Me, in front of the Nativity Scene
One of the things I love most about Muenster - the musicians playing. Most were good (these were very good).
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Why, why, why, why
7 years ago
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Weihnachtsmarkt Muenster 2008
BJD and I by the Nativity Scene at the Aegidimarkt in Muenster
Me, in front of the Nativity Scene
One of the things I love most about Muenster - the musicians playing. Most were good (these were very good).
Me, in front of the Nativity Scene
One of the things I love most about Muenster - the musicians playing. Most were good (these were very good).
Thursday, December 18, 2008
What I'm thankful for today
A short list:
1) My newfound friendship here in Germany with the aptly named G.
2) Medical technology.
3) My husband.
4) Germany's socialized healthcare system that recognizes the importance of work/life/home balance (and will be providing us with daily household help for the next 4 weeks, paid).
5) My amazing son who reminds me that faith is there and has not left me.
6) Knowing other mamas who've been there, with varying outcomes. And no matter what the outcome, still come by and cheer me on.
7) Being up for 2 hours in the middle of the night (can't sleep but man and I tired!) so I can share this list with you
8) ANTIBIOTICS! People, they work!
1) My newfound friendship here in Germany with the aptly named G.
2) Medical technology.
3) My husband.
4) Germany's socialized healthcare system that recognizes the importance of work/life/home balance (and will be providing us with daily household help for the next 4 weeks, paid).
5) My amazing son who reminds me that faith is there and has not left me.
6) Knowing other mamas who've been there, with varying outcomes. And no matter what the outcome, still come by and cheer me on.
7) Being up for 2 hours in the middle of the night (can't sleep but man and I tired!) so I can share this list with you
8) ANTIBIOTICS! People, they work!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Quick update
Because I haven't written in a few days, just wanted ya'll to know I'm still alive.
I'm miserable, but alive.
I've still got this cold. But it's progressed from sore throats and generally feeling like crap to my inability to use my nose for breathing. And when my nose does decide to work, my lungs don't - so I end up coughing.
Oh the joys of cold, wet, German weather.
At least keeping the windows open (and the heat on) keeps the air cool enough to breathe.
Bubba Joe is still coughing but is generally much better. BJD was also sick - but his cold was gone by the time he went back to work. (BTW - here in Germany his doc took him out of work for 3 days for his cold for him to get better. His company must honor the docs writeup.)
The good news is that I finished my 2nd 24-hour urine collection. BJD bought me some test strips a few weeks ago when I started not feeling well just to check my protein levels (should be 0). Before sending in my sample, I took a dip test and yeah! it was 0!!!
Saw the OB Friday. She thinks little girl weighs 1kg now. Wow. I'm 26 weeks. I have no clue what it will be like to hold and nurse and take care of a full-termer. But I'm hopeful!!! and planning on it!
I'm miserable, but alive.
I've still got this cold. But it's progressed from sore throats and generally feeling like crap to my inability to use my nose for breathing. And when my nose does decide to work, my lungs don't - so I end up coughing.
Oh the joys of cold, wet, German weather.
At least keeping the windows open (and the heat on) keeps the air cool enough to breathe.
Bubba Joe is still coughing but is generally much better. BJD was also sick - but his cold was gone by the time he went back to work. (BTW - here in Germany his doc took him out of work for 3 days for his cold for him to get better. His company must honor the docs writeup.)
The good news is that I finished my 2nd 24-hour urine collection. BJD bought me some test strips a few weeks ago when I started not feeling well just to check my protein levels (should be 0). Before sending in my sample, I took a dip test and yeah! it was 0!!!
Saw the OB Friday. She thinks little girl weighs 1kg now. Wow. I'm 26 weeks. I have no clue what it will be like to hold and nurse and take care of a full-termer. But I'm hopeful!!! and planning on it!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Random Facts Tag - thanks Crystal!
Here are the rules:
1) Link to the person who tagged you (check out her beautiful belly!)
2) Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-6)
3) Write 6 random things about yourself
4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them
5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog
6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
So here goes:
1) I used to be scared of the dark. I'm talking I shared a room with my sister and if she got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom I'd wake up from a dead sleep and cry until she came back in. To this day, I try to be "brave" and not be scared. But sometimes, I'm still pretty freaked out.
2) I've always had vivid dreams. Not just during pregnancy (although this time around they are a bit more extreme). I've dreamt about my great-grandmother just after she passed away. I've dreamt about my dad. But one of my most memorable dreams was as a little girl. I dreamt I was playing in the backyard and there was a hole in the ground. I loved dressing up, dresses, heels, the works. I dreamt I accidentally lost a heel in the hole. Then the devil himself came up from the earth angry and violent. He blew down my house (like the wolves in the three little pigs). And being a weird dream, it was only the front of the house. The framewas there - you know, like a dollhouse. And there was my family, doing what they would normally be doing.
3) I love cartoons. And dry humor. And mindless humor. One of my all-time favorites is Dude, Where's my Car? BJD has even taught our son to say, Dude! Sweet! and I love it.
4) I have strong religious convictions. But I don't believe in pushing them on anyone else. I was born and raised in a Christian home, but did not understand what it meant until college. It was there that I first really learned what it meant to be a Christian and began following Christ. I've always found it interesting that some of the most horrible critics are those in our own faith. And perhaps that's why I don't push. I sadly met too many people right after being a Christian that were highly critical and judgemental. That life is not for me.
5) I'm learning to embrace life in Germany. I've spent the first year comparing good versus bad, what's better in the States and just missing things. Which I find odd. While in the States, I tried hard to incorporate more German things. Now that I'm in Germany, I try to incorporate more things from the States.
6) I'm watching The Simpsons right now. As is Bubba Joe and BJD. We're a family of fans.
So who to tag ... who to tag ... let's see.
My sister, at Life, the Universe and Camping
Em's mom, yet again, at steeped insanity
Donna, at Life With Amelia
Denise, at A Woman with Hobbit Feet
Jeff, at Inklings of Faith
and lastly, Charly, at Throck Manash
Have fun ya'll!
1) Link to the person who tagged you (check out her beautiful belly!)
2) Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-6)
3) Write 6 random things about yourself
4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them
5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog
6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
So here goes:
1) I used to be scared of the dark. I'm talking I shared a room with my sister and if she got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom I'd wake up from a dead sleep and cry until she came back in. To this day, I try to be "brave" and not be scared. But sometimes, I'm still pretty freaked out.
2) I've always had vivid dreams. Not just during pregnancy (although this time around they are a bit more extreme). I've dreamt about my great-grandmother just after she passed away. I've dreamt about my dad. But one of my most memorable dreams was as a little girl. I dreamt I was playing in the backyard and there was a hole in the ground. I loved dressing up, dresses, heels, the works. I dreamt I accidentally lost a heel in the hole. Then the devil himself came up from the earth angry and violent. He blew down my house (like the wolves in the three little pigs). And being a weird dream, it was only the front of the house. The framewas there - you know, like a dollhouse. And there was my family, doing what they would normally be doing.
3) I love cartoons. And dry humor. And mindless humor. One of my all-time favorites is Dude, Where's my Car? BJD has even taught our son to say, Dude! Sweet! and I love it.
4) I have strong religious convictions. But I don't believe in pushing them on anyone else. I was born and raised in a Christian home, but did not understand what it meant until college. It was there that I first really learned what it meant to be a Christian and began following Christ. I've always found it interesting that some of the most horrible critics are those in our own faith. And perhaps that's why I don't push. I sadly met too many people right after being a Christian that were highly critical and judgemental. That life is not for me.
5) I'm learning to embrace life in Germany. I've spent the first year comparing good versus bad, what's better in the States and just missing things. Which I find odd. While in the States, I tried hard to incorporate more German things. Now that I'm in Germany, I try to incorporate more things from the States.
6) I'm watching The Simpsons right now. As is Bubba Joe and BJD. We're a family of fans.
So who to tag ... who to tag ... let's see.
My sister, at Life, the Universe and Camping
Em's mom, yet again, at steeped insanity
Donna, at Life With Amelia
Denise, at A Woman with Hobbit Feet
Jeff, at Inklings of Faith
and lastly, Charly, at Throck Manash
Have fun ya'll!
Photo Tag ...
Oops. Guess I should be checking my blogs, er, tags.
Heather over at Bubbles and Ducks tagged me.
Fourth file, fourth picture.
And I just rearranged my pictures folder!
This is a picture Bubba Joe's Dad (aka BJD) took on his new camera phone. I think it's a nice profile of our little man.
My sister, over at Life, the Universe and Camping
Em's mom, at steeped insanity
G, at From the Big Apple to the Big Bear
and Megan, at Worcester Wonderland
So, have fun! Remember, fourth file, fourth picture. And tag four people.
I know I've got at least one more tag out there I've got to do ... I promise I'll get to it!
Heather over at Bubbles and Ducks tagged me.
Fourth file, fourth picture.
And I just rearranged my pictures folder!
This is a picture Bubba Joe's Dad (aka BJD) took on his new camera phone. I think it's a nice profile of our little man.
And what I realized after I posted is this picture shows Bubba Joe's right ear.
While his right ear may not seem so different from his left ear, the truth is that his right ear is slightly more pointed than his left. Why? When he was in the NICU (remember, he was born early due to preeclampsia) I unknowingly replaced his hat without checking his ears. This meant his ear was slightly bent under his hat. I don't think it hurt him though (certainly not like the daily blood tests he went through).
His ear is much less pointy than in his baby pictures (it really was quite noticable) but it is a constant reminder of his NICU experience ... just like the permanent scarring on his left foot as a result of the hospital bracelet rubbing his skin raw (he was so tiny they put it on his leg).
So who am I tagging? Hmmm, let's see.
My sister, over at Life, the Universe and Camping
Em's mom, at steeped insanity
G, at From the Big Apple to the Big Bear
and Megan, at Worcester Wonderland
So, have fun! Remember, fourth file, fourth picture. And tag four people.
I know I've got at least one more tag out there I've got to do ... I promise I'll get to it!
Friday, December 5, 2008
7 sharps or 5 flats?
I often find myself trying to remember all the facts I learned in undergrad about music theory.
And I found myself pondering in the middle of the night just why a piece would be composed in say, C-sharp versus D-flat.
Not that when you play it there's a difference. (or is there?)
But for me, I always found it easier to read music when there were flats, not sharps. Why is that? In fact, one of my favorite key signatures to play in has always been G-flat (NOT F-sharp). Hmmm.
So I'm sitting here struggling to figure out why a composer would prefer sharps over flats ... is it just a preference? Is there a tonal difference?
Anyone?
And I found myself pondering in the middle of the night just why a piece would be composed in say, C-sharp versus D-flat.
Not that when you play it there's a difference. (or is there?)
But for me, I always found it easier to read music when there were flats, not sharps. Why is that? In fact, one of my favorite key signatures to play in has always been G-flat (NOT F-sharp). Hmmm.
So I'm sitting here struggling to figure out why a composer would prefer sharps over flats ... is it just a preference? Is there a tonal difference?
Anyone?
What's going on ...
Well, Bubba Joe and I are both sick. We have been. ALL. WEEK.
Let me just say that one or the other, I could handle. But both of us? Come on. Seriously? And while his fever finally broke, he's still coughing like mad. And for the first time in over a year, he's fighting us to take any medicines and for breathing treatments.
As for me, I went to the doc today to confirm that it is just viral and hasn't gotten worse. I'm allowed Tylenol (which surprisingly is helping me feel more human). And some sinus-plant-based crap that made my BP skyrocket. No more of that for me. Oh yeah, and breathing treatments. I'm on breathing treatments too.
How fun.
My head is full. My nose is running. I'm not really coughing, but I just feel like crap.
And Bubba Joe - well, so long as he gets what he wants he's okay. And before you go thinking we've got a spoiled little brat on our hands (which maybe we do), if he starts crying then he can't breathe and starts coughing all over again. So, we really do try to appease him (within reason of course).
Oh to be healthy again.
~~~~~
On a more positive note, we've started cloth diapering. We're using normal prefolds and wool covers. Pretty much like what I know when I was a teenager and babysitting. It's working quite well. Bubba Joe had a diaper rash last week and we switched back to sposies for a few days - but we think it's all related to his being sick. And oh yeah, we use something called disposable liners. It's a thin piece of flushable material that catches poo. Wicked cool. Without that, um, yeah, not sure how long I could stomach the scraping of poo in the toilet. Eww.
~~~~~
We put up the Christmas tree today. We'll be decorating this weekend. Bubba Joe's Opa and Oma were here - dropping off soup (borscht - super yummy) and Opa helped Bubba Joe's Dad bring the tree down from the attic. Of course, Bubba Joe wanted to be with the boys. By the time they all came back downstairs, Bubba Joe was talking all about the tannenbaum. He won't touch it - oh no! It's yet another of those texture things with him. But he loves looking at it. Hopefully he'll get into decorating it tomorrow and Sunday!
Tomorrow is Niklaus Tag - not sure what it really means but it's always on the 6th of December and children get a present. We picked up something small for Bubba Joe. And, I'm pretty sure that we're 90% done with our shopping for this year. Now if we could just get around to writing the Christmas newsletter to go with our cards and boxing up and shipping the stuff for my family back in Ohio ... :)
Let me just say that one or the other, I could handle. But both of us? Come on. Seriously? And while his fever finally broke, he's still coughing like mad. And for the first time in over a year, he's fighting us to take any medicines and for breathing treatments.
As for me, I went to the doc today to confirm that it is just viral and hasn't gotten worse. I'm allowed Tylenol (which surprisingly is helping me feel more human). And some sinus-plant-based crap that made my BP skyrocket. No more of that for me. Oh yeah, and breathing treatments. I'm on breathing treatments too.
How fun.
My head is full. My nose is running. I'm not really coughing, but I just feel like crap.
And Bubba Joe - well, so long as he gets what he wants he's okay. And before you go thinking we've got a spoiled little brat on our hands (which maybe we do), if he starts crying then he can't breathe and starts coughing all over again. So, we really do try to appease him (within reason of course).
Oh to be healthy again.
~~~~~
On a more positive note, we've started cloth diapering. We're using normal prefolds and wool covers. Pretty much like what I know when I was a teenager and babysitting. It's working quite well. Bubba Joe had a diaper rash last week and we switched back to sposies for a few days - but we think it's all related to his being sick. And oh yeah, we use something called disposable liners. It's a thin piece of flushable material that catches poo. Wicked cool. Without that, um, yeah, not sure how long I could stomach the scraping of poo in the toilet. Eww.
~~~~~
We put up the Christmas tree today. We'll be decorating this weekend. Bubba Joe's Opa and Oma were here - dropping off soup (borscht - super yummy) and Opa helped Bubba Joe's Dad bring the tree down from the attic. Of course, Bubba Joe wanted to be with the boys. By the time they all came back downstairs, Bubba Joe was talking all about the tannenbaum. He won't touch it - oh no! It's yet another of those texture things with him. But he loves looking at it. Hopefully he'll get into decorating it tomorrow and Sunday!
Tomorrow is Niklaus Tag - not sure what it really means but it's always on the 6th of December and children get a present. We picked up something small for Bubba Joe. And, I'm pretty sure that we're 90% done with our shopping for this year. Now if we could just get around to writing the Christmas newsletter to go with our cards and boxing up and shipping the stuff for my family back in Ohio ... :)
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