Gigi & Pasha Part 1: Rio & SP

Posted in Baby, Brazil, Family, Travels by Ashley Z Harper

Over the past few weeks, Culhane has been busy getting lots of special time with lots of special people. A few days after Aunt Lise left, Michael, Culhane and I flew to Jackson, Mississippi to celebrate two of our dear friends getting married – yay Kern & Emily! I’m obviously behind on blogging and will do a post on that trip soon, but right after we got back to São Paulo, my parents arrived for a fabulous 10 day visit! My mom was here for a few weeks right after Culhane was born, but this was my dad’s first visit and his first time meeting his sweet grandson who shares his middle name – McGeever!

My parents arrived in Brazil on November 22. We met them at the São Paulo airport and then all flew together to Rio de Janeiro. We were unlucky with the weather there and it rained every single day so we weren’t able to do the beach or other fun, touristy things, however this did make for lots of extra grandparent-snuggle time with Colt. Also — little known fact about my dad — he is an avid stamp collector so the trip to Rio was actually dual-purpose as the annual international stamp show was happening, so we did that as well.

Meeting at the airport! Visiting the famous and beautiful Copacabana Palace for lunch and a little tour.

Culhane’s first sink-bath in our Rio apartment! The Stamp Show! My dad and these 2 gentlemen are the 3 co-VPs of the American Philatelic Society. Fun dinner at a fav spot – Zaza-Bistro!

After a rainy weekend we headed back to São Paulo where we enjoyed beautiful weather, great friends and lots of amazing restaurants.

Day 1 started with lunch at Museu da Casa Brasilera. Then a visit to Michael’s office. Finally, we headed across the street to Shopping Iguatemi for some holiday cheer! Outside the mall — Santa and his dog in their rainy-day attire.

We capped off the night with a visit to Hotel Unique for cocktails and beautiful views of the city.

Up Next: Gigi & Pasha Part 2 – Thanksgiving!

9Oct2013

Recife & Porto de Galinhas

Posted in Baby, Brazil, Travels by Ashley Z Harper

This past weekend Culhane and I joined Michael on a quick work-trip of his in the northeast of Brazil. He had a Friday morning meeting in Recife so late Thursday afternoon we headed to the airport for Culhane’s longest flight yet – 3 hours. The plane was full so we opted to carry him in the front-pack. We brought bottles for the flight and ended up giving him a little bit during take-off since he started crying, we fed him a full bottle in the middle of the flight since it was time for him to eat, and then I nursed during the landing since the change in pressure was clearly bothering him. He cried a bit during both takeoff and landing, but feeding definitely helped.

We arrived Thursday evening and after dropping our things off at the hotel, we headed straight out for dinner. Recife is known for great seafood and specifically for a few local dishes so we ordered it all.

The next morning I was thrilled to wake up to this view from our hotel window!The only problem, however, is that Recife is known for their prevalence of shark attacks, so we opted not to go swimming here.So, on Friday afternoon, after Michael was finished with work, we drove an hour and a half to the beautiful beaches and turquoise waters of Porto de Galinhas where we stayed Friday and Saturday nights at a resort hotel on the beach.

Culhane didn’t seem crazy about the pool, so we tried the beach!Michael taking him for his first ever dip in the ocean.He really wasn’t sure what to make of the waves, and Mama didn’t want him in the sun too much, so we moved under an umbrella and relaxed in the sand.After a great day at the beach, Culhane was a happy little guy!Staying hydrated with lots of fresh, cold coconut water.Playing in the grass.On the flight home I nursed both during takeoff and landing, we changed 2 dirty diapers, and I think he only cried for about 45 seconds. Superman indeed!

18Sep2013

Belo Horizonte & Inhotim

Posted in Baby, Brazil, Travels by Ashley Z Harper

This past weekend Michael and I took Colt on his first flight! Michael was speaking at a legal conference on Friday in Belo Horizonte so on Thursday afternoon our family of three headed to the airport, and two of us crossed our fingers and held our breath to see how the littlest one would do on his first flight!

We knew that no matter what though, he would at least look the part!
Big-boy travel attire! (Thanks to Jessica Bryant for the shirt, Brad & Brett Coppens for the pants, and Mike & Moira for the sweet kicks!)

When we checked in, they said that the flight wasn’t full so we would be able to bring Colt on in his carseat and put it in the chair between us. I made a bottle before we left as I have heard that it’s good for babies to be drinking at takeoff/landing to help with pressure (similarly to how chewing gum can be helpful), but since presh-pot was asleep, I figured it was best to just let him sleep. He woke up during the flight to eat so we gave him the bottle then, and he was back asleep by the time we landed. Not a tear was shed and we were thankful that he seemed to be a good traveler since that’s kiiiind of a big part of our lives.
On Friday, Culhane and I got up early and got ready to go watch Michael speak at the conference. I didn’t know if we would even be able to get in, but I thought it was so impressive what he was doing — speaking and presenting at a legal conference to a Brazilian audience in Portuguese!!! — so we decided to try our best to sneak in. Thankfully Colt was napping so we snuck in the back and were able to watch most of the presentation. Michael spoke for about 30 minutes and did an amazing job! Although I didn’t totally understand it all, I can say that Michael looked great up there! Culhane and I were so proud!

Our return flight was for Saturday evening, so during the day we decided to rent a car and drive to Inhotim – a very unique park of sorts that has random modern art exhibits scattered all throughout. The weather was perfect and the park was gorgeous – we had a great time walking around, exploring.

Culhane’s new favorite changing-table.
On the flight back they didn’t allow our carseat so I held Colt the entire time. At first I was a little annoyed but it was nice getting to snuggle with him for an hour and a half. He gave a couple of little cries on the flight but nothing that lasted more than a few seconds. Otherwise he seemed happy to either be sleeping or snuggling.

It was a relief to get his first flight out of the way, especially since the next one will be MUCH longer (heading to Jackson, Mississippi in November to celebrate Emily & Kern’s wedding!!), but at the end of the trip we were all happy to get back home.

4Sep2013

Nana & Papa Harper: The Fasano at the Fazenda Boa Vista

Posted in Baby, Brazil, Family, Travels by Ashley Z Harper

To close out their visit, Sharon and Ollie took Joe, Michael, Colt & me to the Fasano at the Fazenda Boa Vista — an incredible hotel on an even more impressive property.

We drove out on Friday afternoon and it was only about an hour and a half outside the city, but it felt like a complete and total escape from São Paulo. Everything was so magnificent – I’ve really never been anywhere like it.

Culhane was immediately excited about the room as ours was all set up for him with a beautiful crib, a baby bath and a changing station!

But even with all of these amenities, Culhane still tried to steal our bed! That little rascal!

We spent the weekend relaxing, exploring the property, enjoying the spa, eating great food and soaking up our time together.

Morning stroll on the deck before breakfast.

Afternoon biking around the property.

In spite of the cold water, Michael jumped in the lake for a quick swim.

Lots of snuggle-time with Culhane.

On Saturday night we celebrated Michael’s upcoming 31st birthday (on September 9th) with a surprise cake that had an even more surprising candle / explosive device on top that Sharon had found at the supermarket! It even played music!

It was the perfect setting for us all to enjoy being together for a few final days before Sharon & Ollie headed back to Arizona. It was such a special time and when it came time to say goodbye, Culhane was the saddest one of all!

Come back soon, Nana & Papa!

5Jun2013

M&M in Camburi – the end

Posted in Brazil, Friends, Travels by Ashley Z Harper

To close out their trip to Brazil with a bang, Mike, Moira, Michael and I took off early Saturday morning to spend two quick but magical days on the beautiful beach of Camburi, about a 3 hour drive outside São Paulo.

Day 1: sK7q9oShndba2GSa2WUMfNjJt295DcmkosYxjkNoOPQ

Unforgettable dinner under the moon & stars at Acqua

Day 2:

Pousada Canto do Camburi

Now, to get a really good, fun look at their visit via the sweetest video with the best soundtrack, click here (I recommend sound up & full screen!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXPLau7SXKE&feature=youtu.be — Compliments of Mike and Moira!

Now come back already! We miss you guys!

2Jun2013

M&M in Rio – the start…

Posted in Brazil, Friends, Travels by Ashley Z Harper

As I mentioned, our very dear friends Mike Saign and Moira O’Connell visited in May. Minus a little bout of food-poisoning for me, it was really the best visit ever and now we are just missing them big-time. There are too many amazing pictures and moments from their trip to fit into one post, so here is Part 1 of their visit.

We started by meeting them at the airport in Rio & then enjoyed the following:
The Botanical Gardens

Happy Hour at Jobi and dinner at Sushi Leblon

Enjoying caipirinhas

Pão de Açúcar

Drinks at Hotel Santa Teresa

Dinner at Aprazível

Rio Scenarium (where we were able to skip the 200 person line because pregnancy earns you priority status all over Brazil — even at bars & clubs!)

Beaches

The Fasano & their rooftop deck

Cristo Redentor

Up next: M&M in São Paulo!

23Apr2013

26 Weeks

Posted in Baby, Family, Travels by Ashley Z Harper

How far along: 26 weeks & 2 days
Baby updates: Baby Harper is weighing about 2 lbs and is 14-15 inches long!
Mamma updates: I’ve been feeling great lately, although I do think the uncomfortable stage is starting to set in. Usually I’m fine but our flight from the US to Brazil was especially tough for me.
Things I miss: Nothing this week!
Cravings: I have still been craving ice cream / milk shakes but also fruit and fruity candies like jolly ranchers and starbursts (which I otherwise would never want!).
Weight: +16 and wearing basically all maternity clothes these days.
Best moments of the week: The absolute highlight of the week was celebrating Mike and Shannon’s wedding in Denver.The entire weekend was so fun and special. It was great getting to meet all of Mike’s family, getting to hang out with all of the Harpers, AND, bonus — my parents and grandparents came too!