Retro post Christmas 2010

All I can say is Christmas is just more fun with kids.  Seeing Milana open presents and marvel at all of the Christmas festivities is the best present of all. We took two weeks off of work to spend Christmas here at home. We did all of the traditional German Christmas activities like the Christmas Market, baking cookies, decorating the tree, etc.  We had to buy plastic ornaments this year because Milana was just a little too curious and broke a few of the glass ones that were up.

Most people in Germany do not make a Christmas dinner themselves instead they make reservations at restaurants that are open on Christmas Day.  Now this is a tradition I can get used to.  Not slaving over a stove all day and someone cooks for me, sign me up!  Our friends Marco and Nikki were nice enough to invite us to join their family at a Greed restaurant.

Milana got pampered with lots of presents.  My favorite present she received was a Frosty the Snowman book from my parents where they recorded their voices and it was like they were here reading it to her.  It was very sweet.  Something she will always have. Milana also received her very own apron from cousin Susan so she could help me make cookies. It was a great two weeks and I am looking forward to more fun next year.

Retro post Over the ocean and though the air to Grandma's house we go...

It was around Milana's birthday last year that I discovered I had 3 extra weeks of vacation to use from the previous year.  I thought and thought about what I would do with these extra days since David didn't have the same amount of vacation.  I decided that I would fly back to see my parents for two weeks.  The next question was "Do I take Milana too?".  Could I handle a nine hour flight with a toddler by myself?  More importantly could I haul all of the necessary toddler items and a energetic toddler too?  After much debate I decided I would give it a try and whatever happens happens.

The flight over was no sweat.  Milana was extra good and as the plane took off from Frankfort she was asleep.  Getting though Detroit airport was difficult with a stroller, car seat, large bag, toddler, purse and travel bag but I managed to make it with only an hour to change planes.  Once in St. Louis, Grandma and Grandpa were waiting to pick us up.  We stopped on the way home to get something to eat and Milana had her first taste of barbecue and gobbled it up.  We made it back to the house and there were lots of new toys for Milana to play with plus Mick the pampered pooch.

We had a blast while we were there.  Lots of shopping, going to the playground and trying the equipment for the first time, and relaxing.  We took a trip to an apple orchard.  Milana had a great time picking apples and eating the ones Grandpa peeled for her.  She especially liked the hayride that we went on to get to and from the orchard.  She also had her first professional pictures done. Milana was a little timid of Mick the pampered pooch but they made up eventually.


 Soon our two weeks were over and it was time for our long flight back and believe me it was a long flight.  Milana ended up getting snotty and which meant she didn't sleep at all and I had to hold her almost the entire 9 hour flight.  Once back in Germany, Daddy was waiting to greet us.  I think he really missed us.  He must have really missed Milana because when we got home there was a pink princess ball pit waiting for a certain little girl.  All in all it was a great trip and I was really glad that we had the courage to travel that far by ourselves.

Retro post Milana's 1st Birthday

So I am writing about my daughter's 1st Birthday a major milestone almost one year later?!  I think I just need a sticky note on my computer that says remember to blog.  I tell myself that you are working mom not living in your native country so cut yourself some slack right?  WRONG!!!!  Those are just excuses and I want to have this to look back on when I am sixty and can't remember anything.  As I am typing this "little miss" comes over and gives me a hug and a kiss.  No wonder I get so distracted!

I am not sure if Milana knew it was her birthday but for her expressions it seems like she did. She really had a blast.  We started out with wearing Tinker Bell tiaras and opening her presents.  She caught on quick to the idea of opening presents.  I think all kids like the sound of ripping paper. After all the presents were opened Daddy and her sat together and assembled her musical table.  This was a gift she picked out herself at the toy store.  She also got a number 1 hat that she had to model for us.

She was a little tired after the present opening so then it was time for a nap.  After nap time it was time for the traditional birthday cupcake.  This was her first very own cupcake to eat, destroy and smear everywhere and she didn't disappoint. When she was finished we headed directly for the bath to get cleaned up.  The rest of the day she had a blast playing with her musical table.  At the end of the day she was one tired and happy little girl and to her I think she had the best 1st birthday ever.