February 2007 - Life with Two Kids

In February, after both Grandmas left and I had no help, reality set in. The picture below represents our crazy lives right now -- Anna Claire getting into who-knows-what, Mariah spitting up and Rob and I just trying to keep a smiling face. You gotta love it!

We love our girls!

Here's little Mariah -- all in blue!

Me, the Mom, in front of Lake Geneva with my Phil & Ted's stroller. Mariah is actually lying down in the back. Love it! Love it! I shop with it, jog with it, do everything with it.

VALENTINES DAY!

Anna Claire got a big package from her Aunt Cathy (Anna's favorite babysitter from EDH). She sent her a new addition -- Baby Ca-Ca, to join Anna's other dog Ca-Ca.

ROB'S BIRTHDAY - FEBRUARY 20

So I made a delicious American cake mix (doctored up) chocolate cake for Rob's birthday. Anna Claire had been waiting for the big birthday celebration all day. She helped me with the balloons and the cake. After dinner, we got out the cake and were all set to go when I ran back to get the camera. As I ran back to the table, it slipped out of my hand and dropped onto our hardwood floor. Both Rob and I were examining the damage and completely forgot about Anna Claire. Suddenly we both looked up to see Anna Claire digging her fists into the chocolate cake. She just couldn't wait any longer! Needless to say, she was a mess! I did manage to fix the camera long enough to get some cute pics (albeit blurry because I messed up the lens)!

Mariah Madeleine at about 7 weeks. Isn't she a cutie?!

January 2007 - Grandma Judie's visit

Grandma Judie (Rob's mom) flew out to replace Grandma Tia in mid-January. By the time she arrived, I was feeling a little bit better so we ventured out on a few excursions. Of course, Grandma Judie did bring the Colorado cold with her and, while she was here, we had the worst cold-spell of the entire Swiss winter (which was otherwise extremely mild). But Grandma was a trooper and not only stayed up all night with Mariah, but went on lots of adventures with us!


Grandma Judie and Baby Mariah. You can't see it here, but we're hoping Mariah has Grandma's beautiful mouth.

Our trip to the balloon festival at Chateau D'Oex. Anna couldn't get enough of it!

Pretty gorgeous setting for a balloon festival in January! But we took a windy route getting there and poor Grandma Judie got car sick!

Anna's first (and only) snowstorm in Switzerland. Yeah, and we all thought that this was ski country -- apparently not this year.

Anna actually wasn't too thrilled with the snow once she realized how cold it was -- and, of course, she refused to wear her gloves.

Yet another fun trip with Grandma to the cheese factory in Gruyere.

Anna Claire had a great time with her info "phone", learning the art of cheesemaking.

Anna Claire and Daddy hanging out the the picturesque town of Gruyere.

Gruyere Castle. We didn't get to see the inside because the girls were in meltdown mode by this time.

Anna Claire loved cruising in her stroller with Grandma (although she usually won't do it for Mommy).

Classic Anna Claire. Every time we go to the grocery store, she wants a roll -- and she's been spoiled by the delicious ones here!

See Mommy, I've got my baby and baby's blanket (merci, Grandma) in her stroller too!

Story time with Grandma!

Anna Claire loved hanging out with Grandma Judie; Mariah's partial to Grandma too; Mommy was glad for the respite!

January 2007 - Grandma Tia Visit

Hi all. I know it's been awhile since I've updated. Shame. Shame. Shame. Anyhow, I'm slowly doing the updates. January was a crazy month juggling two children. Fortunately, I had four weeks of help! My mom, the lifesaver, arrived the day before Mariah arrived and took care of Anna Claire while I relaxed for five days while I was in the hospital. I thought I would come home and we would do some fun day trips. Unfortunately, we hit some bumps the first couple weeks. I found out I couldn't breastfeed and will never be able to. (Don't even get me started on the complete lack of assistance for and outright prejudice against moms who bottlefeed these days. That's for another day.) I had to stop breastfeeding cold turkey and became so enormously engorged that I looked ten times larger than Pamela Anderson! Meanwhile, Anna Claire got terribly sick and I got a terrible breast infection. My poor mom had to sit home with us while Anna lay sick on the couch, watching her ABC video over and over and over. What a labor of love!

Daddy bonding with Mariah

Mariah was not too happy to leave her five-star hospital home

Mariah -- finally ready to face the world

Grandma Tia and Anna Claire: two book-lovers

Mariah Madeleine's Birth

We are so excited to welcome little Mariah Madeleine to our family! She was born after a super fast labor (I was induced) at 11:08 a.m. on January 4. She weighed (at least) 7 pounds 7 ounces and was 19 inches long.


We named our little Swiss Miss Mariah after her fourth great grandmother who was a hardy pioneer. Mariah means "the Lord is my teacher." Madeleine is a Swiss-French name that refers to Mary Magdalene, the disciple of Christ.

Our little Mariah came so fast that the doctor barely made it to the delivery. They told us when she was born that she was less than six pounds, but when the pediatrician looked at her after a full day of not eating, she weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces -- so the original birth weight was a mistake!

I am enjoying my stay at a luxurious Swiss delivery clinic right now, where I munch on gourmet food for lunch, dinner and "teatime". They even treated Rob and me to a luxurious champagne dinner (sans champagne). Anna Claire has come to visit several times and loves her new baby sister. When she first saw her baby sister, she jumped up near her and said, "Hello, baby, hello!" She wants to hold her constantly.

A picture is worth a thousand words so here are a few:



Our little Swiss Miss


Baby Mariah -- the night before she was born


Our first picture with baby Mariah


Daddy-daughter bonding


Mariah's first family photo


The Big Sister caring for her Baby Sister


See, I'm really good at this Mommy!


On the clinic balcony - check out the view of
Lake Geneva!


Mommy and Baby enjoying the view!


Mariah meets Grandma Tia


Our gourmet champagne dinner -- sans champagne!


Look Mommy, I even have HAIR and
it's dark brown!


Uh oh, already a binky girl



HELLO WORLD, I'M HERE!

December in Morges

Sorry, I haven't written for awhile. Here's a little update. The month of December went by quickly (in retrospect). We love our new apartment. Anna Claire loves riding her bike on the balcony just like Daddy does (with his trainer on cold days). She also loves the wide hallways that give her a chance to clomp around the apartment in Mommy's heels. I enjoy getting to do laundry in our own apartment and walking to town to get everything I need. After grocery shopping, Anna Claire and I stop by the little park on the way home, where she plays in her own little "house" and then we feed the ducks in the canal just a block from our apartment. Now I understand even better why people love Switzerland. In many ways, we are really living the dream life!

Anna Claire riding her bike on the balcony

(Just like Daddy!)

Down the slide at the little park near our apartment.

Feeding the ducks in the canal

(She really does enjoy this, but doesn't enjoy

posing for pictures!)

Skyping it! Anna Claire loves talking to

relatives and friends through Skype!

Walking the lake trail in the Vallee de Jeux.


Clomping around in Mommy's shoes.

CHRISTMAS 2007!

It was hard to be away from family this Christmas, but we've had a great time here. Bishop Balmer invited us to spend Christmas Eve with them at their daughter, Natalie's, home. They served up a fabulous candlelit gourmet Swiss-French Christmas Eve dinner. Fortunately, Andreas and Natalie's two kids and especially their cat provided Anna Claire with enough distractions for us to make it through the meal in relative peace. We started with raw oysters (a French delicacy which I probably should not have been eating while pregnant) and moved on to toast and foie gras. We did feel a little like the little duck or goose that produced the foie gras as we were stuffed with giant slabs of the duck liver pate and then proceeded to be fed huge portions of duck and chicken with rice. Afterwards, we enjoyed not one but two courses of dessert, including super rich (and delicious) chocolate mousse, made from only the finest Swiss chocolate. Afterwards, we sat around the Christmas tree and sang French carols while Anna Claire opened some presents and almost destroyed the family's ostrich egg collectibles. Ah, the joys of a toddler! The Balmers were so kind to host us at their home and we had a wonderful time learning all about Swiss-French Christmas traditions.

Anna Claire opening a duckie gift from Sister Balmer.

Christmas morning was nice and quiet. Anna Claire fortunately doesn't quite understand the concept of Santa Clause or gifts, but was quite happy to find new toys under the tree. She especially loved her little doll stroller, which she now rolls all around the apartment piled with toys, stuffed animals, crackers and anything else she can find along the way. I think she may be turning into a bag lady.

The missionaries came to eat breakfast casserole (Rob's family favorite) with us and read the Christmas story. This year I have particularly pondered Mary and her role in Christ's life as I too have been "great with child". What a huge responsibility she must have felt to bear the Son of God. And what a courageous woman to willingly take on such a responsibility.

In the afternoon we ate real turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and even American rice krispie treats at the home of another American family. What a treat! There is nothing like good food to bring back feelings of home!

Hmmm, what gift should I open next?

ANNECY

On the Saturday before New Year's Day, the family made a last minute pre-baby outing to Annecy, France (the little Venice). Annecy is a darling little town about 1 1/2 hours from us. It sits on Lake Annecy and is crossed with lots of little canals, just like Venice. It was a beautiful sunny day and we discovered a nice bike path along the lake. Rob spent a lot of time jealously eyeing the bikers going by. Next time, we have to bring our bikes (or at least Rob's -- I'm a little too large for my bike right now).

In front of Lac Annecy.

Just outside of Annecy is a gorgeous 14th century castle. It was closed for the winter so we just walked around it, imaging what life would have been like as royalty in such a place. When I had to use the restroom, I realized that I'm glad I live in the modern day. :)

The castle near Annecy, France

Hey guys, look at me!