For us, 2011 was the year when we became parents. This has been the most joyous, nerve-wracking, trying, tiring, gratifying and fulfilling experience of our lives (and she's not even one year old). I am grateful for many things, but especially for our little Lucia.
As we look back we have been blessed in so many ways it is hard to summarize here, plus I already talked about that in my previous Thanksgiving post.Lucia turned 8 months last week. She got the two front teeth my American friends sing about every Christmas :). She has been developing so many new motor and mental skills it is hard to keep track of them every day. Belinda has been doing an amazing job as a mom, housekeeper, milk lady, rocking champion, playmate, cook, nutritionist, nurse and baby fashionista. I have asked her if she misses her days working at the hospital and she always replies "are you kidding? No!". She misses her co-workers but definitely prefers the aroma of a fresh poopy diaper to some of the patients' well-aged scents she had to put up with every now and then at the hospital. :)
Speaking of diapers I have to point out the obvious, but something I am very grateful for. During the first few months, when their poop is runny and gets EVERYWHERE, at least it doesn't stink. Now that it is starting to stink (a lot), at least it is usually contained in one little pile and we don't have to deal with diaper explosions the way we did initially. So I guess it is one more of the many tradeoffs we experience as Lucia continues to grow. Here here for stinky AND solid!
Lucia has been sleeping longer and longer every day. Last night she slept for 11 hours straight (8pm to 7am) and she just woke up from a 2-hour nap. This girl is probably going through a growth spurt and mommy and daddy are enjoying every minute of it!
Glenda (Belinda's mom) got a job in Portland and finally moved over on December 6th, becoming officially 100% of the family we have in town. It is so nice to have her living a few blocks away from us. On Monday Belinda and I went to the movies for the first time since Lucia was born. Bear in mind that we used to go to the movies at least once every two weeks so this was a very special date for us.
Everyone told us that the best Christmas present for the baby is the wrapping paper and we confirmed it a few days ago when we opened presents. Lucia was in wrapping paper heaven for a few hours. Here's a little video we made in case you haven't already seen it on our facebook accounts.
