Monday, August 18, 2008

making some progress

Well, we've been in Germany for about 10 days now and we are beginning to find our way around. Charlotte and I go to one spielplatz (playground) or another each day and usually take a walk to our local grocery store (Toom) as well. The German playgrounds are really different. Check out this swing-


Charlotte really likes it. The middle part is made of little rubber pieces linked together- so it's like a giant basket. We have to get some video of Rob and Charlotte on this crazy zip line near the hotel as well. Children's safety is clearly not as much of a concern here. ;)



Here is Rob showing off the BMW that we bought on Friday. Hurrah we have a car!! It is a '92 525i with European specs and very low mileage. We are enjoying exploring and getting out to church on our own and stuff like that. Oh, and Rob drove 100 mph on the autobahn yesterday- just to say he had.

We've also made some progress house hunting. We found a 4 bedroom, 2 bath house that we really like in Darmstadt. It would be a short commute for Rob and is near the Odenwald- a really cool national forest area with trails and such. There are some gorgeous views out the windows and a very large modern kitchen. It even has some crazy features like programmable rolladen (all the German houses have these metal or wooden shades on the windows that can be rolled down to block out all of the light,) closets (super rare in German homes,) a heated kitchen floor, woodstove, garden terrace... anyway, you get the idea. :D Hopefully all will go well and we will be able to sign a lease and move in September. Everything takes time.

Finally, I have made progress getting ready for baby boy to be born. :) I am going to see the doctor either this Wednesday or next Wednesday (there was some confusion while scheduling the appointment over the phone- so I'm just going to show up this Weds. in case.) This practice has been recommended to me by several American women. And I plan to deliver at Marienhospital in Darmstadt... less than a mile from the house that we will hopefully be living in. I should be able to schedule a tour of their facilities at my doctor's visit. From what I understand, having a baby here is quite different, but should be a good experience. I'm more nervous about being moved in and hopefully having our furniture arrive before the baby does than I am about actually having the baby. :)

6 comments:

Kat said...

Bob is loving the car. And I so want one of those swings!

chrisnallynkids said...

What an adventure!!! A new country, a new place to live, a new baby, a new car, and a toddler. I can't say I envy you, but I'm glad it looks like you are doing well and having fun!

Patrish said...

Tell Rob he better slow down! It'll be a drag to come back to USA and go only 65 mph...lol!

Brandy Van Tassell said...

All I can say is HOW FUN!! I cant wait to hear about your birthing experience:) I love the playground toy, it does look fun. Good luck with getting your home.

felicity & nathaniel said...

William LOVED that exact same swing. Nathaniel definitely misses the autobahn. I can't remember... his record was somewhere like 118mph? You shoudl get in touch with my friend Mandy! She gave birth in a birthing chair. I'd never even heard of it before. Good luck with the new house! xoxo btw: at Toom they sell these candies: happy hippos. You should try them. they're delicious :)

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy for you Julie!! Good luck and much happiness in everything that comes your way. Please drop me a line. I'd love to catch up with you.

Love
Stephanie