We are Pregnant!

Yippee!!

Sometimes changing EVERYTHING does result in delivering you exactly what you sought after

We went to our first appointment in March while we were still living in out temporary apartment. Our Doctor was recommended to us by a co-worker who delivered a high risk baby while living in Stuttgart.

Our visit was truly wonderful. Upon arrival they asked us a few questions. When we told them we had three miscarriages prior to this pregnancy I felt as if the mid-wife was truly concerned from more of an emotional stand point that medical. I always felt rather medical in the states. She then proceeded to write down that I have had 5 pregnancies - I think the idea of having 5 kids is what almost made me faint. As we went to the waiting room, she told us there was about an hour wait – yet another wonderful thing – they are SO honest! Chris, Nick and I left and enjoyed some dinner.

We came back and met with the Doctor. I would describe him as Robin Williams +10 lbs and +10 years. Wonderful bedside manner. He discussed out three miscarriages and asked us what we were doing different with this one. Our response was – talking a low dose aspirin, and moving to Germany. Guess something in there worked

We recently went back a week ago while my father was visiting. (perfect babysitter) however while in the waiting room, the nurse came in to say ‘a baby is coming so the doctor must go’ We rescheduled for Thursday 4/23 and enjoyed a wonderful meal in downtown Stuttgart.

Last night we visited with the Doctor in the hospital where we will deliver. Its beautiful and some rooms overlook the city. The Doctor was going to deliver three more babies that night and kept our appointment as he didn’t want to cancel again.

It warmed our hearts to see the baby doing well again. Nick came to the appointment and saw the baby on the screen. Now he says ‘baby kick’ when he points to mom’s belly. Funny thing is, if you point to his belly he asks, ‘baby?’ We have a few months to work on that.

Our Due date is October 3rd 2009! Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers

Catching up

Nick LOVES his new German bike. His feet BARELY touch the ground, but that doesn’t stop him at all. The bike doesn’t have any pedals or brakes. But it’s an interesting German concept that teaches them balance at a rather young age. With Nick’s biking parents he will be off and ‘biking’ in no time.

The real reason for the purchase was that his tricycle was left behind. (along with his stroller) How does that happen, might you ask??? Well, the movers packed EVERYTHING in boxes and than proceeded to tell us that 6-8 boxes just won’t fit. I am still missing quite a few things that are neatly stored in our Texas attic. Chelcy has volunteered to help look for a few items. She has NO idea what she is getting herself into =)

Chris's comment on this photo is..... when was the last time you paid $70 for something that made you THIS happy!?!?!

Future speed racer

Getting the hang of the merry-go-round

German heaters for the Friday night fest. (yes, my friends, that is a burning log with no protection - Eat your heart out Safety school!)

We are finally starting to feel settled in our new home. Getting things unpacked was the first step. Getting the internet and TV is a whole different process out here.

TV - Chris and I JUST figured out the TV last night. It was a matter of moving the satellite dish 8 degrees to the right. Now let’s picture Chris on the roof adjusting direction while I am inside watching the signal strength.
This process took several days that included removing the satellite, marching it throughout the back yard and becoming insanely frustrated. After a call to a local AFN installer (Who spoke beautiful New Jerseyese – loved it) He corrected our settings and off we went.
We are looking forward to being brain washed by AFN for the next several years. If we re-enlist – you all know why. I am also proud to announce, the first show we watched was the Cosby Show. Its nice to know they are both up to date and have their priorities in line out here.

Trash – Who would ever think that trash would be something to write about? Well, in Germany it’s a significant event. Our previous renter had a calendar posted on the garage door. You have to know hieroglyphics to figure it out. My method is watching the neighbors and checking their bins. Every week a different color bin gets rolled to the curb. It surely keeps you on your toes.

Yellow – plastics and aluminum
Blue – Paper (and hopefully cardboard since I am inserting that as well
Black – Everything else!

One morning I heard a trash truck rolling through our neighborhood. I was still ‘getting up’ but I ran outside to see what ‘color’ they were collecting. It was black which =’s the real trash! - The smelly stuff like diapers and anything that isn’t plastic, paper, or glass. Well if you can imagine – we had a plethora of that stuff – especially since we hadn’t seen him since we moved in, 3 weeks ago! I ran through our backyard after the truck carrying a highly toxic bag, thankfully catching the garbage man. That trash is on a 4 WEEK cycle – so missing that truck is next to deviating!

The Normandy Tour

As a treat for my father, we decided to research and plan a little trip to Normandy (the northern coast of France) The most helpful trip planner was a sweet man at the Stuttgart Hauptbahnhoff and my sister! Not having internet makes this VERY challenging!

Our tickets took us directly to Paris in 3.40 hours (the ICE train). We changed trains in Paris and headed onto Caen. From there we opted to rent a car and drove into Bayeux. We stayed both nights at the Churchill hotel in Bayeux which was just perfect. The area is FILLED with history and everyone is very respectful and take great care in the surrounding grounds. It is truly a historic trip and makes you feel a greater appreciation for the sacrifice and events of World War II.

The trip begins..... Nick is excited for the Choo Choo (he has no idea how long it will be) Mom found this to be a GREAT carrying method... If only the small stroller made the move... Guess you can't have everything =)

Excited passengers

This is one of the many Paris Train Stations. Its Huge and just bustling with Fashion.

Our sleepy passenger

Nice bed head babe =)

This is the Petit Normad. Wonderful restaraunt in Bayeux. I love going back there. The seafood is amazing. The saying on the window demonstrates what I mean regarding their respect for folks serving in WWII.

Although this was my 3rd trip to Normandy, the 1st being a staff ride that I planned as an XO, I am not a historian. My father was convinced that I could navigate and give a brief synopsis at each locattion. Thankfully, the night we arrive at the Churchill hotel, we ran into some super nice tourists (almost everyone is a tourist in this area). They were from Minnisota and came up to us asking is we could recommend a good Pub in the area. Instead, we asked them is they had a toured planned in the morning. Good news, they did. We got to join in! They were the perfect group. Two fathers with their two daughters who were currently studying abroad in Spain.

Romping through the Church ground in Bayeux

Nick and Mom on the streets of Bayeux looking for that Pub!

This picture is in the parking lot at the Churchill. Guess the French decided it was too difficult to MOVE the boulder, so instead, they painted it with 'warning orange' Good plan

The tour started at the German cemetary which really threw my father for a loop. This cemetary is VERY different from the American cemetary which you will later see. Jacque did a good job of trying to make us see the German soldiers as real people stuck in a bad situation. Those are surely the stories of war.

Can you guess who wanted to climb to the top of these stairs - you got it, Nick scaled them twice and would have continued if we didn't have to leave to keep up pace with the tour.

Our next stop was Ste Mere Eglise - were the 82nd Airborne parachuted in. Obviously during the fire fight, many stained glass windows were broken. This one was replaced as a tribute to those that liberated this small town.

This one is also a reflection and memorial to those that fought that day.

We enjoyed some yummy French homemade brats that day - great lunch.

Here is a replica of the famous parachutist named John Walsh. He faked being dead so the German's would stop firing at him. Once they realized he was alive, they took him prisoner. His comrades came for him shortly after and freed him. John Walsh came back to Ste Mere Eglise several times until he passed in 1963. He was loved by the people in the city. Jacque had a great photo of him being kissed my many French ladies. No wonder he kept returning!


Nick in front of the Tank at the 82nd Airbornne Museam (needless to say, Nick and I didn't need to actually go in the museam, we make a great pair in the museam department!)

Utah Beach - one of the most sucessful areas of the Normandy Invasion.

Nick - thinking about operating the artiliery in front of another FA officer (my father)

This photo is for Ret. Col Leadbetter. He commanded the 1st Engineer Brigade when they were in Missouri. Jacque told a story about how the 1st En BDE volunteered to be part of the Normandy invasion. At the end of the story he told us he thought they were nuts for volunteering, he would never do anything crazy like that. Under my breathe I made a small comment...'and so you are french' My father and the college ladies got a little chuckle from that.

Jacque was showing us an actual photo of the Bunker at Point Du Hoc

The craters from the bombing are still very visable

Nick navigating the memorial at Omaha Beach. This was one of the bloodiesst areas of the Normandy Invasion. Not sure if you have seen 'Saving Private Ryan' but this was the area of the beginning story line.

Video of Nick and the essance of Omaha Beach.

This was inside a German Bunker at Utah Beach. The hole was created by the American artilery

Final stop at the American Cemetary. They have a new portion right before the cemetary with photos, movies and descriptions of the events.

Nick entertained himself with the rocks while mom got teary eyed at the movies.

The crosses list the Name, Rank and Home of the soldier as well as the recorded day they were killed. If a family memeber visits the grave sight they take sand from Utah beach and rub it over the cross bringing the name more visible for a few days until the sand washes away. IIn the fore ground is the burial site of the two Nilan brothers. The movie 'Saving Private Ryan' was based upon these brothers. If you look closely you can see the sand across these names representing the recent visit of a family memeber.

Nick at the reflecting pool
The American Cemetary
This is a scupltor representing another life being born from the ocean as many lives were taken there. Now, onto Dinner for Nick. Chicken nuggets and fries in France are still quite the treat.

Now we are on our way home. We had a 3 hour layover in Paris, so we decided it was time to do some shopping. I felt terribly underdressed for the fashion of France - but hey, I am still a tourist right?

We had lunch at a beautiful place along the streets of Paris. Super people watching place. They served Nick water in a wine glass. VERY high class

Nick wanted to take this photo for Chelcy. We think Paris has her name written all over it!!!

After a minor mishap at the train station, everyone made it home safe and sound. We were all VERY happy to see Chris.