A parade, a circus, and a tantrum

Today was a big day! We saw a parade, a circus (well clowns at least) and I experienced the first major L tantrum (one of many to come I am sure).

After a restless night - there was some kind of dance party going on last night until about 1 a.m. -- we awoke slowly.

We headed out to mass and arrived just in time. We only made it through the homily this time because the priest was still talking at 9:40 (this is 9 a.m. mass mind you). So, again, I hope I'll be forgiven.

We then went to Los Alpines again for breakfast. Everything was going swimmingly except L fell off her chair. I was totally thinking she should be in the chair with arms. But did I follow my instincts? So the meal ended with tears, but soon we came upon a diversion - a parade!

As I found out last week, they close off Avenida Reforma on Sunday mornings for people to stroll, run, and bike. But today there were two things happening - a foot race and a parade to celebrate the eradication of polio (which I guess happened three years ago?).

So we stopped to watch the marching bands. Everything was going fine, and then it came. The first real tantrum since I've been here. I've experienced her so upset that she pukes, so sad she wails, but this was a real terrible-two tantrum - flailing of arms, writhing, hitting and pinching. What was it about? Who knows?

And to think that last night while I was chatting with my friend, Aileen I said I hadn't seen a real tantrum yet (because with six nieces and four nephews, I have seen some tantrums I tell you!). But today was the first and I'm sure not the last.

So after she had calmed down, we watched until the parade ended. Then more tears. But we got "home" and all was OK. Naptime was nice -- I even slept for a while. I'm not totally sure she slept, but she was quiet for about an hour and a half.

The afternoon I had planned for us to go to my fave mall, Fontabella Plaza, because they were having a circus for kids. So we headed there and really enjoyed watching the clowns. My favorite was Karim, the main clown. L, while not really expressive, was certainly intent on watching all the action.

After the clowns, and some window shopping. L was ready to return home. What a day! We had a dinner of left overs, a short bath, a little Jorge el Curioso, and off to sleep -- before 7:30 woo hoo!

I had extra time tonight to chat with Glenn and my friend Elena. It has been a good day (well, except the tantrum part).

I hope tomorrow is an even bigger day, in terms of the adoption. Our facilitator is supposed to get L's new birth certificate in the morning and then all of us go get L's Guatemalan passport in the afternoon. I am praying extra hard that it all goes smoothly.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I will post as soon as possible tomorrow!