Zermatt, fondue, and more snow

Ok ok, so I guess I've gotten really bad at updating. I take so many pictures that sometimes it's overwhelming to go through them and sort and post. But here it goes!

Sicknesses have left! Not long after we came back from the states, Jakob got an ear infection (double) bad enough that the doc immediately have him antibiotics (finally). He was MUCH happier after that and his lingering cough finally went away. Paul got antibiotics for his sinus infection but it turned out that I probably needed the antibiotics. The doc wouldn't give me any though (even after 2 visits a week apart)- just some super strong meds so I could stop coughing at night and actually sleep. At least they worked.

For a weekend getaway in mid-Feb we headed to Zermatt to finally see the Matterhorn. It was a little spontaneous but the weather was supposed to be perfect. So we took the opportunity and found a great little hotel and had an exciting weekend. Jakob loved the snow and always loves going away from home and we took in the stunning views. While we were there I found the cutest stuffed puppy that Jakob just had to have... Ok maybe it was more for me but he loves it now. He holds it while winding down in the evening and before going to bed he gives it tons of kisses and calls the other parent in to give it kisses and take it while he sleeps. It's so adorable.

Recently we started going to a church at the hauptbahnhof. We went once last November and liked it but our weekends got super busy for the holidays and sicknesses took over. So after finally getting back into our routine we went back and the day we went back they talked about baby dedication and I knew immediately we'd be participating (and I'm pretty sure Paul did too). We've wanted to do it for awhile but didn't have the opportunity. So a couple Sundays ago Jakob was dedicated. It was great and we are so proud he is our son (even if he was running up and down the halls and riding the elevators while we wanted to chat). :) The pastor and his wife helped us dedicate him and we chose Romans 12:2 for his life verse since it illustrates hope and gives him guidance- which he very much needs.  Then I went to a girls night last weekend with the girls from the church and that was fun.  I'm glad we're finally getting into a good, fun group of people that hopefully we can get to know like family here.  Here's a clip from his dedication and some pictures.

Baby dedicatons Part 3 Jacob from C3 Zurich on Vimeo.

A couple weekends ago we had some people over for dinner who just moved here from Minnesota.  They have a 3 year old daughter and she and Jakob were having the greatest time jumping on the couch.  Guess it was only a matter of time... ;)  Then we went over to some friends' place for brunch the next morning.  So we are finally trying to get out and visit with more people.

Paul's birthday was last week.  I made him a huge carrot cake (and thankfully he saved me a piece because it was so good) and gave him a chair for camping/hiking that he wanted but wasn't going to spend the money on.  He and Jakob have been sitting it in and playing in it every evening so far.  We also went out to dinner for his birthday to a japenese restaurant that sounded good.  It was pretty good but a long trek for the same stuff we can find closer to us.  Jakob wasn't an angel but I guess he could have been a lot worse.  We decided for our anniversary in a couple months we'll get a babysitter- something we haven't done in almost 2 years.  It's just so much more relaxing when you aren't chasing your kid around the restaurant or holding him down in his seat.

This weekend we are taking it easy.  Jakob got a haircut and Paul is having a guy day tasting beer most of the day starting at 9am.  I don't mind though even if I have to do all the laundry.  At least I can finish this blog and start taxes!  ;)  Oh, and some fun news: I bought plane tickets to FL for June!!  I'm so excited.  I'll be flying with Jakob by myself but I'll just bring A LOT of movies.  Since Paul and his buddies are going on a road trip, it was going to be hectic for me to work and take care of Jakob since my commute is so far.  So I decided to spend the cash and go!  It will only be for 10 days but it's better than nothing.  Jakob's going to stay with Paul's mom for some days while I take a road trip of my own to see my good friends and some new babies!  We are both going to have SO much fun.

Ok, well I think that's a decent update.  I promise the next one will come much sooner.  My work is going well and so is Paul's.  Paul's thinking one more year and then he'll be a doctor with a real job but we'll see.  Spring is so close but the snow still comes and goes.  Once the snow leaves for good I think everyone will be in a much better mood!

Winter's fun and bugs

I had some time a week and a half ago to get ahead with a few things while cuddling with my sick-y Jakob.  He got a second round of the stomach bug I guess- super short this time around thankfully.  So I wrote a blog but didn't get to the pics until now.

Leaving for the states, my dad and I didn't get off easy.  Our flight left Tuesday morning and Monday morning started off normal, even with Jakob going to daycare.  He was finally well enough to go (and loves going), my dad took him, and I went to work- planning to pack that evening.  The weekend before we all weren't feeling amazing but we still managed to do some Christmas shopping and made it up Pilatus despite the snowy/rainy weather.  There wasn't much to do or see up there and it seemed like everything had just shut down which was pretty disappointing but we got in a couple good views and a super nerve-wracking group cable car ride up.  They kept having to stop it because of high winds which is a little scary when you're on a cable standing in a large, heavy car with 20 other people.  But we made it!

So Monday... By lunch I had no appetite and my stomach felt yucky.  I grabbed a huge croissant and after eating 1 cm of it I got sick in the bathroom and felt a little better for 15 min.  I really thought I could just make it 3 more hours since I was planning to leave early anyway.  But the terrible feeling came back and I couldn't work, concentrate, or hold a conversation anymore.  I made some arrangements, hurried and finished my timesheets and closing out stuff for the year, sent an email saying where I went and ran for the train.  Unfortunately, I didn't make it home before I got sick again but just for the record Camelbaks make great reservoirs. ;) I'm sure I got plenty of stares but luckily it was not rush hour.  I came home and slept and by 5 I had to get my dad to get Jakob even though his stomach wasn't feeling great either but I could not move.  By 10 I finally had some stuff packed in suitcases and a list made for the morning and my dad was vomiting as well.  Perfect timing.  :/

Tuesday morning quick version: Up at 6 to finish packing and get Jakob ready.  Jakob throws huge tantrum about getting in the stroller, screaming at 7am.  Stomachs feel terrible but run to the tram with stroller, 3 big bags and 3 carry ons.  In the rain.  Miss tram by 20 seconds.  Wait for next one.  Get to train station.  Miss train by 2 min because of stupid stairs instead of ramp.  Still raining.  Wait for next one.  Train is late by 5 min.  Get to airport 30 min behind schedule with a little over 1.5 hours to get to plane.  Take escalator with all of our crap (because we're in a hurry).  Dad and stuff lose balance and fall on top of me and Jakob.  Kick stuff off escalator at top.  Finally make it in line.  Sweating from running and stomachs and on the verge of crying.  But we made it to Tallahassee without vomiting anymore and everything was smooth from Zürich (besides our stomachs).

Other than the beginning, our vacation was wonderful.  My dad and I finally recovered, Jakob had a blast running around everywhere, playing in the yard on his swing set, wagon, and trikes, we shopped too much, and saw lots of family and friends.  There are always so many things we want to do, buy, and people to see that it's never perfect.  It can make stuff stressful sometimes too so as a new year resolution I will start buying more of my and Jakob's clothes in Zürich (even though they are significantly more expensive) which will make our list/stress/suitcases smaller when in the states.  It also gets a little stressful trying to see as much of people as we want but I'm so thankful to have so many people to see!  I made it down to Ocala to meet up with my friends and babies for a night, we all went to Albany to see family, and had lots of gatherings to see more people.  Plus, Jakob's birthday party!

A few of my friends came to celebrate along with a couple babies and some family and Jakob had a big, fun birthday party!  I made some Mickey Mouse cakes (red velvet) and needed lots of help from a few other people to ice them.  It was a project and I think they turned out great!  I accidentally made Mickey's color a bit tan but Jakob knew who he was!  It was so great to see all of our babies playing together and my little 2 year old is growing up.

We've now been back for almost 3 weeks.  We (luckily) stayed up most of the day when we got in which is a first for us.  It helped that Jakob had so many new toys to occupy him, we had to grocery shop, Jakob had his 2 yr appointment (89cm and 14.1kg, perfect and big), and we had to get ready for work and daycare in the morning.  The weekend after we slept a lot.  My eyes had been hurting so much but after over 20 hours of sleep that weekend, we felt great!  But then Jakob gave us a terrible cold.  Kids' viruses are so much stronger than when adults just pass around a cold.  I know I have a sinus infection and Paul's not far behind.  But soon spring will be here and things will be so much better.  :)  Oh and these pictures are from Jakob sledding last weekend.  He could not get enough of his new sled!  And the slideshow is of our time in the states.

Here's to a great New Year!