more pics

Playing with abuelita Edelmira's Christmas figurines... yes, I broke it.

Talking to Grandpa and Grandma Olsen on Skype

Giving myself kisses in the mirror of my new toy that Uncle Jose brought me

Hello!

Sitting on the couch with all my stuffed animals

This is where Mateo sleeps at night, next to Mom and Dad

Jasney, Mateo and Jose

Out for a Sunday stroll on the "ciclovia" - streets in Bogota on Sunday morning are closed for bicycling, jogging, walking ... Mateo loves to be out and about. Notice my camoflauge hat, that was a gift from our next door neighbors in Omaha. It reads: My first SUV and has a picture of a tricycle.

My great uncle Rafael and Fanny brought me this big orange ball to play on

Playing with Daddy

Mateo and Isabella

Playing with my second cousin Isabella at the Cogua baby shower

It's been a while since our last post... Mateo has been keeping us busy! That and Uncle Jose from Florida arrived on Saturday, and we have had lots of visits.

Mateo is doing wonderfully well. He seems to be thriving in his new family. He definitely knows who "mama" is and when he smiles at you with those big brown eyes, it's one of the most rewarding things I have ever experienced. It is definitely a blessing that he was sick those first few days, because the bond that formed is strong.

We still have to give Mateo some medicine - for asthma and reflux only now. We sing to him and try to get him to forget that it's not really that fun to have all that stuff shoved in your face. Sometimes our distraction tactics work - sometimes they don't. Either way, once it's done, he's a happy boy again.

Abuelito Jose is absolutely crazy about Mateo. He says he's going to get a picture of his "cabezon" (which is grandpa's term of endearment that translates "big head" ... have you seen So I Married an Axe Murderer - HEEEAAD!?) dressed in Nebraska gear blown up to hang in his office... the name of abuelito's business? NEBRASKA TOURS. He is positively enamoured with his grandson.

Mateo is crawling pretty well now, too. At first, he really only propped himself up on his front arms, not a lot of mobility. Now, he can make his way through the apartment even with the slick wood floors. Imagine what he could do on carpet!

Next week we should get news of our interview with ICBF (Institute of Colombian Social Welfare) and begin the official court process.

Hope you enjoy these new pictures!

Chester

We wouldn't want to forget to tell you about our other "baby" ... Chester is doing just fine, staying at the house of his friend, Rosco. The two are having a great time running around all day. On Saturdays, Jaimie's parents pick Chester up to go on a walk in his home neighborhood and be at our house for a while. They say he mopes around until he gets back to Rosco's house when he starts wagging his tail like mad. You can see from this picture that the two dogs have all but taken over the Ramirez household. :) Thank you so much Jill and Tim for taking care of our Chester while we're here in Colombia! Chester, we miss you!

Visits, Baby Showers & the Park

A visit from Mariela and Gustavo Garzon.


Playing with my cousin Isabella. (Liliana, Isabella, Jose Fernando and Mateo)

I love pulling mi abuelito's hair!

Mom, Dad and Mateo.

Sporting my baby shower outfit with Daddy.

Looking handsome for the baby shower.

Friday night was a baby shower for Mateo with Edelmira's girlfriends. There were 22 of us all together and it was a wonderful night. Mateo was charming as usual, and he always livens up at the end of the evening (especially when we take off his day clothes and let him crawl around in his onesie... who doesn't like to run around in their underwear?). Jasney and Edelmira planned a fun evening with games and advice from each of Edelmira's friends.

Mateo and abuelita Edelmira.

This morning we went to the park again, which is right behind los abuelos apartment. It's a beautiful green space with a walking path, slide and swings. Mateo loves going down the slide with Daddy holding him, and he loves swinging with Mommy. Always big smiles.

Yesterday, Jose Fernando's best friend growing up - Vladimir - and his wife, Sandra, visited with their 14 month old daughter, Isabella. We had a wonderful afternoon together. Isabella and Mateo became quick friends. Mateo's godfather, Hamilton, also came to visit.

Sandra, Isabella, Jaimie & Mateo.

Vladimir, Mateo and Jose Fernando

Hamilton and Mateo.

In mis abuelos bedroom.

It's incredible how much Mateo has changed in the past 8 days! Today we kept looking at him and commenting on how much longer he seems and how much more he seems to weigh. He eats like a crazy person and if he doesn't get enough to eat quickly enough he starts grunting and clenches his fists and gets all tense. We're trying to work him out of this silly habit ... our theory is that this is something he did at Pisingos when he got frustrated for whatever reason, but with us, he really has nothing to be frustrated about - especially going from 1 caretaker for every 10 babies to 5 caretakers for just Mateo! :)

Last night he had a great time in his bedroom (our bedroom) playing on the bed with his (grandparents) abuelitos Cogua, Great Grandma Carmen and us. Abuelito Agapito shows him new tricks every day that make Mateo laugh and giggle. Tonight while Mateo was laying on the bed, abuelito put Mateo's arms flat to his sides and rolled him back and forth like rolling down a hill except flat on the bed. Oh, Mateo just LOVED it. After several turns at that, Mateo started rolling himself back and forth - a new little trick in agility.

The best time of the day for Mateo is right after he wakes up in the morning or after a nap. His cheeks are rosy and he smiles and smiles. And he obviously sleeps like an angel.

my bathroom and my dog

Feeling better

We're all three feeling much better. Mateo's symptoms are seem to be calming down significantly. Mommy feels MUCH better, but her voice is gone. Daddy is getting better, but this seems to be the second time he's had this little virus so it's taking a bit longer to kick it!

Mateo is learning new things every day. Yesterday we went out of the house for the first time since going to the doctor. The Cogua family tradition is a cookout in one of the parks in Bogota. This year was right next to Great Grandparents apartment, so it was easy for Mateo to be both inside and outside for a little while. We took a cute picture of Mateo, Jose Fernando (Daddy), Jose Agapito (Grandpa), and Agapito (Great Grandpa) all dressed in NEBRASKA HUSKERS gear. :) The picture is on the video camera though and we can't figure out how to download those pictures/video. As soon as we do though...

And today we went to one of the many malls and walked around a bit while looking for some toys for Mateo to play with. Would you believe that everything here baby related (Carter's, Fisher Price, Graco, etc.) is 3-5 times more expensive? For example, we were hoping to pick up a sit and play time toy that in the U.S. would cost around $40. Here the price was 240,110 colombian pesos - more or less $110 USD. We're hoping our brother-in-law might bring a fun toy with him when he comes to Colombia in a couple of days - save a couple bucks!

Tomorrow should be another beautiful day in Bogota. Lots of sun, warm and bright.

Playing

Playing with Grandma Edelmira.

Playing with Grandpa Agapito. In the backgroung you can see the stroller (Jose's) Aunt Rosita gave Mateo for Christmas.

The other day Mateo was playing with Grandpa Jose Agapito and grandpa was dropping the ball over Mateo's head and catching as it fell. You can guess what happened next... poon! The little ball landed right between Mateo's eyes. We laughed and laughed and said it was good practice for when Mateo plays soccer and heads the ball. :) Don't worry. The ball is soft and spongy.