In old town Quito, we came across a most amazing art exhibit. The art, split into 4 sections, portrayed the indigenous people over the last century. It was beautiful and moving. "Hard working" is the theme throughout it all. I loved, loved this exhibit. In fact, when we first discovered it, we were only able to view the first section before it closed for the night. Naturally we had to return at a later day.

Also that baby of mine scooting on her bottom down a perfectly lit hallway. 

We were so blessed to have found the best person to care for Maeve 2 hours a day for the last two weeks. Ariel was Maeve's niñera, and Maeve loved her! Maeve would come home with lipstick on her neck and in her hair from all the love she received. Maeve would give Ariel hugs when she said goodbye, something that she only does for her immediate family. 

For me, it was a huge blessing to so quickly find someone to help care for Maeve while I was at Spanish school and Conor worked. I completely trusted Ariel from the beginning and never worried about her once. Maeve likely ate more sugar than I would care for her to (babies and sugar seems to be cultural! No one would ever feed my baby a marshmallow in the USA to start, but it would absolutely not happen without shamefully asking the mother first!), but I knew that she was safe and loved. I thank God for putting Ariel and her family so quickly in our path. The entire family became so dear to us during our 2 weeks in Quito!

P.S. I think Maeve is closer to walking thanks to Ariel! Maeve's still quite the late bloomer, but maybe in the next month or so, she'll decide walking is for her!

On Greta's birthday, we met some friends at Greta's favorite park and played. This meant that I got more than 3 hours of Spanish practice! Oh gosh, the language is difficult. Slugging through though! When the afternoon became dark, we walked to our local chapel where the women were making ceviche. Oh my goodness so delicious! Or as they would say in Ecuador, "bien rico" (pretty delicious!). I was surprised when a lady walked around with a grocery bag filled with salted popcorn mixed with plantain chips. That is a topping for the soup and it was so good! I'm so grateful Trader Joe's sells plantain chips back home. 

Now that we are in an apartment with a decent kitchen and for a longer stay, we plan on cooking Ecuadorian food. Hoping to share some photos of what we make! Do I dare make chicken stock out of chicken feet like the locals?!

On February 7th, Greta turned 7 years old! I can't believe she's seven and at the same time I can... we have been counting down to her birthday for a long time! Greta's birthday differed greatly from our usual traditions. I packed balloons and a golden crown (for her golden birthday), but there were very few presents, I didn't sew a birthday dress and we didn't eat our typical birthday food. The day before Greta's birthday, we went to the market and bought fruit for a fruit salad for breakfast. We ate ice cream (helado, helado, helado! Cincuenta sentavos!) twice. The spanish school was so thoughtful and bought a cake and every sang. Because the cake was gluten, Greta couldn't eat it, but mature beyond her years, she felt deeply celebrated. I feel really proud of how Greta responded to her very different birthday in Ecuador. I love Greta very much and I can't believe she's grown so much from her little self. When we brought her home from the hospital, she weighed a mere 4lb, 12oz! My smallest baby!

Some photos from our return trip to see the interior of the Basilica. The stained glass is amazing and no photo I took captures the vibrancy.