Walking Toddler on the Loose and Adventures in Europe

The last month has been a fantastical whirlwind and I feel sometimes that I need to pinch myself since it is all such a stark contrast to our last year in the US. Not that our time in the US was bad, just so busy with no time for travelling or vacation. This time of year is gorgeous in Germany. Our front yard is a huge wheat field and the farmer started cutting it yesterday afternoon. His tractor is very big and very loud, so it shouldn't have been a surprise that when we went out to witness it, all the neighbors were out watching as well. Lots of big eyes from all the little boys as they waved to the farmer on his tractor. There are also tons of corn fields with crops of corn taller than I have ever seen, I am guessing more than double Peter's height. The weather is sunny and warm and has everything of summer that I love . . . swimming, summer dresses for me, Cooper's adorable exposed tummy, playing outside, walking barefoot, and the sound of crickets and frogs on a warm summer's night. I love it!



Alan, my brother, and April, my sister-in-law were here. We met in Paris, and there was quite a bit of confusion at the airport since it was necessary to take a bus or train to the hotel and it was just hard to figure out. Peter, Alan, and April were already at the hotel resting and I was antsy with anticipation at seeing familiar familial faces again and hear the old southern twang again. We spent 4 days in Paris touring around and had Rick Steve's Best of Europe book as our travel bible. While Rick did a great job pointing us in the right direction each day, we were greatly disappointed in one of his Restaraunt recommendations. Our first night we decided we would do it right in an authentic french restaurant, and we put our trust in ol' Rick. Don't ask why we were surprised that there wasn't any English on the menu, but we were. Walking in I saw a plate with a huge grey fish on it complete with scales, head, eyeballs, and tail. All I knew was that I did not want that. We tried our best to piece together things that sort of looked like words we recognized, and our waiter was no help but was really trying to push the fish. Peter got the fish, I got some sort of slop with I believe a meat in it, April got a dry chicken (the most appealing looking out of the three, but the fish supposedly tasted the best . . . I refused to try it), and Alan got a steak that was cooked so rare it bled all over the place and yet was so tough that a knife couldn't cut it so he jabbed it with his fork lifted it to his mouth and tried to knaw off a piece. We laughed so hard and the table next to us got a genuine chuckle as well. So, Rick didn't get it right on the food, but the laugh was almost worth it. Almost. The rest of Paris was filled with Eiffel tower, church's (not the chicken), a bike tour in which I literally nearly caused a huge accident and nearly my own life (the tour guide told us to DOMINATE and I complied), and even a free trip to Disney Paris courtesy of my hubby's job!



Peter was working in Paris the whole time at the Disney office there . . . or so he said. As Alan, April, and I were touring around, we were looking at the sunbathers along the river and spotted Peter in his speedo bikini pounding away on his laptop. We took a picture to prove that we saw him! That sneaky (and cheeky) fellow!



Next we were on to home base here in Isen, we spent a day in Munich on Mike's Bike Tours, which I have now done for what I believe would be the 7th time and if you visit Munich, this tour is highly recommended. After another day in Isen doing laundry, then we headed out for Prague. Now I am not a rookie travellor and I don't appreciate blonde jokes all that much (I now dye my hair brown), but I must say that I had my fill of blonde moments from the start of this little leg of our trip. There are three main rules to travelling:
1. Have passports
2. Take some money
3. Check reservations.


First off, Prague is in another country (Czech Republic) and passports are needed. Well, I had mine but little Cooper was just left out in the cold by his mommy. Luckily we didn't need the passports at anytime, so Cooper was allowed into the country with the rest of us. But after driving 4 hours, I was convinced that we would be turned away. Next up, we needed some lunch. We stop at McD's just past the border. They don't take credit card, we haven't changed any money yet to Czech Kronz, but luckily they take Euros! Unfortunately, I don't seem to have any Euros with me either! Ever seen the losers cleaning out the car and searching under the seats for some spare change at McD's? Yeah, well that was us. We got enough for each person to have a hamburger and had to live with that. Poor April had to split hers with Cooper. Finally, we made it to the hotel. Parking was a nightmare so I won't even go there. But upon arrival we learn that there is a problem with our reservation. It is for the next night! Oh, Amy. Seriously? The hotel was very nice to overbook themselves on our behalf, so I couldn't find the heart to complain about the giant hole in my bathroom cieling (big enough for a large manly criminal to come in during the night). The rest of Prague was rainy, and I was feeling pretty low that I destroyed the magic of Prague for Alan and April. This is the city that Peter and I find so romantic and wonderful. We missed out on a few major sights including the Golden Alley and Jewish Cemetery (if you ever go to Prague you must not miss these!!!) But they did get to see Old Town Square at night, which proved to be magical for Cooper as well. He sat back in his stroller eating ice cream, gazing, and laughing at the beautiful gothic buildings all lit up. Our second day in Prague ended with a very nice tour guide, a 70-something native of Prague who was very knowledgable and had 4 large hairs (2 black, 2 grey) protruding from the top of his nose (the top, people, not even the nostril!), but he enjoyed talking so much that after going more than an hour over the designated tour time (and he was more than an hour from finishing and it was raining) we had to cut it short and call it a day.


After our 2 eventful days in Prague we were glad to make it back to Isen, and to celebrate Peter's 33rd birthday and spend some down time. Although, our down time also consisted of a hike up a mountain with Uncle Alan carrying Cooper up, and Peter and I trading off with Cooper on the way down (Cooper loves his Deuter pack that he sits in, we highly recommend it!).

Then we set off for London, baby! A little scare beforehand given that Lufthansa was going on strike this very day, but we got lucky and made our flight with no problem. We were all glad to be in English speaking territory for some time. Highlights of London include the double decker tour bus (you've got to do it!), which comes with the most touristy complimentary ponchos if there should be sprinkles and yes, we wore them, even Alan. Also, Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, traditional fish and chips in an English pub along the Thames, the Tower of London, etc. And you know I can't do London without a Broadway Musical! Alan and April flew back to the US from there and we came home. Whew! Now I am pooped!

But you know that I am always most excited to to write about my little man. I know I say it everytime, but he is just more and more amazing everyday. He is finally walking!!!!!! YAY!! Not constantly, since crawling is still the preferred and faster method for Coop, but he can walk all the way across the living room or kitchen and can change directions. He finds it a fun game now and a sure way to make mommy whoop and holler and jump up and down all while clapping. This he finds to be quite the worthy reward for his treacherous journey across the room. Then he will look around for more things to walk to and obtain more frantic cheers. Peter's sister and parents gifted us with a swing/slide set in the backyard and Cooper is all into that. He loves to slide and does it almost alone, but you know mommy has to keep holding onto that hand. He would rather do it himself. His favorite game is STILL peek-a-boo. This gets lots of shreiks, laughs, and squeals of delight, so he loves when I squat down low and push him in the swing, so that when he swings forward he goes over my head, and when he swings back, I re-appear. Pure ecstatic joy for him. He also loves going to the pool and is absolutely fearless around water, and there seems to be no end to his energy at the pool. He still takes naps (3-4 hours during the day) like a piece of cake, goes to bed at night at 7:30 like a dream, sleeps through the night and this morning didn't wake up till 9:45! Peter and I find ourselves saying at least 5 times a week, "He is such a great sleeper!". And he is, and I wouldn't trade those great ZZZZ's for anything, but is it silly that I actually miss him when he is sleeping? I mean, he is right there! Peter and I have a tradition everynight that we did from the time he was born, to go into his room before we go to bed ourselves and just peek at him, pull the cover up, and admire him. Those moments are the most precious for me. I just look at him and know how amazing he is, wonder how in the world we could create something like that, and I swear it looks like he is growing and changing before my eyes. He gets older every night!


Cooper's new thing that melts my heart is giving really tight hugs. And he does this to me about 100 times a day. Or if I am cooking in the kitchen, he will grab hold of my dress or shorts and walk along with me around the kitchen. He is such a delight and I am so blessed to have such a loving, lovable, happy, well-behaved little guy. I know my time is coming when he will have his not so wonderful moments, but I am revelling in the current days and these moments when clearly mommy hangs the moon!


Now we are getting back to normal, and also preparing for our next visitors. Tabitha, Jared, and Christina will be here soon and more adventures are sure to come our way. We hope that some of you others will take some time to come visit as well. Otherwise, it looks like Peter and I will be flying back to the US for a visit on October 8th and we will plan to see as many of you as possible then. I can't wait to see friends and family again. The one thing missing here for us is you all. Can't wait to get some Mexican with the North Augusta crowd, meet for lunch with my MCG folks, head to Harlem to see that undeniably beautiful spawn of the Sosebee's (she really is one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen!), spend time with my old school friends and girlfriends, and let the family take a good gander at our handsome little man. You all are so missed, and even though I rave about our wonderful time here, it still isn't as good as having that great network of people around to laugh and talk about life with.


Take care, love and miss you all!