'Exceeding Expectations': Graham's First Flights

  Well I must admit:  Jason and I didn't know what to expect going into Sunday's extended flight back to Brazil with Graham.  Surprisingly little Graham-Graham did quite well during the 10-hour flight--'Exceeding Expectations' (Ensco's motto) of flying with an infant.  He slept the whole leg from New Orleans to Houston and again from Houston to Rio, waking only to feed and change in his diaper.  And he had plenty of admirers along the way! 

  Jason and I would be reminisced if we didn't share our sincere gratification to the Brazilian customs and immigrations officials for the accommodations and courtesies extended to us at the Rio airport.  Instead of waiting in lines, which zig-zagged for what seemed like miles,  officials gave us  preference because we were traveling with an infant, a courtesy we immensely appreciated!

Saying goodbye to Nanny C.  Hopefully she will come visit us??

One last family photo after checking-in our luggage and getting our flights squared away.

Graham's first flight!

He wasn't too interested in the sights...preferring too snooze and snore, I might add!

Our little world traveler mingling with another passenger as we waited to exit the plane in Rio

Before loading up in the van for the three-hour drive to Macae, our driver was holding this Ensco sign, 'Exceeding Expectations' as we walked out of customs.

This photo isn't the best, but we were glad to finally be in Macae!

Keeping Perspective...

  As time in the motherland winds down for Graham and me, I am looking forward to being reunited with Jason, so our little family of three can be together again.  Jason's time away is always hard enough; but, it has been extremely difficult (especially for Jason) with Graham in our lives now.  The plan is for Jason to return to Louisiana within the next week or so in order to fly back to Brazil with Graham and me a week later.   Graham and I will return to Louisiana in late September and November for his 4 and 6 month immunizations.

  In the meantime, I have begun prepping for our return to Brazil, which usually consists of making long checklists of goods to bring with us and combing through pages of suggestive "What and What nots" on the Macae Expat Facebook page.  It is no secret that our lifestyle in Macae has been quite a humbling change from the luxuries we were so accustomed to in Singapore.  Recently, one Macae Expat, Catharina Laporte shared her "parting" perspective on life in Macae on the Macae Expatriate page--her post really hit home for me.  Needless to say, Catharina Laporte's musings have renewed my appreciation for the opportunity life abroad lends.  I  thought I would share her fitting posting with you.

Below is her post.   

Catharina Laporte

"Leaving again tomorrow…some parting thoughts…

I’ve been coming back and forth to Macaé for many years now – the first time I came the Hotel DuLac in Lagoa was the biggest and fanciest place to stay… and the road along Cavaleiros beach was a dirt road… and the kiosks at Lagoa were grass huts run by dope smoking hippies. My how things have changed… Here’s some lessons I have learned about this wonderful place that I want to share:

 • Even if you don’t think you have the body… buy a tiny bikini (or budgie smuggler if you’re a fella) and walk down the beach with pride… strut your stuff, head held high, love your body no matter what age or shape you are… wearing a bikini on the beach in Brazil is the MOST liberating feeling in the world. (Ok so this one is out of the question...lol!)

 • Anytime you are in the grocery or Horti-fruiti and you see a vegetable or fruit you don’t recognize --- BUY ONE and try it! This way you discover and experience the amazing flavors of Brazil: I discovered graviola (soursop), maracuja (amazing passion fruit), pinas (sugarsop or sugar apples) and some amazing leafy green vegetables this way --- broaden your horizons!

 • If you can’t find it in the store… make your own or grow it! We make yogurt, cheese, sourdough bread, bagels and crumpets… we also grow a lot of herbs ourselves… if I had the space I would also grow veggies. What a great opportunity to teach your kids where food comes from and the pleasures of gardening --- in the climate here everything grows!

 • Don’t pine and crave for those things you can’t have (which in my opinion are few and far between)… instead delight in those things you do have --- you are in a different culture, a different climate, a whole different world --- embrace the experience and use this time to experiment with the new flavors, the new culture, and the new ways of thinking.

• Be a good ambassador for your country but be respectful of the host country as well. You are their guest. If you have kids, this is a wonderful opportunity for them to learn how to be respectful multi-lingual global citizens.

 • The only way to learn the language is to get out and speak it --- every day! Be brave and fearless --- speak to anyone who will speak to you --- store keepers, people in the streets, bus drivers – everyone and anyone. Locals love it when you try. Turn on the subtitles on the TV and learn to read the language. Pick a tune you like on the radio and learn the words (Ivete Sangalo or Paula Fernando are excellent for this). Laugh at your mistakes and realize that there will be good days and bad days – but everyday you’ll be better.

 • Be streetwise and safe… because of the huge disparity in income we can expect crime. Dress down and don’t flaunt wealth. To put it in perspective: the guy sweeping the street probably supports his entire family for a month on less than you sometimes pay to have your hair cut and colored.

• Enjoy!"

How appropriate...

On a lighter note, here are some recent photos of our little Graham-Graham...growing way too fast I might add!

He didn't quite think he had the best seat in the house to watch the Olympics...

                                                                                  

I love bath time!

Graham even had an estate sale outing to New Orleans with my mom, aunt, sister and me this past weekend. 
Jason's mom made his little outfit.

Graham and his buddy Hayes Leitner

                                                                                                                                                                                        

Graham's Baptism

  Sunday was a very special day for our little family.  We celebrated Graham's baptism at St. Genevieve, the parish where I attended elementary school for eight years.  (Jason was able to make a quick trip back to the States on Saturday and left out Monday evening.)  It was a beautiful day; and we were fortunate to celebrate this special occasion with our family and friends before Graham and I travel back to Brazil in a few weeks.

Graham wore a christening gown that has been worn by my mom's family for three generations now. 

A special mommy-son moment!

With Deacon Simon-Peter

Graham with his godparents--Nanny CC and Parrain Josh

Graham's Two Month Fun Facts

Here are some of Graham's fun facts from his recent two-month check-up:

*Dr. Pitre was very pleased with Graham's progress and he was such a trooper when he was given his immunization shots.
*Weight: 10 pounds and 15 ounces (50th percentile)
*Height: 23 1/2 inches (75th percentile)
*Head: 15 1/4 inches (50th percentile)
*First bath in the tub after a messy blowout...ha!
*Usually sleeps 5 1/2 - 6 hours at night in his rock-n-play (still in our room)
*Does not like to have his diaper changed or to be burped
*Laughing and babbling more now than ever and much to his parents' delight
*Has been to the airport a handful of times and has taken a few road trips to Baton Rouge and Houma for some retail therapy :-)

Our long and lean baby

Graham didn't really know what to think of the water.  He was a little apprehensive at first, but later seemed content while I was bathing him.  He better get used to being in the water as I have a feeling we will be spending plenty of time at the beach in Brazil.

I really need to work on my photography skills because I never seem to snap the camera quick enough to capture his smiles.

  Jason had to go back to Brazil a few days short of Graham's two-month birthday, but fortunately for us modern technology allows Jason to keep up with Graham through our nightly video calls on Facetime.

7 Weeks Too Fast!

Here are some pictures of Graham Graham from the past seven weeks.  Graham is such a delightful little baby and his smiles melt our hearts.  Jason and I are so abundantly blessed to have this sweet, healthy baby boy in our lives.  We just wish time would stand still for a little while!

Graham has been an incredibly alert baby and totally fascinated by light since day one.

My talented sister, CC captured some great photographs of Graham and a few impromptu shots of us with Graham.

Anything to calm a crying baby in the wee hours of the morning!

Jason, Graham, his mom and grandmother--four generations of Nugents!

At 4 weeks Graham weighed 8 lbs. 12 ounces.  Jason weighs Graham with his fish scale weekly.

Poppa and Graham sharing some quality time together before Poppa left for Brazil...



I don't think I had much to do with this kid!  Graham is Jason all over again!

There's that smile!!  Have I mentioned how much I love this kid?!!

I am sure this is just the first of many more trips to the Island for these two!



OH BOY: Graham August Nugent

 I know I have been behind on blogging the past few months, but I figured I would spare you the boring details of basically nesting for the past three months.  Fortunately for me, the nesting is over and we are finally a family of three!   

God has truly blessed us! In the short two weeks since Graham was born, he has brought us so much joy and excitement; needless to say, we are very PROUD parents!

Picture Postcards from the 'Magnificent City'

  Okay, so I must admit that our perception of Rio wasn't even close to reality.   We learned this firsthand during a quick road trip this past weekend. 

 In actuality, the city's flare, charm, and ambiance compare like no other city; well, except for maybe New Orleans (of course I am partial to my Louisiana roots).   But there isn't much Rio doesn't have to offer to its visitors--emerald waters, exquisite cuisine, lush forest-mountains, and a colorful history to name a few attractions.  Not to mention, most Rio-goers are drawn to the pomp and circumstance of Carnival and the mystique of a certain larger-than-life statue.  For us, it was the latter. While the spectacle of Carnival will have to await us for another year, we discovered that Rio is much more than the two weeks of masquerading and dancing set to take place later this month.

 Well, either my brain isn't functioning or I am a suffering from a severe case of writer's block, so I will let the photos speak for themselves...  These pictures tell a better story anyway!

Scenes before getting into Rio.  The bottom photo of the favelas or shanty towns are common-place throughout Brazil.

Famous Copacabana Beach in photo on left. 



Saturday morning, we browsed the monthly antique fair held in Lapa, downtown Rio.  The European influence is ever present in the architecture throughout the cobblestone-lined streets.



The views were stunning!!



This speaks for itself!!
The statue, which was built in 1931, towers 130 feet atop the Corcovado Mountain.   

   It is no wonder why the cariocas or locals have so appropriately dubbed their native town as the "Magnificent City".