The Wolfgansee 1/2 marathon, Nick's first race & my weekend alone with Shane!

Everyone got outta the house on Thursday to head downtown. The Leadbetters went to the Hauptbanhof to research train tickets to France while Nick, Shane and I went to feed the ducks. Shane was suited up and ready for the weather. Here is Nick feeding Mr and Mrs. Mallard and family.

Once the ducks saw food they came in LARGE numbers. We had to dump the bread and bail!

Nap time after a crazy day. Shane LOVES a good nap

Little tour of the Rittersport factory

Here starts the big travel weekend. Chris, Nick, Wyland and Barbara all set off for Lake Wolfgansee Austria (about 45 minutes from Salsburg) That left Shane and I home solo - wonderful! Here is their first photo.

There were quite a few hills which concerned Chris who had done minimal training for this 16 mile race.....

No stroller - no problem - Nick loves to ride on dad's shoulders!

Guess they were shorter in 1767........

This is the view from the Breakfast area - just imagine the mountains behind those clouds (that is what they had to do all weekend since the clouds never quite lifted...)

But that didn't keep them inside - they kept right on hiking!

Nick says this is his photo with both Percy and James.

This is the pre-race prep. Nick, Eve and Anna where about to run the 200 meter dash! Number on and everything!

Can you hear the 'on your marks, get sec, GO!'

And they are off! Can you see Nick and Chris in the back?? Eve and Anna are 464 and 431 in front

There's the little man - all smiles!

Nice medal dude!! It was actually nicer than the won Chris won after 17 miles!

Next - hiking (no rest for the weary Nick - get used to that!) Chris said he did awesome and hiked solo the whole way up!

With a little break of course.

The other side of that railing - major CLIFF

More up hill!

See what I mean?

And now the view at the lake up top. They had a beer (the restaraunt wasn't crowded) and began the trek home...)

Now its race day for Chris!

A little pre-race Nick lifting to warm up the muscles.

The wisneskis - all ready to cheer on Diane! Go mom!

A little during race link up. They managed to find Chris 5 different times! He said that was a HUGE help!

There's our runner!

Chris's fan base!

If only they could enjoy the mountain views.... But needless to say, they finished, packed up in the car and headed home. It was great having them back - everyone enjoyed a wonderful weekend!

Our first week together

Our first week with Shane. We are all starting to feel more like a family. This morning, Nick came in our room to read some books and asked to snuggle with Shane first. He is very good at making sure we always have music playing for Shane. Last night we drove to Tubigen - its a college town about 25 minutes from us. Barbara had resarched her geneology and discovered family from her mother's side came from Tubingen. I believe Great grandparents of her mother. We walked the streets and many of the buildings listed dates of 1554 etc... Needless to say, you can almost imagine what it was like than...... well, than you run into the NEW YORKER and forget all of that =)Shane was bundled up and enjoyed the ride. We made a little pit stop for a beer and to feed him. Not a bad pace!Dinner that night was at a mexican restaraunt that looked like they had great food - guess what, they did! Only catch was, it was clearly a college hang out. So our family strolling in there around 7:30 looked a little odd. But the waitress gave Nick some drink stirrer that he loved!

Shane Enjoyed a Margartitta!
Nick is still enjoying the finer things in life - like a photo on Lighting McQueen.

And a sweet hair do. Nice FroHawk!

Shane's hair doesn't do that quite yet. However he may give Nick a run for his money sooner than we think!

Nothing like sleeping after bath time.

The struggle to get a photo with his eyes open!

Ah, and there they are. Right now they are a beautiful blue/grey, but only time will tell what they will stay like!

Shane Edward Leadbetter

The final morning - it was time to head to the hospital. At our appoitnment last night, the doctor measured the amount of amniotic fluid and determinded we were too low to go through the weekend. He was thrilled to see we were already having contractions and were dialated. He expected to see us sometime during the night anyway. But wanted to make sure to see us Friday morning.

Perfect timing as Barbara arrived Thursday morning - we just needed to get her through jet lag and head to the hospital! Nick was thrilled that the baby is coming out =) We parked at the hospital - they checked us in, saw we were having contractions and sent us out for a walk. Needless to say its a beautiful view of Stuttgart and Chris was all smiles. Its was weird heading to the hospital - he was full of anticipation since he finally gets to meet the new little one - while I have different feelings just knowing what my body is about to go through!!

The smiling couple

Chris loves this photo since my mouth is full of Hubba Bubba chewing gum (a recommendation from Farrah who managed to push out Macy without Meds - now don't get me wrong - we aren't going down THAT road - but the contractions were no joke) We were at the little grocery store and I had quite a few - no one flinched at all. I guess I wasn't the first lady walking around the grocery store obviously in labor.

And just like that - we went back in, got the epidural - walked some more (this time in the hospital) and right before the epidural was due to wear off - it was time to start pushing. My doctor was there along with our midwife and that was it.

I must admit - I felt more than I wanted to. About halfway through the final push I decided I didn't want to do it anymore. Not sure how I rationalized the end in my mind - but I couldn't push anymore. Something must have helped me out - since out popped our little man.

I say little man since we were decided on a girl name - but still unsure about a boy name. So of course once I heard it was a boy my first thought was - Nick will be thrilled, but what are we going to call him!? We called our folks telling them 'Tyler Edward was born' . Than Chris went home to grab Nick and Barbara. During that time, we started thinking more and more about how much we liked the name Shane. Chris called me from the driveway and asked, "Are you still thinking about Shane Edward?" I said yes and at that point we finally decided. We had a little patch work to do - but Shane Edward was now in our lives.

Seriously, where did that hair come from?

Minus my minor complaining about the pain - the delivery experience was amazing. More intimate than a medical procedure.

Nice feet - we have to compare them to a foot photo we have of Nick too... I think Nick wins...

The spikey hair photo - yes there is product in that hair and no, I cannot reproduce it =) I love his name tag too - that is all he gets, no magnetic band that sets of sensors, no ankle band. Just a simple beaded bracklet with 'leadbetter' on it.

Apparently my mom would approve of the Germans - they took little Shane, got him all dressed and capped it off with the cutest little hat ever. Apparently the hats are hand made by the nurses. We loved it and had to bring it home!

Our first family photo. Nick is holding a gift he received from Shane. He couldn't believe Shane had any idea how much Nick loves Thomas the train. Instant success! I still cannot believe we have four in our family!

"I'm gonna knock you out....."

The newest little man

It's wonderful how much they LOVE to sleep right now...

This is the view from our hospital room. Beautiful really. On friday night, Shane and I enjoyed seeing fireworks from our window. I was totally shocked and thrilled. I love fireworks and told Shane they were for him. (surely not for German Unification Day!!)

Quality dad time.

Freely relaxing - just like Nick - arms above the head and everything.

Well its been a whole 24 hours in the hospital and we are starting to get stir crazy. I guess its different with the second one. We were excited to be back home as a family. So we decided to leave. Needless to say, there was some good football on - so I knew it would be easy to sit down in front of the TV for some time.

Shane with some Grandma Barbara time. If you look closely you may actually see his eyeballs!

I will post some more in a bit - but just leaving you with this one. Everyone is doing well. Nick is loving his little brother and is excited to teach him how to play golf, kick run, ride bikes... but all in due time. Until than, Nick is happy to grab Shane's hat, start the lullabys or just give him a kiss good night.

Thank you everyone for the prayers and kind wishes. We never thought we would make it. But our family is growing and we love it!

Final Days of just NICK!

The final days of an only child - what to do, what to do..... lets bust out the halloween stuff. Can Nick be Elmo yet??? Still too big - maybe next year.
Next - Finger puppets - a scary ghost, spooky cat and hooty owl - thanks Oma Sue!

This is a picture of the finger puppets going FAST (as only Nick can say)

Nick was wondering why he cannot fit in this seat anymore..... hummmm

Chris was wondering why we weren't buying this Salmon - I am pretty sure it was 130 Euro, so only $175. But it would last a long time right?? Not with his appetite!

This is from Farrah's house - if you can believe it there were 4 boys under for - perfect for a little treasure chest of dress up! Their espressions are priceless.

Nick gets to open a box from Goomba =)



Chris gets a class on the video portion of the camera while Nick makes sure every inch of our back yard has a ball in it. Thanks Goomba!