The Merida Mountains

Dear Scarlett,

You are asleep on the floor in your little cama right now.  We are in Caracas, Venezuela, in Marianela's house.  I wanted to take a minute to tell you about your first month in Venezuela.  You have been loved by so many and you have been such a joy to be around and present to the world.  Honestly, you are more beautiful every single day.

We spent a month in Merida with your Abuelo Papu, Abuela Cuckoo, and Tio Jota.  Your presence brought the house to life.  Each day we took you for walks around the Andes Mountains.  We walked through the jungle and you absolutely loved it.  Our daily walks were one of the highlights of this month.  I did my best to describe everything to you:  the trees, the flowers, the leaves, the stairs, the birds.  You just loved it all.

We also spent a lot of time reading books to you.  Your daddy and I love reading stories with you because you are amazingly attentive and can focus your attention on the books for hours.  

We bought you a little chair and every meal you joined us at the table, where you would coo and goo and make everyone smile.  Thank you.

Your grandparents managed to procure a swing for you, and in this you spent many an hour sleeping or just enjoying the motion.  

Scarlett, you met so many people.  You have an entirely new country and you have been welcomed like the princess that you are.  You bring joy to all who encounter you, but I believe that I get the most joy.  I love to breastfeed you.  We spend hours every day doing this together and you have lots of rolls to show for it.  I just feel like I have the best baby in the world.  You are so much fun and this year is turning out to be one of the very best of my life.  Thank you for being my daughter, Little Girl.