A Bunch of Beach Bums

only about 20 minutes from home

April, Isabella, and sister-in-law Kathy - Isla de Ratones

Notice the great tan Aaron got while he was here - Jobos Beach

Rincón.

We really can't complain.

Photo post!

snorkeling in La Parguera, Puerto Rico

Aaron donning snorkeling gear - it was so beautiful down there

Pedro's brother Luis with friend Pablo in the mangroves

Aaron in a mangrove canal in La Parguera

my brother Adam with Isabella and my neice Kaitlyn

Thanks to Pedro's brother Walo and his technological expertise, we got back some (but not all) of the lost photos. Unfortunately, most of the photos from Minnesota are still gone. We did have the presence of mind to upload them to my mom's laptop but since she doesn't have internet, it's unlikely that we'll see those any time soon. I'll post a few of the pics we found here and more in the sidebar slideshow. Have a look and be sure to leave a comment. We LOVE comments :).

Update

Our month-long trip is going really well. New York was just as fabulous as I thought it would be and I hope to travel there again with a good babysitter on standby so that we can enjoy more things that the city has to offer. Claudia and Jesus were wonderful hosts and we took our time and enjoyed a few things to the full. Little Daniel was so adorable with Isabella - he behaved like her older, wiser friend who protected her from areas she wasn't supposed to be, held her hand, and showered her with baby kisses. Those two ran around Ellis Island just as happy as can be and it was precious to watch.

Our time in Duluth, Minnesota flew by. We drove into town from St. Paul and were greeted by balmy weather and a mini-family reunion - just about all of my immediate family made it out to see us. My mom watched Isabella several times during our visit so Pedro and I went out with my brothers and tried to enjoy the area a bit before we were taken down by a disgusting cold. Our plans for seeing everybody and making at least one hiking trip were nixed. We did manage to convince my youngest brother Aaron to come with us to Puerto Rico, so our farewells were made easier knowing he'd be along too.

Before we left, we found out that Pedro's uncle Vitín suffered a fatal heart attack in Puerto Rico and passed away. Ours hearts are heavy for his family as we missed the funeral by two days. Vitín's brothers and kids were still here when we arrived so we got to visit people Pedro hadn't seen in years and some that I hadn't yet met. Despite the sadness, we all had a really nice time at a party Pedro's brother Walo hosted the day after we arrived.

Since then, we have been trying to show my brother this area of the island. Yesterday we went snorkeling off Walo and Luis's boat in the mangrove islands of La Parguera. It was breathtaking. We got minorly stung by jellyfish a few times, but it was quickly forgotton in beauty of those coral reefs.

For the rest of the week, we are hoping to get in as much beach time as possible before Aaron goes back to the cold climate of Minnesota. This post is without photos because our memory card proved defective and our shots from the whole trip were erased (we may get them back yet - we're trying!). But there will be more, so I will make a photo post soon.

New York!

We're in New York with our friends Jesus and Claudia. We spent yesterday in Manhattan and today in Ellis Island (where my great-grandfather arrived in 1919 from Sweden). We're having a great time but we are already leaving tomorrow for the Minnesota leg of the trip. I would love to post more photos but I don't want to waste much time being online! We'll find an internet cafe in Minnesota, so I will try to keep you posted.

Coming Soon to a City Near You

We just got back from my working vacation trip to Naples and Sorrento in sunny Italy. The weather was perfect and the food was delicious. Isabella was a little angel, she put up with our late night schedules and our pesky habit of taking our time while we ate out. All in all she had a lot of fun and enjoyed taking swims at the pool with Papa and Mama as well as taking an impromptu walk on the beach. In the top picture Isabella was in this restaurant calling the lady in the window (visible in the picture) Abi, the nickname she has for grandma Aida. The lady loved her and at the end I had to take Isabella to say good bye to her given that she got all upset that we were leaving and she had not said goodbye to "Abi." We are taking it easy this weekend in preparation for our long vacation ahead starting next Thursday. We are flying back to the states and Puerto Rico to visit friends and family and we cant wait.

18 Months

Isabella is 18 months now - a milestone that always seemed so, so far away whenever I looked at her 18-month clothing stash (half of which she's still too small for now that she's reached it). In these posts I find myself holding back that tendency every parent has to make sentences beginning with "my baby can do this....and my baby can do that...and my baby is the bestest and smartest baby in the whole wide world because she can do whathaveyou..." But I have to tell you about this thing she started this week that just blows my mind! She can now PUT HER SHOES ON!!! Isn't that crazy? She can put her shoes on by herself, not just her slip on boots but her little loafers, and I'm still baffled by how she is able to do it because it isn't exactly easy. She can also put a skirt or overalls on, provided they are bottom loaded. Her new morning routine is to don shoes then come running to me in the kitchen verbally demanding and signing "Play, Play, PLAY!!!!" Which basically means, "Take me outside immediately!" If not obeyed, this routine is followed by a fit of apocalyptic proportions - and this is where the bragging stops. It's probably hard to imagine this cute, sweet little girl in the photos having such a meltdown, but believe me, it happens several times a day and it ain't pretty.

the daily strawberry forage

We are planning our next trip already. Pedro is going to Naples again in less than two weeks and we already have our tickets. I'm getting a little nervous because Jessi hasn't had her baby yet and I plan on being there (her little girl's due the 24th!!!). But, I'm looking forward to eating pizza every day in the place where it was fabulously invented.

the tomatoes she calls "nummy, nummy, nummy"

Shortly after this "work" trip, we are planning a long family vacation in the US and Puerto Rico. It's been a whole year since my mom and the rest of my family saw Isabella. If we can swing it, we'll be taking a short trip to New York to see some friends on the first couple days of the trip. My passport is chock-a-block full of stamps, but I've never actually set foot in Manhattan. These plans, in fact, are hinging on whether or not I can get more pages in my passport in time for my visa renewal. The British consulate won't renew it without a blank page, and much to my surprise, there isn't one.

the tomato thief - I wish I had caught the shot before that other tomato came off the vine

SO. In the meantime, I will be trying not to think too much on all of the flights that will take us where we want to go because after all this travel I've done, I have developed a very real fear of flying. My palms are sweating even now as I write this. I remember enjoying flying, but after a series of bad landings, terrible turbulence, and the bad news in the news (not to mention that horrible show Air Crash Investigation on Discovery), I have joined the ranks of my family who never visit because they're afraid of flying. Any advice or tips to help counter this irrational thinking are very much welcome.


In closing, I would like to share a laugh with you regarding the weird photo you see below. Isabella loves baby dolls - this one is a creepy-cool thrift store find that I hope to make clothes for at some point. Anyway. I found Isabella carrying the doll around the house yesterday and giving it some kind of crazy tongue-kiss that made me do a double take. Of course, she had fed it a raisin (as you see in the pic) then changed her mind a wanted it back. I guess tongue sucking it out was the best option - albeit unsuccessful.

Who is Benjamin? And More of Summer...

this butterfly was persistent

Isabella has entered the world of triple syllables. She keeps talking about this Benjamin character we have yet to meet (in fact, the only Ben we know lives all the way in Tucson and Isabella has yet to make his acquaintance). She continues to babble, gesticulate and sign but still no clue as to who or what this Benjamin is.

another farmer's market weekend - berries for the voracious berry eater

In other news, Pedro is home from his trip to Italy. We decided to sit this one out because Pedro is expected to make another trip over there before the end of the year. After hearing about the hot weather in Naples I was a teeny bit sorry we didn't go with him.

dirt mustaches are how we roll around here - I have one too

This past weekend we had great weather again and celebrated our bit of summer with a dinner party with seven people. I made a full Italian meal with lots of appetizers, a huge salmon, farro salad, lasagna, and panna cotta with market berries for dessert. We had a blast and I'm resolved to do it more often.

17 months

the inseparable duo

While the rest of the world seems to be suffering under intense heat waves, we in England have been perfectly cool. Though, to be honest, I would love a good heat wave right now - in fact, this very moment I am fighting the urge to put on a sweater on the principle that it's not fall yet, even though it feels like we are already in the downward slope toward winter. The sun has been going down earlier and coming up later - in stark contrast to our extremely long days (sun down around 11pm) and very early mornings (up by 4am). The early sunrises won't be all that missed because Isabella tends to rise with the sun, and that's fun for no one.

so many stunning flowers out back

We had an absolutely wonderful weekend. The weather held out and we got to put in some much needed outdoor time, washing cars, going to the park, and going on a beautiful country hike. In fact, on Saturday, we had a power outage around dusk that lasted long into the night. There was no television, no computer, no noise for miles around. I took the dogs on an extra long walk and left Pedro reading by candlelight. When I got back, the sun was just setting on the horizon and we could see the beautiful colors from our back garden. We actually got to just sit and chat over some crisp, summery Pinot Grigio as it got darker and darker. Once the lights came back on around 11pm, we sighed then turned the t.v. on as if electricity had come back in to spoil the fun. Strange how we condition ourselves to modern life, huh?

yes, weeding on on today's agenda

Today I plan on spending lots of time outside once Isabella wakes from her nap because it looks like it's going to be another lovely day for playing with the dirt.

Six Weeks? Already?

the doll quilt for my niece Paloma

The abuelos are spending their last weekend of this trip with us before they head out on Tuesday. They have been SO much help (have you noticed the increased frequency of blog posts, for one?). I seriously don't know how I am going to manage without all the freedom and extra time I have had during the day to get things done. From righting car problems without a squirmy toddler in tow, to sewing projects and date nights, we have been so spoiled and blessed by their being here these last six weeks. Let me say it loudly now because I am absolutely THANKFUL! And let me say this too - Doña Aida's dinner tonight could easily be my last meal it was so delicious..

the Portabello Pixie dress

So I wanted to show off a couple of my many sewing projects I finished while they kept Isabella entertained.

isa swing woodnewton park 16 mos

Grown-ups? Where?

These are more photos from the 4th of July at our village park. The zip wire is fabulous - you should come visit us just so you can try it for yourself!

Happy Birthday, Pedro!

Pedro turned 34 this weekend and to celebrate, we all packed ourselves into the car for a road trip to possibly the last Roman ruin we hadn't seen in Britain. We went to Verulamium in the London 'burb of St. Albans. It was spectacular.

Then we got back into the car and had dinner at Pedro's favorite sushi restaurant in Cambridge. The restaurant was thankfully packed with loud people, so no one could hear Isabella's tired shouts for freedom.


All in all, we had a really nice time and wrapped up the night with my homemade chocolate birthday cake.

In other news, Isabella is officially potty training. This is not at my behest, but at her own free will. At 16 months she tells me in advance when she has to go potty, then she sits on her potty patiently...and goes. I had heard cloth diapers might encourage things along, but I didn't expect it so soon. She has been able to do this hit and miss (EC style) since infancy, but nothing I've put much effort into. But unlike Kate from the now defunct Jon & Kate plus 8, I won't be posting photos of that!

Video Backlog

I am finally getting around to uploading some videos, so hopefully in the next few days there will be more posted. The problem is that my computer's hard disk is almost full so doing anything like this takes an incredibly long time to do. Keep checking back!

Happy Fourth!

in the kiddie pool - hot weather here!

Isabella and "Abi" - enjoying blueberries, apple, and hummus

sharing her apple

I LOVE this photo

Here are some of this week's photos, taken with my new camera. I got it the same week that my old one had a final meltdown. Happy fourth of July everyone!

Madrid

We're back and due to massive public outcry I will add photos from Madrid. Pedro's mom and dad arrived here two weeks ago, and one week later we were in Spain. So it has been a busy month for us. We've really been racking up the frequent flyer miles, but I have to say that I'm not looking forward to flying anytime soon. We had a terrible flight into Madrid, with the worst turbulence I can remember and I almost lost my lunch - though I've never even come close to having air sickness. Needless to say, we arrived safely there and came safely home.

a bizarre yet highly entertaining street show

The trip itself was fabulous - Spain is my absolute favorite country to visit. The food...the wine...the SUN. We ate rich food for absolutely every meal - manchego, jamón bellota, patatas bravas, olives, and Rioja with everything - red and white. Now that we're back, it's muesli and oatmeal until the cravings come back.

Plaza Mayor with baby Marilyn

Pedro had to work for half of the trip, and while he was busy doing his thing, the abuelos and I explored. We ate lots of ice cream, walked around in the dusty construction obstructed streets (horrible!), spent half a day in the Parque del Buen Retiro (amazing), and visited a photography exhibit called Años 70 - some really awesome photos from the 70's. We also saw all the major museums in the city (the Prado, Reina Sophia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza), though we didn't exactly plan the trip around museums, it just sort of happened that way. Isabella had at least one major freak out in each museum - the Prado being the worst. Her shrieks were emphasized by the cavernous marble interior - I was that person everyone looks on with pity. She wanted to run free, but I drew the line when an old man tripped on her, causing her to fall and almost falling himself. At least she was mostly fine in the airplane.

the Parque where we had a Buen Retiro

Our last two nights there were date nights - the first since Isabella was born. The abuelos watched Isabella while we went out until late. The first night was just dinner, and the second night we went to a flamenco show. I told Pedro I could live in the bottom of a glass of Rioja if set on a table in a flamenco tablao - what trumps Spanish guitar and emotional dancing?