A Beautiful Sight

This year marked our fourth year spent overseas at Christmas.  While it is hard to be away from our families at the holidays, we know that we have to take advantage of the opportunity to spend Christmas in Europe.  This year, we were lucky enough to have friends, Marina and her mom, Vija, come and visit and all four of us headed to Munich for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

The weather was gorgeous and it turns out, it actually set a record for the warmest Christmas Eve EVER!  We left the morning of Christmas Eve and spent the day strolling around Munich checking out the Christmas Markets.  That night we had dinner at Hofbräuhaus and I got to partake on the drinking festivities with a non-alcoholic beer.  We decided earlier in the day that we would try to get to mass that night and we made it in time to the Frauenkirche, but there were no seats.  After about an hour of standing, my ankles (which were swollen and felt like they were going to blow up) couldn't take it any longer so we all headed back to the hotel. 

Christmas morning we woke up to another bright, sunny day.  We had breakfast at a nice, little cafe down the street from our hotel and then headed to Dachau.  Most everything was closed (obviously) so we didn't have a lot of options, but our friends had never been so it was a perfect opportunity to go.  We spent a few hours there before heading back to Vipiteno (we did make a quick pit stop in Innsbruck for pictures), where the weather was 30 degrees colder than it had been in Munich.  So, in a sense, we really did have a white Christmas!

Glühwein and Punch break for Marina and me.

To set the record straight, Marina and Vija were really drinking wine...they just borrowed our beers for the picture. 

Bagel sandwiches for Christmas breakfast.

Yesterday, Marina and Vija flew home.  Kevin had to work so I took advantage of my day alone by napping and catching up on my DVR.  It also gave me a chance to elevate my legs and I woke up this morning to a beautiful sight...my normal ankles. 

Bra Optional

Yesterday, Kevin and I headed to Innsbruck to finish up some Christmas shopping for our landlords, the other coaches, and all his goalies.  We were on a tight schedule because Kevin had to get back for work so we were running around like crazy.  When we got home, the first thing I wanted to do was remove my bra...I was so uncomfortable and it was rubbing me raw in all the wrong ways.  For those of you who really know me, you know I HATE being without a bra.  I wear a bra at all times...even to bed.  This was completely out of character for me, but I just needed to breathe for a few hours. 

Kevin went to work and I had a few hours to spare before I met a player's girlfriend for coffee.  I did my rounds on the internet, watched some TV, and just relaxed.  When it was finally time to get going, I brushed my hair, threw on my coat, and headed to the rink. 

But I forgot one important thing...my bra.  I didn't realize it until about half way through my coffee date when I went to put my hands on my stomach.  Holy shit!  What adult female goes out in public without a bra on.  Luckily, I was wearing a cami with a built-in shelf bra, but it still isn't the same.  And keep in mind we are talking about my 28 week pregnant boobs here...not my usual ones.  

As soon as I got home, my bra was in the exact spot I had put it in (which was next to my purse so I wouldn't forget to put it back on).  Now I'm left wondering if the girlfriend noticed the absence of my bra.  Should I share my story with her, do I bring it up?  Or do I just assumes she didn't notice?  One thing is for certain, I will not take my bra off regardless of how uncomfortable I am unless I know I am in for the night. 

Any other day of the month

Today, I had my 28 week check up at the doctor. I woke up at about 7:30 to start getting ready and the first thing I did was turn on the shower to warm up. But it never warmed up...we had no hot water, which also meant we had no heat. Any other day of the month it wouldn't matter, but today I actually had something to do and obviously needed to take a shower.

Thankfully, Kevin and I have experience with having no hot water from our days living in Basingstoke. Kevin put on the cordless kettle and started boiling water in every pot we owned. I washed my hair in the tub with the cold water, which was less than pleasant. Then, Kevin filled up the tub with the boiling water so I could take a bath. I drained the water and Kevin filled it back up with more boiled water so I could rinse. Getting out of the water was actually the worse part because it was so cold in our apartment. 

At the time, I was less than amused and even let the f-word slip out. Looking back, the whole situation is pretty funny. And even with all the chaos this morning, we still managed to get out of the house on time. However, I did not have a chance to shave my legs...sorry doc.   

Think Positive!

I came across this quote on Pinterest a while back and knew I wanted to use it, but was waiting for a good time. Lately, my Facebook news feed has been flooded with negative comments and posts. I get it that bad things happen and sometimes people need to vent, but can life really be that bad? Do some people really have nothing positive to say? 

source

Some people choose to embrace the "negative" in their lives rather than focusing on the" positive." They refuse to see that they are letting their lives be ruled by these negative feelings and thoughts.

Do I get mad or sad sometimes? Absolutely, but I don't let those feelings and thoughts dictate the way I am going to live my life. What is in the past is in the past and since I cannot change the past then I should not dwell on the past. Both good things and bad things are going to come my way and it's how I respond to those things that are going to determine how my life plays out.

Today, I dare you to push away the negative thoughts that try to disrupt your day. Think positive and focus on all the good in your life. Happy Thursday!  

Pregnancy Update!

For starters, I am finally legal.  Kevin and I went and got my visa all sorted out last week and we triple-checked that the date was correct this time.  Today, I am 26 weeks, 4 days pregnant.  I'm definitely starting to get bigger and my normal daily tasks are starting to get harder and harder every day.  Who knew putting my shoes on could be such hard work?  And why do I breathe like I just finished a marathon when all I did was get dressed?  I'm not sure how much I've gained since my last appointment, but I am nervous to go to the doctor's next Monday.  I'm sure I've put on quite a bit considering all I want to do is eat...constantly.  And as much as I don't want to admit it, I think maternity clothes are in my near future.  At least it will give me some new outfits to wear. 

I've been keeping busy reading up on all things pregnancy and labor.  A friend suggested I read the book Ina May's Guide to Childbirth so that is what I am currently reading.  It's a little far out there, but a must read for anyone considering having a natural labor.  I still haven't been able to talk Kevin into watching any birthing videos though.  Maybe sometime in the near future...like before my water breaks. 

Here are my pictures Week 21-26.  Watch me grow! 

I've definitely been slacking when it comes to working out. 

My belly makes a good arm rest.

I never had heartburn before the pregnancy and I'm seriously hoping I never get it again.  

My belly button popped this week.  It's not completely an outie, but it is definitely out.  

I felt Baby Reiter's hiccups this week. 

This might be my last picture in regular jeans.  It should be noted that they are unbuttoned though. 

Our Parental Pledge

Kevin had two days off Tuesday and Wednesday so we headed up to Germany to check out the Christmas Markets.  We were in the car for about 8 hours in that 36 hour period.  For us, this is definitely not a big deal, but add in the fact that we have no radio and it can get a little boring (even despite the fact that I'm a BIG talker).  Kevin and I talked a lot about the pregnancy and parenting and I came up with the idea of making a list of things we want to do and do not want to do as parents.  I think it will be interesting to see how many of the things we actually stick to. 

1.  There will be no family bed.  Kevin doesn't even like to share his space in the bed with me.
2.  We will not fight our kids on what they want to wear for the day (unless it is harmful).  If someone wants to dress up like Superman or a princess for the day, then so be it. 
3.  Treats are good for kids, but not the ones that contain food coloring.  I don't have a problem with cookies, ice cream, and cake unless they are covered in Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 6, etc.  This is one thing I definitely feel strongly about and Kevin backs me 100%.  For someone who once lived off Starburst, Jolly Ranchers, and Twizzlers, I know giving up dye wasn't easy for Kevin (but we have found alternatives).
4.  All pacifiers will be destroyed when our children are 1 years old.  We're hoping our kids don't want them...fingers crossed.
5.  Our kids will learn a foreign language at a young age.  If foreign language isn't offered at their schools, then we'll hire a tutor. 
6.  Our kids will not have the biggest and best things.  A 5 year old doesn't need an iPad and a 10 year old doesn't need the newest gaming console.
7.  The kids will be in sports.  We don't care which ones, but the kids need to be active.   
8.  We are not going to vaccinate.  I started researching vaccinations last year when we started discussing having children.  Since then, I've come across a plethora of valuable information and have shared it all with Kevin.  We've discussed the pros and cons of vaccinating and have decided we do not want to do it.  We know this will be a battle with pediatricians and schools, but we are willing to fight.

The Apartment Stalker

Don't worry, we don't have a stalker creeping around the apartment.  The only stalker around here is me.  I am the lady who is constantly looking out her window seeing who/what I can see.  I watch the people going into the hotel, smoking outside the restaurant, and coming into the gym.  I actually can tell you who is at the gym by looking outside to see what cars are parked here.  That is how I decide if I want to go down there or not.  White truck man or blue Skoda guy are normal and don't stink.  Red VW man, or as I call him "Ab Man," is creepy and I like to avoid him when possible.  If the silver Megane hatchback guy is there, I am never to go down...he wears a unitard, smells horrible (like BO and farts), and always turns the music up way to loud.  But if my good friend, Blue car lady is there, I look forward to going down.

This week, as Kevin and I were pulling up to the apartment, we noticed the owner of the hotel and one of his workers were cutting down a big evergreen tree across from our apartment.  Once we made it upstairs, I headed straight for the window because I needed to see what was going on.  And I grabbed my camera on the way.  

Watching these two grown men cut down the tree with a little saw and ax, drag it to the edge of the road, and then run it across a busy street was quite entertaining.  I'm predicting they are using this tree as the Christmas Tree at the hotel, but I need to confirm this by actually going over there.

This is where the tree used to be (in the center of the picture).

It only took two guys to move it to the side of the road.

But they had to enlist the help of a third to get it across the street. 

This is just another day in my life...creeping the neighbors.  It's exciting, I know.