Updates

There are a few new things to update you on:

1. Place of birth - We had been in "bad" standing with the Brazilian government concerning our visas since last October. We had hope that everything would work out and that we would be permitted to stay in Brazil, but we really didn't know what to expect. Being in transition like that with a baby on the way is pretty stressful. We literally had no idea what country our little girl was to be born in. Well, we are now in "good" standing with the Brazilian government and are permitted to stay in Porto Alegre. So, our first baby will be born in Brazil.
   
2. A new sensation - While we were sitting at the Federal Police last week waiting to be talked to Jennifer said that she was feeling the baby move. She has felt the baby more over the last couple of weeks. This typically occurs when Jennifer is lying down to go to sleep at night. This time, since I was awake, I reached over and put my hand on her belly. She repositioned my hand just in time to get a little kick! It was awesome! It was something that I don't know how to describe for those of you who haven't experienced this before. At first, you are thinking "this is kind of creepy". You begin to think of the movie "Alien". Then your mind is settled on the precious life that is right there and how you are having your first experience communicating. It is unreal!
   
3. "Can you hear me now?" - The doctor told us the other day that we are at a point in the pregnancy where I may be able to hear the baby's heartbeat by placing my ear against Jennifer's abdomen. I feel very previledge that I am the only one who can experience this (Jennifer hasn't been able to touch her ear to her stomach in quite some time and I don't think she will allow lines to form for this one).
   
4. Welcome to the party! - We learned yesterday that Jennifer's brother and his wife are expecting their first child too! How cool is that! Jennifer's parents will get their first two grandbabies 2 months apart (June and August 2006).
   
5. Name game - We have spent a lot of time discussing name options for our little girl. We have been favoring one, but still are not sure. We want to wait until the baby is born before we give her a name. We want to look at her and feel that the name chosen is the right fit. The name we are favoring has a really cool meaning - so it just might be the one to stick (Jennifer is 90% sure and I am 95% sure). We will just have to wait and see.