27 Weeks

27 weeksHow far along: 27 weeks & 1 day — This means I am officially in the THIRD TRIMESTER and this past Sunday marked the 3 month countdown to our due-date! 
Baby updates: Baby Harper is weighing a little over 2 lbs and is 14-15 inches long!  We had a great ultrasound on Friday and learned that he is growing big and strong — in the 81% for weight!  He is opening and closing his little eyes, has basic-functioning lungs and moves around constantly.
Mamma updates: I’m generally feeling great, although new little aches, pains & other uncomfortableness creeps in each day.  Sleep is usually pretty good but I am having more nights where I just can’t seem to get comfortable.
Things I miss: Nothing this week.
Cravings: Confession – I brought back 2 boxes of Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies from the US and they are already gone…
Weight: +16 still.
Best moments of the week:  It has been so nice to be home again.  São Paulo really is home now, and being away for over 5 weeks was tough.  We have had a blast getting together with our friends over the past week.

Paige, Suzanna, me, Jana & Paula at La Maison Est Tombee.  Also a creepy guy in the background.

Paige, Suzanna, me, Jana & Paula at La Maison Est Tombee. Also a creepy guy in the background.

Also, like I mentioned, we are thankful to have had another great ultrasound where we got to see our little guy and confirm that he’s growing big, strong & healthy!  Praise be to God!

Sugar & Sparkle: Turning 26

My friend Emily sent me the sweetest birthday card, wishing me a day full of sugar and sparkle, and I felt that it was just the perfect way to describe what was a wonderful birthday.

If it was up to me, I’d probably never tell anyone that it was my birthday and would just continue on with daily life, however my husband is big into birthdays and always makes sure that I am fully celebrated, and this year was no exception.

Although my birthday was on Tuesday, it all started on Sunday when Michael threw me a little surprise birthday lunch.  We had guests in town so we had been planning on going to lunch with them that afternoon, so I wasn’t suspicions of anything until we walked into the restaurant and I saw a table full of our friends saying “Happy Birthday!”  Since I’m going to be away from São Paulo for the next few weeks, it was especially fun getting to see everyone one last time.  Thanks to everyone who came out for it!  So fun!IMG_1952

Then, since I am having a short week here, Michael decided to go ahead and send the most enormous bouquet of flowers to my office on Monday so that I would be able to enjoy them a little longer.  They may have been slightly over-the-top 🙂 but they made my day and as I walked home from work with them, people on the street offered me “parabens” (“congratulations”).DSC_0112

On Tuesday, my birthday, I was woken up with a delicious breakfast in bed — smoothie, coffee and a freshly baked bacon/egg/cheese/pao de queijo souffle of sorts.  Yum!  Michael had also written me the sweetest card that talked about how, in one sense, this was my last birthday just the two of us, and in another, it was my first birthday as the three of us, so he wanted it to be special.  Then he gave me a beautiful pair of diamond earrings!!  He had worked with our jeweler in the US and had his parents bring them down for him when they visited last month.  Not only do I absolutely love the earrings – obviously – but I am always amazed at how thoughtful he is and how he always goes the extra mile to surprise me and make me feel special.IMG_1959

Tuesday afternoon, Michael met me for lunch at a fun, tasty French restaurant, L’amitié, where he had called in advance to reserve the best table.IMG_1968When I got back to the office, my sweet coworkers had a cake for me and all sang the fun Brazilian version of “Happy Birthday to You” which is much more fun and animated than the US version.  Then that evening, Michael brought home the veggie sushi that I had been craving and we sat on the couch and watched the Bachelor, After the Final Rose.  We had planned to watch the finale but for some reason it hadn’t come onto iTunes yet and I just couldn’t wait, so we went straight into After the Final Rose.  (Plus, now I have an hour and a half of solid entertainment for my flight home tonight.  Even knowing the ending, I will still be on the edge of my seat.)

Anyway, it was the perfect day and the perfect week and I just feel so incredibly blessed to have a husband who is beyond perfect for me.  Michael – thank you for making me feel so celebrated!!  Also, thanks to all of my friends and family for the sweet, thoughtful cards, emails and messages.  So far, 26 seems pretty awesome.

20 Weeks = Halfway There!

20 WeeksHow far along: 20 weeks & 1 day
Baby updates: Baby Harper is around 6.5 inches long – currently the size of a banana!
Mamma updates: Feeling great – although I cannot believe that we’re halfway there…!!
Things I miss: I was tortured again this week by going out with friends to our favorite sushi restaurant, so we decided that as soon as the baby comes out, Michael’s job is to be sure that there is a nice, big plate of sushi waiting on me (preferably weighing at least as much as the baby).
Cravings: Fruits — especially mango — and chocolate pudding.
Weight: +7, and I literally can no longer button some of my jeans!
Best moments of the week: So many great moments last week and fun times with friends but I’ll just say that we were lucky enough to host Michael’s dear friend and law school roommate, Josh Dugan, and his sweet girlfriend Ilana.  It was so great to see Josh again and wonderful to meet Ilana, and as a bonus, Michael’s Boston College friend, Jon Lennon, was also in town for work so we were able to see him as well!  Having visitors in town always gives us a great excuse to go to all of our favorite places. IMG_1862

This week is be a big, busy one as I will be celebrating my 26th birthday tomorrow (whilst watching the Bachelor finale + After the Final Rose — PLEASE don’t send me any spoilers before then!), then flying to South Carolina on Wednesday night, arriving Thursday just in time to celebrate Meredith & Andrew’s wedding in Charleston all weekend!  Then I’ll be staying in the US until after Shannon’s wedding towards the end of April!

So – lots of fun updates coming!

Camburi

This past weekend, Michael and I joined our friends, Jeff & Suzanna Jones, for a quick beach getaway to Camburi.  We headed out early Saturday morning, and thanks to Suzanna’s freshly baked banana muffins, the 3 hour drive went quickly by.

Although it was our first time to Camburi, the Jonses had been before so they knew a great place to stay (Pousada Camburi) that was super cute and convenient.  The pousada was just a block off the beach and had a designated umbrella/beach-chair station at the beach which was available to guests free of charge.  So, we arrived before noon and headed straight for the beach where we proceeded to lounge around all day long in the gorgeous 85 degree weather. DSC_0016DSC_0028That evening we got all cleaned up and headed to Acqua for an amazing dinner with even better views.  Acqua isn’t cheap but the food is great and you really can’t beat the atmosphere — I would totally recommend it and go back.DSC_0001DSC_0007DSC_0010Sunday morning we had another lovely day on the beach before finally packing up and driving back to São Paulo.  Loved seeing more of this amazing country and spending time with good friends!

Gender Reveal Party

One of the key reasons why Michael and I are so happy living in São Paulo is because we have such an amazing group of wonderful friends.  In fact, it’s almost weird how everyone we meet down here is just so great — we feel so blessed.  Since our move, we have never felt that more than we did on Saturday night when our friends came together to host one of the most beautiful, special and memorable nights of our lives for us.

Our fabulous hosts were Brad & Brett Coppens who were so generous to have the party in their gorgeous apartment (seriously – I am excited for you to catch a glimpse of it in these pictures because it is so dreamy) and Suzanna & Jeff Jones who were responsible for THE cupcakes, which turned out to be the hit of the night because they were not only beautiful, but also oh-so delicious.

Party Hosts!  Brett, Brad, Michael, me, Suzanna & Jeff

Party Hosts! Brett, Brad, Michael, me, Suzanna & Jeff

One of the first things I saw when we walked into the party was the amazing display of cupcakes which spelled out, “Is it a boy or girl?”  Suzanna had done an incredible job baking and she and Brett had set them up so beautifully – it really was stunning.

The beautiful line of cupcakes spelled out "Is it a boy or girl?"

The beautiful line of cupcakes spelled out “Is it a boy or girl?”

At the party there was tasty food, beautiful flowers, gorgeous views and fabulous company for everyone to enjoy.

DSC_0044DSC_0043DSC_0041Once everyone was all settled in, Brett & Brad had a little “interactive quiz” for me and the audience to test out all of the gender-prediction myths.  DSC_0057DSC_0068And here were the results: DSC_0100Next, the only thing left to do was find out the real answer about Baby Harper.  Earlier in the week, Michael and I had gone for an ultrasound where we asked the doctor not to tell us the gender, but instead to write it on a piece of paper which we immediately put into 2 envelopes — double sealed — so that neither Michael nor I could look.  Then, we trusted our secret with Suzanna and she baked the results into the cupcakes.  When the time came, we cut into the “?” cupcake.

DSC_0074DSC_0078DSC_0079DSC_0081DSC_0082DSC_0088We were so thrilled with the results but honestly Michael and I have agreed, I think we would have had the exact same reactions no matter what it had been.  It was just such a fun and special moment, full of emotions and adrenaline, and I cannot imagine it having been any more perfect.  

It was so special to have Michael’s parents there, but we Facetimed my parents and grandparents in so they were part of the action too.  You can actually see my mom’s face on my phone in the picture where we are kissing – ha!

HUGE thank you to Brett, Brad, Suzanna, Jeff and everyone who came to be there and surround us with such love and support.  It was a perfect night that we’ll never forget.  And WOOHOOO!  We’re having a BOY!!

PS: If you haven’t seen the videos yet, check them out — there are 2 videos linked on this post.

18 Weeks

18 weeksHow far along: 18 weeks & 1 day
Baby updates: Baby Harper is around 5 1/2 inches long – about the size of a bell pepper!  I’m pretty sure I’m starting to feel some movement but it’s hard to really know what’s what.  Oh, and we found out that Baby Harper is a little BOY!!
Mamma updates: Feeling pretty good these days — I’d say almost back to normal!
Things I miss: Still missing sushi and was tortured when we went out this weekend to one of the best sushi places in São Paulo.  That being said, it’s such a small thing compared to the blessing of getting to be pregnant.
Cravings: Mostly just things that I have always loved — fried rice stands out this week.
Weight: +5.5 was the highest number yet!  And definitely seeing my body change with it.
Best moments of the week: The past week was incredible.
We started the week on Monday with a great ultrasound.  It was our third one but it amazes me every time.  I think I basically hold my breath and squeeze Michael’s hand the entire time.
Later that day, Michael and I bought a car!  We lasted our first year in Brazil without a car, but it was definitely time to get one.  We have an itty-bitty parking space in our building which seriously limited our car options, but we settled on a Honda Fit and are very excited about it.  Plus, I drove it for the first time on Sunday and am happy to say I survived this crazy city!
Then, Thursday of last week, Michael’s mom, dad and family friend, Cindy McCain, came down for a weekend visit.  We had lots of fun showing them around town and going to all of our favorite spots.

Sushi dinner at Naga

Sushi dinner at Naga

Finally, the week culminated in one of the most unforgettable nights for us Saturday night at Baby Harper’s gender reveal party!  I will do a full post on it next, but our friends, Brad & Brett Coppens + Suzanna & Jeff Jones hosted an incredible party.  It was such a blast and Michael & I feel so beyond blessed and thankful to be surrounded by such amazing friends, love and support here.  And it was pretty fun to find out we’re having a little baby BOY!  🙂  We truly could not be happier.