Parlez-vous français?

It's official. Kenneth and I have transferred our church records to the French branch of our church.

You didn't know we speak French you say? Well, we don't.
You didn't know we have many french speaking friends? Nope.

We were given a special assignment at the beginning of November to teach the Nursery children in the French branch. They are a very new branch of the church here in Maryland and they needed some help.

We tried to do both, attend our English church meetings and participate in the French branch, but it got to be too much. So we switched over. They do provide translation into English during Sacrament Meeting. And many of the members are bi-lingual (so, we aren't completely lost).

The truth is, much to our surprise, we have loved our time there so far. The members have been so loving and welcoming to us. And, even though I am having a baby in 10 weeks and our future is fairly uncertain after that.. it seemed like the right move.

How could it not be? Look how cute Kenneth is teaching our little Nursery friends:

*If you are my friend and reading this blog post, but confused by things like nursery and church branches check here and here for more info :)

My baby daughter

Here's what we know about her so far....

1. She is coming sometime at the end of April.              

2. Her name is going to be Alina Joan. Alina came from a piece of classical music by Arvo Part that Kenneth really loves. It is also a Norwegian name, which seemed appropriate given Kenneth's scandinavian ancestry. Joan was my grandmother's name. She and I were very close, and I am proud to pass the name on to my daughter. 

3. This week she is 11" long and weighs as much as a large mango. Though she is still in utero, somehow the ultra sound doctor already thinks she she is going to be short. Genetics I guess :)

4. She likes spicy food. Never in my whole life have I been able to eat spicy food. Now that she is calling the shots it's all I want. It can be a spicy chicken sandwich or a Thai curry. She usually prefers whatever kenneth has ordered....which can be embarrassing.

5. She *might* be a revolutionary.  It's hard to know that for sure, but she got really excited and kicked me a lot while they were singing "Do you hear the people sing" in Les Miserables (which we have seen twice now). Her due date is also very close to May 1st - International Workers Day. Coincidentally, this is also Kenneth's birthday. Take that as you will. 

6. She has a lot of cute clothes and gear. Our friends and family were very generous to her this Christmas. This is lucky because I gave away all of the baby things I had been saving before we moved to DC - because it's silly to carry around items for a baby that you aren't going to have, right? Ha.

7. To me, at this point she looks a little bit like a wax alien baby. My mom claims she looks like me. I guess we'll find out in a few months.