My Friend Stephanie

My American friend Stephanie is also expecting a baby girl. She is due within the next two weeks and here is a photo of us at her baby shower. It has been so nice to be able to have someone to talk to during this pregnancy. We will both be delivering here in Brazil which makes for some funny conversations on what to expect. I told her that at least she is going first and can later give me the run down! Stephanie's mother will be coming this Wednesday to help before and after the birth. We were talking about how we need to prepare our mothers (my mom is coming in July) on the condition and methods of the hospitals. The hospitals here look and are run totally different. For example: Rick and I went to visit the hospital where I will be delivering and they gave me a list of items to bring. I have to bring EVERYTHING!! From diapers, to baby shampoo, to baby blankets and baby clothes. Not to mention towels and everything else that I will need for myself and the baby. They even expect me to bring nail clippers for the baby. The hospital provides NOTHING! (Only sheets for the bed and my meals.) The baby will not leave my side the entire time I am there. The tests and even her first bath will be done in a sink in my hospital room. Different huh?

Another thing I found interesting during our tour of the hospital is that they will provide ear piercing for baby girls before leaving the hospital. They don't provide diapers or blankets but they will pierce your baby's ears!

I still plan on posting photos of Rick's trip to the Amazon. Look for them soon!

Under the Weather

Well, folks, the Denham gang has had a rough week. James awoke in the middle of the night last Sunday coughing and unable to catch his breath. So I ran next door and asked for help from my neighbors. It is such a blessing to live in an apartment building where most of the tenants are from our church. (Rick was traveling.) So my friend Rosi and I then took James to the children's hospital and they told us that he had a form of laryngitis. Praise the Lord it was nothing more serious. The doctor said it was viral and should disappear within two days. So twice a day, I took James to the hospital to have inhalation treatments to help him get better. The laryngitis is gone but a cold has been left in it's place.

Now mommy is sick too! I am thinking it is strep throat but will find out when I go to the doctor tomorrow. This is especially not fun mainly because I am pregnant and unable to take anything. So I have been drinking loads of hot tea and sucking on honey drops to help in the discomfort. Here are some interesting cultural facts for you: Brazilians seem to think that my family is sick because we use Air Condition and walk around the house barefoot. They also think I am crazy for drinking cold drinks with ice.

As the saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans." Maybe I should change some of our habits. What do you think?

A Whirlwind!

It has been almost a month since my last post and I don't want any more time to pass without an update. Rick, James and I spent two weeks in the states visiting family and friends and picking up supplies to last us the rest of the year. (winter clothes and baby stuff for the new one) We also took a 2 day trip to Nashville to visit our church and any friends and family that we could squeeze into our tight schedule. Here are a few photos to share with you:We spent our only Saturday visiting Disney's Animal Kingdom with my family. My sister flew in from North Carolina and even my brother Garry and his family surprised us and met us there!

James and his sweet cousin Alli are enjoying a moment in front of Mr. Potato Head.

Everytime we are back in Melbourne, I always try to take James to his favorite park where he feeds the ducks and plays on the playground. Unfortunately, this time James thought it was more fun to chase the ducks than feed them. As you can see, two ducks found safety in a tree.

James got to visit his Uncle Robbie at the Firehouse one of the first days we were there. James was thoroughly impressed with the whole experience that he still asks mommy to read him his firefigther book to him EVERYDAY!

I will be posting another update soon of Rick's trip to the Amazon with the team from Desiring God Ministries. It went incredibly well!