Yesterday we rushed down to the beach to watch the sunset over the ocean with LS, just after her afternoon nap (which ends at 8:30PM Portugal-time). We cut it close, but it's about a 3 minute drive, so we made it. Barely.
We got out along the walkway that's elevated somewhat from the beach, but not quite as high as the nearby cliffs. From there we saw the last half of the sunset. Very nice.
There's a common type of bird here in Portugal that seems to fly like dolphins swim. They dart here and there, gliding then swooping down with their wings tucked to their sides - always making progress by rising up and diving down. LS got a few looks at those and was delighted. But the best was yet to come.
Apparently at sunset the seagulls like to make their way up the coast northward. So soon after the sunset, and in the darkening sky, seagulls would come flying by in groups of three or four, left to right. Since we were elevated they weren't that far overhead. They were also flying into the wind, so their progress past us was nice and leisurely.
Now this delighted LS greatly. We would point them out and their name in Portuguese, "gaivota" (guy-voh'-tuh), and she would shriek in delight - kicking her legs and wiggling around in the process.
Unfortunately we had run out of batteries in the camera the day before, so no pictures or little movies.
As we would say gaivota, LS would then say, approximately, "vuh-vuh-vuh". Not bad!
We then went back to the car and took the 1 minute drive to a perch off a road along the tops of the cliffs. At that vantage point they were often about eye level and maybe twenty feet away, as they flew along the cliffs, above the crashing waves below, silhouetted against the post-sunset pink sky.
Vuh-vuh-vuh! Vuh-vuh-vuh!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Bem Vindo á Portugal!
Given that a picture is worth 1,000 words, Papai could have saved himself a lot of trouble here. We missed out on the perfect photo opportunitiy to illustrate the journey over to Portugal.
The missed picture: LS, in the car ride from the Lisbon airport to the final destination, slumped over in her car seat fast asleep. It was the epitome of a hesitant surrender to exhaustion.
The trip over could have been worse. We'll start by saying that.
The first leg of the flight, from Boston to Philadelphia, went very smoothly. No lines to get the ticket at Logan airport and no real line through security. And the flight itself was easy.
The second leg of the flight was a little more challenging. 7 hours from Philadelphia to Lisbon, starting about an hour after bed time. Not exactly being set up for success.
Too many details to cover, but the summary is that LS slept off-and-on, crying when she wasn't sleeping, and needing to be nursed back to sleep each time. Luckily Mamãe had the pacifier handy also. Papai tried to get a little sleep, Mamãe didn't get any.
Happily, if you have little kids, you get put into an expedited line through the passport check. This allowed LS to be changed and a bathroom stop made in the passport area bathroom, and we still got through before any of the non-kids-having passengers on our plane. Thanks LS!
Another picture opportunity of sorts was missed too, but this is for the best - especially since no one really saw it exactly. The feat - Mamãe using the airport bathroom; without touching the toilet, while holding LS, with a backpack on, in a stall barely big enough to turn around in. And even with the door closed.
There was no line at the car rental counter - sweet! The car seat was installed for us with no delay, and the car ride over was a breeze.
When we got to the house, LS's Avô (grandfather) was doing some final preparation in the house. Papai and Avô finished putting the crib together that is being borrowed from one of the cousins.
We weren't smart enough to get the camera out for LS and Avô's meeting. LS loved that Avô likes to whistle, sing, and dance. It was enough to get some smiles out of an exhausted little girl. His prediliction for whistling bird call imitations has earned him the nickname "Avô Pássaro" - which if you don't quite pronounce "Avô" right kind of rhymes (Ah-voo' Pah'-suh-roo).
Since arriving, LS has slept well. She's staying on US time, which means getting up at noon, naps during the afternoon, and bedtime is midnight. The use of shutters, which keeps a Portuguese room pitch black in the middle of a bright day, is very welcomed.
We've only gotten to about 500 words here, so you're only getting half the picture. But really, it was safer then crawling around to get a camera and taking a picture while speeding down a Portuguese highway.
The missed picture: LS, in the car ride from the Lisbon airport to the final destination, slumped over in her car seat fast asleep. It was the epitome of a hesitant surrender to exhaustion.
The trip over could have been worse. We'll start by saying that.
The first leg of the flight, from Boston to Philadelphia, went very smoothly. No lines to get the ticket at Logan airport and no real line through security. And the flight itself was easy.
The second leg of the flight was a little more challenging. 7 hours from Philadelphia to Lisbon, starting about an hour after bed time. Not exactly being set up for success.
Too many details to cover, but the summary is that LS slept off-and-on, crying when she wasn't sleeping, and needing to be nursed back to sleep each time. Luckily Mamãe had the pacifier handy also. Papai tried to get a little sleep, Mamãe didn't get any.
Happily, if you have little kids, you get put into an expedited line through the passport check. This allowed LS to be changed and a bathroom stop made in the passport area bathroom, and we still got through before any of the non-kids-having passengers on our plane. Thanks LS!
Another picture opportunity of sorts was missed too, but this is for the best - especially since no one really saw it exactly. The feat - Mamãe using the airport bathroom; without touching the toilet, while holding LS, with a backpack on, in a stall barely big enough to turn around in. And even with the door closed.
There was no line at the car rental counter - sweet! The car seat was installed for us with no delay, and the car ride over was a breeze.
When we got to the house, LS's Avô (grandfather) was doing some final preparation in the house. Papai and Avô finished putting the crib together that is being borrowed from one of the cousins.
We weren't smart enough to get the camera out for LS and Avô's meeting. LS loved that Avô likes to whistle, sing, and dance. It was enough to get some smiles out of an exhausted little girl. His prediliction for whistling bird call imitations has earned him the nickname "Avô Pássaro" - which if you don't quite pronounce "Avô" right kind of rhymes (Ah-voo' Pah'-suh-roo).
Since arriving, LS has slept well. She's staying on US time, which means getting up at noon, naps during the afternoon, and bedtime is midnight. The use of shutters, which keeps a Portuguese room pitch black in the middle of a bright day, is very welcomed.
We've only gotten to about 500 words here, so you're only getting half the picture. But really, it was safer then crawling around to get a camera and taking a picture while speeding down a Portuguese highway.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Hanging with Memére
On Sunday after dinner, LS hung out with Memére. Even though they were actually about 1100 miles apart. Courtesy of Skype video naturally... Both were very pleased.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Firsts
Just about everything so far, of course, is a first for LS. But lately there have been some fun firsts.
A couple weeks ago LS had her first time in the pool, at Avó and Grandpa's house. She didn't seem as impressed with it as we were. We caught here her first moments getting in the water. So far we just got her used to the idea of being in some water. It'll have to be at least next time before we're swimming underwater with her...
After this first minute or so with Papai, LS spent a good amount of time playing in the water, mostly with Mamãe.
The week after that, LS had some more firsts. We went to the Cape for a couple days and she got to have (1) her first time away from home more than one night, and (2) her first time at the beach and ocean. Dad was also happy to have a first - having donuts for breakfast ON the beach. Mmmm.
Sometime in these last few weeks she also crossed the line of being on the outside longer than the inside. She must be getting used to it by now, no?
Pretty soon LS will be seeing the ocean from the other side of the Atlantic. She's curious if the waves start at the beaches there, since they seem to end at the beach here. In this picture she might be pondering just that:
Here we all are enjoying getting our feet in the water:
And finally, it seemed appropriate to strike a pose together:
Oh! Almost forgot another first. LS's first nap taken in Papai's arms while he walked up and down the beach... But at least she slept! And we didn't have to go home...
It won't be long before there are some more important firsts, and we'll try to update with some of it if we can. Among these:
And tomorrow yet another - first day as a 9-month-old.
A couple weeks ago LS had her first time in the pool, at Avó and Grandpa's house. She didn't seem as impressed with it as we were. We caught here her first moments getting in the water. So far we just got her used to the idea of being in some water. It'll have to be at least next time before we're swimming underwater with her...
After this first minute or so with Papai, LS spent a good amount of time playing in the water, mostly with Mamãe.
The week after that, LS had some more firsts. We went to the Cape for a couple days and she got to have (1) her first time away from home more than one night, and (2) her first time at the beach and ocean. Dad was also happy to have a first - having donuts for breakfast ON the beach. Mmmm.
Sometime in these last few weeks she also crossed the line of being on the outside longer than the inside. She must be getting used to it by now, no?
Pretty soon LS will be seeing the ocean from the other side of the Atlantic. She's curious if the waves start at the beaches there, since they seem to end at the beach here. In this picture she might be pondering just that:
Here we all are enjoying getting our feet in the water:
And finally, it seemed appropriate to strike a pose together:
Oh! Almost forgot another first. LS's first nap taken in Papai's arms while he walked up and down the beach... But at least she slept! And we didn't have to go home...
It won't be long before there are some more important firsts, and we'll try to update with some of it if we can. Among these:
- First time going through security at the airport
- First time waiting in line for a rental car at the Lisbon airport
- First taste of Pasteís de Nata in the Old Country
And tomorrow yet another - first day as a 9-month-old.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
A minute of time
These pictures were taken a couple weeks back over the course of a little under a minute. Thought it might be fun to recreate a sort of photobooth feel like days of old. Ironic of course that a digital camera and software was used to that effect. I don't imagine those photobooths are in much demand these days, given that almost everyone always has a camera on them - even if only on their phone.
There's probably a pile of those photobooths somewhere next to the pile of buggy whips and VCRs.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Lingua Doida
This post is more about Dad (Papai) then about LS. It just speaks to what LS is up against.
Speaking Portguese to LS is generally pretty easy. I like to say that I can speak well enough to fool an infant. Though sometimes I wonder. Mostly it isn't too bad, as you generally are saying a lot of the same things over and over again. Should I ever have occassion to say to someone in Portugal that it is time to change their diaper, they'll be impressed how authentic it sounds.
What I dislike the most is speaking too slowly, so sometimes I risk inaccuracy for speaking a little faster. Sometimes it doesn't work out.
Today there was a funny exchange. I took a bike ride during lunch, which takes me a little less than an hour. This was during the time that LS was being fed by Mamãe.
Upon my return I said to Mamãe, in Portuguese:
"She you ate well?"
I realized as soon as I said it that I mispoke, so I quickly corrected it:
"She I ate well?"
Gah! I realized right away that I had incorrectly corrected myself. Finally:
"She ate well?"
After which I muttered under my breath, in English. My consolation is that at least I didn't invoke any of the plural conjugations. Hitting all the singular cases is bad enough...
Oh, LS. How long before you are the one correcting me?
(For the record, she did eat well)
Speaking Portguese to LS is generally pretty easy. I like to say that I can speak well enough to fool an infant. Though sometimes I wonder. Mostly it isn't too bad, as you generally are saying a lot of the same things over and over again. Should I ever have occassion to say to someone in Portugal that it is time to change their diaper, they'll be impressed how authentic it sounds.
What I dislike the most is speaking too slowly, so sometimes I risk inaccuracy for speaking a little faster. Sometimes it doesn't work out.
Today there was a funny exchange. I took a bike ride during lunch, which takes me a little less than an hour. This was during the time that LS was being fed by Mamãe.
Upon my return I said to Mamãe, in Portuguese:
"She you ate well?"
I realized as soon as I said it that I mispoke, so I quickly corrected it:
"She I ate well?"
Gah! I realized right away that I had incorrectly corrected myself. Finally:
"She ate well?"
After which I muttered under my breath, in English. My consolation is that at least I didn't invoke any of the plural conjugations. Hitting all the singular cases is bad enough...
Oh, LS. How long before you are the one correcting me?
(For the record, she did eat well)
Saturday, July 11, 2009
LS sees the Vet
We took LS to the veterinarian this past Friday. Ok, well, she was along for the ride. We were really bringing the cat (gato), and since we both wanted to be there, LS was dragged along as well. LS is glad she gets a car seat and not put in a pet carrier.
The reaction to the "cute baby" at the vet's may be similar to the reaction you'd get bringing a cute puppy into the pediatricians office I imagine. Except for the part where they wouldn't let you bring the puppy past the front door...
When gato (Nicky) had her turn come mom, dad, gato, and LS all went into the exam room together. LS was pretty well behaved taking in the new surroundings. The vet tech was able to get gato's weight, take some information about her recent behaviors, etc. Then she left the room to fetch the vet.
As soon as the door to the exam room closed, mom and dad exchanged a knowing glance; both thinking the exact same thing.
The scale. The one moments earlier they used to weigh the cat. The scale that carried the marking: "Baby Scale".
Not that there was much time for mulling it over - but how could we not? Mom hit the "on" button and in a few seconds the scale set to zero. Dad moved quickly across the room to let LS lay in her momentary cradle, seeing visions of the odd moment it would be if the vet came in right then. Come on - settle, settle. There! we've got it.
LS was whisked away back in Papai's arm, successfully measured and content.
And so...
Stat Check: 16 pounds, 13 ounces. Wow! Given the presence of light clothing and a slightly more bulky diaper than she dons for her official weighings, we'll call it 16.5 pounds (7.5 kilos for LS's Eurofans).
A particularly successful visit to the vet's office.
And the cat's doing OK too. For those wondering, she's hangin' in there well for an 18 year-old (she can vote!). She lost a slight amount of weight compared to last year, and we may increase her fluid supplement to more than twice a week.
The reaction to the "cute baby" at the vet's may be similar to the reaction you'd get bringing a cute puppy into the pediatricians office I imagine. Except for the part where they wouldn't let you bring the puppy past the front door...
When gato (Nicky) had her turn come mom, dad, gato, and LS all went into the exam room together. LS was pretty well behaved taking in the new surroundings. The vet tech was able to get gato's weight, take some information about her recent behaviors, etc. Then she left the room to fetch the vet.
As soon as the door to the exam room closed, mom and dad exchanged a knowing glance; both thinking the exact same thing.
The scale. The one moments earlier they used to weigh the cat. The scale that carried the marking: "Baby Scale".
Not that there was much time for mulling it over - but how could we not? Mom hit the "on" button and in a few seconds the scale set to zero. Dad moved quickly across the room to let LS lay in her momentary cradle, seeing visions of the odd moment it would be if the vet came in right then. Come on - settle, settle. There! we've got it.
LS was whisked away back in Papai's arm, successfully measured and content.
And so...
Stat Check: 16 pounds, 13 ounces. Wow! Given the presence of light clothing and a slightly more bulky diaper than she dons for her official weighings, we'll call it 16.5 pounds (7.5 kilos for LS's Eurofans).
A particularly successful visit to the vet's office.
And the cat's doing OK too. For those wondering, she's hangin' in there well for an 18 year-old (she can vote!). She lost a slight amount of weight compared to last year, and we may increase her fluid supplement to more than twice a week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
