20 Weeks = Halfway There!

Posted in Baby, Brazil, Friends by Ashley Z Harper

How 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.

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!

7Mar2013

Camburi

Posted in Brazil, Friends, Travels by Ashley Z Harper

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. That 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.Sunday 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!

4Mar2013

19 Weeks

Posted in Baby by Ashley Z Harper

How far along: 19 weeks & 1 day
Baby updates: Baby Harper is weighing about 10 oz and is around 6 inches long – he is currently the size of a mango! I’m pretty sure I’m feeling some movement (although only when I am paying attention) and last night Michael also felt something for the first time. He said it felt like when you put your hand on a massaging chair and the insides are moving around – ha!
Mamma updates: Feeling great these days! Got a little overwhelmed trying to make a baby registry — so much stuff!! — but I think we’re making progress!
Things I miss: I wouldn’t mind a nice caipirinha every now and then but am doing just fine without.
Cravings: Nothing really stands out this week although my appetite definitely seems to have returned to normal.
Weight: +5 is where I seemed to average out over the past week. No major highs/lows.
Best moments of the week: This weekend Michael and I took a quick little trip to the beach with our friends Jeff & Suzanna. Although being in a bikini was not amazing, getting out of the city, into beautiful scenery and being able to hang out with our friends was the total highlight of the week. I can’t wait to post pictures from the weekend!

28Feb2013

The Happiest of Holidays

Posted in Baby, Family, Travels by Ashley Z Harper

OK, I know that we’re almost done with February, but I still want to post about our visits home and seeing our families over Christmas and New Years. However, before we get to the details of each visit, I wanted to share how we shared the news of our pregnancy with our families.

Since it was Christmas, it seemed natural to give them something to open, so we decided to make something for our parents to open in front of our families. We had a little onesie made that said, “I love my Grandparents” on the front, and on the back said, “Made in Brazil.” We wrapped it in a little box so that the first thing they would see would be the “Made in Brazil” – just for fun.

First up was Michael’s family. We were so eager to tell them, but had to wait until our second night so that the whole family would be together. We had just finished a family dinner at home and asked everyone to get together for a couple of early gifts. We had wedding presents for Christy and TJ, so that helped to throw everyone off, and then we gave the little box to Sharon and Ollie. It’s funny how when I was trying to hide the pregnancy I was so suspicious of other people being suspicious. But the truth is that no one was suspicious. At. All. They were shocked. In fact, they really didn’t get it at first and thought it was an outfit for their little Yorkies. Thankfully, Michael quickly announced “Ashley’s pregnant!” and everyone immediately jumped up, giving us hugs and congratulations. We don’t have pictures but we filmed Sharon opening the gift, so here are a couple of screen-shots from the video.

Can’t believe it!

Next up was telling my family. Although it was Dec. 28, our first night in South Carolina my family had a little fake-Christmas complete with my favorite Christmas meal, gifts and all of the family. So, after dinner and presents, we gave my parents the final gift. Similarly to the Harpers, the Zaises were not expecting it at all and initially thought that it was something for my brother’s daughter, Augusta Clare. Again, it took an announcement to clarify the news, but of course it was met with lots of joy. We have one photo of my parents and the rest are video screen-shots.

Still not getting it.

Right after we shouted out that I was pregnant

Nan had the best reaction!

Happy grandparents!

So fun, right?! OK — so here is a quick look at the rest of our holidays!

After staying in São Paulo for Thanksgiving, we were really ready to go home for Christmas. Michael and I started our trip in Phoenix where we enjoyed beautiful hikes, the Phoenix Luminarias tour, and lots of family time and relaxation.

Phoenix hike with Ollie & Lise

Phoenix night sky

Harper fam at the Luminarias Tour

Apple cider by the outdoor fire with the most festive guy around. And a really cute Yorkie.

After spending Christmas in Phoenix, we headed East to South Carolina for New Years where we enjoyed fun time with family, a wedding shower for Meredith & Andrew and a few days in magical Edisto!

We had a little Christmas our first night in South Carolina with my favorite holiday foods!

“Christmas dinner” our first night in South Carolina with my favorite holiday foods and a very festive centerpiece.

Loved being there to celebrate my best girlfriend!! So happy for you Meredith & Andrew!

Loved being there to celebrate and hang with my best girlfriend!! So happy for you Meredith & Andrew!

Edisto

aka paradise

Such wonderful trips home and special time with family!

26Feb2013

Gender Reveal Party

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

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

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?”

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

Once 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. And here were the results: Next, 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.

We 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.

25Feb2013

18 Weeks

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

How 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

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.

23Feb2013