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!!

Traveling

Gabriela got her first Christmas Tree! Thanks to our friend Paula! Daddy helped her decorate it. Actually he did most of the decorating! The past couple weeks I have been explaining Christmas to her. We also listen to a lot of Christmas music!!

We are so excited to be home with family for Christmas. I have done zero Christmas shopping. This year we said that we are only buying for the kids. That should make it a little easier! I want to look for some dress up clothes or shoes for Gabriela. She has started asking to wear certain things. My shirts and shoes have become great dress up clothes for her!

Here are some of my good friends here. I met Tania the one with the bright shirt on. She helped me with getting Gabriela's shots here. We go to her house every Sunday for an asado and usually go swimming. She has three kids that are close in age to Gabriela. Angelina in the black shirt has five kids! Usually there are nine to ten kids at her house on Sundays! Gabriela is the youngest and has a blast playing with everyone!

This is a typical patio for an Argentina family. The asado grill, big table, and covered patio! Many meals and family gatherings are held here!

We are traveling this week. I am packed and ready to go. An extra pair of clothes is in my carry on...hopefully no vomit this time!!

Updates

We have been so busy lately. Gabriela is quite the social butterfly and gets us invites for lunches, asados, swimming, and playdates!! Her Spanish is getting really well and it amazes me how easy children pick up languages. This is her friend Avril and they play really well together. Everytime she comes back from playing with Avril she has a new word! After weeks of Nichy and I trying to teach her please and thank you she finally said please! However, it was after I told her no and she was begging and then whined pleeeeaaassse!! It was really cute!

These two pictures are the number one reason I am so excited to be home for Christmas! My two nephews Fuller and Jude! How cute is Fullers pumkin hat! Apparently he is quite the chunk! Jude came to visit Fuller and was sure to hide his toys so Fuller wouldn't play with them!! He did the same thing this summer with Gabriela. It will be so much fun Christmas with all three of them together!

First Championship!!

We won the South American Championship!! I didn't realize what a huge deal this was going to be. As I walked into the gym thirty minutes early and saw majority people standing and chanting I got goose bumps! The guys did great and never let down. After the game they got on a firetruck and drove around the entire city. When I walked home people were on the streets clapping and shouting. Some of them knew I was Nichy's wife and started shouting his name! This was a great experience. Latin countries really know how to celebrate!

Nichy is so happy. This is his first championship and he really deserves it!

South American Tournament

Last night we won to be in the finals tonight! It was an exciting game and Nichy played great. I hope I can blog tomorrow that we are the South American Champions! I know the guys are tired and last night the game went into overtime. Nichy scored two points to put them up by one! This team can play so well together but also blow a ten point lead really fast!!