Soccer Fan

I am cheating a little bit here as I did this order a few weeks back. But I am actually missing the "whirr" of my KitchenAid.

A birthday treat for a Palmeiras Futebal fan. Happy Birthday Alexis!

Weekend - No End

I am posting the weekend on Tuesday. As I cannot really tell the difference between the days that make up the work week and the days that do not. It has been a rather trying time at home.

I picked Georgia up from school to find her burning with fever on Friday. The subsequent days have rendered my already emotionally drained daughter needier than ever. "Colo, Mommy!" (Hold me!) And I did--all weekend long as she sweated deliriously through the fever. The nights were spent with one child or other in my arms and washing myself down with alcohol to try and keep the virus away from Sebastian--Georgia's frustration with her brother increasing by the hour. Why would I have him in my arms when she was sick? Why won't I let her hold him right now? It is difficult to explain the concept of spreading germs to a two year old with a new sibling that resembles a doll. And more difficult to console one when you have the other on your breast.

And as I re-hash the weekend spent entirely indoors. I realize that Monday and Tuesday have been exactly the same. No school for Georgia. No break for Mommy. Cabin Fever. Tears. Snot. Endless loads of soiled bedding. And little little sleep.

Perhaps a few positive points?

1. Grandma Deany made chicken soup to cure us all.
2. Vovó Vera delivered a homemade holiday doll.
3. Georgia declared her painting from school to be "like Jackson Pollock."
4. Sebastian remains a calm little guy.

Tomorrow is Wednesday. Perhaps by next weekend we will be back on track.

In spite of it all, I still love being a mother of two.

Big Sister

Georgia has been slowly adapting to her role as big sister. Her enthusiasm to hold Sebastian's hand (albeit a bit too tight) and eagerness to greet him when she arrives home from school, had made me believe that she was happy about having a sibling. But her more frequent meltdowns and temper tantrums have made it obvious that she is not completely pleased with the changes.

And I try to remain patient. As her anger is usually directed at me. Testing and testing...to see how far she can push me. But I try to remember what a wise person said to me during my pregnancy. "Imagine if your husband came home with another women and advised you that you would now be sharing him." Pretty awful thought. G has always been used to being the center of my universe.

Today, after a particularly difficult lunch (lots of whining, no eating and rice everywhere), I thought it better upon arriving at pre-school to warn her teacher that it was one of those days. Teacher Gabriela responded by telling me that Georgia has not been misbehaving at school. But that she had been wanting to talk to me. And she, quite simply, declared, "Georgia is sad." And I, quite simply, started to cry.

I was told that yesterday my outgoing little girl went and sat quietly in the corner and wept. "I want my Mommy." I thought I was doing a pretty good job as a new mother of two. And as I tearfully write this, I ask myself.

How can I do better?

A Weekend Lullaby

Sebastian is still confused. Day is night. Night is day. The quiet of the house and his eyes open bright. Just the two of us staring, eating and dozing...I love having a son.

And Georgia? Her first time sitting on Santa's lap. Eyes wide for her, too. The promise of Christmas helps her be a good girl. (works for me!)

Extra pajama time...we are a family of four. Everything takes longer...to get out the door.

Hectic, yes. But honestly?

I think it is the calmest weekend in a while.

Hermes

To sweeten the luxury brand's corporate meeting...

Merci beaucoup Alejandra! Hope everyone enjoyed...

Numa Boa!

My Mother always told me that God sends us the baby we are able to manage at that moment in our lives. And, for certain, He only sends us one collicky infant. And as sweet as Georgia can be, she was the quintessential collicky new-born. She cried for hours and hours on end. We paced the halls with her in our arms and tried every remedy to get her to sleep. I suppose she may have been hungry as my first attempts at breastfeeding were problematic. It seems I produced the skim variety. My doctor's visits were like puragatory. She was never gaining enough and I had to go back every other day for the dreaded weigh in. Bullheaded, I refused to supplement. And we made it through, again, albeit slowly.

And Sebastian? My Mother was right. He is the calm our agitated home needs (especially my husband). He is everything that Georgia (and I) are not. Easy-going. Laid back. I have yet to hear him cry. He is a hungry little guy. Breastfeeding is going smoothly. Naturally I chewed my nails as he was put on the scale at the pediatrican's office. The results: 100 grams gained the first week, the ultimate prize for me. I cried silent victory tears of relief in the doctor's office.

And our days are passing smoothly.

Our family is complete.

Biba and Zola

When Vivan and Marcelo (Biba and Zola) asked me to do the sweets and decorations for their wedding, I was thrilled...my first crack at a wedding celebration. But when they told me the date of the event, I had to hesitate. I was in the first months of my pregnancy with a scheduled due date of November 26th. The wedding was to be on the 13th.

I took a deep breath and said, "I'd love to do it!" But then I told them about my pregnancy and due date and let them decide. "Let's do it," they concurred. Crazy. All of us, I know.

Luckily I had the foresight to ask my ever talented and always helpful Mother-in-Law, Vera, to be my partner in the endeavor. And throughout the months of my pregnancy, the concept for the wedding took fold as my belly grew.

As we neared the due date and wedding date, my obstetrician warned that early contractions were causing my uterus to thin out and that it was unlikely that I would make it until after the 13th. I kept quiet and kept working....keeping Vera posted and praying for Baby Boy to hold out until the fourteenth.

On the morning of the 5th of November, I started to feel "crampy." I kept cutting tulle quietly. But at 5:00 pm, I knew that these were more than routine Braxton-Hicks contractions. And off to the hospital I went for ten hours of labor and the birth of our son.

Last week was probably one of the most joyous and difficult weeks of my life. I stepped out of the maternity ward and into the kitchen. Working all day engorged and exhausted and breastfeeding my hungry little angel baby (thank goodness for that) all night.

This wedding would not have come to fruition without the help and understanding of so many. But I cannot go without naming a few....My mother and Doc burping baby and stuffing favor bags. My husband for giving Georgia the extra undivided attention and the 4 am diaper changes. Carol (the amazing wedding coordinator) driving back to my home with my mother to bring Sebastian to the buffet for me to breastfeed during set-up. Georgia...your big sister patience. Sebastian...the stories you will hear about your first week of life! And my mother-in-law...well the biggest thanks goes to her. Vera...Thank you! Obrigada! I don't know how to express my gratitude for all you do.

And, of course, Biba and Zola...the most appreciative, laid-back, kind couple one could ever wish to plan a wedding for...I wish you all the happiness in the world on your journey together...xo

Details:
Biba e Zola Wedding
Buffet: Manioca

Decorations: Colors: shades of rose, cream, white and pale green, 10 Giant Balls using 5,000 hand glued coffee filters, 45 Floral balls of Carnations, Babies Breath, Roses, Petunias, Queen Anne's Lace...(Maristella Flores), Simple floral arrangements in bottles of all shapes and sizes, ribbon streamed hall with French tulle, ceramic candles, linen pillows....

Sweets: Almond and apricot wedding cake with almond flavored fondant, brownies, coconut, chocolate, and raspberry macarons, cake balls, mini chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting, lemon, passion fruit, dark chocolate, marzipan, and lemon truffles, pistachio and almond truffle balls, mini strawberry pies, vanilla cupcakes with fondant flowers over almond buttercream, dark chocolate hearts, brigadeiros, beijinhos and cookies, cookies, cookies...

Favors: Homemade granola in sewn glasine bags, mauve kraft bags with custom cookies and flower and heart seal

Thank you again...everyone. xo!

Baby Boy....Sebastian

Sebastian has arrived early.
2.58 Kilos
47 Cm
November 6, 2010
Our baby boy....

Mood Lighting

Preparations are in full force for next weekend's wedding project...decorations and sweets for a super modern, lovely couple.

Just in: Homemade candle holders courtesy of my sister-in-law Heloisa...

Leather Goods

I made myself a new satchel...

This week's Minas de Ouro post...a leather bag for me.