Tchau,
Sara
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Crazy Crasins!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Brazilian Passport Time
Friday Belle had her interview with the Brazilian Federal Police for her passport application. Maybe some of you recall the first time Nate and I had to venture into Centro for our Visas. If not then I will tell the story again.
In a country, or at least town, where it is acceptable for men to wear a speedo with no shirt or shoes into the grocery store it is UNacceptable for me to wear shorts into the Federal Police Station.
Since we were new to the area we had a driver take us to the office where I quickly found out that I could not be admitted because I was wearing shorts. Due to time limitations and needing the paperwork to be done that exact day I opted to wear my husbands pants over my shorts..... I am 5'7" and Nate is 6'4". He out weighs me by a good 120lbs give or take. While Nate sat in his underwear in the car I wore his jeans rolled up and cinched at the waist. Everyone in the station laughed but I was admitted and the paperwork was processed. When I returned to the car I found Nate still in his underwear working away on his laptop while the driver continued to look at us like we were crazy.
This time around I went overboard with attire with jeans, closed toed shoes and a blouse. I have to say that it was nice to wear something other than yoga pants and a tank top. Nate was able to keep his pants on so I say the trip was a success!
All our paperwork was completed and all we had to do was sign some paperwork. Belle's photograph may be cause for concern. The dimensions we were told are wrong but the lady at the desk said it wouldn't be a problem. I doubt it and it seems like very lax security. Then again, the same thing happened for her US passport that arrived last week to the house. I think that security might not be as tight for an infant. Just a guess though.
Everything went great and we can pick up the passport in 5-8 days. They normally would mail it but the postal office is on strike. And you wonder why we never let anyone send us anything in the mail. another story for another day!
For now we patiently wait for the word that we can pick up her passport. Then I can start scheduling a trip home to see the rest of the family and friends!!
Tchau,
Sara
In a country, or at least town, where it is acceptable for men to wear a speedo with no shirt or shoes into the grocery store it is UNacceptable for me to wear shorts into the Federal Police Station.
 |
| What a normal person you see walking around in a Speedo. Trust me. Nothing you want to see..... ever! |
Since we were new to the area we had a driver take us to the office where I quickly found out that I could not be admitted because I was wearing shorts. Due to time limitations and needing the paperwork to be done that exact day I opted to wear my husbands pants over my shorts..... I am 5'7" and Nate is 6'4". He out weighs me by a good 120lbs give or take. While Nate sat in his underwear in the car I wore his jeans rolled up and cinched at the waist. Everyone in the station laughed but I was admitted and the paperwork was processed. When I returned to the car I found Nate still in his underwear working away on his laptop while the driver continued to look at us like we were crazy.
 |
| I could have been friend with these guys with my baggy jeans! |
This time around I went overboard with attire with jeans, closed toed shoes and a blouse. I have to say that it was nice to wear something other than yoga pants and a tank top. Nate was able to keep his pants on so I say the trip was a success!
All our paperwork was completed and all we had to do was sign some paperwork. Belle's photograph may be cause for concern. The dimensions we were told are wrong but the lady at the desk said it wouldn't be a problem. I doubt it and it seems like very lax security. Then again, the same thing happened for her US passport that arrived last week to the house. I think that security might not be as tight for an infant. Just a guess though.
Everything went great and we can pick up the passport in 5-8 days. They normally would mail it but the postal office is on strike. And you wonder why we never let anyone send us anything in the mail. another story for another day!
For now we patiently wait for the word that we can pick up her passport. Then I can start scheduling a trip home to see the rest of the family and friends!!
 |
| Equals trip home!! |
Tchau,
Sara
Friday, September 23, 2011
Juan Valdez
Now I will have the energy to be supermom! He also bought a hand grinder for me. Don't you love the photo where you can see the ocean? Just thought I would share my amazing view this morning along with my special coffee treat!
Tchau,
Sara
Ps- Belle slept 5 hrs up 2 hrs with her dad when he got home. Then another 5... Feed for 10 min and back to sleep for 5 all on her own!! Guess she missed her dad as much a I did.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Let the Tears Fall
Even though Claudia came each day this week I still managed to break down and feel overwhelmed. A dash of feeling lonely mixed with uncertainty topped with tired makes deadly cocktail. Each morning I felt energized to take on the new day but by the end, with several failed attempts to get little Belle to sleep, I felt incompatible to be a mother.
The book says this and the mom next door's infant was sleeping by herself through the night at 5 weeks. So many opinions and information running through my head. When your tired, consistency lacks in everything you do. Most of the time you look for the quick solution and get frustrated when it doesn't succeed.
It's amazing how deflated you can feel in such a short amount of time. When you finally take a step back and realize that your baby is still a baby. A baby that is still learning and if she needs me to help her sleep then so be it! When she is ready to sleep on her own without being held then she will and I shouldn't feel like a failure because of some book or what another person's infant did.
Each day she makes huge strides in development. She found the swing toys above her head and now can tolerate the swing for 15 min. Tummy time has been extended to 5 min and she loves when I walk with her so she can look around. Each time she sees me she smiles and sort of giggles which melts my heart.
One of these days I will get some sleep and my arms will get a rest but only when Belle is ready. I will continue to try each day to see if she can tolerate it. Right now she is sleeping on her own in her bed without being held. I rocked her to 'almost' sleep and placed her down to nap. This lasted for about thirty minutes and then she woke up when she realized I wasn't next to her. I don't blame her. This world is scary!! I went into the room immediately then patted her belly and talked her down until she started to get drowsy again. I had to repeat this one more time but now she has been asleep for 45 min on her own. She is growing up so fast!!
The little steps. Maybe tomorrow there will be more progress but I am taking the win for today. Sad to say that I already miss the days where I didn't have to place her in her bed alone. I need to do what is best for the family and her development and help her through this transition. I guess I will need to get used to letting my baby go because for the rest of her life I will be teaching her to succeed without me constantly by her side and to be independent.
Can I have another baby please?
Wow. I must be tired :)
Tchau,
Sara
PS- did I also mention that Nate was gone for the whole week and that our power went out every single night? Talk about a stressful week. I am so grateful that Nate returns this evening. Adult conversation and someone to tell me it's ok Belle didn't get accepted into Harvard this week..... that can wait for 18 years!
The book says this and the mom next door's infant was sleeping by herself through the night at 5 weeks. So many opinions and information running through my head. When your tired, consistency lacks in everything you do. Most of the time you look for the quick solution and get frustrated when it doesn't succeed.
It's amazing how deflated you can feel in such a short amount of time. When you finally take a step back and realize that your baby is still a baby. A baby that is still learning and if she needs me to help her sleep then so be it! When she is ready to sleep on her own without being held then she will and I shouldn't feel like a failure because of some book or what another person's infant did.
Each day she makes huge strides in development. She found the swing toys above her head and now can tolerate the swing for 15 min. Tummy time has been extended to 5 min and she loves when I walk with her so she can look around. Each time she sees me she smiles and sort of giggles which melts my heart.
One of these days I will get some sleep and my arms will get a rest but only when Belle is ready. I will continue to try each day to see if she can tolerate it. Right now she is sleeping on her own in her bed without being held. I rocked her to 'almost' sleep and placed her down to nap. This lasted for about thirty minutes and then she woke up when she realized I wasn't next to her. I don't blame her. This world is scary!! I went into the room immediately then patted her belly and talked her down until she started to get drowsy again. I had to repeat this one more time but now she has been asleep for 45 min on her own. She is growing up so fast!!
The little steps. Maybe tomorrow there will be more progress but I am taking the win for today. Sad to say that I already miss the days where I didn't have to place her in her bed alone. I need to do what is best for the family and her development and help her through this transition. I guess I will need to get used to letting my baby go because for the rest of her life I will be teaching her to succeed without me constantly by her side and to be independent.
Can I have another baby please?
Wow. I must be tired :)
Tchau,
Sara
PS- did I also mention that Nate was gone for the whole week and that our power went out every single night? Talk about a stressful week. I am so grateful that Nate returns this evening. Adult conversation and someone to tell me it's ok Belle didn't get accepted into Harvard this week..... that can wait for 18 years!
Rattle?
Belle playing on her mat playing with a rattle that I placed in her hand and looking at some picture books so I can eat!!
Tchau,
Sara
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Let's play!!
So not only will Belle not sleep but the power keeps going out. Nate is gone and I am breaking out the candles and flash lights taking care of a newborn. I really cannot wait for things to just work and for Nate to be home to help out!!
Tchau,
Sara
Monday, September 19, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Game Day
Putting my camera to use! I need to get good fast because Belle has a very short attention span. Usually by the time that I have her dressed and ready to go she is ready to quit. I was able to capture a few cute moments! Nate picked out her bow this morning, out of the two options I gave him, and the onesie and tutu were a given. The girl needs more orange!
One thing I need to work on is lighting. Some look a little dark to me and I think that I was blocking the light.
Bad thing about living in Brazil is that we can't watch college football :( terrible news. We did have a slingbox which enabled us to watch US cable through the internet but it had a glitch and refuses to work. Sunday football is making an entrance this year on Brazilian cable. I have seen more games on tv this year than last so maybe the trend is catching on. Only bad thing is that the games are all in Portuguese.
Tchau,
Sara
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Bogota Columbia
Nate left for Bogota Columbia today and will return later in this week. I really get to test how well I can handle being a single parent! Well, not really. Nate went grocery shopping for me this morning and stocked the house full of food. Then I asked Claudia to come Monday, Wednesday and Friday so all I really have to do is look after our sweet baby girl :)
Poor Nate has a full day of travel to get to his meetings. There isn't a direct flight from Rio so he has to make a few connections along the way. I am actually a little jealous that he gets a chance to visit this country. To bad he won't be able to tour the city or see any of the sights. I have friends that live there and heard that it's absolutely beautiful! I really hope that he can get some pictures of something or anything. Who knows with boys though because the last thing they care about is photos.
 |
| Picture of the city skyline that I found on the internet. |
When he returns back home I have no doubt that Belle will have changed so much. Each day that passes she becomes more aware of her surroundings and fixates on random objects. In the morning she smiles constantly and recognizes both of us. I cannot describe the love I feel when her face lights up because she sees me looking down at her. I just hope that when he returns Belle give him the biggest smile ever because I know that I will!
Tchau,
Sara
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)