Easter baby

I was going to wait until next week to write but I decided to just do 2 blogs.

While we love the celebration and reason for Easter ours was not too eventful. When Jakob woke up (at the lovely hour of 8:30), we changed his soaked diaper and immediately took his picture next to 'his' basket and chocolate. I just had to get him stuff! ;) I justified my decision by telling myself he was technically getting chocolate milk. ha Yeah, right. We did have fun playing with the surprises in the Kinder eggs though! We relaxed all day, took a family picture, skyped family and ate lots and lots of chocolate. And pretending like I hadnt bought enough, I got sucked into the after Easter sale. Thankfully we have devoured it all now. Im telling you- there is NOTHING like Swiss chocolate.

I thought I'd give an update on our diapering situation. Besides our 3 weeks in the states and the 3 weeks it took for Jakob's umbilical cord to fall off, we have been cloth diapering non stop and I LOVE it. It has taken a lot of trial and error with different kinds but I think we've figured it out. Our main diapers are flat folds and prefolds. In the beginning we were just laying them in the cover but I got very tired of having poop on the covers (he used to go A LOT). So I found the fold that I love- the origami fold. We use this fold with a flat diaper when I think a poop is coming and it holds everything in! The other times I use a prefold since it soaks up so much but I just dont like how they are bulkier and sometimes dont get dry completely in the dryer. Once he started sleeping 11 hours at night we realized he needed way more absorption and that's when we use BumGenuis with 3 inserts! We only got 6 because they cost a lot more but they work like a charm at night. No leaks. I definitely think my research paid off. We love our system and love the fact that we paid so little for so many diapers that will last forever. And no diaper rash! Here are some pics!

Not too much else has been going on. We did buy a grill and are so happy we did. We've used it tons already and it makes dinner more fun. Tomorrow Paul will be running his race and we'll get together with everyone for dinner. Mother's day will probably be uneventful but that's ok because all I really need is a good belly laugh from Jake and that always makes my day. Then Monday little man gets his 4 month old shots. Im not going to enjoy it but luckily they are very good and thankfully give only 2 shots very fast. I'll update with all that next week! I bet you he weighs at least 15 pounds. He's a big, loud, happy boy. Oh and these pictures are from Easter when we tested out one of his gifts from the states! He loves it. :)

We're back!

                                                                                      Jakob and super newborn Logan
Ok, I think I finally have some time to update this thing! Our trip to the states was awesome- that is as soon as we FINALLY got there. I'll try to make this story short but we find it humorous now. First check-in was smooth, we had plenty of time, loaded the plane and our troubles began. Frankfurt was having delays so our plane was late and then as we were leaving a screw was found in the tire. So since our next layover was the shortest we missed all of our connections.  The nice Lufthansa people gave Jakob a plane stuffed toy and while we sat on the plane not going anywhere for an hour they gave us gobs and gobs of nuts and toblerones. In Frankfurt, Lufthansa put us on a flight to Philly and that flight was amazing. Everyone was nice, accomodating, food was great, personal tvs, bulkhead seats with bassinets, the works. We arrive in Philly and customs takes FOR-E-VER plus we find out we have to take a bus to a different section of the airport and we only have placeholders for tickets- not actual tickets yet. So naturally we miss all of our 2nd chance flights. They amazingly get us tickets for PHL-ATL-TLH (still arriving that night) and once again we go through the metal detectors with our 4 carry ons and little man... challenging to say the least since they always want to search the diaper bag. We make it to Atlanta only to find that our 10:50pm flight is now a 12am flight which eventually turns into loading the plane before realizing the cargo door is broken, they look for another plane, and eventually send us to get hotels at 2am- talk about a dead airport. We reach our hotel at 4am and leave by 8am (getting up at 6am though since feeding my little guy takes awhile)- we had been up for over 24 hours at this point. We load up the plane that morning, only to find that now the flaps have gone awry- kinda a big deal. So reload a different plane and by the time we get to Tally around 1pm we are just happy our plane did not crash. Of course our bags couldnt keep up with the mess and eventually they are found and delivered the next evening. Notice none of my story involved craziness with Jakob. He was perfect. I am still so amazed at how he traveled. Smartly we brought the bassinet that slides into our stroller (minus the stroller) and during our late night craziness he just slept in that as we carried him everywhere and was adjusted to the time difference perfectly. The rest of the vacation he slept 11 hour nights- Hallelujiah!! Everyone was amazed that he never cried on the flights and was so content- so were we!

So the day we arrive (Saturday and Paul's birthday!) was my little brother's eagle ceremony. We were so exhausted and felt nasty but were happy to have made it in time. We spent time with our families (even my Aunt and Uncle from NJ were there to visit with!), had dentist appointments, haircuts, and did some shopping (I needed clothes that fit badly) and then Wed we headed to Jupiter, FL for my good friend's wedding. We stopped in Orlando overnight to see my Aunt, friends, and my best friend's 8 day old baby boy! Crazy perfect timing. The wedding was on the beach with perfect weather. Everything about it was beautiful. The bride's mom even babysat one night so I could go out with the girls and Paul with the boys. Little man had no problem being put to bed by different people through the whole vacation.

We came back to our families and friends for lunches, dinners, fishing, boating, beach, shopping, and a little bit of relaxing. That weekend we took a trip to Albany, GA to visit a lot of Paul's family. We had a great fish fry and loved visiting with everyone. It was sad when our 3 weeks was up. We love our family and Jakob was doing amazing with all the action. We just hate that our little guy will grow up so much inbetween visits with his grandparents. So many people though pitched in to help make our stay easier. We were able to borrow a car seat, stroller, crib, and even some baby clothes (because of our luggage) plus we were able to borrow a car for a couple weeks. We appreciated all of that soooooo much. We did buy a portable crib (the green thing below) though and that was awesome. It packs up so light and he took naps in it and used it when we went out of town. Best purchase yet- besides diapers! ;) Schmittles liked to take over it though when it was not being occupied.

Our flight back was almost uneventful. We found out when we tried to check in that our reservation had been canceled- probably since we missed all those flights that wasnt our fault. So we got on flights to go home but now we didnt have seats together which really pissed me off. People on every flight were nice though and it worked out. We didn't get bulkhead seats for our transatlantic flight but that was fine. US Airways people couldnt even find the bassinets to use. We were just literally stuck in our two seats since Jake was sleeping in his bassinet in our laps and the people in front leaned their seats back pushing the bassinet into our ribs. That and the flight attendants not turning off the lights for hours made our trip not very nice. But we were just happy to make it home with our bags. However, lugging our 3 (50lb) suitcases, 4 carry ons, and little man home from the airport on the trams was so hard at 7am but we did it! And what a vacation. Now I know what people mean when they need a vacation from their vacaton!

We had such a great time and miss everyone already. It was really hard to get back into the swing of things here but we did and even visited the Rheinfalls last weekend. They are only about an hour away and are so magnificent. Other than that we have slowed down. I try to get in a major fast walk everyday to try to lose some of this weight and Paul is trying to start running to train for the Sola Run. That was the same run that I did the first leg of last year and thought I was going to upchuck my breakfast the whole time- not knowing I was pregnant yet. Fun memories but I'll let Paul get the joy this year!

Oh, we think we got a place at a kinderkrippe (daycare) for August 1! We have to meet with the lady next month but supposedly we are all set. We had been looking for a place for this month or May but since I have yet to start looking for a job we decided on August (after Paul's parents visit us) and hopefully by then I'll have a job. I've just gotta start sending out resumes now. Im actually looking forward to finding a job. I love taking care of Jakob but I know he'll do alot more great things (and maybe learn German) in daycare and I'd love some smart adult contact. :) Never thought I would actually say that though. I think if I didnt think daycare in Switzerland would be such a great experience it would be harder for me to accept but I like the idea.

Anyway, now that the little guy is in bed I guess I'll finish this up. I can't believe we have a 3.5 month old. Time has flown. We have lots to look forward to including the high chair I am about to start putting together! My friend is coming next month and Paul's parents come in 3 months! So excited!

Tomorrow we're off!!!

Well, we leave tomorrow morning and since I dont think I've said it enough- We're sooooooooo excited!

Right now Im singing to music and Jake is laughing at me. So cute. Since we'll be gone for 3 weeks I'll leave you with a few pictures and a video I took a few weeks ago. It's a little long but sweet!

Now I have to clean and finish packing and get us all clean and ready to walk out the door at 6:30am!

11 days and definitely counting!!

Things are still suprisingly smooth over here! Jakob got his passport and permit early last week! We were very surprised to get them so fast- especially the permit- but that just makes life sooooooo much easier going through customs. His picture on his passport is from when he was 1.5 weeks old. So it's funny to see that he's already outgrown those clothes and looks so different. The permit photo is really cute. I had to wake him up (since he still falls asleep when we go out) and he did not want to open his eyes for the camera at the Migration office. Now we'll just wait for his social security card and then we can call him a legit US citizen!

Only 11 more days til we hop on a plane! We could not be more excited. Paul is trying to get a lot of stuff done before then and he works well under pressure. But he corrected me saying he won't be done with a paper, just the experiments. He's finally found his groove I think and it makes him so much happier.

Our neighbors had their baby almost a week early so we visited Kerstin and little Benno in the hospital. He is super cute and very tiny- but we've been told that that's how small babies are 'supposed' to be. We gave them clothes that Jake was never able to wear and they are a little bit too big on Benno (he weighed about 6.5 lbs). Kerstin came over the night before she went into labor just to hang out while our guys were having a guys night and while I was changing Jake she commented that she didnt know where all that weight was since he is so skinny. We get that comment a lot and we are really just as clueless. He's long but not super long but he fills out the length of his 3-6 month clothes nicely. Hopefully he's slowing down a little bit though because we dont have that many bigger clothes!

We made them dinner the day they came home from the hospital. I made chicken pot pie in a 9x13 pan and they said it lasted them 3 dinners and then they froze some... Paul and I realized we must be fatties!! We eat it for 2 dinners and a lunch. We're hoping they just had other things too. But we sat with them for a little while that night and their little girl, Lizzie, finally isn't too shy with me which is cute because she has no idea what Im saying. She was getting in my lap and saying 'Look!' and pointing at plants. They think it's one of the few english words she knows but it's cute. Kerstin said that when she hears my voice she now knows there is a baby coming. How cute and smart!

Anyway, our little man is still on his same schedule except eating a lot more at one time. We can now stretch his feedings out to about every 4 hours which is sooooo nice. He sleeps from about 10:30pm-5am and then again from 6am-almost 9am. I love it. I hope it isn't messed up too much when we're in the states. He might have to start getting up earlier or just sleep on the go. I really hope he likes the car. Friday is his 2 month checkup and he will get his first shots. I told Paul I'll need him to be there for 'emotional support'. It's going to be so sad if he has to be held down and cries through it all- this I can imagine because he is soooo squirmy. This will be the first time ever he gets a shot. Every other thing has been liquid he drinks but they did prick him when he was about 3 days old to test his blood and he did not like that! Luckily we're getting the shots early enough so we can see any allergic reactions before we leave for the states.

Oh, and Valentines day was so great! I surprised Paul with a chocolate bar made especially for him from the Callier factory (it came in the mail so he was surprised when he got the mail) and Paul brought me roses- 15 roses! I dont think they really do things by the dozen here. We've never had flowers because we didnt have a vase so this was a big deal especially since he remembered to buy a vase! I made a super delicious dinner- steak with a bernaise sauce, roasted garlic sweet potatoes, and green bean almondine. Then for dessert I dipped a bunch of strawberries and raspberries in chocolate the night before. These were delicious too especially for breakfast! ;)

I'm finally feeling rested enough to start reading again. I'm almost finished with a book I started a few days ago. I read while Im feeding Jakob now because it's so much easier than trying to be on the computer. I was trying to use the internet on my ipod but even that is hard to read when you dont have 2 free hands. We talked to Robert (our neighbor) on the way home from visiting them at the hospital and he said how a lot of the daycares arent strict about the waiting list and if you inquire a lot and stay on top of it they will give you a spot because they know you are serious. Plus July/August are when they move kids up in age groups so a lot more baby spots open up. So we decided this will be my goal for getting a job. By then Jake will be on solids so pumping won't be so bad. When we come back from our vacation, I'll start looking/applying with a start date in August. I like this plan! :)

So maybe I'll update again before we leave but if not I'm sure we'll see a lot of you while we're there! Can't wait!! Jake will meet his grandparents and Uncles for the first time and we'll be back at 'home'. Here's to hoping that our 10 hour flight is uneventful!

Coming home! 29 days!

So lots of things have been happening over here! The biggest news is that we finally have plane tickets to go home! By the time the beginning of February was here and Jake's birth certificate wasn't I decided we needed to know what was going on if we were going to try to go home. I sent the office an email and the next night things started happening! We got some very nice people to help us do everything quick and early. So we got the birth certificate and applied for the passport and permit already. Amazing! Next week little Jakob has to get his picture taken at the Migration office for the permit. Can't wait to see them do those! We may not get the permit in time but we were told that we can get a letter that will do. The passport should get here right before we leave for the states on March 11. Praying that everything stays going smoothly. I will be so thankful to be able to be in my really good friend, Rachel's, wedding and Im so happy for her! We will be in the states til April 2 and we are so excited! Im sure Tallahassee will have changed so much over the past year.

Jakob has finally gotten on somewhat of a schedule I think. Not a strict one but he eats about every 2-3 hours unless he's sleeping.  He falls asleep at night between 10:30 and 11 til about 4 or 5 and then will get up between 7 and 8 but if we put him in the bed with/on us he will sleep a lot longer. It's really nice to have him pretty well figured out. I wish I could plan naps but I think he is still too small. He falls asleep whenever we are out so that pretty much disrupts any hardcore schedule since we go out randomly. But I've been trying to get out and walk before lunch and that is so nice. It helps that the sun has been out this past week!

His one month appointment went well. The doctor was super nice and spoke perfect English and is just 2 stops down from our place. Jakob didnt gain a lot of weight but she wasnt worried since he is still almost 10 pounds and growing. They had just moved everything around so next week we have to go back for a hip ultrasound (routine around here). He will get shots right before we leave for the states and they said they can do anything the US does so we can still be on track when we move back. That's so great of them but I think everything they do here is exactly what is done over there.

Well, I seem to talk about our little guy a lot. We love him so much it's easy for him to be our top topic. Paul is doing really well in the lab. By the time we go home he should be finished with a paper for publishing. That will be really great for him to have completed! I have looked around at jobs but havent applied to anything. I might start applying soon but we are doing really good with what we saved up and we'll be gone most of March so I just might wait until we get back. I sure do love hanging with my little man for my days.