iphone snippets in Bermuda

Random shots.. good memories.



The view from the outdoor seating at the Waterlot Inn, one of the oldest restaurants in Bermuda.



Pretty signage.



Just the two of us!



My daily walking view with Oscar and Theo.  Fairylands dock.



Me and Bean selfy-ing out to dinner at our fav - Portofino's.

Jazz Hands ... and the absurdities of documenting your child's birth in BDA.

So, a month ago, I gave birth to my third child.  Since we live here in Bermuda for the time being, it made sense to just deliver him here. 

First, the baby in question.

Look!  Jazz hands!!



You know how easy it is to get a birth certificate when you deliver in a hospital in the US, right?  You pretty much leave the hospital on discharge with something in your hand.

Not here.

(We left with the baby, which is a good thing.)

Four weeks later, still no birth certificate. 

We did just get this form in the mail.  Blank for us to fill out - called "Notice of Particulars of Birth."

Take a look at it for a moment and tell me if you notice anything odd.



First, it's not a birth certificate.

Ok - no big deal.  Presumably we fill out the info and mail it to the Registrar and hopefully one day have something I can take to the American Consulate.  I hope I will secure an approval of a Notice of an American Birth Overseas, which I will then use to get the boy a passport. 

In case he ever wants to get off the island...

BUT...

Keep looking at the form above ...

Apart from the fact that we have to declare our marital legitimacy so the child isn't legally a bastard, we also get to make up our own racial color of the child.

The best part?  Wait for it...

There's nowhere for the MOTHER to sign.

Get it?

THE.  MOTHER.

I carried the boy for 40 weeks in my body, gained 30 pounds, delivered him in a burst of pain and drug-free glory.. and my signature isn't necessary.

Damn.

Apparently I lack the legal capacity to verify the birth of my child.

Oh Bermuda. 

I love you, but it's true. 

It's a whole other world over here.

ps - we debated for two days what the "racial color of the child" was.  Jeff dared me to put down any other race that would guarantee him an affirmative action boost for college application processes 18 years from now.  I told him it wouldn't matter by then since everyone will be brown like me by that point.

Such is what passes for levity in this house when no one gets any sleep.

Walks with Theo.

Exploring the neighborhood - Fairylands.

I spent a lot of time researching the best stroller option for us, convinced that a daily walk would be the best thing for both Theo and myself.



Doesn't he look thrilled about it?



Granted, there are speed bumps along the way - both to finding the perfect stroller.  Hint - it's the proverbial unicorn.  As well as convincing your newborn that it's better to be out walking than stuck at home attached to the breast all day.



The best part of walks is discovering new things.  Even though we've lived in this neighborhood for almost two years now, I had no idea this place existed.  It's the Butterfield Nature Preserve.  I didn't venture up the stairs into the woods with the stroller, but I'm coming back with our dog soon so I can explore further.  Aren't these mossy steps inviting?

Bermuda snippets

Saw this guy on the water this morning.  It's some type of heron, which Jordan would know.  Have to show this to him.  They catch the tiny fish that swim in the bay.



I've been walking along this path with Oscar for over a year and a half now.  I noticed this hanging among the mangrove trees last summer.  It's still here.  Did someone find it and put it here for the owner?  It's not immediately visible from the road, so I can't imagine how someone could find it unless they were actively looking for it.  That got my mind thinking all kinds of strange scenarios - a hidden key.



Among all the flora of Bermuda, this happens to be one of my favorites.  These tiny white flowers grow amidst these bright green bushes. They smell so good.  I'm always tempted to cut some branches and bring them home, but then I remind myself they are technically on someone's property, even if they abut the main road, and I'd rather see them alive every day on my walk then watch them die on a vase on my dining table.

Bermuda snippets

Crossing the Point Shares bridge, I always look at this house and try to make out the murals painted on the side wall.  My first thought is how lovely the house is, right on the water.  And then, because I've lived here long enough, I start contemplating the moisture issue and wonder how many closet heaters they have to keep the mold off their clothes. 



At the Agricultural Exhibition, a/k/a "the Ag Show."



Jordan performed with his gymnastics team this year on the equestrian field.



Yay, he's looking at the camera!