Bogged down with sniffles and earaches

As predicted we all have come down with the sniffles, cough, and other cold symptoms. Nicholas began with a runny nose and whenever he needed his nose wiped he would say ''Mommy, my nose is bleeding!'' I don't even ever remember him having a bloody nose so I have no idea where he got that from. A few days later he refused to sleep and began complaining that his ear was hurting. He insisted on a band aid for his ''big ouwie'' that he put on himself. I am uncertain how he managed to put the band aid on the correct way himself with very little light, but as you can see he did it! The remainder of the night proved to be tough as his ''big ouwie'' AKA earache worsened. He was up all night complaining that ''it hurts in there'' (pointing in his ear). By early dawn he got himself so worked up that he sprung a fever and vomited. The next day he barely ate and spent some ''quality'' time with Mommy (as anyone knows, Nicholas is not the snuggler out of the two, so the only time I get to snuggle with him is when he is sick).

The following night Noah decided to jump on the sick train and began complaining that his belly hurt. We had to get up about 5 times to use the bathroom because he needed to poop. However, nothing came out! So after about 4 hours of that I said no more bathroom breaks! He tossed and turned for the remainder of the night and awoke me at the break of dawn with vomit. Today, he complains that his right ear is hurting. He is no where near as ill as Nicholas so he still has the energy to play, run, and aggravate Nicholas. On this very rare occasion that both boys were not feeling too hot I managed to get a few pictures of all the kids together. Of course there was no way the 4 of them would sit still long enough to get a good picture, but the pictures can be pieced together to showcase them all. Noah and Jasmin sitting together watching TV. Justin is to the right of Noah and I was trying to get him to get in the picture too. The tough part was getting my poor sick Nicholas to cooperate for the photo shoot. He just plainly refused! So instead I tried to get a good picture of the Noah and his two cousins. After a few ''please Nicholas, please'' he made his way over to the kids but did not willingly want to be photographed. The awesome thing about Germany is that when one is sick they can go to the Apotheke, tell them whats wrong, and they will recommend a homeopathic remedy to try before seeking medical attention! I went today and told the lady that the kids were sick with earaches, fevers, and sniffles, and she went in the back and got me some medicine that is made out of natural substances such as Chamomile, Echinacea, etc. She also suggested I bathe them in this Eucalyptus oil bath remedy that helps open up their airways and helps them breathe easier. Both remedies and a bag of kids cough drops and we were on our way out the door. I immediately felt better knowing that I had something else besides Tylenol to offer the boys for their pain. We will see what the next couple of days are like and hopefully they will be on the mend. For now I will continue to enjoy my snuggle time with Nicholas and choo choo playtime with Noah.

Driving, running, brotherly love, and Oma kisses

We continue to start our days, just like in the states, outdoors with a walk. The boys are far too restless around all this farm land to sit in the stroller and just watch the scenery go by. They want to get their feet dirty per se and explore their surroundings. On this particular day we went and visited the horses that my sister-in-law had already led out to the pasture.



The boys have gotten over their fear of the horses, however, I have not. I fear that they get too close and either get bitten, trampled, or kicked. I have been very cautious and always remind them to only go near the horses when my sister-in-law aids them.
Previously, I mentioned the kitten Nicholas had attracted and had followed us home. Yes, the kitten is still around and now she has brought another kitten friend with her. My brother is not exactly enchanted with the idea of two kittens, however, fair is fair and if Nicholas gets a kitten then so does Noah ;-) The kittens are like dogs that follow us around when we take walks. They even sometimes jump in the stroller and ride along. I have never known any cat to wander so far away from their territory!

Up to now our days have been filled with lots of outdoor bike riding and running around.

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On Thursday, October 22, we went and visited my Oma. Not only was I super excited to go and see her, but I was equally excited because I would for the first time drive a long stretch in Germany. I have driven only around the block before, but never any further. So I anticipated hitting the autobahn and taking off. I was not, however, anticipating driving through what seemed like a millions small farming towns. I had just assumed that there would be a highway of some sort to take me to grandma´s house. Ha! In the hour that it took me to drive there I never hit the autobahn. I drove through towns and villages, through forests, and plenty of farmland! Thank goodness for the GPS or I would have never found my way to civilization!

I cannot begin to write how joyful I was to embrace my Oma when we arrived. My Oma was born in 1929 and has lived through so much. She was widowed at the early age of 30 with 3 children. She has experienced Germany at its worst, through the DDR times, through the war, through Hitler, through the Berlin wall; however, she would tell you that she has always made the best of what she had and has lived a happy life! What an amazing and inspiring woman. We enjoyed lunch together as the 4 of us and then the boys took a nap in her bed. Their naptime gave me and my Oma the time to sit, drink coffee, enjoy the cake she made, talk and catch up. We laughed, shed some tears, but all the while cherished the moment of being together and enjoying one anothers company. During my adolescence I spent a great deal of time with my Oma when I flew to visit her from the states. Those visits created a bond between us that has held strong throughout the years. She is the true essence of why I want to move back to Germany.

After naptime we took the kids down to the river and they stood in awe as a German steam ship passed by. The afternoon zipped by too fast and we all were sad to leave. The boys wanted her to get in the car with us and were not happy to leave her behind. Noah made sure to give her one of his wet sweet kisses before we left. Such a sweet boy!

She had given the boys scarves that she knitted and the next day the boys refused to take them off. They kept saying, ''Oma made that for me'' (proudly pointing at their scarves around their necks).

As our day here is coming to a close, I leave you with the following:
A grandma is warm hugs and sweet memories. She remembers all of your accomplishments and forgets all of your mistakes. She is someone you can tell your secrets and worries to, and she hopes and prays that all your dreams come true. She always loves you, no matter what. She can see past temper tantrums and bad moods, and makes it clear that they don't affect how precious you are to her. She is an encouraging word and a tender touch. She is full of proud smiles. She is the one person in the world who loves you with all her heart, who remembers the child you were and cherishes the person you've become. ~Barbara Cage~

Autumn Sunshine

We woke up this morning to glorious sunshine! The weather here has been extremely cold, 32 degrees, compared to the 75 degree weather we continued to enjoy in California. As I rolled up the shutters this morning the boy exclaimed with excitement, "Look no more dark outside!" They both were pointing to the window and were eager to get dressed and go outside.

Once outside we noticed that the little kitten that followed us home yesterday was still in the yard. It was patiently awaiting for the boys´ return. And wouldn't you know it the kitten followed us on our walk again today! I think the boys have found a new playmate.

My brother lives in a very small town called a dorf in German. There are no stores, no gas station, nothing really besides friendly people, houses, animals, and rolling hills of farming land.

The air is clean, the streets are quiet, and on such a glorious morning we decided to trek along the tractor trails and take in some of the amazing views.

The boys think the best things on our walks are the tractors and the horses we encounter. My brother has 3 horses and the boys wont stop talking about them. The first full day we were here the boys went outside and were playing around when Nicholas got a bit nosy and looked into one of the stalls. He had never encountered a real horse so up close and personal so he came back screaming and crying saying, "There´s a horsey in there!!" He was trembling with fright. Noah on the other hand let me lead him over to the stalls and we counted that there are actually 3 horses total! Later that afternoon, after Nicholas continually asked me if the horsey was gonna get him and me reassuring him that no it wouldn't, we all went outside to get to know them a bit better. My brothers wife, Marlen, assisted the boys in the right way to pet the horse and they even fed them carrots and apples. It was joyful from there on forward! Now the boys cant wait to see the horses every morning. I wonder if they would ever be brave enough to ride one?!

I am still trying to get the boys to play nicely with their cousins, who are also twins. My brother and his wife had a set of twins that were born 2 months after mine! They have a boy and girl. They are slowly warming up to one another, but it will still be a while before they are buddies.

I am determined to get a pic of the four of them!!

So, for now here is another couple pictures of the boys......

Hallo Deutschland

We finally made it after a very long time! On Wednesday, 14th October, we barely made it to the airport! We were supposed to be there 2 hours before our flight and we barely made it an hour before! After a hectic and very stressful time through the check in process and airport security we made it to the gate at last call. *phew*

Our first flight entailed us enduring a 10 hour flight. The boys did amazingly well. They knew what to expect when flying, we sat in our own row, and that decreased my anxiety greatly!

After about 4 hours they stripped off their clothes and went to sleep. The other passengers were looking over at them, wondering why they were just laying there with their underwear and a blanket, but thats just the way the like to sleep.

6 hours later we landed in Amsterdam. The boys were thinking we flew to their grandma's house, but at the same time wondering why on earth it too so long! I had to re-explain that we were flying to Germany and not Washington.

Amsterdam airport features a play area for children that are stuck waiting during their layover. The boys enjoyed stretching their legs and being able to climb around. However, we were all a bit anxious as to when we were going to reach our destination. It was at that time that I attempted to jump online with my laptop, just to discover that Nicholas had accidentallz spilled his orange juice in it. Needless to say it does not work. I am hoping that at some time it will dry out and let me get on long enough to retrieve my files and photos.

Berlin, Germany couldnt have come fast enough. It was a short 1.5 hour flight from Amsterdam to Berlin and we slept the whole way. I think at that time jet lag had set it.

It was a great pleasure to view the boys meet their twin cousins. They both stood and just stared at one another for a while. Once we got to my brothers, the kids got aquianted and off they went to play.

Its our second day here and praise the lord the boys are sleeping in their own beds! Germany might be ideal for them!!

Naptime

Naptime, Oh how I love those little slices of heaven....

I know of not any mother who does not relish in naptime of their lovely children. It is the time where mothers are able to sit back, relax, and do absolutely nothing if they so desire. Although, I cherish the moments the boys are awake, I would be a fool and a liar to report that I wish naps would go to the wayside.

"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap." ~ Barbara Jordan

Starting a new adventure

I am starting this blog to document my adventure with the boys in Germany and to document the joys that my boys bring in general.

Noah, Nick, and I are 4 days away from taking our holiday adventure to Germany. We will be visiting family and staying for 3 months. Every morning we wake up one of the boys will ask me if it is time to "go on an airplane and fly far far away..." (while stretching their little arms out). I just smile and say, "almost!" The boys are just as excited as I am. They think we are flying back to WA to go and see my mom (their Omi), because we have flown back to WA quite a few times now. The boys are used to flying and even know that at the security check points they need to take off their shoes and walk through the metal detector alone.

We are almost completely packed. A few more stops at a couple stores and all the gifts will be bought. Tuesday we are driving to San Francisco as that is where we are flying out of.

I will try to update this blog often so that family and friends can share in the joys of my boys and our adventures. If interested, you can simply subscribe to this blog in order to follow my updates.