Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
For Carter & Colton
Kelsey's cousins Colton & Carter love to watch videos of her (so I'm told). So boys, these videos are for you (and you Camie, maybe you can get a quick break - ha!) This is Kelsey's "beached whale" she does when she gets sick of being on her tummy. Instead of crawling, she just lifts up her arms and kicks her legs. Now she growls too (scroll down and press pause on the music player to turn off the music).
Kelsey seems to love books and likes story time. Here's a peek of Tally reading Kelsey one of my sister Julia's favorite stories a kid. I know this one like the back of my hand now.
On Monday, an old lady asked is she was a boy. Here's what she was wearing:
No blankets covering her, no blue underneath. Just a bright pink sweat suit and pink converse. She didn't have a bow. I guess that's where I went wrong. I needed her to be wearing one of Ashley's bows. Then another lady asked if she and her friend David were twins. What do you think? They both have blue eyes and are close to the same size, but he's 11 months old.
A few days ago, we went swimming with big & little kids. She loves swimming and was having fun but not when I snapped this picture. She likes to splash getting water all over herself and others. She also started kicking this time! Usually she just watches all the other kids. I guess she's learned from her bath time how much fun water can be.
These are a few friends she met in playgroup yesterday. It's so International here and she has friends from many different backgrounds. One of the boys in this picture is half Peruvian/Swiss, the other is Indian, ones not pictured were Singaporean/Chinese, Swiss/Italian/American, Singaporean/German...such a beautiful International bunch!
Kelsey loves standing up, even if she can't always do it on her own. I think she'll be walking along the couches in no time. She's still not crawling, but she's getting close to going for it!
She too likes to watch videos of other kids. Here she is learning how to crawl from her cousin, Sadie.
Kelsey seems to love books and likes story time. Here's a peek of Tally reading Kelsey one of my sister Julia's favorite stories a kid. I know this one like the back of my hand now.
On Monday, an old lady asked is she was a boy. Here's what she was wearing:
No blankets covering her, no blue underneath. Just a bright pink sweat suit and pink converse. She didn't have a bow. I guess that's where I went wrong. I needed her to be wearing one of Ashley's bows. Then another lady asked if she and her friend David were twins. What do you think? They both have blue eyes and are close to the same size, but he's 11 months old.
A few days ago, we went swimming with big & little kids. She loves swimming and was having fun but not when I snapped this picture. She likes to splash getting water all over herself and others. She also started kicking this time! Usually she just watches all the other kids. I guess she's learned from her bath time how much fun water can be.
These are a few friends she met in playgroup yesterday. It's so International here and she has friends from many different backgrounds. One of the boys in this picture is half Peruvian/Swiss, the other is Indian, ones not pictured were Singaporean/Chinese, Swiss/Italian/American, Singaporean/German...such a beautiful International bunch!
Kelsey loves standing up, even if she can't always do it on her own. I think she'll be walking along the couches in no time. She's still not crawling, but she's getting close to going for it!
She too likes to watch videos of other kids. Here she is learning how to crawl from her cousin, Sadie.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
My "Idol"
Anyone who has known me for a long time knows I love Mariah Carey. As a little girl, I would lay in bed at night memorizing the lyrics from the "Vision of Love" CD cover. So when American Idol this week was all Mariah songs with a performance from her to top the cake, I was in heaven. Tally was so annoyed with my singing along to every song by the end of the show! Anyway, it made me feel like a little girl again. It was my favorite "My Idol" night for sure. I'm not as into her more recent songs or even her image but for some reason I'm still mesmerized by her. I also listened to NFG (New Found Glory) and Dashboard Confessional on the way to and from Erin & Emily's on Thursday. It took me right back to high school. Ah the good 'ol days. It was a fun trip down memory lane.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Lucky Number 7
Kelsey is 7 months old today. Hooray for you little one! Some of the things she's been doing this month are:
Clapping while saying YAY (still needs work)
Trying to crawl...Wishing she could walk
Scooting backwards, sometimes almost all the way under the couch.
Becoming fascinated with her hands. When she started playing with her "crib bear" after her nap, I noticed they were matching so I had to take some pics.
Taking her bows off and chewing on them. No teeth yet!
Will chew/suck on the end of a loaf of bread for hours. She's SO European with her baguette. At the grocery store, you will see moms buy their children a baguette each and the children will eat it like candy as they walk out of the store. What a treat!
Has a fake cry for when she wants something and I don't comply. Look at those rolls!
She loves to "play" with other kids. More than that, she loves to watch them and take their toys or binkis.
Loving her toys (and everyone else's). When we went to my friend's house who has 4 boys and a huge basket of toys, she was content just to take everything out of the basket and suck on each toy.
Here are some shots of her loving her bath
The other day I opened the our door to go downstairs to do laundry. Our stroller is in the hallway and as soon as I opened the door she started flapping her arms and getting excited. That's when you know you've been in the house all day. Or your baby really likes going outdoors. We're lucky to be surrounded by so many beautiful sites when we walk along the lake.
Isn't she LOVELY? She's our little sweetheart
In case you just want a squeeze...here's a hug coming your way
Mom, here's the "I Love NY" onesie you got her
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Dinner Party, The Date, and The Snowman
In honor of The Office coming back on and Tal being done with the GMAT, we threw a "Dinner Party" on Friday night with fellow Office fans. It was a potluck so the food was great and we got to hang out with some of our friends. We don't often do things like this at our house since it's tiny, but it worked out okay. Everyone sat on the rug or on couches and I think enjoyed themselves. Here's the kids playing in Kelsey's room.
Oh, and I made my most favorite batch of Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (thanks Erin). I ate three for lunch yesterday. Not the best diet for a breast feeding mother, I know. I couldn't fight the craving...
On Saturday, we finally went on a date! I don't know why we tried Mexican food again in Europe but we did. It was the best I've had here (El Mejor, Rapperswil) but you would have asked for your money back in the states. I think we've finally come to terms with the fact that the best Mexican we can get here is in our own kitchen. The owner/cook/only English speaker's last name was LANG! She said, "your last name is Lang and you don't speak German?" I said in German "Ich spreche ein bisson Deutsch!" Anyway, it was nice to be able to leave Kelsey with a babysitter. I loved being out with my best friend. It was great to be able to talk and eat, undistracted by a baby. I guess she cried a lot but eventually fell asleep. Poor babe, but she's gotta learn! Here's Tally and our fajitas. They were not the sizzling kind but I loved the sauce they were in. 
Sunday we had GREAT, SUNNY weather and took a long walk with our friends the Bergs. They're expecting a little girl in August and I can't wait!
On Monday I had German lessons so we went up to Zurich. It was the Zurich holiday Sechselauten where they set fire to a snowman named Boogg. It was raining and we didn't want to stay in Zurich all day so we didn't get to see his head explode. We saw it last year and it would probably scare Kelsey too! We did get to see them setting up which meant we got to get up close and personal with Boogg.
We went and got a Nutella/banana crepe afterwards and it was SO good.
Here's Kelsey on the train ride home watching the little boy next to us. She kept wanting to go crawl or walk over to him. She forgets she's still a baby.
On Monday I had German lessons so we went up to Zurich. It was the Zurich holiday Sechselauten where they set fire to a snowman named Boogg. It was raining and we didn't want to stay in Zurich all day so we didn't get to see his head explode. We saw it last year and it would probably scare Kelsey too! We did get to see them setting up which meant we got to get up close and personal with Boogg.
We went and got a Nutella/banana crepe afterwards and it was SO good.
Here's Kelsey on the train ride home watching the little boy next to us. She kept wanting to go crawl or walk over to him. She forgets she's still a baby.
Oh, and I made my most favorite batch of Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (thanks Erin). I ate three for lunch yesterday. Not the best diet for a breast feeding mother, I know. I couldn't fight the craving...
Saturday, April 12, 2008
The "Swiss Riviera"
We took a drive down to Lausanne on Thursday so Tally could take the long awaited GMAT. Zurich doesn't offer the GMAT and Lausanne is the closest place that does. Kelsey and I explored the city while Tally took the test.
Lausanne is on Lake Geneva, but on the Northeast side of the Lake. This picture is actually more of Montreux as we were driving away from Lausanne but it's pretty similar. When I picture Lausanne, I remember the hillside vineyards overlooking Lake Leman or Lake Geneva (depends on where you are for what you call it. In Lausanne/Montreaux area it's Lac Leman). Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the vineyards.
The city is built on a slope so all the stores and shopping were on different levels. It was a workout pushing the stroller up those hills! It rained for the first couple hours and then cleared up for us. Kelsey and I went to toy stores and baby boutiques and saw the sites. We went to the city museum and the Lausanne Notre Dame Cathedral. This sweet lady was adoring Kelsey so I asked her to take a picture of us. She said, "Never have I seen such beauty." She kept saying she loved Kelsey's eyes. We talked about names and their meaning. She asked me what Kelsey's name meant and I realized I didn't know. I looked it up once and it said "successful" but I don't know if that's the real meaning or one made up to put on those baby naming sites.
After an anxious day of waiting for us and a day of mental exertion for him, Tally finished the test! He did great and is happy with his score. He thinks he could have done better, but that's the perfectionist within him. Pleased but never satisfied. We decided to unwind in Vevey with a walk along the lakeside and dinner at a Pizzaria.
Here's the dress that I couldn't resist. It was handmade and calling my name from this little French baby boutique. She wont be able to wear it until she's 18 - 24 months but sometimes you just have to plan ahead.
Lausanne is on Lake Geneva, but on the Northeast side of the Lake. This picture is actually more of Montreux as we were driving away from Lausanne but it's pretty similar. When I picture Lausanne, I remember the hillside vineyards overlooking Lake Leman or Lake Geneva (depends on where you are for what you call it. In Lausanne/Montreaux area it's Lac Leman). Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the vineyards.
The city is built on a slope so all the stores and shopping were on different levels. It was a workout pushing the stroller up those hills! It rained for the first couple hours and then cleared up for us. Kelsey and I went to toy stores and baby boutiques and saw the sites. We went to the city museum and the Lausanne Notre Dame Cathedral. This sweet lady was adoring Kelsey so I asked her to take a picture of us. She said, "Never have I seen such beauty." She kept saying she loved Kelsey's eyes. We talked about names and their meaning. She asked me what Kelsey's name meant and I realized I didn't know. I looked it up once and it said "successful" but I don't know if that's the real meaning or one made up to put on those baby naming sites.
After an anxious day of waiting for us and a day of mental exertion for him, Tally finished the test! He did great and is happy with his score. He thinks he could have done better, but that's the perfectionist within him. Pleased but never satisfied. We decided to unwind in Vevey with a walk along the lakeside and dinner at a Pizzaria.
Here's the dress that I couldn't resist. It was handmade and calling my name from this little French baby boutique. She wont be able to wear it until she's 18 - 24 months but sometimes you just have to plan ahead.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Moving On Without Me
I set Kelsey down in her crib sitting up as I was hurried about cleaning the house before Tally got home tonight. Soon after setting her down, she started crying so I went in to check on her. When I saw this, I ran and grabbed the closest camera could find!
She went from sitting to standing! It must not have been very graceful due to the red mark on her face and her cry that sent me in to check on her. One of many I'm sure she'll get while learning to move.
I'm so proud of myself!
In some ways my heart swells with joy that she is learning new things, daring to take the next step. I love watching her smile, proud of her new accomplishments. And usually that's all I feel. But today, with this step, I feel like she's starting to leave the baby phase to rush into the next step and I'm not ready yet. I took out the insert of the pack and play just now. If she were to try to stand up in there she would surely fall out of it. More baby things to pack away and sentimental feelings to figure out where to place. She doesn't like to sit with me or snuggle very long anymore. She always wants to be moving, constantly changing scenery. She's her own little person and I love that about her. No matter how old she gets she'll always be my baby.
She went from sitting to standing! It must not have been very graceful due to the red mark on her face and her cry that sent me in to check on her. One of many I'm sure she'll get while learning to move.
I'm so proud of myself!
In some ways my heart swells with joy that she is learning new things, daring to take the next step. I love watching her smile, proud of her new accomplishments. And usually that's all I feel. But today, with this step, I feel like she's starting to leave the baby phase to rush into the next step and I'm not ready yet. I took out the insert of the pack and play just now. If she were to try to stand up in there she would surely fall out of it. More baby things to pack away and sentimental feelings to figure out where to place. She doesn't like to sit with me or snuggle very long anymore. She always wants to be moving, constantly changing scenery. She's her own little person and I love that about her. No matter how old she gets she'll always be my baby.
Monday, April 07, 2008
A Trip to Zurich
One round-trip train ticket: $6
Missing my German lesson because I'm an airhead and I left at the house at the time my class starts: Frustrating, but not costly
Renewing my one year half fare card: $150
Seeing this couple at die Post and getting these photos: Priceless
You don't see this everyday in Switzerland! I felt as though I has stepped into a different time and place...like maybe shrunken and placed in some body's garden. Or stepped into Leprechaun Land. Or maybe it was Santa & Mrs. Claus disguised and on vacation. Although, she had a beard and a snaggle tooth.. Either way, Kelsey cried the instant she looked up and saw the man whose arms she was in. Poor girl! The entire post office must have been wondering what kind of mother I was. Kelsey, I hope you can laugh about this later!
Missing my German lesson because I'm an airhead and I left at the house at the time my class starts: Frustrating, but not costly
Renewing my one year half fare card: $150
Seeing this couple at die Post and getting these photos: Priceless
You don't see this everyday in Switzerland! I felt as though I has stepped into a different time and place...like maybe shrunken and placed in some body's garden. Or stepped into Leprechaun Land. Or maybe it was Santa & Mrs. Claus disguised and on vacation. Although, she had a beard and a snaggle tooth.. Either way, Kelsey cried the instant she looked up and saw the man whose arms she was in. Poor girl! The entire post office must have been wondering what kind of mother I was. Kelsey, I hope you can laugh about this later!
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Day To Day...a few happenings from this week
I usually store up a lot of the pictures and post them each month on her one month birthday, but I wanted to share some things she's been up to with you. You can tell these pics were taken with the point and shoot. I will post the photoshoots from this month on my photography blog I'm working on. If anyone has a good suggestion for a photography company name that hasn't been taken, I'm welcoming ideas. The possibilities here are endless for backdrops and there is a huge xpat community. There are not many English speaking children photographers here, so I think this would be a great place to get started. It's been a passion of mine all my life and I'm just now taking the steps (baby steps) towards doing something about it. I'll let you know the web address once I have it.
I left her on the couch with the laptop for two seconds...she must have thrown herself towards it to get this close. It was cute when I caught her on it. She just looked at me like, "what, I'm working here."
Can you see the jagged edges on this plant? That is from her EATING it when I'm not looking!
A Coke addict at such a young age...just joking. She likes to play with bottles lately and apparently sleep with them too.
This is the new face she started making. It makes me laugh everytime. Probably not the response she'd like, but how can you not?
I left her on the couch with the laptop for two seconds...she must have thrown herself towards it to get this close. It was cute when I caught her on it. She just looked at me like, "what, I'm working here."
Can you see the jagged edges on this plant? That is from her EATING it when I'm not looking!
A Coke addict at such a young age...just joking. She likes to play with bottles lately and apparently sleep with them too.
This is the new face she started making. It makes me laugh everytime. Probably not the response she'd like, but how can you not?
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Pray For Gracie
This little baby has touched my life now for a few months and she's only a little over a week old. Her name is Gracie and she was born with half a heart (HLHS). Right now, as I write this, the doctors are turning down the machine that's keeping her alive. If her heart beats on its own, she still has a very tough road ahead, but it means she's alive. If it does not, she will pass away. I can't help but hope that she'll keep fighting, that she will live to know the wonderful family she was born into and experience the joys of childhood. But her life is not in my hands, or even in the doctors' hands - it's in the Lord's. Please pray for Gracie and her family at this very difficult time. May we all be grateful for life and the opportunity of eternal families. Click here to see her journey.
UPDATE April 3: I woke up in the middle of the night and thought - I have to go see about Gracie. I decided to wait until morning, now, and I was so glad to see Gracie is still with us, at least for 2 more days. The doctors took her off the machine and she lasted 50 minutes on her own, and that was progress so they put her back on the machine. Now they wont try to take her off again until Friday. Keep praying...
UPDATE April 4: The doctors just started turning the machine down. Only time will tell now how she will do and I don't want to go to bed tonight. My heart aches for their family...they just said good bye to Gracie and the doctors went in to turn the machine off and take out the tubes. It's now 11:30pm and everyone at my house is asleep, but I can't sleep. I can't stop thinking about her and praying for her and bawling. Be strong Gracie!
UPDATE April 5: SHE'S OFF THE MACHINE AND STILL FIGHTING! Her stats are looking good for now, keep up the love and prayers...there is still a long, critical road ahead. I couldn't be happier as I woke up and hesitantly looked on their blog this morning! Yay for Gracie! Keep fighting sweet girl!
UPDATE April 6-7: Little miracle baby Gracie continues to improve and they are weaning her off of her medications. She is re-writing the medical books! We couldn't be happier about this news. I was really bracing myself for bad news this week and have felt to thank God each piece of good news we hear. I feel my faith in God has been strengthened. It shows He is still performing miracles today as he did in the Bible and Book of Mormon. I hope Kelsey, Gracie & Sadie (my cousin's baby, Gracie's cousin) will be playing together in the future. I love her already even if I haven't met her. I will stop updating here, so please see the family blog for updates.
UPDATE April 3: I woke up in the middle of the night and thought - I have to go see about Gracie. I decided to wait until morning, now, and I was so glad to see Gracie is still with us, at least for 2 more days. The doctors took her off the machine and she lasted 50 minutes on her own, and that was progress so they put her back on the machine. Now they wont try to take her off again until Friday. Keep praying...
UPDATE April 4: The doctors just started turning the machine down. Only time will tell now how she will do and I don't want to go to bed tonight. My heart aches for their family...they just said good bye to Gracie and the doctors went in to turn the machine off and take out the tubes. It's now 11:30pm and everyone at my house is asleep, but I can't sleep. I can't stop thinking about her and praying for her and bawling. Be strong Gracie!
UPDATE April 5: SHE'S OFF THE MACHINE AND STILL FIGHTING! Her stats are looking good for now, keep up the love and prayers...there is still a long, critical road ahead. I couldn't be happier as I woke up and hesitantly looked on their blog this morning! Yay for Gracie! Keep fighting sweet girl!
UPDATE April 6-7: Little miracle baby Gracie continues to improve and they are weaning her off of her medications. She is re-writing the medical books! We couldn't be happier about this news. I was really bracing myself for bad news this week and have felt to thank God each piece of good news we hear. I feel my faith in God has been strengthened. It shows He is still performing miracles today as he did in the Bible and Book of Mormon. I hope Kelsey, Gracie & Sadie (my cousin's baby, Gracie's cousin) will be playing together in the future. I love her already even if I haven't met her. I will stop updating here, so please see the family blog for updates.
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