Christmas!

This year we were planning to spend Christmas in the U.S. Gabriela and I left Argentina a month early, because Nichy was going on a fifteen day road trip. Instead of staying in Argentina we came back and have been working on the Tumblebus everyday! We have four daycares and in January we are starting four new ones! Things are going well, and we are still learning a lot everyday!

I was suppose to pick Nichy up on the 20th from the airport. When he tried to board his flight in Buenos Aires they would not let him on the flight. Nichy is a U.S. resident but his green card got lost in the mail. He has a document that says he is a resident and one saying his green card is in route. However, the management at the airlines did not see it that way and would not let him on the flight. We panicked for two days and did everything we could to get him here. The last we heard was our lawyers had got a hold of our State Representative and they faxed urgent paper work to the Embassy to let Nichy travel. Since Nichy only had a week break we were running out of time. We decided to all meet up in Panama! Nichy surprised his parents and two days later Gabriela and I surprised them! It was great,and we really feel that everything worked out for the best.

Gabriela is loving Panama and had a lot of presents waiting here for her! Nichy's parents will buy toys and clothes throughout the year for her. It is a good thing I brought a big suitcase! She loves playing with her Abuelo Nicho and I think they are both wearing each other out! Yesterday we were laughing because he took two naps.

Santa came to see her in the U.S. and brought her a pink kitchen! We had a great Christmas this year and feel very blessed. God has answered so many prayers with Nichy's family and our family. We are excited for 2011 and thankful for our health.

Update

Gabriela is loving to dress up in princess dresses and pretend play! Lately she has been talking a lot about Queens and loves when I tell her pretend stories. One of her favorite things is dressing up Mommy and putting makeup on her. She tells me to "close your eyes," "keep them shut," and "que linda Mommy." I never thought I would be getting a make over from my two year old daughter!

Gabriela has started cooking with me. I let her spice the meat, stir, crack eggs, and add water into the bowl! She loves it and it gives her something to do when I am preparing dinner. Of course it can get messy at times, but we usually try and clean up before Daddy gets home! Baking is her favorite and she loves licking the bowl! We don't have a dishwasher here and hand wash all the dishes. This is always something she loves to do and it helps me out! She will spend thirty minutes at the sink using half the bottle of soap and only wash two plates!!

Halloween In Argentina!!!

Every year I am always missing being in The States for Halloween. Nobody celebrates it like the U.S. or has the great costumes! This year I decided to invite Gabriela's friend over for a mini Halloween party. She had eight people over, and they all wore costumes. This was the first time any of them had dressed up for Halloween. Jessica came over and dressed up as a clown and also painted their faces. We had games, candy, cupcakes, and pumkins for each of them. The best part of the party was taking the kids trick or treating! It was great because they don't do that here! The kids did not know we bought the candy previously and gave it to some people we knew to hand out!! They just thought it was great going to peoples houses and stores saying "trato o tuco"for candy! I will never forget the smile on there faces or our friends who were giving them candy. Nichy had a game that night so we took the kids to the club for trick or treating also. Apparently Gabriela was the big talk with the broadcasters at the game because she had her costume on. I am trying to get a copy of it! All of my friends keep telling me she was on television a lot!!

Getting In a Routine

It is always hard the first week I arrive to learn how to relax and embrace the slower lifestyle. Since we have arrived I joined a gym, and Gabriela started pre-school. I really had mixed emotions about Gabriela starting preschool. I love being home with her and have never had problems getting her playdates and interaction with other kids. Also, I feel like she has a long rode ahead of school and didn't want to start too early. However, it is only three hours a day and she goes three times a week! It was a great situation for us, because the teacher Jessica was Gabriela's babysitter last season. She is wonderful and so good to Gabriela.

Each day I pick up Gabriela she is singing a song or counting in Spanish. Gabrieal is speaking more and more Spanish everyday. It will be interesting to see if she will continue to speak English or only use her Spanish. She makes complete sentences in English and can pretty much say whatever she needs. Her Spanish is mostly words, songs, and a few short sentences. Daddy took her to pre-school today for the first time. When I picked her up she asked "donde esta mi dada."

Since we have been back we have been going to weekly asados and hanging out with friends. Nichy will be home for two weeks so I am hoping to have our weekly dates nights! This weekend The South American tournament starts. Last year we were the champions. Quimsa is not playing well this year. They stacked the team with "all start players." Which looks good on paper, but they are not meshing well.

We made it!

My dad took Gabriela and I to the airport on Wednesday. On the way there he said "Morgan this kinda sad because this might be the last time you and Gabriela live with me." The last two years we have been living with my Dad when we come back. We bought Lindsay's house and moved all of our stuff the week before we left! Who would think when you are thirty one you would be sad not to live with your Dad anymore!! I know he has loved having us stay with him in the summers. He and Gabriela are very close and everyday she always ask "where is Grandpa?" She will answer herself by saying "is he on the Tumblebus," or "is he playing softball." I can honestly say I feel like I have the best Dad in the world and Gabriela has the best Grandpa!! She is going to miss all the icecream Grandpa would give her and justify it to me by putting bananas on it!!

Gabriela did great on the flight. She had a small meltdown in Oklahoma City. One of the airplanes took off, and she started screaming crying! I think she thought it was the airplane she was supposse to get on to see her Daddy! I quickly assured her we had a different airplane to get on. We traveled from Oklahoma City, Houston, Buenas Aires Int, Buenas Aires airport, and arrived in Santiago Del Estero! Each airport Gabriela would say "I want to get on another airplane." All week I told her we were going to get on an airplane to see Daddy in Argentina!!

We arrives in Buenas Aires at 9:00 a.m. and drove about an hour to the other airport. When we got there we found out we would have an 6 hour layover which turned into 8 hours because the flights were delayed! I was so upset and almost started to cry! Then I realized Gabriela was fine and I should be happy too! She ran around the airport playing, we ate, and she took a nap. The last flight was aweful due to turbulance, and when we were landing Gabriela started crying. I think she was just done with traveling! However, as soon as she saw her Daddy her eyes lit up and everything was fine!

Ready To Travel

Gabriela and I are preparing to go back to Argentina! We stayed longer than expected due to the Tumblebus! Things are going great with the business and I am nervous to leave. However, I have my Dad managing it and great workers. I am worried Gabriela is going to really miss the Tumblebus. She gets to go on it everday and usually does one class a day!

Lately Gabriela has been asking to see her Daddy. When she gets in trouble or hurt she will cry screaming "Dada Dada." It breaks my heart and I can't wait until we reunite! This has been the longest we have been apart since we had Gabriela. I am so excited to return to Santiago Del Estero and see our friends. This is the first time we are returning to the same city. I don't have the unknown feeling and know what to expect!

We bought Lindsay and Andy's house! The plan was for them to close on their new house this week and move this weekend. Things did not go as planned, and they are closing next week! I went to Arkansas this week and moved all our stuff out of storage into their garage. Nichy and I will have a house to come home to in December and lots of unpacking to do!!

We miss Daddy!

Nichy is back in Argentina and we are ready to be with him! When he first left Gabriela was telling everyone her Dad is in gone playing basketball! We were at Chick Fil A and she was playing with another little girl. When they were in the slide you could here Gabriela say "come on lets go to Argentina." The mother turned to me and said "that is quite a desitination for a two year old." I quickly told her that is where her Daddy was! We are going to be living in a different apartment this year but it is in the same location. Hopefully we will be leaving in a few weeks!

Life has changed for Gabriela and I. The new daily routine is waking up, reading only one book, eating breakfast, and going to the Tumblebus! Gabriela usually does the first class and then she and Grandpa go hang out. I teach three to four classes a day! It has been a blast and a great learning experience. The business is doing well and we have started booking a lot of parties! I have hired great workers and start training them this week. My Dad will manage the business while I am gone. However, I will be back more often this season!

Gabriela loves the Tumblebus and now climbs on everything! We had a cookout and took the bus to Lindsay's the other night. She loved it because the kids were not running around the house like they usually are. Lindsay and Andy's new house is almost finished. We are hoping to be moved in the end of this month!

Summer Update

As always summer has gone so fast. We have a lot going on in our family right now. My brother, Addie, and Jude moved back from Wisconsin. Zac started a new job and his company sent him to Nigeria for a contract. He will be back and forth for the next 18 months! He will be home next week for the first time and will get to stay a month. I can't wait to here all his stories. He is living on a compand which he compared to jail! Andy and Lindsay are in the process of buying a new house, and we are buying their house! Nichy and I started a business The Tumbleville Express. It is a mobile gymnastics gym that services daycares and does birthday parties. We are really excited and already getting business! The biggest highlight of the summer is Nichy's parents visiting from Panama! This is their first trip to the United States, and they are having a blast. They will be here until August 10th. Nichy took them to Arkanas today so they could see where he went to college and lived for six years! I couldn't imagine my parents not knowing where I lived or went to college. My mother in law arrived and was in the kitchen cooking within 10 minutes. She has taken over the kitchen and cooking a lot of Panamanian food. Nichy is in heaven!

Gabriela is getting spoiled by her Abuela and Abuelo. She calls Nichy's dad "Nicho" and Nichy's mom "ita." Everyone morning she wakes up and ask where is Nicho? I am already dreading the 10th when they have to leave. She is going to miss them so much. Before they arrived Gabriela spoke mostly English. Now she is starting to speak more Spanish but still speaks a lot of English. Everyday there are new words and something new. Her latest phrase is "hey guys." She has been having a lot of playdates with her cousin Jude. Today they played on the Tumblebus and Jude asked if he could take the bus home with him!

Gabriela loves her Aunt Lindsay and hanging out with her. She always comes home with makeup on, jewelry, and has learned a new dance! Thanks to Lindsay Gabriela had a fourth of July outfit this year. Last year Mommy didn't realize she needed one and she was the only child in pink at fireworks! This year she fit right in!

Summer!

I love summer! We have had so much fun since we have been back. Daily play dates with Fuller, going to the pool, bubbles, and sprinklers! Everyday Gabriela is full of energy and ready to play! Being back in The States I feel like we go ninety miles an hour. There is always someone to see and something to do! Gabriela is now speaking mostly English! She still has certain words she says in Spanish and mixes in Spanglish! New sayings she has picked up are "oh man," and "oh my gosh."

Going Home!

Today was the last day in Santiago Del Estero. However, the great news is we are coming back! Nichy signed a contract to play for Quimsa next season! We are so excited to be returning next year. We made great friends and look forward to another season with Quimsa. This week was hard knowing it was our last week. I cried many times saying bye to people even though we are returning August-September.

I have tried to explain to Gabriela we are going to the United States to see all of her family! Not sure she understands, and I think she will have a hard time missing her friends here. Last night we made the rounds to her friends house and said goodbye and got pictures and videos. We arrived in this city Gabriela starting to be a toddler, and we are leaving with a full blown toddler! She is running, talking a lot, and has learned how to do a forward roll! Her vocabulary is a strong mixture of Spanish and English, but she prefers speaking Spanish! I am sure she will start speaking more English once we are in the United States!

Here are things I will miss about this apartment and city.

*Everytime Gabriela hears the keys in the door she says "dada," and then runs and hides from him.

*Before she goes to sleep she always says "go say goodnight to dada." Then she runs into living room trying to play more!

*Playing hide and seek in the apartment and Gabriela hiding with her hands over her face laughing and making a lot of noise!

*Walking by the fruit stand and he always gives Gabriela a banana or apple. She refers to him as "Banana Man."

*Anytime I say lets go to the store to see Paula Gabriela's eyes light up.

*Taking Gabriela to dance class and listening to her sing Manulita in a microphone infront of the entire class!

*Being able to take Gabriela to my dance/aerobic classes and let her run around while we are working out!

*Going to Nichy's games and Gabriela yelling "go Dadda," or "vamos Quimsa."

*When Nichy is on the bench during games she always runs behind it hitting the glass yellling "dada dada."

*After the games Gabriela running around on the court with all the kids playing.

*All the Quimsa players and how great they were with Gabriela. Bruno babysitting and teaching her songs, Jhonny dancing with her, Julio and their thumb shake, Pepe giving Gabriela her first Barbie Doll, and Tinto her favorite name!

*Every Sunday Asados with Christian, Tania, Gustavo, and Angelina along with their children!

We had a great season and were surrounded by wonderful people!

Tough Loss

Friday night we lost and did not move on to the semi-finals. This was a very tough loss for Nichy because all year he was prepared to be in the finals, and we didn't even make it to the semis! Quimsa started off great and won two championships. Winning the South American Championship was a huge honor-I am so glad Nichy got to be a part of it. Later in the year we dealt with injuries and couldn't bounce back. Nichy rolled his ankle and was playing injured the last two games.

I have been watching Nichy play basketball for ten years. When I met him he was starting his first year playing for the University of Arkansas. He red shirted his freshman year. After watching him play four years at the University and now seven seasons at the professional level. Yes, basketball has its highs and lows. After a big win you are excited and on a high. Last night Nichy fouled out and watching him walk to the bench was so painful. I could see the pain and sadness in his eyes and watched a few tears shed. He wanted to win so badly and was not prepared to loose. Last night we sat in the house and tried to plan our summer. Yes we are excited to go home and see family-we just were not prepared to end this soon!

I love watching Nichy play. He has matured and grown into a great basketball player. The love he has for the game is amazing. We are so fortunate for him to be able to do this for a career. Getting to watch Nichy play basketball is something I look forward to each week. After ten years of watching him play he still gives it his everything and I am so proud of him!

Gabriela's 2nd Birthday Party!

Gabriela had a Minnie Mouse party and all her friends were invited. The kids jumped on a moon bounce, played games, danced, watched clowns perform, ate cake, and had a pinata! Children parties in Argentina are a big deal and usually last three to four hours. I thought it would be a long night but it went by really fast! We had a blast and couldn't believe the great turnout.





Singing Happy Birthday was one of my favorite parts of the party. Everyone was singing and Gabriela was really excited. We sang in Spanish first and then English. I really think Gabriela understood it was her birthday and that she is now two!




Nichy got Gabriela ready for the party. When they showed up her Minnie Mouse dress was on backwards and her bow was broken! Luckily I was outside waiting and fixed it! One on my moms friends made the dress and I thought it turned out really cute!



I made cupcakes and tried my best to decorate! I was nervous because my mom usually handles all the decorating for me! Dennie took a photo of Minnie Mouse and put Gabriela's face on it. We used those on the cake table, and center pieces for the other table. They turned out really cute. When I ordered the cake I was under the impression there would be a Minnie Mouse on it. However, when I picked it up it was a solid white cake! It was good and I really wasn't that worried about it.

Gabriela got a lot of presents and her first Barbie! Pepe one of Nichy's teammates got her the Barbie and she takes it everywhere with her. I thought I would be sad to celebrate her birthday without family. We have met so many great friends here and they made it easy not to be sad! Celebrating Gabriela's second birthday in Argentina was a great experience.

Gabriela is Two!

Gabriela is two! I can not believe how fast it has gone by. She brings such joy to our lives and everyday it is something new. Yesterday I asked her how old she was going to be on her birthday. She answered "casi dos," which is almost two in English! She talks a lot and repeats everything! Lately I have been noticing that she speaks more Spanish than English. Even when I ask her in English she will answer in Spanish! We were laughing the other day because a few months ago Gabriela would always say "hola" "hola" when she wanted something. She no longer says that, she just tells you what she wants!
She started dance class and is really learning how to shake her hips! In class they also sing songs, but I don't know any of the words! Gabriela is playing better with kids and will often ask to "go see Ignacio" or "Avril's house." She is having a Minnie Mouse birthday party and all of her friends are coming. Lately we have been explaining to her that her birthday is coming up and I think she understands.
Here are the answers she gave me about her party.

What do you want at your birthday party? Balloons and Payasos (clowns) I guess she is not scared of them anymore!

What friends do you want to come to you party? Ignacio, Guavito, Jhonny (basketball player), Tinto (basketball player), Avril, and Tookie.

What do you want to eat? Pink cupcakes

The last few months she has learned knew songs. Saco Uno Mano, Brujita Tapita, Manuelita, Estatua, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, I like To Move It Move It, Te Amo Tanto, and Boom De Ada. As I type this I realize most of her knew songs are Spanish songs!

She still likes If You Are Happy and You Know It, Wheels On The Bus, Bringing Home A Baby Bumble Bee, Clap Your Hands, and She Will Be Coming Around The Mountain When She Comes.

Songs that have been put on the back burner: Old Mcdonald, Baa Bab Black Sheep, Mueve El Ombligo, Row Row Your Boat, Pin Pon, and ABC Song! A lot of times I will start to sing these songs and she will say "no no" then she lets me know what song she wants!!

She has started counting. Nichy is very proud because she is better at counting in Spanish than English! At times we will here her counting by herself in Spanish. The other night she was playing hide and seek with Nichy and counting to ten!

Her favorite books are: The Napping House, Fancy Nancy, and all of her Mickey Mouse books. At times she will want to read her Mickey book three to four times a day! We started letting her watch T.V. We try only thirty min three times a weeks. However, sometimes when Nichy has been out of town she will get to watch it a little more! She loves Dora, Diego, and Mickey. One of her new sayings is "Mom how about Dora."


Before she goes to sleep we always say our prayers. The other night I asked her who God created, meaning for the answer to be Gabriela. She said Tinto. . . one of Nichy's teammates!

Over, at age two Gabriela is full of energy, is very outgoing, loves to sing and dance, likes to give besos to babies, plays with friends, reads books, and is a great cuddler! We thank God everyday for blessing us with our wonderful baby girl! Happy Birthday, Gabriela! We love you so much.

Nichy's Birthday

Gabriela loves singing Happy Birthday! After parties she walks around the house singing happy birthday for a couple days!



We have had a busy few weeks. Nichy turned the big 30 and we won the first round of playoffs! This Friday starts the second round. Saturday night we had Nichy's birthday at my friend Tania's house. She and Nichy both celebrated their birthdays together. We had a blast and Nichy said it was one of his best birthdays! This birthday will be hard to top. We rented a tent with white couches and chairs, dj, and also hired a singer!! It was quite the party. All of our friends and the basketball players were there. Gabriela came for a little while and helped Daddy blow out the candles. She also got to dance with her favorite basketball player Jhonny! The big joke is Gabriela can dance better than me!! Argentina parties are a dancing marathon! We all had a blast dancing the night away and got home around six in the morning! When we left the party was still going on.
This was the first time Gabriela has gone to sleep with a baby sitter. Gabriela's babysitter is great and also a pre-school teacher. It feels so good to have someone you can trust. Which is not easy when you are living in another country!!

Playoffs

We are starting playoffs this Friday. This season has gone by too fast!! Our last games we had to forfeit because the shot clock was not working! Only in Argentina would the back up shot clock be broken also. At this time we were in the top four and going to get a bi for the first round of playoffs. After this happened we dropped and lost the last two games. We are hoping we pick it up for playoffs and finish well. This team has the ability to finish strong and make it to the finals. However, people have been hurt and they all seem really tired. It was great to get to play in the South American Tournament and the Ligas de Americanas. Which also meant more games! They have played over seventy games this season. I think they are all tired. This weekend we have home court advantage! Vamos Quimsa!!

Siesta!

A majority of the cities in Argentina have a siesta! Santiago Del Estero has a LONG siesta! Stores close at 1:00 p.m. and do not open again until 6:00 or 6:30. In the past, I did not see the purpose of having a siesta and thought people were being lazy! In this city we have many friends and spend a lot of time with Argentina families. They are extemely close, their children are very respectful, and overall seem to be happy families. Since there are siestas these families eat lunch and dinner together everday. The typical American family does not even eat dinner together every night! I know as I was growing up my family tried to eat dinner together a lot, but when Lindsay, Zac, and I got older we had basketball games, practice, and other activities that made it hard.

The typical schedule here is 7:30/1:00 school; 1:00 lunch followed by a siesta; 6:00 snack and back to work; 7:00-9:00 kids go to activities or play with friends; 9:30/10:00 off work and dinner. Parents here spend a lot of time with their kids. Most of my friends that work in the U.S. only get to spend two to three hours a day with their children. The late dinner allows families to eat together every night. However, it also makes for a later bed time. I have to say I am adapting to the schedule here, and while I still don't take a siesta, I don't mind the town shutting down! Nichy embraces the siesta and takes a nap everyday!! Actually as I write this, he and Gabriela are both asleep!

Potty Training!

We have started potty training this week! Last week she went in her potty a few times and also had some accidents! I felt she wasn't ready so we quit! After thinking about it more I decided to try again this week! She has done great and we are so proud of her! Nichy and I both agree we live in a perfect apartment for accidents! Everything is tile!! Yesterday we bought her "big girl panties." When I put them on her I thought Nichy was going to burst into tears! I think we both feel she is growing up way too fast!

Party and Tears!!

Gabriela went to her first birthday party. Her friend Tookie turned six years old! She was one of the youngest at the party. When she walked in I got a little sad because she looked like a little girl and not a baby!! There was a moon bounce, music, and clowns. Gabriela was having a blast on the moon bounce and running around. The clowns made a grand entrance with music, foam, and silly string. All the kids were sitting down watching. Actually the clowns were Tookies older sisters and friends. I was busy taking pictures when I heard this lound scream and crying! I looked down to see my child beat red and terrified! Poor baby was scared of the clowns! I actually thought we were going to have to leave the party. However, after about fifteen minutes of calming her down she adjusted. By the end of the night the she was dancing with the clowns!

Christmas!

Gabriela had her first white Christmas! She loved the snow and also loved saying "snowman." We played in the snow a lot and she also liked eating the snow! Christmas was great and I learned my lesson about last minute shopping! Christmas Eve I was out in the blizzard buying the food for dinner! When I left the house it was only raining and when I returned we already had a few inches of snow!

Gabriela's Great Grandpa built her a table and chair set. She loved it and is really into crafts right now. Painting and coloring....although the crayons still make it into her mouth!!

Fuller was so much fun! He and Gabriela played really well together. She loved giving him besos and hugs! Everyday she asked for "Fullerman." He also really liked looking at her and touching/pulling her hair!

We also got to celebrate Madisons birthday! Donna made me the shawl and Gabriela just loved wearing it! She still refers to Madison as her best friend! Today she woke up and asked where Crystal was. Her favorite saying was "Crystal where are you."

We were home for about 5 weeks. It went by so fast. Gabriela seemed to bond with everyone and really got attached! She cried if Lindsay or Uncle were leaving and ate ice cream with Grandpa! Grammy bought her a new princess dress and lots of books!!