Officially American

On Friday, we went to Munich for the day. I had to get some work done on my passport, and we had to take care of some paperwork for Quinn, so that he could be an 'American'.

Below Quinn is taking his first escalator ride, courtesy of the Munich subway system.
We generally knew where we had to go, but didn't know the exact street location. After looking for a while, we saw this building with barriers, fences, and security: that must be the US Consulate.
The whole experience was unbelivably painless and extremely customer friendly. I prepared everything beforehand and sent it in. We made an appointment that would work best with my work schedule, and showed up. Our contact at the Consulate merely checked our original documents, we signed the docs, and then paid. Everything was done in 20 minutes: Passport, US Birth Certificate, and Social Security number. The passport and US Birth Certificate comes in about 2 weeks.

I actually got my passport back the next day in the mail.

Overall, a great and painless experience.
To celebrate Quinn's first day as an official 'American', we had coffee at Starbucks.
Another first for Quinn: he used his grabbing reflex to hold this wooden ring. He loved how it made sounds when he moved his hand...

Hiking on the 1st of May

The first of May, the German Labor Day, begins what I call the 'Holiday Season' in Bavaria. Basically, beginning in May, there are 5 public holidays in a 5-6 week period of time. Thankfully, this year, most of these holidays fall during the week (unlike in the US, if the holiday falls on the weekend, the holiday isn't 'moved' to the closest Monday).

We took the opportunity to use the holiday and the great weather to head to the Fränkische Schweiz (about 20 minutes from Erlangen) to go for a nice hike.

This was Quinn's first time going hiking in his baby backpack. He had a great time...and (almost) slept the whole 2.5 hours that we were hiking.
We headed to a place called Walberla: basically a small butte that gives a great overlook of the Fränkische Schweiz and Erlangen.Here's the other view from the top of Walberla. As you can tell, there were lots of other people hiking that day, and there was even a group of friends playing some traditional music with their brass instruments. The 1st of May tends to be day when many will head outdoors to enjoy the (hopefully) spring weather and nature.
After the hike, we went to a local biergarten to grab a bite to eat (and drink) to power up before heading home. All in all, it was a great day in the sun.

Blowing Bubbles

Not to fear, fearless blog readers, there are more pics of Quinn on the way...
As you can tell by some of the pictures, Quinn is really starting to smile more now. He also seems to be extremely interested in the surroundings and is beginning to react to various sounds.

Below, Quinn reflecting upon the complexities of being a baby while being held by his Grandmom Göttgens.
Quinn seems to be in the 'blowing bubbles with his spit' phase...only slightly more advanced than drooling.
This is what happens to stuffed animals that are bad.
Mr. Blue Eyes. This will be the last picture of his little quarterback outfit. He has not outgrown it. Quinn celebrated this moment by pooping so much that it filled the diaper and got all over the outfit.

I thought the diapers said 'up to 5 lbs'.

Big Boy

Quinn hit another milestone last night (and technically another one the night before):

Two nights ago, Quinn slept (basically) through the night - from 9:30pm till 5:00am. We were both stoked, but Eva wasn't sure that it actually counted since Quinn wasn't in his bed (he has been sleeping in the upper part of his stroller next to our bed).

So we took a chance and put Quinn in his bed. He slept like a champ. There was no fear! He overcame his fear of the new, big bed, and slept...and slept...(almost) through the night.

A new milestone is reached.

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