A Look Back at 2011

Wow, what a year 2011 has been! Craig and I, like everyone else, experienced our ups and downs. Between having to look for a new apartment (because ours was being sold), my dream trip to Egypt almost being cancelled because of the riots, and Master's classes (mine at 2 a.m.) it felt at times like we were just trying to stay afloat. But, looking back now, all of these things turned into blessings. We ended up needing a new apartment to make room for baby, Egypt was the perfect holiday because there were hardly any tourists, and by waking up at 2 a.m. I feel a bit more confident about waking up in the night when baby comes. Praise to God for His good graces and always knowing what we need.

Here's a look back at our year.

We started the year off feeling refreshed after a wonderful trip to the USA. There is nothing like good food and time with family and friends to warm the heart.

(Picture: Christmas Day 2010 in Philadelphia's airport. We were on our way to Nashville, TN).

In February we took a weekend trip to Paris.

In April we took a dream vacation to Egypt. We traveled around Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada, Dahab, and hiked to the top of Mt. Sinai to watch the sunrise.

After our trip to Egypt, Craig ran his second marathon in Dresden, Germany.

In May we found out we were going to be parents!

In June we attended a castle ball hosted by the family of one of my students (who lives in the castle).

After months of searching, we found a new apartment (that exceeded our expectations). We moved in June. It was a crazy experience because we decided to move ourselves. Keep in mind that we do not own a vehicle of any sorts.

Even though Craig had to work and I had Master's classes (plus some awful morning sickness) we spent a very cold July relaxing with our dogs.

In August my Uncle Kenneth came for a visit. We toured around the cities near Leipzig and I tried to show him the beauty of Germany.

Also in August, I started back to school as a fifth grade teacher.

In October we traveled to Cologne, Germany where Craig ran a half-marathon with some of our friends and colleagues.

In October we took a much needed trip to the USA. We had a wonderful time with our families. We were extremely spoiled with two baby showers! Norah Grace (as well as her parents) are very loved.

In November we celebrated Thanksgiving with other Americans.

In December Craig and I spent our last Christmas as a family of two. We love Christmas, but the entire day we just talked about how cool next Christmas will be with baby girl. We received some very sweet cards and some pretty cool packages this year! Thanks to my parents, Craig's parents, my Aunt Pam, and my brother (who lives in South Korea).

In December I also finished my Master's Degree -- just in time for baby girl to arrive!

I did quite a bit of growing this year! This is like a backwards Jenny Craig commercial.

Amy at the start of pregnancy.

Amy at 19 weeks.

Amy at 35 weeks.

We were certainly blessed in 2011 and are excited to see what 2012 will bring.

Frohe Weihnachten

Craig and I attempted to take family Christmas pictures. Next year is going to be super fun when we add a baby to this mix of crazy.

I love Bella in this picture.

34 weeks pregnant.

Oh goodness!

We are anxiously waiting for our gift from God to arrive in February.

Tis the Season

This is a random post filled with pictures in honor of the Christmas Season.

A massive Advent Calendar in Leipzig.

Christmas Market in Leipzig.

Bratwursts for sale at the Christmas Market.

One of the many stands at the Christmas Market.

Why not take a Ferris Wheel ride?

Yummy sweets.

Kardstadt (a big department store) looking beautiful for Christmas.

Bella says "Merry Christmas!"

Amy at 33 weeks pregnant.

I couldn't find stockings; so I made my own out of place mats.

Craig's stocking is filled with lots of goodies.

32 Weeks and a Hospital Stay

Last Tuesday Craig and I were making our normal 0.5 mile walk home from school. I had decided to bring home some stuff from my classroom since I would not be teaching after the Holiday. When we had almost reached home I started to have really bad pains in my back. I passed on my backpack to Craig who was not too happy to find out how heavy my pack was.

When we got home, the pain kept coming. However, it would come in waves. The pain then started to wrap around to my front. We decided to head to the doctor. Unfortunately, the doctor was out sick and the mid-wife had left for the evening. The receptionist suggested we head to the University Hospital (where I will have the baby). So, we didn't go back to our apartment but instead hopped the bus to the hospital. At this point I only had my Mutterpass and insurance card with me because I thought we were making a quick trip to the doctor. I didn't even have my cell phone!

From the point where the bus dropped us off, we still had a good 10 minute walk to the Women's Clinic. I was not too thrilled about walking into the labor and delivery ward, so we went to another part of the clinic that seemed to be more for walk-in paitients. We rang the bell, the doors opened, but then an alarm started going off! So, we high-tailed it out of there and headed for the labor and delivery ward.

I thought the mid-wives would politely tell Craig and I we were overreacting and send us on our way. This, however, was not the case. They ushered me into a labor and delivery room and hooked me up to the monitor. This showed that I was having mild contractions. After the monitor, an exam, my blood being taken, receiving an IV, and then passing out; the doctor checked me into the hospital for an overnight stay.

Everything up until this point had felt like a whirlwind. Baby is not due until February, so I couldn't get my head around the fact that I was sitting in an antepartum room.

My sweet husband went home and made me dinner and got me some clothes to sleep in (they didn't give me a hospital gown).

After a restless night's sleep, I was woken up at 6:30 a.m. for another go with the monitor. Luckily, everything with me and baby was fine. A round of doctors then came in to discuss my situation. I asked when I would be going home and they said the next day! I was not too happy about that.

I spent the day playing games on the computer and trying to get Craig's Kindle to pick up 3G so that I could check my email. Unfortunately, the hospital didn't have wifi.

I did get a roommate for a short period of time. She was being induced. I, however, explained to her that I was not at all ready to give birth and only checking out the hospital.

My sweet friends and colleagues stopped by in the afternoon for a visit. I was extremely grateful for their company.

That night I got a new roommate (the previous roommate had gone into labor!) Unfortunately, my new roommate was VERY emotional. When the doctor came in to give me an injection into my IV I begged her to let me go home. There was no way I was going to be able to do this all again for another night; especially with a crying woman in my room. Thankfully, she also felt it would be best for me to go home and I was happily released.

I am so thankful that baby girl is still baking away and I hope that she continues to bake until February. Craig and I had been to an orientation at the hospital the previous week, but it had all been in German. This experience was like a personal orientation to the hospital and I was able to get the experience of the hopsital without being in labor.

Even though it wasn't fun to stay in the hospital, and the IV felt like a torture device, I am thanfkul for the experience and I feel better prepared for my hospital stay in February.

-Amy

I Love Pinterest!

I have to admit that I am addicted to Pinterest. I typically end up in my pajamas "pinning" all of the crafts I would like to make and all of the clothes I would like to buy. Usually, that's were my ambition stops. However, I am very proud of myself because recently I MADE something that I found on Pinterest. Here is my most recent project; a gift for a good friend and colleague.

If you are interested in making fake flowers, go to this awesome tutorial:

http://snowybliss.blogspot.com/2010/06/long-stemmed-fabric-flowers.html

31 Weeks

31 weeks!

I can't believe that I am at 31 weeks. This pregnancy is going so fast. I have officially 10 teaching days left and then I am on maternity leave until January 2013; something I haven't been able to get my head around just yet.

The maternity leave here is very impressive. 6 weeks before the baby is born and 8 weeks after the baby is born the mommy receives full pay. I am so thankful that I do not have to teach up until my due date! After the 8 weeks, I will go on leave at 65 percent of my pay; a pretty good deal if you ask me. I am extremely happy that I will be able to stay at home with Norah Grace during the first year of her life without having to worry about money.

This week Craig and I are planning on visiting the hospital where I will have the baby. They offer an open house every Wednesday. Maybe I can see about birthing classes while we are there.

Getting closer to the due date -- I totally got this :)

Thankfully the start to the cold and dark days in Germany have not been so bad. Now, if the weather can hold off for another 2 weeks I will be extremely grateful. This pregnant lady does not care to ice skate the 0.5 mile I walk to school each day.

Thankful

Craig and I have an abundance of thanks to give this Thanksgiving. Our most important thanks is for the sweet baby girl that is growing every day. We are anxiously waiting to meet her.

This is the 4th Thanksgiving that I have had to teach on Thanksgiving Day and it hasn't gotten any easier. However, I have made some wonderful memories in these 4 Thanksgivings. From sitting in a makeshift kitchen in Belize to trying to figure out how to cook a turkey in our little German oven; I have made some sweet memories.

Even though I always miss my family (even more than normal) on this Holiday, I am thankful to be surrounded by friends. In my 4 Thanksgivings abroad, I have never spent it alone.

This year my good friend and colleague, Kat, hosted a party at her apartment after school on Thanksgiving day. People from all nationalities gathered together to eat, socialize, and watch American football.

After enjoying the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, we watched American Football!

Thankful for Kat's sling box.

The gracious host!

On Saturday, Craig and I hosted a smaller Thanksgiving dinner at our apartment. It was wonderful to sit around the table and enjoy traditional Thanksgiving food.

The beautiful and delicious spread of food.

As I end my post today, I want to say how thankful I am for technology. We were actually able to SEE the Goodwins on Thanksgiving Day thanks to Skype. I was also able to be in contact with my mom all day. I am very thankful we are able to be in constant contact with our families and friends in the USA.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy