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!

Here's Our Baby

I had another ultrasound yesterday and here is the most recent photo of our little girl. (23 weeks) It looks like she has James' lips. So sweet! We are counting our blessings.

A Brazilian Easter

Hope you had a wonderful time celebrating Christ's resurrection and the hope that we have as Christians to one day be with him in Glory! On Easter morning, I sat in on James' Sunday School class, mainly because he wouldn't let me leave. Normally, I am a mother who has no hang-ups about leaving their crying child because I know that he will stop in a few minutes and begin to play. This, however, was a special occasion as all the children were gathered together in one place for a special Easter presentation put on by the teachers. While listening to the Passover story, each child was given some unleavened bread and a piece of cooked lamb. I was impressed with the amount of preparation that was put into this lesson. When my Portuguese improves, I look forward to helping more with the children's ministry!After church, we drove out to a restaurant in the country overlooking two lakes. Unfortunately, it began to rain and I was unable to get photos of the family and the mini egg hunt I planned to do for James there. The custom in Brazil for Easter happens not to be Easter baskets or egg hunts but rather the children are given giant chocolate eggs with a surprise inside. The surprise is usually a small toy or some candy. Not only did James receive a chocolate egg from his parents but also an American Easter basket that my sweet cousin Susan and her daughter Reese sent us in the mail. It was a nice surprise and I was able to hide some plastic eggs around the house for James to find later after we got home. Thanks guys- it was super thoughtful!

The care package sent by our cousins. We are looking forward to making the cupcakes!

Here is James with his Brazilian Easter Egg with the theme of Superman. His little surprise was a red cloth Superman cape which he quickly opened and put on.

James seen here relaxing with his cape and chocolate egg!

Later that evening, we went to our sister church to hear a children's cantata. James' little friends Raissa and Marina sang beautifully! Here is a photo of Raissa and James.

A group photo of our favorite friends. Edie and Rick work together at Fiel and Rosilene and I spend a lot of time together.(We live in the same building.) She has become my best friend here in Brazil. The Lord was sweet to send me a special friend. I always enjoy our time together and she is so patient with me and my "slow" Portuguese. The Lord knows our every need!