hello monday

hello sick mommy and teething baby, here come lots of tears and rocking baby to sleep

hello laundry still drying on racks from the weekend

hello new coffee grinder- flea market find yesterday!

hello staying in all day and turning up the heat

hello sneaking in time to work on crafts

hello Steph's recipe for ham and gruyere potato gratin

hello favorite blog (Lisa Leonard) and inspiration for this simple and fun post

hello winter monday

what are you saying "hello" to this fine day?

Once Bitten

mmm... time for a little glass of red wine. So good. I usually don't drink much at all, especially this past year with being pregnant and nursing Katy Jo. But, today, it just feels right. My nerves are a bit banged up. Back before Katy Jo had teeth (now she is working on her third one), if you had asked I would have told you that if she were to bite me while nursing (actually, its not nursing, its just playing around after she has eaten and has not yet returned what doesn't belong to her) I would quit nursing right there and then. No questions asked. Well, it's not that easy. It's complicated. There's money involved. And my own pride. I want to nurse for a good solid year. It would be perfect if she was completely weaned on her birthday, May 29th. So now, after tonight, my standards have changed. Or simply my stated expectations of myself. Tonight she bit me. There was no blood, but it hurt nonetheless. So, for the record, I'm putting it out there that if or when she bites again and there is blood, that will be the end of it. Sounds good. Who knows if I will stick to my guns? We'll have to see. For now, let me enjoy my glass of wine while baby sleeps.

You have a fussy baby?

Here's why...

Teeth! And aren't they just the cutest little teeth?

Kaffee und kuchen?

Yesterday my friend Heidi invited me to coffee in a village named Staufen... I joined her for a lovely drive through the countryside (on a gorgeous sunny day) and we pretended we were German by copying their Sunday custom: a walk followed by coffee and cake. Who wouldn't want to do that? I had a generous slice of Schwarzwalder kirschtorte (Black Forest cherry cake).

Here is my favorite shot of an old castle ruin in the village. There are more- here.

(too many shadows, but still, I like it)

On another note, we have survived jet lag! Last night Little Bit slept through the night again! Now on to teething. Katy Jo has one little white pearly poking through on the bottom. She has been fussy on and off. But, we are slowly getting back into our routine here. I start back in the Nurses' Office Wednesday afternoon. Can't wait to back in the loop at BFA!

Today Katy Jo wore her new outfit (from our landlord) which made her look like a cute cuddly brown bear. It came complete with a hoodie, hat and my favorite, mittens joined on a string.

playing catch up

So... we have returned to Deutschland, and as sad as we are to have said goodbye to Gigi, G-Pa, Omi, Papa, and all the rest of our family, we know this past Christmas will always be among the top Christmas memories ever! It started and ended in Buda, with two trips to Houston in between. Katy Jo hung out with her two girl cousins- they were great entertainers and kept her happy. She also received quite a lot of attention from for little black dogs in Buda. We were super pumped to be able to see Aunt Bonnie, even though it was too short. Also, Katy Jo met her great Aunt Mary and her great grandparents on my mom's side for the first time. Really special. During our one month at home, we noticed quite a change in Katy Jo. She is now quite the wiggle worm, and is beginning to scoot herself around. Soon we will have a crawler. We also discovered (with the help of Aunt Bessie) two emerging front teeth. So exciting yet sad that my baby is growing up.

Here is Katy Jo's first Christmas

We loved looking at the Bowen's Christmas tree while watching Katy Jo attempt to crawl (with four dogs around!)


We had a fabulous time walking around on Congress Avenue in Austin. Nancy pushed Katy Jo around in her stroller, while Mr.B took care of Bo in his wheelchair due to the broken foot (sorry no pics of that)

lots of play time with cousins

our first night in Houston, the two littlest girls shared their first "sink bath"

story time in Omi's big red chair

watching the fire with Papa

first taste of pizza crust- thanks to Gramma

Aunt Bessie put in quite a few hours watching all the girls play together

kisses from Sadee

trying to show Ruthie some love

proof that Aunt Bonnie really was there

two little teeth bulges

gramma :)

Lizzy saying her adorable prayer ("thank you for families")

Christmas morning with Gigi

trying on her new hat from Omi

morning pajama party

lovely stockings from Gramma

getting all the great grand babies in one picture- impossible

had to post this funny one (look at Ruthie)

Christmas Eve Cheer

daddy's new baby carrier for hiking in the Alps

saying hello through the window

getting to open lots of gifts for Katy Jo (baby's first Christmas ornament)

one pic before bedtime

Christmas day