Stats

Van had a big day for his 3 month birthday.

We went to town bright and early for an 8am consulate appointment for Van's certificate of birth abroad and passport (even though we have a 6am human alarm system now, it was still an early start to the day!). Then, on our way home, we stopped at the pediatrician's for Van's second round of immunizations and his "U4" wellness check-up. And lastly, home to pick-up Grandpa and Grandma Miae for our afternoon outing to Herrenchiemsee Palace. Whew. Van is such. a. trooper.

Here are his stats from the check-up:
Weight: 5,880 grams (12.963 lbs)
Height: 61 cm (24 inches)

He's a growing, happy baby.

Van is 3 months old!

At Herrenchiemsee Palace, on my birthday
Right Now, Van is:

watching... the sun and clouds from his stroller's bassinet

smelling... spring blooms mixed with farming manure, in our country town of Sauerlach

reading... Guess How Much I Love You, Black & White, and Peekaboo Park

enjoying... being held facing out, diaper changes, being swaddled, putting his fists in his mouth, and leg kicks

wishing... he could get rid of the blasted tummy pains

knowing... that he's loved

wondering... when he's going to have more hand coordination (He's started to grasp and will stare at his hand when he does get a hold of something. I think he's wondering how it happened and how to do it again) and for solid foods (he stares at our food as we're eating, particularly yogurt!)

hearing... mozart in the gymini, and off the ipod: coldplay, the killers, kings of leon and the fray

drinking...breast milk

visiting... castles with grandpa and grandma miae

looking... at daddy (he will stare at tim for long periods of time) and our mouths when we talk to him

loving... waking up in the morning and being un-swaddled (he laughs and gives us the biggest gummy smiles in the morning!)

making... lots of squeels, a hint of a laugh, and he's started to 'talk'

Happy birthday, love. Can't wait to see what you do and how you change over the next month!

The Rhein

Van took his first road trip over Easter weekend, to the Rhein river. We saw castles, cute old towns, took a boat ride and drank white wine.

In Bacharach
Wine on the boat

Cant remember the name of this thing...
Castle ruins in Sankt Goar

Touring and sleeping. Touring and sleeping. Van has a rough life.
Van was really great in the car, being the curious sort and looking out the window a lot. Otherwise sleeping. Plus, he always had mommy or daddy in the back to help entertain.

And, he's a master of good timing. He had an explosive poo right outside a McDonalds, with a spacious, clean changing room and place to dispose of the toxic waste. Yay.

But back to our visit - we had a blast and are looking forward to squeezing in another trip before moving home.

Vans first wheelie!
And a special treat... a video! This makes me laugh every time I watch it. Enjoy. (try to ignore my sing-songy voice)

My boys...

Meeting daddy for lunch at Campeon. Happy days.

My First Fest

During Mindy and Katy's visit to Munich last week, we skipped on over to Augsburg for their Fruhlingsfest (spring festival). Van got his first look at a beer tent and an oom-pa-pa band (loud, loud, loud - mama was worried about your ears).

Despite the fact that Munich is smoke-free in public places and Oktoberfest will be smoke-free next year, the fest tent (fyi- Augsburg is also in Bayern) allowed smoking. Another thing mama fretted over. We hung out in a corner, with no smokers in the near vicinity.

We had a great time though! Kasespatzle, roast chicken, mass beers, and an oom-pa-pa band that liked to play American music. Fun times. Thanks for visiting us M&K.

Spring has arrived

Yay, for sunny days and meeting daddy for lunch at his office!

And yay, for our fit, outdoorsy, sporty daddy that likes to ride his bike to work. We can't wait to stick a trailer on the back of our bikes and tote you around little man. ...Soon enough. Soon enough.