A First Birthday Party

We packed a candle and a cupcake (look at all that store-bought, plastic-packaged, airline-squished love :) ) to celebrate Ellie's birthday with her (just two weeks late). She turned one on July 12th. Ellie was not too sure of eating the cupcake, but she did put it in her mouth a few times, only to pull it right out, without a bite! :) So, the only thing that is messy for that "First Birthday Cake" picture is her lip (and Daniel's fingers)!








Although the American couple temporary in charge at the home while we were there gave me "permission to be her mom", I felt somewhat like a grandparent spoiling a grandchild. We tried to give her a few things that I know she is not eating now (ex: an Oreo). I was paranoid that I would get "in trouble" with the mamas' if they found us doing something they would not be doing with her. Another example, we had Ellie outside around 9 pm checking email outside the children's home. A mama encouraged us to come inside on two occasions, and finally brought a huge blanket to be put around her. They are very worried about the "night air" and keep things shut up tight after 5 pm. The windows in the home would get all fogged up, and yet we were asked to keep the door closed. It is just a Guatemalan cultural thing, along with bundling the babies! All of the children wore onesies and socks under footed pajamas to sleep. Then, they are placed under heavy blankets after that. With 80 little, very sweaty, bodies, no wonder the home is an oven! :)