The end

Well, this will my last post in this blog. I have always wanted to keep this blog for one year only and it has been accomplished! Mateo is 13 months now and he is really growing and learning. There will be lots of exciting things to report but I will do it in a general way. Now I need to find a way to have this blog made into a book that I can give to Mateo as a gift but this is a project that will have to wait right now. 

In the mean time, I have started a new blog called "Back in Ecuador". I know I am not in Ecuador yet but we are doing so many things to prepare that keeping this new blog will help. I plan to write often about the adventures we get into as a family in our new country.

We are very excited to move this summer!

Bye bye

Starting the second year sick

It all started the day we went to get the vaccinations. Mateo got a shot in each limb, I wish we spread them a bit so the effect on his little body was not as cruel. The afternoon of the shots he did very well. I thought he will be just fine. The day after, he had pain in his legs and did not want to walk much. A day later he woke me up with vomit and cry. We went to the emergency room just in case. After few hours there we were sent home with some pills. The past 3 days my baby has had diarrhea and some vomit. I was told that it will pass in 7 to 10 days! Today he seemed to be better but his bugs are now attacking me and Pat. We are sick today with a stomach flu. 

Finally tonight, Mateo wake up crying uncontrollably. It is scary when we do not have a clue what could it be. After some thinking and talking on the phone with the nurse, we conclude that his molars are coming out and that must hurt. I gave him some medicine for that and he finally went to sleep. I am ready to have my baby back! The healthy, silly baby who just turn one year old. 

My FIRST birthday!

Mateo's birthday came and went and he had so much fun, two days in a row. Yesterday, his actual birthday (4/23) we went out for lunch to an italian restaurant and to the Children's Discovery Museum afterwards. At the restaurant he was brought a little cake with a candle. He stared at the flame puzzled and this year, I blew it out for him and made a wish in his name. Then, a couple of hours at the discovery museum were well spent. He experienced flying balls, wet balls, rolling balls, noisy balls and lots of sand and music.

Your first cake and candle

Cool bubbles

agua

Today we had a little birthday party planned for him. Olivia and Isaac were the only friends who made it, all others did not come for several reasons. Over all, he had a great time, playing with water, sand, toys and bubbles! 

Now he is fast sleep! 

Cake and candle at home

A year ago...

One year back, on a Thursday, at around this time, I was holding a just born baby. I was just falling in love with the little being placed in my arms. This first year of Mateo's life has passed so fast. I am glad I kept records of all the things that we did and happened in this blog, otherwise, I would not be able to remember all. I know one day I will spend time reading and looking at this blog's pictures and videos and bringing back great memories. Mateo's first year of life. Anita's first year as a mom and Pat's first year as a dad. It has been wonderful above all and we look forward to the second year. Most of the second year will take place in Ecuador!

after he was born

a year later

Walking!

It finally came the day when Mateo walked on his own (4/11/2010). It took exactly one month since he took his first steps alone. I do believe they have a very precise clock regulating all their developmental milestones. It is so fun to watch him be independent. 

Now his non-stop energy have us follow him all over the house many, many times exploring everything. A new life has began for him... and for us!