{Moving}

Due to some intricacies with this blog account that makes posting a somewhat tedious chore along with a couple of other technological hiccups, you can find us North stars over in a new location:

http://northstarspointing.wordpress.com/

See you soon over there?

 Tot gauw... à bientôt... bis bald!

{Dichotomy}

It's been a while. The summer months were gone, just like that. And Autumn? Well, after experiencing my favourite season twice in this country, it would seem that it is bereft of those intoxicating days that make one want to swim in beauty... Those days when the pores of your skin can't soak life in fast enough and furious desires of who-knows-what run wild and free before the confinement of winter. We had some glimpses, but the wet and cold came fast and sure... and here we are.

The past three months felt like an early hibernation of sorts, my body confused. Now after finding a more sure, settled place, I am ready to come out into the world again just as it is slowing down in frostiness and ice. It has been a time of learning and living, but not a time that held much desire for communication or openness to the outside world. Content to keep fuzzy identity and the sweetness of new motherhood to myself, this place has been silent. Our lives haven't been however, for they have been filled with the sound of:

 baby talk                     velcro whispers                     laughter            plastic rattling    

                      onesie snaps                                      extra leaf-crunches from stroller wheels            

    tires rolling across thousands of kilometres of asphalt              spit-up gurgles

car-seat clicks                                    more laughter                                      page rustles

and many more sounds that although ordinary, have taken on a whole new meaning because of a fresh little life and the perspective that it has given us.

                                                                              >>>>>>>   <<<<<<<<

My Little and I like to get out and take walks... I like to think that somewhere in that new mind of Ian-baby, the brisk air, tree branches overhead, the rush of the Kocher River and the continuous one-way conversations of his red-nosed mother are laying healthy, broad foundations for a lover of nature and people. May it be so!

Below is what we saw this past week on a frozen day that gave us both frozen ice and warm sun patches, a perfect dichotomy on a November afternoon.

{A Month of Ian}

Can we really be celebrating a month of life with our boy? Time is a funny thing. Already, we are putting away small clothes, changing from sleeping basket to crib.

It has been such a beautiful, strange month. One of interrupted sleep, piles of laundry, diaper changes, celebrations of firsts, baby smells, laughter, new identities, snuggle upon snuggle upon snuggle, learning, joy and an abundance of love.

The post-partum period is a fuzzy thing. I apologize for the lack of photos of our Wunderkind to his faraway, beloved relatives, including many, many honorary uncles and aunts. Here are a plethora of pixelated Ians... May they show his growing personality and the pure wonder of this new little human. 

The Dutchman and I are enamoured with our gift from God. Pippin-cat? Not so much... 

The 1st month of:

Ian

- is most talkative in the morning

- knows what he wants!

- likes to dream about eating

- enjoys peeing in his bath and is creative in other mess making... keeps us on our toes already!

 - slept four hours one night... here's to many more!

- is already the best of travellers

- the changing table is his happy place

- has gained 4 lb./1.8 kg. since birth

- makes sounds like a baby pterodactyl at times

- has about 27 nicknames to date

- is beginning to smile and enjoy small games

- is simply... the best

Just a wee bit milk drunk

Piano fingers...

First day home

Curls

First bath-time

The boys

Snuggle time with Grandma

Our family

Talky time

Our little gnome-baby

Solving the world's problems

{A Very Special Birth Day}

Our

Ian Nathaniel

Born on

August 11, 2013

at

19.53

3550 gm/7.7 lb. ~ 53 cm/20.8 in.

We simply cannot express our feelings for this boy. We could go on and on, but pictures will show you the little face, heart and life that has turned our world upside down in the most wonderful way. And bit by bit, we will tell the world how beautiful this new life of ours is...

Note: Due to a lung infection discovered soon after his birth, Ian spent his first week of life in the local hospital under the fantastic care of the German doctors and midwives. By day 2, he was doing fine. His mum has been in the hospital as well, on call and on demand by a little belly. After finishing up the antibiotics, we will be home Monday afternoon, finally all together!

{Week 39}

The-day-before-the-due-date evening walk: a photo collaboration by the Frinsels

Week 39

Little One, Baby dear... we are ready when you are.