No Jacket Required

That is right we returned to spring in Switzerland! Seriously it has been in the 40's and 50's (even reached the 60's today) with bright blue skies and tons of sunshine.  I really didn't think I would be so happy to see those kind of temperatures but it is comparable to a nice winter day in Florida and sure beats rain and 30 degrees any day.  We've even been without our jackets a few times. Needless to say we have been spending a great deal of time outdoors since our return. The sunshine has made the homesickness a little more bearable.

OK but I digress.  Let's start where I left off last time.  Our return flight home.  Yes it was exhausting and miserable and all that.  Just like the flight over, Alison did very well on the long stretch but not so well on the shorter one as like her mom the girl cannot sleep on an airplane.  So by the time we got to Germany we were all overly exhausted and Alison was just a handful on the flight from Dusseldorf to Zurich.  I felt a tiny bit sorry for all the businessmen who were doing their regular 8am commute to Zurich as they had to endure the wrath of a very tired Alison.  Luckily, a friend and wife of one of Erik's coworkers was kind enough to pick us up from the airport as we had lots of luggage and would not have been able to haul it all on the train.  We arrived back to our apartment around noon on Monday (after leaving Orlando at noon on Sunday) and all slept for a bit.  Seems like we were all coming down with a bit of a cold, not too surprising given the crazy week we had and the long flight / lack of sleep.  It took Alison and I a few days to recover from the jet lag but by the end of the week we were back on schedule.  Erik returned to work on Tuesday so he really didn't have a choice of napping or getting back on schedule and unfortunately for him seemed to be the sickest of us all.  Needless to say Erik realized that one week is not enough time to fly over and back.  Next year at least two weeks.

So seriously the weather has been amazing.  And Alison and I have been really busy.  Seems like folks are just much happier (including myself) and like to get out more when the sun is shining.  Last Friday we met my friend Rachel and her son Oliver in Brugg where we walked around this urban farm.  It is this sort of psychiatric ward / garden / farm area.  The kids loved it as they got to see cows, deer, sheep, chickens and ducks as well as tractors and the odd crazy person or two.  I loved it as it was just nice to enjoy a beautiful day outside and catch up with Rachel on what was going on while we were away.  Then on Friday night I went to my first German yoga class.  It was really great and was actually quite challenging seeing as I haven't been doing much of anything except chasing a toddler around and catching a train or bus here and there. It was conducted all in German or Swiss German but I still enjoyed it.  You will never guess how much a yoga class cost here? Any guesses?  I was shocked but the good news is that since it is a pre-natal class our insurance should cover at least some if not all of it.  Pretty cool.

Over the weekend we took a family excursion to Ikea, which is always interesting.  It is so overwhelming and crowded and we always end up coming back with more stuff than we needed. Seriously the two times we've gone, we've returned with something large that we never took out of the box as we realized we just didn't need it here.  Oh well.  I am sure it won't be the last time we visit Ikea in a daze and come back with something we really do not need.  The problem here is that there isn't room for needless stuff.  There is barely room for the stuff we do need.

Alison and Franchesca (sp?) at playgroup

On Monday, Alison and I went to our English speaking playgroup.  I am rather enjoying that and have made some good contacts there.  Alison also enjoys playing with the other kids.  On Tuesday, we ran into a family from the playgroup at the local playground.  Again another beautiful day to be out and about.

The line for pies at the prison store aka 5 Stars

Erik enjoy pie on Pi day

Our 3 slices of heaven

On Wednesday morning, we did something rather charming.  One of the ladies from playgroup told me that the prison store sells wonderful pies on Wednesday mornings but you have to get there early before they sell out.  And yes there is a prison in the town we live in.  Apparently it is one of two or three in the entire country (remember Switzerland is pretty small).  Anyway the prisoners make and sell various things, including really yummy pies.  Again a beautiful day for a stroll and when we found the store there was literally a line out the door.  Now you don't necessarily buy an entire pie as they are more large pizza sized pies cut into large slices.  (I mean I guess you could buy an entire pie but really who has room for that in their tiny Swiss refrigerator.)  There were various flavors - cheese, spinach, etc plus all varieties of fruit pies - blueberry, strawberry rhubarb, etc.  We stood in line while Alison munched on this delicious bread shaped like a turtle.  I wish I would have saved a piece of the bread for Erik but it was so good that it didn't make it home.  Back to the pies - we ordered three slices when our turn came - one blueberry, one spinach and one strawberry rhubarb.  Last night over a heated game of Scrabble, Erik and I shared the blueberry and it was heaven.  Tonight before dinner we shared the spinach one as an appetizer - again yummy.  I can't wait to try the strawberry rhubarb.

Play area at the hospital cafeteria

On Wednesday afternoon we had another doctor appointment in Baden which as I have said before is a bit of a trek to get to sans auto.  But a beautiful day instead of the normal rain and cold made it much better.  On Sunday of last week we visited a Birthing Center that is located in the town we live in.  It is the oldest one in Switzerland and has an excellent reputation as several women I have met either delivered there or knows someone who delivered there.  We were thinking purely for convenience as it is literally across the street from our flat. W e could walk there which would be nice come delivery day.  That being said the only hiccup is they are moving locations at the end of May / early June which is of course when I am due.

On Thursday (today) we had coffee hour at Erik's office with some of the other wives and then lunched with Erik.  I cannot stress how nice it has been.  And the great thing about this week is that Alison has had interactions with other kids every day.  From playgroup, to the playground, to the play area at the hospital cafeteria - she has had her fill of other children which I am so happy about.

Enjoying the sunshine on the porch

In the afternoons after Alison gets up from her nap, I open the sliding door in our living room and let Alison play on the porch.  We get direct sunlight there and it such a nice area to play.  We have also been letting her play with two of the older kids who live downstairs (Elvis and Marie Magdalene).  They tend to play in the large grassy area after school and have been really sweet to Alison when she joins in.  Today Alison dug in the dirt with Marie and then moved rocks with our other neighbor Noah.  She has been having a ball and going to sleep exhausted at night.  I am so glad to see her so happy.




Well this weekend I think we are going to venture over to Rhine Falls which is the largest waterfall in Europe / Switzerland.  Should be another beautiful weekend.

Full moon over the castle last week

check out my new do

Ali sporting some scars from face diving on the porch

What is left of the blueberry pie - yummy

Ali eating a whole apple on the porch sans shoes

Doesn't everyone wear a cool hat to read at bedtime

Link to Alison's belated one year photo shoot in case you didn't catch it on Facebook:

http://www.aimeenelsonphotography.com/2012/02/28/baby-a-1-year-portraits-jupiter-fl-photographer/