2 months in

It seems that a lot has happened in the last month.  The first month felt like we were just trying to survive, get acquainted with this new life, and figure out the basics like grocery shopping.
This month has also been very full of new things.  But it seems like we are making progress and adjusting well since just a month ago.

I can't tell you enough how good it feels to be in our permanent apartment.  It feels as though we can breathe.  We are starting to call it home.  The little comforts of being "home" is nice.  I mentioned a lot of them already.  I still need to hang some pictures and things.  Once I do that, I will give you a little tour!

In the friend department, things are really looking up for me.  Just the last two weeks have been wonderful.  We have gone to at least one event from the meetup.com group each week.  The last couple weeks, we've actually gone to an "early childhood development" group that meets weekly.  It's been like a little class for Maddie.  We played with balls, worked on eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills with puzzles and little games, and we even did a craft this week (ripping paper and glue sticking it on to an image).  She loved it.  Another huge thing that happened was that I met Sara.  I had to go to Kloten Stadt office (city office) to hand in some form that I didn't know how to fill out related to taxes.  It was all in German.  I was supposed to mail it back but instead, I just went with both kids right up to the city office, handed them the form, and said, "I don't understand how to fill this out.  Do you speak English?  I am an unemployed stay at home mother.  No job and not looking for employment anytime in the near future."  Thankfully, the kind woman spoke English and it was a quick "check the boxes" and sign here thing.  Easy peasy.  Since we already had to pay for parking at the grocery store parking garage, we made a morning of it and walked to the park.  I was holding Carter and an older woman was walking by with a little girl, came over, and proceeded to talk and touch Carter's head.  Judging by her voice inflection and expressions, it was clear that she thought he was adorable.  Then she looked at me and asked me a question or two.  I blankly stared at her smiling, and responded, "English?"  This happens a lot.  If I had a Swiss franc for every time this happens, I could probably go to Starbucks in Zurich once a week.  This time, a sweet Swiss girl sitting across the sandbox said, "She asks if it is a boy or a girl."  And folks, that was how I met my first Swiss friend!  She has 3 children, one of which is a 2.5 year old boy.  We got to talking and a couple days later, I went to her house for a play date.  Maddie had a ball playing with new toys, with her new friend, and with their two little pet bunnies.  The next day, I met her at a park and she introduced me to her Australian friend who also has a boy and a girl just about Maddie's age.  Both girls are so sweet.  I truly feel like Sara has scooped me up and has been a huge God send and I've only known her for a week!  She understands what I'm going through since her and her husband were expats in London for a few years.  They didn't know English just like we don't know German.  She's been so helpful answering random questions and giving me information like where to find second hand kids toys.  A man came over to look at our washing machine on Friday morning and I happened to be on the phone with her when he was looking at it.  Well, he didn't speak English and was confused because it was working now, but I was trying to tell him that it didn't work and wasn't spinning a few days ago.  She was so sweet and translated for me.  I'm so thankful to have these two new friends with kids for Maddie to play with and speak English with and on top of that, they both live just 10 minutes away!  All the other play dates I've gone to have been 35-45 minutes away.  So, just know that if you have prayed for this, prayers are being answered.  Hopefully we find just a few good friends that we can have regular play dates with...it makes such a difference.

In the sleep department, things are slowly improving.  It seems that we take a few steps forward and then a step or two back.  With the transitions come the steps backward.  (So I'm not so looking forward to more sleep adjustment during and after our trips back home although it is worth it.)  Last week, I threw up my hands and decided that something needed to change.  Maddie has been waking up 1x but usually 2x a night.  Carter's room is right next to Maddie's so every little peep that I heard from him, I jumped out of bed and ran to his room.  Yes, literally ran.  I was/am terrified that he will wake her up.  About a week ago, we threw a couple mattresses on the floor in Carter's, put him in our room, and closed the door.  Now he is sleeping on the other side of the apartment.  I've been waking up to feed him just 2x a night now which seems so much better than 5, 6, or 7x a night (pretty much every hour).

I can't believe it's already September!  The weather is feeling cool and crisp here already.  The last couple days it's been in the high 50s and overcast, so I'm already pulling out scarves and sweaters!  I also cannot believe our baby brother is getting married A WEEK FROM TODAY!  And that Maddie is TURNING 2 YEARS OLD in a couple days.  What?!

I have their first pediatric appointment on Tuesday morning.  We are placing bets on how much Carter weighs.  Feel free to "weigh in" your thoughts.

This week is a big one with those celebrations.  On Wednesday, we're actually headed home to NC/WV to visit the families each for almost a week.  This will be our big trip home this year and we'll spend Thanksgiving and Christmas here.  I am fully prepared to gain 10 lbs in Chick Fil A, Pita Delight, cheaper *good* ice cream, and American favorites like hot dogs and hamburgers and steaks.  Yum.  We have eaten steak once since living here! (Well, Bryce maybe more since he has had a meal or two with coworkers.)  I am excited for other things, too...  To let family love on our little ones.  To close my eyes, just sit, and listen to everyone and understand every word.  To go to Starbucks with just Bryce and talk about the days we would go for coffee just the two of us.  To watch Maddie play with her cousins.  To sit and have long talks with my sisters and Kim.  To have a weenie roast with the Whiteds.  To sit and have a big delicious Dad-made breakfast at the table with the family in our jammies.  To smell the bacon that Roger is cooking extra crispy for us while we are still laying in bed.  To go to the Der Dog Haus and eat beer battered fries and drink sweet tea.  Maybe to even sleep in one morning.  To celebrate 6 years married to my love!  More than anything, I am so excited to celebrate Aaron and Christin's wedding and just be with family.

Happy September!