Hellos

On the heels of Theo and Toby's visit came Gwendolyn's other set of grandparents - John and Sharon. Also here to meet our new little man, and to reunite with his big sister.

They stepped into their role immediately - and Gwendolyn was delighted to see them!

Good-byes

All too quickly, my parents' visit came to an end. The last night of the visit we tried to take some group photos with the camera on timer. Despite a few obstacles (Gwendolyn running away!) and a bit of resistance (David claiming it was too staged), we managed to get some good ones. I think my favorites are the failed but funny attempts.

And a lot of wonderful memories! Theo and Toby, we miss you so much. Nearly every day Gwendolyn asks if we can take an airplane to visit Tulip the Dog's house, because we've told her that's where you are. We can't wait to see you in Chocorua.

El Valle

 

In the final few days of my parents' visit, we drove up the mountains to spend a night in El Valle. We found a great hotel for Gwendolyn, it seemed to be half playground, half petting zoo, complete with packets of food to feed each of the different types of animals.

 

We spent a happy weekend, hiking in the rain, visiting the market, and a new one for Gwendolyn - horseback riding!

Simon, again, proved to be a pretty good traveler.

Milena Visits

Rachelle is in Gamboa this month teaching a field course, but Lubo and Milena came for just a week. Here they are, mere hours after their arrival from Denmark. Wonderful to see them again!

A strange feeling of déjà vu - it's been almost exactly a year since we saw them, Gwendolyn and Milena are just about a year apart, so their roles have suddenly shifted - Gwendolyn is about where Milena was last visit, and now Milena has shot ahead. We realize it will always be like this, as much as they both grow, Milena will always be a year ahead :). But as Rachelle pointed out, that gap will seem smaller the older they get.

The age gap did not inhibit them from immediately starting Gwendolyn's favorite bouncing game.

Or curling up together with a book.

We had a fun (surprise!) visit from Maria Leone. 

 After taking care of triplet grandchildren, Maria is a natural at baby calming.

Milena was very curious about sleepy Simon.

And here, very sleepy herself. We later learned that it was close to 4 in the morning Denmark time - she did amazingly well!

Theo Love

So many wonderful Taisie shots from this week, it's very hard to choose. The best morning I don't have any pictures of. Taisie came and took Gwendolyn off on an adventure, "just the two of us" (to the gift store in the nearby hotel it turns out). Gwendolyn enjoyed her one-on-one time so much that the next time we were leaving the house she wanted to know if she and Taisie were going "just the two of us" again. I said, no, Simon and I were thinking of going too - and Gwendolyn looked a little disappointed. She loves her grandmother!

Here are a few images from the week. Helping Gwendolyn prepare Simon for the pool.

Checking out the kayaks on Isla Grande.

Coaxing SMILES out of little Simon!

 

And snuggling in for a nap.

Toby Love

 

One morning this week, Toby arrived at our house early, before everyone was up. Gwendolyn was more than happy with his arrival, and took it upon herself to entertain him (well, vice versa).

Each time I came down to check on them, they were pursuing a new activity. Here's Toby helping Wren sort puzzle pieces - edges, corners and center pieces.

 

 And my favorite shot of all - true Grandpa love to let Gwendolyn adorn him in flowers.

A Trip to Isla Grande

Sunday morning we set off for the Caribbean coast - Simon's first real trip. In retrospect, we chose a pretty adventurous first trip for a 6-week-old: an hour and a half car trip over some pretty windy roads, a short but turbulent ride in an open boat, and a cross island hike. But Simon did really well! He stayed snugly in his sling most of the time, with little breaks to nurse, cry and coo.

Our favorite spots were these docks extending out over the water. What looks like a glorious evening sunset is actually Mom's slowly disintegrating camera. Most of the trip pictures had this curiously pink hue.

Gwendolyn had a great time, basking in her grandparents' affection. She did incredibly well, swimming for hours, hiking uncomplainingly up and over the island, hopping in and out of boats, and taking her afternoon nap on the makeshift cushions of an island restaurant.

A restaurant that we were all very happy to find - David so much so that he photographed his lunch :).

Arrived!

The grandparents have arrived! We've only had one full day together so far, but already it seems (wonderfully) like they've been here all along. Gwendolyn has been anticipating this visit for months. The last few weeks she's been picking up anything remotely resembling a phone and saying "Taisie? Toby? You want to come to my house? Okay! Bye!" Her many invitations finally worked - Theo and Toby arrived late Wednesday night, and Gwendolyn has already latched fully on to both of them.

Here she is holding Toby's hand, echoes of him holding my hand when I was little, walking on similar concrete walls - "slow and careful..."

A captive audience for showing off her new swinging skills.

And finally - the long-awaited introduction of baby Simon!

We had a very full first day - swimming at the resort pool.

Missing from this scene - David points out - is his tropical drink. Otherwise, complete contentment.

The inaugural use of our new dining room table.

And finally flan - to celebrate Toby's (belated) birthday.

So wonderful to have Toby and Taisie here....!