Ecuador Day 12

Today was centered around replenishing the food in our house. Luckily, Jace slept in until 6 (I can't believe I am saying "luckily" with that sentence as his usual waking time at home is between 7:30 and 8. But, 6 is certainly better than 5!) I really shouldn't complain either, because Devin woke up with him and I slept until 7. We remembered that the Megamaxi doesn't open until 10, so we went after that. This plaze is a ZOO...seriously. Have a look:

And this picture doesn't even do it justice. 36 check stands open, and all in use with huge lines. Part of it probably has to do with New Years, but the place is always busy when we go.

After lunch and naps, we took another trip to the Santa Clara Market for fruits and vegetables. We love the market scene and let me tell you, the ladies selling their produce there sure love Jace. At one point, while I was trying to tell one woman which vegetables that we wanted, a group of at least five others was gathered around us oohing and ahhing over Jace and his cuteness. We had quite a few today tell us that he resembles a doll. haha. They just aren't used to the white ones, I guess. There was another lady who gave Hallie and Jace both a piece of fruit for free and then as an after-thought (like 3 minutes later) offered one to Flor, too. Poor thing. She just doesn't get the same type of attention here.

On the way home, we also stopped at a bakery to replenish our bread supply. For some reason, we had super chatty taxi drivers both on the way to the market and on the way back. They both were telling us about the New Year's traditions here (burning the dolls) and were so shocked to hear that that is not a way we celebrate in the US. One concluded, "So I guess you don't celebrate there at all, then." I told him we still have parties and such, just no burning dolls on the street. The 2nd taxi driver also told me "You understand Spanish very well!" but no comment about my speaking. haha. It is pretty rough.

The afternoon was spent cleaning our fruit and veggie supply while Devin and Hallie ran back to the Mega for a blender. The owner of our apartment, Andres, is going to find surprise after surprise here when he moves back in. We have basically bought everything for the kitchen, plus towels, blankets, etc. We decided the blender was necessary so that we can make smoothies with all of our fresh fruit. We had one tonight with mora berries and it was delicious. I think I will make an avocado milkshake tomorrow. I love them. Devin, not so much.

The array on the process of being cleaned.

Hallie after her smoothie. Apparently she enjoyed it some?

The days have started to go faster here. We have decided that we need to have a plan every day in order to keep busy. We hope to make one "larger" trip every week or so, but each day get out still, either to the store, to the park, or somewhere. This week has gone by a lot faster than the last. And honestly, we feel like being here right now is a blessing, versus returning right away after getting Flor. We are adjusting to her and getting to know her basically while we are isolated. We know few people around here and are just functioning as our own little unit. Devin and I are always together- and we aren't even sick of each other yet! (That's a joke. I love having him around and always miss him when he is at work, etc.) But, it has been nice for us to be able to handle parenting three kids together for this first little while. We also feel it is a blessing for Flor to adjust to us and us to her without a lot of outside influences around. Then, by the end of the 6 or 7 weeks we are here, we will be more "expert" on her and able to parent her better amidst the challenge of her adjusting to a new home, new school, new family, new neighbors, etc. I can see the good in it being this way, for sure.

Already we are seeing a lot of progress with Flor. She is a very sweet and loving little girl. She wants to please us and is responding well to our parenting thus far. Her "time outs" are becoming far less frequent as she has learned what is okay and what is not okay. One thing we have really made an effort on with her is eating her food more slowly. She is used to just shoveling food into her mouth as soon as it is before her, but we are sitting with her while she eats her meals and encouraging her to eat slowly, swallow, and use her utensils (versus her hands) as she eats. She has made a lot of progress in this area and the floor can show for it after each meal (way less mess generally).

Another area we are working on is potty-training. Like I said, we are not taking this head on, but we are encouraging her to sit on the potty every few hours and attempt to go. She has done it at least once per day for us the last few days, which is great. We have also had her in underwear twice in the afternoon and she can stay dry for hours on end. So, yes, she is ready, though she doesn't want to be! We have taught her some sign language and she has picked up on most signs quickly, but the one she refuses to learn is "bathroom" and we are pretty sure it is because she knows that when she learns it, she will be responsible for it. That little turkey. Oh well, we are excited to see the positive steps forward in her.

It feels more and more each day like she has been with us forever, just like it feels like when we have added a new baby to our lives. All the sudden, one day, you sit and try to imagine and remember what life was like before this special spirit came into your lives, and each day it is harder and harder to do. That is how I feel with Flor. She has only lived with us now for one week (crazy that it's only been one week!), but it feels like she has been a part of us for much longer. She just belongs.

Well, that's it for now. Happy weekend everyone!