D+7, "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry."

41 weeks and counting! John Steinbeck really knew what he was talking about. I am quite the planner too. I have a NST (non-stress test) on Friday morning that it looks like I am going to make it to.

Yesterday, Brian's family from England arrived for a visit. It is like a mini family reunion here! They rented a car this morning to go do some shopping and sightseeing in Zweibrucken and Saarbrucken. However, the rental car broke down just down the road, so they are hanging around Queidersbach today. I can't believe how many things are going awry.

I had big plans to take Genna swimming today while Hannah was at school, but Hannah woke up with a fever of 101.8 so she didn't get to go to school today. I can't believe she's sick on her 3rd day of school! The girls haven't been sick since February, but I guess being in school is going to bring a whole string of illnesses to which we would otherwise not be exposed. Plus, I am starting to feel a bit under the weather myself which is really bad timing since I am supposed to be having a baby soon. I have been dying to get in a swimming pool, but I suppose it is not to be. I'll have to settle for a bath.

Tonight Brian is taking them to Zum Storkennest for their Midwoch Schnitzel Abend (Wednseday Schnitzel Evening), but I am going to stay here with the girls.

D+6

Six days overdue and still no sign of Isaac! Sorry to disappoint all of you eagerly awaiting his arrival and the pictures to follow! A college friend of mine (due 2 days before me) just had her little girl yesterday! Welcome Eleanor! So I guess I am next in line. Maybe Isaac was just being a gentlemen and waiting his turn! I am feeling pretty good compared to how I could feel, really. I am sleeping most nights, and the constant contractions, although a decent strength, are becoming so common place that they don't bother me much most of the time. I'm a bit moody from time to time though. :(

Other news:

Well, Hannah's first two days of kindergarten were successful! She said she played alone the first day, but today she said she played a little bit with a girl with a peach shirt and light hair. She didn't know her name. :) Yesterday she would say things to me "in German" that were real German words, but they did not mean what she was trying to convey. It was so funny! I am super proud of her! She is only going from 8:30 to 11:30am for now, but I can leave her longer if I want to in the future. When she got home today, Genna ran up to her with sweet words and two big hugs! I love that!

Genna has been cracking me up the last few days! On Sunday during Mass, she whispers to me, "Mom, I'm so sad." I asked why and she replied, "Because I don't want Jesus to die on the cross." Hannah immediately and excitedly chimes in, "Genna, it's OK because He rose again!" Then yesterday she hurt Hannah on accident and burst into tears. She said sorry to Hannah and asked if she was okay through her tears. Hannah looks at me and smiles, then looks at her and says, "No" putting on a show for Genna. Well, then Genna said she would sing her a song to make her feel better. She starts Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and cried the whole time she sang it. It was hilarious and sweet! Compassion seems to be developing in her in a big way! She has also been making us laugh with very inventive silly faces. I will put a couple up on the blog either in picture or video format soon. It's nice to have good entertainment while I am waiting on this babe!

D+5

No baby yet, but it was Hannah's first day of German Kindergarten! She was super excited! It was pouring down rain today so she got to sport her cool Belgian rain coat.

Last night she prepared her sister by telling her she would be going to school the next day, and then she added, "I will miss you, Genna." What a sweetie!

When I was snapping pictures this morning before we left, she busts out in a silent prayer!

I was supposed to go with her and stay as many days as she wanted me too, but about 5 minutes after I sat down she tells me, "Mom, you can leave now," without even looking up from what she was doing. I have to admit I was disappointed, but I held my tears until I got to the car. I was just not planning on sending her to school until she was 5, but Brian convinced me that learning another language was worth it and it is a Catholic school. Still, it's hard to send your first baby to school! Boo hoo!

Daddy's girl

On the way home we were all being silly. Brian was joking about being made out of steel, and I teased him about being the Tin Woodman with no heart. (I've been reading the original Wizard of Oz to the girls.) Hannah, defending her dad, said, "Hey, Daddy has a heart with Jesus in it!"

How sweet! Just had to share that little story too.

D+4

Well, I ended up being talked into going yesterday. I was, of course, not fully informed about the winding roads that were to make me seriously nauseous on the way there and the massive climbs I was in for once we got there to even get to the festivals. Can you believe they were up on the top of hills where the castles are located? Everyone kept reassuring me this would put me into labor if anything would! A sweet American couple with a handicapped child even offered me a ride since they could park all the way at the top in handicapped parking, but I turned them down explaining that I was 3 days past my due date and was trying to induce myself. Well, so far, it's a no go! I contracted all day and on and off last night, but still not quite real labor!

One of our dear Catholic family friends went with us too. We got lots of pictures! Brian took quite a few of me. He was quite proud that his overdue wife could make those hikes up the hills. He called me a "beast," and I had to explain that's not exactly a compliment to a woman. So we settled on "trooper" as being a compliment without in anyway referring to my hugeness.

Here's Brian trying to out do me! :) Too bad, Honey, you can put them down when you get tired!

Here's where we were headed, to the first castle on a hill. We're already more than half way up when I took this picture.

Almost there...

At last we've reached the top! And God sent the most wonderful breeze for me!


We ate lunch up here. The girls played together so sweetly after lunch. I just had to snap this picture of them holding hands. I love how close they are! I can't wait to see how Isaac fits into our family!

Here's me after the next big climb, where they had Stations of the Cross at each landing on the way up.

Uncle James holds Genna while they wait for the ride.

Hannah and I made an emergency potty trip during the first ride, so she's missing here.

But I promised she'd get a turn. This is Hannah's friend, Quinn, who she was inseparable from all day! His dad wants them to be betrothed, but Hannah informed him of her vocation to be a nun.

Today we have Mass and a potluck afterwards. Then our friends may come grill bratwursts at our house this evening. Brian is also supposed to pick up my elliptical today which is exciting! And tomorrow is Hannah's first day of German kindergarten! Assuming I still haven't given birth, I will be going with her which makes it a little easier on poor Mommy.

D+3

What caused all the excitement yesterday afternoon?

It's not a baby!

Certainly not baby Isaac!

It's a big snail!


Here's Nanna with the girls!

Brian is taking everyone to a castle festival today. I am trying to decide whether or not to go with them. I could stay here, sewing and reading the afternoon away, or I could go. We shall see!

D+2

And still no sign of Isaac! He must be comfy in close quarters, because I don't think it could get much tighter in there.

Today was Hannah's last day at Vacation Bible School. She loved it as usual, but did not participate in the "performance" for the parents at the end. I guess she didn't like the hand motions or the song or something. It surprises me because she is typically quite the performer. I forgot the camera again! I have been exceptionally bad at taking pictures lately. I don't even have any of Nanna and Uncle James yet. Plus, I should get a couple of my massive belly before it disappears (God willing!) I'll have to get on that!

Genna went to the park with Nanna and had a great time this morning! I am babysitting for a friend this afternoon, but I am getting off easy because all the kids are taking a nap right now.