Jorge Rico's plant a tree program

Two years ago when we can to Colombia for Mira, we planted a tree at Guatavita in her name. At that time Jorge Rico had not started the marble plaques, that he now does to identify where your child's tree is located. We had a plaque added to Mira's tree that we planted for her 2 years ago. Mira's tree is a cedar, which Jorge told me has been added to the endagered species list of plants in Colombia.
This is Aryan's tree, we planted in August torwards the beginning of our trip. You may choose and purchase a tree to be planted with Jorge. After the tree has been planted, either by Jorge or one of the groundskeeper at Guatavita, Jorge has a plaque made with the childs name, city and country of origin. Aryan's tree is a Jasmine.

11 Year Anniversary

Aryan and I found a new patisserie on Avenue 19 called Phillipes. What great quiche and baked goods and even better, it's a health conscious bakery that does not use sugar and is low fat. Aryan looks thrilled right? He enjoys lunch with Mama.
This is edible isn't it Mom?

Beautifully packed roses.

The longest stems I have even seen.

Thank you Daddy, we love and miss you. Happy Anniversary.

The Hennigans and I celebrated my 11 year wedding Anniversary tonight at a great restaurant by the name of Pajares Salinas, which is apparently Rafa and Arturo's favorite restaurant and you could easily see why. The food was fantastic and the service was phenomenal. There was even a very good vegetarian option, which is unusual in Colombia. I had a wonderful manicotti like dish stuffed with spinach and cream in a red sauce. It was divine. For dessert was maracuya (passion fruit) pie, which I know Nikhil would have loved, as that's his favorite dessert of Okenis'. After dinner, the waiter was so funny. He brought me a glass with a tea bag and said"tea sin aqua', which caught me off guard, because usually when there is a mistake, it's because of my poor Spanish skills. So of course I thought I miscommunicated and I was wondering what does he think I'm going to do with a dry tea bag, until he started laughing and brought the hot water. It was a fun night. Only 2 more nights in Colombia and I can travel home to my family.

Embassy Day-Happy Baby

Aryan's First Passport

Look how happy he is, I think he knows this means we can go home. In the evening we spoke to his big sister Mira, who got her flu shot and Hep A booster today and was telling Mama and Aryan how she has two bo-bo's. After she finished showing us her bo-bo's she proceeded to remind Me, "Mama, don't forget my brother".

Sentencia Day

Aryan playing with Paiges toy camera. It talks and sings to them and they both love it.

Our Sentencia Celebration Restaurant at Parque Noventa Tres.

It's official, he's our son, Aryan Nikhil Khushalani. Dr. Polo, our attorney, met us at the courthouse this morning to sign sentencia and congratulated me with a big hug. He then proceeded to tell me in Spanish what Maria Teresa translated as, you have just given birth with complications.

Aryan sits independently now

Aryan is very stable now and can mostly sit on his own. His upper body strength has really developed in the past 2 1/2 months. He also has great hand-eye coordination and is able to grasp large and small objects and lift them all straight to his mouth. He is still teething, although to date, we still have only 2 teeth.

Sunny Sunday in Bogota

Aryan trying not to keep his sun hat on. Today was the 4th great weather day with little or no rain. We took advantage and enjoyed the courtyard before our usual Sunday Ciclovia walk.
I was finally able to get a picture of Aryan's first 2 teeth. He had rough edges on his gums and the teeth finally broke through on his 6 month birthday, which was September 19th. I've tried many times to get a picture, but he would just not cooperate until today. He was actually showing the teeth to me. I think they have become more prominent, so he is now aware of them. You would never know that he is a teething baby. He is always happy and smiling.

Nemocon Salt Mine

Fossil of a Mastodon in the museum of the Salt Mine of Nemocon
In the salt mine, this narrow channel of water used to serve as a way to transport salt throughout the mine. The salt was loaded into a device similar to a wheel barrel that attached to the sides of the channel of water where it was then moved to it's final destination. The buoyancy of the water helped to reduce the physical force required to move large loads of salt.

These salt crystals form throughout the mine and based on their size and density, the miner can estimate the age of the crystal.

I found this to be the most interesting part of the salt mine. Throughout the mine, water acts as a mirror and reflects images that tower above it. In this case, you can see the reflection clearly of the bridge and arched entrance.

Back at home trying to teach the Hennigan and Khushalani babies about Buffalo Sabres Hockey, as we watch the game from Michael's laptop. Much to my disappointment, Paige was more interested in the game than Aryan. Aryan cannot sit still for any length of time, he has now discovered that he loves being mobile. No more stationary chairs or sitting on laps unless their is an activity happening. Mommy has become a human swing, which is not great on the back, but Aryan loves it.

Aryan discovers the wall in his walker

A Visit to Luz Y Vida etc.

Jorge Rico helps a man he befriended in Suba near FANA to repair his bicycle trailer, which his only means of supporting himself and his family through his work collecting recyclables. He rides through the city and collects what most people think of as garbage and uses the plastics and metals to turn in for money.
The founder of Luz Y Vida, Sister Valeriana and Rosina, one of the first children she started the home with.


Luz Y Vida's campus, a courtyard view.

The laundry folding room at Luz Y Vida, which currently has 85 children.

The laundry room with the biggest washing machine I have ever seen, including in any of our facilities back home.

Dining for the children, half handicapped accessible tables with half for the mobile children.

Luz Y Vida's vision for a new campus for disabled and handicapped children.

The countries who contribute to Luz Y Vida

Names of the children who have left Luz Y Vida

Jorge with the donation from Laura Bechtel.

A local fruit market close to Luz Y Vida in south Bogota and the place where Jorge Rico had his first job as a child selling fruits.

Buffalo Buddies

Aryan and his buddy Paige Sofia have daily tummy time together

Party in the Hills

Aryan in his new made in Colombia pajamas. We needed to replace his existing pajamas as he has outgrown all of them.
Jorge Rico stands in front of the day care and offers each piece of donated clothing to the children, who get very excited when they see something that fits them. They also get very excited to receive a warm sweater as it appears most of them do not own sweaters and warm clothing, in spite of the temperatures being so cold here. I also noticed, the day care does not have blankets for the children's naps and it's very cold, so I will try to send some with Jorge for a future trip.

The children of the daycare and their teacher pose for a picture with me. Each one of the children asked to see the camera when the picture was taken so they could see themselves.

Jorge Rico and the children getting ready for lunch before they are given the cake Jorge brought for them. It's amazing what the promise of cake after lunch does for appetites. The plates were cleaned off so quickly so the children could say they could eat cake. Cake is a luxury that these children rarely have.

A view of Bogota from the day care in the mountains.

On the way up to the day care.

A Rainy Monday in the Residence

Aryan's snuggling on Mama's lap to keep warm. We have not been able to go out at all today, which makes it tough to pass the time, but it's been raining the full day and it's far too cold to take Aryan outside.

Another Fun Sunday

Aryan fell asleep during our weekly ciclovia walk. We just barely escaped the rains on the walk home for LaFontana Market.
Practicing standing and building up his leg muscles.

Getting better at this footsie thing with daily practice.

Monserrate and Candalaria Again

The cutest baby boy, you will ever see. Of course, I'm not biased at all. So cold here with the rains, we have to stay warm and bundled, even indoors. They do not have central heating in the homes here, so we have had the fireplace going to warm the residence.

Great way to start the day, playing footsies. Aryan and Paige are having a blast together.

My third visit to Candalaria. It's nice, but honestly I'm just going along for the ride now to keep busy. I think I could give the tour now.

If this is not ironic. A building named for Procurador's and we can't even find one for our sentencia. I think, I should come back again on Monday and see if I can't find one.

My favorite part of the trip today was feeding this stray dog. Poor thing was so hungry, I got some sausage from the roadside and fed him. There were also some stray cats who came and tried to eat, so we caused a bit of a disturbance. Good thing I bought two sausage sticks.

My second trip to Monserrate this visit.

Another cold rainy day at home

Paige Sofia and Aryan are bonding

Mama and her big boy practice standing holding on to the couch.