Early morning snack

Sunday morning Agustín woke up with Daddy in his bed. He (Agustín) had been tossing and turning all night after a wild and crazy night of chasing wind up toys with Maria Emilia. Andres went to lie down with him so that we could both get some sleep, and ended up falling asleep himself. In the morning they both got up so quietly I had no idea either were awake. There in the kitchen was Agustín, sitting on the counter eating crackers - no bottle, no cereal, but crackers. It is so funny to see him deciding on the things he wants. Normally he would never accept a cracker from us that early in the morning, but this particular morning was different - he decided that a cracker would be his breakfast!

When to Blog

OK, so nobody visits the site because I don't keep it up. I am truly sorry. I guess I have just been using this blog as a way to learn more about blogging. Sometime in the next year I would like to create a blog for writers. I have been reading Mridu Khullar's blog, Jennifer Weiner's, and others', and find them completely inspiring. It is so great to get online and find writers from all over the world. I am determined to get some writing done this year, for my own sanity, but if I can round up a few extra dollars doing it, that would be great. Since we are not getting paid on time and funds are short around here, I need every penny I can get.
I know. Most of you are saying, "What! With a new baby on the way? C'mon, get real." But seriously, for me it is now or never. I have been hanging onto this dream for too long, and it's got me obsessed. One thing that would be great fun would be to write a children's book for Agustin and Nicolás. Not something I would normally be interested in, but how fun would it be to custom-create something for your sons?

My little man

Here is a picture of the little guy who keeps me going...

Quito's Parties

I love this time of year. The hot HOT sunny mornings, the rain in the afternoon, the comidas típicas, the games of cuarenta, the red and blue streamers garlanding the city. Celebrating the foundation of Quito is one of my favorite things. Now, with Agustín's birthday just a couple weeks before that, and Christmas and New Year's right after, it is definitely my favorite time of year. Plus, the mangoes are coming out - juicy and ripe and fragrant. The only thing I'm missing this year is the music - all my Fiestas de Quito music got left in the states a couple years back...
I need to get some pictures of Agustín up on this blog. I have been so bad about taking pictures since we left the States this summer. I think I have taken ONE picture of him, maybe. I also need to videotape him more. He is at the cutest age. And he is so sweet. He kisses and hugs you and says "Love" and then grabs your arm and hugs it. The other day I was sitting on the couch and he put a pillow down and forced me to lie on it. Then he lifted up my feet and put them on the couch so that I would be comfortable. All of this topped with a juicy kiss!!!!
Anyway, I am still trying to figure out how this thing works. Bear with me. I will try to be better about writing.

Moving Out

Well, our house is finally finished and we are just waiting to get the last of things moved in. We don't really want to get into our new house until we have our bed, refrigerator and washer and dryer in there. Laundry is piled up to the roof and our apartment is turned inside out. All of the cleaning supplies are at the new house, so we are living in a pile of dust and dirt at the apartment. Tomorrow my lovely husband said that he will be moving the last of the big objects. Of course, being five months pregnant, I can't...

Rain

Finally, it has rained. Since we returned in July it hadn't rained at all in Quito, and the city is dry and yellow and somewhat depressing. If you go a bit north, you will run into an utter desert. The dirt is kicked up as in the old west and gets into your lungs, suffocating you. The winds have been very strong, also. All in all it has been a very strong summer.

But yesterday it rained. The thunder and lightning were impressive, but the lovely rain that fell cleaned the dust off the car and rejuvenated the spirit. Bring on the rain!