Why are we proud? Because our monkey has adapted so well to this huge, huge change/move. He is sleeping extremely well, especially considering we have been hotel living since we moved. We continue to follow his routine and that seems to help immensely for the transition.
THE FLIGHT:
Challenging but not as difficult as expected. He slept a good portion of the 10-hour flght. However, there were moments where we got nervous. He gets scared at take off and landing and perhaps it is the way he feels inside that makes him scared.
JET LAG:
We stayed one night in Rio to rest after the flight. The next morning we rode in a company car to our final destination. Sleeping on the way to Macae. A 4-hour drive from Rio.
MACAE:
Walking on the boardwalk in Macae.
Playing with his favorite trucks waiting for lunch.
Smiling while waiting for lunch.
PLAY TIME:
Playing at the playground near our house.
The place to play while Mami and Papi go shopping in the mall. Benjamin loved it.
The sign to the play spot in the mall.
Just a small blurb of the fun...didn't get a shot of the other side where most of the activity was taking place. This side looks like where they throw birthday parties.
Benjamin's buddy Ana Clara. It did not matter one bit that they could not speak the same language - they really enjoyed each other's company.
Walking on the pedestrian friendly street of Macae.
The beautiful beach at twilight.
Benjamin running on the beach.
The boys walking into the ocean.
RIO DE JANIERO (BARRA DA TIJUCA):
Running in the hotel.
Sitting on a rooftop at the hotel in Barra da Tijuca.
Relaxing in a chaise lounge.
Grabbing that toe.
Classic Benjamin face...
In the water with Papi!
Going in...
Life is good!
Walking toward a coconut.
Playing on the beach with his new beach bucket.
FAVORITE COMMENTS:
(After a marathon play-doh session) "The ocean is making play-doh."
"Look at the volcanoes" - Said volcanoes are actually mountains.
NEW LANGUAGE (portuguese):
Benjamin is a sponge. He is repeating everything we say in english (and there have been quite a few words he should NOT be repeating). So on that note, he will say - when requested - the following two words:
"Obrigado" - Thank you.
"Tchau" - Good-bye.
Benjamin has reached that embarrassed stage. He gets very timid when he is noticed. So, when he speaks portuguese, he is noticed and it makes him a bit self-conscious. One of the very pleasant things about Brazil is that Brazilians love children. They are so incredibly kid-friendly here. They have special lines for people with children. Brazilians will let you in front of them if they see you with a kid. The generosity is absolutely draw-dropping shocking. So, Benjamin is noticed everywhere.
NEW FEARS:
Benja was scared of the ocean for the first few days when we arrived. Now, he cannot get in it enough.
The dreaded bathtub drain. The drain in our hotel makes loud slurping noises. He no longer wants to take a bath. We are working on this since this was once a favorite past time of his.
Benjamin is fully aware of what makes things tick. He always wants to know what those "noises" are no matter where we are.
THINGS WE MISS FROM HOME (besides our family and friends):
The library - we only brought a small assortment of books in our suitcases to tie us over until our shipment of books arrive. Needless to say reading the same book over and over is getting dull for us. For Benjamin, not so much. He can read the same thing over and over and feel satisfied.
Tex-Mex. Specifically in Benjamin's case: Cheese enchiladas and guacamole. He requests these foods regularly.
Macaroni and cheese. Once we get our stove, we can cook the many boxes we brought in our suitcases. Benjamin will be so delighted.
The thing we have learned the most about Benjamin these past three weeks we have arrived is that he has grown up so much. He is so inquisitive, he sees this new experience in such a different light than us and it is so refreshing.
We will post more as there is so much beauty here. Till next time.
3 comments:
Oh girl... such good photos!! And of course he's picking up the language... little spongey Benja!
Thanks, chica!
big hugs to you guys. we miss you but are not at all surprised that you are moving right in and doing well. look forward to more gorgeous beach pics :)
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