Costa Rica Day 4

Day 4 in Costa Rica was by far the best of our trip. We got up early and drove down to Manuel Antonio National Park. The views were amazing. We saw Iguana's in the trees and hanging out on the beach. We saw 3 monkey's just kickin' it up in the trees and just beautiful rainforest right on the beach. We took Nathan swimming in the ocean throughout our walks around the park. He enjoyed the calmer waters of the bays around the park versus the shore break around the bungalow. On the way back we stopped for lunch at the Rico Tico bar and grill at the Si Como No resort in Manuel Antonio. We sat out on the patio, which overlooked the rainforest and ocean. The staff was so nice and offered to take pictures. We stopped at Esterillo's Oeste, which looked to be a small beach where you can rent panga's and go fishing. Before dinner we walked out to the beach to watch the sunset in Hermosa. The sun sets early here...like 5:30.

Manuel Antonio National Park














Lunch at Rico Tico Bar and Grill overlooking Manuel Antonio



Esterillos Oeste


Hermosa Sunset

Costa Rica Day 3

Day 3 started out fun. Brian surfed again and then we headed for the Neofauna Butterfly Emporium. There they house various butterflies and reptiles that are endangered or found out in the wild, but are sick and needing care. It was a neat little place with a funny tour guide. We attempted to go up the road to see a waterfall after the tour, but since Costa Rica is in it's dry season, there was no waterfall to see. We headed down south a bit to check out a waterfall that one of the locals suggested. We missed the not so obvious signs and ened up in Quepos near Manuel Antonio, which was on the books for the following day. So we headed back to the bungalow, only to be stuck in Costa Rican traffic for almost 1.5 hours. There are a few bridges on the way to Manuel Antonio where they let one way traffic go and then let the other side go. It was awful! Anyway, we had dinner at the Backyard Bar again and then headed back and crashed. All in all a good day.

River near Quepos/Manuel Antonio


Neofauna Butterfly Farm and Serpenterium

Costa Rica Day 2

Our second day was pretty mellow. Brian surfed in the morning. We headed into Jaco to check it out. Nathan played on the beach a bit and then we had lunch at the place in town. Later in the afternoon we went down to the beach in Hermosa and played in the water. Before bed we hung out in the pool and met a few different families staying in the Hermosa Bungalows.

New Friend at the pool


Playa Hermosa



Jaco Beach

Costa Rica Day 1

We took the American Airlines red eye out of LAX on Tuesday. We walked Nathan around the airport for a bit and got him to fall asleep before boarding. We put him in his carseat and suprisingly he slept the entire flight. We weren't as lucky though!! Sleeping on a plane when your worried about having a screaming toddler is practically impossible. However, the fact that Nathan slept the entire flight more than makes up for it. When we landed in San Jose, we got our bags and then met up with our rental car guy. The SUV that we rented was too small for all of our stuff so we had to go get another one. We ended up with a 4Runner. We had a traditional Costa Rican breakfast of scrambled eggs, rice and beans before hitting the road to Playa Hermosa. The roads are a bit sketchy and some of the drivers scared the hell out of us, but we made it to the Hermosa Bungalows in one piece and not a minute to soon because Nathan was definitely done being in his car seat after about 7 hours. The Hermosa Bungalows are just south of the small town of Playa Hermosa and face out to the ocean. Ours was settled just in front of the pool. We headed into Jaco after unpacking and did a bit of grocery shopping. We came back and napped a bit and then while Brian surfed, Nathan and I swam in the pool for a bit. We went out to dinner at the Backyard Bar. We learned quickly that Costa Ricans (Tico's) LOVE babies. Everyone, men and women, commented on Nathan. The waiter even brought him some Ice Cream.

Spring Break Fun

Nathan and I have been doing a lot of playing this first week of Spring Break. We celebrated St. Patrick's Day on Monday by wearing green and that's about it. We have been going to the park each day and trying new foods, as you can see below! Nathan is currently working on some molars so has been a bit cranky here and there, but as you can see he still manages to have a bit of fun. He is loving his water table and likes to go out on the patio and splash around. The weather has been perfect for it.

Water Table


Playground at Mission Bay





Sort of eating blackberries


Celebrating St. Patrick's Day

Wild Animal Park

Despite the weather forecast, we headed out to the Wild Animal Park yesterday with both sets of grandparents and cousins from both sides. The weather was beautiful and the kids had a great time together. Nathan really enjoyed the discovery center and the petting zoo.

Nathan's First Birthday Party

Katie and Nathan had a wonderful birthday party on Saturday. The kids enjoyed the bounce house, water table, skateboarding and playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Nathan enjoyed smashing his cake yet again and both Katie and Nathan enjoyed opening their gifts, for the most part (see below). Nathan kind of fell apart at the end after missing his afternoon nap, but quickly fell asleep on the ride home. Thank you to all of our wonderful family and friends who came to celebrate.

12-month updates

Today was Nathan's 12 month check up. I expected him to weigh in 25 or so pounds, but was presently suprised that he was only 23. So he is still in the 70th percentile for weight. He was 29 inches, and in the 50th percentile. His head circumference was 18 in, and in the 25th percentile...still noone would believe that since all you see still is cheeks. All in all a healthy boy.

I had to fill out a developmental screening checklist at the Dr. today. Sharp is conducting a study with UCSD Med School on early screening for Autism. Those of you who know me, especially those who work with me, know how obsessive I am. So Nathan was on his best behavior and putting puzzles together (reasoning) and pushing a tractor around (symbolic play) and babbling away in Nathan speak (duh na, no, ha, dada and ocassional bye bye), so you know momma was happy, while Dr. Berent and I chatted. So for now, I can stop obsessing (like that will happen)!

Nathan was a trooper when the needles came out. We only did chicken pox and pnemona..something or other. We decided to wait on the MMR, as Nathan tends to spike a fever after vaccinations. Since we are headed to Costa Rica in a week and a half and the delayed reaction from MMR is 7-12 days, we decided to wait until we get back to avoid dealing with a feverish, cranky man while trying to relax in paradise. So that means another visit in a month....oh well!!!

This weekend we are having Nathan's birthday party. He is sharing the honors with his cousin Kaitlin (her birthday is 3 days before his). So stay tuned for pics of the main event!

Yum I like Cake!

Here is Nathan enjoying his first birthday cupcake! He loved it, as you can see. It has been a great day and now he is asleep!

Nathan Turned 1 Today

Happy Birthday to our little man! Today Nathan opened presents, which included an activity station from his grandparents, some books and cars from Joy(daycare), some new PJ's and a water table from mommy and daddy. Then we headed to the beach for a bit to enjoy the San Diego sunshine. There Nathan tasted sand for the first time. Tonight we will have dinner with Aunt Julie, Uncle Art, Morgan, Kaitlin and Jared and Nathan will have his first taste of cake (well cupcake), so stay tuned for some pictures.

This year flew by. We feel so privilaged to be your parents. You have brought so much joy and excitement into our lives. Even though the newborn stage was a learning experience to all of us, each day is still a learning experience. It has been so fun to watch all the new discoveries you make each day. So here's to the end of infancy and the beginning of toddlerhood. Can't wait to see what's in store.

Here is a little slide show of the first year of Nathan's life. Enjoy!