Everyone can offer congratulations to newly-minted grandmother and frequent contributor to this forum "Shillmac"; her granddaughter was born Thurs so she is probably just now coming down from the grandparent endorphen rush!!

Congrats Shillmac ! Faith .

Congratulations Shillmac! What a lucky little gal to be your granddaughter. Hopefully she will inherit your love and knowledge of wonderful places. Enjoy!

WONDERFUL NEWS! Congratulations! How early can you apply for a passport for this little one!

Lisa

Congratulations! That explains where you have been lately!

Congrats Shillmac!

Bet that little gal will be strapped into a zip-line harness in no time!

Congratulations!! Entering the territory of new-grandmotherhood is as as exciting and wonderful as discovering a place on your travels that you had heard was nice, but that you never imagined could be THIS much fun!

Muchisimas Gracias Todos! Yes, I've been a bit preoccupied lately! And Isabelle Mia quite surpasses in beauty any child I've ever seen--except for her mother! Oh, alright-I'm only half serious, but don't get me started. . .

But yes, G-Motherhood is definitely all everyone has said it would be. "Endorphen rush" an apt description, dnc11. . .just you wait! Thanks again. I'm getting my Costa Rica fix by being content to read Fodor's occasionally. And we'll be some of those crazy people traveling to Costa Rica with infant in tow this summer! She has amigos Ticos to meet.

Shillmac, congratulations! What a pretty name for the little one, too! She will be right at home with that name in Costa Rica.

Congrats shillmac! What a beaut of a name. I'm sure she will grow up to love CR as much as you do. Best wishes...

Shillmac, congrats in a big way! May you find as much sunshine and fun in your granddaughter as you do in lending a hand to Fodorites like me, first time planners heading to CR. I am sure you will! We head to CR with an extra bit of confidence because of your wisdom.

Congratulations, Grandmother Shillmac!!! what a wonderful blessing! We're all excited for you.

Thank you Chris and Melissa and everyone else! She's doing great! And growing oh so fast. I tell Isabelle's mom that she is very lucky because Isabelle sleeps most of the night already! So far there hasn't been a night when she has awakened more than once. For those of us who have been parents, we know that is quite a stroke of luck!

I've sent out so many photos online, it's shameful! Sharon and Ray McAllister have even received a few of them in Bolivia.

Speaking of Sharon & Ray, do all of you remember them? She posts here fairly often. She is sending me e-mail updates of their South America travels and they have been having a great time the past few days enjoying Carnaval in Bolivia. It all sounds like great fun with super soaker water guns and lots of dancing!

I've been impressed to learn from her that, when they travel, they always choose ahead of time an organization in the country (countries) they will be visiting and take along children's things, medical supplies, etc. in a couple of big bags. Then they use those bags to return with souvenirs.
She doesn't brag about it, but I can tell it is a passion of theirs--one that I think is quite commendable.

What a generous and wonderful idea! Hopefully counteracts the "ugly American" view! Thanks again, everyone. Happy travels!