Winter this year was long and cold.......and February was no exception with plenty of snow. Plenty of layers of clothes was still a must and we were very much looking forward to some warmer weather to thaw our bones.
February was a month of preparation filled with lots of social outings! It was a strange month as we wanted it to both go slowly and quickly at the same time. Slowly as Jennifer, David and Casey were preparing to move home at the end of the month so were doing lots of packing, disconnecting phone, electricity etc, farewells and organization so we wanted the month to go slowly so we had more time with them. We also wanted it to go quickly so we could get on with our trip Downunder to warmer weather and seeing as many of you as possible.
We were lucky enough to spend lots of time with the Dunstans enjoying time with them when Patricia their sister came over, many dinners at favourite local restaurants, brisk Winter walks, dinners and drinks at one another’s places. Then at the end of their time here they spent a week living with us. This gave us a taste of extended family living and was great fun! There were some challenges for them during this month and we were pleased to be able to be so close and rally around and apply TLC as much as we could until they were safely on the plane and back in Australia with their families and friends close at home. It was no accident that we flew out the day before they left – that was a farewell too much for me to face! They will be sorely missed in our daily lives but as we have seen whilst living across the other side of the world, friendships span across many oceans without any impact to the love that is within them. So instead we are thankful we have had a fantastic time sharing our adventures in Europe with them. They left sad but are excitedly awaiting the new addition to their family, as Jenn left here 8mths pregnant and Casey soooo excited to be going to live back in Australia to see her cousins, grandparents and swim in Grand-dad’s pool and go to the beach.
I was at last in February given the all clear to get on and exercise (ran out of excuses and hospital visits), so off I went to “Curves” the ladies circuit gym here in Königstein three times a week. I successfully lost inches and 4kgs in 4wks ( not enough but better than nothing) ready for my trip Downunder. Paul also continued on his running 3-4 times a week and enjoyed the results. Keian however was busy growing in weight and height and discovering the world around him.
Social affairs were plentiful and we enjoyed them all…….
We had a fun dinner at a beautiful restaurant in Kronberg with our Danish friends Vibeke and Allan, also Jacqui/ Eric and of course our Keian…..(photo page includes this dinner shot).
We also went to Kempinskis for a Sunday lunch farewell for the Dunstans (there were a few of these as you will gather) which lasted 9 hrs, Keian was the perfect child, lay between Paul and I playing on the bench seat, fed and slept. It was a wonderful time in front of the open fire with snow outside! Spectacular views!
We were taken out by Jenn and Dave for a magnificent feast the night before we flew out with them and Jacqui and Eric at a swish Italien. It was a 15 course taste bud delight with appropriate wines to accompany them. All were delicious excluding the “sweet bread” which we soon discovered was pancreas (ahhhhhhhh), why on earth would one call that “sweet bread”?????
(Unfortunately Paul was struck down with a gastro bug the night before and could not come but this allows me to take him back to the restaurant at a later date for a special night). Keian also came with me that night as Paul had to stay away from him being so sick, the Italiens take great pride in their babies and see them as the most important guests so a special table was pulled up beside me to allow him to lie on the table next to me and see what was going on, which he did! The rest of the time he was asleep in his capsule beside me on the floor – too cute!
Our Pre-natal class reunion was great. All 8 of us have had our babies now and so it was our first opportunity to meet all the babies and see all the mums so happy for two reasons 1. Not being pregnant and 2. Proud of their little Prince and Princesses ( see photo). Keian was awake and playing the whole time until it was time for photos and he was then sound asleep hence he is facing into me instead of the camera – again tooooo cute!
We had yet another Sunday lunch at a place in Königstein which was a lot like faulty towers in the making. Food was delicious when it finally came but we were moved twice to different tables which were more “comfortable for you all with the children” and was actually the table right up the back away from the other tables! Orders were mixed up and drinks appeared to evaporate as opposed to be served! But this just added to the hilarity of the lunch (photo included).
Lots of last minute shopping and gifts for all the new babies and birthdays, Mothers Days etc –any excuse to shop! Finally it was the 25th and time for us to pack and pack and pack and pack then fly. We had a special car pick us up with our 3 huge suitcases, 4 carry on bags, port-a-cot, car seat and pram……Ahhhhhhhh!
We flew Frankfurt-Dubai-Bangkok-Sydney-Brisbane with Paul the pack horse who carried the 97 bags of hand luggage whilst I had to carry Keian and tend to him for the flights as Paul was still so sick.
When we stopped at Dubai we went to the lounge where I tried to steal 30minutes sleep but this proved impossible as every 2 minutes a BLARING announcement of the next flight boarding was made. I could have cried!!!!! It became quite humourous to Paul and I as we got on the planes, we were always last to minimize the sitting waiting to take off so everyone saw us get on and you could see the disappointed looks on their faces as they saw a 3mth old infant join them in business class. They did not smile until the end of each flight they made a point many of them to come over and tell us what a good baby we had and that they had not heard him the whole flight……
When we then finally made it to Sydney and were collecting all our bags we were waiting for the pram at oversized luggage and waiting waiting waiting…….AHHHHHH NOOOOO it had not made the flight in Frankfurt when we took it to the gate and then it is meant to be put in the hull. We learnt the valuable lesson of ALWAYS check the pram in with your luggage and put Keian in Baby Bjorn instead to walk to the plane. Needless to say we were very happy to see Neil and Doreen waiting for us for our lay over in Sydney for a few hours and then to see Sandra and John at the gate in Brisbane all waiting with accepting arms to carry our precious but heavy bundle of joy! Let the holiday month of March begin…….