Thursday, May 30, 2013

{Eucharisteo: III}

Eucharisteo from a Sick-Room

This week has witnessed a departure from health for this family. Ravaged by a hard strain of the common cold, our living room has been my world. Restless nights, classes missed, coughing fits, husband away on business, and now, an eye-infection... there is no time like the present to be thankful for: 

 


 sunlight to soak up ~ freckles on kitty ears ~ Dutch liquorice to sooth throat tickles ~ a husband to welcome home ~ free movies ~ tea, glorious steaming stuff that it is

 

 
an eye infection that appears to be bacterial, not viral (and the difference is sweetly great, as I can attest from last summer's horrors!) ~ prayers answered 


 the ability to rest ~ kind landlords ~ hot baths and added milky, lavender, jojoba goodness ~ a healthy baby who dances to mandolin and fiddle duets 


 access to clean water, water, water ~ friendly basket meals that cheer a heart and tummy ~ loofah sponges and their scrubbiness ~ family voices ~ a bettered appreciation of health and good sleep...


and lastly, an ode to Pippin-cat who is an ever faithful companion, snuggler and bug catcher, despite his hunger pains at 5.30 a.m. and his propensity to steal the warm spots on the bed.

Am I blessed, or what? 

Saturday, May 25, 2013

{Week 29 & A Little Princess}

Week 29

Simply put: the best gift any woman in her third trimester could receive... straight from France, thanks to a kind friend

Sweet gifts from faraway family members: Sophie! 

Something else to look forward to come August: Grandma-to-be's arrival in Deutschland (!!!!!)


Week 29 and its contents:

~ a last trip to the flat-lands before the autumn
~ an official outie for a belly button
~ a beautiful package from relatives in Kentucky
~ Little's new trick: bladder grinding = among the stranger, more uncomfortable feelings in this world
~ another Midwife Birgit visit and a good report: healthy mum, healthy baby. We now have a wee "Popo" (bum) up and a little "Kopf" (head) down... ready to go!
~ the gift of just the right stroller

While sitting on our big, blue couch, the midwife asked us how we feel about the pace of this season. When we both attested to its habit of sometimes being slower than slow then rushing by with a speed that can frighten, she looked us both in the eye and said, "It does that. You both realize that there is always the possibility that within eight weeks time, you could be holding a baby in your arms?" Now my friends, if that isn't a reality shock, I don't know what is. Glorious reality in many ways...

And this reality is building with each passing week. Whether it is a letter addressed to us three, a package with thoughtful contents for our new lives ahead, a small body's almost constant activity that sucks energy away with each twist and kick, early gifts from grandparents, recognizing how to apply present studies to a personal future, discussing birth and labor with the Dutchman before settling into bed o'nights... each of these moments grow upon each other giving us a better picture of what will be. But it isn't enough.

No matter how wide and creative or how vibrant and deep the imagination (and believe me, those closest to me can testify to just how far mine can go!), nothing can help us visualize the exact how, why and whom of the small life that lies within me. Nothing can help us comprehend the miracle that will take place in only a short few months more. We can learn, study, talk to those who have experienced before us, prepare, question...

But in the end, it's just for us to accept and enjoy. And we do.

                                                                                          &

                                                                              {{{{ A Little Princess }}}}




Oom (Uncle) Peter


Saar
It did our hearts good to welcome this little girl into the family and we couldn't be more proud of her. The pressure of her small body in our arms was refreshing and insightful as we look to parenthood. Welcome, Little Saar!



Tuesday, May 21, 2013

{Week 28}


Week 28
Week 28 (last week) found us in the third trimester... and with this last three month wait came the sudden urge to nest. Six months have gone by with little prepared, little purchased, and a desire to keep moving and going. However, (almost out of nowhere) came the signal to feather down, to settle in, to slow life. 

A full settling in isn't a possibility this coming month with our upcoming move of apartments, but in spirit it shall. These next two and a half months will hopefully hold a calmer pace of life as we continue to plan and prepare for this change of season in our lives... and we are gathering... "twigs and such", building the "nest" and preparing a space for an important little life. It's about time.


 





Thursday, May 16, 2013

{Tyrolean Austria}


Ever since my Doctor Dad visited Austria in 2002, it has been on my list of places to go... and go we did, this past weekend, for a last road-trip adventure before we settle into a season of nesting. It was a Friday/Saturday/Sunday kind of trip. We traveled about three hours and stayed in Reutte in the Tyrolean mountains, visiting Innsbruck and Hohenschwangau during the course of the weekend. The weather chose not to be so gracious to us but the time was enjoyed despite its dreary wet. Due to the many, many slopes and ridges of Austria's landscape, we hiked our fill. This pregnant woman has officially hung up her hiking boots (at least for the next four months!) after this past weekend!

We enjoyed: driving together while reading aloud "Farmer Boy" and talking/reading about upcoming parenthood, getting upgraded to a suite room, driving through the mountains to Innsbruck (right by the Zugspitze, Germany's tallest peak), trying some Tyrolean specialties, sitting still and enjoying Baby's prodigious activities within, kaffees, being creative with umbrellas and cameras, exploring a second-hand shop, talking to our Mexican cleaning lady about her Austrian experiences... among other things!

We hope to head back in warmer days with Baby in tow to actually see the tops of the peaks, climb some and perhaps, take a dip into the deep, green-blue of the mountain lakes... for now, we are content and ready to settle into the waiting ahead. And where would we be with out photos? Here they are...


Ehrenberg: the medieval fortress (since 1296) above our guesthouse


House murals galore... the prettiest things to see!




Ehrenberg in the mist 









Tyrolean Knödelsuppe


A sleepy bear at Innbruck's Alpenzoo

My frog prince


Mrs. F and Innsbruck's Goldenes Dachl


An Austrian face


Ice cream break



Our one sunspot





The shallow but beautiful Neuschwanstein


Austrian Spring-time