Looking Back...

Here's Quinn helping Eva and I out with the laundry. He's really proving to be a great help around the house.
There really hasn't been that many good picture opps these last days since Quinn has been crying a lot these two days - maxing out our (mainly my) patience. At the end of the day, babies cry for no real reason...but it is still very frustrating to see this lovely creature crying so loud - as if someone is pulling his arms apart - not knowing why, and not knowing how to make it go away. All we can do is show him that we are there for him...

At the end of the day, he's either hungry, has a dirty diaper, or has gas. You really wish you can convey to him in his babytalk that gas is fun! In a few years he and his classmates will laugh when they have gas...but for him, now, it is an offense that warrants screaming like a stuck pig.

At the end of the day, he's been great these last two weeks. I had expected a lot less sleep. He sleeps between 3 and 5 hours, uninterrupted, at night.

Tomorrow, we are beginning a new chapter in Family Gould book...I have to go back to work. These last two weeks of 'vacation' have been great. I think it has allowed us to enjoy our first days together as a family without much of the standard stress of work. I've really liked our time together...we've had a lot of great walks in our neighborhood, we've sat on terraces drinking coffee, and we've even barbequed together. The weather has been great. But, it has been a lot of work. In these last weeks, I have gained a tremendous amount of respect for those parents that have to do it alone or for those parents with twins.

These last two weeks could not have been better...except it would be nice if Quinn could tell us exactly what was causing him to cry. I sort of laugh to myself that it is God's last joke to us humans: when you think about the process that begins with a sperm and an egg and ends with a child, you have to be amazed as to how well it actually works. If babies could actually tell us what was wrong, than it would be just a bit too easy for us parents...making it a bit too easy to forget how complex and how wonderful a child actually is.

Lots of people ask how it feels to be a father...I can't really answer that one yet. I guess I still need to let it sink in a bit.

Thanks for letting me ramble a bit.

P.S. It is amazing how quickly one can 'forget' one's opposition to pacifiers (Schnuller), when one realizes how quickly it calms a child...

P.P.S. high ho, high ho, it's off to work I go...

Let the Grilling Begin

Yesterday, we were piddling around a bit, and Eva got some really nice pictures of Quinn. At this age, he can't really smile, but once in a while, he gives us this innocent smile (Engelslächeln) that is really sweet. This pic below would be titled: "Hey, waitress, I said I wanted two beers. I'm getting cranky." We did not stage this picture.
We had absolutely awesome weather today. It definitely felt like spring, and it was the first day I could go for a walk outside without a jacket. It was probably in the high 50's with tons of sunshine. We went for a long walk as a family in our neighborhood and then to a coffee shop that had its grand opening today. We sat on the terrace, relaxed, had some coffee, and enjoyed the sun!

Below are a few pics near our house. We walk in the area a lot. The pictures are being taken from the 'green strip' of grass that is about 20 meters from our back yard. This one below is looking south to the 'protected free space - protected from development' (Naturschutzgebiet). The green strip itself is about 70 meters wide and maybe 500 meters long.

For those of you in the Denver area, this 'green strip' is our Wash Park. It is a lot smaller and has no lake, but it is packed with people in the evening and on the weekends. Kids of all ages are playing on the grass, and all sorts of joggers, walkers, nordic walkers, rollerbladers, and bikers are rolling by on the path.

This is the green strip looking north. Our condo is about 50 meters to the left.
Below a quick family pic taken from our back yard. Today was just one of those days to enjoy the weather, friends, and family. I love spring!

Today was also very significant for another reason: the 5th season began today...the Grilling Season! I brought the grill from the garage and fired her up. Quinn wanted to help. Here we are, father and son...grilling.

Preparing for the Change

January and early February has been filled with excitement and preparation for our 'new arrival'. As we get closer and closer to the calculated 'due date' of the 25th of February, I get more and more jumpy when I get a call on my cell from Eva.

Below is Eva on her last day in the office, taken around the 12th of January. The social structure is built pretty well for the family, and the mother gets 12 total weeks of paid maternity leave - 6 weeks before and after the birth of the child. There is also an additional ~ 10 months of subsidies for the parent staying at home and a bonus 2 months if the other spouse stays at home as well.

Time will tell if I can and will take this 2 months of government subsidies and time off of work to be a full time dad.

Sounds good...until you hear that the sales tax here is 19%.

Eva had a great going away party with her co-workers...and got some really nice flowers.

We wanted to see if the socks we bought would fit. They seem so small...
Despite a relatively warm winter, we finally got a few inches of snow.

Preparing for the new arrival...

As those of you with kids know, there is a very distinct phase that a pregnant woman goes through...some call it 'nesting', others call it 'we'd better get that kid's room finished, or we're in big trouble'.

This phase started for us in November. After going to various furniture stores, we found what we wanted, with better service, online. The crib and the diaper changing station came in about 4 weeks (the furniture store quoted 12 weeks for the same stuff)...which was just in time for my parent's visit to Germany in December.

My dad and I started putting things together...

... otherwise known as quality time with my dad (Hold the light!...only my mom and dad will understand that one).

Here I am mid progress. The crib is about done.

Now we have to paint a wall. Four white walls are just not kid friendly. Eva did a great job with the rag painting after effects.

Now the real magic: the woman's touch. The room with the finer touches...ala Eva.

The diaper changing station with both German and English books...and our olive tree that is hibernating here during the winter.

Now the waiting game begins...