When in Rough Waters....

It has been a beautiful past two days and André has been off work so we have been outside a lot to enjoy it. Yesterday we took a walk around the block and took Ian to the local park for a ride on the see-saw. Today we did some “Wal-mart” equivalent of shopping, some more walking around the block, and dinner at the In-Laws. I love spending time together as a family.

I would like to devote the rest of this post to my Grandfather, “Crumps” as I call him, just so you know who I am talking about. Today is the day of his heart bypass surgery. I never thought I would be saying that but it is time for me to face the reality that my grandparents and close family are not immortal or superheroes. I just went along in life thinking I wouldn’t have to worry about those kinds of things, but here I am. Thinking about it makes me want to breakdown and cry but I know that this is something that is pretty routine these days and helps people to live TONS more years. I also have to remember that God is there to look after all of us, so I have been doing a lot of praying. I know he is looking after him. I thought I would share this verse that helps me to be a little more content:

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Isaiah 43:1-3).

I think this is a verse that we all should think about when we find ourselves in a situation such as my grandfathers or are just getting down about something. Right now, all I know is he is out of surgery so I am sure he will be okay. He has already made it over the bump and now it is time to recover. May your recovery be speedy. I love you Crumps!!!!!

Poem about Grandpa:

Grandfathers are fathers who are grand,
Restoring the sense that our most precious things
Are those that do not change much over time.
No love of childhood is more sublime,
Demanding little, giving on demand,
Far more inclined than most to grant the wings
Allowing us to reach enchanted lands.
Though grandfathers must serve as second fathers,
Helping out with young and restless hearts,
Each has all the patience wisdom brings,
Remembering our passions more than others,
Soothing us with old and well-honed arts.
"Author Unknown "

Crumps, Ian, and I- Summer '07

Love that smile- Summer '07

As my Crumps says, "Give yourself a Hug."

Can we say Rest?

I love sunny Sundays, when you just get out there and enjoy the warm weather. I finally didn’t have to wear a jacket! Andre, Ian, and I went out to Zürich yesterday to have a walk, sit outside to have lunch, and take Ian back to the park that we visited last weekend. I enjoyed myself a yummy sandwich while sitting on a bench but a group of punks, as I have been told that hang out in that area, were there and I couldn’t believe what I saw. One of their friends had a seizure while on the bench so they where holding him down till it was over then just left him on the bench and went about hanging out again like nothing had happened. It was so hard for me to ignore it but if I didn’t I would have been hurt. They are just killing themselves with the drugs, drinking, and smoking and I guess I will never understand it. It all is just so sad but I guess that is just part of a big city and you are always going to see people that have major problems and don’t care.

Anways, Ian is at Andy’s parents today and most of tomorrow so I can get a little break and get some school done. I miss him but it is nice to have some alone time. André and I are going to go out to Zürich tonight to eat dinner and walk around the lake. It shall be nice!! I miss the one on one time :) I will have a lot less mess around the house too..woot woot..I usually have to clean up after things like this..

Cleaning out the Sock Drawer:

He just loves to explore and drawers are one of his favorite things since he can dig. Less mess = more time for me. It is time for me to get back to school. That’s the one thing I can never give someone else to “look after” for me. :-P

Since I have no funny POTD here is Cute POTD: Ian going through a magazine

Ian the Heater

What a crazy after Hump Day week. I went off to make the sweet potato fries and they were pretty easy to make. The olive oil part is a little messy but once you add that cinnamon and dab of brown sugar the smell makes it all worth it.

"Is that fries?"

"Are you taking my picture again?"

THE Sweet Potato Fries

I loved the fries but guess who didn’t? That is right, Ian! Poor Mommy, he took one taste and made his, “Oh My, this taste is sooo…EWW!!” What happened to the little boy that used to devour sweet potatoes? How can someone of my blood not love them as much as Mommy? It just is so wrong!! I placed the rest of the batch in the freezer, so pop on over to our casa if you want to eat them up.

Now that I am over the Sweet Potato crisis another has arisen this week. Ian has come down with his first fever. His fever topped 103.6 last night. My poor baby was becoming a personal heater. The weird thing about it all is he isn’t showing any other symptoms. He was playing okay, and laughing. The only thing I noticed different was rejecting food. I have tried to get him all his favorite things but it is a no go. Every now and then I will get puffs or crackers down him :(The good thing is his fever goes down pretty good during the day but sadly it is back up at night. At least he isn’t miserable all day long. Lets keep our fingers crossed that his fever stays as low as it has been today because it is such beautiful weather outside and I would love for him to be able to enjoy it! Enjoy your weekend!

Funny POTD: Cracker eating and lounging at its Best

Eating the cracker

"It is too much work to sit up and eat."

"This is the life." (sorry for the blur)

Festivities

There is nothing much out of the ordinary happening around here lately. Ian is busy being busy. His busy consists of digging through anything (Mommy hoping it is toys), eating, drinking, peeing, pooping, playing, and getting into trouble. Now isn’t that the life? Oh how I wish I was still that young. Anyway, for his lunch today I am going to attempt to make sweet potato fries, a good finger food that was recommend on wholesomebabyfood.com. I hope this works because he needs to eat more things that are good for him because I have a very picky eater on my hands. He would live off chicken, rice, crackers, and puffs if I let him but I am trying to be a good mommy.

On to other things, Mike’s birthday dinner went well. We had a decorated table, decorating consisting of a few balloons and some streamers. I ate some awesome Roo..yum yum. The men at the table all ate as many wings as they could stuff in their stomachs. I think they could have stuffed more but wing refills were slow due to a lot of people and having only two deep fryers. André won at 15 wings. That’s my husband, the wing champ!! Anymore wings and he might have just become a chicken. After the festivities I was able to have a McFlurry. I can not remember the last time I had one of those but it was so delicious. Thank goodness for a night out away from being a Mom..I needed it for sanity..haha. Here are the photos from Monday night:

All of us

Surprise Birthday brownie

Am I the only sane one?

André and I

Mike sporting his new bag

Funny POTD:

Mike and his birthday balloons

All Smiles

What a beautiful weekend we had here. It wasn’t too cold and the sun was out! We went out to Zürich to enjoy it. First off, we popped into the local McD’s and had some deliciousness then had a long walk to search out the park I was told about. We found it pretty easily and I was surprised at how nice it was. It had a sand pit, a decent play gym, regular swings, infant swings, and ride on bouncy things. Ian really enjoyed his first real swing experience. I just love to see his face light up. Just look at it..

Even Daddy is all smiles when he is on the Swings.

To be nice, there is me..

We are going to try to visit that park often but it is a little out of the way but worth it for Ian to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Last night Ian and I had our movie night in. I think he loves popcorn just as much as his Mom. He would eat some then feed me, so it is good that he likes to share. I was just surprised at how well he eats the popcorn but I guess he should do just fine with having about 16 teeth now (I am almost losing count). Now only if he would eat his veggies like he throws in his popcorn. André popped in at about 1AM and he nicely took a shower before he hopped into bed so I wouldn’t have to breathe in the “glorious” scent of cigarettes and alcohol but it was too soaked into his body for one shower to wash off. I hope he smells better today, haha.

I am back at another grueling week of Visual Basic. I get to create games, woot woot…
At least I get to enjoy the evening out for a good meal since it is Mike’s birthday. We are going to the Aussie restaurant since it is all you can eat wings night. The Steiger men and their wings, you don’t want to get in the way of that. Seriously, you might get mistaken for a wing. I can’t wait to eat my Roo (sorry cute creatures, I don’t know why you had to be created to taste so delicious). Enjoy your Monday!

We Have Standing!

Friday, YES!!! This weekend is one that I have been waiting for since Monday. It is not because something super exciting is coming only because my hectic school week is over. I haven’t been this frustrated in awhile. Things are getting super tough in class and tears have been flowing in the masses! I need your prayers for the last few weeks in this class. I need to make it through!!

I do have some good news in the world of Ian. Wednesday he stood on his own for about 10 seconds. He was doing his usual, of grabbing for the baby monitor off the table and I look over and he is standing and holding it in both hands. Now all he needs to do is keep it up! I haven’t seen him trying anymore tricks lately (unless stealing mommy’s goldfish crackers counts).

This week one of my American mommy friends(Jenn) sent Ian and I a package of good ole’ U.S goodies. She sent Ian a super cute Winne the Pooh outfit, Winne cups, two books, and his favorite..Puffs!! I was sent Gushers and Goldfish Crackers. Those foods won’t last too long because of Ian the Hungry! I can almost see the bottom of the Goldfish bag already.

"Reading?"

"Yes, I am"

"How do I open these Puffs?"

"I love my cups."

This weekend we will hopefully get out to Zürich tomorrow for some fun in the sun, well lets hope there is sun! I will be searching out a park with some baby fun playthings. Wish me luck! Sunday evening Andy will be going out to a concert to celebrate Mike’s birthday so it will be a fun night in for Ian and I. Hmm.. movie and popcorn for us? Have a great weekend everyone.

Funny Picture(s) of the day:

"How do I do this."

"Oh Yah!"

Burning Snowman

April showers go away! Yup, Sunday was just a fluke because yesterday and today are chilly again. I am sitting inside and constantly feeling cold!! Could the hairs on my legs stick up any higher? Yesterday the Swiss had their groundhog type day. They call it Sechseläuten which is the burning of the Böögg. They burn a cotton snowman to determine how summer will be. So if it burns fast summer will come soon, also it will be long and hot. This year it took a long time so it is expected to have a cold summer. We’ll see how true that is!! Here are some pictures of it burning..

Ian is doing well today. He still is in his book loving phase. I had to take some pictures just incase you all did not believe me. He even is into my IT book. Too bad he can’t read yet, otherwise I would have a wiz kid on my hands.

He has some crazy hair going on today as you can see. I just love it though. I am not ready to cut it anytime soon!

Here is today’s funny picture..

Watching Bob the Builder