Better Late Than Never

     Better late than never.  It seems like this was Avree's motto from the beginning, and nothing has changed there.  These days we are late for everything.  We are late to appointments, late getting birthday cards in the mail, and we even took Natalie to a movie 30 minutes late.  But hey, we made it :)

     As I suspected, things with two children are a lot different than with  one.  It takes us so long to get ready, and we have to carry around so much stuff.  Before my mom left, we attempted to go shopping in Ramstein one day.  It went like this:  change diaper, feed baby, drive, change diaper, feed baby, feed us, change diaper, feed baby, shop, change diaper, feed baby, drive home.  We were gone for nine hours, and might have shopped for two.  It was such an exhausting day!  Since then, we have ventured out as little as possible.

     Since Avree has been born, I think we have been to the doctor almost as many times as I have changes her diaper! First, we had a 5-day check-up.  Then, we went back several times to weigh her because someone was concerned that she was losing too much weight.  Next, she came down with thrush (that adds a lot of stress to an already stressful situation!).  After that, we were back because her belly button got infected.  Yesterday, we took her to get an ultrasound done on her hip (everything turned out ok).  Today, we just got back from the doctor's office to get her seen about being congested, and to check up on everything else.  Hopefully we won't go back until it's time for shots.

     While I was pregnant, Natalie went to several of my appointments with me to "check on sister."  She liked seeing her on the screen.  I think it made it more real to her that she actually was going to have a sister.  We would tell her "See sister's head?  See her foot?" etc.  She always told the doctor, "Thanks for checking on sister."  Yesterday while getting the ultrasound done on Avree's hip, Natalie grew concerned.  "Let's just keep her," she told us.  I guess she thought we were there to drop Avree back off!  As we left with everyone we brought, Natalie once again told the doctor, "Thanks for checking on sister."  She is a great big sister.  She runs to check on her when she hears the slightest peep, covers her up with blankets, and supplies her with toys, even when she is asleep.  I hope they are as close to each other as I am with my sisters.

Take care and God bless,
Staci

Meet Avree Grace

     After 41 weeks, and 3 days (yes, that is 10 days overdue), Miss Avree greeted the world.  My experience in a German hospital was good, but different.  I will share the details with you, if you want to hear.
     It all started with my doctor going on holiday.  At the end of a visit, he told me the clinic would be closed next week, and that I should report to the hospital the following week for my usual check-in.  The weekly check-ins consisted of a 30 min monitor of the baby's heartbeat and any contractions I was having (nope!).  I continued to report to the hospital, until I finally asked how long he would be gone.  He was gone for 3 weeks, right up to my due date!  I finally went back to the clinic for a visit, only to be seen by a fill-in doctor.  It was she who referred me to be induced.  I was induced with Natalie ten days before my due date because she was a big baby, so each day that passed with Avree I grew more anxious.  I finally went in for indcution Saturday, Sept. 10th.
     We arrived at the hospital, filled out the necessary paperwork, and was escorted to our room.  I went in for monitoring, and then was given a little tablet, which resembled 1/4 of a Tylenol..  I then went back every hour for more monitoring and to see that I was not having any contractions.  We settled in to our little room the best we could, and watched time pass away.  As the afternoon progressed, I was to be given another portion of tablet.  Great, I thought.  I am never going to have this baby.
     Right before it was time for the second dose, a little wave appeared on the chart.  A contraction?  Maybe.  I hadn't felt anything.  We decided to wait until the next hour to take the medicine.  Meanwhile, Ben went out to run a few errands, he decided we needed more minutes on the cellphone and was going to check in on Natalie, who was staying at home with my mom.  As soon as he left, I began to feel a little discomfort, and started texting.  "Where are you?"  "Hurry back."  The pain intensified.  "Don't grab anything."  "Get back as fast as you can."  I was hopping around the room, not feeling the greatest, and decided to go ask for my epidural.  I took a deep breath, hobbled to the end of the end of the hall, and realized I didn't know how to buzz the nurses.  I can wait, I told myself, and hobbled back to my room.  Ben arrived about ten minutes later, around 4:30, and I shouted to him as soon as soon as he opened the door, "Go tell them I want my epidural."  He came back to get me and take me for more monitoring.  I don't think they understood.
While suffering through contractions, they tried to tie the belts around my waist.  I, unable to sit still, told them to get the anesthesiologist up here now!  I am pretty sure I terrified all of the pregnant ladies in the waiting room, and they soon took me back to a delivery room.  Upon quick check, the nurse announced that I was dilated to a 7.  My worst fear has come true I thought.  I'm not going to get an epidural.
     Lucky for me, the anesthesiologist arrived just a few minutes later, and worked with me to help reduce my pain.  I thought I was going to die!  Even though I felt instant relief, they told me it would take about 20 min for the full effect to take place.  I did not have 20 min to wait. Avree was born about ten minutes later,on 9-10-11 at 6:06 p.m  She weighed 8 lbs, 12 oz and was 21 inches long.

    

      

     It all happened so fast, as far as everyone knew I wasn't even having contractions.  We spent the next hour using the minutes Ben had purchased to call our family and tell them that she was finally here!  We came home from the hospital Monday morning.  Natalie was instantly taken with her.  She, of course, has been very helpful.  My mom got to be with us for another week and a half.  She is now home, Ben has returned to work, and we are working on establishing a routine.  I could use some more sleep, but other than that, we are all doing well, and are very much in love with Avree Grace Hutto!

Check-up

I went to the doctor this week (38 weeks), and was disappointed because he didn't really check anything.  Well, they did check my weight, blood pressure, monitor the baby's heat beat, and make sure my feet weren't swollen.  But, I expected him to do some sort of exam, see if we have made any progress.  No such luck.  He didn't even feel my tummy.  I guess here they figure she will come when she is ready, but I am impatient and would like to know a little of what is going on!

And, at the end of the appointment, he told us that the clinic would be closed all next week, so I could just go in one day to the labor dept. of the hospital for my check-up.  Good, maybe they will keep me!

Anxiously Awaiting the Arrival!

Garmisch

We took a little family vacation, the last one with only 3!  We ventured down to Garmisch, in the very southern part of Germany, where the Alps start.  We stayed at a military resort, a central location to many different sights-to-see.  We actually went down last weekend, and only stayed one night due to lodging availability.  It was such a great place, we had to go back!
Last weekend, we we toured Dachau,  a German concentration camp.  Although not as interesting as I thought it would be, it was still really cool to be on the grounds of such an important part of history.  The Dachau concentration camp was the first concentration camp that opened in Germany.  There were over 200,000 prisoners on record to stay here. This is a picture of a memorial erected in the center of the courtyard in memory of those who lost their lived to barbed wire.
 We drove through Munich, which was very beautiful.  I hope to spend more time there another date.

On our second trip to  Garmisch, we took a cog wheel train up a mountain to the highest point in Germany, Zugspitze.  Again, it wasn't what I would have expected, but again I was in awe.  I have never seen a snow-capped mountain before, and did not expect it to be so rocky.  When we stepped off the train, it looked like we had stepped onto a construction site.  We walked around and took in the view.  It was truly breathtaking, the pictures do not do it justice.We were looking down a Lake Eibsee.  It was so beautiful with its blue-green waters.  It really looks like a postcard.  the temperature up there was about 40 F.  There was some snow left, and Ben and Natalie were able to go sledding down a hill.  While taking a break, a tried some kind of thick-pancake like dessert that you dip in applesauce.  The pancake part was good, but I prefer syrup to applesauce :)

On our second day, we toured two castles of King Ludwig II.  One was Hohenschwangau, a summer home, and the other was Neuschwanstein, a home he spent many year having built, but did not get to live in very long.  The castle Neuschwanstein is often called "Cinderella's Castle" because this castle provided much of the inspiration for the Disney castle.  Both tours were fascinating because the floors, walls, furniture, ect. was all original.  The long lines and many steps we had to march up were definitely worth the trip to see the home of a King.

P.S.  Natalie thinks she needs her own castle, as she IS a PRINCESS! 

Take care & God Bless!

P.S.  3 more weeks until Avree's due date!

Settling In

Things are finally starting to feel normal.  We received our household goods about 3 weeks ago, and went right to work unpacking and decorating.  Somehow with my big belly, I managed to persuade Ben to paint the girls' rooms!  Natalie's room is painted light pink, and is accented with blues and pinks and butterflies.  She now has a big girl's room!  Avree's walls are covered in yellow.  She has one large window with a pink, purple, and green curtain.  Her bedding includes all of these colors, and the overall theme is princess.  When Natalie was born, I tried to stay away from pink and princess, but I have caved in.
We have purchased some things to help make us more comfortable.  Among them are: lots of curtains, an A/C unit, an area rug, a nice glider for the sleepless nights ahead, and a new living room set.  As soon as I get the energy to get up and do something, I will post pics!!
Now that things are out of the box, put away, and hung on the walls, it actually feels like home.  Natalie has even managed to get on some sort of schedule :)  The potty training thing, however, is not progressing as we would have hoped :( Oh well, she will get there eventually!
Block leave is coming up, and we hope to sneak away for a few mini trips.  Avree is very active and growing faster than I am, and she is measuring right on time.  Natalie had always measured 1-2 weeks ahead.  Remembering how chunky Natalie was, I told Ben, "wouldn't it be weird if we had a small baby?"  The thought makes me laugh.  Just 7 more weeks until we find out!
Take care & God bless!

The Adventures of the Black Forest

Relieved to finally have our own transportation, we are finally able to go where we want to, when we want to!

June is a great month, and with it comes lots to celebrate!  Last week, we celebrated my birthday with a cookout with some friends from the neighborhood.  In just a few days, we will honor our eight wedding anniversary.  And sandwiched in between is Father's Day.  Taking a brief break from life, we took a day trip to enjoy being together.

We got up early Saturday morning and headed  to the Black Forest.  We went to a town called Triberg, which is home to the highest waterfall in Germany.   It was about a two hour drive.  The further we drove, the more the temperature dropped.  As we emptied the car, we were greeted by some pretty chilly air.  We first stopped to look at the cuckoo clocks.  There is a large clock, about the size of a small house, and we got to watch it go off at the top of the hour.  Natalie was quite fascinated with the swinging pendulums of the clocks and the "cuckoo" sounds that they made.

Click here to see the video of the cuckoo clock

Next, we stopped for a picnic lunch.  We ate pretty fast, as it was pretty cold outside. Luckily, I brought Natalie and I a change of clothes.  Ben purchased a hoodie from one of the small shops for 30 E that said "Germany."  The dogs were even shaking.   We returned the dogs to the car to cuddle, and began our hike.  The hike to the waterfall was not too long, but it was very steep.  Ben was pretty patient with me, as I took about five steps and then paused to catch my breath :)  Once at the waterfall, the view was truly breathtaking.

 After the waterfall, we walked through town, going in and out of little shops.  Feeling hungry, Ben & I decided that we couldn't leave without a piece of black forest cake!  Much to our disappointment, it looked way better than it tasted.

On the way back home, we stopped in Ortenburg to see the castle there.  This castle seems to still be in use, so we were only able to see a part it, but it was still worthwhile.

We spent the remainder of the weekend getting the house in order and ready to receive our household goods shipment.  Ben painted the girls' room-  Natalie's pink and Avree's yellow.  As I type this, I am sitting here waiting for the movers to buzz us that they are here.  Finally, it's going to feel like home!

Just Another Day

I keep getting asked how I am liking Germany so far.  So far it is not too much different than anywhere else.  We just go through the week doing normal, routine things.  We have been getting caught up on appointments.  Ben is just now starting to go to work.  A typical day for Natalie and I is to wake up at 7:30, get ready and eat breakfast, maybe take the bus somewhere (appt, library, store), play at the park, eat lunch, nap from about 2-4, play, go for a walk, play on the playground, eat dinner, then get ready for bed.  I usually catch up on cleaning while she is down for a nap.  Between picking up after her and sweeping and mopping all of these floors, it keeps me pretty busy.
Naptime has been a source of frustration for all of us.  She started wanting to nap in my bed, then wanting me to lay down with her, and then wanting to get up and "go potty."  It seemed that I would try to lay her down shortly after noon, and then we would battle for about two hours until she finally gave in after two.  A few days of this, and I decided that maybe she wasn't ready for a nap that early in the day, that perhaps her little body is somewhat off schedule.  I switched to laying her down a little later in the afternoons and that seems to be working.  We are also fighting smaller battles, such as potty-training and sleeping through the night (she is waking and wanting to come into our bed).  Perhaps the move was a little harder on her than I thought it would be.  I feel like things will be a bit easier when she has "her" things and "her" room.  Until then, we are praying for patience and guidance, and welcome any advice on "raising a 2 year old!"
We try to take advantage of the weekends and at least go downtown.  This weekend, we went to the lighting of the castle.  Three times a year they re-enact the castle burning, in memory of the three times that the castle has caught on fire.  It was followed by a 15 min. firework display over the river.  We are anxious to get out and drive about.
Praying for patience,
Take care & God bless!