Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Konichiwa Japan

It is now six weeks since we have been in Japan, and I apologize for the limited number of pictures I have to show for it.  Eléa has been settling in well and has made many new friends and admirers... Her mother, me, has managed to make some new buddies as well, thank goodness.  After the initial crazy period of getting a handle on all the logistics in a foreign country (e.g. internet, cell phone, bank account, etc.), we have finally begun settling into a routine.  Days consist of trips to the park, indoor play areas and play dates with friends.  Eléa is a huge fan of her bike seat and bike helmet and loves to just ride around town.  She is too brave sometimes, and many of the Japanese parents are in awe of all the things she does by herself.....like slide down the extremely fast concrete slide over and over by herself.  I will try to be better about taking photos, and keep everyone updated.

Eléa and her new buddy Marcus

Ball of cuteness!

Settling in to her new digs

So many new friends.  The child on the left, is her new besty, Shion.

Japanese style....

Fun at the park.

Loving outside



Eléa at the Imperial Palace


Eléa's preferred seat!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Aloha: Hawaiian Adventure 2011

Eléa surprised us all and was such a super traveller.  She did the nine hour flight to hawaii with no tears and not too much tearing down the aisle.  Thank goodness for the extra hands of abuelita and abuelito.  Hawaii was amazing.  The sun, the water, the amazing house we stayed in.  Eléa loved the beach and bravely ran into the waves, much to her parents chagrin... She also loved the house and particularly the wrap around deck where she spent hours running back and forth, playing with her box, a chair and her baby.  It was great to have so many extra hands, allowing Luke and I to even make it out on a short hike.  Not that Eléa didn't thrive on so much attention.  She loves her tia and abuelitos and grew more and more attached.  We had a blast and are so grateful to abuelito and abuelita for taking us on this trip.  

Traveller galore!

Papi and me ocean time....

Mami and me beach time...

the gardens of the house.... really!

the view from the house, and our bedroom.... really!


the nuclear family

snoozing on the sand

paradise

what? it's bright in paradise!

abuelita made me.....!

the queen's throne

2011-10-26

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Houston...


Eléa had a blast in Houston with her abuelitos.  Her top favorite activities included mornings at the park, playing with dirt on the balcony, eating corn, climbing and swimming.  She continues to be super friendly, smiling and flirting with all.  Eléa has become a master communicator and her pointing and dragging us by the hand tells us everything we need to know.  Though she is talking up a storm and clearly understanding both English and Spanish, we have yet to decipher a clear first word. 

more splash pad fun!
What????Me???

first slide experience with abuelita...


Mami and me pool time.

I do love my food! Can you tell?

Too cute!

Yummy, yummy corn!

Cbildren's museum fun...
Hey, that's MY corn!

Friday, September 2, 2011

Austin Fun

I love Grandma!

We spent a month in Austin, and had a blast.  Eléa's top favorites: 1) Splash pads, 2) Playgrounds, 3) and of course Grandma and Grandpa.  She loved her grandparents and it was extremely nice to have the extra hands.  Eléa had a daily morning trip to Barton Springs and was braver than her mother in getting into the icy water.  She also started to get in her one year molars without too much fuss and finally started sleeping through the night (though simultaneously decided it was fun to wake up at 5am).  Eléa enjoyed running around Grandma and Grandpa's house and playing with her Papi's old toys.  She also is clearly developing a personality and has started pointing and grabbing your hand and dragging you to wherever she wants you to go.  Eléa continues to fine tune her masterful flirting skills and is particularly smiley with strangers.  We left Austin in mid-August to head to Houston.  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for being wonderful hosts and incredible grandparents!
I love my splash pads!

I want you!


I love to throw balls....

Musical genius at work.

All smiles!

Did I mention I like to get in and out of boxes or trucks?

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Elea: Live in Action

Check out these amazing videos of our adventures over the last month!


Austin fun!

We have been enjoying life in Austin, and Eléa has visited many a splash pad and played some guitar at the Children's museum.  We were also able to see the Austin bats (largest urban colony of bats) one night as grandma and grandpa were nice enough to invite us and abuelo, abuela and tia ariane were nice enough to babysit.... Thanks!

too cool for school.










what?