Carnaval 2015!

Posted in Brazil, Friends by Ashley Z Harper

Since Michael and I moved to Brazil just before Carnaval 2012, this year marked our 4th Carnaval in Brazil. In 2012 we were basically just trying to get acquainted with the city, figure out where and how to buy groceries, etc. In 2013 we took a little getaway trip to the mountains. In 2014 we were in the Bay Area after celebrating Colt’s godparents’ wedding in San Francisco. All have been great activities for us but this year we decided to something a little different, a little more Carnaval-ish.

First of all, I was still in the first-trimester season of not feeling very well and honestly I felt like Colt and I had just gotten back from the US, so I wasn’t really up for a trip. Since we decided to stay put, there is really only one main event in São Paulo so of course we were in for that! Party at the Sambódromo with Trent and Paige Hudson!

Let me explain. First, the “national music and dance” of Brazil is called samba. In preparation for Carnaval each year, there are samba “schools” which are kind of like dance/performance troupes. Each year, these schools come up with a unique theme and then create enormous floats, design crazy costumes and choreograph amazing dances for the big samba school competition. The venues across Brazil which are dedicated to hosting the Carnaval parade of competing samba schools are called Sambódromos (Sambadromes) and they are basically just stadiums with a long runway of asphalt and bleachers on either side. The competition / party lasts for multiple nights and each school spends a full hour making their way down the “runway.” We went with Trent & Paige on a Saturday night where there were 7 schools slated from 10pm through 5am. We made it until about 3:30am and were the first to leave but I thought it was pretty good for two pregnant ladies! The schools all write their own “team-song” for their performance and since it’s a just a few verses and a chorus over and over for the school’s hour-long performance, the crowd quickly memorizes it and sings along while dancing the whole time. (Honestly, you never sit down!) We had a blast and I loved getting to do something that was very in the spirit of the Brazilian Carnaval.

Just as a side note – each school reserves a certain number of slots for “tourists” who are not members but who can pay to join. For a hefty little fee, they get costumes and an easy role in the performance and together, they help fund the entire school. The real deal happens in Rio and this year, Michael’s brother Joe and some other friends of ours participated! They said it was an unforgettable experience – so cool!

OK – pics from our night – check out the amazing floats and costumes!

Final photo on the way out with one of our fav costumes.

Then before hopping in our cab, Trent managed to snag this part of a costume from the street!

Back at the Hudsons’ apartment, Michael tries it on for size.

Then next morning the two kids were feeling a little more chipper than their parents…

It was a great Carnaval / Valentines’ Day!

20Mar2015

Brazil Lately

Posted in Baby, Brazil by Ashley Z Harper

OK, now that I’ve finally made it past posting about the holidays, time to try to catch up on what we’ve been up to since then!

Because Michael had to return home from the states a couple weeks before Colt and I did, I was doing the trip solo with Colt. I have done it with him a couple times by myself before but in those instances I was on direct flights AND it was before he was walking. Big differences. This time we flew through DC and again, we hadn’t purchased a seat for him so it was a gamble as to whether I’d get to use his car seat or if I’d be holding him the whole time. Also, I was still in my first trimester feeling very exhausted and sick so I was pretty worried about how the trip would go. The great comfort was that I knew, good or bad, we would land in Brazil eventually and then it would be over, so even if it was a rough day of travel, it would only be a day. Thankfully, however, God had other plans and was so gracious to me. I had an extra seat on both flights and for the overnight, Colt went to sleep just after the dinner service and woke up just after they cleared breakfast – less than an hour before landing. Praise the Lord. It was such a blessing!! And such a departure from how he behaved on our way TO the US. I think those two legs counted for his 31st and 32nd flights but honestly, no matter how “well traveled” a baby is, it all just depends on the day, the night, the moment. That being said, after doing over 30 flights with him, I know that I am more comfortable and laid back about it which helps a lot. When we landed in Brazil everything went smoothly and God provided someone to help me with ALL of our tons of bags and then **angels singing** Michael was just outside of security waiting for us with flowers and a soccer ball balloon for Colt! So sweet. We were all very happy to be reunited.

The boys happy to be reunited.

Nothing too major has happened since we’ve been back. The main events have been Carnaval and my birthday – both of which I’ll post about separately – but otherwise it’s just been a lot of time with friends and family. In fact, the night that we got home we went out for sushi with the Hudsons (yes, I’m eating sushi this pregnancy, just not too much and only high quality) and the next day we celebrated Trent’s birthday with a gathering in the park. The boys were pretty focused on spikeball, the girls were busy catching up and somehow Joe got stuck on baby-duty. He’s just such a natural!

Joe wrangling Jack, Mailey and Colt.

Also after returning home from the holidays we set up one of Colt’s coolest Christmas gifts – a teepee from my mom! He loves having a little space that he knows is his own and every day he comes and grabs my hand and says “pee-tee, pee-tee.”

Colt’s teepee set up in the guest room / his play room.

Colt got right back into the swing of life in Brazil and loves spending time outside here!

Running around the complex.

Elevator selfies.

Scraped up little nose but still smiling.

Trent with Mailey & Colt!

The “rocking colt” that Michael and Trent made Colt – finally finished! And Colt loves it!

Looking sharp for a lunch out with friends!

Painting at home with Mom!

I can’t get enough!

Valentines Day: Flowers and signs from my boys.

Sweet Valentines flowers and signs from my boys.

Splishing and splashing in the rain! Loving the boots from his godparents Mike & Mo!

Absolutely fascinated by the construction work across the street. I couldn’t pull him away!

My sweet little pal!

My little fried rice monster.

Coloring with his pals downstairs.

Park day!

Total ham.

Colt, you have a little something on your face.

Cheese!

Stealing the big kid’s scooter for a second.

I walked in the room to find that Colt had put his little stuffed friends up in the chair and was sweetly reading!

Ball pit!

Always more fun with Mailey!!

I’ve mentioned this before but kids’ birthday parties are a really big thing here. People go all out. In February, Colt and I were invited to the birthday party for a little guy in our apartment complex who was turning 3. He actually has a little brother who is only 1 week older than Colt so we play with them a lot. Since this party was being held within our complex (versus out at a venue) I thought it might be more low-key but not so! Each apartment building has a “party room” and they had theirs all decked out in a Micky Mouse theme. There were 3 musicians/singers who were hired to entertain the kids as well as characters Micky Mouse and Goofy the Dog plus another guy who sort of played with kids / directed the party. For food they had caterers serving popcorn, little hotdogs, mini pizzas, pão de queijo, and little cups of hot corn (both last things are common Brazilian foods). Then, around 6pm (the party started at 3pm) they served pasta with cheese or red sauce. Then of course there was the dessert table with a huge cake and every type of treat you could imagine. Also, it wouldn’t be a Brazilian kid’s birthday party without lots of nannies and sure enough, they were in full-force! I think I was the ONLY mom there who did not also have a nanny, and many kids were just with their nannies. Anyway, it was a great party and very fun but also a funny reminder of the cultural differences. Here are a couple pics from the day!

Colt was very hesitant about getting too close to the characters but he was definitely intrigued.

Every single adult in this photo is being paid to be there. 2 characters, 1 party leader and 7 nannies!

Kids being entertained by the musicians.

The birthday boy in his dad’s arms with mom and little brother beside them. Behind the dessert table.

So, one thing with which we have never really struggled with Colt (praise the Lord) is sleep. He is a great, easy sleeper, sleeping 8pm-8am at night and taking a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon. He is always happy to go to the crib and go down for a nap or at night and will try to climb in on his own and then will wave you out of the room saying night-night, bye-bye once he’s in. It is always easy to leave him with a sitter because his sleep is such a given and so predictable.
HOWEVER. We randomly went through a week-long struggle with sleep that was insane! Literally out of the blue one night, Colt really put up a fuss about going to bed. We were having some people over that night so Michael and I thought that it was unusual but that maybe he just wanted to be social. Since he is normally like clockwork, we didn’t really worry about it and let him stay up later but even after our friends left he still cried every time we put him in the crib before we finally had to just let him cry it out. The next day he only napped for about 20 minutes and then woke up in hysterics. That night he started to visibly panic when it was time for bed and freaked out about going into the crib. It was so strange and we didn’t know where it came from or what to do. Long story short(er), we realized that he was suddenly afraid of being left alone. If we were sitting in the room beside him – not even touching him or talking – he would be fine, but if he saw that he was being left or found that he was alone he would totally freak out. This meant it was obviously much more difficult for him to fall asleep since we can’t just sit in there the whole time every time (and we didn’t want to start bad patterns) and it also meant that when he would wake up in the night or during a nap, instead of just rolling over and falling back asleep like he normally would, he would start screaming.
We were blessed that it only lasted for about 8 days or so, but during that time you don’t know if it’s going to be temporary or the start of a new thing so it totally had me freaked out. But, Michael and I wanted to be consistent so we came up with a strategy and stuck to it which included: being very firm about his bedtime routine (not letting him ask for more books or delays), talking with him about how we were not abandoning him but just going to the other room so that he could rest, explaining that even when we are not there, God is always with him, praying with him before we put him down and once he was in the crib, then rubbing his back for a few minutes so that he would feel a calmness about being in there. However, we also decided together that once we left the room, we were not going back in until the morning, aka cry-it-out. This was BRUTAL. Especially since Michael left for a work-trip for the week about 2 days in so I would have to endure listening to that sweet boy cry all by myself – sometimes for more than an hour straight and then other times during the night. I literally wanted to throw myself out a window but honestly the crying got shorter every night and I think having a plan and sticking to it helped Colt get back on track much faster. This was about 3 weeks ago and I’m thankful to report that he is 100% back to his normal sleep-loving self and we are again free to just toss him in the crib and walk out of the room and we can be confident he’ll happily put himself to sleep within a few minutes.
ANYway, all of that is a little back story to this photo I took of Colt’s monitor where, after crying for who knows how long, I watched him fall asleep standing up! Poor guy was clearly so exhausted but it was about 5 minutes before he laid himself down!

Passed out standing up. Poor guy. Don’t worry, he laid down after about 5 minutes like this.

13Mar2015

Visiting the SC Zoo!

Posted in Baby, Family, Travels by Ashley Z Harper

Like most kids, one of Colt’s favorite things are animals. Unfortunately, in our daily life his exposure is mostly limited to books and toys with the occasional dog spotting. Thankfully in the US it was so easy to visit the zoo! In Phoenix we opted for zoo-lights which was awesome but since it’s at night, there are fewer animals to be seen, so in SC we decided to do some daytime trips. Even better, my grandparents have a membership to the zoo which comes with a certain number of passes so we were able to go for free! Yippee!

For our first trip to the zoo Michael was still in SC with us and my parents and grandparents came along. It was a chilly but pretty day and I think Colt was in a state of wonder the whole time.

Harper family.

Zaises with Colt.

Finchers with Colt.

Gigi and Colt checking out the penguins.

Colt, Pasha and the wolf.

Family photo in front of the lions.

Flamingos!

Next up was the petting zoo.

No fear.

Family.

That face. I just can’t even.

Finally, we ended the afternoon with a few rides around the carousel.

A couple weeks later, my grandparents took my mom, Colt and me back to the zoo for round 2!

Running free through the zoo.

Colt with his great grandparents in front of the elephants.

Riding the elephant.

Flamingos!

Exploring all corners.

Giraffes!

Face-off.

Taking a ride around on the train.

Riding the tiger.

Back at the petting zoo!

Colt seriously could not get enough of it.

Llamas!

My mom and Colt actually got sneezed on by one of the goats mid-feed. It reminded me of when Colt sneezes on me right when I give him a spoonful of food.

My sweet mom actually made Colt a photo-book of his trips to the zoo that some friends are going to bring down for us later this month and I cannot wait to get it in his little hands so that he can continue to relive the fun!

11Mar2015

January in South Carolina!

Posted in Baby, Family, Travels by Ashley Z Harper

After a wonderful visit in Arizona, Michael, Colt and I flew to South Carolina to ring in the new year with the Zaises! We had a wonderful welcome dinner with my parents, grandparents and my aunt where we were immediately able to share the news of Baby #2 on the way.

Colt right at home in Columbia, SC!

After a couple of days in Columbia, my parents rented a condo on Folly Beach so that we could be closer to my brother’s family for a few days. Brad and Suzanne have a sweet 3 year old, Augusta Clare, and they were due with baby girl #2 on January 20. When we originally scheduled our trip, Colt and I planned to stay in Columbia longer than Michael was able to in hopes of being there when she was born. However, the baby surprised all of us and came 5 weeks early on December 18 – the day we arrived in Phoenix! It was a bit of a shock to everyone but she was healthy and strong and after some time in the NICU, Brad and Suzanne were able to bring her on home. Of course all we cared about was that she was doing OK but secretly Michael and I were quite excited that we would definitely get to meet her and spend time with her.

We all drove to Charleston on New Years day and had a great few days in the area visiting with the Zaises and also enjoying the city. I had a hard time staying awake for, mmmm, any amount of time, so of course passed out on the drive. Normally I would never post this but with Colt snoozing right behind me, for some reason I kind of love it.

Michael snapped this little gem of Colt and I passed out in the car on the drive to Charleston.

Colt and Augusta Clare were so funny and cute together. He basically followed her around everywhere and tried to copy whatever she was doing and she just bossed him around – much to his delight. It was adorable and made me seriously wish we were closer.

Colt and AC – such fast friends!!

Colt loved Augusta Clare’s whole play room – especially her horse.

Brad and sweet tiny May!

One afternoon we got my parents to babysit Colt for us while Michael and I went out in downtown Charleston. It’s a beautiful city and always fun, but was especially special to us as it was the first time we had really been back downtown since our wedding! Of course we stopped in at the Charleston Place Hotel and Michael got an Old Fashioned at the Thoroughbred Bar.

Cheers!

Almost 5 years later!

That evening we enjoyed more time with the Zaises and got a few good family photos.

Augusta Clare absolutely adored Michael and he adored her right back!

Full family picture! Love.

Harpers!

Zaises!

Back in Columbia Colt continued to enjoy time with my parents and we continued to take advantage of their babysitting!

Playing with one of our old toys.

Date night out together.

Happy boy!

Michael had to head back to Brazil early January (after all, someone has to be working around here!) but Colt and I stayed through the end of the month (until January 24). Although we missed Michael, this was truly SUCH a blessing as my first trimester exhaustion and sickness really kicked off around the time we landed in South Carolina. Therefore, while Michael was back in Brazil getting to focus on work, I was able to focus on rest and taking care of myself while my mom focused on taking care of Colt! It was really a win-win-win as Colt is literally obsessed with Gigi, my mom loved it and I could not have been more thankful for the luxury of being able to take naps and have someone cook for you every day. The life…

We also did lots of other fun things throughout our visit. One very special event was on January 10 when my grandparents celebrated their 60 year anniversary (just days after my parents celebrated their 35th!). Amazing, right?! It was a cold day so we first met them at the mall and played with Colt on the carousel and then headed out to dinner. It was such a beautiful cause for celebration and I am so thankful for the incredible testimony of their marriage and the example they have set for me.

Announcement in the paper with their wedding picture from 60 years ago!

Colt at the mall with Papa, Nannie, and Aunt Sheryl.

Gigi and Colt on the carousel.

Colt living it up on the Fun Bus.

That weekend, we were also super blessed by a visit from my dear friend Meredith! She drove from Chapel Hill to spend the night with us and it was so fun and refreshing to have time with her. Thank you so much for taking the time and making the trip to see us Mere! (Excited that next time we see each other it will be here in São Paulo THIS MONTH!)

Colt adored Meredith too.

My mom and I made another trip to visit Brad, Suzanne and their girls and again, loved it.

Sleeping babies are the cutest babies.

Colt and Augusta Clare!

Sitting on the stairs just being cute together.

Brad feeding little May.

Michael and I got Augusta Clare a doll house for Christmas and Brad and Suzanne were great sports about it, even putting in the 3 hours of labor it took to put it together, but I’m pretty sure they kind of secretly hate us for giving them something so massive. Augusta Clare seems to like it though!

Augusta Clare and her doll house!

The rest of our time in Columbia was just spent enjoying family and little outings here and there…

Colt and his glove-balloon-shark.

Miraculously Colt became the BEST eater in South Carolina. Loved Gigi’s cooking.

Fun in the tub.

Poor Colt cried when Gigi and Pasha went out one night and he was stuck with just me.

Poor Colt was not happy when Gigi and Pasha went out and he was stuck with just me.

Reading with Papa.

His favorite book, “Augusta Clare goes to the zoo with her great grandparents.”

Big bubble bath. Much more fun than the kitchen-sink baths we do at home.

Colt loved Gigi’s fried rice. Thankfully this is one I can make too.

Flipping through pictures with Nannie and Papa.

Colt was NOT excited to be dressed the same as his mom.

Outing at the children’s’ museum in Columbia. Colt loved shopping for groceries.

Big tractor!

Blowing bubbles in the yard with Gigi.

Very excited about the beautiful new sweater that Aunt Sheryl knit him.

A little blurry but still sweet. Colt snuggling with his big cousin Margaret!!

Running around the yard with Papa.

While we were in Columbia we also took a couple trips to the zoo but I’m going to post about that separately as this has already gotten so long!

10Mar2015

Arizona Holiday Party

Posted in Baby, Family, Travels by Ashley Z Harper

For the past two years, the Harpers have thrown a really big, fun holiday party. It started out last year as a way for everyone to meet Culhane on his first visit to Arizona and introduce his cousin Julian to the masses who was just a new little baby too. It was so much fun that they decided to do it again this year. It was Brazilian themed filled with Brazilian decor, Brazilian drinks (caipirinhas) and Brazilian food (feijoada and a Brazilian chicken dish) as well as lots of other great food and drinks. I took pictures of the set-up and we did a little photo-shoot before the party started, but unfortunately once the guests started arriving I put my camera away so I could enjoy the party (and keep up with Culhane who was a party animal that night – running all over talking to everyone!). I think this year there were about 160 people and it was a blast!

Family pic!

The view down the driveway of the luminaries and trees all lit up and the chiminea firing!

View going the other way towards the house with the fun bench and Brazilian decorated welcome bar!

Michael, Colt and Sharon at the Brazil bar.

The view coming into the front yard. Tables lit and ready!

Brazil bar #2 featuring caipirinhas and margaritas!

The lovely seating area around the fireplace.

Moving inside to the dining room where the main course was set up.

The living room all decorated and ready to go.

Snacks and apps inside.

Seating area out in the backyard.

Backyard barrel bar.

Family photo-shoot time!

In front of the tree.

Julian and Colt on the bench.

Papa and Nana with their grands!

The beautiful Harp family.

Aunt Lise & Uncle Joe with Colt.

The whole gang (minus Shannon & the Kopp family!).

Up Next: South Carolina!

9Mar2015

Christmas in Phoenix

Posted in Baby, Family, Travels by Ashley Z Harper

So, let me start by apologizing for the almost 3 month absence from the blog. The first trimester really takes it out of me and until a couple weeks ago, I was basically in survival mode, sleeping every possible chance I had. But, now that I’m 16 weeks (today!) and feeling MUCH better, I figured it was time to get caught up on the blog! And isn’t March the perfect time to blog about Christmas? 😉

Every year since we’ve been in São Paulo we have alternated Christmas with one family, New Years with the other. This year we were back in Arizona for Christmas and we had the loveliest time with all of the Harpers.

On our overnight flight, in order to bring Colt’s carseat on the plane and have an actual seat for him (since we didn’t buy him a seat), Michael and I had to split up and weren’t able to sit together. This was not ideal especially since Colt was pretty tough, crying at regular intervals and generally being upset about being so restricted for such a long time. Thankfully during our connecting flight he slept the entire time and was well rested and in great spirits by the time we landed in Phoenix. As soon as we took him out of the car and set him down in the yard he immediately felt right at home. You can see that we hadn’t even finished unloading our bags before he plopped himself on their John Deer tractor!

Colt riding his first tractor!

The next order of business was to get his cousin, Julian Joseph over to the house to play! JJ is only 3 1/2 months younger than Colt so it’s really fun to get them together.

JJ and Colt – too excited for words.

One of the first things on the agenda for the trip (and with the Harpers, there is always an agenda!) was to go see the Zoo Lights at the Phoenix Zoo. It was so well done and both Colt, JJ and their parents and grandparents had a great time.

Michael, me & Colt with TJ, Christy & JJ!

Sharon and Ollie with their grandbabies!

Colt was mesmerized by the talking giraffe.

Michael and Colt.

At the zoo we had the opportunity to get Colt’s picture taken with Santa. We had never done it before so we waited in line for the photo-op. I was pretty sure how Colt was going to react and he did not disappoint. We love the pictures.

Family pic with Santa!

Classic & priceless. I love it.

Next on the agenda was the Arizona Cardinals v. Seattle Seahawks game. Although it didn’t go our way, it was a really fun night with friends and family.

Go red birds!

Then before Christmas, we headed to the Harpers’ ranch property, Hidden Valley, for a few days of family-time, rest and relaxation. Hidden Valley is truly one of my favorite spots in the world and I never get tired of going. It’s just magical!

Colt swinging with Uncle Joe.

He loves it!

All bundled up, A Christmas Story style.

Exploring the property with Hudson.

Feeding the ducks with Dad and Papa.

Family by the creek.

Nana!

That face.

Family walk around.

Sunshine over the orchard.

Colt & Dad!

Getting all saddled up with Nana!

Dinner out on the town with my hot date.

We came back to Phoenix on Christmas Eve just in time for mass and the annual Christmas Eve party with the Griegos. This year dinner and festivities were at the Griegos’ house and we enjoyed the traditional Christmas Eve meal (oyster stew, salad, tamales, enchiladas and rice pudding) followed by the annual dice game where Michael won a round!

Santa and his reindeer.

Holiday hats in full swing.

The next morning we attended a beautiful Christmas mass together and then gathered around the tree for gifts!

Colt opening the scripture name book I made for him.

Colt opening the scripture book I made for him.

Julian being adorable.

Watch bros.

Later that afternoon, Sharon and Ollie unveiled one last surprise gift for Michael & me and TJ & Christy. They had secretly had paintings done of our boys and it was such a surprise!

So surprised and amazed!

We loved it!

Christmas evening Colt was coming down with a little cold but we still had fun putting him and JJ in matching PJs and watching them play in their matching chairs.

Happy boys.

Cousins!

Family pic with a sick, snuggly Colt.

The rest of the visit was filled with enjoying family and a BIG holiday party that I will do a separate post about next, but for now here are a couple final Phoenix pictures.

JJ and Colt (wearing a hat that officially looks like a swim cap) riding along in the wagon.

Colt reading with Papa.

Loving the Arizona sunshine.

17Dec2014

Catching up!

Posted in Baby, Brazil by Ashley Z Harper

Before we head home for the holidays (we leave tonight – so excited!!!!!), I wanted to go ahead and post some everyday pics from the past couple months. Many are from our new apartment complex which is shared between 5 buildings. On the grounds we have a gym, swimming pool, a kids’ pool, a playground, an indoor play room with slides, a ball pit, etc., a sport-court (tennis, bball, soccer), a track that goes around the property, and general green space, rock paths, and other details to be explored. We have LOVED having this open, safe, big space for Colt just downstairs. The workers here are amazing and keep the property in perfect condition and there are lots of other kids in the complex for Colt to socialize with every day — and lots of moms (well, mostly nannies) for me to practice Portuguese with! The move has been a huge blessing – we are so happy here. OK – to the pics! OCTOBER – DECEMBER.