Almost 3 weeks ago, Culhane and I went to South Carolina to visit my family for a couple of weeks. Michael had a conference in DC in the middle of our visit and was then able to swing through South Carolina for a few days as well, but it was the first time that Colt and I traveled by ourselves. I was a little intimidated by the idea of a 10+ hour flight with an infant by myself, but God was with us and it was better than I could have hoped. Our flight was an overnight (leaving at 2:30am SP time) so Colt fell asleep at home before we even left for the airport. He woke up at the airport but fell asleep again before we boarded and he didn’t wake up until 8am South Carolina time. He ate, played and was up for 2 hours but then fell asleep again until we landed. Easy-peasy! I was VERY thankful that there were empty seats on the plane and I was able to bring his carseat on with us as that was key.

GOOD (aka sleeping) baby on the flight!

Normally we fly into the Columbia airport but there was a direct flight from São Paulo to Charlotte and when flying solo with a baby, a direct flight is so much easier than having to change planes (and re-check bags, go through security again, etc. etc.) so my mom happily agreed to make the drive and meet us there. Colt was awesome on the flight but when we landed he was definitely ready to stretch his legs so my mom drove us straight to Bojangles where I had a huge cup of coffee and Colt was free to move around and make noise! He was SO happy to see my mom and she immediately became his new favorite person. My mom said she thought he could tell that she was my mom and that maybe that’s why he took to her so well.

Happy baby in Gigi’s arms!

When he was ready to take a nap again, we hit the road and headed home. After a bath and a change of clothes, he was all cleaned up and ready to play.  He even insisted on wearing the overalls that Brad and I wore when we were his age!

Although my mom had already stocked up on baby food and some of my favorites, we wanted to pick up a few extra things so we took Colt to the grocery store and strapped him in the cart. I know this is a really ordinary thing, but since we usually walk to the grocery store in São Paulo, he had never done this before! Clearly he loved it. 

Baby model for Bounce dryer sheets.

We were all happy campers when Colt spotted the caramel cookie crunch Talentis! 

Colt was so happy to be in South Carolina and loved seeing his Pasha too! 

Colt is usually a pretty chill, easy baby but during our time in SC he was extra easy, even by his standards. He immediately adjusted from the flight and to the time-zone (only 1 hr off) and was just super fun and playful the entire time. My mom couldn’t wait to take him to the park down the street and we had a blast! 

We also tried lots of new foods while we were home. Here he is enjoying some yummy black beans – a great finger food! 

One evening my mom, Colt and I drove to Charleston to have dinner with my brother, Suzanne and Augusta Clare. Brad & Suzanne recently built a beautiful house in West Ashley and it was awesome to see how great they’re doing there. Plus it was really fun to get Colt around Augusta Clare! She was such a sweet big-cousin with him. 

Then, over the weekend we were so happy to have Michael come visit with us! He showed up and ran a 5K with my cousins, Beau & Henry. Despite the rain, Henry won his age group and both Michael & Beau came in 3rd for theirs!

Beau & Dolores were kind enough to have us over for dinner that weekend and Culhane quickly became best friends with his new favorite babysitter, my sweet cousin Margaret. She was awesome with Colt!

On Sunday, while we all enjoyed a beautiful service at my parents’ church, Culhane enjoyed the church’s nursery and riding around in the 6-person baby-bus! So funny.

Sunday afternoon, we had some family over to visit! 

Colt trying to be a little solider like Uncle Brad (SC National Guard!)

Augusta Clare loved Michael! And I think it was mutual.

On Monday, my dear friend Meredith was so sweet to take a day off from work to come visit us. We played all day long but never remembered to take a picture until she was on her way out and Colt was asleep!

The next day another dear friend, Bess, came to visit! We went to the park and did a slightly better job taking some pictures! I just ask that next time you bring Mary Carol!! 

The rest of the trip was just amazing time with family and Colt hitting milestone after milestone. My mom is pretty much Super-Grandma and was AWESOME with Culhane. He absolutely adores her and she is SO great with him. She also really gets all of the developmental stuff and pretty much taught him how to crawl, sit up, pull up and talk all in 12 days time. It kiiiiiiiind of makes me question my own parenting abilities as a mother since I am with Culhane all day every day and then I bring him to my mom for 12 days and suddenly he hits all of these major milestones!! Seriously though – she was amazing. Giving him lots of new, fun foods, constantly playing peek-a-boo, riding him around on her shoulders, and literally teaching him to crawl. She even taught him who “Buster” was – the deer-head in their living room. No matter what you were doing, if you asked Colt, “Where’s Buster?” he would turn and look at the deer! I couldn’t believe it.

Colt’s’ favorite – smoked salmon!

Couldn’t get enough sautéed spinach!

Ride-a-horsey ride-a-horsey all the way to town! Colt’s FAV game.

Pasha helping Colt learn to walk around the table.

Of ALL the toys that my parents have, this was his favorite. The number 8. Very Colt-like.

Hi Aunt Sheryl! (And hi Buster in the background!)

Colt loves Nan!

Well hi there!

Two peas in a pod.

Colt and I were both pretty devastated when we had to get back on a plane and leave SC but we had a wonderful visit full of fantastic memories. Thanks for having us, Mom & Dad! and thanks to everyone who visited with us! We love you!

Off we go!

Thankfully, Colt was even nicer to me on the return trip, only being awake for 1 hour and no tears at all! I’m a lucky mama.

Upon arriving in Phoenix, the first order of business was to meet our newest nephew – little Julian Joseph Harp, and to introduce him to Colt! These two are about 3 1/2 months apart and we are so thrilled that they will be lifelong friends as well as cousins.
Uncle Joe is a pro. Shannon & Mike with the babes! After hanging out and doing the annual sibling-secret-santa gift exchange, we got ready for a photo-shoot. Just like my family, Michael’s parents were excited to have everyone in the same place so we gathered in their driveway (“The Lane”) and their front orchard (“The Grove”) and smiled!

Sharon & Ollie with their 5 kids + 3 spouses + 6 kids! Culhane & Julian sporting Aunt Sheryl originals. Proud to be wearing our “Mike Kopp for Governor” T-shirts! (PS – If you’re a Colorado resident, vote for Mike Kopp!)
That afternoon, Michael’s good friend Eric stopped by to say hello and meet Culhane. And then, the moment that Colt had been waiting for his whole life…he got to meet his godparents!! Mike & Moira were so awesome about wanting to be at his baptism that they were the first ones to book their flights for the trip. Then, when we had to change the location, we looked into changing their flights as well, but all things considered we felt like it made the most sense for them to stick with their original itinerary and visit us in Phoenix.

Meeting moments! The next day we were all working hard to get ready for the Harper’s holiday party. Shannon’s family was in charge of the luminaries which lit the walkway from the valet station to the party entrance.
Michael was leading the caipirinha effort which involved picking blood-oranges from The Grove, juicing them, then mixing the drinks in giant pitchers.
Strolling around just before the party started.
Musicians getting set up, ready to greet the guests.Getting the party started!
I wish I had more photos from the actual event, but we were too busy enjoying ourselves! The party was Mexican & Brazilian themed so they served margaritas and caipirinhas, as well as a Mexican chicken & rice meal along with feijoada, among other things. I think there were about 150 people and it was a blast!

The next morning, Colt went hiking with his dad and godparents.
Nana snuggle time.
Papa showing off Culhane in his winter gear.

For New Years, Michael, Lise, Sharon, Ollie and I went up to their cabin at Hidden Valley. Colt was all ready for a fun New Years dinner. The next morning, Michael and I were excited to show Culhane around the property. After returning to Phoenix, one of Michael’s friends hosted an awesome tree-burning party. It’s hard to show how (almost) out of control it was, but I’d say it was a life-long lesson in realizing what a fire-hazard dried out Christmas trees can be. They seriously took about 15 seconds to burn completely.
More fun with friends – Dups & Fletcher!And, last but certainly not least – MAJOR celeb citing at The Henry – Arie Luyendyk Jr. from Emily’s season of the Bachelorette.  We were sad to leave but it felt good to get back home to São Paulo (which, upon landing in Brazil, was Culhane’s 16th flight!). Happy 2014 everyone!

Since I’m way behind on posting, the next few will be more pictures than text.

On Christmas Eve, my family gathered at the State Capitol for a little family photo-shoot. My mom likes to take advantage of having the whole group together, especially now that there are little ones in the picture! Culhane wore a sweater, hat and gloves all knitted by my Aunt Sheryl!

That evening, we all gathered for Christmas Eve service at my parents’ church. After church, we went to my great Aunt & Uncle’s house with some of my cousins for dinner. Culhane loved getting to hang out with Margaret!  After dinner Michael and I were excited to teach everyone the famous, Harper-family-dice-game! You see, every Christmas Eve in Phoenix, the Harpers gather together with their dear friends, the Griegos, for dinner & gambling. So this year we decided to bring the fun to South Carolina! On Christmas morning, Michael and I snuck off to my parents’ church for a quick but beautiful Christmas service. It’s funny how having a little baby caused both of us to marvel at the miracle of Christ’s birth in a new way, so this Christmas was extra special to us as we considered God’s amazing love and grace to us through Jesus.

When we returned home everyone was in the living room opening gifts, or rather, watching adorable Augusta Clare open gifts.

Lots of festive red!
Culhane, very into his dad’s new pair of Tom’s. Our very own, happy little Santa – round belly and all! The day after Christmas we went to my grandparents’ house for a visit.  And my dear friend Katie stopped by for a visit along with her sister and nephew who is exactly 2 years older than Colt!
Our last couple of nights at home, Michael and I stayed up late playing games with my parents. On our last night we stayed up until 2am playing poker! We were so sad to leave, but before we knew it, it was time to fly west to see our Phoenix family! Thankfully we had a sleepy (i.e. good) traveler on our hands!

Pictures from Phoenix next!