River Bound!

So, since we have been home, we have had quite a few changes, one is that Claudio got a raise and a promotion with the company he has worked for for the last 19 years. He is now, not only the manager and vendor for his branch, but also the traveling sales representative. This means a bit more responsibility but comes with a brand new car! Not only this, but we can travel as a family to visit his clients which means...you got it...ROADTRIPPING!!!
A few Saturdays ago we went on our first adventure, visiting small "if you blink you might miss it" towns, if you can call them that. And then, after a hard day's work, we went to the river.
It was Juan's first time having experienced the silty water of the Parana, though there was no doubt about the fact that he would love it seeing as how I fight to get him out of both the hose and the shower/bath daily.

Here are a few priceless photos and a video for your enjoyment!

A letter from Mom

In Juan's baby book there was a page where I could write a letter to him, supposedly before he was born or just after he was born but I never felt inclined to write. You see, I think, in order to write a profoundly felt letter to someone, you have to know them. While I have always felt a great connection with Juan on several levels, his personality was merely peeking through the haze of baby mannerisms. A few days before he turned one, I opened his book and decided it was time to write. Here is what I wrote:

Dear Juan,
In just a few days you will be turning 1 year old. I can hardly believe time has sped by so quickly. You are the little boy that I had always dreamed of having by my side; smart, beautiful, loving, and more. Each day my love for you grows exponentially as I watch you discover the world around you with innocence and adoration in your eyes. Daily I am amazed at your purity and your ability to absorb the ways of this world, allowing the novelties to fascinate you for hours on end. I promise to always procure the magic that lies within you, to never impede it's creativity, and to inspire you as much as you inspire me.
Love always,
Your mommy.

Juani Turns 1!

February 7th, 2011, Juan Nicolas Pellegrino arrived at the ripe age of 1 year! Because his birthday landed on a Monday, we did absolutely nothing on that special day. However, the Saturday that followed, Saturaday the 12th, to be exact, we "threw the house out of the window!" A phrase, that in Argentina, means roughly, "went all out!" I, of course had been working on the decorations for nearly 3 weeks prior to the big day, invitations were hand made, flags and pin the tail on the donkey, a sort of photo booth adorned with props for the picking, hand sewn safari animals for souvenir gifts, a train cake, tons and tons of food, ie: mini spinach tarts, crab dip crostini, beef empanadas, cookies, oh I could go on and on, but more than all of this was an exorbitant amount of love.
He got so many toys I don't know what to do with them all! All of this and he still insists on playing with the trash and drain pipe. He is definitely my kid!
Here are a few of my favorite shots!
Enjoy!