I went to Costa Rica

for the first time in five years. To you, oh internet, that might not sound like so long, but to me, it is SO LONG. The longest I've gone without Costa Rica since I was 10 times two.

I went partially because I hadn't been in a long time, and partially to meet my baby! nephew! His name is Kaleb and he is precious.

The world is still very surprising at age 9 months, and he makes that face a lot. As a (major major major) bonus I got to see his mama, my unofficial sister Ileana. Who is, by the way, an amazing mother.

We hung out in our swimsuits in some volcano-warmed water and drank tasty fruity beverages. And by "beverage" I mean "there is so much fruit in there that there is no room for alcohol."

That, my friends, is the good life. The volcano made an appearance for me, too. (Yes, it is all about me. Obviously. This is my blog, living proof that the world revolves around me. Get with the picture.)

Oh, and did I mention there was a baby there?

A baby on the edge of toddlerhood, in fact. He took his first steps while I was there. While I was in the room admiring his precious adorableness, he saw fit to start walking. This, along with peaches, is why I (mostly) believe in a higher power.

After a few days in Ili's new hometown of La Fortuna, we went to Monteverde (my old hometown). Monteverde, in addition to being a tourist hotspot, is stunningly beautiful. You just have to go where the hotels aren't.

Oh yeah, I also saw a toucan. Right up close. Pretty sweet.

And the baby.

In case you had forgotten, it's all about the baby. Look at that face and try to disagree.