BraSil, take one....

So this weekend, Jared rented a car and we got out and saw lots of loverly things - our home in the town we'll be living in (it's in the process of being rented right now), the largest mall in South America (I ate at McDonalds), the LDS temple in Campinas, and we even took a tour of the hospital we're thinking of giving birth in. And did I remember my camera the entire time??? GAH!

So far, I'm coping well. Jared is at work today and getting loads done (he does love to be productive) and today my big excitement was that I ventured out of the hotel alll by myself and bought myself some lunch. At 2 different stores! We're in a super safe neighborhood, but I've never been by myself somewhere that I couldn't speak the language. It's a tad terrifying. So far I can say

Obrigada = thank you
Tudo bem = how's it going?
Eu no falo Portuguese = I don't speak Portuguese

I'm good:)

Oh, and one reason that I am not too terrified is that Jared had this BRILLIANT idea - we have an digital internet phone - we just plug into our router and call all over the states, even parts of Europe - all for the low low price of $20 a month. Well, Jared wondered if he came to Brazil and took all his equipment and plugged it into the internet here, wouldn't it work? And dagnabit, it DOES!!! I'm sitting here in Brasil, and I have already spoken to people in California, Georgia, Texas and Colorado. Oh, I don't think I could survive this without that blessing. So if you have our home number in Atlanta, you can continue to call and chat with us. We're here! Cool, huh????

And before I go, here are some pics Jared's mom snapped of us at the airport as we embarked on this wacky adventure:

Alll of our huggage:



Holy crap, this is all ours???


She wanted a close up of the big tummy:



And here's the one for the photo album -


Enjoy!

destination: known

Just a jet-lagged note to tell the world that we're here and we're fine. Brazil isn't all THAT scary looking!

Leaving on a jet plane

No pictures tonight - just a quick note to say that the tickets are bought - the bags have been packed and unpacked, and we are officially leaving for Brazil tomorrow night. The baby has been kicking like mad, but I'm pretty sure she'll stay in there for the flight at least - she's not due for 6 more weeks, but you hear way too many crazy stories from people at times like these.

Next post is going to be from a hotel in Campinas... AK!

Passing time

While our brave hero is off in Brazil, I am here home, fretting and making a general nuisance of myself. We're waiting for his work authorization, and it's getting to be crunch time as I now am in my 3rd trimester and as of September 3rd, I'm not allowed to fly. If I give birth here, I'm stranded in the states until the baby's paperwork comes in, at least a few more months. It's seriously enough to drive me absolutely crazy!!

So I was lucky enough this week to have my dear friend Annie come visit me and try to distract me from all the insanity! And in the spirit of distracting me and helping me enjoy my last few months of pregnancy, it was her briiiiliant idea to go on a road trip to Savannah, Georgia this week! Here is all the picture-y goodness!

Here we are with our obligatory in-the-car heading-out-for-adventure shot:


Our first stop was the infamous Pirate House were we relaxed and soaked in some local folklore:



Everyone visiting the Pirate House should definately check out their daquiris - this pregnant lady gives it at least one thumb up! (disclaimer - it was Annie's AND it's a virgin daquiri - the picture was too priceless to pass up:)



Next we took a tour of the haunted spots in Savannah - quite creepy stuff! We're standing on a bunch of dead bodies (they found a whole bunch are under this street!) with our awesome tour guide:



Then Annie had found out about some place called the Crab Shack in a guidebook she'd read - and good golly am I glad she's literate!! It was the funnest place I think I've ever eaten at - there were live alligators to gawk at (Annie has a thing for the gators) and ever table had a huge hole in the middle with a garbage can right there so after you eat the shellfish, you can chuck the shells right there in the trash. Hysterical!! So of course I had to get some shellfish, and I got my favorite - crawdads!!!

Annie took a picture of me taking a picture of my crawdads:



Did I mention I love crawdads??

The next day we went by a famous fort... my memory is not serving me well as to what the name was, because it was so hot we almost passed out! But we stuck through it long enough to take a picture of this guy - in a full WOOL uniform in 90 degree temperatures!! Insane man, and he's even smiling!





After that, the beach on Tybee Island was unquestionable. We were so hot we barely even made it to the water, but oh, it was so worth it when we got there! Here is me in all my pregnanty glory:



The partners in crime:



More of my pregnanty glory:



We both made signs in the sand for our husbands, but I made this especially for all of y'all in internet land:




Then on the way home, we tried to see how many places in the car we could get gummy bears to stick. Yup....






So that was our loverly weekend. Still biding time until the husband returns....

From the top

Let's do a little math...

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One heckuva ride. More to follow...