Family Visit

I am very lucky to have my parents fly out to visit my family.  It is very expensive to fly to Germany in August and they booked a flight last minute.  I love them. Bryan loves them. And Kate loves them. 

 We went to the Parsberg pool.  My dad walked to the bakeries and brought home breakfast.  We stopped by the ice cream shop.  We completed a rope course in the trees.  We tried to stay cool in a house without air conditioning in 90 degree weather.  We played games at night and talked about life.  We enjoyed every minute together.

Everyone in the car is asleep except mom and me (we are parked or at a stoplight).

Switzerland

My parents and I took a vacation without Bryan because he couldn't take too many days off of work.  They really wanted to visit Switzerland, especially Zermatt, but I wasn't ready to travel with two children for 8+ hours in the car.  So, we did locations that were a little more doable.  

 On the border of Germany/Switzerland is the widest waterfall in Europe called Rhinefalls.  It is beautiful and picturesque.  

 This is at the top of the falls.  I really like this picture of my dad.  

 We visited the city Lucerne and the famous Church Bridge.  So gorgeous!

 The Dying Lion of Lucerne.  A memorial to all the mercenaries killed in the French Revolution. It is really large, but hard to compare in the picture.  

 The next city we visited was Lauterbrunnen.  This area has over 70 waterfalls in a 2 mile radius. I wish the weather was more cooperative and we could see all of the Swiss Alps.  It is hard to travel/water with kids in the rain.  This area is by far the most beautiful place in Switzerland. 

Our last city visit was Berne.  The river makes a peninsula around the city.  The name Berne means bear and the city has caged bears in a pit. But unfortunately, the bears were gone until the autumn. Boo!

Berchtesgaden

This is probably my favorite place.  I love this area of Germany.  I would be more than happy to come here every summer and spend a couple days.  My mom and dad were able to enjoy Berchtesgaden as well when they came to visit. 

 Our first adventure was the Eagles Nest.  This was Hitler's summer house during his reign.  Such a great view of the area.  You have to take a bus or hike up to this tunnel and then take a golden elevator to the top of the mountain.

 Kate and Bryan

 Rebekah and Jane

 We went to Salzburg the next day.  This is a view from the Hellbrunn Palace and the trick water fountains.  So much fun for Kate.

 The next day, we ventured to Jenner mountain.  We had to take the ski lift to the top of the mountain and hiked down.  The view on top was amazing because of Lake Konigssee.  The hike was hard on our knees and legs on the way down.  In fact, I got a little heat exhaustion afterwards being 3 weeks postpartum and breastfeeding.  I didn't drink nearly enough water.  

My dad and I at the top of Mt. Jenner.

 Spotted a few cows on the way down the hike.  

 Dipping into Lake Konigssee after the long hike. 

 We celebrated my moms 66th birthday.  We definitely surprised her as we were actually a day early and didn't even realize it.   

Jane at One Month

Our sweet little Jane is already one month.  To me, she doesn't look anything like a newborn.  She has fat rolls and a big tummy.  She wakes every 3-4 hours at night to nurse, and boy is she good at eating.  She is able to hold her head up for long periods of time and is beginning to stand on her legs.  Jane is trying to keep up with her big sisters athletic abilities.  She has discovered her hands and takes a pacifier to help calm her down.  She has already visited 2 other countries outside of Germany- Austria and Switzerland.  We sure have enjoyed our time with this sweet girl and already want her to stop growing!

 Kate has already become a great big sister; protective and concerned about Jane and her whereabouts.  

 Jane and her little boyfriend Eddy.  

 We were able to bless Jane while my parents came to visit.  I need to get better pictures of Jane in her blessing dress before she outgrows it.  She slept through the whole blessing.  Such a good little baby.  

Our Miracle

We were a little surprised with the news of having another baby.  After my surgery last year, we were unsure if having another child was possible.  We are so grateful she is part of our family!

 We had family pictures taken when I was 20 weeks pregnant.  Kate had just turned two and we wanted to document the new addition to our family.  Jessica Mann was our photographer and did a amazing job.   

 20 weeks ultrasound of baby girl

24 weeks

This is when I really started to notice I was pregnant.  One day, I just sort of "popped".

26 weeks

30 weeks

33 weeks

37 weeks

 38 weeks

40 weeks + 6 days

After swimming with our friends all morning, I watched Brave Heart and bounced on the yoga ball.  I had had some contractions early that morning, but they didn't continue.  While I was bouncing, I started counting my contractions and they were 2-4 minutes apart.  By 4:30, I had to call my friend Maggie to watch Kate because they were getting closer together and stronger.  We arrived at the hospital around 5:30 and walked around just to make sure I was really in labor (I would hate to be turned down).  When we went to the labor and delivery unit, they asked for my "Mutter Pass".  I had totally forgotten it at home and Bryan had to drive the 30 minutes there and back to go get it.  Thank goodness for the autobahn! I was worried he wasn't going to make it and panicked.  Don't worry.  He made it.  When he came back though, he had all this paperwork to occupy him and I was laboring on my own.  Kind of sucked.  At about 8 pm, I asked him if he was done yet because I felt like I needed to push.  The midwife came in and checked, and I was only at 8 cm and she told me not to push.  I did.  My water broke and about 2-3 minutes afterwards, out came the baby.  I had to wait for contractions with this child because I hadn't eaten lunch or dinner, plus I played at the pool all morning.  I was exhausted!

 Jane Brooklyn Ahlborn

18 July 2015

20:27

Regensburg, Germany

4200 grams 55 cm long

or

9 pounds 4 ounces and 21 2/3 inches

6.5 hours of labor

 Big sister holding little sister for the first time.  She was so excited to get some gifts from baby Jane.  She got a princess purse, princess "tiger" snacks, chalk, a big sister t-shirt, and princess books.

9 days

Jane is very different from our Kate.  She has olive skin and dark hair.  Oh, and she is 2 pounds heavier! Jane's newborn pictures were taken again by Jessica Mann.  We will be taking family and sibling pictures next week and can not wait to get them all back!

Fourth of July Weekend

Over the fourth of July weekend, I wanted to keep things close and simple.  We went to Potterstein and hiked to a castle, rode on the rodelbahn, walked the biking paths, toured the Devil's cave, and ate at a trout farm.  It is about 45 minutes away from our house.  Lots to do in the area that is kid and adult friendly.  

 The hilltop close to the castle.

 A bear or "dinosaur" in the cave.

 Kate actually likes fish.  She had some of my smoked trout and asked for seconds!

On the fourth of July, we went to our local swimming pool, napped, and then went on base for the festivities.  They had pie eating contests, american burgers, bouncy house and slide, face painting, and crafts.  I hate that the face painting line is so long.  Kate loves to have her face painted, but I am not really willing to wait.  Sad.  The fireworks didn't go off until 10:30 pm as it doesn't get dark until about 10 pm here.  She loved watching the show and really liked the purple fireworks.  We love her so much!

Sesame Street

The USO sponsored Sesame Street to visit all the European Army bases.  Kate has just started getting into characters from movies and shows.  Her favorite character is Abby Cadabby, which wasn't part of the show.  She did, however, think the character Katie was Abby Caddaby and was content with that.  Kate was super cute and dancing to the music.  All her friends sat around her doing the same routine.  They loved it. 

Colton, Emme, and Kate

Kate, Colton and Chase