Going Crazy

I have spent the past few days convinced that Belle has some random genetic disorder. I can't stop assessing her and looking at everything she does. I think that it has to be the Nurse in me.... maybe it's the new mom though.... maybe it's a combo..... all bets are probably on that I am just crazy.

When I see the doctor next I will be voicing my concerns and I know that he will laugh me off.

Wondering what they are?

Main point:    Belle has uneven legs.

It's noticeable because she has a little crease on one leg and not the other. The slight difference has not caused her any problems but I fear that one day it might.

Both her doctors in the US and in Brazil checked her hips and all checks out clear. That's not good enough for me though. I want to know the reason. This has been a problem that I have brought up to the doctors over the past 6 months and I still cannot put my mind to rest. I need to know the reason.

Is her leg bone longer or is it a spinal problem?? Either way I am going to ask for an ultrasound just for piece of mind. Then I can rest assure that I have done everything that I possible can to insure that Belle grows into a healthy, smart, and beautiful woman.

Ahhhhh the worrying from being a mother is going to give me an ulcer. Trust me that yoga is doing very little to calm my nerves. Word on the street is that I just better get used to my heighten sense of worry cause it's not going away ever :)

Tchau,
Sara

Soap Opera

Yesterday there was a taping of a soap opera on the street in front of our condo. The big light in the sky that looks like the moon is a huge light. I couldn't get a better picture with my phone but there were people everywhere.

Girls were all dressed up and I felt like a slob walking through the set :( I wish I knew the people and could have met a star!

Turns out my neighborhood has filmed several soaps over the years. Too bad I don't watch any of them.

Here in Brazil the soaps are played at night so everyone watches them. I just can't get into it even if it will help my Portuguese!

Tchau,
Sara
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Smash Cake

Here are some photos front the mini birthday party for Belle :)

Belle's little smash cake- it's carrot

Belle in her tutu minus the shirt

Running around the house

The face captures the entire photo session.

Cake time!!

Helping her break it open.

Not the start we expected.

Using one finger to eat the cake.

Yes she wore a bow for a little bit.

This is when we thought it would get good.

Not as messy as we thought.... :(

Nate decided to help her out a little.... she wasn't happy.

The full outfit.

Opening and closing the patio doors.

A smile!

Sick of the flash

My favorite pic and favorite smile!!

Her bloomer have her name and the number 1

Hope you enjoy the photos! I wish that I had a better back ground so the photos would turn out a little nicer! 

Tchau,

Sara

Beauty Everwhere

Sometimes I forget how beautiful Brazil is... Then I run into an amazing flower like this just hanging out at the playground. It doesn't even look real! Take some time today to notice something beautiful around you :)

Tchau,
Sara
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Birthday Gift

                                         

A little late but we found the perfect little chair for Belle and she loves it! Shopping trip a success besides Belles first on the ground crying/screaming tantrum in the store. How long do you think we can blame teething? I am going to keep using it until she has them all!!

Tchau,
Sara
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Negativity

I must apologize if lately I seem on edge or a little negative about Brazil. I go through phases where I love being here and life couldn't get any better and then I other times all I want is for this journey to end.

The things that I have written are not exaggerated or wrong but harsh. Brazil is a developing country and there are things that need to change.... that will change with time. I am grateful for the opportunity to live in a country that teaches me so much about patience and acceptance for things I cannot change immediately.

Although things are easier in Rio I still think that my time here is come to an end. Nate and I will not move just to move but we are keeping our eyes open for a good opportunity to make a change. This could mean that we are here for another year or more. When the right opportunity presents itself we will not question but accept.


Until then I am going to keep living life like we are never leaving. It's the only way to live right?

Tchau,
Sara

Pic- nicky

Well picnic but that's how you pronounce it in Portuguese. All my friends at the park got together for a potluck picnic. All the women in white are baba's or nannies. Can you imagine having to wear white to work to take care of a baby or toddler? I would be a mess!

Tchau,
Sara
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Me vs Beach

Dear Beach,

Long gone are the days where I would greet you early in the morning wearing my small bathing suit, no shoes, holding a little bag with my sarong and a few dollars for coconut water. You used to bring me such a feeling of calmness and really complete me. I felt that you gave me a great workout, tan and love for life. I went to you in times of need. Someone to talk to while the hubby was away for work. I went to you when I needed to sort my thoughts.

NOW look what you have done. Maybe it's because you have missed me but I do not find it appropriate to still find you on me when I return home in places I would rather not mention on my family blog. You cling to my baby like you want to take her away. Well, I have news for you- she's mine.

When I see you these days I bring: the stroller, towels, sunscreen, food for Belle, water for Belle, and everything but the kitchen sink. I have to use all my muscle to drag the wheels through the sand to park and realize Belle doesn't need food because half the beach is in her mouth.

I constantly worry about the water, sand, waves, sun and random people walking by. I am stressed out the entire time we are together. When the outing is over and I return home looking a hot mess. Can't find my little belt that goes with my cover up, Belle's little swimmer diapers leaking all over me, I really can smell the urine soaking everything we own, sand stuck to Belle is scratching me, do I still have my bathing suit on?, Belle's screaming cause she is tired and sandy, and the expression on my face for at least the next two days will be of utter dismay.

Will there ever be a day when our friendship will mend?

In the future I ask that you bring many smiles to Belle's face as she builds sand castles, digs holes, looks for shells, and (fingers crossed) falls asleep under the umbrella before eating lunch with her clean sand free hands.

I ask that you not cling so much. We will be back to visit but maybe not as often. I might be a little scared at the moment. You defeated me today after a short outing. I set my hopes a little high and thought I could manage solo with Belle but I was wrong.

Must go take another shower to get more sand off....

Tchau,
Sara

Empty Nest

Another goodbye was said today and now the house just feels empty and lifeless. The past 2 weeks have been so fun with a house full of people and something always going on. I fear the next week when Nate will be leaving me for a week and I will face the house solo with Belle. 

Tomorrow the day should get back to the normal schedule of tons of walks, maybe a little beach trip (if I get brave), multiple trips to the park, and hopefully a little tennis. 

Yes, I said tennis... promise to write all about it in a few days with a full story. Now off to catch up on some sleep. 

Tchau,

Sara

Can Rio Pull it Off?

I am talking about the Olympics :) So many articles today swathed their focus to Rio 2016 now that London 2012 is over and the results vary from positive to negative. Just try googling "Rio 2016 are they ready" and you will see what I am talking about.

What do I think? Well I fall mostly with the negative view point at this moment in time. I whiteness first hand the lack of progress to the city of Rio on a daily basis. Heck, the guys downstairs have been working on the fountain in front of my condo since January and still can't manage to get it working. How are they supposed to pull off the Olympics?

A few days ago we drove buy the Olympic Village and they have broke ground but nothing else is done. The site where golf will be held is less than 2 miles from my house and they have yet to break ground. A promising feature though is that a sign defining the area as Olympic Golf hangs at the bus station. Let's hope it doesn't have to move to an already existing golf course.

Construction to the highways and main artery streets still progresses without providing any relief to the already congested roads. The huge 1 billion US dollar performing arts center has yet to be completed after at least 5 years of construction.

All these things leave me dreading the Rio Olympics. I hope that they prove me wrong.

Tchau,
Sara