11/16-11/17 Hanging with the girls

First great breakthrough, Shannon slept through the night 7ish to 7ish. I was glad to know that we can cut out the 11pm bottle!! The last two days have been relaxed playing with Nana and taking long walks. Shannon is really determined to sit up on her own and works really hard at it all day. She's also babbling like crazy all the time. She really seems to respond to my voice which makes me so happy, and is beginning to respond when she hears her name. I can't believe how much you can love a little person in only 3 weeks!! Another family just found out they got their final court appointment tomorrow, so hope for news for us soon!! We're having fun but we're ready to come home even if it's cold!!

First Day with NANA

Mom made it to Betty's Place about 1015 last night. It's so nice to have her hear. Shannon was a busy girl today!! We skyped with Sean this morning (We miss you daddy!), went for a walk to the park, ate slept and walked again. She's growing so fast we're going to run out of clothes for her before we leave Colombia. We're going to brave forgoing the 11pm bottle tonight and see if she sleeps through the night. Nana and Shannon had a blast playing and talking to each other. Best of all we found good wine at the local grocery store. We're just waiting for the call that we have our final court appointment. Once we have that date, we know we're leaving Bogota within a week.

Day one Solo launch

Day one as a single parent went as smoothly as could be expected. She wasn't hungry at bedtime so who knows if I will pay for it tonight. Now I just have to power through staying up to give the 11pm bottle.

11/12-11/13 Eating adventures

It's been a calm couple of days. Beautiful weather in the am. Shannon and I have gotten out for walks two days in a row. She's growing like a weed and still eating alot but not like the horse of the last few days. I guess her latest growth spurt has slowed down. We'll be ready for the next time. She's talking all the time, and working so hard to sit up on her own. I think she'll be sitting up independently by next week. It is amazing how everyday there's something new. Thursday the whole group of us from Betty's place walked over to a local hamburger place called El Corral (get it??!!) for lunch. Delicious burgers and the best chocolate malt I have had in a long time. Last night the group of us went out to dinner to a local steak restaurant. We had Sangria, steak and the best fried plantain I have had in a long time. And yes Ricardo, I finally had my first Arrepa. It was mom and dad's first night not putting Shannon to bed but we all survived. Shannon actually slept in (after her 530 talkabout) till just after 7. I was completely confused when I woke up. Sean leave tomorrow and my mom comes in Monday night. Sunday and Monday should be busy, interesting days. I am hoping she and I survived, relatively unscathed.. Probably wont have much time to blog until Grandma comes in to help out.

First Swing Set Ride

Guatavita and FANA Visit 11/8.11/9

What a busy two days sorry. Yesterday (Tuesday) 11/8 we spent the day outside of Bogota, visiting an Indiginous village up into the mountains above the village Sesqueila.. We received a tour of the village from a local medicine man..We ate at a local restuarant and after chicken and rice we were ready for our next adventure. We drove to Guatavita the lagoon that holds the legend of El Dorado. The Spanish heard that this lagoon held a treasure trove of pure gold. In their brilliance they decided to blast into the mountain and drain the lagoon. Turns out NO GOLD!! Who thought of that??? We hiked to the top of the mountain, an incredible view of the Andes. We then planted a tree in Shannon's honor on the mountain..We arrived home just in time to put Shannon to bed..
Today we had a wonderful visit to FANA to see where Shannon was for the first 4 months of her life. We also had the honor of learning more about Shannons background. We are truely lucky to have this angel brought into our life!! She enjoyed her visit to FANA wrapped in Cashmere!! Realized today that her color is plumb thanks BETTY!

11/7 and 11/8

Last two days have been much smoother as we figured out that poor Shannon was starving that's why she had been a cranky girl. Now we know when she's cranky she's hungry just like her mother. NO TEETHING, yet!! Highlights of the last few days. We tried feeding her rice cereal but she got frustrated eating from a spoon, TOO SLOW! She wants to gulp it down so we're adding rice cereal to her bottle which she's sucking down. Also, she had her first ride in a swing outside in the sunshine while it lasted. She seemed to enjoy it but also a bit tentative. What a day, we walked we swung, we ate and we pooped, WHAT A LIFE!! As for our court appointment we found out this afternoon it's court five. Not bad so we've heard. Tomorrow were off with Jorge to Guatavita where the legend of El Dorado originates from. We will also be planting a tree in our daughters honor while we're there. They will place a plaque with her name on it so she will always have a piece of her here in Colombia.. Early to bed tonight as Shannon was an early riser. MB thanks for skyping this am it was great to talk to you and see munchkins!! Also thanks for the sleep schedule it's definately helping too!