The First Hike

We went for a nice hike today - Quinn's first. We drove to the Fränkische Schweiz (about 25 minutes from Erlangen) to a place I had seen the day before while riding. The rapeseed fields (Rapsfelder) are in full bloom and their bright yellow color is a great backdrop to the clear blue skies.

The hike itself was about 6 miles, was well marked, and well maintained for strollers. Quinn slept the whole time, so we're assuming he had a great time.
The apple trees are also in full bloom. With both the apple trees and the rapeseed fields in full bloom, the air is full of this great, spring smell.

No hike is truly complete before you wet your thirst and appetite at one of the many biergartens that are along the many hiking paths. We ended up finding two nice ones and had a few nice snacks before we drove the few minutes home.

Quinn was great the whole time...we hope that he'll continue to enjoy these hikes as much as we do. There is almost no better way to get away from it all than to go hiking in the Fränkische and then snacking at a biergarten!

Spring has Sprung

Quinn has been progressing right along. He has figured out that he has hands ... that move ... that can touch and move other things. Below, is Quinn and one of his toys. We must have spent an hour watching him try to move his hands to hit the wooden bells.

Last week, Eva met some of the other mothers from her Lamaze class (Geburtsvorbereitungskurs). Quinn seemed to figure out that he wasn't the only baby in this world...and seemed to be completely amazed by this. Oh...the new things in this world.

This one looks like Quinn is giving the 'Hang Loose, Hawaii' pose.
It's still a bit big, but we think he really likes his baseball hat.
Spring has definitely sprung. We've been spending some great time in the yard getting everything ready for summer. The tulips look great, and the ones we planted last year came up and multiplied. I'm in the background putting some bamboo poles in the ground to get ready for the pole beans I'll plant (along with corn) in May.
Quinn posing in his new pajamas. Thanks Grandmom and Grandpa Gould (it will take some getting used to calling my parents by their new names!).

Another view of the yard. The tulips are my favorites, but the other plants are growing well and are blooming. We should also get some great strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries from the bushes we planted last year.
On Saturday, we took the 10 minute walk from our house to the wild pigs (ok...as wild as they get being fenced in eating the scraps from the hikers). They also have some newborn pigs that are really cool to look at. We heard they like eating raw spaghetti...so when we saw some raw noodles on the ground, we fed them to the pigs. They seemed to really like the snack.
It seems that Quinn has picked up some of the more urban fashion...basically pulling his hat below his eyes. Before we know it, he'll be letting his butt and boxers hang out from his pants like the other cool kids.
Here's Betty and Kaya enjoying an afternoon at the zoo with Eva and Quinn.

Stretching your Brain

I've read a few articles lately about how one can exercise one's brain: basically like exercising muscles...you just have to do something different than normal. For the brain, that could be reading upside down, doing crossword puzzles, or changing diapers.

Yesterday...I really gave my brain a workout.

I was in the UK on business and got to drive on the 'other' side of the road...with the steering wheel on the right of the car...on a standard.

Eva was petrified and I was a bit nervous. When the gal at the rental car facility asked if I'd want to spend an extra 10 pounds for insurance to lower the deductible, I took it in a heartbeat.

Thankfully, most of the trip was on the highway and went without much of a hitch...just follow the traffic (and in London, there is tons of it). Once I got close to the customer, things got a bit hairy. No driving while talking on the cell...!

I hit the curbs on the left a few times. I thought I'd veer too much to the right of the road, but I just kept losing track of the fact that there was lots of car still on my left. Note to self: move to the right...don't hit the parked cars.

Outside of banging into the curbs, making an incorrect left turn, and not observing the right of way in the traffic circles / roundabouts, I survived.

Needless to say, my brain was fully exercised when I landed in Hanover. So I had a beer or two and killed the few brain cells that survived the trip.

So much for brain exercise.

Die Biergartensaison ist eröffnet

Sometimes, it is the little things that are amazing. The US Social Security Administration sent me my yearly statement. This time, they missed the address a bit. My name, city, and zip (no street address) was the only thing on the envelope, and it still got to me.

Simply amazing!
Quinn and Henrik met for the first time a few weeks ago. They seemed to hit it off pretty well, and we're bracing for the trouble that they will soon be getting themselves into.
The kids seem to get older so fast these days. Here's Quinn trying out his new cell phone. It actually makes ringing noises when you push it and vibrates when you pull the cord. Thanks to Kocka and Katja.
Rene and I took our boys for a walk in our nearby forest while our wives were at a flea market. We got a bit muddy, but the boys got to see the wild pigs. There's about 20 of them in their fenced off area, and it is really cool to see them when they have newborns.
When I was off in the States, Nina came to Erlangen for a few days to help Eva and Quinn out. Then, they drove together to Hattingen. It was a great chance for the whole family and friends to meet Quinn, and it was good for both Eva and Quinn to be able to be at her parents while I was away.

Below is Quinn meeting his great grandparents for the first time. Let's just say that they had a ball.

Quinn's grandparents taking him for a walk...
Since Eva had to drive to Hattingen, she had to find out how Quinn would take the car ride. Apparently, he's just like me: as soon as the car gets moving, he falls asleep. For the trips up and back, including a few pitstops (4+ hours), he slept all but about 15 minutes. Whew!

Here, Quinn looks like he's dreaming about getting his nails done.

Quinn and I napping again.
On my trip back to Germany, I flew into Düsseldorf so that I could spend Easter weekend (Thursday through Sunday morning) in Hattingen with the family. While it wasn't optimal to go on a biz trip, at least we could enjoy the long weekend together.
We colored some eggs and had a great time. I had the great idea of making an 'American' egg, but it ended up looking more like the French flag than anything American. Another shot of Quinn and I. I really love holding him on my chest and feeling his soft head and hair with my chin. Quinn likes it best when I'm shaved...
When I was in the States in January, I found this really cute football sleeper outfit. With Quinn growing so fast, he won't be in it long, but I love this outfit...
...even the feet look like footballs.
Here's Quinn and his second cousin Lea...who will be turning 8 soon.
One of the German Easter traditions is baking (or buying) an Easter Lamb. Seems like a pretty normal idea. It looks very 'Easter', especially with the powdered sugar to give it a 'wool' effect. The whole Easter effect breaks down a bit when you start cutting into the cake and eating it.Another Easter tradition is to take the hard boiled eggs and see who's doesn't break. Ideally, you find an egg that doesn't break too quickly. The end effect is all the same...broken eggs that get eaten.

Finally! The weather was finally warm enough for us to officially kick off the Biergarten Season 2007! Eva and I went today with Quinn to our local Biergarten and enjoyed the weather.

Nothing relaxes and brings joy like a good German (or Bavarian / Fränkisch) Biergarten. Eva and I really love this part of Germany (more of a Bavarian tradition than a 'general' German one). How can you not be relaxed sitting outside, with your friends and/or family, with a beer in your hand?
Quinn in one of his green outfits (Thanks Jutta!). The rag under him looks a bit like a cape.

The Blogger's Dilemma

The Blogger's Dilemma
Every blogger knows this issue: there is stuff to post, but no time to post at that given moment. Then, when there is finally some time, you've forgotten the 'old' stuff to post...but you want to give some content for those that might be wanting an update...

...especially for those of you that really want to know the skinny on what has been happening with Quinn these last days...

U3
Outside of the normal things (eating, sleeping, pooping, crying), Quinn has been growing! He had his U3 checkup at the doctor today (for those non Germans in the audience, this is his third checkup. I think the U is for Untersuchung - Checkup). The stats are:

4300 g (9 lbs, 8 oz)...950 grams heavier (1lb 15 oz heavier)
55.5 cm (21.85 inches)...3.5cm longer (about 1.5 inches longer)

The doctor said that his fingers were really long (to go with his big feet) and that he'll probably be a piano player. Obviously, the doctor didn't realize that Eva and I are musically inept.

The little man is in great health!

Blast from the Past
I know you are looking for pictures of Quinn, but you'll have to live with a 'blast from the path': a picture of me that my Uncle Ken had from when I was about 3 years ago. I'm the cute one on the left.

Long German Word of the Day

This one is actually just a simple case of fitting a bunch of small words into one big one...German is really good at that:

Hochgeschwindigkeitsinternetzugang

...high speed internet access

Ready Aim Fire

Quinn surprised me again today with a 'surprise' when I was changing his diaper. This time, it exploded from him as I was putting some cream on his bum. No, folks, we're not talking pee here.

It's amazing how far that stuff can fly. No pics or video.

On a more pleasant front, Eva's mom was in Erlangen for the weekend to visit Quinn, and she took some great pictures after Quinn's bath.

Quinn really likes getting dried off by the hair dryer after his baths, but we have to make sure that there are no surprises...or the hair dryer will short circuit.

Gould family picture...

Beer

Fatherhood Rule #2: Having a few beers on Friday night at home during dinner isn't nearly as much fun as it used to be. In fact, having a buzz with children is not recommended.

...as if changing diapers wasn't hard enough, try doing it after a few beers. Before you know it, you'll have poop all over the place.

For those of you responsible ones in the blogosphere, I have not tried this at home.

Quinn has been a darling these last few days and is back to his 'normal' self. Very little crying, almost no screaming, and being generally sweet.

He's been eating a lot...

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.

I'm getting sleepy...

Here's Quinn and I, while I was piddling with the camera. I still find it amazing how small his fingers and toes are, and I really like playing with them. Quinn gets foot massages when I change his diapers (which is why he likes it when I change his diaper ;-)

The nurses and the midwife said his feet are really big. And...you know what they say about boys with big feet...

...big shoes.

This picture won't pass Eva's editorial control, so I have to hurry up and post this before she wakes up...