A happy mistake took us to an amazing place!!
We were on our way to Hohenzellern castle when after two and half hours we realized the GPS had taken us to somewhere we hadn't intended to go. In an effort to make the best of it, we found the nearest castle ruins (just a couple miles away from our non-destination) and then had a drink at the restaurant just outside the ruins. Suddenly, Stephen suggested we go to Garmish, Germany which was only 2.5 hrs further, we were in the middle, do we make an adventure of the day, or get back in the car and head home?
After hostilely overthrowing my dad's opinion we got back into the car and headed for Garmish, making it a true adventure with no change of clothes or a tooth brush. Garmisch is my favorite place in the world and I was so excited share it with my parents. I knew that despite my dad's now foul attitude, he was about to see the magic and splendor of the German Alps.
As the mountains began to rise from the horizon, my mom started crying because of the beauty. My dad's grumbles and defeated sighs became fewer and my own soul buzzed with the excitement of our return.
I found an excellent hotel on my iPhone, chose a restaurant as recommended by Trip Advisor users and had a great evening with my parents. Sadly Stephen had to take Zac back to the hotel. Poor Zac was way to wiped to do the restaurant thing. But it did give us an opportunity to dine leisurely and not have to worry about Mr. Z throwing a fit or having trouble. Thank you Stephen! I'm sorry that you had to eat your dinner as take out, but your sacrifice was not taken for granted.
The next day, I convinced my mom that a gondola going 2950 meters straight up into the clouds was our next must do. Sadly the cloud cover at the top of the summit prevented us from seeing anything further away than about 10 feet. The observation deck was already covered in snow and ice even though it was upper 70's at the foot of the mountain (Zugspitz).
After the gondola ride, we took Zac to a small play ground, at a restaurant and had a drink before heading out to our final restaurant choice - a place that Stephen and I had spent Thanksgiving dinner with his parents two years before.
With our bellies full and Zac totally exhausted, we set out for our 3.5 hr trip home. We made it home in great time with no trouble and we are still talking about how amazing our spontaneous adventure was and how very well Zac traveled.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Schwartzwald - Day 2/3
After a hearty nap, Zac woke about 5pm sunday and we walked over to a nearby city fest.
It was a smallish beer tent with (lame) live music. Fun was being had by the stein. We stayed for one drink and headed back to the hotel for a light dinner.
We had a much easier bedtime this time and I fell asleep well before Stephen did (most likely because I tasked him with making sure Zac got to sleep ok - I was too pooped to keep going and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow).
Zac was up again at 6am, packing and cleaning was follows by b-fast at 7:30 and then off to cuckoo clock shopping.
Our first stop was to "the first worlds largest clock". We were disappointed because the doors were locked even though the posted hours stated they should be open. It turned out to be a good thing though because there s a difference between the "first" and the current "largest clock".
We found the current largest clock and it was considerably larger. For €2 each we got to go inside the clock and watch the gears turning. Very cool.
We then drove a bit and started our shopping trip near the bottom of the waterfalls we had visited earlier.
We found a clock with a more simple style and just a cuckoo (no music). See the photo on my Facebook profile.
Now we're on our way home and not a moment too soon (see photo).
It was a smallish beer tent with (lame) live music. Fun was being had by the stein. We stayed for one drink and headed back to the hotel for a light dinner.
We had a much easier bedtime this time and I fell asleep well before Stephen did (most likely because I tasked him with making sure Zac got to sleep ok - I was too pooped to keep going and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow).
Zac was up again at 6am, packing and cleaning was follows by b-fast at 7:30 and then off to cuckoo clock shopping.
Our first stop was to "the first worlds largest clock". We were disappointed because the doors were locked even though the posted hours stated they should be open. It turned out to be a good thing though because there s a difference between the "first" and the current "largest clock".
We found the current largest clock and it was considerably larger. For €2 each we got to go inside the clock and watch the gears turning. Very cool.
We then drove a bit and started our shopping trip near the bottom of the waterfalls we had visited earlier.
We found a clock with a more simple style and just a cuckoo (no music). See the photo on my Facebook profile.
Now we're on our way home and not a moment too soon (see photo).
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Schwartzwald (Black Forrest): Day 1/2
The drive down went perfectly! Which is more than can be said for Friday afternoon!
On Fri, S got off work at noon due to a power outage for construction. So after he came home and Zac woke up, we decided to do some last minute errands.
While stopping for a coffee and snack, I lost a tooth-crown!! It just popped right off! I immediately called my dentist (who is usually closed on Fri) and was directed to the dental assistant. She kindly informed me that the doc was on vacation and would be flying out shortly.
I explained my issue and she instantly tried to get ahold of him.
Luckily, doc wasn't scheduled to fly until Saturday morning (to Afica for a hunting trip), so he met me at 5pm in K-town and did an emergency cement job.
Timing could NOT have been better!!
Now back to Saturday: the drive went perfect. We left shortly after lunch - a strategic move to save money on food and to ensure that Z would be in prime snoozing mode. Zac fell asleep 4 blocks from the house and stayed asleep for 2 hrs (the whole drive was 2.5 hrs).
We checked into our guesthouse (2 bedroom suite - not luxurious but very adequate) and then headed out to the triberg waterfalls ("highest waterfall in Germany)
It was a beautiful park and the falls were remarkable. We got tons of great shots (to be uploaded after we get home).
Saturday night didn't go quite as well. We had a disappointing dinner (though the hostess was an excellent one - very friendly and doted on Zac). Bedtime was a complete failure! Long story short - toddlers need routine, adults need breaks from "routine". Zac finally succumbed at 11pm and woke up at 6am.
Sunday:
After my near sleepless night (uncomfy bed) Mr. Z was ready to roll at 6. B-fast didn't start till 8 and our morning activity opened at 10am.
We were able to keep Zac occupied till 7:30 when we ventured out hoping at least to get some coffee. We lucked out and b-fast was just getting laid out. We enjoyed a simple cold b-fast and then spent some time at a near by playground.
At the appropriate time, we got into the car and headed to a Barefoot Park. There are a few of these in Germany - its a walk in the woods with varying terrain all with out shoes and socks.
It was a blast! We spent nearly 2 hours walking around the trails (Zac insisted on intermittent carrying). We followed that up with a super lunch (more supper than lunch - which we all needed after a tough evening and rigorous morning).
Now zac is napping and we are back at the hotel - me on the terrace enjoying a glass of wine, and S in the room reading his book (and most likely checking his eyelids for holes.)
We aren't yet sure what we'll do for the rest of our trip - we'll check out tomorrow and head home midday - though what is in store for us, we don't yet know.
On Fri, S got off work at noon due to a power outage for construction. So after he came home and Zac woke up, we decided to do some last minute errands.
While stopping for a coffee and snack, I lost a tooth-crown!! It just popped right off! I immediately called my dentist (who is usually closed on Fri) and was directed to the dental assistant. She kindly informed me that the doc was on vacation and would be flying out shortly.
I explained my issue and she instantly tried to get ahold of him.
Luckily, doc wasn't scheduled to fly until Saturday morning (to Afica for a hunting trip), so he met me at 5pm in K-town and did an emergency cement job.
Timing could NOT have been better!!
Now back to Saturday: the drive went perfect. We left shortly after lunch - a strategic move to save money on food and to ensure that Z would be in prime snoozing mode. Zac fell asleep 4 blocks from the house and stayed asleep for 2 hrs (the whole drive was 2.5 hrs).
We checked into our guesthouse (2 bedroom suite - not luxurious but very adequate) and then headed out to the triberg waterfalls ("highest waterfall in Germany)
It was a beautiful park and the falls were remarkable. We got tons of great shots (to be uploaded after we get home).
Saturday night didn't go quite as well. We had a disappointing dinner (though the hostess was an excellent one - very friendly and doted on Zac). Bedtime was a complete failure! Long story short - toddlers need routine, adults need breaks from "routine". Zac finally succumbed at 11pm and woke up at 6am.
Sunday:
After my near sleepless night (uncomfy bed) Mr. Z was ready to roll at 6. B-fast didn't start till 8 and our morning activity opened at 10am.
We were able to keep Zac occupied till 7:30 when we ventured out hoping at least to get some coffee. We lucked out and b-fast was just getting laid out. We enjoyed a simple cold b-fast and then spent some time at a near by playground.
At the appropriate time, we got into the car and headed to a Barefoot Park. There are a few of these in Germany - its a walk in the woods with varying terrain all with out shoes and socks.
It was a blast! We spent nearly 2 hours walking around the trails (Zac insisted on intermittent carrying). We followed that up with a super lunch (more supper than lunch - which we all needed after a tough evening and rigorous morning).
Now zac is napping and we are back at the hotel - me on the terrace enjoying a glass of wine, and S in the room reading his book (and most likely checking his eyelids for holes.)
We aren't yet sure what we'll do for the rest of our trip - we'll check out tomorrow and head home midday - though what is in store for us, we don't yet know.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Adventures in Ireland: the final chapter...for this trip
Today officially marks 5 years of marriage for Stephen and I. To celebrate and honor this milestone we renewed our vows in a private hand-fasting ceremony.
It was just the two of us saying our vows to one another while literally tying the knots in a cord that was wrapped around our hands. This comes from an ancient Celtic tradition - and probably even predates the Celts.
We chose to do our hand-fasting at the cliffs. So, shortly after breakfast and just as soon as the morning drizzle let up we were out the door and at the cliffs again. We were there early enough that there were very few people and it really did feel like it was just him and I and the powerful forces of the wind, cliffs and waves. (Pics will soon be posted)
We also chose to hop in the car and take a drive to some near by villages where we found a beautiful spillway (see photo) and a busy sea side promenade - complete with surfers! We found some lovely trinkets and had some lunch before we headed back to the B&B for a rest. We watned to be sure to have enough energy for our night out on the town.
At a little before 6pm we got up and out to a recommended pub for some food and music. The pub was about 80% full by the time we got there but we found a great table just around the corner from the band. We couldn't see them, but we could hear them. It was a fun 6 piece band of an accordion, guitar, spoons and 2 mandolins.
I was hoping for a reenactment of the scene from the movie "Titanic" when Rose meets Jack below deck for a dance party. I think we may have left too early for such an event to occur - for here I sit typing at 9:15pm.
Hey, give me a break! We need to be on our way to the airport at 4:30am tomorrow!
I have had one funny coincidence each day that we've been in Ireland. Every where we go, I run into people from Wisconsin - and they have all been familiar with my home town, Wautoma!
This really is a small world.
It was just the two of us saying our vows to one another while literally tying the knots in a cord that was wrapped around our hands. This comes from an ancient Celtic tradition - and probably even predates the Celts.
We chose to do our hand-fasting at the cliffs. So, shortly after breakfast and just as soon as the morning drizzle let up we were out the door and at the cliffs again. We were there early enough that there were very few people and it really did feel like it was just him and I and the powerful forces of the wind, cliffs and waves. (Pics will soon be posted)
We also chose to hop in the car and take a drive to some near by villages where we found a beautiful spillway (see photo) and a busy sea side promenade - complete with surfers! We found some lovely trinkets and had some lunch before we headed back to the B&B for a rest. We watned to be sure to have enough energy for our night out on the town.
At a little before 6pm we got up and out to a recommended pub for some food and music. The pub was about 80% full by the time we got there but we found a great table just around the corner from the band. We couldn't see them, but we could hear them. It was a fun 6 piece band of an accordion, guitar, spoons and 2 mandolins.
I was hoping for a reenactment of the scene from the movie "Titanic" when Rose meets Jack below deck for a dance party. I think we may have left too early for such an event to occur - for here I sit typing at 9:15pm.
Hey, give me a break! We need to be on our way to the airport at 4:30am tomorrow!
I have had one funny coincidence each day that we've been in Ireland. Every where we go, I run into people from Wisconsin - and they have all been familiar with my home town, Wautoma!
This really is a small world.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Adventures in Ireland: Day Two
Today was our physically fit day. We started our morning with an attempt at walking to the nearby cliffs of Moher. The hostess said it was only 5 minutes away! After we were 15 minutes into our walk, we realized that she meant it was a 5 minute car ride. So we changed our focus and went for a long morning walk around the countryside.
We are staying in an area that is quite rural. In fact, Mrs. B&B runs the inn while Mr. B&B tends the cows. There is even a hobby petting farm one house up.
The land here is all rolling hills that are parceled by beautiful ancient stacked shale stone fences and watched over by surprisingly large, simple and colorful houses.
After our walk, we returned to the Inn for a freshly prepared breakfast that included eggs, sausage, toast, fruit, yogurt, juice and coffee. Stephen and I shared a very leisurely and intimate meal while sitting in a quiet dining room. These are the moments that really resonate with me when we are traveling and for the first time, I realized I was on vacation.
At midday we went sea kayaking! We took a 3 hour paddle around the bay of Galway and it was magic! Not to mention the magic that was needed to get my curvy body into a wetsuit. Whoa, it's a been a few years since I had one on last but the feeling is the same. It's both a feeling of security and of suffocation. I don't know if I'll ever be strong enough or skilled enough to get into one of those things by myself!
The day started drizzly and grey but cleared up in time for us to set out into the water. About 40 minutes into the tour, it started drizzling again, then down pouring! The drizzle was enchanting, the downpour was misery. Thankfully the heavy rains swept further out into the ocean and we were eventually treated with sunny, partly-cloudy skies for the last hour of our tour. We saw castle ruins, sea birds and migratory birds aplenty. We took a quick stretch on a sandbar beach out in the middle of the bay. Most significantly, we didn't fall in. Water temps are still pretty cool here this time of year.
We savored some pub grub at McDermot's in the village of Doolin after our paddle. It was the best Guiness Pie I've ever had (a total of two). We had every intention of sticking around for the live music, until we found out that they started playing at 9:30pm. It was only 5:30 and there wasn't enough good beer in the bar to keep us satisfied for 4 hours.
Oh, and then there's that whole "up after 8pm" thing that we still struggle with.
We resolved to stay out late tomorrow night (St. Patty's Day) and really enjoy the culture!
I now write this posting from my bed at 8:45 with very heavy eyelids. Party people, we are not.
We are staying in an area that is quite rural. In fact, Mrs. B&B runs the inn while Mr. B&B tends the cows. There is even a hobby petting farm one house up.
The land here is all rolling hills that are parceled by beautiful ancient stacked shale stone fences and watched over by surprisingly large, simple and colorful houses.
After our walk, we returned to the Inn for a freshly prepared breakfast that included eggs, sausage, toast, fruit, yogurt, juice and coffee. Stephen and I shared a very leisurely and intimate meal while sitting in a quiet dining room. These are the moments that really resonate with me when we are traveling and for the first time, I realized I was on vacation.
At midday we went sea kayaking! We took a 3 hour paddle around the bay of Galway and it was magic! Not to mention the magic that was needed to get my curvy body into a wetsuit. Whoa, it's a been a few years since I had one on last but the feeling is the same. It's both a feeling of security and of suffocation. I don't know if I'll ever be strong enough or skilled enough to get into one of those things by myself!
The day started drizzly and grey but cleared up in time for us to set out into the water. About 40 minutes into the tour, it started drizzling again, then down pouring! The drizzle was enchanting, the downpour was misery. Thankfully the heavy rains swept further out into the ocean and we were eventually treated with sunny, partly-cloudy skies for the last hour of our tour. We saw castle ruins, sea birds and migratory birds aplenty. We took a quick stretch on a sandbar beach out in the middle of the bay. Most significantly, we didn't fall in. Water temps are still pretty cool here this time of year.
We savored some pub grub at McDermot's in the village of Doolin after our paddle. It was the best Guiness Pie I've ever had (a total of two). We had every intention of sticking around for the live music, until we found out that they started playing at 9:30pm. It was only 5:30 and there wasn't enough good beer in the bar to keep us satisfied for 4 hours.
Oh, and then there's that whole "up after 8pm" thing that we still struggle with.
We resolved to stay out late tomorrow night (St. Patty's Day) and really enjoy the culture!
I now write this posting from my bed at 8:45 with very heavy eyelids. Party people, we are not.
Adventures in Ireland: Day One
On Thursday, March 15,
2012, Stephen and I were out of bed at 3:15am to prepare for our very early flight to Ireland. Thankfully this time we made it to the airport with no problems (our last trip to the airport started out with a flat tire 10 minutes from home).
We got on the flight and had smooth sailing into London-Heathrow. It was very exciting to see the city below appear as we descended through the clouds and then down into the famed "London Fog". Unfortunately, that London fog caused us 30 minutes circling of the airport and 3 hour delay on our next flight.
Eventually we got onto or Ireland flight where I sat next to a very entertaining but frazzle man who was headed home after being away from his 2 daughters (ages 6-yrs & 10-months with one on the way) since Christmas time. He worked in Australia and had been awake for roughly 48 hours. Oh, and he was a smoker and if you ask me, it had been quite a while since his last fix.
We landed in Shannon (on the west coast) and drove for about a half hour to our beautiful Bed and breakfast located just one mile from the Cliffs of Moher(google it! You may have seen the cliffs in such movies as "Harry Potter").
When we first stepped off the plane, I was immediately assaulted by the sea air mingled with dairy air. It was the most overwhelmingly charming sent I've ever experienced! It sounds horrifying, but it was so non-sequitur that my brain was totally baffled into submission.
We decided to take our hostess' advice and had dinner at the home of "BIM Seafood Chef of the Year 2011"- a small-ish restaurant called Vaughn's.
We put our GPS to the test and selected the restaurant. We ended up driving on what Stephen labeled "pony trails" of roads for over half an hour when we showed up at a "Vaughn's" but NOT the one our hostess suggested (which we had passed on our way in to the B&B just an hour or so before).
In an effort to correct the error we headed back to the hotel and began recognizing land marks - thus enabling us to make our way to the real Vaughn's.
Stephen ordered a lamb dish that was amazingly delicious. I had a surprisingly disappointing fish and chips with my first pint of Guinness. Ireland - I am not impressed by your idea of beer (IMHO: watery with a good initial bouquet but sours on the aftertaste. I equate it to licking roofing tiles.)
After settling the bill, we headed "home" for a semi-restful night (strange bed+cool temps=semi-restful).
2012, Stephen and I were out of bed at 3:15am to prepare for our very early flight to Ireland. Thankfully this time we made it to the airport with no problems (our last trip to the airport started out with a flat tire 10 minutes from home).
We got on the flight and had smooth sailing into London-Heathrow. It was very exciting to see the city below appear as we descended through the clouds and then down into the famed "London Fog". Unfortunately, that London fog caused us 30 minutes circling of the airport and 3 hour delay on our next flight.
Eventually we got onto or Ireland flight where I sat next to a very entertaining but frazzle man who was headed home after being away from his 2 daughters (ages 6-yrs & 10-months with one on the way) since Christmas time. He worked in Australia and had been awake for roughly 48 hours. Oh, and he was a smoker and if you ask me, it had been quite a while since his last fix.
We landed in Shannon (on the west coast) and drove for about a half hour to our beautiful Bed and breakfast located just one mile from the Cliffs of Moher(google it! You may have seen the cliffs in such movies as "Harry Potter").
When we first stepped off the plane, I was immediately assaulted by the sea air mingled with dairy air. It was the most overwhelmingly charming sent I've ever experienced! It sounds horrifying, but it was so non-sequitur that my brain was totally baffled into submission.
We decided to take our hostess' advice and had dinner at the home of "BIM Seafood Chef of the Year 2011"- a small-ish restaurant called Vaughn's.
We put our GPS to the test and selected the restaurant. We ended up driving on what Stephen labeled "pony trails" of roads for over half an hour when we showed up at a "Vaughn's" but NOT the one our hostess suggested (which we had passed on our way in to the B&B just an hour or so before).
In an effort to correct the error we headed back to the hotel and began recognizing land marks - thus enabling us to make our way to the real Vaughn's.
Stephen ordered a lamb dish that was amazingly delicious. I had a surprisingly disappointing fish and chips with my first pint of Guinness. Ireland - I am not impressed by your idea of beer (IMHO: watery with a good initial bouquet but sours on the aftertaste. I equate it to licking roofing tiles.)
After settling the bill, we headed "home" for a semi-restful night (strange bed+cool temps=semi-restful).
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas 2011
When I was 5, Christmas meant gifts! When I was 15, Christmas meant giving, so long as I got gifts. When I was 25, Christmas really was about giving. Now that I'm 30 ( with 31 looming just 3 days away and an almost 2-year-old-son) it really, really, truly about giving.
It's so amazing how Christmas evolves each year that you celebrate it. About 3 years ago (2008) Stephen and I were looking face-to-face with our very first Christmas alone. Just the two of us. We thought it would be special and romantic; in a way it was, but in another very real way it was not.
We found that we were alone, separated and a bit left out of what our families were experiencing. Anyone who's ever experienced a major holiday away from their extended family can relate...which, sadly, is quite a few families in wake of what we've experienced lately (military wise).
As a response, we resolved never to spend a Christmas "alone" again without making it adventure in some way.
The following Christmas (2009), we planned a trip to the German Alps and were expecting our child within a few months. In 2010, we again took a trip to the German Alps during Thanksgiving (with son and my in-laws happily in tow) and then enjoyed our son's first Christmas at home. This year, we are headed (no surprise) to the German Alps the day after Christmas and are quite looking forward to it. It seems that we've started our own family tradition!
Today, we throughly enjoyed watching our son voraciously ripping into his Christmas gifts that came from grandparents, Aunt, Great Aunt/Uncle and mom & dad. We were thrilled to see the joy he derived from discovering and triumphing over the new challenges laid before him.
The day was truly a balancing act. With a nearly-2-year-old, one must decide when too much "new" has been enough. In fact, we reached the "too much new" phase about 10 am this morning when he was ready for some alone time in his room and fell asleep for a 2 hour nap (he usually naps around 2pm). We were then left with an over-stimulated, over-excited young'in in the afternoon. Thankfully, video-calls to both sets of parents and the God-parents gave Zac the outlet he needed for the afternoon energy surge.
After dinner (Enchiladas: A Watson tradition I am LOVING!), we played a rousing game of "which parent is craziest, which eventually lead to exhaustion. As it stands now, we just need Papa to pack his bag and get a cache of snacks and we'll be ready for our 2011 adventure in the Alps.
This year we've got a gorge hike planned. Thanks to global warming, the Alps have seen record lows of snowfall, which means sledding is out; but hiking is in! Stay tuned for photos and stories of our latest adventures.
With our story told, we hope, from the bottom our our hearts, that you have throughly enjoyed the best Christmas of your life!
Look forward to 2012 because it's going to be an amazing year!!!
(Photos coming soon!!!)
It's so amazing how Christmas evolves each year that you celebrate it. About 3 years ago (2008) Stephen and I were looking face-to-face with our very first Christmas alone. Just the two of us. We thought it would be special and romantic; in a way it was, but in another very real way it was not.
We found that we were alone, separated and a bit left out of what our families were experiencing. Anyone who's ever experienced a major holiday away from their extended family can relate...which, sadly, is quite a few families in wake of what we've experienced lately (military wise).
As a response, we resolved never to spend a Christmas "alone" again without making it adventure in some way.
The following Christmas (2009), we planned a trip to the German Alps and were expecting our child within a few months. In 2010, we again took a trip to the German Alps during Thanksgiving (with son and my in-laws happily in tow) and then enjoyed our son's first Christmas at home. This year, we are headed (no surprise) to the German Alps the day after Christmas and are quite looking forward to it. It seems that we've started our own family tradition!
Today, we throughly enjoyed watching our son voraciously ripping into his Christmas gifts that came from grandparents, Aunt, Great Aunt/Uncle and mom & dad. We were thrilled to see the joy he derived from discovering and triumphing over the new challenges laid before him.
The day was truly a balancing act. With a nearly-2-year-old, one must decide when too much "new" has been enough. In fact, we reached the "too much new" phase about 10 am this morning when he was ready for some alone time in his room and fell asleep for a 2 hour nap (he usually naps around 2pm). We were then left with an over-stimulated, over-excited young'in in the afternoon. Thankfully, video-calls to both sets of parents and the God-parents gave Zac the outlet he needed for the afternoon energy surge.
After dinner (Enchiladas: A Watson tradition I am LOVING!), we played a rousing game of "which parent is craziest, which eventually lead to exhaustion. As it stands now, we just need Papa to pack his bag and get a cache of snacks and we'll be ready for our 2011 adventure in the Alps.
This year we've got a gorge hike planned. Thanks to global warming, the Alps have seen record lows of snowfall, which means sledding is out; but hiking is in! Stay tuned for photos and stories of our latest adventures.
With our story told, we hope, from the bottom our our hearts, that you have throughly enjoyed the best Christmas of your life!
Look forward to 2012 because it's going to be an amazing year!!!
(Photos coming soon!!!)
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
A Hostage In My Own Home
We are now on Day 5 of "Big Boy Bed" Training. It isn't going easily. It's much like going trough teething again, only this time I'm the one causing the "pain".
I get some comfort in reading about other moms' battles with the transition but mostly I am tortured by this whole process. The boy must take naps and he needs sleep - but he just won't go peacefully. Nap times are usually preceded with 60-90 minutes of play-time & crying (play time - fine! crying - torture!). Bed time is all about going up to "rescue" him after 15-20 minutes of crying, spending 5 or so minutes with him and going through the process again and again until he passes out (usually 2-3 visits).
Stephen has been a great support in all this, but he's at work during the day - he only has to play the game once a day. It's chipping away at me. By the time he falls asleep for his afternoon nap, I feel like I should be calling CPS on myself! In the process of waiting for him to fall asleep, I am a hostage in my own home. I can't get my housework done because any noise I make he uses it as a kick start to a new crying jag.
Oh, did I mention, Zac has finally started verbalizing "mama" and "papa". He's been using the sign language signs for mama and papa for quite some time, but it's an amazing feeling to finally hear him call out our names...unless, of course, it's under duress.
I've read all about transitioning a toddler and I know what I'm "supposed" to do. I even know how to handle "out of the ordinary" situations - but none of the "magic" is working. Zac is not happy to put himself to bed and I am not happy with how this is playing out for him.
As a parent, I know full well that I will ruin his life somehow. I was just hoping it was going to be in a way that I wasn't aware of and much later in his life.
Is it too soon to find him a therapist?
I get some comfort in reading about other moms' battles with the transition but mostly I am tortured by this whole process. The boy must take naps and he needs sleep - but he just won't go peacefully. Nap times are usually preceded with 60-90 minutes of play-time & crying (play time - fine! crying - torture!). Bed time is all about going up to "rescue" him after 15-20 minutes of crying, spending 5 or so minutes with him and going through the process again and again until he passes out (usually 2-3 visits).
Stephen has been a great support in all this, but he's at work during the day - he only has to play the game once a day. It's chipping away at me. By the time he falls asleep for his afternoon nap, I feel like I should be calling CPS on myself! In the process of waiting for him to fall asleep, I am a hostage in my own home. I can't get my housework done because any noise I make he uses it as a kick start to a new crying jag.
Oh, did I mention, Zac has finally started verbalizing "mama" and "papa". He's been using the sign language signs for mama and papa for quite some time, but it's an amazing feeling to finally hear him call out our names...unless, of course, it's under duress.
I've read all about transitioning a toddler and I know what I'm "supposed" to do. I even know how to handle "out of the ordinary" situations - but none of the "magic" is working. Zac is not happy to put himself to bed and I am not happy with how this is playing out for him.
As a parent, I know full well that I will ruin his life somehow. I was just hoping it was going to be in a way that I wasn't aware of and much later in his life.
Is it too soon to find him a therapist?
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Big Boy Bed
Yesterday afternoon (Nov. 4, 2011), I went upstairs to relieve Zac from his afternoon rest to be greeted AT HIS DOOR by the one and only Zac HIMSELF! The escape artist had finally figured out how to get out of his crib.
I promptly plopped him back in his crib and asked him to "show me your trick!". At which time, he promptly showed me how he hefted his little leg onto the crib rail and began throwing his body weight around in order to get his core up and over.
When papa came home, I relayed the news (that we'd be installing the toddler rail before bed time) and so Papa had to ask him to "show me the trick" with the very same results. So, we put our brains in gear and couldn't, for the life of us, remember where the movers had put the toddler rail conversion kit for Zac's crib. After checking both the usual and unusual places, we decided that the toddler rail probably got tossed out with other boxes and won't me making an appearance any time soon.
Papa, in his infinite ingenuity, devised a way to transition the current crib to it's 3rd position as a day bed...and big boy bed training begun.
Zac and I hung out in his new and improved bedroom while Papa ran to the store to pick up a safety rail. Zac was having a grand time! Hanging out in a bed that allowed him the freedom he deserved helped to give him confidence in himself and allowed him to have a whole new power over his personal space that he's never enjoyed before.
All was well and good until bed time. How is it that a bed that he's always slept in, with one "freedom inducing" change and that was just fine 30 minutes before hand is now a torture instrument?
SCREAMING, bloody murder screaming is what we endured for almost an hour (we went to him ever 10 or 15 minutes to calm him down and to reassure him that we were still here for him). He finally tired himself out enough when I had gone up for the last "watch" of the night and "laid" with him in his bed.
The same happened during our afternoon nap today.
Bedtime this evening was worse than the night before. However this time, Papa took a new approach.
Mama took the first shift and got Zac ready for bed, read some books, had a sip of milk, did the good night prayer...not 2 minutes after Mama left, the raging scream fest began. Papa headed up 15 minutes after initial bedtime to calm the waters and really gave Zac power over his new arrangements.
A series of questions (all answered with a very enthusiastic "no" head shake) opened Zac's world to a new way of seeing his most familiar surroundings. "Does this look like your old bed?", "Is your bed scary?", "This looks like your pack 'n' play and you can tickle the rough sides, right?", etc. All trying to show Zac how familiar and comfortable his own bed was regardless that it was without one side.
Stephen was able to temporarily calm him, leave the room and Screamfest 2.2 began. Thankfully, just 5 minutes into the fest Zac, found his own way to his not so scary bed, laid down and is now (as I type) almost all the way to slumberland.
Whoa, what an adventure. I remember "Ferberizing" him for sleeping through the night, but I don't remember it being this heart wrenching!
Here's hoping that tomorrow's nap time and bed time are half the battle that it's been so far.
I promptly plopped him back in his crib and asked him to "show me your trick!". At which time, he promptly showed me how he hefted his little leg onto the crib rail and began throwing his body weight around in order to get his core up and over.
When papa came home, I relayed the news (that we'd be installing the toddler rail before bed time) and so Papa had to ask him to "show me the trick" with the very same results. So, we put our brains in gear and couldn't, for the life of us, remember where the movers had put the toddler rail conversion kit for Zac's crib. After checking both the usual and unusual places, we decided that the toddler rail probably got tossed out with other boxes and won't me making an appearance any time soon.
Papa, in his infinite ingenuity, devised a way to transition the current crib to it's 3rd position as a day bed...and big boy bed training begun.
Zac and I hung out in his new and improved bedroom while Papa ran to the store to pick up a safety rail. Zac was having a grand time! Hanging out in a bed that allowed him the freedom he deserved helped to give him confidence in himself and allowed him to have a whole new power over his personal space that he's never enjoyed before.
All was well and good until bed time. How is it that a bed that he's always slept in, with one "freedom inducing" change and that was just fine 30 minutes before hand is now a torture instrument?
SCREAMING, bloody murder screaming is what we endured for almost an hour (we went to him ever 10 or 15 minutes to calm him down and to reassure him that we were still here for him). He finally tired himself out enough when I had gone up for the last "watch" of the night and "laid" with him in his bed.
The same happened during our afternoon nap today.
Bedtime this evening was worse than the night before. However this time, Papa took a new approach.
Mama took the first shift and got Zac ready for bed, read some books, had a sip of milk, did the good night prayer...not 2 minutes after Mama left, the raging scream fest began. Papa headed up 15 minutes after initial bedtime to calm the waters and really gave Zac power over his new arrangements.
A series of questions (all answered with a very enthusiastic "no" head shake) opened Zac's world to a new way of seeing his most familiar surroundings. "Does this look like your old bed?", "Is your bed scary?", "This looks like your pack 'n' play and you can tickle the rough sides, right?", etc. All trying to show Zac how familiar and comfortable his own bed was regardless that it was without one side.
Stephen was able to temporarily calm him, leave the room and Screamfest 2.2 began. Thankfully, just 5 minutes into the fest Zac, found his own way to his not so scary bed, laid down and is now (as I type) almost all the way to slumberland.
Whoa, what an adventure. I remember "Ferberizing" him for sleeping through the night, but I don't remember it being this heart wrenching!
Here's hoping that tomorrow's nap time and bed time are half the battle that it's been so far.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
My first book club
I was very eager to attend the meeting as I've never been to a book club before and I'm still in the "Let's make new friends" mode. I figured I'd meet other American women who had a similar interest as myself.
The book club was held after hours at the library on base and it was pretty well organized. A couple ladies brought snacks and drinks, the leader had questions prepared and almost everyone (10 in total) had finished the book.
The first half of the club went swimmingly with the exception of the inevitable unrelated tangents and that ONE person who is always talking but not really saying anything.
Suddenly, the mood of the whole group shifted when one of the participants, lets call her Mary, didn't exactly agree with the majority on a discussion point and was getting flack for it. Mary asked, "what is the purpose of a discussion group if we all think the same thing?" Though I found myself in the majority on this particular discussion, I was now quite aware of this new dynamic that Mary had introduced.
The remainder of the discussion continued mostly as it had started (with a short hiccough when I expressed an opinion outside the majority) and in general I enjoyed meeting these 9 women who also enjoyed the book.
It didn't really sink in till I had some quiet time on the car ride home; what the heck is a book club for? You wouldn't continue reading a book you didn't like and so therefore you wouldn't go to that meeting. So a book club is a gathering of some people who all read the same book and generally had a similar opinion about that book. So whatis there to discuss?
I'm not sure I'm the book club type. Not only am I a slow reader, I usually read the same kinds of books and I hate to stir the beehive. No lively debate for me! No thank you. I'm a peace maker and I'm often intimidated to speak out in opposition to popular consensus. But I suppose I could continue going, if not to try new book genres then certainly to try new cookies.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Cycling Through
As we began our house search a few months back, we consistently noticed how very "active" St. Leon-ers were. Oftenwe would see more people on bikes than in cars and definitely a heard of walkers and even roller-bladers everywhere (I thought roller-blading went out in the 90's!). The best part was they all looked like they were enjoying it!
After we committed to the house that we have recently moved into, we decided it was time to dust off our bikes! We've always been good with hiking, but never did any biking as a family. So we sent our bikes off to the shop to get tuned up (after sitting in the garage for 3 years). Kaiserslautern just was NOT conducive to biking. Everything, everywhere was uphill.
This week, I scored us a baby bike-trailer. I put it together on Thursday, on Friday we took Zac for a walk in it (as it converts to a "stroller") and Saturday afternoon we took a very short tour around the neighborhood so that we could all g
et used to it. Zac took to it very well. So we figured it was time for a longer journey.
This morning (Sunday) we woke up, drank our coffee then committed to biking to the lake nearby (appx. 2.8 miles). I thought that 2.8 miles was PERFECT for our first sojourn. We haven't been on bikes in 3 years so a nice short trip would be a great way to break in our newest interest.
About 10 a.m. we were out the door and headed for fun! It didn't take long at all to get to the lake, we even had time to stop for fresh pretzles and we only had to spend about a 1/2 a mile on busier streets, otherwise it was all side streets and bike paths. We got to the lake, locked up the bikes and disengaged the trailer and transformed it into a stroller.
We wheeled our way over to one of the larger play areas on the lake, spread out the blanket and nibbled away on pretzels and apples
. Zac played on the playground, ran around in the green space and we generally had a good time.
Stephen was getting antsy to get back on the road, but I wanted to stay a while yet. However, he tempted me away by saying "let's find that Chinese restaurant my co-worker recommended". DANG, Chinese food, my weakness!
We whipped out the iPhone and started mapping our route...humm, just another 4.5 miles away and it's in the direction of home. So I was onboard. Zac was back in the trailer and off we went to find lunch.
Approximately 3 miles later, my legs had had just about enough! (Oh, I may have forgotten to mention that I was the one pulling Zac). The promise of Chinese food was not keeping my momentum up, but finally the trees began to thin out and red paper lanterns could be seen in the spaces between. WE MADE IT!!
By now, Zac was way past done. He had been sitting for far too long hypnotized by the back wheel of my bike. So Stephen and Zac played outside while I got us settled at a table and got drinks ordered.
We dined at Ho's Garten in Kronau and it was delicious! We opted for the buffet (13.50 euro per person) and it was piled with fresh entrees, fried bits of all kinds, fresh fruit, sushi and even a mongolian grill. DELICIOUS! It was a bit expensive as a lunch stop, but we're happy we got to try the recommendation. Now we'll have to go back some time and order off the menu.
Once we were back on the paths to home, Zac started grumping again. I knew he was getting tired, but we had to make it home before any of us could do anything about it. About 5 min. into the final leg, we passed a dad and daughter also riding bikes and the daughters shouts to dad (in german) "the baby's asleep!" I turn my head and poor Zac is crumpled in half totally zonked out. We made a quick stop to see if we could get him a little more comfortable and with the help of a stuffed animal and a towel, we like to think that we did him a little service.
On the way home, we passed by a Neuwein stand!! I didn't think it was time yet! For those who don't know, Neuwein ("New Wine") is the first pressing of the seasons grapes. It's still lightly bubbly and usually has a low alcohol content. It's only available for a few weeks each year and comes in red and white. I prefer the white as it reminds me of apple cider...but with the added bonus of being wine! So I am now, as I type, enjoying my first glass of Neuwein on our balcony, recovering from our bike ride! I can't think of a better way than this.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
On being a responsible community member of the Parenthood
As we "move in" to the "Parenthood" you learn new things by the bucket loads. You especially learn that life just isn't the same as pre-baby, and for the most part, it's really ok - sometimes, it's pretty AWESOME!
There are those things that change in your life that are not so great. The loss of some basic rights and privileges like: staying up partying all night, sleeping in, pooping without an audience, spontaneity. But, like I said earlier, these things usually are balanced out by the awesomeness of having a little one in your life.
In the past several weeks, my husband and I have been preparing to move to a new city. This is, at times, a stressful ordeal. There's much to do and often too little time and too many puppets to master. So, in an effort to maintain our sanity, we planned a date night. That date night was canceled on three separate occasions due to our babysitter canceling and so this week when our 3rd attempt had been thwarted, Stephen said that I should still go to the movie by myself. I DID NOT HESITATE! I had dinner ready when Stephen was home from work, Zac was already fed his dinner and after I ate my own dinner, I grabbed my purse and ran.
I had the pleasure of watching Harry Potter 7 and the movie was great! Unfortunately, it was only playing in 3D (perhaps sometime I'll tell you about how annoying I find the damn 3D glasses and the movies - especially those not shot in 3D like HP7.) As I was waiting for the doors to open to the viewing room, I was sitting enjoying some "fresh" popcorn and a cool beer (yes! they even serve beer at the movies here), a young Airman showed up with a baby carrier. Inside the carrier was what looked to be a two month old. My ticket was for the 8:30 p.m. showing so my brow wrinkled at the thought of even bringing such a young infant out of the house at that hour - let alone do so for a 2 hour movie!
We all know babies cry. We all know that no one likes it when babies cry. So why the hell did this man (and his wife, who joined them later after scoring her own popcorn and beer) even think that this was a good idea? Here I am, having date night BY MYSELF and now I have to share it with a pair of irresponsible Parenthood community members. GAH!
Well, it turns out there were at least two small infants invited to this evenings showing. And about mid-movie, just when the explosions were getting more intense and the screaming was getting more piercing, the babies began to cry. It's late, they're overstimulated and now I was watching the movie with the ears and eyes of an overprotective parent. The explosions and magical creatures were WAY too scary, the sound was WAY too loud and were definitely going to result in measurable infant hearing loss.
Please, please, PLEEEEEASE - I beg of you parents and parents-to-be; treat the rest of the community with the level of respect that you wish to be treated. I lost my babysitter and so I lost my date night - but I did NOT inflict a crying, over-tired toddler to my fellow movie goers.
Sacrifice is a part of being in the "'Hood" but it is all worth it, eventually.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Free-Range Eggs
I have long been a proponent of "Free-Range" eggs. I have made extra effort and paid a higher price at the check out in order to support what I thought was a more humane way of raising chickens.Unfortunately, my recent study of free-range eggs has led me to a very disappointing conclusion: "free-range" is the new "all natural".
In the U.S. there are no standards that eggs must meet to be considered "free-range". That means just about any 'ole egg can be labeled as such.
Many egg suppliers will often add "cage free" or "barn roaming" to further their "free-range" claim so when buying your eggs, look for these labels! Or simplify life by choosing "Organic".
Here's an excerpt from Wikipedia to outline Organic Eggs:
Organic egg production is the production of eggs through organic means. In this process, the poultry are fed organic feed. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, organic means that the laying hens must have access to the outdoors and cannot be raised in cages.[1] Organic egg producers cannot use antibiotics except during an infectious outbreak. Only natural molting can occur within the flock; forced molting is not allowed. Organic certification also requires maintenance of basic animal welfare standards.
That seals it for me!! I'm switching to organic - even though the cost of the eggs are double. On the up side, I have found that organic eggs taste better and have better color.
Will you join me in the push for organic eggs? If not for me, do it for those hard working hens. They don't deserved to be penned, injected and forced to produce.
Now it's time to dye some eggs!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Project 52
Please don't hold your breath - I just can't catch up! So I'm starting fresh for the new year...that started four months ago.
HEY! lay off, i'm a busy woman.
If you're interested, here is the site that I'm getting my inspiration from: http://www.project52.net/
Yes, the year is currently in the 13th week, but I'm going to start with week one - "EGG".
Egg is my theme this week and I will post a photo and a story about an egg, centering on an egg or having some sort of egg relation. I will have this posted no later than Wed. April 13.
Now I need you to hold me to it! In fact, join me.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
"It Was a Power Ranger and a Cowboy."
We just simply couldn't pass up an opportunity to visit the British Territory of Gibraltar this last Saturday (Oct. 2, 2010). You've probably heard of "the Rock of Gibraltar"... Well, we did it and it's more like "the small mountain of Gibraltar" Rock is a misnomer.
We hiked the "Rock" and a small part of the city of Gibraltar for over 5 hours!! My feet are still sore.
But let's begin at the beginning!
To see all the photos, go here.
We left Sat. morning from our hotel in Rota, Spain. It was a 2 hour drive thru dusty, scrub brush and cacti. About half way there, Zac got hungry and needed a diaper change. Good thing, because mommy was about to need a
diaper change too! Not a rest stop was to be found! We were surrounded by ranches and rolling hills but no services. I had to do the unthinkable! We pulled off the highway onto a ranch road where I nursed Zac and as I handed him off to dad for a diaper change, Stephen handed me a baby wipe, "for you" he said. Oh how sweet, my husband has just handed me a wet wipe so that I don't have to drip dry!
The whole operation was a success. Zac was fed and clean and I was relieved with out tripping, falling or peeing on myself!
We arrived in Gibraltar a little after noon. The weather was spectacular!! Sunny and 80 with the air spiked with just enough sea water to keep the humidity in check. The line of cars going into the territory was long, slow and winding.
Eventually we got through the passport check and were immediately stopped by a traffic light. As we w
ere sitting at the light, more and more mopeds and motorcycles were filling in the last bits of free space. In the length of 3 cars two across, there were easily 30 bikes!
Suddenly the pedestrian crowd just beyond our car windows started to get excited, cameras and camcorders flew up and we realized that were were about to watch the take off of a commercial jet. Gibraltar is so small (just 7 mi. long and only half that wide) that their airport runway crosses the controlled entrance in. That means, every time a plane lands or takes off, traffic is halted! It was so funny!!After the plane took off, we were allowed in where we found parking and were off to our first activity for the day - dolphin watching.
During the 1.5 hour cruise
around the bay of Gibraltar we saw 20 or more dolphins! It was beautiful. The crew was fun, the other passengers were few and Zac took to it like an old pro. Zac's first boat ride zonked him out.
After the boat ride, we were off to finally find some lunch. I opted for some "original" fish & chips (YUM) while Stephen enjoyed the chicken & chips.
After lunch we made our way to the cable car station and hitched a ride to the top of the rock. At the top is the home of the Barbary Apes. They are wild monkeys that just hang out with the visitors. When we first got off the tram, we had a bit of a scare as one of the monkeys saw Zac and made a bee line for him. I'm sure it was out of curiosity - but I wasn't going to let this Ape rip the arms off my baby. I urged Stephen's attention away from his camera and onto the monkey while I scooped Zac out of the stroller and into the wrap where I felt I could better control the situation (though I'm sure the monkey could rip of my arm if she wanted to).
We saw several apes and there were cute as a button (once I got over my initial fear). There were a few babys that would just melt your heart w/ cuteness! Unfortunately it was starting to get late, so the monkey business was not booming. We still got excellent photos from the top of the rock, that included the African coast! Yes, I saw AFRICA!!
After the monkeys, we hiked to a Cave, St. Michael's Cave. This was my first Cave experience and it was beautiful! The cave used to be a sacred space of the indigenous people, but has since (in the last several thousand years) been turned into a concert hall. I can imagine how amazing a small orchestra or a piano concert would be in this space.
After the cave I was starting to feel the day. I was tired and not looking forward to the 40+ minute hike back up the hill to the cable car and said as much to Stephen when he asked if we were ready to go. The security guard overheard me and said, "well if you follow this road here, take a left at the sign and then a right at the benches, it's only a 20 min walk to the bottom of the rock". SCORE! Sounded good to me. Walking down hill for 20 min or uphill for 40...which would you take?
We apparently missed our turns, because it took us 90 min to reach civilization again.
It was now 9pm we were all hungry and tired. We found a pub and enjoyed an excellent meal.
Near the end of the meal and couple of Saturday hooligans were stumbling home and in their jubilation, they decided that a little disorderly conduct was in order. After kicking over some furniture at the Pub we were dining at as well as a restaurant down the way - the pub called the police. By the time the cops showed up, the hooligans were well gone...but left behind one distinct impression - they were dressed in costumes (for unknown reasons). One was a yellow Power Ranger and the other a cowboy. These were the distinguishing "marks" that I thought could identify them for the cops. I told the waiter this and he immediately shouted to the cop (in an authentic british accent) "One was a POWER RANGER and the other a COWBOY".
Immediately the waiter rolled his eyes and looked to us saying, "I can't believe I just shouted that to a police officer!" And we all got a great laugh.
After dinner (now 10:30pm) we ambled our way back to the car. Thankfully, Zac and fallen asleep durning dinner. We arrived "home" at 12:15 am and VERY happy to see our beds.
What an excellent adventure!!
To see all the photos, go here.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Greetings from Spain
Yes, you're right. It's been roughly a million years since i posted an updated blog! In fact, I've missed the entire summer - and what a summer! Stay tuned, and eventually i'll have my summer overview posted.
However, now to the issue at hand...our Spain adventure! Zac and I have been in Spain now for 4 days. We came to meet Stephen who preceded us by a week - he's here on business. It's BEAUTIFUL! Stephen mentioned a few days ago that the peak of Spanish tourism season ends Sept. 15 (it's now Sept. 30). Well, my friend, I say go to spain Sept. 16th!! The weather is unbeatable (80s and sunny), the crowds are gone, and the hotel prices are down.
We are in the lovely coastal city of Rota. It's on the south-western tip of spin and is a city smack dab on the tip of a peninsula, so there's water on 3 sides! It's AWESOME!! Our hotel is a 3 minute walk to the beach (across the road and down a picturesque boardwalk thru sand and pines with lilies and various cacti!!).
Zac and I have had the pleasure of checking out the area on foot and (yesterday) by bus. It's a small city with many people (i don't know how many, if you're interested, google it). Stephen has a rental car so Zac and I are left to our own devices - as I prefer it!
Yesterday, we found out that the bus only costs 60 euro cents to ride. That's WAY cheaper than getting our own rental car. Stephen offered us a car yesterday on our way home from dinner and I turned it down. I figured, if there was something that I wanted to do that required a car, it would be easy enough to rent a car for the day - in the mean time, save the money and spend it elsewhere!
Oh boy, and did we spend some money when we got here.
Since I was traveling alone, I packed light. I pre packed some things in Stephen's luggage (cuz he had room and a much larger allowance) which REALLY helped me out. However, when we got here, we picked up a few things that weren't worth packing: diapers, wipes, groceries, baby food & supplies. Then S took us to the department store on base. This is a navy base, so it's similar to what we are used to...but oh so different! Their selection in clothing is great! now I may be saying this because I'm fed up with what we're offered back home, or because the first day we were here, we bought 6 new outfits (2-3 pc. sets) for Zac, as well as several pieces for each of us off the MEGA clearance rack.
We went back on the 2nd day i was here and bought a new MacBook pro because the price was right and I had no internet access at the hotel w/o a computer (at least this is what Stephen used to persuade me - the man collects computers like "Carrie" [from Sex and the City] collects Shoes).
The 3rd day we went back because I needed flip flops and to see if we could find a specific toy for Zac. Well, we found the flip flops (on clearance) and we found the toy...just not on clearance :( however, now Zac has an awesome new activity center that will grow with him! We now have to figure out how to ship it back. It came in a box roughly the size of 3 shoe boxes. With "some assembly required" it now measures about 2.5' x 3'x 3.5'.
Even with all the enjoyment we've experienced, it wouldn't be a cultural exchange with out some discomfort. Sure enough, I'm having just a little trouble with the language (2 years of H.S. spanish isn't quite enough to get me by now) and our biggest issue is that dinner isn't served until AT LEAST 8pm each night. Kitchens don't open until 8pm!!!
Now you can drink your brains out till then. But not a spot of food till the clock strikes 8 (and later in some establishments).
This wouldn't be such a problem, except Zac's bedtime is between 7 and 8 pm. The poor thing just can't take it after 8pm. We've slowly adjusted and finally had a dinner out on the town last night. Zac did great...until we got home.
He had a meltdown when we got home (about 9:30pm) and finally fell asleep shortly after 10pm - but spent the rest of the night up and down every 2 hours. I'm exhausted.
So, we've decided that dining out just isn't worth it! We'll probably try 2 more times and see how it goes (in another day or so). But thankfully where we are staying is actually and apartment (1 bedroom w/ kitchenette - about 600 sq. ft). So we've got a mini fridge stocked w/ 2 meals and we'll just play it by ear as we go.
Speaking of the hotel, it's quite a nice place! Very affordable (thanks to the off-season pricing) and lots of amenities (laundry room, restaurant, pool, spa [closed for maintenance], located on bus route, private parking, excellent staff). Seeing how we're set up here - I don't' think the 3 of us could ever fit into a hotel room for an extended period!!! (this is the first time we're traveling as a family and not staying in our parents' homes.) I do love it here. It's so comfortable and family friendly. There's even a kids club house - which we haven't checked out yet, but will soon. And, as i said earlier, we're a very short walk to the beach with a long, winding board walk to keep us occupied for days! Just yesterday we discovered an equestrian sporting arena, a small playground and a bike park w/ obstacles ( yes, we did it in the stroller - no one was there to yell at us so i thought "why not?!")
So, after just 4 short days, we're all feeling at home in our space and enjoying our time on the beach and in the sun. Perhaps this weekend we'll head to Gibraltar, or maybe take a ferry to AFRICA!!!
I AM SO BLESSED!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Wepon of Mass Interruption
Probably the most difficult thing to get used to as a new mom is interruption. Sleep is optional, eating is ocassional and showering really only affects those around you - but the ability to get things done (for me) is directly linked to my sense of purpose and self value. Now that Zac is here, my ability to get stuff done has been seriously altered! But, in the end, all for the better.
It's far better to have Zac and not get as much done because I get to watch, experience and encourage all these wonderful moments between us and even between Zac and Stephen. Having an infant really does make you appreciate so much more about your life - life before and after baby.
This weekend we took Zac to the pool for the first time. It was magical to watch him explore the water, how his body works in the water and the wonderment of being in the water. It's these moments that you can never appreciate until you're actually there! And that was worth WAY more than getting the laundry done, paying bills, meeting the repair man, etc. etc.
For more photos, click here.
On Tuesday, June 29 we are headed back to the U.S. for our first trip to America as a new and improved family. I'm quite nervous for how much stress it'll be. I know that the cooler I keep it, the cooler it will be for Zac and for Stephen. We all feed off each other in stressful situations. I truly hope that the whole flight (approx. 10 hours) will be no problem for him.
The thing I'm most concerned about is how he's going to transition to the new time. All the other travelling mommies I've talked to said it's just like adults, it takes a couple days, but eventually he'll be on track. The worst part will be when we come back to Germany - going east is far more difficult jetlag.
While back home we will be spending 2 weeks with my parents - who have never met Zac before. I'm so excited to introduce them to my son. I'm so proud of him - he's the best! And I can't wait till my parents get to see that as well.
After that, we'll spend a week with Stephen's family - they haven't seen Zac since he was a month old. Quite a lot has changed since then!
This month, as previous months, has seen a great number of firsts:
It's far better to have Zac and not get as much done because I get to watch, experience and encourage all these wonderful moments between us and even between Zac and Stephen. Having an infant really does make you appreciate so much more about your life - life before and after baby.
This weekend we took Zac to the pool for the first time. It was magical to watch him explore the water, how his body works in the water and the wonderment of being in the water. It's these moments that you can never appreciate until you're actually there! And that was worth WAY more than getting the laundry done, paying bills, meeting the repair man, etc. etc.For more photos, click here.
On Tuesday, June 29 we are headed back to the U.S. for our first trip to America as a new and improved family. I'm quite nervous for how much stress it'll be. I know that the cooler I keep it, the cooler it will be for Zac and for Stephen. We all feed off each other in stressful situations. I truly hope that the whole flight (approx. 10 hours) will be no problem for him.
The thing I'm most concerned about is how he's going to transition to the new time. All the other travelling mommies I've talked to said it's just like adults, it takes a couple days, but eventually he'll be on track. The worst part will be when we come back to Germany - going east is far more difficult jetlag.
While back home we will be spending 2 weeks with my parents - who have never met Zac before. I'm so excited to introduce them to my son. I'm so proud of him - he's the best! And I can't wait till my parents get to see that as well.
After that, we'll spend a week with Stephen's family - they haven't seen Zac since he was a month old. Quite a lot has changed since then!
This month, as previous months, has seen a great number of firsts:
- Zac now loves laying on his back, putting his feet in the air and grabbing them to bring his toes into his mouth.
- Zac can now lift his own body weight onto his legs. We just have to hold his hands or body for balance and give him the initial momentum, but once he's on his way up, he's in total control.
- Zac can roll from belly to back (it took another month to get our 2nd instance of rolling) and just yesterday he did a back to belly roll. That one will take some more time to become reliable...but it's coming!
- He is now pushing up on his arms a little bit to lift his chest off the floor during tummy time.
- He grabs for toys when playing on his tummy, back or sitting in his chair.
- He sits, supported, in his high chair!
- He makes chewing motions while he watches us eat, and much of the excess saliva is now being swollowed (both signs of him getting ready for solids).
- He loves playing peek-a-boo with dad and dancing with anybody. He enjoys "pony rides" on your knee and can't get enough of silly sounds and faces.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Favorite Things - Newborn to 4 Months
So all along the way, every new mommy and daddy learns something new: about themselves, about their babies, and definitely about a whole new world of products. Here are a few of my favorite things, in no particular order, that have helped ease our lives:
1) Bouncy Chair - I love the "Sassy Zanzabar Bouncer” – cheap (especially when received as a gift), light, super springy and relatively easy to take apart and carry with you if you're visiting a friend or what have you. This bouncer goes from living room to kitchen all day long. It’s comfortable, safe and portable. The downside is that it eats batteries (3AA).
2) Huggies diapers – I feel that they are contoured better than Pampers. Pampers and Luvs are practically the same diaper (the difference being the pictures that are printed on the diapers). I’ve heard that Pampers can hold more pee, but in my trials, they worked equally well. Huggies has 2 levels of quality. Huggies Snug & Dry and Huggies Swaddlers. I’ve noticed that the swaddlers run a bit smaller, are softer and have the “mess catcher” (an extra fold on the backside to catch the runny poops – actually works well!).
3) Huggies wipes – thick, strong, fresh. That’s all you need!
4) Baby Gym – I should have gotten this sooner. Not only does it encourage motor skills, it’s a huge help for mom too. I can put Zac in it and drink my cup of coffee and maybe even eat some breakfast before he’s done enjoying it. Get this one early for everyone’s benefit. We use the Tiny Love Kick ‘n’ discover.
5) Pack’n’play – the Crib, we’ve established, is for night time sleeping. The PNP is for day time sleeping. It’s portable, relatively small and handy to have especially when baby’s crib is on a different floor than your daytime living spaces.
6) Swing – Oy! This think is a life saver! Crabby baby goes in, turns into sleepy baby, happy baby comes out 20-60 min later. We have the Fisher Price starlight Papasan. Zac is mesmerized by the lighted stars and it chills him out quickly.
7) Strollers – originally I didn’t want to do a travel system. I was just not happy with the quality available to us. It turns out that we needed the infant bucket seat and now I’m desperately wanting the pop in stroller option. Well…Greco makes a stroller frame for the bucket seat. We’ll be picking one of these up when we get back to the states. I’ve seen how easy it is for my friends and I want to have the option of the big comfy pram as well as the quick pop in of the stroller frame. We will still use the pram, but it’ll be for those times when we’ll be on the roll for extended periods (walking in the city, exercising, etc).
8) Pumping Bra – this hands free, bandu bra helps me pump more milk! How? Well when I’m more relaxed, I get more milk. And when I don’t have to worry about keeping the pump properly positioned, I’m more relaxed.
9) Microwave Steam Sterilizer – most importantly, make sure that it fits in your Microwave before you purchase it. But this handy dandy contraption steam cleans breast pump parts, bottles, nipples, pacifiers and even toys. Madela makes micro steam bags, which are handy when traveling, but the contraption will last longer and save $.
10) Baby Timer App for iphone/itouch – in the first days, you will be obsessed with: sleep, feedings, pees and poops. This app tracks all of this and more. I loved it, it was only $5 and I was addicted to it for the first couple of Months. It really helps a sleep deprived mom to remember what’s been going on.
11) Baby Gas Drops – we were giving Zac this at nearly every feeding in the beginning. Very helpful
12) Colic Calm – when the problems are bigger than gas bubbles, this product really seems to help him feel better. This product has charcoal in it, so don’t be surprised when your baby’s poos are dark or black for 2 days after giving him the dosage.
13) Video Baby Monitor – Sound only would work just as well, however, I like peeking in at him without him knowing it! Ours even has lullabies that can be triggered remotely. Sometimes, if he’s getting fussy, I can turn on the music from the living room and it helps him relax off into dreamland.
14) Boppy Nursing Pillow – I have one for each floor! Not only does it help me to nurse him, but it’s also great for tummy time and propping him up for sitting (DO NOT LEAVE BABY UNATTENDED!!!).
15) "Moby" wrap - I put "Moby" in quotes because mine isn't actually the name brand. It's litterally 5 yards of jersey cotton that has been cut to the right width. It's perfect! Now that he's strong enough to hold his head I can wear him front facing out, front facing in, back pack style or side saddle! Plus its easy to ball up and toss in my super jumbo diaper bag.
I’m certain that as Zac grows and his needs change, so will his stuff. And when it does, I’ll let you know!
1) Bouncy Chair - I love the "Sassy Zanzabar Bouncer” – cheap (especially when received as a gift), light, super springy and relatively easy to take apart and carry with you if you're visiting a friend or what have you. This bouncer goes from living room to kitchen all day long. It’s comfortable, safe and portable. The downside is that it eats batteries (3AA).2) Huggies diapers – I feel that they are contoured better than Pampers. Pampers and Luvs are practically the same diaper (the difference being the pictures that are printed on the diapers). I’ve heard that Pampers can hold more pee, but in my trials, they worked equally well. Huggies has 2 levels of quality. Huggies Snug & Dry and Huggies Swaddlers. I’ve noticed that the swaddlers run a bit smaller, are softer and have the “mess catcher” (an extra fold on the backside to catch the runny poops – actually works well!).
3) Huggies wipes – thick, strong, fresh. That’s all you need!
4) Baby Gym – I should have gotten this sooner. Not only does it encourage motor skills, it’s a huge help for mom too. I can put Zac in it and drink my cup of coffee and maybe even eat some breakfast before he’s done enjoying it. Get this one early for everyone’s benefit. We use the Tiny Love Kick ‘n’ discover.
5) Pack’n’play – the Crib, we’ve established, is for night time sleeping. The PNP is for day time sleeping. It’s portable, relatively small and handy to have especially when baby’s crib is on a different floor than your daytime living spaces.
6) Swing – Oy! This think is a life saver! Crabby baby goes in, turns into sleepy baby, happy baby comes out 20-60 min later. We have the Fisher Price starlight Papasan. Zac is mesmerized by the lighted stars and it chills him out quickly.
7) Strollers – originally I didn’t want to do a travel system. I was just not happy with the quality available to us. It turns out that we needed the infant bucket seat and now I’m desperately wanting the pop in stroller option. Well…Greco makes a stroller frame for the bucket seat. We’ll be picking one of these up when we get back to the states. I’ve seen how easy it is for my friends and I want to have the option of the big comfy pram as well as the quick pop in of the stroller frame. We will still use the pram, but it’ll be for those times when we’ll be on the roll for extended periods (walking in the city, exercising, etc).
8) Pumping Bra – this hands free, bandu bra helps me pump more milk! How? Well when I’m more relaxed, I get more milk. And when I don’t have to worry about keeping the pump properly positioned, I’m more relaxed.
9) Microwave Steam Sterilizer – most importantly, make sure that it fits in your Microwave before you purchase it. But this handy dandy contraption steam cleans breast pump parts, bottles, nipples, pacifiers and even toys. Madela makes micro steam bags, which are handy when traveling, but the contraption will last longer and save $.
10) Baby Timer App for iphone/itouch – in the first days, you will be obsessed with: sleep, feedings, pees and poops. This app tracks all of this and more. I loved it, it was only $5 and I was addicted to it for the first couple of Months. It really helps a sleep deprived mom to remember what’s been going on.
11) Baby Gas Drops – we were giving Zac this at nearly every feeding in the beginning. Very helpful
12) Colic Calm – when the problems are bigger than gas bubbles, this product really seems to help him feel better. This product has charcoal in it, so don’t be surprised when your baby’s poos are dark or black for 2 days after giving him the dosage.
13) Video Baby Monitor – Sound only would work just as well, however, I like peeking in at him without him knowing it! Ours even has lullabies that can be triggered remotely. Sometimes, if he’s getting fussy, I can turn on the music from the living room and it helps him relax off into dreamland.
14) Boppy Nursing Pillow – I have one for each floor! Not only does it help me to nurse him, but it’s also great for tummy time and propping him up for sitting (DO NOT LEAVE BABY UNATTENDED!!!).
15) "Moby" wrap - I put "Moby" in quotes because mine isn't actually the name brand. It's litterally 5 yards of jersey cotton that has been cut to the right width. It's perfect! Now that he's strong enough to hold his head I can wear him front facing out, front facing in, back pack style or side saddle! Plus its easy to ball up and toss in my super jumbo diaper bag.I’m certain that as Zac grows and his needs change, so will his stuff. And when it does, I’ll let you know!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
12 Weeks/ 3 Months
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Well, my little peanut is now 12 weeks old...and will be 3 months on Tuesday. You'd think he'd be stale by now, but that isn't the case!Zac, Stephen and I are doing great! Zac and Stephen are still defining their roles with each other, but it's starting to look like Stephen is the best joke Zac has ever experienced. Whenever dad comes home, or spends quality time with him, Zac is awe struck and all smiles by the attention that Stephen pours on him.
On the other side, you've got Zac and me. I'm now able to distinguish Zac's cries by his needs and I'm pretty familiar with the daily routine (as routine as a 3 month old gets). I look forward to every moment I get with him...mostly. There are those occasional 3a.m. feedings that I wouldn't mind sleeping through every once in a while.
Speaking of sleeping through, on Mother's Day eve, Zac had his FIRST through-the-night sleep fest! Just before putting him to bed that night, we had a chat, and this is what I asked for, for Mother's day. The little peach listened and complied! Of course, I didn't sleep thru the night. I woke up 2 or 3 times just to go check on him.
Zac is still "sleeping thru the night" with long 5-7 hour stretches! It's not always predictable which 5 hours he'll give me and it's not always the convenient hours in which I'd rather be sleeping, but he's doing it! My little man is growing up.
And BOY is he growing. He's weighing in now just under 14 lbs (he was born 7 lbs, 5oz). It's a matter of days before he's doubled his birth weight. We've also switched to stage 2 diapers and started emptying drawers of our 0-3 month clothes. It's so sad to pack away the tiniest of his things, but I know that it just means I'm doing my job well.We have the pleasure of Stephen's sister here visiting for a short while. She kindly gave us last Saturday all to ourselves! So Stephen and I had a wonderful day at the spa (the German version...saunas, steam rooms, wellness stuff). It was great to be just him and me, if only for just a few hours.
The weather here is increasingly better. The sun shines much longer now and the temperature is slowly climbing. Summer is on its way and I can't wait! We have some travel plans...back to the states! We will be visiting our families in WI and VA. I am SO excited to introduce my son to my parents! "Look mom & dad, Look what I made!"
So what have I learned this month?...Well, I guess these last 4 weeks have really been about the routine and learning the signs (hunger signs, tired signs, etc. etc.) Babies are extremely well at communicating their needs (a lesson we could all use)... the problem is that we don't speak their language any more. So, I've been relearning and teaching what I've learned to Stephen (and vice versa).All in all, we're a happy little family - and I think it shows in our own personal satisfaction and our darling, well adapted, genius of a son.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Things you can only learn from an infant
We all learn new things, hopefully everyday. Here are some things that I've learned recently - and they can only be learned from an infant (some exceptions may apply).
- How much diaper cream is too much
- How many times mommy's lunch can be reheated (between feedings) before it's inediable (the answer is 2, forget it if you gotta nuke it a 3rd time.)
- How to do just about anything one-handed (except for socks! I just can't seem to get my socks on if I don't have 2 hands.)
- Spit-up is exempt from the known laws of natural physics (spit-up comes out the front, but somehow it's the back of his t-shirt that gets wet.)
- Just when you've reached the end of your "giving/careing/providing" limits, when you just can't give any more and compassion fatigue has taken over, your child will know - he'll then smile at you and completely refill your meter and give you the stamina to give more than you'll ever expect you could.
- Baby boogers are the same size as adult boogers! This is incredible because baby nostrils are a 5th the size of adult nostrils. So when one of those bad boys comes out, cover your eyes because it will travel roughly the speed of sound - or totally clog his nose; and if that's the case, you MUST go in after it. Mom's or mom's to be: my recommendation, keep your pinky fingernail long - it's an excellent tool.
I'm certain that this is not the end of the things I'll learn from my Zac and as I do learn, I'll be sure to share - hopefully that way you'll learn the lessons the easy way instead of in the trenches like I am.
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