Hey Baby, It's Cold Outside! January Mendez News

Hey all!

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Happy New Year!

Abigail with Granny Andrews

January has all been about recovering from jet lag. Let me just tell you, baby jetlag stinks. We had no problems going to the US, but coming back was pure killer. And of course, because Abby’s schedule was all off, it meant mine was too. The first week Abby was up from 11pm-4am. By the second week, we got that down from 11pm-2am. Finally she started sleeping through the night in the third week, and that was not a moment too soon. I was just about to pull out my hair.

So, did you guys make your New Year’s Resolutions? We did. One of mine (besides getting up to date on all of my scrapbooking) is to lose the rest of the baby weight. Joel and I have been doing pretty well with our diet so far I think. And to mix it up a bit, this month I signed up for a belly-dancing class. Yep, you read that right. The International Women’s Club here is hosting a 4 week class that is a pretty good deal, so I figured, hey why not. Man, there is nothing like looking at yourself in a dance room mirror for an hour to confirm that you need to lose weight! Hahaha

Some ladies from my Bible study have decided to get together once a month and scrapbook at my house. Last Sunday afternoon was a first time, and I have to say that I am so excited that we are doing this. I’ve missed scrapbooking with other people. (Abby helped Daddy watch sports during the scrapbook workshop. It was a very difficult job.)

This month, our friends (who are also Dominican) hosted the embassy’s Latin-themed wine and cheese party. I helped cook several of Joel’s favorites of his mom’s dishes. Everyone seemed to like them, though I’m not sure I did them justice.

The weather here has finally turned cold, and that means staying indoors. The main mode of entertainment seems to be hanging out at people’s homes. Game nights and dinners seem pretty popular.

Abby is doing well; she weighs 16 pounds and is growing like a weed. She is going to be very tall I think, she has very long legs. She is really into grabbing things and playing with toys, and sits up pretty well on her own. She’s not crawling yet, but she thinks she can. She scoots in a circle on her belly, and if you put her on hardwood floors, she can go backwards. Slowly but surely, her hair is growing in. She has just enough hair now to look like a little boy, so I’m constantly putting bows on her head. Abby’s progressed to eating baby food – she’s made her way through avocado, bananas, squash, and sweet potatoes. As soon as she’s over this cold she picked up this weekend, we’ll be trying out peas.

Abby in her new high chair

Abby in her new duck bathtub, eating a duck.

Abby talks incessantly and the little bugger’s favorite word is “Dada.” That’s gratitude for ya. You should see how she just flirts with her Daddy. Who of course is the biggest sucker for all of it. But she does give the best open mouth kisses.

Abby and Joel at the park in Zagreb

Next month, I finish up the vacation I’m taking from writing the embassy newsletter, and get moving with my online Spanish. Joel will be taking a maintenance Spanish course as well. We are taking a trip to stock up in Aviano, and might even get out of the house for a date on Valentine’s Day, if we get a sitter. Abby’s hoping it will snow again, so I can make her a snowman.

Talk to you all soon!

Love,
Julie, Joel, and Abigail