Meeting the Princess

Ivy was born across the street from a huge palace, also a block away from where we lived for our first 2 months in Germany, making it extra special.  I never would've guessed 2 years ago that we'd be bringing home a new princess from that hospital!  Here we are on our way home from the hospital.  Some people felt sorry for us that we took the train, but then I could stand up instead of sit down, which was more comfortable for me.

I have a few favorite moments in the hospital.  One was right after Ivy was born and the nurses left just me, Myles, and Ivy alone together for a few minutes.  Rain was spattering on the windows.  The sound was so peaceful.  It was the first time I remember thinking rain was beautiful.  My other favorite moment was when the girls came with Myles' mom to take us home, and the girls gathered around her, just adoring her, and helping get her ready.

 

Macy brought a homemade bracelet and card that said, "I love you, Ivy."

Already smiling up at her big sisters.

The girls were pros. at holding her.

Meeting Grammy.

 

When we toured Washington DC, one of the highlights for the girls was the big escalators at the zoo.  I think the automatic bed will be a memory maker, too.  

Mother Rose and Her Four Beautiful Daughters

 

 

Our "German" Baby

I was able to bring Miss Ivy May into the world via one of the traditional German ways--naturally in water.  This is not something I thought I would ever try to do or want to do, but the more I researched it, the more excited I became to try it, and it ended up being my best labor, delivery, and recovery yet! 

Of course, everything here is measured in grams and centimeters.  When they said her head was 37.5 cm that didn't mean much to me, but they said that was big.
She was 54 cm long (21 inches)
and weighed 3,670 grams (8 lb 4 oz)

Here at the hospitals, the Hebammes (midwives) are in charge, and the doctors are just there, if needed. This hebamme, along with the others who helped, were so nice and made me feel really comfortable.  One of them who was in training got tears in her eyes when Ivy arrived.

Here she is with her little German hat and outfit, provided by the hospital.

After the birth, I was really craving something cold like a popsicle or ice chips to soothe my throat.  They said, "Sorry, we don't have anything American like that."  So, Myles ran down the street to the Italian ice cream shop and brought me back some lemon gelato.

I thought her hospital bed was so cute.  It wasn't until we were almost leaving that I realized it's meant to be functional as well as cute.  Bundling your baby up and going outside is OK, but letting a draft in on them from the window while they are inside is not.

Again, it's a big deal to keep your baby warm.  First, a shirt that ties in the front, then a sweater over that one that ties in the back, then the outfit.  Cute, but a bit of a pain for diaper changes without any snaps. 

After the birth, we moved floors and changed hands from the Hebammes to the Krankenschwesters (nurses) who nicknamed her "Blondie."  They said it's unusual for a baby who is blonde to have so much hair.

We couldn't believe how good the hospital food was!  Myles and I joked that we were staying at a resort.  We were extra blessed that the 3 of us got to stay in a family room together and eat together for our entire stay.  If it had been more crowded, I could have been sharing with another mother and baby instead.

A sampling of a couple of desserts. 

We thought that she'd have dual citizenship.  It turns out that she either has to have a German parent or  have non-German parents living in Germany for at least 7 years and give up her American citizenship.  So, she's just American. 

I love this picture because Myles has held each of our babies this way as long as he can.

Happy 7th Birthday to Macy--a Great Joy!

Which is greater--the number of teeth she has lost in the last year or the inches she has grown?  Not sure about that one.

Always whipping up a new creative craft and just being content.

Beautiful inside and out.

Lovin' the moment.

 

Often literally jumping for joy!

It's fun to see what an amazing person Macy is already becoming--thoughtful, sensitive, creative, helpful, full of love and energy.  We're sure blessed to have her in our family and are grateful for one more year with this great girl.

Macy's B-day party

As usual, Macy came up with the theme and plan for her party.  We had fun working together as a family to make the pin-the-Pascal-on-Rapunzel's-shoulder game.

Robyn drew the outline of the chameleons.  Each girl colored their own how they wanted.

Always time for some stop dance.

The individual cakes for the girls to decorate with strawberries, bananas and spray whipping cream were a big hit!

 

 

We also had fun hula hooping and playing games in the park.

Even though the Germans believe wishing someone a happy Birthday early brings bad luck, Macy didn't mind celebrating early.  We wanted to make sure she got the party she wanted before the baby arrived.  We believe in B-day weeks, so why not a B-day month?  She's sweet about saying, "Even if the baby comes on my B-day that's OK.  And, if you're in the hospital on my B-day, that'll be a fun present to come meet the baby."

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

A neighbor of ours gave us some rhubarb from her garden, saying she doesn't like it.  She only grows it to share it with others.  But, once she tasted this strawberry rhubarb pie, she changed her mind!

 

I don't remember knowing what rhubarb was before I met Myles.  It's fun to have new recipes from both of our families to share with each other and now our kids.  Robyn loves helping in the kitchen, whether the recipe is in German or English.

My due date

Today--my due date--was a beautiful spring day!  With Robyn, I was naive, thinking that date held some type of promise.  My mom came and went before she decided to be born.  This time around, I'm much more relaxed.  Carly was almost a week late, and Macy was a day early, so I know that anything is possible, regardless of what I think or do.  People like to tell me things like, "Walk a lot."  Frankly, I'd rather be well rested, and I'm happy to have the baby come when he/she is ready.  In a week or so, I might have to step it up, but for now just the busyness of life is keeping me enough on my toes, I think.  I've had contractions off and on for a week now, but they haven't amounted to much yet.  Hopefully, they're doing some good.

Here is a field of Canola close by our house.  I love seeing them when I ride the train to my doctor's appointments, which are every 2 days now.  Yellow is Myles' mom's and my mom's favorite color.  Out of all the onesies in the world, they gave me the same ones with a yellow theme!

Probably our last family of 5 picture.  Will there be one more girl or a boy in the next one?  That is the question!

Blowing wishes with Grammy.  So glad Myles mom could be here with us!

The lilacs are in full force now.

 

 

 

Last night, we had an unexpected trip to the hospital and decided we might as well make it an official date night with some Italian ice cream.  My contractions weren't coming very strongly or too often, but due to a few drops of blood, we decided to be on the safe side and have it checked out.  After a CTG, check, and ultrasound, it was confirmed that all is A-OK.  I had 2 contractions while being monitored and hoped I could just stay, but will have to try again another day.  We weren't grateful to get home at midnight, but were glad we could leave Janell with the girls who were already in bed when we left.  And, of course we are grateful that everything is just fine with me and the babe.  

Fun with Snails

The girls have been having so much fun collecting snails lately.  They have made them houses fully equipped with everything they need, including...

a trampoline!

 

Myles likes to tease the girls that we're going to fry some up in garlic butter.  We did try that when we were in Paris...
Right now, they're experimenting with feeding them carrots to have them poop orange.  Fun times!