Holding down the fort...

Last Thursday night, my best friend, Annmarie Breen, arrived! She came to visit and help me with the boys while Michael hikes the Inca Trail this week. He left on Sunday night with our friend Mark Chapman and three of his friends, Jeff, Matt, and David. We sure miss Daddy around here, but are finding ways to stay busy - not hard to do with a 3-yr-old and a newborn! Already, Annmarie has proven a terrific "second-in-command" to mommy, sleeping with Noah in his bed the last two nights when he woke at 3 and 4:30 am. She has helped with Noah's transition to having to wear a patch on his right (strong) eye every day. She was also a huge help holding a fussy baby during Noah's first dentist appointment on Monday, so I could hold Noah and convince him that the swirling polishing brush wouldn't hurt. Countless times throughout our days together do I ask for her help or, more frequently, I find her doing things that I never asked her to do but she just knows how much it would help! I haven't hung up laundry to dry or done dishes since she arrived. Her constant companionship and support has been such a huge encouragement to me. She's got a little less than a week with us still and we've got lots to pack into the rest of her visit!

Enjoying Elita's Arroz con Leche. She taught us how to do it too!

Michael and the guys return on Saturday. Today was probably their toughest day, hiking to the highest peak of the trail. Tomorrow will be the longest day, hiking up two more peaks and descending hundreds of stairs before arriving to the campsite at the entrance to Machu Picchu. On Friday morning, they will arise before dawn and begin the speedy 1 1/2 hour trek to the sungate, so they can catch the sunrise as it shines its first rays onto the Inca's most famous sanctuary. (At least that's how I remember it was. We'll see if they have a similar experience (c:)

The dentist was very patient and gentle with Noah

Every morning Noah tells me what he wants to put on his patch - today it was a sticker with three stars on it. The other day it was Captain Hook's hook. He really is doing great with this transition, even though the hardest parts are putting it on and taking it off. Thank you to all who are praying!

Deep thoughts from Noah

Noah and I were eating lunch together yesterday, when he noticed some pretty clouds outside our window. We started talking about what we saw in them. He said he saw a big angel flying. Then he asked me, "Mommy, do angels have glasses too?" "They sure do!" I replied. "Helps them see us better when they're way up in the sky." "Mommy, I want that angel to fly all the way right here to our window so I can see him."

Happy Easter!!

We had a wonderful day celebrating the resurrection of our Lord on Sunday! I had not been feeling well the day before, so I was happy to feel good enough to join everybody in the celebration. At church, Pastor Bob Woodson preached on the proof and validity of Jesus' resurrection. It was great to worship together as a family of believers.


After church, we came home to get our Easter eggs and so Michael could finish making his "Parker House Rolls," his first try at a yeast bread. Then we went to the Wards house for the afternoon. We had a delicious potluck meal - the rolls were devoured. Following lunch, Easter eggs were hidden by the Daddies of the group and the kids got to do a hunt. As usual, it was sweet to make some more memories with our teammates. We're going to miss all these "family" celebrations.

Painting our Easter Eggs...couldn't find any dye (c:

Play-Doh and Q-tip sheep!

Dear friends, Graciela, Martha, Romina, and Gianella

Noah helping to "paint" the rolls with butter

Janna Ross, Hadassah Berry, and Ethan

The Easter Egg hunters, plus 3 little cuties

The Market

One of the little joys here, that I know will be harder to achieve in the States, is local shopping. It is one of the many things about the more community-centered lifestyle that is so healthy and natural. Old-fashioned ideas like buying food grown or raised locally, from someone you know and trust, eating only what is in season, avoiding pre-packaged products, and getting things fresh, just for the day's needs - these things strengthen community, save energy and usually mean healthy diets. Now if they didn't then go and fry everything...

Family Update

Here's our sweet boy with his glasses. He may not always need them, so I better get these cute pictures while I can! He's really doing well with them, especially after getting a little strap from Grandma that helps keep them on. He doesn't appear to think about them being on when he uses the strap. Just this morning, he asked to wear them so he could read something. So, they must be helping him. We'll be going back to the doctor next week to check his progress and I've already made an appointment for him to see a specialist in the states when we return this summer.
Just so everyone knows, we are winding down on our time here in Peru. We have been amazed by how much God has done in and through us over these past two years. Now, we are beginning to realize how little time we have left here, although we're not exactly sure how long that will be. We completed two years of living in Peru in March, however, it was never clear whether the two-year commitment included the language study of 7 months at the beginning. So, we are staying beyond our two years (depending on how you look at it), but now taking the needed time to phase out of ministry here. We do plan to return home in time for Michael to find a job and begin teaching (or something else that the Lord opens up). So, currently, we are still trying to determine our leaving date based on other gifts that come in, beyond the two year period. As soon as we know a departure date, we'll be happy to share it!
We are very split right now as we process leaving a country and people we have come to love and returning to "normalcy" at home. Certainly, we have changed, so what was normal is no more. We have grown-up, quite literally in Noah's case, from just barely walking to a busy preschooler. But we, too, have grown into our roles as mommy and daddy, husband and wife, missionaries - all this in a Peruvian context. Surely some of those things are going to change as we return home. Our roles will not change, but how we do them likely will. We are only at the very beginning of all the transtion that lies before us and the hardest part will be saying good-bye to our friends and "family" here.

Ethan's Video Debut

This busy mother-of-two is beginning to figure out her new life; i.e. finding time to blog and do fun things like make videos again. Forgive us for not sharing more along the way, but here's a video to catch you up on all of Ethan's growing over the last 2 months.

Glasses

This morning, before church, Michael presented Noah with his cool new glasses! Aren't they sweet??! He did a great job with them for his first day, wearing them about half the time. We're working on keeping them on, teaching him how to put them on by himself, not getting fingerprints all over them, pushing them up when they fall down his nose...this is a lot for a very busy 3-year-old boy. Sigh. Little by little. Everyone at church was so encouraging to him, especially our friends that also have glasses! This is certainly a big adjustment for all of us. We are grateful for your prayers - the Lord is giving us an extra measure of grace and patience with Noah right now with all these changes.

Another cute brother picture

Potty Training update: the potty played 1 song for him last night (= success!) and today he woke up dry from his nap! (Don't worry, I won't always update on this, but just wanted to say that we're making progress!)

6 Weeks Old

Wow, finally I have a second to blog just a little...we'll see how much I can type out with both hands before somebody needs me to hold them. (c: Yes, Ethan is 6 weeks old and my, how the time has flown! I still plan to blog about the time when our parents were here, I just might have to wait until I have a bigger chunk of time.
Since they left, though, Noah began school again, where they have insisted that he be potty-trained. That's been fun. We'll keep you posted on that progress once we see a little more. We also determined that Noah, in fact, needs glasses to correct "strabismus", which means his eyes aren't quite lined up. Read more here . We still have a lot to learn about this and it will be a big adjustment for Noah. If he wears them all the time, there's a good chance that the problem can be corrected and he won't need the glasses anymore. There's also a chance that he may need to wear a patch over the stronger eye for a time during the treatment. This is a lot to handle for a 3-yr-old, not to mention us, as we will surely need to encourage him to keep them on all the time.
Anyways, these two brothers are getting along great. Noah, upon waking or arriving home from school, immediately asks for Ethan and still just loves holding and kissing him! The other day, Noah heard Ethan sneeze and said, "Ethan has the bless you's!" He always talks to him in a higher pitch, sweet voice - must have picked that up from somewhere.
Ethan is starting to smile at me a little, but I still haven't been able to catch it in a picture. He's sleeping, at times, for 6 hour stints through the night in his own room. Truly, he is so sweet and I am just trying to soak up this stage as much as I can - now, I understand how quickly it goes.
Forgive the random nature of this blog I hope to be a little more coherent in those to come.

Tito with the little guy on St. Patrick's Day

On our way to pick out some glasses with big brother

He still sleeps a lot

But when he's awake, he's a good wiggler!

Noah opening his brand new musical potty chair!

Lots going on!

We just watched my parents leave in a taxi, headed to the airport. It has been a wonderful week shared together, full of memories and proper grandson-spoiling. We'll have to post pictures later, but they got to see much of Lima and our life here, and of course spend lots of quality time with the new nieto Ethan. It seemed so short, and it is sad to see them go. But...
Early tomorrow morning Laura's parents arrive! What a blast to have all of our parents come visit! We'll try to update more as they arrive. This is a beautiful time for all of us.

Semantics

The other day Noah and I were walking down the street, practicing our counting to ten. Thinking he needed a new challenge, I asked him, "Noah, can you count backwards from ten?"

Before I could explain or give an example, he turned around, started walking backwards, and continued, "...two, three, four...."

A little comparison...

This is Noah, maybe a week or so after he was born...

And here's Ethan...

Now, just for fun, here's what Noah's been reading recently. My, how he's grown-up!

Here's Ethan with little Janna Hope Ross - their first meeting on Ethan's one week birthday.

More Pictures...

We're mostly going to post pictures here. If anyone wants to hear more about the birth feel free to e-mail us. Short version: Ethan was born at a birth center, in a big bathtub. We arrived at 7pm on Thursday the 5th, he was born at 10:30pm and we were walking in the door to our apartment at 8am after trying to rest at the center for the night. My recovery has been awesome.

Noah couldn't wait to hold Ethan when we got home. Right away, he ran to wash his hands without us even asking, so he could hold him.

My sweet Salvatierra guys!

Ethan with his hat from Aunt Kerry. Noah said, "He needs some more clothes on!" and ran to get this hat and matching booties.

Our first attempt at the "bucket bath" - we're still learning about this new bathing method.

Our first night home, all together in the bean bag. Noah wouldn't have it any other way.

Sweet feet

Noah is very affectionate and gentle with Ethan!

Elita gets a turn. She has been such a big help to us!

Our first outing, last night, to visit the Pediatrician. He's looking great!

Thank you to all of you who have been praying for us over these last several days!! God has been so good in protecting us, keeping us healthy, and smoothing this transition from 1 to 2 precious boys. We give Him all the praise for such a perfect delivery!

Ethan Matthew Salvatierra

BabysHere.com: Photo Birth Announcements

Waiting for our little boy

Here we are at 38 weeks and a few days along....honestly, right now I feel like things are changing, so heads up - I think this little guy will be making an appearance soon! After our last sonogram and OB appointment (everything looks great!) on Monday morning, we made a family day of it and went to the Parque del Olivar to get some last pregnant pictures. Here are some favorites.

Laura's 28th Birthday

Surely, this has been my most memorable birthday ever. My only request this year was that we didn't have a big party. It all began the evening of January 25th, when I recieved the call from my teammate Amanda, that it was time for her to have her baby. I had just finished putting Noah to bed and got my second wind, preparing myself to be awake for the majority of the night. Susan and I took a taxi to the Rosses house, where Susan stayed with Kayla and Bella, and I got to accompany Amanda and Jeremy to the birth center. As much as I would like to share the details from that point - it's really their story, so I better not, but I will say little Janna was born at 1:30 on my birthday, in the quiet, peaceful environment of a big bath tub! It was the most beautiful birth I have ever had the opportunity to witness! The whole process was clearly ordered by our Creator. By 5am, I was walking in the door of our apartment, Amanda and Jeremy dropped me off on their way home to introduce Janna to her big sisters!

Michael let me sleep in and I woke to the smell of waffles and Noah came to wake me with a sweet, "Happy Birthday, Mommy." I went back to sleep after Noah went to school, the rest of the afternoon was lovely and restful. We had a little family celebration with Noah; I took him to the park while Michael made our favorite Marble Cake cookies as my birthday cake this year - it was perfect! The only candles we happened to have were tealights, so it worked great for the cookies. Truly, I was just delighted by the simplicity and the love I could feel packed into those cookies. Susan came over and put Noah to bed while Michael and I went out for Thai food at one of the few such restaurants in Lima. There, Michael gave me tickets for the following night to see a highly acclaimed folkloric dance performance at "Las Brisas de Titicaca" - a show I've been wanting to see for a while, and one that would be difficult to see after the baby comes because it goes so late at night. We returned home and just before bedtime, Michael showed me a very special 30-min video that he had compiled of all of our friends here in Lima, wishing me a happy birthday!! He had traveled all over the city getting in touch with people to put this together - it was so encouraging, and a special memoir to bring home with us to remind us of all of our dear friends here! (Some of you may remember when he did a similar thing for me in college) Then he somehow got me to check my hotmail e-mail account and I saw all the dozens and dozens of birthday wishes that he had reminded people to send my way - wow!

I felt so cared for and loved! Thank you to you all who participated in making this such a special birthday for me!!!!!

The following evening, Elita came to put Noah to bed and spent the night, so that we could go to the show at Las Brisas. It was so beautiful! The live music was fabulous - we did get to dance, very gently. (c: What a special treat just before the baby is born.

Just today, Amanda, Sara, Susan, and I got to go out for brunch. It was sortof a belated birthday brunch/celebrate Amanda and Janna getting-out-of-the-house brunch. It was fun to be with just the girls. Lori would be there too, but they are back in the States right now.

Vacation Bible School

A couple weeks ago, a team from New Life City fellowship came and helped our church do a vacation bible school for the kids in our neighborhood. It was for ages 4-12 and God brought around 60 kids to learn about His love for them and their families. Michael participated using his professional skills as a music teacher to instruct a basic music class throughout the week, ultimately teaching the kids "Father, I Adore You" in a round. Here's a little clip: