Happy New Year

Happy 2005! Ran and I are celebrating our 14th anniversary next week. Ran, Ryan and I are heading to Nicaragua this weekend (which I hear is beautiful--- I’m excited that I get to find out for myself). Last week we (including Bodi) went to San Jose. We took the bus there (5 hour ride) and Ryan was great. We’re lucky she’s such a terrific traveler. We went to San Jose for two reasons: 1) to go to the doctor and 2) to shop ‘til we drop. We all really like my doctor. She is a Costa Rican woman who did her medical training at Baylor. In case you don’t know why I had to go to the doctor, it’s because I’m 12 weeks pregnant! The baby is due on July 25th. We heard the heartbeat at this visit and next month we will have a sonogram. So far we don’t plan to find out the sex of the baby (just like with Ryan). We’re all looking forward to the newest Smith and Ryan is going to be a terrific big sister.

The shopping in San Jose is great! We went to Hipermas which is kind of like a Super Target, then to the Multiplaza in Escazu (one of the largest malls I have seen--- way bigger than any in Austin) and to PriceSmart which is a membership store like Costco or Sam’s. I certainly got my shopping fix for the month but I will be ready for round two by the time we have to go back. We were able to buy things for the hotel as well as lots of stuff for ourselves… cotton towels, 400 thread count sheets, soy sauce, microwave, toaster oven, Pyrex pan, cream of mushroom soup, shoes for Ryan, dog toys, maternity clothes. Bodi even bought us a Mixmaster as a belated Christmas gift! I didn’t realize how large San Jose is. The population is about 1.5 million and you’ll find fast food restaurants (I ate at McDonald’s twice; maybe next time I’ll hit Subway or Burger King) as well as other corporate chains there (Outback Steakhouse, Office Depot, Osh Kosh B’gosh). We even bought Ryan a Cali Girl Barbie complete with Hang Ten shop as a reward for being so great on our whirlwind shopping trips.

So let’s talk about the pregnancy. Ryan loves looking at “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” to see what the baby looks like at each stage. I am showing more than I was with Ryan (I know that’s hard to believe) but I am still at my pre-pregnancy weight. I guess it’s the healthy lifestyle here. Good thing I don’t live in San Jose because I’d have way more access to junk food. I had nausea and heartburn with this baby which isn’t very fun. But that seems to have passed for the most part and now I can just enjoy having my belly button pop out. I went to the bank the other day (there’s only one in this town). The line was all the way to the door and the security guard asked me if I’m pregnant and moved me to the front of the line! So maybe it’s a good thing to start showing early.

All in all, life is good. We’ve been here for 13 weeks. Being a hotel owner is the ideal job for Ran. Ryan loves being a part of it too. We’re slowly getting work and life in order and it’s another beautiful day in Monteverde. Next week we have our first girls night and I think I will call the Monteverde version of MGGT “Colecta de Coquetas” (gathering of flirts). More to come…

Pura Vida