Danni is home...

Danni is home and doing very well! He was again very happy to see us when we arrived this AM and jumped right into the taxi. He has been in a taxi before but he had such big eyes the whole ride home. He has been so busy with toys since we been home that he hasn't explored the entire apartment yet but I am sure his curious little self will inspect every inch of it!! We played for a while and then had lunch - macaroni and cheese!! Emma's choice but Danni gobbled it up. Went to Megamaxi to pick up a cake and snacks for the going away party tomorrow and to the mall to get Danni some shoes. He liked everything except the shoe part. He was not too happy trying on shoes and was definitely not going to wear them! Hopefully tomorrow he will feel a little better about them. His favorite part of the mall was the escalators. We went up and down and up and down about a dozen times! It was a big hit. He was not happy when it I finally said no it was time to go. That will be good entertainment on rainy days. At the grocery store he had a blast - he and Emma rode the cart that is a car. He was quiet at first then he started yelling "ESO - ESO - ESO" which means that - that - that. He even got out of his car and put food in the cart a few times! It was too cute! Again I have to tell everyone how proud I am of Emma. She is an awesome big sister. She insisted on helping him take a shower and put his pj's on. She has played with him all day and they are now watching a movie togehter. It is so cute. Danni likes to hold Emma's hand. He is so loving, a wonderful child. We are truly blessed to have him as a son and Emma as our daughter. Tomorrow morning we finally get to hang out in our pj's and cook breakfast. Dont have to rush and catch our ride. We will hopefully be able to skype both grandparents. If you see on skype please give us a ring! Buenos Noches! Mari

Already likes Electronics!!

We had yet another great day with Danni. He talked so much today. He even said "te amamos mucho" which means I love you very much! We started the day again at 10 AM. We were waiting in the courtyard and he was at his house with his house helper trying to dress him. He wanted to take off running but she wouldnt let him. So Emma went over and gave him big hugs and waited with him. We met the the psychologist, doctor, social worker and his house mother this AM. All went well and we get to bring him home already tomorrow!! We go at 10 AM again to pick him up and bring him back home. Then we go Friday afternoon for a party with his house mates. We are all very excited!! During the 90 minutes of meetings Emma played with Danni alone. She is such a good big sister. She has matured so much just in the past few days. I am so proud of her!! After the meetings we all hung out. Unfortunately we ran out of bubbles so we played blocks and puzzles quite a bit. For lunch we got to leave with him and went down the street a couple of blocks and had lunch. (Hopefully no one gets sick tonight! :) He was quite interested in the TV but did really well. It probably was his first time in a restaurant. We had chicken and rice just like at the home so he was happy. Then off to the park for a bit. There were 4 school children who came over by us and kept asking us how to say stuff in English. They were cute but we realized they were not going to leave us alone so we went back to the home. The end of the day wasn't so great. Danni was not happy that we were leaving. He didnt cry - he was mad and wouldnt say goodbye or gives hugs. He just kept saying NO. It broke our hearts but we had to leave. They were telling him one more day but he was not happy about it. They told us that the night before he was asking for his papi!! So we are home again just relaxing. Not as tired today as yesterday so we are getting used to the altitude. Oh yeah, my title - already likes electronics - he played a lot with Emma's DS game. He would push buttons and then giggle because it did something. He had it figured out pretty quickly. He also loves to take pictures and play with Hayden's cell phone. He will fit right in!! He will probably be using the computer before we leave! :) Oh yeah, he LOVES dogs!! They told us that he loves dogs but today there was a dog in the courtyard and he went right up to it and started to play with him. Look out Kramer and Zoey!!! That's all for today! Hasta manana!

Another Great Day!

Yes another wonderful day with Danni! Everyone calls him Danni so we are too. We arrived again today at 10 AM and when he saw Hayden from accross the courtyard he came running full speed ahead!! He gave us all hugs and then we started to play. Again...bubbles is his favorite! We brought blocks, marbles, play dough and a puzzle too today. He also showed us how well he can climb the high playground equipment. Hayden was almost having a heart attack but Danni got up and down all alone. If you tried to help him you got a stern NO! He does say bubbles now perfectly and bananas. He also calls us mami, papi and Emma. He immitates most everything Emma does so she needs to be on her best behavior. She forgot at one point and jumped off the swing when it was still moving - he saw it so we quickly moved to a new activity!! We were told to bring our own lunch so we started to eat at noon when every one else did. Then the nun from Danni's house came out and kind of scolded us and made us come in and eat with her and the rest of the children. Danni had already ate half a sandwich and half a banana. Then inside he ate soup, chicken, rice and jello for desert! We also shared some chocolate with the children. We were told this is what they eat every day. They eat very well! After lunch the plan was changed and they wanted us to take Danni to a park to see how he would react leaving the home. He was happy as can be! Walked out holding our hands to the park the down the street. We played there for an hour and then headed back as our driver was coming at 3 PM. We ran into the nun again and she wanted us to come to church with her. The nuns and rest of the staff are wonderful. Very loving and caring for these children. I think Danni is a favorite of the nun. He ran to her too when we saw her and gave her a big hug. We are just hanging out tonight. The altitude has not made any of us sick but we are tired - very tired! So we are staying in, even eating left over pizza and garlic bread. Tomorrow we go again at 10 AM. I beleive we get to bring Danni to our apartment for a bit and then take him back in the afternoon. Looking forward to him being here full time. He is so awesome and completes this family. Hasta manana!! Mari

Fabulous Day!!!

We are back from meeting Daniel or Danni as they call him. He is just an awesome kid. He is very happy, smiles all the time, extremely smart and very silly! We were all waiting in a room when they brought him in. He was a little timid but they told him to give me the flowers he was holding so he walked over and snuggled up against me. Then Emma gave him a teddy bear and he gave us the biggest smile! We played for a while inside and they said it was okay to go play outside. We brought some cars and a book but bubbles is all he wanted to play with. Then he decided he wanted to explore what else was in Hayden's back pack - the flashlight was pretty cool, oh a cookie - yummy, then keys with a whistle chain, back to the bubbles. Then we went inside to play in a toy room. There was a bag of plastic easter eggs that were all broke apart. He put them togheter, matching colors and size. If one didnt work he looked for a different one. Very smart kid! Then unfortunately it was time to go. So we walked him over to his house, said our goodbyes but then the nun asked us to join them for a little lunch so of course we did!! Another hour with him YEAH!! At the dinner table his personality came out! He likes to be silly and he likes to eat! The nun was telling us what he liked to eat - basically everything. The nun was awesome and very welcoming. At one point Daniel kept saying "ba dah" or something. No one knew what he was talking about. He got up from the table and went to Hayden's backpack and pulled out the bubbles. He was trying to say bubbles --already learning English!! We also got to see Daniel's room - he shares his room with one other boy who is also up for adoption. It was a nice room - very bright and colorful. He had a stuffed frog on the bed. Then once again it was time to go. He gave big hugs to everyone and waved goodbye. We get to spend the day tomorrow starting at 10 AM until 3 PM. Can't wait! Emma is passed out on the couch. She was awesome today with Daniel. They will be best buddies! She has already packed up some toys for tomorrow. We will spend the rest of the day just hanging out. It was an awesome day! Mari

Emma's Quote of the Day

Emma can't wait for Daniel to come live with us so "she can teach him how to hug dad's bald head and how to annoy mother!!"

We had a quiet day. Santiago took us around a bit so see the area and then we stopped at Megamaxi which is their Super Walmart. It is huge and has everything!

Later!

We Made It!!

Hola!

The Creque's have landed in Quito - on time, safe, happy, excited --- just missing one piece of luggage and of course it is mine!! It is in Houston and should be here tonight. Our apartment is awesome! I have included pictures of our view. The apartment is HUGE and we definitely wont be on top of each other. We will each have our own bedroom and there is a separate office too for Hayden. Very nice!! I did good! Thanks Clemencia! :)

Emma was pretty hyper ALL day yesterday. She is so excited to see Daniel tomorrow. She is tired today - I think that is why she is quiet - at least for now!! We are going out later to shop a bit and see what Quito looks like in the day light. It is sunny and clear skies right now - suppose to be in the upper 60's - much better than MN!!

We go to the orphanage tomorrow at 10 AM so keep us in your thoughts.

Hasta luego!

Mari

Almost Time to Go!!

So our big day is almost here!! We leave for Quito next Saturday. I didn't think that day would ever come, that we would ever get a referral but the time has finally come! We are packing and trying to organize our work life to be gone for two months. Then Emma gets the stomach flu and throws off my schedule because she was sick for 4 days. I hope to get everything done - either way I am out of here!! I am attaching a picture of us all - cant wait to add in the little guy!!

Our First Post

Hey I learned how to create our blog!!