19 March, 2010

What's in a Name?


A Starbucks barrista's attempt to understand the name "Paul" on our order

Picking out baby names is just about my favorite part about having a baby-except for actually having the baby! I look at baby names even when I'm not pregnant and frequent websites like nameberry.com and nymbler.com to follow the baby naming trends. So, of course, I started thinking about baby names about 2 minutes after I got the positive test! However, for two teachers, naming a child is hard! We've had lots of students between us and some names leave us with not so fond associations. This time we've also had to figure what names work decently in both Portuguese and English. Of course, we have no idea how long we'll be here, but we do need to be mindful of how common names can have different associations in other languages. For example, the classics Ruth and Rosie are pronounced hoo-chee and ho-sie respectively in Brazil-not the image we're going for! One of our favorites, Annabel, is a type of wedge heel in Portuguese and that makes us reluctant to use it. So now we're focused on a name that works in both languages easily and I think we've found our winner. Right now (and we've been known to change this at the last minute) we're planning on naming this baby girl Stella. Stella's been one of my favorites since I had Sophie and the fact that it is a known name in English and Portuguese is a bonus. Never mind that Tori Spelling used it-and we're certainly not following Ellen Pompeo's lead and using Stella Luna (a favorite read aloud around here!). We have a middle name picked out but we're still fine tuning a part of it so we'll keep that quiet for now. As of now, come June we'll have Noah, Sophie, and Stella Kasky!

Indulgences


I traveled to Santa Luiza market the other week to gather a few goodies for our family. I'd never been before, but I'd heard the rumors of marshmallows! instant oatmeal! goldfish crackers! so I decided to check it out. It was pretty good-I found everything I'd heard about and more. Of course, I think I paid $9 for a package of instant oatmeal, but for a special treat it was worth it. Just look at his face!

Six Months and Counting!


I am a terrible blogger. I don't know what has stolen my blogging mojo, but clearly it is gone! I don't know if it is the constant nausea (I mean, REALLY...nauseous at 6 months still?), the brain cells that this little girl is zapping, or the fact that things have been awfully low key around here lately-but I have nothing to write about.

I can tell you the pregnancy is going well. I'm 26 weeks so I feel like I can start counting backwards now-14 weeks more or less until we meet this little girl! I am seeing an English speaking midwife and Paul and I are considering all of our birthing options here in Sao Paulo so we can avoid being included in the 90% c-section rate in Brazil. We're starting to get the babe's room ready and I think we've picked a name. I recently started a yoga class twice a week and I'm indulging in a weekly home massage. I can't really complain-other than the nausea, things are more and less great! I'm hoping little to no weight gain so far will help post partum so I don't feel the need to schedule my mommy makeover (that's usually free with the c-section here) right away! Anyway, things are moving along...

The kids are good. Noah's loving the kindergarten program and finally starting to challenge himself with new activities and "work" (a Montessori term) at school. Sophie is about the happiest little girl around and madly in love with her teacher. She's starting to show an interest in writing words like her big brother and is perfecting her baby knowledge. I think she'll be a big help when this little girl arrives.

We don't really have any vacations second semester so we're pretty much vacationing at Club Portal (home!) as the weather permits. Tomorrow's the first day of fall and we're starting to feel a shift in the weather. It's been warm and sunny during the day and cool in the evening. Pretty much perfect.

I have every intention of being a better blogger so keep checking back!

02 March, 2010

Picture Updates


Valentine's Day Murder Mystery Date (we're in character!)

Toothless Wonder

What? You don't swim with flippers?

Cutie Pie Christmas Concert

Tooth Fairy is getting a workout at this house!

Sophie's fourth birthday celebrated Hawaiian style




The Portal Gang