while she tried to figure out how to get her share. Papa helped her guard her stash!
We finished with a sherbert ice cream treat. Can you say stuffed???
In other news, the day before we left for Costa Rica, I thought I felt Isabella curl up in a ball. It was such a strong sensation that it actually stopped me in my tracks. In just a second though, it she seemed to straighten out. I thought nothing of it. A couple of times a day she would do this, and on the day of her tea in Costa Rica she did this 8 - 10 times. It was then that I began to wonder if this "balling up" was actually a contraction. As it turns out, that is what they are, but unlike my early labor contractions with Ivy they come and go...although now they're lasting about 30 seconds. The doctor hasn't put me on bedrest, but just said to take it easy. I go back for my regular appointment and glucose screening next week, so I'll update after I get the news from that visit. Let's hope I can make it until at least October before bedrest. That is my goal!
Buckled up for safety...
and four hours later we landed among the green mountain peaks and small colorful houses of Costa Rica! Tio Nan and Tito picked us up at the airport... 3 men, 1 woman, 2 children, and 8 bags in a Suzuki Sidekick. It's a good thing Alex's family is only about five minutes (with traffic) from the airport!
When most people think of vacations they think of sight-seeing and shopping, exploring and relaxing. With our families so far away, our vacations usually include a little of all that, but our focus is spending time with the family!
Here we went to Real Carriari to do a little shopping and ride the carousel...
We spent lots of time on the front proch loving Tita...
time laughing with (and calling for) Tia Yorleny...
we shared a lot of bread and sour cream during our breakfasts at Tita's counter...
and we played, played, played...
We took a trip one morning to the town of Sarchi where the artisans paint, carve, weave, and craft...
Most of the carretas (wagons) are built here...including the largest wagon in the world, carved from a single tree. And guess what! It was build by Alfaro and Sons!
We also had lots of parties in our ten days away! We arrived in time for the final celebrations for the Patron Saint of Costa Rica. Here we are on the corner of Alex's street watching the parade and payasos...
After a little while Tita took Ivy into the street for a close-up! She really like the music provided by a brass band, and when they revised the parade at 4 a.m. the next morning, Ivy wanted to go join them again!
On our third day, Alex's mom and sister hosted a Tea for Isabella. It's the equivalent of a baby shower, but there are definitely some cultural differences! Like a full meal with a wine toast....for the guests!
These are the favor boxes Yorleny spent days making...
Alex and I passed out our favors...
and Ivy indulged in TWO cupcakes that Tia Yorleny made with sparkels!
To keep Ivy from feeling a little left out of the baby's tea, I told her it was a Sisters' Party! She was quite content with that, but her Costa Rican Godmother wanted her to have a party of her very own, so our last Saturday in town we celebrated yet again!
You can tell from the video that Ivy thought it was an excellent idea!
Tia Yorleny spent all morning blowing up and stringing balloons to decorate for the party, of course she had "help" from Ivy and the twins!
After the pizza, popcorn, and cake, there was a pinata for Ivy to break. Once a few pieces of candy fell out, she left the breaking to someone else while she tried to figure out how to get her share. Papa helped her guard her stash!
We finished with a sherbert ice cream treat. Can you say stuffed???
In other news, the day before we left for Costa Rica, I thought I felt Isabella curl up in a ball. It was such a strong sensation that it actually stopped me in my tracks. In just a second though, it she seemed to straighten out. I thought nothing of it. A couple of times a day she would do this, and on the day of her tea in Costa Rica she did this 8 - 10 times. It was then that I began to wonder if this "balling up" was actually a contraction. As it turns out, that is what they are, but unlike my early labor contractions with Ivy they come and go...although now they're lasting about 30 seconds. The doctor hasn't put me on bedrest, but just said to take it easy. I go back for my regular appointment and glucose screening next week, so I'll update after I get the news from that visit. Let's hope I can make it until at least October before bedrest. That is my goal!
Along with all those contractions on the day of the tea, apparently overnight my belly really began to show. I didn't think to take a picture then with so much going on, so here's a picture from this week... Week 26 (6.5 months).
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