Yesterday was my first mother's day and I loved every minute of it! Thomas and I went shopping early Saturday morning and when I went to find clothes, he and Addilyn went shopping for me! Silly Thomas didn't try to hide the gift and I saw it right away. Crazily enough, he trusted me enough to leave me with the cart and gift while he went to another store. I was strong and resisted the urge to take a peak. Although, once we were home I had to open the gift right away. He gave in so my Mother's day was actually on Saturday. Addilyn and my wonderful Tommy gave me a beautiful diamond necklace. So far, motherhood is treating me very well and I thank God every day for Addilyn Marie.
On that note, I would like to give a shout out to the two mothers in our lives. Thomas' mom does so much for us. She helps with Arwen, adores Addilyn and changes her plans when we want to do something. Not sure where we would be without her! Herzlichen Dank Lucie fur alles!
And to my mom. I may be a little biased but I think she is the best in the world! Mom, you are such a fantastic role model in how you care for your children and would do anything for all of us. Thank you for supporting my decision to move to Switzerland, without it I wouldn't have a daughter of my own. I am proud to be your daughter and Addilyn is a lucky little girl that I have you to look up to.
I'm stealing this from my friend Robyn:
"Thanks mom for always being the voice in my head and the shape of my heart."
So, onto other news. Thomas and I finally have some news in the real estate world. We have been looking unsuccessfully for a home of our own for the past two years. Houses are sooooo expensive here! Anything we can afford would need so much work done that we can't afford it! An apartment that has been right under our noses for the past three years is starting to shine with a different light.
Last weekend, Thomas' dad asked if we would consider moving into the LARGE apartment in the farmhouse. It's not selling and he thinks our apartment is more rent-able or sell-able. My initial reaction was, "NO!" That apartment is absolutely stunning; it has a huge kitchen, a huge master bathroom, an awesome closet, lots of space and storage BUT NO walls. It is a loft. Once we put Addilyn to sleep we could not do anything because it is one big room. That is a problem.
After thinking about it a little, Thomas said it would be easy to add walls and ceilings to make rooms. Well, that changes everything!!! We could easily have three rooms, the master room having an attached bathroom! In the future we could also add another bedroom making 4 rooms. This size is unheard of in our price range . . .
We thought about renting, but now the idea of owning it is sounding better all the time. We could paint the walls in the house!!! I could have the kitchen I have always wanted, awesome outside space, more privacy from neighbors and people walking to the grocery store and so much room!! We haven't talked to the bank or made an offer but in my mind the apartment is already decorated. So, I guess cross your fingers for us!
As usual here are the pictures!
Shhhh, don't tell anyone but Addilyn slept with me every night while Thomas was gone!
Addilyn and I have almost made it! Thomas only has four more days in the military. Thank goodness! I have a new found respect for Army wives, whose husbands leave for a year at a time. (Jenn Padilla-you're amazing!)
Addilyn and I just got back from her doctor's appointment. She had to get her shots. Other parents I spoke to said they cried when their babies got the shots. I never in a million years thought I would cry, but I did. Being a mommy can really change you. I just felt so bad for her! The nurse had her laughing and cooing and then BAM! the doctor stuck her with the needle. I had some tea ready for her to drink so she drank that and fell asleep. More than an hour later and she is still sleeping. I hope she can stay so peaceful today.
So, here is her update.
4,790 grams and was 56 cm long OR 10.56 pounds and 22.04 inches.
She grew about 2 inches and gained around 2 pounds. She is still in the 50th percentile for length but went to just below for weight. She is also switching to a different formula now. The amount she spits up is more than "just a little baby spit" so she may have acid reflux or her muscle isn't maturing fast enough. No problem, we'll nip it in the bud with different formula.
Other than that, she is doing great! She has even started giving Arwen her treats! It's pretty cute. Arwen loved it because I kept giving her more and more; I thought it was cute.
Onto other things. Last week Arwen, Addilyn and I went on a walk. I love the happy cows in Switzerland and go anywhere in this country and you can see livestock. For example, I live "in town" but right across the street at the church are the sweetest little lambs! Anyhoo, on our walk we walked past some cows. Arwen wasn't on a leash and I debated if I should put her leash on. I didn't and once she noticed the cows, she stopped and stared, that was all. Although, I had to encourage her to keep moving. (Sorry-this story has a lot of build up!) The cows however did notice her. I'm not sure if they were afraid of her and didn't want their back to her or what but they all stopped, turned and started trotting after her. I, of course, thought this was HILARIOUS!!! Have I mentioned that I love the Swiss cows? Luckily, gone are the days when you don't have a camera or video when you need one because I whipped out my phone and the captured the moment.
Here they all are. They got to the end of their grazing area and just stared at her while we left. Too funny.
And here are the random pictures of Addilyn and her many cute outfits!
I just said something super funny.
Stimulate, stimulate, stimulate
Addilyn in her baby bjorn. She is suppose to face the other way but she HATES it, so we tried it with her facing out and it's good! I just have to be careful because she still doesn't have full control of her head.
I've been pretty low key this past week. Thomas has been in the military . . .
he'll come home this weekend but then he has to go back Sunday night. He has two more weeks left. I considered flying home for the last two weeks of his "duty" but decided against it. It was a hard decision but it came down to the unknown of traveling with a 2 month old! I'm not ready to do it by myself.
WHAT!!! A TWO MONTH OLD?
Yes, you read that right. My little angel is two months old today. Poor daddy missed the celebration! Grossmuetti Haas and I spent some time taking a kajillion and one pictures of her again. (I will probably take some more tomorrow.)
Addilyn is still on a really nice schedule. She eats at/or around 4:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 12:00 a.m, 4:00 a.m. and so on. She takes a really long nap from 12:30-3:30 on most days. That's my time to go out and do some shopping her with or to get some things done around the house!
One thing that has really helped with her routine is tea! The pediatrician at the hospital told us to get her on a four hour schedule ASAP. She said if she starts crying earlier go for a walk or give her some tea. It's perfect! I give her fennel tea, which is good for gassy tummies also! (My mother tip of the day!)
Last weekend we went to a Brocante, which is kind of like a Goodwill but with much better stuff. And there it was. An old black rocking chair. (It needs to be repainted)
We couldn't take it home so Thomas' grandparents held onto it for a few days.
We were close to where Thomas' grandparents live, so we took them out to dinner. I think it's safe to say they really love Addilyn.
This picture was taken on the way to Brienz (where his grandparents live).
Urgrossmuetti and urgrossaddi Fuchs (great grandma and grandpa) delivered the chair today along with an old rocking swan! This swan was Thomas' mom when she was little. It's super cute!! (DAD-you can paint this too!)
Onto other news, Addilyn now has her American passport, her Swiss passport, her Social Security card and her Swiss I.D. I was going to take a cute picture of her passports but they are all the way upstairs, I'm all the way downstairs and my legs are sore since I have started exercising again. So, just use your imagination. One is red, the other is blue. However, I did take a picture of the envelope her i.d. came in!
And, here are the pictures of Addilyn I have taken over the last few days-I like to get one of each outfit! :-)
Thanks for the outfit Hadley!
She was really examining Arwen in this picture.
This is what we use when it rains
This is Addilyn on her first train trip
Her long hair
Mommy and me
The bird that flew into our window. I rescued it and 15 minutes later it flew away!
It's been about a week since my last update {GASP!} so I thought I better say something. We haven't been up to much lately so don't expect anything too exciting from this post.
Thomas' hockey team has one more game left in the playoffs. I guess it's the championship now. If they win their game tonight, they are the Swiss champions. If they lose . . . Thomas will not be a happy man. I went to the game last Thursday thinking that would be the last game of the season. I was wrong! It was crowded. I will not be going tonight. That was actually the first time I left Addilyn. It felt ok, no panic attacks.
Friday Addilyn went on her first train ride. Thomas has been working on a project in Zurich. Every spring they have a festival to say goodbye to winter and each year a different canton (state) of Switzerland is the guest. This year it was Bern. Herzog built up some tents and stalls and different "vendors" or villages were representing the canton. It was pretty neat! I didn't stay very long since we took Addilyn. It was loud and crowded and we have a HUGE stroller so we went back to Bern ourselves. Of course, she was nothing less than an angel. Slept or cooed the whole time. What a doll.
Here she is on the train.
Hmmm, I really can't think of too much more to say! When she is sleeping I have started preparing for the next school year. A lot of cutting and LAMINATING. I Love Laminating. :-)
Ok, here are some random pictures. They have all been on Facebook so nothing new.
Well, we had a great Easter together as a family yesterday! We went to church in the morning and then had a family photo shoot. Thomas and I both like taking many many pictures of our little girl.
Anyhoo, Addilyn did great at church! She slept like a little angel for the majority of church and once she woke up she was all smiles. I'm a proud momma. The ride home was a little iffy though, she wanted to eat!!!
Here is what the Easter bunny brought!
*Notice the bunnies in the background. Last year I bought a little family for Easter and this year it really represents us well!
Addilyn before church.
She's so cute!
The Easter Bunny did not forget Arwen!
The Haas Family
Addilyn's Easter outfit
And as promised, a picture of Addilyn's excitement to see what that bunny brought her.
This will mark Addilyn's first official holiday and I am so super excited!! I have her Easter basket all ready equipped with a stuffed lamb, some new pacifiers, some candy (for dad) and a cute new pair of white jeans!
Be sure to check back to see the look of excitement on her face when she sees what the Easter bunny brought her!
Until then . . .
Happy Easter from the sweetest little bunny EVER!!!!
Today was Addilyn's one month check-up. It went really well. The doctor said Addilyn could be a little heavier, but it's nothing to be concerned about. My baby is so little!
Today she weighed 8 pounds 9oz and was 20.4 inches.
When she was born she was 7pounds 3oz 18.9inches long. So it's official, she is growing!
And her head and weight are in the 50th percentile. Not too big, not too small . . . just right. Or "Perfect" as the doctor put it.
Well, I can't believe it but this little miracle has been in our lives for a whole month. And what a month it has been. It started off kind of rocky, but now things are great! Addilyn is still eating every 4 hours and every 6 hours during the night. She is also awake more during the day, which is fun.
This morning we had to take my parents to the airport. it's always so hard to say goodbye. I try to tell myself that it is easier to say goodbye when I know when I will see them next, but that's just a lie. It's never easier. I really got used to having them here! They are excellent nannies! Thanks for everything mom and dad!
I guess I will proceed with pictures! I have to start with her "one month" pictures. I took a thousand so it was hard to choose which ones I liked best! Here are a few.
While my parents were here, my dad went to work on my old dollhouse. We think he built this for me when I was around 5 years old, 25 years ago! CRAZY! Well, the dollhouse survived me playing with it for years, it survived the trip over the ocean and now it is time for a remodel. He is painting some walls and adding new carpet. I love that this will become Addilyns when she is older. . . .
We walked across the street and had a drink on Saturday evening!
*We decided we all must really like North Face and Ray Ban-we're a walking commercial!
Last weekend Lucie and Walter invited us to the Axalp to hang out at their holiday house! We went and enjoyed some good food and beautiful weather.
On the way there!
Such a cute outfit!
On the way home, we stopped in Spiez for a drink on Lake Thun. This may be my most favorite place to get a drink.
You can't see very well, but there is water behind her and gorgeous snow covered mountains behind that!
Arwen got in on some fun!
Addilyn opened her first Easter gift. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Kohtz!
We like to play Rumikub when we're together.
We went on a walk along the river and had ice cream.
Addilyn loves her "Wub-a-Nub" from Ryan, Jackie, Lauren and Brayden!
And Great Grandma Fuchs loved on Addilyn.
And so did Great Grandpa Fuchs.
And why not end with some cute pictures of Addilyn!
Today was an exciting day when the mail man came! Addilyn's passport and a certificate proving she is an American born abroad arrived today-we can prove she's an American now! I am so proud!
Then, after that excitement was all over, I found her pictures from the photographer! They are just the cutest things I have ever seen! So, first I will give a shout out to the photographer.
Over Christmas I saw a postcard from a photographer in Bern at school. After doing a little research I found out she is a British photographer, which means ENGLISH! She also took our maternity pictures. Here is her website: Primrosa Photography
Thanks Lucie for doing such a great job! Addilyn looks absolutely gorgeous and too cute! (Same name as Thomas' mom, but different Lucie!)
Here comes the Photo Dump!
No, she wasn't dropped into the box. :-) She was startled right when Lucie took the picture. Notice the box. Callier is a Swiss chocolate brand and Suisse means Swiss in Swiss German.
Proud mom
This picture is just too sweet for words . . .
Finger toes!!!
Hope you enjoy these as much as I do! I never tire of hearing how cute she is so go on and tell me!
So, I think it's finally about time to blog about our visitors! Grandma (G.G.) and Grandpa (Papa) have been here for more than a week and we are having fun, being lazy and a bit bored and enjoying every minute possible with Addilyn. So far we have gone to a chocolate factory and enjoyed all you can eat chocolate, we have gone to the Gurten (the Bern hill) for a nice afternoon walk, and we have gone downtown a few times to do a little shopping. I actually took my parents to different stores and had them pick out their birthday gifts.
On Friday, Thomas and my dad went to a Militray base to watch the F-18 airplanes land and take off. Mom, Addilyn and I did a little shopping while they were gone!
The base is between gorgeous mountains. . .
A F-18
The boys
Dad thought it was interesting that pedestrians, vehicles and bikes would cross the runway when there weren't any airplanes. Once a plane was landing, a gate would close and traffic would stop.
Aftewards, they had lunch at Lucie and Otto's house!
Now onto enjoying our time with Addilyn!
She is really starting to focus on things around her. She loves being able to look around . .
This morning we went up in mountains to have some brunch. We had yummy bread, a meat and cheese tray and some eggs. On a clear day the view is incredible. Today, it was a little hazy . . .
Thomas' mom, Grossmuetti.
G.G. and Grossmuetti
It was bright inside!
And today is also Mom's birthday. We had a nice birthday dinner and some yummy birthday cake!
