Ups and downs

Today was a day of ups and downs - just an ordinary day in the life of a 2-and-a-half year old.







The morning was quite lovely. L woke up a bit early (6-ish), so I tried to get her to sleep a little longer with some caressing. And then, she turned over to cuddle with me. What emotions poured over me? So many, I can't even put them into words. We stayed dozing for another hour or so.


We kept pretty close to the routine I am trying to establish, except naptime didn't really work out too well. When we came back from our morning excursion to check out the brand new Fontbella Plaza (a very chi-chi mall), I began to cook rice and beans. But like last night me cooking seems to trigger for L memories of her foster mom. So she cried and cried while I cooked.

Then, the pineapple yogurt smoothie L & I shared earlier in the day decided not to agree with me. So between trying to cook, her crying, and my upset stomach, it was definitely a low point of the day.

L was so upset, I gave her a bottle to try and settle. She still takes a bottle at nap and bedtime. I'm not going to try and ween her until we are home. Just too much transition, you know? She slept for maybe an hour or so, but woke up twice crying.

Once she awoke for good from her short nap the day took a turn for the better. We were playing for some time and it was just a lot of fun. She was talking up a storm, pushing her babydoll around in its toy stroller and the teddy bear around in its toy stroller (I brought one down and the foster parents brought one with her).

We were about to leave for an afternoon walk when I got a call that a friend of mine from work -- who I knew was in Guatemala for the Easter Holidays and who I'd been playing phone tag with - was here with her husband to visit .

She brought flowers and a balloon for L. It really touched me so much. She invited me to a barbecue at her sister's house on Sunday. Gives me something to look forward to!

We were really on a high when we headed out for our afternoon walk. What I didn't know is that rush hour on Fridays here starts at 4 (should have known, being from another capital city).

So the walk was like walking along the track during a NASCAR rally. Certain streets are just impossible to cross with a stroller. I mean these people will NOT slow down for anyone or anything!

We got back safely, but as soon as we walked in the wailing started. I think when we return to the hotel, L knows she will be here another night and it makes her sad -- totally understandable. I definitely had my patience tested. This chica has lungs on her!

I decided, let's try to eat. So I warmed up the rice & beans that were supposed to be lunch. And guess what, not only did she stop crying, she ate every last piece of rice in that bowl, literally!

But once all the food was gone, more crying. So I thought, "she's in a bad mood anyway, might as well give her a shower." Oh yes, a shower. Did I mention there are no bath tubs in this hotel? Believe me, I asked. Well a few gritas (shouts) later, she was cleaned up, dried off, and ready for bed.

Prepping for bed was pretty darn good. We transitioned from couch and puzzles, to bed and lullabies pretty easily. The real highlight of the day came when she looked into my eyes as I sang her own personalized lullaby to her.

Ending the day on that "up" made all the "downs" of the day worth it.