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 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!

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!

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 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.