Surprise, Surprise

My Dears,

just when I thought 2010 and all its turbulence were coming to an end - mind you 2 deaths, a wedding, a cross Atlantic move and a remote home sale will suck the life right out of you - I get invited to a party. You know when you think you are going to a fancy birthday celebration but wonder why the invitee insists on a dress code and that you don't forget your camera...you get a funny feeling. Then the scales fall from your eyes - this ain't a birthday party, this is something much more - this will be my father's wedding.

Now dear, you are right, I cannot complain, as I myself and Mike eloped to get married in secret. But we did have a real wedding where everyone was invited - they received invitations months in advance - and folks had gotten the chance to dress for the occasion. Our household goods are still packed, our suitcases did not reveal any festive clothing - so I borrowed and stole what I could to piece an outfit together.

Despite the whole surprise aspect, the wedding ceremony was short and sweet, bride and groom looked beautiful, we took pictures of the small circle of guests, the weather was stunning and we ate like kings. A really great day. Congratulations to the newlyweds! It is was the right thing to do, it is a blessing to find love again later in life. I am happy for you two!

When we got back I was done, I felt like I had run a marathon, not that I could ever run more than 30 minutes in row much less 4 hours, but I image that is what it feels like - absolute physical exhaustion - from sitting through a delicious 4 course meal.

My sister and I are still licking our infantile wounds - time to grow up, eh?

Did I hear open bar?

Cheers my dears!

D.

Baby Dreams

Bunking together and having the whole family sleep in one room, like in the 19 hundreds, is mainly exhausting but it also has some perks. Mike and I discovered a sweet little secret. Now that Mia can speak....she also talks in her sleep.
The first word we heard in the middle of the night from this tiny sleeping girl was -  not Mami - and not Papi either. In full toddler fashion she winced "NEIN" (German for No).
Recently, her expressions have become more complex and friendly. A few nights ago she exclaimed a very cheerful "Hi Mia!" while fast asleep.

Catch your Breath

Dear reader,

you have every right to be upset. I broke my promise. I didn't blog for weeks, actually months. Well, I didn't WRITE a blog but I was blogging every night before bed - in my head. I searched the whole internet for a USB cable that connects my thoughts straight to the computer - without much success. Here are some of the topics I discussed with myself:

• difference between German and American moms
• blessings of bonus grand parents and parents-in-law - the ones you just adopt to be your in-laws or grandparents because they are great
• why I think in facebook updates
• starting over aka re-immigrating in to your own country and its challenges
• why food is love and why I am proud to wear an apron (a pink one with cup cakes on it)
• what to do "next"
• joys of potty training
• turning 30 and its implications

Yup, looks like you missed out. But not to worry, the days are getting shorter and the blog entries more frequent.

Cheers my dears,

Dani!