Announcing the Newest Ridge...

Let's welcome Adam "He-Man" Ridge, Prince of Eternia, Master of the Universe (Eliza obviously named him).

Adam is an 11 month old British Shorthair Colourpoint Seal. He is NOT Siamese. He is ridiculously loving and sweet. We got him from a breeder here in Germany.

We are hoping that he will be Kitzel's boyfriend. We still have not secured a flight for Kitzel, so things are up in the air with her.

Adam is TINY! I would bet that he currently weighs less or the same as our baby (4.5 lbs). We are hoping to fatten him up a bit.

Eliza loves Adam. She chose him. They are very gentle with one another (if there is any roughness, it is almost always on Eliza's part).

He is very playful. He wasn't sure about the camera. He wanted to rub on it.

**How many of you thought I had the baby?! In due time... Still two more months!

Spending Fast Wrap Up & An Announcement

The spending fast closed up successfully. Here are our results (not counting roll over).
Week 3: 30.30 Euro
Week 4: 24.46 Euro

In full disclosure, week 3 we were staying with our friends' kids while they were out of town, and they supplied groceries. Also, I did take the kids to McDonald's once and the pool, but our friends paid for their kids and I had some pocket money for us (<10 Euros).

I really enjoyed doing the spending fast. It was a perfect time for us to practice our saving skills, and it just so turns out that on March 1, we used our savings to buy a little beauty like this:

Her name is Peppi (short for Josephina). She is a 2004 Honda Fit (Jazz in Europe) with 60k mi. She was an excellent price and came with two sets of tires (required in Germany). She has new brakes, batteries, etc. We have gotten her registered and drove her to church on Sunday. She runs great!

Schönen Valentinstag!

Germany hasn't fully yet adopted Valentine's Day. In the stores there is chocolate and cards for your loved ones, but the practice of giving out valentines at school hasn't yet crossed the pond. However, Eliza wasn't hearing it! She wanted to make valentines for her class. So, we did! She personally cut and decorated all the valentines. I did draw the patterns to help her. I also wrote on the backs. But otherwise, she did everything!

**I bought the candy before February. In full disclosure, it took one bag of mini Chupa Chups that I bought off the clearance rack for 1.69 Euro. Shout out to Tamsyn for finding the paper! She is really the best!!! We had the other supplies on hand.

Spending Fast: Week 2

As I've already given myself away... Yes, this week was WAY more of a challenge. Last week, I was 24 Euro under, which may have contributed* to this week's overage (of exactly 24 Euro including the snow pants!) So, if you are a good mathematician, this week's total was:

74.06 Euro

But, the accountant in me wants to reconcile. So, let's take out the snow pants. That leaves 62.06 Euro, and then roll the previous week's surplus of -24 Euro. That gives us 38.06 Euro, and we allotted 50 Euro for the week; therefore, we have -12 Euro to roll to next week. So, for the month, we are still under.

*I say that last week may have contributed because when Monday came, we were out of everything!

**In full disclosure, I also bought a stroller, car seat and bassinet this week. I am not counting it because 1) It was a previously budgeted item that was WAY under budget (by 450 Euros!) 2) I've been searching for these items for months, and when the deal came up, it could not be resisted.

***Claron also bought a new hose for the shower this week. It broke and had to be fixed in the interest of hygiene and water spraying all over my bathroom. It was 15 Euros. But, do spending fasts extend to husbands fixing necessities?

Cheater!

I was bad. I cheated yesterday... well, kinda!

It is COLD here. Like -20 C cold and windy. As I was walking to church on Sunday, I swore to myself that I was going to buy a pair of snow pants... and soon!

Monday, I walk into our grocery store, and there among the clearance items.... only one pair of snow pants... the right color... in my size.... with room for a pregnancy belly... 70% off!!! So, I put them in my cart. They were a whopping 12 Euros! Considering I was under budget last week, I thought it might be okay. I felt guilty that I didn't put them on to retrieve Eliza yesterday. But today, I woke up to this:

I don't feel so guilty now... (By the way, it is still snowing out there and is supposed to continue until possibly tomorrow!)

Spending Fast: Week 1

I know many of you are curious to know how the spending fast is faring.

I would be lying if I said that there hasn't been temptation this week. I've had many times that I've had to close Amazon (and other websites) with a cart full of stuff. But....

Here are the results:
Amount Spent Week 1: 26 Euro (all grocery)

Also, I did our US Federal taxes and scored us over $1000. I'm trying to decide whether it is worth it to file our California Non-Resident taxes. They owe us a cool $52. Normally, those 52 big ones would already be in process of transferring to my bank account, BUT I have to file on paper or pay one of the stupid services. I'm sure I'll file, but for now a break. I still also have to file our German taxes on Elster (translates to Magpie... you know... the bird who likes shiny things. Clever, no?).

One thing that is exempt from the spending fast is the search for a car. It continues. Especially as temperatures have been hovering around -20 C, a car is needed. Also, no big deal, but the doctor has put me on "regular activities only." My cervix is measuring a little thin. As I said, no big deal, but she said I need to be careful with the walking. It would be really nice if we could find a nice car...

Spending Fast

I'm joining my friend, Jeannie (who is awesome, BTW) on a Spending Fast for February!

Here are the rules from her friend, Cammie:
"You don't buy anything for the month of February. Okay, there are a few exceptions. You can pay your rent and other bills and you can buy gas. You can also buy food, but you should limit and stretch in this area. For my family of three I spend $50 a week during the Spending Fast. You can choose what works for your family."

We are doing 50 Euros, of course. I'll keep you updated and let you know how we do.

Kitzel vs. the European Union

This is Kitzel:

While in this picture she may look calm and serious. It is a lie! Don't believe it for a second. She is very playful and silly. She has amazing musculature and a tail that goes on forever. She is very tolerant of Eliza (as seen here)...

Kitzel was bought for Eliza for Christmas/Birthday. She is fully vaccinated/microchipped.

We took her to the vet for her last appointment, filled out all of the paperwork and were assured that the vet had done this before, and all the boxes were checked and completed correctly.

Later that week, my mom and I went to the USDA to get Kitzel's official stamps to enter Germany. Already, it had been a horrible day. We should have known. Mom had (another) disappointing appointment at Hopkins. We then drove down to Annapolis for our USDA appointment. We arrived way early (12 p.m. instead of 3 p.m.). I gave them a quick call to see if there was any way that we could move our appointment forward a bit. "Nope, sorry. We are completely booked." Really!? All you are doing is stamping a freaking paper (which costs $40!). So, mom and I treated ourselves to a delicious lunch and some shopping. The only success of the day was at Kohl's. While walking past a clearance rack, I saw this coat that screamed "Dad." It was on sale from $140 to $14! Score! Dad does love it.

We arrive at the USDA and are greeted by a man at the desk. We give him the papers. He is aloof. We ask him whether they are in order. Does he need anything else? He seems confused. He give the papers to the vet. She looks them over and then comes out and says there is a problem. Kitzel was microchipped AFTER her rabies vaccine. So, how can we be sure that the rabies vaccine was given to the correct cat? Really!? There is only one tiny Siamese cat in my parents house. My mom starts crying (and cussing a bit). The vet says that if Kitzel can get another rabies shot, Germany almost always will waive the 21 day waiting period. My mom calls the vet immediately and schedules the shot for Saturday morning. We schedule another USDA appointment for Monday morning 9 a.m. We fly Tuesday.

Saturday comes. It snowed heavily and is now icing horribly. I load Kitzel into the car and drive SLOWLY down Turkey Point Road. The vet feels horrible and barely charges us for the rabies vaccine.

Monday morning at 3 a.m. I get up to call Germany to assure that the Munich Airport Customs will waive the 21 day waiting period. I'm told to scan her documents and email them. I fight with my parents scanner. Apparently, overnight the USB port died. I end up scanning them to a SD card then loading them to the computer. I call multiple times to make sure that they receive my documents. We need a decision by 7 a.m. to be at the USDA in Annapolis on time. At 6 a.m., I receive the first decision. NO! Sorry, according to EU regulations, blah, blah, blah. I call the office again to speak to a supervisor. I tell her that I'm pregnant, that we made this flight specially and have spent tons of money, that our normal airline will not carry her, and on and on. "Oh, I'm not the supervisor." She'll be back in about 45 mins. Can you call back then? It will be cutting it close, but I call back again. I get the supervisor, who (of course) is even worse than the other ladies. She tells me that if I was entering another port of entry into Germany (or the EU) they would probably do the waiver, but Munich sticks the to rules. I resist the urge to swear. I'm told that if we bring Kitzel, she will be quarantined (and it will cost approx. 500 Euros). We ask about a rabies blood test, that is acceptable but will take a few days. She will still be quarantined (at least 250 Euros). According to them, she is ineligible to enter the EU until 11 Feb.

I call the airlines. I try to change my flight. Flight is not changeable unless I have a doctors note saying I'm ineligible to fly. Considering that my sinuses (and soon to be my ears) are filling with snot, I think this might work. But then, she tells me the change fees: 300 Euros per ticket!!! My dad offers to pay it, but I feel back for poor Claron who hasn't seen his wife and daughter in two weeks. I really don't think he could deal without us for a month.

I have been told by my friends over and over that Customs barely checks animal paperwork. As long as it has the stamps, they generally waive you by. I'm aware that with my luck, Kitzel will probably be quarantined. I know I probably should have never even called the vet office in Munich (as now they are looking for us) and just let it be. I just have really, really bad luck.

So, I called the USDA and cancelled our appointment. When Eliza got up, I told her that Kitzel won't be coming to Germany yet. She was devastated.

Tuesday afternoon with a head full of snot but no cat carrier, Eliza and I board a flight back to Germany. On Wednesday, Eliza and I go shopping at the market. She asks to buy cat food for Kitzel. I almost start crying.

We are looking for a cat in Germany in the mean time. Unfortunately (due to the LD situation), we are pretty picky. We are hoping that someone will be able to bring Kitzel over. My mother is coming in May for the baby. Claron's parents are coming some time during the summer. She is eligible to fly as soon as 11 Feb. The USDA still has to stamp her papers though. One of the biggest problems, though, is that US Airways (who runs a direct from PHL to MUC and is often the cheapest) does not accept animals on transatlantic flights. So we wait (again)...

It's a....

TRICKSY BABY!

No skipping to the end. This is a funny story. Also, you might not want to finish reading in the middle. This story has many, many twists and turns.

In Germany, I get an ultrasound at each appointment. So, I've become quite familiar with the antics of crazy baby. Often when the doctor is trying to look at its hands, it hides them. When the doctor is trying to look at the face, it covers it with the hands. One day, tricksy baby kept posing with its hands under its chin. The doctor kept moving it around but back to the pose it went. For FIVE ultrasounds tricksy baby hid the goods.

On an aside, old german ladies have been stopping me in the street to tell me that I'm having a boy. "Okay, thanks," I politely say and move on. My kids at church voted and all but two (the germans) said it was a girl. This pregnancy has been completely different than Eliza's. I was sick with Eliza, but not like with tricksy baby. I puked my guts out with this baby. I think I have puked behind every bush in Bavaria. I have barely gained any weight. I look like I stuck a basketball (wait this is Germany, a Fussball) to the front of me. Because of the old ladies and the difference, I convinced myself that it is a boy.

So, to ultrasound appointment #6. Tricksy baby finally shows the goods.
Doctor: "It's a girl!"
Me: "No, it's not."
Doctor: "I've been doing this for 35 years, and it is a clear shot."
Me: "I have to go home and tell my husband, and I don't want him too excited. How sure are you, in percentage points?"
Doctor: "90%"

I called my husband. He is overjoyed at the thought of two girls! I call my family. My awesome sister in law offers me all of her baby clothes. Too easy, right?

The next week we have our 3D Ultrasound appointment downtown. The doctor put the wand on my belly. There is the head and...
Me: "Holy crap! That is a PENIS!!!"
Doctor: "What did you do before having children?"
Me: "I was an accountant, but I am right. That is a PENIS!?!"
Doctor: "Yes"
Me: "...and you are sure that is a penis?!"
Doctor: "For sure."
Me: "So, that means it's definitely a boy?!"
Doctor: "Generally, when humans have a penis, it is a boy."

Later, walking on the street on my cell phone....
Me: "Claron, they saw something on the ultrasound that you should know about..."
Claron: "Is everything okay? What's wrong?!"
Me: "Honey, I'm sorry to tell you this... but your daughter has a penis."
Claron: *Silence*
Me: "Honey, are you there?"
Claron: "Can't we still raise him as a girl?"

So, we have no idea what to name baby boy Ridge*. Leave me some comments with suggestions. Also, those of you with boys, any advice would be helpful.

*Amanda's crazy naming rules:
1- No place names
2- No occupation names
3- No crazy spellings
4- No top 100 names

I'm sure there are more that I can't think of right now...

P.S. Eliza is now fine with the thought of a baby brother. At first, she was convinced that I was having TWO babies-- a girl and a boy!

Berlin Day #1

For the New Years holiday, Claron, Eliza and I rode with Claron's labmate, Florian, to Berlin. We stayed in Rohrdamm, which is in the former West Berlin.

The subway stations here are really quite bright; however, they are much dirtier and less accessible (fewer escalators and elevators) than Munich.

 Yes, I look really prego here, but it is to be noted that I am wearing two bulky sweaters in addition to my coat.

 This is the Fernseherturm (TV tower). It is the former East Germany. We waited in line for quite a while to go up.

 Views from the Fernseherturm. Unfortunately, it was a bit cloudy.

 This is the German Reichstag (Congressional building). See the dome on the top? To enter the Reichstag and walk the dome, you have to have an appointment. We had a 1:15 p.m. appointment. After the lines at the Fernseherturm, we had to RUN to our appointment here.

 This is walking up the dome. See Eliza?

After the Reichstag, we went to a festival at Brandenburg Tor. Unfortunately, I was too tired to take pictures by then. Eliza enjoyed TWO nutella crepes (aka "chocolate tacos"), hot chocolate, fries, and a bratwurst. It started to get cold, so we went back to the hotel and rested for awhile. We had noticed a steak restaurant by our hotel. I looked at the menu and it was only 10 Euro for a filet! So, we tried it, and surprisingly, it was excellent!