Celebrating 4 Years in Germany

How time flies. Yesterday was my 4 year anniversary of my arrival in Germany. I can't believe it has been four years already. Looking back, it has been a wild and very exciting ride with Eva and now Quinn. We've seen and done a lot...and it just keeps getting better.

But, you don't want to hear me ramble about my last 4 years here in Germany. I know you're here to see pictures of Quinn.

This is his 'thinking man' pose.
...trying to turn...or maybe trying to do push ups.

Of course, Quinn has to put everything in his mouth...including the rags we use to clean him up when he spits or blows bubbles.
We ordered another shelf for Quinn's room, and I was putting it together on Wednesday evening. Quinn was trying to help out, but I had to take the screwdriver from his hand when he tried to put it in his mouth, and the point almost hit his eye.

I don't think Eva would have been amused if he poked his eye out...

...it's all fun and games until someone pokes his eye out...

Baby Swim

Yesterday, Quinn had his first swimming lesson. OK...that is a bit of an exaggeration, but we enrolled in swimming classes that are for newborns.

I was petrified that he would poop in the pool, but Eva said that babies cannot poop in water. While I believe almost everything that my wife says, I was a bit scared when I saw little gas bubbles coming from Quinn's diapers through the water...thankfully, no poo...

Quinn did a great job and seemed to really enjoy the event. Next week, we go under water!

Vacation on the North Sea

Ahhh...vacation. Since we were going to be in or around Eva's folk's place on the 2nd and the 9th of June, we thought we'd just take off on vacation in between. Since the North Sea is close and favorite of the Göttgens family, we packed our bags and took our first vacation as a family!After a 3 hour drive from Hattingen and a 40 minute ferry, we found ourselves on the North See island of Langeoog - one of the many German islands that dot the North Sea coast.

With any vacation on the North See, the weather can be tricky and ever-changing. Thankfully, we had great weather (and no rain!) all week long. While the weather can be less than optimal on the North Sea, the beaches are awesome - with powder sand beaches that go for miles.
The traditional building material for roofs is reeds from the natural grasses that grow wild on the island. These reed roofs can last for centuries, but present quite a fire hazard.

Quinn experienced sand for the first time. He didn't seem to like the sand between his toes, but I'm sure he'll grow into it - especially when we can build sandcastles together.
The North Sea is a particularly good vacation for families. The kids can play for hours on the beach doing everything from sandcastle building to flying kites. It is especially cool on the North See during the low tide because the ebb is so BIG. The difference between the high and low tides can be kilometers, and it is very cool to walk so far from shore during the low tide.
Thankfully, Eva's parents were with us as well. It allowed us some time to ourselves when they would take Quinn for a walk, and their company is always appreciated. We played cards quite a bit during the evening together, and Eva's dad is teaching Quinn the basics.

...these are the pics that kids hate their parents for...

Andre and Jenny get Hitched

Before leaving for vacation on the North Sea, we had a short stay-over in Hattingen to see Andre and Jenny get married (2nd of June). The whole timing worked out well for vacation since we had events on both Saturdays - the wedding and a Herbert Grönemeyer concert.

Unfortunately, there aren't many pictures because I was stupid and deleted all of our pics from the wedding and our vacation. Thankfully Eva's parents had a few pics (and I had a few thumbnails that I could save) so that we could recognize the events on the blog.The reception was very cool as well - it was in a converted barn. The food was great and very, very plentiful. This was our first night without Quinn, and I think we both took it pretty well. We had a great time with our friends and danced the night away.

Henrik's Taufe

It was a weekend of baptisms. After Quinn's baptism on Saturday (on the 26th of May...it has been a while since I blogged), we went to Henrik's baptism - this time switching the roles from parent to godparent (Tanja and Rene are also the godparents of Quinn).

I think it was one of the only times in my life that I sat in the front row of a church.

Henrik was completely fascinated by the baptismal water.
The proud parents...
...and of course, there was a small celebration afterwards - with cake, coffee, and gifts.

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'

Well, yesterday, Quinn hit a milestone: he turned for the first time. We thought it would be coming soon...because he had been really kicking up his legs and wobbling around a bit, but his arm kept getting in the way of 'the turn'.

Last night, witnessed by Eva and her parents, he turned.

He found himself on his belly, and thankfully didn't cry when he found himself in this predicament: 'like, what do I do now?'.

The saga of Quinn and the Gould family will continue soon...with some pictures. Eva took video of his second turn, which I hope to post soon as well.

Die Taufe

Quinn hit another big milestone: he was baptized on Saturday, the 26th, in the St. Bonifaz Catholic Church in Erlangen.

But, before the preparations could begin, the house had to be prepared for the guests. Here I am below, trying to extend our table. Isn't there an a machine at the gynecologist (Frauenarzt) that looks like this?

Here's the table all decked out ... ready for coffee and cake for after the baptism. Many thanks for Eva's mom who came a day early to help out!
Quinn's announcement at church.
Do we look like nervous or proud parents?
The ceremony itself was very cool and personal. The first part of the ceremony was held in the church itself, then the second part of the ceremony was in a small chamber that they use only for baptism.

Quinn slept through the first part and was very good ... perhaps even brave during the second part (where he got water poured on his head).

Here's the view from the parent's level during the baptism.

Here's the baptism from Quinn's perspective. In the baptism chamber itself, they have this stained glass star in the ceiling for the children to look at while being baptized.The only part where Quinn got a bit cranky was when we put his 'baptism dress' over his white little baptism outfit. The dress has been handed down in the Lümmer family for about 40 years. Below a pic of one of Quinn's Godmothers: Nina.
The whole ceremony went great - except for an unexpected stranger. A nice, but slightly senile old lady that was waiting for the baptism. Seemed like she just liked 'crashing' baptisms. She really liked singing along with us as well...she just sang the wrong songs.

Kinda like 'Wedding Crashers'...only slightly more wierd and a bit depressing. I hope when I get old and senile that Quinn takes care of my ass so I don't have to crash baptisms for entertainment.

Of course, the great grandparents were extremely proud of Quinn.
No family event would be final without tons of pictures, and, of course, a party!
Here's another pic of us and Eva's grandparents. We were extremely happy that much of Eva's family could make the trip to Erlangen for the baptism - and especially for Eva's grandparents for which the trip to Erlangen is more difficult to make.
...with Eva's parents. AKA: the grandparents! We're still getting used to calling them the grandparents. To us, grandparents are still our parents' parents. Those of you with children will understand this transition.
Family (at least the German side) picture. Play 'spot the American'.

The men!

The ladies! (...except Quinn)

Of course, after talk of Quinn and baptism, the conversation turned to the garden and yard. Here, I'm explaining the 3/4 inch of moss and thatch that has been consuming my green grass. It has since been exterminated. Moss and thatch is not welcome in my yard...even if I have to spend hours airating my yard by hand and have to spread harmful chemicals to do so.
Thankfully, the weather cooperated as well...and we got to spend much of the afternoon and evening outside. Tanja and Rene (to the right, both in red, standing) are also pictured below. They, along with Nina, are Quinn's godparents.
A great pic of Nina and Lea.
Lea and Quinn.

Der Berg ruft !!!

The 'fifth' Erlangen season officially opened on Thursday: Bergkirchweih. Erlangen's beer festival. 16 days, over 1 million visitors. Countless liters of beer. Dancing on the beer benches. Carnival rides...

...so Quinn stayed home with his mother while I met with some coworkers.
Here I am trying to be like the waitresses that can carry seemingly countless liters of beer with two hands. They have forearms bigger than my thighs. I could do 6 liters relatively easy, but I don't think they were full with beer.
...here's the dancing on the beer benches part.

Playing Horsey

A few days ago, I tried out a different type of carrying system for Quinn. It was a bit difficult to get on, but afterwards, I felt like a Jedi knight...or a hippie.
Here we are enjoying the new carrying system. We took a short stroll - Quinn and his Jedi knight daddy. The next day, we took a long walk into the city to a bike shop. Had to pick up some new brake pads for Eva's bike. It was not only Quinn's first trip to a bike shop, but he also picked up his first (slight) sunburn.

I had him completely covered, or so I thought...but somehow his skin was a bit pink later in the day. Thankfully, it was not too bad, and it didn't seem to bother him a bit. Next time, more sunscreen.



Rene, Tanja, and their son, Henrik joined us for cake and coffee on Sunday afternoon. The weather was great...and we played 'Horsey'. Apparently, the kids thought I was a great horse and had a great time.

Here's a great pic of Henrik in his little cart...with the two fathers in the background planning for the next trip into the Alps.

I'm too sexy for my socks...

Well, this will not be the last time that we say this: how did he do that? So, I walk into the living room and see Quinn playing with his star and stuffed animal - happy as can be (he really enjoys hitting the things so that they make noise). It's not uncommon for him to 'kick' his socks off, but how on God's green earth did he get them to land where they did.

Apparently, he likes to wear socks as much as his Dad.

We got a really cute package from friends of ours from Colorado, Brian and Tina - which included a really cute buffalo stuffed animal (the mascott of my beloved CU Buffaloes)...
...and a CU jersey. #10 from Kordell Stewart. The goodl 'ole days of CU football. Can you say 'Miracle in Michigan'? Fight CU down the field...CU must win...

Thanks a lot, Brian and Tina!
Instead of eating our normal fare of healthy foods, we thought we'd be lazy and cook up some french fries and chicken nuggets and watch a movie on Saturday night.

...let the guilt trip begin...
Quinn posing in his really cute hat that Aunt Nina gave him. Vielen, vielen Dank, Tante Nina!

U4

Quinn had his U4 check-up on Tuesday. He passed with flying colors. Everything is in normal ranges ... but his feet still seem to be really big.

Since his birth, he has grown 8cm (over 3") and put on 2kg (about 5 lbs) of weight. Looks like 'mother's milks' is doing him well. Plus, it seems that he can pack on the weight like his daddy.

He also got two immunizations - one in each leg. He really didn't like those. It broke Eva's heart so see him lying there crying while getting those shots. She said he looked at her like: 'Mommy, they are hurting me. Why aren't you doing anything?'

All in all, things are going well. He's growing like a weed, and he is really fun to play with now. It is an awesome feeling when you do something he likes and then he smiles or giggles back.