Ich liess mein Herz in Deutschland

100 in 2012

2012-02-01T11:15:00.000+01:00

So we already talked about my other challenge for 2012,2012 in 2012, to rid my home and life of 2012 items that no longer receive the love they once did.

I have a second challenge for myself this year. I am challenging myself to read 100 books in 2012.

Sound like a lot right. Well it is an average of 8 books a month, or a week. Is it doable. I dunno, but I will sure try. I love to read at night in bed, as well as in the bath, and I am turning to reading in my free time while my son naps rather then sitting online, have no fear I use that time for other important stuff like putting away everything he pulled out of the cupboards before his nap as well :)

Each month I will post up my reading plan as well as an update at the end of the month to track my progress.

Book lists:

Totals
Books completed:
End of Dec through end of Jan
1. How to declutter your home and your Life: Minimalist concepts to help you start organizing today by Martha Sinclair (Free did a kindle book swap)
2. Cyber Junkie by Kevin Roberts (8.69 sale on amazon)
3. The simple guide to a minimalist life by Leo Babauta (8.95 on amazon)
4. Simplify by Joshua Becker (.99 sale on amazon, used .03 gift card so .96)
5. Miss minimalist: Inspiration to downsize, declutter, and simplify by Francine Jay (.99 on amazon)
6. A Stolen Life by Jaycee Duggard (11.99 on amazon free with giftcard)
7. Family Sized Minimalism Simplifying life at home by Faioth Jones

Updates:

January 2012
My goals for this month were to finish the following books

The Zen Path through depression by Philip Martin On loan from the library for 2 weeks. Just started

Update not yet done carrying to Feb had to recheck out from the library

~~Cyber Junkie by Kevin Roberts Purchased on Amazon.com for 8.69 In progress~~

How to declutter your Home and your Life: Minimalist concepts to help your start organizing Today By Martha Sinclair On loan from another Kindle for 2 weeks user In progress

Clutter Clearing Choices: Clear Clutter, Organize your Home, & Reclaim Your Life by Barbara Tako On loan from the library for 3 weeks In Progress

Update Did not finish in time on my hold wishlist again

The Joy of Less. A minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify your life Purchased on Amazon.com for 9.99 In Progress

Update not yet finished carrying into Feb

~~Family Sized Minimalism: Simplifying Life at Home by Faith Jones Purchased on Amazon.com for 4.99 In Progress~~

The New becoming Vegetarian : The essential guide to a healthy vegetarian diet By Vestano Melina Bought on Amazon.com for 9.99 In Progress

Update still in Progress carry over

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsy Bought on amazon for 8.99 In progress

Update still in Progress carry over

Goal for the month 8 Finished 7, not too shabby!

93 to go!

Meal Plan Monday

2012-01-30T13:52:00.000+01:00

Another week of meal ideas. Here is a look at what is going on in my kitchen.

This week I wanted to try something new, so I tried out one of the all you 5 meals one list plans. Supposed to be dirt cheap. I really am not impressed because at the end it used many items I did not have on hand, and none of what I needed was on sale. I ended up almost doubling the food costs this week. Now I do realize many items bought are not just for the week such as spices and what not but still kind of a bummer. Also many will have left overs so it generally lasts longer then a week.

I have been debating trying emealz but this reason is exactly what concerns me. Perhaps I am better off to stick with comparing ads, choosing sale ingredients and from there using recipie search engines based on what I have and sales.

I thougth about trying to cut back chicken costs by cooking full chickens, but the chickens here are so small at the end I feel like I get more meat buying chicken breasts.

So here is a look at our dinners this week

1. Crockpot pulled chicken sandwiches and french fries
2. Crock pot chicken tacos and beans
3. Homemade tomato soup with pesto and grilled cheese sandwiches
4. Spiced pork pattied with greens
5. Kotbullar, jager sauce, cranberries, and potatoes
6. Pasta salad with tuna olives and parsley
7. Abendbrot and leftovers

Dessert: Homemade strawberry blondies

What is cooking in your kitchen this week? Have you ever used a service like emealz and did you find it helpful?

Do you Swap?

2012-01-20T14:06:00.000+01:00

I talked before about trading, but today I want totalk about swaping. Sounds similar right? And yeah in a way it is, but swappingis a little bit different. This post will explain the differences and also thebenefits to swapping.

A swap is an exchange; much like a trade but it is generallydone in a controlled group, many times with a theme. This is done through many websites, butalso done directly between individuals in the form of box or surprise swaps.

Swaps are done including everything from used items, to newitems, or things you make for your partner. You may find used clothing swaps, surprise book swaps, foodfrom home. The possibilities are endless.

The idea behind the swap is that for the most part, though thereare exceptions to the rule, swaps are done as surprise packages. I give you mybox of size 6-9 month boys clothing for your box of 9-12, or my box paperbacksfor yours. Many times you can create a wish list of sorts for example in a bookswap you may list genres you love as well as those you hate, maybe even includea few of the book titles you really want to read.

Swaps can cost more then trades, because many times you aretrading new items. This is of course not always the case, there are many usedswaps. Make sure you check out the swap rules before partaking those that dorequire new items often have a minimum value.

I do not swap nearly as often as I trade but when I have ithas been a very enjoyable experience. It is a bit harder with me overseas tofind people willing to swap or trade, but I do find people. It is a bit harderwith swaps, since people do not have a guarantee of what they will get inreturn as one would in a trade where shipping is built in to the value of whatyou receive.

I have had a few fun swaps, one just came today. It was aChildren’s Christmas box gift swap. Minimum value 10 dollars. People could sendmore if they chose, but you should only expect a value of 10 not includingshipping. We got a 8 year oldgirl, we got her one of those sets to braid designs and beads into your hair,a pair of leggings and some German treats. Teenie in turn got a hand crocheteddoll, 3 crocheted balls and a wooden car. Again we listed ideas and suggestionsbut the swap partner had discretion of what ultimately to send. I am totally thrilled. I love the itemsand teenie loves them. I am a sucker for handmade kids toys but they are oftenvery costly and out of our price range, swapping allows me to get such itemsfor my son.

Another example, one that I could not do from overseas, butpartook in when I went home was a paperback book swap. We each sent the otherperson a flat rate box of paperback books. Perhaps not the best idea as mineare still sitting at my moms since I ran out of luggage room, but hey live andlearn right.

Swaps can be a lot of fun; I know Sonya over at Home cooking with Sonya does tons of food box swaps with people all over the world that allowshere to try all kinds of new foods and flavors. Again there is so much outthere that you should always be able to find a swap that fits your needs.

As with trading I prefer to use established websites inwhich a host moderates the swap.

Is swapping something you have done or would be willing totry? Do you like surprises in the mail?

What a simple and frugal life means to me

2012-01-18T14:01:00.000+01:00

Thereare so many stigmatism's and generalizations floating around in the world. We hearthese words and we associate different meanings to them, yet we often neglect thefact that they mean very different things to different people.

Simpleliving to me does not mean living without. Frugality does not mean not spendingmoney or never buying things. They both mean being selective about the thingswe do and bring into our lives. Choosing quality over quantity. To strive toonly have things in our lives that are useful or bring us joy. Not to be boggeddown by an endless amount of possessions you never use or obligations youcannot fulfill.

Weall have our vices, the things that bring us joy. Remember that question if youwere trapped on a desert Island what would you bring with you. That is a prettyeasy answer for me, well first and foremost would be my son and husband.Followed up by my kindle of course with wifi and endless funds to buy alifetime supply of books and my coffee pad machine to compliment it. Those arethings that bring me joy. Those are the things that I do not question having inmy life.

Iquestion the need to have 30 different shirts or hanging on to that jewelry Ihave not worn in over 5 years just due to the fact that I spent money on it. Ifar rather have a few items and maybe even spend a bit more then my normalcomfort level to get items that I adore.

Iwant to walk through my home without tripping on things. Without endlesslyshuffling around items that have no home.

Ido not intent to boycott consumerism, but rather to question it. To ask myselfto think long and hard before spending money on items only to later experiencebuyers remorse and realize what a waste it was. I rather spend that extra moneyon experiences or perhaps to upgrade and gets items that before seemed too farout of our range. Not to suggest we are going to go about living a luxlifestyle, but when one no longer feels the need to buy the latest and best ofeverything you can get those items you have really wanted for a very long time.You can spend the money on that museum pass you have long wanted.

WhenI look back at my life someday I do not want a life filled with possessions andregrets. I rather have lived a simple life one full of amazing experiences.

Tome simplicity and frugality go hand and hand. By living a simpler life, we aremaking frugal decisions. Ones that allow us to really evaluate what isimportant in life.

Whatis important to me right now is getting out and experiencing the world. I livein Europe something so many people dream of, yet I never took the time to bethankful or to embrace the opportunities that lay before me. I want to skipthat cute little shirt I saw or a set of new shiny unneeded pans and insteadbuy the regional family museum pass that gives us entry to over 200 museums andcastles. I want to experience life and savor it rather then drooling over thelatest trends.

Thisis what simple and frugal living means to me. What does it mean to you?

Meal Plan Monday in Retrospect

2012-01-16T13:26:00.000+01:00

Another week in retrospect, a look at what's been cooking in my kitchen :D

Mon Asian noodles
Tue Abendbrot
Wen Pizza
Thur Left overs
Fri Abend brot
Sat Tuna Casserole
Sun Chicken with mushrooms and green beans with a dinner roll

Yeah that was a pretty lame week. Shall I hang my head in shame lol :P

At least I have bigger and better plans for this week, and my weekend was not too shabby lol

Sundays in my city

2012-01-15T13:53:00.000+01:00

Technical difficulties, please check back later today :D

On my Kindle- January

2012-01-13T13:47:00.000+01:00

I have a personal goal to read 100 books I in 2012. Readinghas long been a passion of mine and reading is one area of my life I haveneglected this past year. While in the US for a visit in October my dad boughtme an early Christmas gift, a kindle, to bring back. Which I must say is a Godsend for an expat with slim access to books in your native language.

To reach my goal I need to readabout 8 books a month. Here is a look at what is on My kindle for January.

The Zen Path through depression by Philip Martin On loan from the library for 2 weeks. Juststarted
Cyber Junkie by Kevin Roberts Purchased on Amazon.com for 8.69 Inprogress
How to declutter your Home and your Life:Minimalist concepts to help your start organizing Today By Martha Sinclair On loan from another Kindle for 2 weeks userIn progress
Clutter Clearing Choices: Clear Clutter,Organize your Home, & Reclaim Your Life by Barbara Tako On loan from the library for 3 weeks InProgress
The Joy of Less. A minimalist Living Guide: Howto Declutter, Organize, and Simplify your life Purchased on Amazon.com for 9.99 In Progress
Family Sized Minimalism: Simplifying Life atHome by Faith Jones Purchased on Amazon.com for 4.99 In Progress
The New becoming Vegetarian : The essentialguide to a healthy vegetarian diet By Vestano Melina Bought on Amazon.com for 9.99 In Progress
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsy Bought on amazon for 8.99 In progress

You You might noticesome reoccurring themes here, giggle.

What are you reading this month? What topicshave peaked your interest at the moment?

Ich Liess Mein Herz in Deutschland 2011 in review

2012-01-11T13:37:00.000+01:00

2011 was an awesome year even for ILMHiD, which was actually a shock to me as I took a good portion of the year off while adjusting to my new life as a mom. So here is a look at the stats to date and for 2011. Thanks for making ILMHiD a success, you guys breathe live into my posts and it truly means the world to me.

Here is a look at some fun stats about ILMHiD. Here is the info to date from blog start through today.

Blog Stats:
Page views: 33,270
Followers on google connect: 55
Followers on Networked Blogs: 79
Fans on Facebook: 67

Top 5 Traffic sources:
www.toytowngermany.com 1,379
www.diaperswappers.com 1,222
www.networked blogs.com 1063
www.google.com 527
www.homecookingwithsonya.blogspot.com 384

Top 5 countries of viewers:
Germany
United states
Uk
Canada
South Korea

Top 5 google searches (That do not include my blog name):
Random Schlecker
Cloth diapering Germany
Diapers in Germany
Rossmann Deutschland
Amazon mom Deutschland

And just for kicks, things people find my blog while searching that scare me:
Gangy sanft
Magic Teenies
Ob gyn exam tables
Tennie Pregnant
Gynecological exam tables

Busiest Month:
December 2009 with 3,880 page views

Top 5 Posts off all time
First place with 723 views Free Stuff for expecting and new moms in Germany 11/10/10
Second place with 523 views Just for the Ladies 4/12/10
Third place with 436 views Disposable diapers in Germany 11/26/2010
Fourth place with 382 views Luca's birth story 1/17/2011
Fifth place with 360 views Schlecker Baby Club begrüssungspaket 12/13/2010

Top 5 posts of 2011

First place with 382 views Lucas birth story 1/17/2011

Second place with 166 views Sundays in my city 6/19/2011

Third place with 131 views One year later 11/26/2011

Fourth place with 127 views Rossmann: 4 packs of baby wipes for 2,99 3/31/2011

Fifth place with 127 views Rossmann: 4 packs of baby wipes for 2,99 3/31/2011

Thanks for another awesome year!

Meal Plan Monday in Retrospect

2012-01-09T13:50:00.000+01:00

Mealplan Monday in Retrospect

Ihave been doing our meal planning a bit differently, I will touch on that in adifferent post, but due to that fact it is a bit hard to meal plan a week inadvance as I am focusing on using up leftovers and what we have on hand. So Ihave decided to do Meal Plan Monday in Retrospect. Here is a look at our lastweek of meals.

Monday:Cheese and Broccoli Pasta Bake

Tuesday:Pizza Baugettes (very healthy I know, working on that)

Wednesday:Left over vegetarian chili with rice, Left over Cheese and Broccoli Pasta Bakewith Green Salad

Thursday:Abendbrot

Friday: Fish, veggies and potatoes

Saturday: Abendbrot

Sunday: Egg Plant Parmesean with noodles (Not a hit at all)

Sundays in my city- The new place- Living room

2012-01-08T12:07:00.000+01:00

Here is a look at my Sunday hope you will share yours too.

Its a pretty quiet day at home, still working on getting everything unpacked, organized and purging as I go. Here is a look at our living room, far from done but you get the general idea :)

This is the view when you come in the door and look right. Those dark bags on the floor are T's laptop bag and my diaper bag. Need to get curtains of some kind up.

Back right corner. I do have pillows that match the couch they just were no out in time for this pic.

Back wall, these windows need curtains. That is all of Lu's toys they will normally not all be in the Living room, but his room is not set up yet.

The other wall. I think I am going to take down that calander and put our framed photo of Lu there. Still need to figure out where to put the bird. Our books are in the top of the hutch and all our textiles and household reusables in the bottom. Oh and Lu says hi.

The other wall and door. I love that wandchrank. Even if toni broke the door off on the far left part when moving it. I got it from my friend Diane. Still need to get the shelves in the part on the left and get everything put away. I have a photo ptinr of seagulls on a board walk I was thinking of putting over the part with books, ot maybe where that printer is? too much? I think tht printer needs to find a new home as well.

So there is a look at what I have been up to.

Grüße aus den Schwarzwald.

Trades are fantastic

2012-01-06T12:35:00.001+01:00

Often times we get so caught up in the thrill of getting rid of non-used items we are quick to toss items in the trash or recycling bin. This goesagainst the very nature of minimalism. Sure we have less in our homes, but wehave only multiplied our ecological impact.

And while it is true to say we want to live with less, thefact remains that there are still items we need and want. And while radicalminimalists may disagree, my view of minimalism is not to deprive oneself, butrather to live with less rubbish in our lives so that we may focus on itemsthat bring joy rather then burden into our lives.

Trading is a great opportunity to get rid of the items youno longer need without filling the local landfills by breathing life into items once again so someone else may enjoy them, while you too in return acquireitems that you need or want to have.

I realize may people may say, ‘Hey is that not contrary towhat you are trying to achieve?’. And here I would have to beg to differ. As myplight for a clutter free life is not a desire to live the life of a destituteMonk, though more power to those who do reach that point, but rather to stopspending money on junk that we never use that just fills up our homes and takestime out of our day as we continue to shuffle them around.

Never underestimate the value of your items. Now that is notto say you should hold on to items indefinitely in hopes that someday you willget something, as then you take on a whole new hoarder mentality. But I see noissue within reason, of trying to reclaim something from the time and money youhave invested into an item. Joshua Becker explained it great on his blog Becoming Minimalist when he talked about the fact that when throwing things away we arestill incurring costs to for he ongoing care of the item. Whether in the trash or at the dumpwe are paying for our items to fill up space and rot, and personally I wouldmuch rather find someone who will love and cherish items that I once loved orat least hoped to love.

Trading is step one in my quest to purging. I start byphotographing all items I have to get rid of and labeling them in photobucketphoto albums, which actually comes in very handy later down the line when I hitmy later stages sell and ebay, as all my facts and photos are in one place. Ialso keep items sorted and labeled so they are easy to find. Now I have thespace to do this, as we have an extra guest apartment upstairs I can easilytake up space along one wall. But keep in mind the space issue when decidingwhat to hang onto to trade.

I look over each item, note sizes, brand, color ect. Look foranything that is not trade or sell worthy and those immediately go to donation.I only trade items that I myself would want to receive. Nothing is moredisappointing then excitedly waiting for a package to arrive only to find asubpar item that you were not expecting or worse that you cannot use. One interesting fact that I found outis that many people throw out old clothing because they assume that it is of nogood to a charity. But manycharities take non-sellable textiles and sell that off in bulk for textilerecycling. And you can easily double check with your local charities to findout if they too do the same. BothGoodwill and Salvation Army many times do.

You can find trading opportunities via a great manywebsites; swap-mamas is a website devoted to trading. Many forums also offer trade sections, I use diaperswappers where people trade all kinds of things not just cloth diapers. And while those two are aimed toward families, there are countless resources out there. Makesure that you are using a reputable source. I personally only trade on websitesthat have feedback enabled and only with people that have established feedback.It is rough when people first start out, but with so many scammers in theworld, I much prefer to trade with those who have established themselves. Seemslike a catch 22 right, you want to start trading but no one wants to trade withyou. Consider forums where you can establish yourself. My go to source oftrading is via diaperswappers, I established myself by buying used off theFSOT, and later selling, or participating in coops. Once you have your foot,your reputation is key to your success. Just like a seller you need to be punctual with your trades and remainin good contact with your partner.

Trade values are a tricky note because many people establishtrade value differently. I have seen trades go retail value for retail value,50% off retail value plus shipping. It really varies per person so you shouldalways ask. That is the first thing I ask when I establish contact with apotential trade partner. Personally I stopped establishing trade value, I do ofcourse keep value in the back of my mind, I am not trading a mac book for a keychain, but I also am not trading dollar for dollar. I have the mindset that ifsomeone has an item that fits my needs and I in turn have items they seek I amwilling to trade generously, as I am getting rid of items I no longer use andin turn get an item I otherwise would have to spend money to buy.

Keep shipping costs in mind in your trades. If an item costsyou 20 to buy new and you will spend that shipping the box of your stuff it isnot a very good deal now is it? My personal goal is that in the end I do notspend more then 25-30% of what I would spend buying new. There are costsaffiliated with trading, it is not free. You will need your shipping suppliesas well as your shipping cost. But if I can get an item that would cost me 25bucks, I spend 5 bucks and get rids of items out of my house that is pretty radin my book.

You can also trade many times for handmade or custom items.Many WAHM (work at home moms) offer their services in turn for second handitems, never hesitate to ask. Or if you have a art form to offer you may be able to use that to trade. Good old school bartering.

I have had some great success with trading. Here are a fewexamples of my trades:

I traded unused accessories for stroller clipsfor my diaper bag . Retail they cost 20 euro, I paid 3,45 shipping, plus gotrid of accessories I never wear.
I traded a skirt that I never wear for 2 heavyand one Overnight/postpartum cloth pad custom made by a wahm. Retail about 30bucks, again I paid 3.45 shipping and got rid of a skirt I no longer used.
I traded a Disana wool soaker that did not work forTeenie due to his eczema for a pair of hand made quelled paper earrings. Againretail 25 dollars.
I traded box of old English language paperbacks for night time diapers for Teenie

In these three examples I spent about 14 and got 75+. Butmore exciting is that fact I got lots of unused items out of my house. I thenbrought in a handful of items that I wanted/ needed and actually plan to use.

And if for some reason things do not work out and the itemsdo not get the love and attention that I hope they will, I again can trade themout. The possibilities are endless as long as someone out there is seeking anitem you no longer love. And you might be surprised by some of the thingspeople buy or trade used :)

Do you trade for items you want or need? Think you mightgive it a try? Let me know what you think.

2,012 in 2012

2012-01-04T08:43:00.000+01:00

I have one big goal, or challenge, really for myself in 2012. To purge my home of 2,012 items. I was worried that it would be hard to do, but now as I am getting into purging and organizing I think it is a pretty tangible goal.

The idea is no to go without. But to get rid of the excess that is not in use to make room for what we have or want that will actually get use and that we enjoy.

I will get rid of items via, trade, sale, or donation. I realize trade means bringing things back in, but again, it is about being selective in regards to what we bring into our homes items that will actually get usage.

So I will track my progress here. Make this a tab up at the top.

I am only tracking items actually on the way out, not the piles of stuff to get rid of until they have a destination. I am also not tracking normal waste or recycling or consumables.

Out:
January:
1-2. 2 too small nursing tanks (sold)
3-14. 5 pair earings, 1 anklet, 2 nacklaces, and 4 bracelets (traded for 1 item)
15-26. 5 Tie nappies, 2 diaper covers, 5 insert socks (sold)
27. One pair of wool baby pants (sold)
28-35. Mens accessories (sold)
36. Mens tank top (sold)
37-38. Under the toilet mat and toilet seat cover (sold)
39. Baby blanket (sold)
40. Baby strampler (sold)
41-43. 3 G diaper liners (sold)
44-72. 29 Diaper inserts (sold)
73. Mens swim shorts (sold)
74. One wool diaper cover (traded)
75-82. 8 moving boxes that did not survive so well taken to recycling hof, normal packaging cartons not counted. (recycled)
83-88. Atari console, joystick, 4 games (sold)
89. Womens dress (sold)
90. Long sleeve mens shirt (sold)
91. Short sleeve mens shirt (sold)
92. Womens pants (sold)
93. Mens short sleeve top (sold)
94. Womens top (sold)
95. Mens coat (sold)
96. Mens coat (sold)
97. Wool baby shorts (sold)
98. Wool diaper cover (sold)

February:

1914 to go!!!

Care to join me?

3 Bean Enchiladas/ Vegetarian Chili

2011-12-31T19:47:00.001+01:00

Tonight we had three bean enchiladas for dinner. I adapted my recipe from this one I found on pinterest. It was delicious. Even my schnitzel loving husband gobbled it up.

I apologize for the lack of photos. But I cook for taste and not aesthetics, and if I showed you my food, you just might run away screaming. :D But I assure you it tastes great.

Ingredients:
2 can diced tomatoes
1 cup Chickpeas
2 cups Lentils
1 cup Kidney beans
200g plain yogurt
1 pack taco seasoning and or chili powder
2 onions diced
2 carrots grated
Olive oil for frying
1 bag or half a loaf shredded cheese
6 tortillas

I always start by having my items precut, cans opened, everything ready to go. I used left over canned kidney and chickpeas, but cooked dried lentils while I did the other steps of the recipe.

1. Fry your onions and carrots until soft in oil for about 5-8 minutes.
2. Add in your tomatoes and seasoning and let simmer about 5 minutes. Then add in your beans and continue to let simmer a few minutes. You now have vegetarian chili if you want to stop here.
3. In a casserole dish spread a thin layer of chili along the bottom.
4. Add about 2 spoons chili to each tortilla and lay on top of the layer already in the pan.
5. When finished add another thin layer of chili along the top.
6. In a bowl mix your yogurt and cheese. Then spread over the top of the enchiladas.
7. Bake on 175c until golden brown.

I had enough enchiladas left over for another lunch plus some extra chili I plan to poor over rice for another dinner.

I hope you like it, let me know if you try it. :D

When blogs attack

2011-12-26T22:29:00.004+01:00

Blogs are really an amazing thing. I love writing on this blog almost as much as I love reading blogs. I mean seriously I could spend 20 hours a day reading blog posts. And that is because I love reading real posts written by real people, tangible posts, you know things that apply to me. But the problem is there are so many blogs in the blogosphere, but only so many hours in the day. So how can you take back control and still find time to enjoy reading blogs, keep reading to find out.

So as I have done with a great many aspects of my life lately I have decided it was time to clean up the blog reader, and my goal under 20 blog subscriptions, 25 max. (Or I should say am striving for, since blogger is being a jerk and will not let me manage subscriptions at the moment, anyone else have this issue?)

So I am forcing myself to take a deeper look into which blogs bring me the most joy, which add the most to my day and which add content that is applicable to the type of life I am striving to have.

So I have asked myself what blogs impact me that most. Which am I able to take the most from. And which give me the most enjoyment. Not to suggest that anyone is better then the other, but there comes the point where you have to set limits for yourself.

Here is some tips to cut back the clutter in your blog reader:
1. Reevaluate your priorities- Did you really want to try knitting but found it was not for you? Or maybe found yourself on a 6 month fad diet that really did not pan out as expected? Cut the blogs that no longer apply to you.

2. Check for current posts- sad as it may be bloggers come and go. If a blogger has shut down the blog, remove the blog from your feed.

3. Check the content- Many times we add a blog that looked interesting in one post or another but may not always post content that applies to us. Look for the blogs that call to you, that you really enjoy the content on an ongoing basis, not just here or there.

4. Eliminate the duplicates and keep a nice variety- Nothing wrong with following various blogs on the same subject basis, just make sure the bloggers you choose are offering different info. Also keep a nice variety of different topics you enjoy.

5. Do not follow blogs because you feel you have too. Just because Aunt Lisa made a blog about hand painting vases or their weekend trips in the alps does not mean you have to read it, that is unless of course painting vases is your thing. Too often we feel compelled to follow blogs. Blogs are meant to be enjoyed, they are not Pokemon, you do not have to catch them all.

So I asked myself what topics interest me the most right now? For me the answer was:
1. Minimalism
2. Montessori/ activities for toddlers
3. Simple and tangible crafting ideas
4. Cheap and easy meals
5. Expat living
6. Frugal living

So here is what made the cut, all 16 of them:
Minimalism:
Becoming minimalist
Miss minimalist
Mnmlist
The minimalist mom
The minimalists

Montessori/ activities for toddlers:
Chasing Cheerios

Simple and tangible crafting ideas:
Make it do

Cheap and easy meals:
5 dollar dinners
Eat at home
Home cooking with Sonya
Tammys recipies

Expat living:
Ami Expat

Frugal living:
Penniless Parenting
The saved quarter

Misc:
Christian homekeeper network (spirituality/homemaking)
Zen habits

Is your blog reader so jammed packed that it is overwhelming? How do you decide which blogs make the cut and which ones to let go?

Merry Christmas.

2011-12-24T21:52:00.000+01:00

We hope that you have a rockin Christmas!

Serena, Toni & Lu

My 30 day wait list

2011-12-22T14:18:00.001+01:00

I mentioned before a shift in my though process that I was striving for a more simplistic lifestyle, a more minimalist approach to living.

I have a great many goals for the upcoming year one of which is to regain better control of our finances and spending habits. To strive to only buy items we need and will use, not fill the house with countless items we think we want but really never use.

The 30 day wait list is a great tool in terms of cutting down frivolous spending.

The idea behind the 30 day wait list is that when considering purchase you make write it out and make yourself wait at least 30 days to see if you really still want it.

Now I can see the pros and the cons to this, I am very much so striving for a more minimalist lifestyle, but I am also a frugalista, and if an item I know I need or really want goes on clearance, to say no I have to wait 12 more days which means spending 100 more is to me kind of silly.

But I do also see lots of frivolous spending and I think the likelihood of items going on sale right away is pretty slim so I am willing to give it a shot. I kind of look at it like a long term wish list. But not one cluttered with junk, one kept nice and trim full of only the items you would actually use. Tidied up regularly.

So when I see an item that makes my little heart skip a beat I will post it here and reflect back 30 days later to decide if it stays or hits the road. If nothing else makes gifting easier for Toni ha.

You can read more about creating a 30 day wait list over at the minimalist mom.

So lets get this show on the road.

Serena's 30 day wait list (I also keep a visual list on my pinterest)
Started Dec 22, due to reflect Jan 22 2012.
1. Vibram five fingers barefoot shoes Not cheap by any means, but to be honest I am kind of scared to get a cheapo item in regards to barefoot style shoes. I have heard so many good things about them. They start at 120 euro, yikes.
2. Flip and tumble reusable grocery bags. I have drooled for months. Even very sadly passed up a coop for these when the timing was not right. But they look so nice and comfortable. Especially when you consider how bulky so many of those reusable bags get. I would like to switch over to these.
3. Address stamp. How neat are those. Get rid of all those labels.
4. Kids day of the week clothing organizer. Do they make these for adults to because I seriously think my husband needs one.
5. A playpen. I cannot decide if I want one. Or even if I have enough room for one. I need to do some measuring. I wonder if it would actually get used. Hmmm. Lu did go in one at a friends house, they just take up so much space. He has a pack n play but I think he gets claustrophobic in the small space.

So that is what's on my mind now. Obviously some of these items will stay on the list for quiet sometime, as I will not be rushing out to buy 130 euro shoes on Jan 22. But it is a challenge to consider purchases outside of basic needs, before making spur of the moment decisions.

I have done this before. Some items that did make the cut and I am happy to have waited for include my diaper bag, a coffee pad machine, and a crockpot. All items I use almost daily and love. Much more worthwhile then a bunch of junk that would have sat in a drawer :)

Do you have a 30 day wait list or equivalent? What would be on yours. What is that item you really want but just are not so sure about?

We Moved!

2011-12-19T21:51:00.000+01:00

Thats right I am now writing you from a quaint little village in the beautiful Black Forest. Lots of changes around here, check out what's new with us.

I can now announce, if you have not figured out already, that I spent the past 3 years living and blogging in a bitty little town called Bad Wimpfen just 15 km north of Heilbronn, right in between Stuttgart and Heidelberg.

We have relocated to the south and now live in a top secret undisclosed location somewhere deep in the Black Forest :P Somewhere down by Freiberg. Did I mention we are only a half hour from the French border and only an hour from Basel, yeah buddy. Exploring time much.

T got a new job, a super job with a union contract working for the state. Now I cannot tell you where as you know its top secret classified. I love you all but do not want any 2 am ding dong ditches you know. I am sleep deprived enough as a first time mom :)

So we moved yesterday into the most amazing of amazing apartments. Did I ever mention that our previous landlord was the devil in disguise, of if not have I got stories for you. Well this landlord is almost as amazing as this apartment. So here take a peak. Please insert a squeal of delight for me .

Living room, yes the whole ceiling is hardwood.

Bathroom with separate bath and shower with his and hers sinks.

Oh buddy it has a kitchen.

And a loft.

Things are really looking up for us. It was kind of bitter sweet to leave Bad Wimfen behind. You see Bad Wimpfen and me had a special love hate relationship and as excited as I am to leave the hated things behind, a part of me is sad about the things I did love. Especially about a dear friend I made while in my birthing course. I sure hopes she comes to visit. Luckily its only 3 hours away, so day trip doable. What else will I miss, hmm my doctor and pediatrician. The baker who talked to me everytime I came in . Rossmann as there are none near by. And I might even miss that blue tower and Christmas market. But I have lots to look forward to here as well.

1 years later, reflections of a traumatic birth

2011-12-17T10:26:00.000+01:00

It is hard to believe that it will have been a year as of next Wednesday. I will do a seperate post about my first year as a mom. But I wanted to take a moment to reflect back about my birth. A lot more has been remembered by me and by Toni and I have addressed a lot of what happened this year, so here are my reflections, one year later.

I will never know what truly went wrong, but in my heart I believe my birth was a result of too much medical intervention. I feel that had I not been given a time limit of 12 hours, which is beyond absurd that my body would have had a much better chance. It seemed that as more and more medications were introduced the complications increased.

Toni remembered a lot more. The midwives yelling at me. Telling me I was just afraid and weak and needed to get over it.

He also pointed out a correction to my original story. I was told at first I would be given a c section since I was 'unable' to birth my child but would have to wait until it was convenient for them. I was hysterical screaming something was wrong which was when they gave me valium to sedate me and a second medication to stop contractions. During this time they refused to check me. Once they finally did check me while checking if the contraction medication worked and shaving me for the Or, that they realized my cervix was swollen shut and then it became an emergency. Toni recalls that within 20 minutes the head Surgeon was out of bed at home and suited up. I did not recall this part, but then again I was flying high on valium and I do not recall a lot from that time.

Toni deals with a lot of anxiety after the experience. He was terrified and as a result is worried he cannot make it as the support in our next birth. We have decided we will only use a place that allows my mother to also be present. That should have been our first red flag to leave. We want a place that will respect a birth plan. I will also never again deliver without hiring a private personal midwife, called a beleghebamme here.

I have dealt with a lot after the csection. Feelings of inadequacy. Post partum depression. We had lots of problems breast feeding and my midwife was a beast, she said it would never work to give up. I hired a LC and at 5 weeks old after hours of pumping Luca nursed for the first time. It tooks more moths of pumping and supplementing and lots of fenugreek, but he is still breast feeding and has been supplement free about 8 months.

I still have a lot of anxiety. I am scared to death of labor. The feeling of pain goes away, but that hopelessness, that feeling of no end in sight and everyone disregarding my concerns still runs very deep. I am coming to terms. Slowly but surely.

I am trying to empower myself through education. I have started to contact midwives to find one who will work with me preconception through post delivery, and maybe I will look into some counseling to address those lingering feelings.

But as a whole, I feel better now. I no longer feel shame. I feel damn proud that I made it through, that I was strong enough of a person to not let that crush my fire. Every day gets a little bit better as I focus less on what happened and more on my day to day life as a mom.

I am coming out of my ppd funk. Starting to address some issues such as isolating myself, and I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I once again feel hope. And you know what, I am even starting to want another baby.

I said it before, that moment I opened my eyes and saw Toni holding a little package wrapped in a towel, that was my birth moment. When I asked if that was him and he said yes. When he handed me that tiny little boy with a squished little face screaming his little heart out. It was in that moment that I became a mom. And that will never be taken away from me.

And the winner is...

2011-12-06T23:24:00.000+01:00

Comment number 1 boyzrule from boyzrule my house

Thanks to everyone who entered. Boyzrule, I will be in touch :)

Meal Plan Monday

2011-11-28T14:33:00.001+01:00

One of the meme's that many of you mentioned enjoying was my participation in Meal Plan Monday. So I will jump back in with my weekly meal plans.

This weeks brings a unique obstacle, as with us moving in just a few weeks time, I need to use up as much as I can from what we already have on hand with an emphasis on frozen and refrigerated goods.

My goal is to buy as little as possible.

M: Boiled potatoes with taco soup sauce and rolls

When I make taco soup, I make large quantities and freeze the extra, using up some of my frozen surplus. Using potatoes we have on hand and making rolls from some bread mixes I have on hand.

T: Soup with rolls

Using up a can of soup from the pantry, and homemade rolls.

W: Veggies fried rice, smoothies

I have some left over frozen peas and carrots from the last time I made veggies fried rice. Rice already on hand. Also have tons of smoothie ingredients to use up.

Th: Sloppy joes with fries

I have some beef in the freezer I got on sale for .77 cents a pound. Will use home made bread. Already have sloppy joe seasoning and a half pack of fries.

F: Penne pasta, with sloppy joe sauce, salad, rolls

Past already on hand. Using left over frozen sauce from when I made sloppy joe soup. Salad on hand and homemade rolls.

S: Fried potatoes and smoothies

Using potatoes and onions already on hand and frozen smoothies ingredients.

Su: Rice with paprika chicken sauce, salad, and rolls

Rice on hand. Paprika chicken sauce frozen leftovers, salad also on hand and homemade rolls.

I should only need to pick up some water and sandwich items for lunches :)

One year later.. and a Silver Liner giveaway

2011-11-26T12:35:00.002+01:00

She's Back....

It’s been almost a year now can you believe it. This time last year I was sitting 9 month pregnant with not a clue in the world how much my life was about to change. The past year has been amazing, not at all easy, but wondrous. I was tested time and time again, forced to adapt and adjust as a person, and transformed as a person from a Homemaker to a stay at home mom.

I have learned a lot. Had a lot of time to contemplate about myself. About the type of person I am and the kind of person I want to be. And I am ready to return to blogging and share this journey with you. I want to thank you all for staying by my side during this past year through the sporadic or nonexistent posts.

I have received wonderful emails and comments and as always they mean the world to me.

Thank you for taking the time to let me know that my ramblings and little glimpses into our life bring joy to your day.

I have bounced a lot of ideas around in my head regarding what I want this blog to be. Should it be purely family oriented or more article oriented and I realized I want it to be both. This blog always has and always will be a hodgepodge, because that is who I am. I am a simple girl sharing aspects of my life, which evolve and change and encompass a great many things. I am not and will not ever be a niche blogger.

As I continue this journey in the blogging world, you will find many of the posts you know and love, but I will also be expanding to cover some new topics. I will also be doing some work on the blog itself. I had thought I would list out what could be expected, but that defeats the whole purpose of what I want.

So just in short you can expect from what you have already seen- posts on my family, homemaking, frugal living, life as an expat, posts about living in Germany, as well a some fun memes. But I will also expand to cover some new interests with an emphasis on simple and natural living. But you know me, there will be tons of other stuff tossed in too. I restrict myself, the sky is the limit and the possibilities are endless.

I hope that I can continue to write posts that you enjoy reading and I thank you for the bottom of my heart for taking the time out of your day to read my words.

And a Giveaway

As part of my return to blogging I wanted to offer something to all of you, as a thank you for sticking out this past year with me. I mentioned we will be adding a new emphasis on this blog, articles on a more simpler or crunchier if you will way of life, so I figured it only fair to start there.

One thing that I enjoy is supporting work at home moms (known online as wahm’s) and so when I needed a partner in crime on this giveaway, I contacted one of my favorite Wahms, Carrie over at The Silver Liner.

Carrie is a sweetheart. She has amazing customer service and wonderful craftsmanship. She makes a variety of household resuables ranging from mama cloth (reusable cloth feminine pads), to wetbags and reusable swiper products.

For this giveaway she is offering a set of dust swipers or dustpads (not the wetjet model). These can be used as a reusable alternative to swiffer refills.

Winner can choose one set of 2 dusters, one set of 2 swipers, or a set with one of each.

In order to enter this giveaway you must be a follower of Ich liess mein Herz in Deutschland.

To enter please visit The Silver Liner and then come back and leave a comment below telling me what fabric option is your favorite.
Fabric colors listed here

Additional entry options include (please leave an additional comment per extra entry):

Follow Ich liess mein Herz in Deutschland on Facebook for one additional entry.

Follow The Silver Liner on Facebook for special discounts and giveaways for an extra entry. Don’t forget to leave a comment saying Rena at Ich liess mein Herz in Deutschland sent you.

Tweet , share, or repost this giveaway for a additional 5 entries. Please leave me a link.

This giveaway will run one week through Sunday December 4^th at 12 pm, my local time.

Giveaway is open worldwide.

You must be over the age of 18 or if under have parental consent.

A winner will be chosen using random.org, so please make sure you leave 1 comment per entry If you earned 5 entries, leave me 5 comments.

The Silver Liner has some awesome Black Friday Sales going on at the moment and another awesome giveaway on mama cloth, make sure you check it out.

Please note: The items being given away are a generous donation from this wahm. The opinions listed are my own and she has in no way asked for a review nor have I received any products free of charge for personal use. All products I own have been purchased. I just adore this wahm and wanted to share my love with you guys.

All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth

2011-09-01T11:48:00.000+02:00

Another fun post from the unpublished archives of Lost in translation, dun dun dun. I wrote this post Last year again while pregnant. So just for giggles here is that post and at the end I updated it with my wishlist for this holiday season

Alright, this is just intended to be a fun post. I know as kids we all loved writing out our letters to santa with our wish lists. I think it can be equally fun as adults. And it is actually not a bad idea, my husband loves when I give him ideas of what I want, and sometimes those ideas even inspire him to think of something else on his own, which is always lots of fun.

So here is my question for you, what do you want for Christmas???

Don't hold back write what ever you want, they need not be practical.

Alright so heres my top picks:

1. The echte Deutche Kueche cookbook (authentic german cookbook, supposed to be the best)

2. The Anne of Green Gables book series

3. An Ergo baby carrier (I said we can dream big now)

4. A charm for my charm bracelet

5. A kombi fridge or freezer :P

6. A stationary bike

7. A crock pot

8. A salad spinner

9. A warm comfy oversized cardigan

10. A snuggle blanket

11. A sewing machine

HA, ok, so there are some cool ideas in there, but also a lot of wishful thinking.

Now is your turn, tell me what's on yoru wish list.

***** Update*****
Sine this was written last year I did get my ergo carrier. My dad got it for me while I was pregnant.
DH bought a kobi fridge earlier this year, we got a great deal 50% off.
My mom just won me a salad spinner at a local auction so I look forward to that.
I got an awesome deal on some 3/4 length sweaters on Old Navy and some cute cardigans to boot.
For my Anniversary last year DH got me a sewing machine

****New and Improved in 2011****
So lets see my wishlist for this year, hmm have not given it much thought till I saw this post teehee.

1. A book with local wildlife and plants, along with a pair of binoculars. I would like to take up bird watching.
2. Crockpot makes it on the list again
3. A King size bed, I am dreaming bigger this year ha
4. You know I still want a snuggle blanket
5. I also still want the Anne of Green gables book series, hmm lets be adventurous and say I would love the dvd set to match
6. I would love a set of unpaper towels and kitchen wet bag for my kitchen, yes I am a hippy the truth comes out
7. I would like some puzzles and one of those puzzle mats you can roll up that keeps all the peices in place, that is how that works right?!?
8. A bob Ross painting set
9. A pad coffee machine
10. And last but not least .... Some paperback books

:)

And since I have a son who cannot write yet why not have a fun list for him too
1. Wool knit diaper covers- be it longies, shorties or soakers. Man those are sure pretty but oh so expensive, I need to learn how to knit.
2. Books, books books- English, German, Board, story, picture, classics... I sure hope this kid loves books as much as me
3. One of those neat toys for learning to walk that you can push around
4. Wooden or felt toys
5. A ball pen- Because I think sand is evil.

What He does not want, tambourines or drums, anyone who buys him such will be doomed to 2 am musical phone calls for eternity!!!! :P

Soo silly lists aside, lets talk holidays for a moment. I really want to make gifts this year. I can talk freely only about the things that apply to people who do not read my blosg tee hee.

So my x mas ideas (mom and dad not included ...)
Mother and father in law: I would like to make a set of wine glass makers to go with a bottle of wine

Great Grandma: I am making a photo frame with a print of teenie, need something to go eith it but not sure yet maybe a sweet treat I could bake cookies or something like coffee cake maybe

Brother in law: Hmm, you know I do not think I could make anything he would think is cool. So I am watching clearance sales.

DH: No clue yet on what I can make him. Any ideas? I mean as far as what I can buy the man murders shoes, so I could get him some new boots he would love that. He needs a new wallet too, so stalking online sales. His Christmas wish list would include call of duty modern warfare 4 and a HD tv reciever lol, boys will be boys

Baby bear: I have some cute baby patterns. I want to go to ikea and get fabric. I wanted to make him some clothes, maybe try making a diaper or too (ok that is a lame gift but makes me happy) and maybe makes some felt toys?? I will also be scouring the flea markets for some nice second hand items for x mas as well as his b day. I got a second hand rocking caterpillar (like a rocking horse). I hoe to find some nice wooden toys and some books. I have lots of books in my storage I may set those aside for gifts.

Aside from that I have my mom and dad, but curiosity killed the cat.

Do you make holiday gifts? I would love to know what you plan to make. And let me know what would be on your ultimate holiday wishlist.

Where's the popsicles....

2011-08-23T12:31:00.000+02:00

It is disgustingly hot today and humid and more then anything in the world I wanted some popsicles. Nothing with milk products just a normal popsicle be it the fancy fruit juice kind or the cheapo three flavor trios.

So Teenie and me set out in the heat, hiked across town to the grocery store i search of said popsicles, and did they have them... no. They had one kind of popsicle with pop rocks on it for 4.50 USD. Everything else was normal ice cream.

I do not know about you but anything dairy is just gross to me in extreme heat. I mean I do not mind a nice Italian eis on a tempid summer day, but melting dairy, yuck no thanks. I did notice they had ben and jerrys if you did not mind the eye gouging 8.75USD price tag, yes for the small one.

So I took the pop rocks and noted to myself to buy a popsicle set while home. It is the little things you miss most. Simple, fruity, plain popsicles.

Our week

2011-08-11T13:48:00.000+02:00

I missed it on Monday, so here we go for the rest of the week a glimpse at our plans and a look inside my kitchen for the week.

First up is our meals
Tonight we are having sloppy joe pasta with baguettes and veggies

Tomorrow:
B: Oatmeal and smoothies
L: Sandwiches and veggies sticks
D: Abend brot

Saturday:
B: French toast casserole
L Sandwiches with fruits and veggies
D: Egg salad and rolls

Not sure what our plans will be I need to look up the local community calendar and see if there are any fun things we want to go check out. If not I think I will take teenie down to the pond to feed the ducks and have a picnic.

I will be working on organizing the outgrown baby items and packing them up for the next baby.

Where in the world is...

2011-08-11T13:43:00.000+02:00

It's been awhile so I figured it to be a good time for just a fun updated about what is going on with us these days.

Teenie is almost 8 months old. Where oh where has my baby gone. I can hardly believe he will be 1 year old in just a few months time. He is so alert, aware of his surroundings and so playful. He loves to cuddle. We fought long and hard to breast feed (I will post the full story separately) and I am very proud to say we are still going strong with no end in sight in the near future. He has started purees, though I myself would have preferred a more baby led weaning approach. But he is on now staring finger foods, so I get my kicks too.

He loves to jump. He does not care if he is in the jumperoo or in your lap. He rolls all over the place. He does not yet crawl but is pretty mobile doing it his own way. He has amazing hand control and loves to play with new things, especially items he should not touch like cables.

We are still cloth diapering and transitioning to a 24/7 cloth routine adding in night time as well.

I am very focused on attachment parenting. I still wear him in the ergo carrier, though my ability is limited by lower back pain. Toni enjoys wearing him as well.

I have been reading up on developmental and sensory play and am starting to explore new way to play and help him learn through exploration. I am working on building up a small library so I can read more to him. I am sure he is getting tired of the 1 or 2 books I have.

We are raising him bilingually. I speak English and his father speaks German. We are also working on baby sign language.

There is just so much I want to do with him, so much I am discovering now that I wish I had done. But I am happy to be adding some new things to our days now and watching him grow and develop into a litter person.

Toni has been enjoying his one month Elternzeit (paternity leave) with Teenie. He has really enjoyed participating in some of the daily tasks he would otherwise miss. Though he still has no interest in going anywhere near cloth diaper, tee hee. He has really gotten into photography lately. As have I. I hope to get photoshop and star working one editing and organizing photos, maybe I will post a few up here from time to time. We have also talked about looking into a few new hobbies such as bird watching as well as visiting more places in our area. Taking the time to look for events and happenings versus just traditional touristy and often costly attractions.

I have been working on restructing my day to day life. Getting off the computer and getting out more. Hope to get involved in some small groups with Teenie. I am working on improving my home arts- cooking and baking more. Working on crafts and teaching myself skills like sewing and knitting. Also been reading up tons on Montessori and Waldorf education and planning ahead a bit (mainly due to how hard resources are to come by over here). Still enjoy reading and movies of course. Not much time these days for things like sims, but when I have time it is fun. Really into making things myself at the moment. I have a huge list of projects I want to make on pinterest, just need to get some materials so I can get started. Working hard at a frugal lifestyle and paying off debt to work towards a better future :) I am also really into a more substainable way of life looking into household reusables healthier eating and things of that nature.

So I keep myself pretty busy these days. Right now I have been working on getting caught up in the house before Toni goes back to work. Packing up the outgrown clothing and baby items. Weeding out excess or random items sitting around the house with no purpose. I really want a nice simple clutter free home. Then I can take a look at what I have and what I still need. I am so tired of being bogged down by clutter, which is of course my own fault, but ha.

So much I want to do and so little time. I am doing my driving exam next week and then Toni will teach me how to drive. We are both working on trying to get a bit healthier and make positive changes now since we realize our actions and choices will be learned by teenie.

Teenie is napping at the moment and he when he wakes up we will take for a walk around the city. I need to work some on the house. Working on my kitchen today trying to get things organized and inventoried. Then it will be dinner time. Tonight I am cooking some sloppy joe pasta with baugettes and veggies. Hmm or maybe cheese bread, we will see.

The bags are packed...

2011-07-30T22:16:00.000+02:00

This is an old post that never got published. I just found it going through my unpublished posts. This was written in late November when I was 8 months pregnant.

Alrighty. I have some long overdue and promised pregnancy posts that I want to get out before I switch into mommy mode and am thoroughly distracted from this theme, so here we go.

So today I want to talk about packing your bags for your hospital stay. Obviously this varies greatly especially considering I am overseas, but hopefully this will be of some help to some first time mommy's in Germany.

Most of you know I am a list freak. I also obsess about thoroughness, which often results in procrastination and lack of results or me going completely over the top. Well if you saw my original hospital list you would be leaning toward over the top.

A few friends joked about people showing up to the hospital with rolling suitcase and I knew that we me in the making. I am not going on a posh holiday and needed to tone it back. Now bear in mind Serena's toned down is still OTT for many ha.

So here it is my final plan for the hospital bags:

1. I decided it best to separate the actual labor supplies from the general items for after the birth. So for the labor items I just have a normal backpack. It will contain:
* Leg warmers and house socks or heave socks. (Feet get cold during labor)
* An over-sized trashable men's button down. (Nothing that is not disposable, I took an old one from hubby. I also took a dark color so chances are it will wash up fine, these are often far more comforting then traditional gowns)
* Tennis ball massage sock (this is a tube sock filled with tennis balls it allows for self massage)
* Lotion and massage oil, I just have small travel sized bottles
* Lip balm and hard candy (for dry mouth)
* A incontinence pad as well as a few pads (these are left out for use in route to hospital if need be)
* Cd's with music (our hospital supplies CD players, check the policy at yours)
* Hot water bottle (midwifes suggestion)
* High protein snacks and drinks (In Germany they do allow you to eat during labor, don't forget some for dad too)
* Contact list and calling card
* A little cash
* Camera with a fresh memory card and extra batteries

Not yet packed but ready to be added last minute:
* Cell phones w/ charges (keeping charged at all times)

2. Next up is the actual bag for the hospital stay. I tried to bear in mind that hubby can drive home at any time and get extra items if need be, but I am picky and like options as well.
* A robe and crocs (I found crocs more versatile then slipper as they can also go in the shower)
* Towels (they are not provided outside of labor in Germany)
* Comfortable underwear and a few pairs socks (many people like the hospital supplied underwear, I am not sure if they are supplied here or not and some people prefer their own)
* 1 pair of pajamas and 2 front opening night gowns, 1 pair of leggings for underneath
* 1 pair of stretch pants and gaucho and 2 tops (for visitors and meals in community areas)
* Nursing bra and nursing oil and cream (recommended by midwife)
* A book and magazine for down times
* Computer with charger and a few dvds
* Going home outfit for mom
* 1 pair socks, jammies, tee shirt and underwear for dad (we plan to get a family room where he can stay, he will go home for clothing changes)
* coming home outfit for baby
* baby winter gear- hat mittens, car seat cover, snow suit
* swaddle blanket and one toy

Not yet packed:
* Toiletries- I have a small toiletry bag in the bathroom it has small travel sized shampoo and soap and the tooth brushes and hair brushes as well as meds can just be added then it is ready to go in a few minutes time. I am not bringing cosmetics I think it is silly and I know I will not use them. Just basics- shampoo, body wash, loofah, facewash, deo, tooth brush, toothpaste, dental floss, plus meds.

That resulted in one duffel bag and one backpack. The robe taking up the most room in the duffel bag.

The hospital will supply diapers, onsies, and swaddle blankets for baby while in the hospital.
They also supply pads for mom.
Other items vary per hospital such as breastfeeding pillows so best to ask in advance.

When bringing your own items like towels or pillows, make sure you use distinct colors that are easy to define as your own and not the hospitals property.

So what did you pack for the hospital? Did you wish you brought more or less?

Meal Plan Monday

2011-07-18T13:19:00.000+02:00

It has been far too long hasn't it? Here we go again with another look at a week in my kitchen.

Lets start with Breakfasts:

Rolls

cereal with fruit

yogurt with fruit

Semolina with fruit

Cereal with fruit

Bulgar with fruit

French toast casserole

Then there is Lunch:

Sandwiches

Asian noodle soup

Sandwich with chips and veggie sticks

Leftovers

Sandwich with chips and veggie sticks

Green salad

Spatzlepfanne with homemade bread

Dinner:

Shepards pie with green beans and home made bread

Left over shepards pie with green salad and homemade bread, yogurt

Chicken Penne, green salad and cheesy bread, yogurt

Abendbrot with egg salad and smoothies

Tuna potatoes, mixed veggies, homemade bread, yogurt

Abendbrot with green salad and smoothies

Curly pork noodles with rolls, fruit

Snacks:

Friut: Bananas, nectarines and apples

Veggies: Cucumber, bell pepper and baby carrots

Sweet: Yogurt, cookies, granola bars

Savory: Frikadellen, babybel cheese

Salty: Pretzels, chips and salsa

Sunday Baking:

Blueberry muffins

Make sure you check out orgjunkie.com for over 300 meal plans each week

Sunday's in my City

2011-06-19T20:10:00.001+02:00

Here are some images from our day.

We started out our first Father's day by sleeping to noon. Ok, ok we got up before that but when teenie went down for his morning nap we joined him :)

Daddy's meal of choice was Burger King. Teenie surprised him with his first ever kiss. Ok it was open mouth and a bit sloppy, but he still got his first kiss ever on his first father's day.

Teenie got a hold of my chicken nugget burger we decided to watch and see what happened.

He scoured the chicken burger...

And then went for gold. Don't worry, I did not let him eat it but he did suck on a chicken nugget before I got it away from him. I think he is definitely ready for solids.

We then went for a walk in a city nearby and discovered a stadtfest. We walked around a little bit and checked it out. Walked around the park and headed home.

SO what was your Sunday like?

Make sure you stop by www.unknownmami.com and see how everyone else spent their fathers day.

And to all the dads out there we wish you all the best on Father's Day!

Homemade Tuna Helper

2011-06-14T18:20:00.000+02:00

Ok, I admit it is not as easy as a meal in a box, it has a few more steps and cannot be made on the stove top. But you know what, when you are craving food from home it sure is nice, and I am willing to bet a bit better when you consider all the rubbish they add in the box mixes.

This will easily serve 4-6 people. It is enough for 2 meals for our family, and if I really wanted I could make a lunch of it too for me.

Homemade Tuna Helper

1 bag noodles of your choice
1 small container sour cream
2 cups milk
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons salt (optional)
1/2- 3/4 bag shredded cheese
2 cans tuna
1 can peas

1. Boil your noodles until they are no longer firm but not fully cooked
2. At the same time, melt your butter in a sauce pan, once melted add your salt and flour and wisk until fully blended. Bring to a boil.
3. In the same sauce pan add your milk and bring to a boil, then add your cheese and stir until melted. You should have a thick sticky sauce
4. Grease a baking dish, in this dish mix your tuna, peas and sour cream. Proceed to add your noodles and sauce and mix well.
5. Bake on 180 celsius for 30 minutes

Enjoy

4 in 1 dinner- Taco Soup

2011-06-07T19:06:00.000+02:00

She's alive!!!!! I am alive and well. My apologies for the long spacing in between posts. I thank you for your understanding :)

I got a new recipe I came up with that I would like to share with you. This dish is 4 dinners in one. You could serve them in a row if you find yourself in a tight spot in terms of your food budget, or freeze the extra and serve over time.

The basis of this recipe is my Taco soup

Taco Soup:
Ingredients
2 cans kidney beans
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can corn
1 lb ground meat of your choice
1 cup frozen bell pepper
1 diced onion
1 small can or a half a tube tomato paste
A half teaspoon mexican seasoning
A dash of salt
A dash of pepper
2 packets taco seasoning
1 pack ranch dressing mix (can be omitted)
A few shakes of tabasco
1 cup salsa
water

1. Brown your ground beef with mexican seasoning, add your diced onion to carmalize
2. Dump all ingredients into the largest pot you have, I use a stock pot. Fill up the remaining space with water leaving a few inches from the top so you do not boil over.
3. Bring to a boil and mix all ingredients well
4. Reduce heat and let simmer. I let mine simmer until dinner time about an hour.

Then divide your soup evenly into 4 containers.

Day 1:
Cook a half a bag pasta. Drain off water and add soup mix.

Day 2:
Cook one cup rice, divide evenly into each bowl and add soup. Mix well.

Day 3:
Take soup mix and drain off the liquid. Add to the next days mix. Boil some cubed potatoes serve chuncky sauce on top. Add some shredded cheese and sour cream.

Day 4:
Serve soup as is with cheese sprinked on top.

Enjoy :)

Meal plan Monday- May 9th

2011-05-09T11:31:00.008+02:00

Alright another week, another meal plan. Here is a look at a week inside my kitchen.

Meal plan:

Breakfasts will be:

Semolina, oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, rolls with fruit

Lunches:

Sandwiches with veggie sticks

Monday:

D: Abendbrot

Tuesday:

D: Tuna melt, bbq noodles, corn

Wednesday:

D: Abendbrot

Thursday:

D: Rice with sloppy joe sauce, rolls

Friday:

D: Abendbrot

Saturday:

B: TBD

D: Spaghetti, salad, baguettes

Sunday:

B: Rolls

D: Loaded fried potatoes with rolls

DS: TBD

Make sure you stop by www.orgjunkie.com to check out over 300 meal plans a week.

So what's cooking at your house this week?

Meal Plan Monday- May 2nd

2011-05-02T11:29:00.007+02:00

Alright another week, another meal plan. Here is a look at a week inside my kitchen.

Meal plan:

Breakfasts will be:

Semolina, oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, rolls with fruit

Lunches:

Sandwiches with veggie sticks

Monday:

D: Abendbrot

Tuesday:

D: Fish filets, mashed potatoes, and tbd veggie

Wednesday:

D: Abendbrot

Thursday:

D: Gyros with bread

Friday:

D: Abendbrot

Saturday:

B: TBD

D: Pasta with mushroom sauce, baguette, salad

Sunday:

B: Rolls

D: Prok with wild rice, salad

DS: TBD

Make sure you stop by www.orgjunkie.com to check out over 300 meal plans a week.

So what's cooking at your house this week?

Meal Plan Monday- April 25th

2011-04-25T11:26:00.010+02:00

Alright another week, another meal plan. Here is a look at a week inside my kitchen.

Meal plan:

Breakfasts will be:

Semolina, oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, rolls with fruit

Lunches:

Sandwiches with veggie sticks

Monday:

D: Abendbrot

Tuesday:

D: Linsen tacos, spanish rice, pinto beans (freezer meal from earlier this month)

Wednesday:

D: Abendbrot

Thursday:

D: Grilled cheese with chicken noodle soup

Friday:

D: Abendbrot

Saturday:

B: TBD

D: Asian noodles with rolls

Sunday:

B: Rolls

D: Red beans with rice, bread

DS: Lemon cake

Make sure you stop by www.orgjunkie.com to check out over 300 meal plans a week.

So what's cooking at your house this week?

Meal plan monday- April 4th

2011-04-04T11:21:00.000+02:00

Alright another week, another meal plan. Here is a look at a week inside my kitchen.

Meal plan:

Breakfasts will be:

Semolina, oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, rolls with fruit

Lunches:

Sandwiches with veggie sticks

Monday:

D: Abendbrot

Tuesday:

D: Sausage scramble

Wednesday:

D: Abendbrot

Thursday:

D: Traditional sloppy joes on dinner rolls, fries, baked beans

Friday:

D: Dinner away from home

Saturday:

B: Breakfast with friends

L: Belated thanksgiving dinner

D: Abend brot (since lunch was a big meal)

Sunday:

B: Rolls

D: Pasta with pesto, baguette, salad

DS: No desert due to pie on saturday - leftovers if any ha, if not cookies

Make sure you stop by www.orgjunkie.com to check out over 300 meal plans a week.

So what's cooking at your house this week?

Cloth diapers don't have to break the bank

2011-04-02T21:54:00.001+02:00

One of the biggest misnomers and common fears about cloth diapers is concerns about start up costs. But cloth diapers need not break the bank. Here are some tips and tricks for frugal cloth diapering.

One of the things I am asked most often about cloth diapering is how I could afford such an expensive diapering option. But truth is I did not invest much into cloth diapering. Don't get me wrong, even investing in a costly start up set will save you money in the long run, but we all know that is not feasible for everyone and there are many other options out there.

Buying new
First things first, if you want to start with brand new diapers there are many frugal options out there.

Flat and Prefolds
The cheapest diapering option would be prefolds and flats with a cover. Prefolds and flats can be bought new for as low as 50 cents to 1 dollar a diaper.

The cheapest most basic diaper is the flat diaper. These are just a single layer square that is hand folded into layers for absorbency. They can be a bit trickier to use, but the dry really fast. You can buy traditional flat diapers such as gerbers birdseye, but a favorite in the frugal cloth diapering community is flour sack kitchen towels which can be found at Target and Walmart for as low as 3.50 for 5. Flats can be folded tons of different ways onto baby or pad folded and laid into a diaper cover. Additionally they can be used to stuff pocket diapers. Due to the fact that they are folded to fit baby, these will fit all through from birth to potty training.

A step up is the prefold, the most popular form of frugal cloth diapering, it too is a piece of cotton but it is already folded for absorbency resulting in a thicker smaller rectangle. These can be folded a variety of ways and then pinned or snappied onto a baby, but they too can be trifolded and laid in a cover or used to stuff a pocket diaper. Though these are much easier to handle then a flat they do take a bit longer to dry, another downside is that these come in sizes and you will have to buy a few different sizes. One should note that various brands have different sizing options, some such as Green Mountain Diapers have a wide variety of sizes, but you do not need every size. A general rule of thumb is to start with Infant size and then later upgrade to regular, if you are expecting a preemie then you can invest in newborn/premie prefolds (these are great to use later as doublers), but most babies are large enough at birth for the infant size. You can find basic birdseye prefolds from gerber (though these are thing and usually require a doubler), indian, or chinese prefolds. Cottonbabies has prefolds starting at 1 dollar per diaper with free shipping.

In both cases the amount needed will vary on the age of the child in diapers as well as how often you plan to wash. Cotton babies has an awesome information page and suggest having 12 diapers per day for each day you plan to go between washes for younger babies, and about 8 a day for older babies. Personally I suggest not going longer then 3 days in between washes to avoid any stink issues.

Covers
Both flats and prefolds are just a cloth diaper and require a waterproof top layer. In terms of diaper covers there are many options. The cheapest option for covers are good old pull on plastic or nylon covers, like what our grandparents used. They cost just a few dollars a cover. These only come in single sizes, so you will have to buy new sizes as your child grows.

The next step up would be a PUL cover which can be bought for as little as 5 per cover. These sit on top of the cloth diaper and close with a velcro or snap closure. This style of covers can be found for around 5 dollars a cover and up. Some of the cheapest brands include Kawaii and Thirsties. These covers come in both sizes and one size. The one size can save a lot of money, but generally do not fit a baby until around 10 pounds so you may want to consider investing in a few small diaper covers. Thirties has a diaper called the duo wrap, that while a few dollars more then the sized ones run for 2 sizes one diaper fits from birth to 9 months and the next from 9 month to potty training.

Both of these covers can be wiped out and reused if not soiled. As a general rule of thumb it is good to have 6-8 covers for a newborn.

Additional items:
When using prefold or flat with covers you will need either pins or snappis, just a few say 2 or 3.

If you plan to cloth diaper outside of the home you will need a small wetbag for the diaper bag.

And a diaper pail or hanging larger wet bag to hold your dirty diapers in between washes.

This set up can be bought for around 100 dollars. You can save money by choosing companies that offer free shipping such as cottonbabies, and watching for sales, they recently had all prefolds 25% off.

Here is a blog post from a woman claiming you can start cloth diapering for as low as 20 dollars.

Seconds
One way to save money while still getting new diapers is to buy seconds. These are brand new diapers with small imperfections, cosmetic in nature, that do not affect diaper function but prevent the company from selling them in the normal product line. Such diaper can be as much as 40% off the retail price. Many brands sell seconds including cottonbabies makers of the econobum and thirsties.

Used
You can save even more money by buying used diapers. While not everyones cup of tea, this is a great option for building a frugal cloth diapering stash. Used diapers can be found everywhere from Craigslist, to ebay, web forums such as Diaper swappers which even has its own feedback system in place to assure good transactions.

If you do buy used make sure you check out the feedback of the person you intend to buy from, both ebay and diaper swappers offer feedback. If you are buying of craigslist you can see the diapers before committing. Make sure to ask about the condition of the diapers, is it stain free, how is the waterproofing layer and the elastic.

Buying used can save you tons of money.

FFS/ Hand me downs
FFS or Free for shipping, as found on diaper swappers or even ebay klieneanzeige in Germany, are diapers that are free aside from the shipping costs. Many of these diapers are well used, but they have plenty of life left, and some just need simple fixes such as elastic repairs. The people posting these generally are very detailed about the condition, but never hesitate to ask. Do note these items are pretty fast moving, especially when really good items pop up so it is worth it to check back often.

Keep an eye out for hand me downs and do not be ashamed to ask. The majority of my diapers are the result of the generosity of one man on a forum I use. He asked where he could donate old diapers, I wrote him and explained my situation he sent me a box of pocket diapers and was happy to see them go to a family who could use them.

Make your own
If you are up for it and have some basic sewing skills consider making your own. Diapers can be made form objects laying around your home such as old t shirts and sweaters? Check out how to sew a frugal diaper stash for less then 30 dollars

Use what you already have
Did you know that receiving blankets can be used as flat diapers?
Or that old t shirts can even be made into diapers without any sewing?

Cloth diapering need not be a costly investment, you can easily cloth diaper for 100 dollars or less, so don't let that misnomer deter you if you want to give cloth diapering a shot.

Rossmann: 4 packs of Pampers baby wipes for 2,99, Hipp baby care over 25% off, and all travel sized items 15% off

2011-03-31T14:40:00.000+02:00

This week Rossmann has a super deal on Pampers baby wipes.

The normal price for a 4 pack of pampers baby wipes is 6,99. Rossmann has them on sale through Saturday for 4,99 if you combine this with you pampers 2 euro off coupons you can get the 4 pack for 2,99.

I always save my pampers coupons to combine with local sales for the maximum savings. There is no maximum amount of coupons you can use. On average I use 7 at a time without issue.

If you do not yet recieve the pampers coupons in the mail, you can get them by registering at www.pampers.de

Also this week Hipp baby car products are on sale for 25% off, you can combine these with your Rossmann coupon heft coupons. Today I got baby oil, baby wash and diaper rash creme for about 1 euro a pop, the normally run close to 2,50 each.

If you are not yet receiving the rossmann coupons you can sign up for their baby club at the store website www.rossmann.de or in store. They also send lots of samples and freebies.

And last but not least if you need any minis for your diaper bag, all travel sized items are 15% off.

Hope that saves you a few bucks.

Tuna Tabbouleh

2011-03-30T20:11:00.000+02:00

This is a really awesome, quick, easy and cheap dinner. I adapted this version from a recipe from All you magazine. You can view the original here.

Tuna Tabbouleh

Ingredients:

1 cup Bulgar

1 onion diced

2 tomatoes diced (or 1 can diced tomatoes)

2 cans Tuna
Olive Oil
One pack knorr sald seasoning or mixed herbs of your choice

Prep work:
Dice your onions and tomatoes

Let's get cooking:
1. Boil 3 cups water, add in the Bulgar and reduce to low heat
2. Let simmer about 15 minutes, if needed drain off any excess liquid
3. In a separate bowl mix in the tuna, tomatoes, and onions
4. Add in your knorr spice pack and about 3 tablespoons olive oil
5. Mix well and serve

I served mine with Tzatziki and a green salad (lettuce, cucumber, carrot)

Enjoy

Meal Plan Monday- March 28th

2011-03-28T22:39:00.002+02:00

Alright another week, another meal plan. Here is a look at a week inside my kitchen.

Meal plan:

Breakfasts will be:
Semolina, oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, rolls with fruit

Lunches:
Sandwiches with veggie sticks

Monday:
D: Abendbrot

Tuesday:
D: Hot ham and cheese sandwiches with french fries

Wednesday:
D: Abendbrot

Thursday:
D: Potatoes with sloppy joe sauce, bread

Friday: (Toni's birthday his choice meal)
D: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, baked beans with a cake

Saturday:
B: Blueberry Muffins, eggs
D: Abend brot (since friday was hot)

Sunday:
B: Rolls
D: Linsen tacos, spanish rice, pinto beans (double batch for freezer)
DS: No desert due to cake on Friday - leftovers

Make sure you stop by www.orgjunkie.com to check out over 300 meal plans a week.

So what's cooking at your house this week?

My favorite TV shows

2011-03-28T10:22:00.000+02:00

Here is a fun post from the blogging challenge, a look at my favorite tv shows.

My favorite TV shows

Gosh, is it just me or does your mind draw a blank when people ask questions like this lol.

Hmmm.

Well recently on netflix I watched all the seasons of The Secret Life of the American Teenager and also Pawnstars.

In general terms I love documentaries, I also enjoy criminal dramas and talent shows. I also like some reality TV.

Some shows that I enjoy in the US:
Fringe
X-Files (I have seen every episode and film)
Twilight zone
Law and Order
CSI
America's got Talent
King of Queens
Friends
17 kids and counting
Wife swap
Super nanny

A few German shows I enjoy:
Zu Hause im gluck
Achtung Kontrolle
Deutschland sucht den Superstar
Mein Revier
Goodbye Deutschland
Big brother

I tend to enjoy a variety of shows to be honest. As far as German TV fiction is harder to follow so I tend to like reality TV shows or documentaries. In english I enjoy a wide variety of genres. I tend to be behind in terms of new shows, because I get stuff at a later date.

So if you know of any good shows stateside that I should check out leave me a comment.

So what TV shows do you enjoy?

Sundays in my city

2011-03-27T22:32:00.000+02:00

It is Sunday again! Every Sunday I and other bloggers around the world come together to give a glimpse of our daily life. So here it is again a look at Sunday in my City.

Sundays in my city

This Sunday we headed out to our friend's son's 2nd birthday party. It was at a really neat play hall with a huge room full of play structures. Here are some images from our day.

Daddy and baby. Just this week teenie started picking up and holding onto toys.

Our awesome friend, she is the one who did my maternity pics.

She loved meeting Teenie.

And she took this beautiful photo of him.

As well as this one of the two of us.

He was a bit temperamental at the end of the day.

But we had a blast.

And I think Teenie did too.

So what does your Sunday look like? Join us.

Please make sure you stop by Unknown Mami to check out everyone else's awesome photos. Let them know who sent you.

Technical difficulties...help?

2011-03-27T21:59:00.002+02:00

See this scary image below...

Well that used to be my pretty signature :( No idea what happened, or how my name signiture is a violation of image shack terms of service. But ok.

Their website says the following items are banned:

Pornographic files. This includes, but is not limited to, files depicting genitalia, nudity, or sexual situations.
Files that are illegal and/or are in violation of any United States laws.
Files that infringe on the copyrights of any entity excluding the user.
Non-image or non-video files. This includes archived non-image files.
Files intending to harass or spam, or promote anything for commercial profit.

Only thing I can think of is if they blocked my signature because I added affiliate links? Which seems ridiculous as my signature was literally just my name, but I degrees.

Can anyone suggest a better signature option?

I have to apologize this is now stuck to the end of all my old posts, so my apologies for the ugly image on all my posts.

My fears

2011-03-27T10:13:00.000+02:00

Next up in the blogging challenge a post about fears.

My fears

Not sure so much that I would call these things fears, but they definitely freak me out so here goes.

1. Mirrors- ever since I was a kid I have been terrified of that bloody mary thing and I am always scared to see someone looking back at me. This is most prominent at night and I have been known to haul *** out of the bathroom at high speed velocity if freaked out.

2. Ghosts- I love horror movies, but they really scare the living **** out of me. If I feel like I am being watch I also haul *** out of a room top speed.

3. Getting lost- Either on foot in the car, nothing scares me more then not knowing where I am or being unable to find my way back. One July 4th I drove home and the freeway excited was closed I ended up in an area I did not know. I had to call a friend to tell me how to get home, I had a near meltdown. Needless to say I am a proud supporter of navigations.

4. Bugs- I do not do bugs and big bugs scare me, especially ones that look like they can hurt me such as spiders, bees, and these gnarly monster beetles (the look like scarabs with the huge claws) I have seen here in Germany. No thanks.

5. Death. I am scared of dying and scared of people I love dying. I am a religious person, but I do not do well with the unknown.

I suppose I am superstitious by nature, not to the extend of avoiding black cats and ladders, buT I am easily creeped out.

So what scares you?

Carters 50% off site wide sale

2011-03-26T22:03:00.000+01:00

From time to time I post a really good deal that attracts my attention. Here is an awesome one I wanted to share with you.

Carters Baby Sale

Carter's is having a site wide sale all items are 50% off. (with the exception of baby bath items and clearance)

With the coupon code NEWBORN you can get an additional 20% off.

So you can get 100 bucks worth of baby cloths for 40 bucks. Shipping is a flat rate 6 dollars regardless of order size. So 46 bucks for 100 bucks worth of carters clothing.

The sale ends tomorrow. They only ship US wide unfortunately, but if you have a friend with an address stateside their clothing is awesome.

A photo of my friends

2011-03-26T10:02:00.000+01:00

Continuing the blog challenge with a photo of my friends.

My friends

Well this is a tough one because I have to think who is least likely to kill me for posting a photo of them on my blog, tehe.

Well I will share a few photos and just a short tidbit about a few other friends, how does that sound.

First up is my BFF Leah.
We met in college, we both were active in student government. We have been friends about 8 years now. We stayed in touch while she went away out of state to college and also after I moved overseas. She is the godmother to my son. Leah helped me become active in the Native community which meant so much to me, that is one thing I really miss living overseas. I am so excited she will be coming to visit me later this year.

Here is me and Leah

Next up a few people to highlight:

1. Ashley.
Ashley is a fellow expat, American living in Germany. We met through an online forum for expats. We talk all he time. I adore her.

2. Amanda.
Another American living in Germany. We have a very special bond, we too met the same way. We shared our pregnancies, we had the same due date, and our babies were born the same day. I talk to her daily and I am so excited to be spending time with her when we travel to Frankfurt to do Teenies citizenship. We plan to cook a belated Thanksgiving dinner together (didn't work out while we were pregnant ha)

3. Amy.
She is a college friend from back home. We do not talk as much now a days but are still in contact. I really hope to talk more with her. She sends me care packs from home and it means the world to me. We also have a mutual friend Angela who I adore and need to maintain better contact with as well. They are both college buddies and I hope we will stay in contact for the rest of our lives.

I hope no one feels left out I just chose a few people. I would write a book about the wonderful people in my life. I have some wonderful friends back home, some awesome expat friends, and some super cool online friendships ad I am grateful for everyone in my life.

A place I have traveled too

2011-03-25T10:01:00.000+01:00

Continuing on with the 30 day blogging challenge, which is more like a 45 day one for me but I digress, ha. Today's theme is a place I have traveled. So here is a look into my travels.

My Travels

I have not done a lot of traveling in my life. But there are a few trips that stand out in my mind.

1. When I was about 18 or 19 years old, I went with my cousin and her children to Disneyland for Christmas. It was a lot of fun. Unfortunately the Christmas parade was canceled due to poor weather, but the trip in and of itself was very special to me. One of the highlights of the trip was when she convinced me to go on that huge roller coaster in the shape of mickey mouse at the California adventure park, I was scarred for life. I don't due scary rides. I would love to do this trip again with her someday maybe when my boy is old enough.

2. For my 21st birthday, my then Boyfriends mom bought us a trip to Las Vegas. We stayed at the Egyptian themed hotel Luxor in the Pyramid. It was so much fun. Oh I love Las Vegas. I am not a big gambler, bt I did play the 5 cent machines lol. I made a few bucks. My only wish was that we could have checked out a Vegas show. My husband really wants to see Las Vegas so I am hoping someday when we visit we can leave Teenie with the grandparents and take a weekend trip down.

3. When I was in college, I took a trip with some of my fellow student government members to Washington DC to protest for federal financial aid. We attended a national conference but also had the chance to visit a bunch of things. One of my favorites was the Native American Smithsonian and the National Holocaust Museum. I would love to go back and check out more of the museums especially the Museum of natural history. We had a lot of fun.

I also attended various conferences while in student government and all of those trips are fond memories.

4. When I was about 16 I traveled with my mom to attend the national OCD conference in Tennessee. We also did a bit of sight seeing. We went to the grand Ole Opry, Graceland, and saw tons of civil war sites. One of my fondest memories by far. I would love to travel with my mom again someday.

So tell me about your travels, what trips really stuck out in your mind?

Motherease to raise Nappy prices

2011-03-23T22:04:00.002+01:00

Get them while they are cheap folks.

The announcement has been made the Motherease will be increasing the price of their cloth nappies quiet significantly.

Motherease announces price increase

These changes will be made in the next few days, so if you do use Motherease products you should stock up and order extra or go ahead and order the next size up now. It is a shame really as nappy prices in Europe are already so costly in comparison to cloth diapering prices in the United States.

I received this email today from the nappy lady:

Motherease are about to be significantly increasing their product prices. The increase on many of their lines is going to be a double digit % increase! This will affect their wraps and their nappies. They also supply the Ultra liners, Magic out and about spray and Bott wand. If you are planning to place an order i would place it in the next couple of days to guarantee the current prices.

If you are interested in Motherease products, check out www.thenappylady.co.uk she ships worldwide and even offers a personal cloth diapering consultation for free.

Or if you are stateside you can shop at Amazon.com to avoid any additional international shipping costs.

Some of their most famous products include:

Mother-Ease One-Size Cloth Diaper Cover

Mother-ease Swim Diaper (Medium, Blue)

Mother-Ease One-Size Cloth Diaper (Bamboo)

Mother-Ease One-Size Cloth Diaper (Stay Dry)

Mother-Ease One-Size Cloth Diaper

Mother-Ease Cloth Baby Wipes (Unbleached)

Sausage scramble

2011-03-23T11:33:00.001+01:00

This is one of my favorite breakfasts. I love scrambled eggs since they cook so fast, and as a mom to a newborn, time is of the essence.

Sausage Scramble

Ingredients:

1/2 -1 cup milk, your preference

4 eggs

3 sausage links (I use paprika sauasage, keilbasa would be awesome as well)

1/2 red, green, and yellow bell pepper (or your choice of equivalent)

1 onion

paprika powder dash

pepper dash

olive oil

Prep work:

1. Cut your sausage links into rounds

2. Dice your onion

3. Dice your bell pepper halves

4. Mix your eggs, milk, paprika, and pepper in a bowl

Let's get cooking:

1. Heat up oil in the bottom of your frying pan

2. Add the onions and cook until caramelized

3. Add in your bell peppers and cook until the edges are crisp

4. Add in your sausage and cook until they start to puff a bit and brown on the cut edges

5. Add in your egg and scramble until cooked through

This recipe can be switched up really easily by adding in or swapping ingredients. I also really like to make this with cut up nuremburger sausage links, breakfasts sausages would be great as well.

Enjoy

Meal plan Monday

2011-03-21T22:07:00.003+01:00

Its that time again, a look at a week in my kitchen.

Monday:
B: Yogurt with apple
L: Asian noodles
D: Abendbrot

Tuesday:
B: Oatmeal, apple
L: Sandwiches, carrots
D: Lentil tacos and mexican rice

Wednesday:
B: Semolina, banana
L: Grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup
D: Abedbrot

Thursday:
B: Bagel and cream cheese with yogurt
L: Sandwiches, cucumber
D: Noodles with Tuna and cheese sauce, salad, rolls

Friday:
B: Cereal, banana
L: Chicken noodle soup, rolls
D: Abend brot

Saturday:
B: Pancakes and eggs
L: Salad
D: Sloppy joes on dinner rolls, french fries, baked beans

Sunday:
B: Rolls
L: Sandwiches, Cucumber
D: Chicken noodle soup, rolls

Make sure and stop by www.orgjunkie.com for over 300 meal plans a week.

So what's cooking at your house?

My favorite

2011-03-21T11:41:00.002+01:00

movies...

Hmm, well this is a tough one. I love watching new movies I have never seen. So I am always on the lookout on netflix for something new to watch.

In general terms I love horror movies. I also love dramas, mysteries and comedies. I enjoy classics and historical dramas. Not so much into action, scifi and or war movies, but some are ok.

As far as movies I have loved over the years lets see

Legend
Dirty Dancing
Labyrinth
Benji a christmas story (childhood favorite)
Splash
The twilight series
The green mile

Gosh it is really hard to think of things off the top of my head, but that is a broad range.

Here is some more general things I like:
Ashton kutcher movies
All mollie Ringwald movies
All disney movies, especially the princess ones
Film adaptations of books, especially stephen king

Sundays in my city

2011-03-20T15:14:00.001+01:00

I'm back!

This weekend was really special Toni's mom and step dad came down to visit Teenie. Here are some photos from our weekend.

Teenie likes his vibrating chair, he also just started using his bumbo seat.

Talking to Opa.

Talking to Oma.

Baby smiles

and lots of baby cuddles

One of the highlights of the weekend, while we were eating dinner, Teenie started to have a conversation with his schmusetuch, holding it in front of his face and cooing at it, and he did so for a good 10-15 minutes. One of the cutest things he has done. This was also the first time he ever picked up and held a toy buy himself. He continued to do so today even taking his bunny with him when daddy picked him up :)

Well hello Lamby, how are you today

I am fine myself thanks for asking

What did you say. Note the pillow to the left, my mother in law put that there because he was trying to watch tv. Poor kid sees his grandparents on skype all the time. I think I might get called into the preschool someday when he tells his teachers that the Tv talks to him, his grandma lives in the tv, or starts to cry when his tv show does not talk back lol.

Guten Morgen Sonnenschein

and I bid you farewell with this lovely clip from this morning.

Make sure you stop by www.unknownmami.com and check out everyone else's lovely photos.

A photo

2011-03-20T11:40:00.001+01:00

of something that makes you happy ....

My husband, who is a wonderful husband and an even better daddy.

Baby cuddles, who doesn't love them right?

My snoopy.

My snoopy in cloth diapers.

Other things that I love.... (In random order)
Frugal living
Making things myself
Cooking
Reading
History
Documentaries
Visiting castles
Social networking and online forums
Blogging
Finding bargain deals
Jesus
Homemaking
Cloth diapering
Crafts
Role playing games
Movies (I heart netflix)

hmm well I think thats a good start.

International postage rates lowered

2011-03-20T11:23:00.001+01:00

I do not know about you but for me this is super exciting, the deutsche post has lowered international brief postage.

Standard letters dropped from 1,70 € to ,75€

Postcards are ,75€

Kompakt brief 1,45€

Großbrief 3,45€

Maxibrief bis 1 kilo 7,90 bis 2 kilo 16,90

a full price list can be found here

My Siblings

2011-03-18T22:24:00.001+01:00

My Siblings

My family is a patchwork family, think Brady Bunch lol. :P

First up I have one half brother on my fathers side, Jason, in his mid thirties. He lives in Southern Germany. Since moving to Germany I have had the chance to establish a relationship with him and have been welcomed into the family by his mom and uncle as well. He's got a wonderful sense of humor and is all around jolly guy. I love him and his family so much.

I also have a adopted brother, John, in his late thirties, who is the half brother of my half brother. We did grow up together in the same home. He now lives in Tennessee.

I then have a step brother, Mike, from my dad's marriage we did not grow up in a home together, but we did have the same visitation dates so we did have a shared childhood, he is 2 years older then me and now lives in Texas.

I also have one step brother on my moms side from a previous marriage. He did live in the home and was around when I was growing up. He passed away when I was 11 years old. He was in his early thirties, he has cystic fibrosis. He had a heart and lung transplant but his body rejected the new organs. But he was such a jolly fellow, he always referred to me as the brat. He was told he would probably never live into adulthood so he was grateful for all the time he did have, and before he went into surgery he said he was content, he would have more time with the people he loved or go home to the Lord and either way he was at peace. He was a real inspiration to me, and I miss him a lot. His name was Dale.

Those are the siblings I am closest to and have established relationships with.

In addition:

Dale had two other brothers Dean and Galen, mid fourties. My mom raised the 3 when they were young and had a close relationship with them, I was never really close to them. More so with Dean, but over the years we lost contact. I would very much love to reconnect.

My mom's husband also has a son Matt early 20's and daughter Jennifer late 20's. We did not grow up together, though they were around we never really established close relationships. Maybe someday :)

Wooh, I told you that was gonna be long, just be glad I did not go into the family tree style technicalities of it ha. So until my mom married 2 years ago I was the only girl and the youngest out of 7 kids, 3 of which lived in the home with me to varying degrees while growing up.

I wish that I had a close bond with everyone but I realize that is hard in patchwork families and even more so with such a broad age range, we have 21- mid 40's. But I am greatful for the relationships I do have with my siblings, especially my brother in Germany, It has been wonderful getting to know him and being a part of one anothers life.

My Parents

2011-03-16T22:18:00.002+01:00

Todays scheduled blog challenge. Now this is a fun one and hopefully they will not kill me for this post ha.

Well lets see. May parents married in 82 I believe it was. They met in the kontakt club in Germany both were stationed overseas my mom Navy and dad Army. In 84 I was born. They split when I was 8 and both have remarried, so I will be talking about both of them in pairs.

First up my Mom J and Step dad T.
The have been in a relationship about 10 years but married in 2008 just a few months before me. My mom is a retired Tax advisor as is her husband they met while working for the IRS. Hey now don't you hiss, they were the ones who helped you with taxes not the ones who stalked you down and repoed your house. My mom is an angel, she is my best friend and we can and do talk about everything together. My mom is a real inspiration, when I was around 10 she was diagnosed with a rare disability, she went before countless medical experts and fought years to have her disability recognized after she was unable to work. She never gave up no matter how many hardships came her way. She is such a strong and independent woman and opinionated almost as much as me, I kid she is not really but she does keep me in check.

My Dad R and Step mom J
Married when I was about 8 or 9 years old and have been married I think about 17 years now. J is wonderful and has always accepted me as her own, and she does the same with my son, I cannot imagine my life without her. She is a true blessing not only to me but a wonderful caretaker of my father and I am so happy to know she is there with him when I am so far away. My dad is retired military and ordained minister. He too is an amazing support network, now he really is opinionated and stubborn, and I do have my daddys temper. But in all fairness he has mellowed out in his age, but boy oh boy when he gets on a roll lol. He is passionate about things he cares about. He loves to study and learn new things especially religious studies and we have such wonderful conversations.

I adore my parents and their partners. While some people are bitter about their parents having divorced I see it in a different light, I gained 2 additional parents and I love them so much.

My dad is my rock always looking for rational solutions and offering advice, even when I don't want to listen hehe. I know he is always there for me anytime I need him. And I love to hear the stories from his youth, he can tell a story in a way that just fills your stomach with laughter and he has no problem laughing at himself along with you.

My mom will always be my emotional go to, who will listen to me when I am upset and calm me down when I am mad beyond words. She inspires me and encourages me everyday.

I am really blessed each ones has their quirks but that is what I love most about them.

My first

2011-03-16T21:20:00.000+01:00

Love. Continuing with the blog challenge albeit a day late. I had to think about this one.

My personal view of love is that true love is finding your life partner. Now that is not to say that I did not care deeply for people. There are times when I thought I was in love, but being where I am now I would say that I wasn't. At the time I had not yet experienced true love. That I feel I found with my husband.

Now I did have previous relationships and there are 2 people who stick out in my mind. That at the time I cared greatly for and will always hold a special place in my heart.

My on and off relationship over 5 years with Dan, was in a sense my first love. He was a skater boy and I adored him. To this day almost 10 years later I still have contact with him and his partner, we have known each other now 15 years wow. He has a beautiful little boy. Aside from my husband he knows me best and we can talk about anything even to this day. He always has and always will be one of my best friends.

I also had a long term relationship with a guy named Jon. We lived together for a few years, in which I learned cohabitation is bad before marriage, but I degrees. We were just not meant for one another and things ended on a bitter note and I am responsible for that. I feel a lot of guilt for how I treated him when the relationship came to an end and I wish I handled it differently.

Both of theses guys, now men, were very special to me. One knows it and I hope someday the other realizes it as well. They will always hold a special place in my heart and I have so many fond memories.

But when it comes to true love that title falls to my husband. He taught me what true love really means.

Left over fruit smoothies

2011-03-16T15:13:00.001+01:00

This is a super way to use up any fruit that is nearing the end of its life.

Leftover fruit smoothies

Ingredients:

Basis:

Fruit juice of some sort

Overly ripe fruit of your choice

Frozen fruit
Yogurt of your choice

Today I made a mix using what I had on hand:

1 single serving size apricot yogurt

1 overly ripe banana

A handful of ripe strawberries

One sample size bottle of multi vitamin juice

3 cups frozen berry mix

My combo resulted in 3 servings. You can add more juice and yogurt for more serving portions.

Just blend together in a blender starting at the lowest setting and when it no longer sounds like it is chopping turn it up or pulse a few times.

If your combination is bitter you can add in a little bit of honey to sweeten it up.

Genieß

I left my heart where

2011-03-14T23:46:00.000+01:00

Day two of the blogging challenge is talking about the meaning of your blog name.

The name of my blog is Ich liess mein Herz in Deutschland, which translates to I left my heart in Germany. I started this blog originally as a travel blog when I came one a visit to Germany. When I thought about going home, I realized that a Germany would always hold a special place in my heart, but the core of the meaning was that I left my then boyfriend behind. And in doing so I left my heart in Germany. Luckily I came back two months later and married him. Now I left my heart in the US with my family, lol, if we could just annex Idaho and replace it with Germany so I could drive in between the two I would be set.

And just for fun here is my very first blog post.

Two weeks

It's hard to believe that I have been in this beautiful place for two weeks now. Even harder to believe that it has been 25% of my time here. I came in search of answers, I found them and found myself even more complexed by the perplexities of international love. I had wanted him before, I had even longed to be with him, but now having been here, I cannot imagine life without him. As much as I hate to admit I look now not at six weeks remaining, but rather six weeks left. Till we find ourselves in the same situation 9000km apart. I love it here, and in reality would do anything to stay. But it is easy to see that some things are just not plausible. I hope and pray that someday this beautiful land will become my home.

Meal plan Monday

2011-03-14T21:58:00.005+01:00

Alright back into the swing of things. Here is a look at our meal plan for the week.

Monday:
B- Bagel with cream cheese & Strawberries
L- Left overs
D- Abend Brot

Tuesday:
B- Yogurt
L- Sandwich & Carrots
D- Leberkase, baked beans, Brusselsprouts

Wednesday:
B- Oatmeal, apple
L- Asian Noodles
D- Abend brot

Thursday:
B- Semolina, apple
L- Sandwich, cucumber
D- Spatzle with linsen soup, Brusselsprouts, dinner rolls

Friday:
B- Bagel with cream cheese and an apple
L- Chicken noodle soup & grilled cheese
D- Abend brot

Saturday:
B- Sausage scramble
L- Sandwiches with carrots
D- Fried potatoes with quark, green salad

Sunday:
B- Rolls
L- Sandwiches with cucumber
D- Tuna melts, bbq noodles, corn

Make sure you stop my www.orgjunkie.com for over 300 meal plans each week.

So what is for dinner in your house?

Introductions

2011-03-13T23:31:00.000+01:00

Well I am trying to get my blogging groove back and I thought this would be a fun way to do so. I am gonna copy Frau from over at West family adventures and follow her 30 day blog challenge.

So lets jump right in.

Day 1
Introduce yourself

My name is Serena, ut you guys know me as Rena, a nickname I have had my whole life.

I am a 26 year old American living in a small village near Heilbronn Germany with my German Husband and 3 month old son. I have lived here since 2008. I grew up in the Portland metro area.

15 random facts about me
1. I love forums almost as much as I enjoy blogging
2. I love to give people I love dog names as a term of endearment, for instance my son is Snoopy
3. My father is a paster
4. I read magazines from the back cover to the front
5. I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, the real kind, not the OMG thats OCD fad
6. Both of my parents were in the military
7. I used to be a licensed private investigator
8. My dream job would be to be an museum curator
9. I am obsessed with Leonardo Da Vinci oh and Robert Patterson
10. My dads family is Apache
11. I named my son after a name I heard on TV
12. I love reality TV shows. but not that junk like survivor yuck
13. I heart books
14. I really want to learn to sew, I have a machine, but need to learn how to use it
15. I love kitty cats and really want to convince my husband to get me and Snoopy one

Well I hoped you learned something new about me today. And feel free to join me in this blogging challenge.

Loaded fried potatoes

2011-03-12T08:38:00.000+01:00

One thing that has always driven me nuts if the size of potatoes here. When I buy a bag of potatoes they range in size from ping pong ball to tennis ball. Not very baked potato friendly if you ask me. So I sought out to find an equivalent to loaded baked potatoes and this is what I came up with.

Loaded fried potatoes

Ingredients:

Potatoes cubed (amount varies on potato size, I use about 10-12)

1-2 onions diced

2 cloves garlic diced

Cut up Traditional or cubed Bacon (pre cooked)

Sour cream

Shredded Cheese

Oil (your choice)

Variations:

You can add any ingredients you like, I have done this before with peppers and loved the outcome.

Prep work:

Cut up your onions, potatoes, and garlic

In a wok warm up a thin layer of oil across the bottom (do not skimp on oil, too little oil will result in soggy potatoes)

Let's get cooking:

1. Add you diced garlic into the pan and let simmer until fragrant

2. Add in your onions and cook until caramelized

3. Next drop in those potatoes, fry until they are fully cooked with a nice crisp brown exterior.

4. Add in your bacon

5. Melt in some cheese

Serve with a bit more cheese sprinkled on top and a glob of sour cream

nomnomnom

A beautiful morning

2011-03-12T08:28:00.000+01:00

Wow, it has been far too log hasn't it. I have so many ideas for blog posts coming up, still working out the kinks to find balance in my life post baby.

Things are going well for us, Teenie is approaching the 3 month mark. It is hard to believe that he's the little monster who used to kick my tummy everyday. We learn so much together everyday and he has been such a blessing. :)

So for those of you who have been wondering here is a look at Teenie these days

The Home Keeper's Journal

2011-02-20T23:53:00.000+01:00

This week’s Homekeeper’s Journal is about Spring Time Plans.

In my kitchen, I plan to ….. attempt to make more from scratch. To try and make some items that we would otherwise end up buying premade.

Plans with the children ….. I plan to find a mommy and baby course to attend. I got a voucher from the city as a baby gift and need to put it to use.

Plans with the husband ….. He mentioned something about checking out sealife in Speyer next weekend.

Plans for my house ….. catching up on all that I have fallen behind on. And establishing a routine that keeps things from backlogging.

Garden Plans ….. I keep saying I want an herb garden and everytime I try I kill my plants. I need to get a book about herb care and try again. I would also love to get some row planters and grow some of my own veggies.

Other Plans ….. hmmmm, well I would like to get a membership to the library and check them out and also attend the womens breakfast and international mommy lunch get togethers. I also want to attend one of the expat meetups in Heilbronn. :)

Make sure you stop by Christianhomekeeper.org and check out what the other ladies had to say.

The Homekeeper's Journal 2/9

2011-02-09T12:43:00.000+01:00

A day late but hey, better late then never right. They say the brain physically shrinks during pregnancy and takes 6 months to regain full capacity so I am just gonna play that card for the next 4 months :)

I am alive, I am well, but as you can imagine adjusting to life with a newborn takes some time. So I am working on getting my groove back.

In My Kitchen this week ………
I don't want to talk about my kitchen this week, especially not the fact that it looks like post world war II Berlin, nor the fact that I did not make one meal from my meal plan last week. As for this week, well I am using up the food I did not do last week. And if I have 20 uninterrupted minutes I sure hope to rectify the wrong that has exploded into the mass chaos of my kitchen.

Foremost in my thoughts this week ……..
I need to get back into the swing of things. To adapt my old routines and add in the new to regain some control and serenity in my life. I also need to make some effort to get out of the house and to reconnect with people here, I have some long overdue phone calls to make.

I’ve been so busy with ……..
a newborn. He is a blast but a lot of work as well. But he is a angel bless his heart and I have so much fun with him. I am so blessed to be his mommy. Things have gotten easier and routines established and so the pieces are starting to fall into place and some tranquility is restoring itself. But I wont lie there is still plenty of chaos everyday ,)

Could someone please ……..
Come hang out with us. Not much to do in these neck of the woods.

I’ve been wanting to do this for so long ……..
Finish that Homekeeping journal lol, well one of these days I will.

If I manage things just right ……..
I will find a way to balance all aspects of my daily life and still find time for myself and per sue my hobbies.

Make sure you head on over to christianhomekeeper.net to check out everyone else's journals

Meal Plan Mon(Tues)day January 31, 2011

2011-02-01T10:47:00.000+01:00

Hey guys,

Here is another look into our kitchen for the week.

Breakfast will be a mix up of yogurt, oatmeal, cereal and fruit.

Lunches- Sandwiches and rice pilaf

Dinners Mon- Thursday will be abend brot.

Friday dinner: Linsen Tacos (carried over from last week)

Saturday:

Breakfast: Bacon waffles (new recipe)

Lunch: Sandwiches

Dinner: Pasta with chickpeas and broccoli with baugettes (new recipe)

Sunday:

Breakfast: warm rolls with wursts

Lunch: Sandwiches

Dinner: Tuna Tabbouleh salad (new recipe)

Dessert: Apple taschen

So what is for dinner in your house this week?

Meal Plan Monday

2011-01-24T10:53:00.000+01:00

Hey guys,

I hope all is going well with you. I am still working to get my groove back lol. But it is going well so far. Last week was my first week alone with baby Luca and I did not break him so we are off to a good start :)

My menus are actually gonna be a bit different for a bit, different as in a focus on vegetarian, beef, and fish, why you ask would I not use pork in the land of the schnitzel, well long story short we have a major food crises going on at the moment and as a result our poultry, eggs, and pork are tainted. Now I normally try not to go off on hysteria about food contaminants I am not a bio addict by any means, but as a nursing mom I think it is best to play it safe for a while. I am not avoiding all products with egg and those meats, I do not have the time and energy to go die hard vegan and make everything myself, but we will be avoiding the fresh products. It has been said the organic versions of these items are safe, but if the pocket book hit is not enough to deter you the fact they are sold out in most stores will.

So here is a look at our week:

Monday- Thursday:

Breakfast: Oatmeal, yogurt, or cold cereal with fruit (DH takes rolls to work)

Lunch: Odds and ends (DH takes sandwiches and veggies to work)

Dinners: Abend brot

Friday:

Dinner: Potatoes, spinach and wursts

Saturday:

Breakfast: Pancakes and bacon

Lunch: Soup with rolls

Dinner: Lentil Tacos with rice

Sunday:

Breakfast: Rolls

Lunch: Sandwiches

Dinner: Mini Meat loaf, potatoes, and a veggie

Tea time: Apple struedel

So that is fresh meat once in the week. Hey maybe it will make a nice dent in the food budget lol. We will still eat cold cuts on our abend brot nights. I actually want to start making my own breads and salads for those nights too. :)

So what are you eating this week?

Quick and Easy Broccoli and Rice Casserole

2011-01-20T00:12:00.000+01:00

Hello folks,

I wanted to share a recipe with you today. Must apologize for the lack of pics, but I assure you its quick, easy, and tasty :)

Note, this recipe uses a German seasoning packet, I would replace that stateside with a cream soup (mushroom, chicken ect).

Ingredients:

2 Knorr Broccoli Graten Packets (Or cream soup)

2 cup rice

100 grams cheese of your choice

400 grams or 1 head broccoli

Start by blanching your broccoli, cooking your rice, and mixing the seasoning packet according to the label. I did it all at the same time on the stove top, but you could easily do the rice and broccoli in advance. At the same time pre heat your oven to 230c.

Grease a baking dish and mix the cooked ingredients together.

Add half of the cheese and stir into the mix. Spread the second half along the top.

Baked for 20-25 minutes.

Serves 2-3

You can also make tons of variations by adding in other ingredients, next time I plan to add bacon cubes.

Luca's birth story

2011-01-17T14:28:00.003+01:00

*********Warning**********

This post is a birth story it will not be appealing to all people and it will contain things that may be considered graphic or TMI. My intent is not to be graphic or vulgar and I wish that I could tell this story and replace it with words like gum drops and popsicles but then it would not be much of a birth story now would it. Please feel free to skip over this post there will be lots more homemaking, expat and frugal living posts as well.

Thanks for you understanding - Rena

*************************

It has taken me nearly 3 weeks to come to terms to get to the point to write this out and even now I am to the point where I am telling myself to do it. I am doing it in part to share with family and friends (and yes I consider my readers friends) who have expressed interest, but I am doing this mianly for myself.

Having said that a lot of the memory has faided and while I am a bit saddened that I cannot recall every detail I realize that was crucial in my acceptance of what happened. You know I used to be the kind of person that laughed when people moaned and groaned about how traumatized they were in thier birthing experiences or how they felt violated, and I am appaulled that I was ever so insensitive because it is something you just cannot fully understand until you have lived through it.

This is a love story but also a tragedy. It has a beautiful ending but is also full of lost hope and shattered dreams, but this is our story and I hope that it reaches out to someone and maybe they can relate or better prepare themselves if they ever find themselves in a similar experience.

******************************

I had a pretty uneventful pregnancy, well let me clarify uneventful by German stadards which still meant having the crap scared out of me multiple times by worse case scenarios, but in the end all was well. In the weeks leading up to delivery baby Luca was doing well he sank on his own, the placenta was in place and the doctor and midwife even mentioned that they thought he may come early. We eargerly awaited his arrival attending geburstvorbereitungkurs and partnerabend in preperation. We had so much fun preparing the home for baby and took some beautiful maternity photos.

On the Friday night before my due date I noticed some mousture in my underwear, we monitered the situation but ended up going to the hospital Saturday morning to get it checked. They did a CTG and tested for amniotic fluid but all was well. The did say they thought the baby may be over 4 kilos and that c section may need to be held in the back of our minds. That was good because it encouraged me to open up to that idea and I did a little reading on c sections. I had an appointment for Sunday origionally, my due date for a check up in the hospital but since we were already there they said just to come back Tuesday. The baby was still a bit higher then he should be and I was only dialted to less then 1 cm and partly effaced. Did I mention the doctor here was amazing oh I adore her, her husband is also from east Germany and she talked to us and answered all our questions, oh and she will come back into the story later.

So my 40 weeks came and went, I spent the days with hubby and my mom who were both here and on Tuesday we headed back to the clinic. I had awful pelvic pressure and had the typical end of pregnancy oh goodness get it overwith feeling, but I was in good spirits, tired and uncomfortable but in a good frame of mind.And on Tuesday we headed back to the hospital for a check up. Same as usual CTG and ultrasound. This time they measured the baby smaller but also noticed that the amniotic fluid was lower. She asked if I had noticed any leaking but I had not any more so then when I came 2 days earlier to get checked, but it was not dangeriously low. I was sent home and told to come back Thursday and that they would likely induce then so be prepared. Which I already was I had started bringing my hospital bag to visits just in case.

So we headed off to do some shopping. There was a camera on sale at Saturn for a great price so we went and bought it and then headed over to Kaufland around 1pm, my mom and I checked out c and a and Toni ran into Rossmann. I made my all to common bathroom run at which point I noticed quiet a but more mouisture then usual, not a movie style gush, but wet through to the pants, enough to cause discomfort. So I headed back and told my mom who was at a bench waiting for me and then told Toni who was on the phone at the time with a co worker. We prepared to head back to the hospital to get it checked and see if it was actually my water breaking. On the way out we grabbed food- currywursts with fries for my mom and me and a bockwurst for Toni.

When we got back to the hospital we headed to labor and delivery. Immediatly we were stopped by a midwife who enforced the one person rule and sent my mom back into the waiting area, which was nothing more then a few chairs in a hallway. Toni and I headed in. Again they did a ctg, but the midwife was able to feel the contractions even without the machine, though I had no pain yet. I was beyond excited but a but suprised that they did not test the fluid as they usually did. They said that I would have to be admitted at this point so Toni headed down stairs to check me in and at that point my mom came back in. Toni later came back and both were allowed to remain a while.

I was then moved into an actuial kreißaal delivery room because all of the labor rooms were full. I was uber excited. The contractions were visible on the CTG but I did not have any pain. A bit later at shift change when the new midwife came on duty once again we were told only 1 person. I said in the infoabend I had been informed that I could have 2 people in the labor room just not in delivery and she said no under no circumstances so mom went back out into the hall. At that point they said I could take a break from the ctg and was free to walk around for an hour. During this time one of my neighbors was in labor and screaming through the kreißaal. I remember laughing with Toni and telling him how freaked out I was and that I was happy to get away. Toni wanted to shower so he ran home and I went up to have a coffee with my mom in the cafe (or rather absurdly overpriced snack stand of a joke). So we hung out for an hour and then headed back down. I am not sure if I had light contractions at this time yet but I was not in pain, perhaps more discomfort. We headed back to the room and hung out for a while till Toni came back and then once again switched out.

A bit later a labor room opened (I assume the moaning lady who was now screaming bloody murder poor thing note after 4 hours she delivered via c section) and we moved there. The contractions started to build more and more and the discomfort as well. They checked me and no progression was made in dialation so they said at 1 am they would induce if there was no progress. We decided to send my mom home due to the lack of a proper waiting area and the fact they refused to let her in. Toni ran her home and during that time I ate dinner and played on the computer chatting on facebook and on a forum. Toni later came back to join me. At one point Toni ran into a girl from my birthing class coming in with contractions, but I did not get a chance to see her before she was sent home and told to come back later.

The contractions picked up throughout the night and it was starting to look good as though everything was progressing well on its own. The contractions were about 3 minutes apart. At that point I first asked for pain meds and was given something not sure what it was but by no means a narcotic. I was given the choice of pill or suppository, an told the latter worked fasted, needless to say I took that option. I started to feel better and spent some time hanging out with Toni and playing on the computer. We had another shift change and this time a nice young midwife came on duty. I told her I was starting to get uncomfortable and asked for actual pain meds and she suggested I take a bath in the relaxtion bath which I did. Man was that bathroom lovely let me tell you and tha bathtub was huge. It felt great. The contractions did not go away, but it allowed me to relax to the point in which I could use relaxation techniques. Daddy also enjoyed it because there was a bench and he was able to lay down and take a shirt nap, the rooms only had a single chair for him to sit in. Nothing like the lush US delivery rooms with furniture. The bath really helped but the contractions kept getting stronger and stronger, so I got out and headed back to the labor room. I think at this point I changed into the delivery clothing I brought just because it was easier at this point.

The contractions kept building, at this point I started turning into the scary women I mentioned earlier, although I was not screaming but loudly humming through the contractions. My contractions were steady and increasing and the midwife checked me and said I had progressed and therefore would not need the induction she then came back with a pain med. I think first they tried something homeopathic, uck, but later she came back with some type of medication for cramping and something for pain. I am not to sure of how they work but it was supposed to relieve pain in conjunction with one another and that they did. She administered them slowly and sat and talked with me and breathed through the contractions. That friend I mentioned that was there earlier and sent home actually came back and this time was admitted, so we were in rooms across from one another lol.

The midwife disappeared for a bit and I was feeling much better. I was cheerful and excited. Even posting on facebook and a forum I frequent. A few minutes later the doctor came in to check me. She told me that I had not progressed, apparently they had a disagreement about finger size and measurements. And she said that the medication had worked too well that the contractions had actually lessoned, which she said meant they were not real labor contractions. Now I still to this day do not understand how one can have contractions that are not real, perhaps that was the language barrier and she meant they were not progressing I really do not know. But she said that in light of such we would need to induce. This was around 1 am. So I was given information to read and a waiver to sign. I was told they had a gel and a pill form and I took the pill I believe. Again we went back to waiting.

Within the hour the contractions greatly intensified. I reiterated that I wanted an epidural, but was told I could not get one until I progressed passed a certain point. It was either 2 or 4 cm. I think 4. So we waited and waited. I become more like the scary lady moaning with each contraction. Eventually they checked me again and said I had progressed enough for the epidural. So they called the anesthesiologist and said he would be there shortly.

When he arrived we were moved back into a Kreßaal room. I was changed into a gown. They did the normal prep work and the doctor sat with me and held me as they did the epidural. And at first everything was great. It worked well. But I noticed that I still felt pain on one side. The anesthesiologist hung around and adjusted the epidural. It seemed to be working well enough for a while.

Then things got messy and my memory is a bit blurred so bear with me. I did not know until later that I was given an additional induction medication called wahen tropfen, or contraction drops, shortly after they did this things went south. The contractions increased in frequency and pain level. I expressed concern that something was wrong and was told to breathe through it. This went on for about an hour.

I became increasingly upset and frightened as the contractions became closer and closer and stronger. I had an incredible pressure and felt the need to push. I was checked and they said I must be wrong, perhaps I needed to go to the bathroom. I asked if i could go and they said no. I had thought I was given a walking epidural, but they said I could not get up and sat me up on a bed pan an left. At this point hubby had stepped out, he was rather upset and became physically ill as the labor progressed and I became more distressed. He had thought the midwife was staying with me but she left. I then got stuck half propped up on this metal bed pan, unable to lay down with horrible contractions and out of the reach of the call button. That is when I flipped and got hysterical. At this point the contractions had become all but constant. I expressed something was wrong multiple times, and each time I was told oh this is normal you are just afraid. I was treated as a first time mom alarmed by labor. I was also never given a cathedral with the epidural, which meant I was left to wet myself and left laying in it for hours.

My hysteria increased. My husband actually had made a video which is only audio that I had the chance to listen to. I was screaming help me and that I was so afraid, it just broke my heart to hear such a precious moment forever shattered because my voice as left unheard. They eventually called the anesthesiologist back and he gave me an additional shot it still did not work. At this point the contraction pain was constant there was no breaks anymore. There was still contractions that came and went much stronger, but also a constant tremendous pain. I told them over and over something was wrong.

I begged for help. I begged for a c section. I even asked my husband to call the emergency services to have me taken to another hospital. I remember the doctors all standing around and talking about their options, at this point it was such a blur. At some point during this I was given a homeopathic medication against anxiety and after that did not work I was given a shot of valium to calm down. The finally said they would consider doing a voluntary c section at my request. The doctor again came to check me and she said that at this point I had not progressed past 4 cm and that my cervix was swollen so a c section would be medically necessary. At this point they said it was still not an emergency so I would have to wait a few hours while they assembled a team. They had to give me medication to suppress the contractions.

A team was arranged and I was prepped for surgery. I was shaved and put into a cap and finally given a catheter, then taken into the OR. Hubby was given scrubs to change into. I remember the anesthesiologist testing to see if the spinal was working spraying cold on my shoulder then my hip. I was shaking like mad and they gave me a muscle relaxer. I remember looking around the room and how many people were there, I remember the blue cloth lifted up over my chest so I could not see down. I even remember them prepping my stomach with disinfectant. The anesthesiologist continued the tests for a few minutes, and at that point I recall him saying full narcosa and he shoved a mask in my face and that was that.

At the same time hubby was in the hall. No one ever notified him that they were deciding to use a fell anesthetic. No one told him he could not go in. They just left him in the hall and kept telling him in a minute he could go in. He did not know what was going on until he heard cries. After that a midwife brought the baby out and he could see inside the door and saw me intubated.

Hubby was able to go with the midwife to check the baby. She was really nice. She joked with him, he asked if it was his baby and she replied, I don't know, he said well did it come from my wife, she smiled and said yes. He got to watch her do all the normal tests and then they dressed Luca and gave him to Toni.

I was taken back into a kreißaal room, actually the first one we were in, and I was knocked out about 20 minutes according to hubby. I remember opening my eyes and apparently asking for my glasses according to Toni lol. Then I saw him holding a towel and I asked if that was him and he gave me the baby. I started chanting he is so beautiful over and over and Toni said I was just as loud as when I was screaming for help lol. I remember he called my mom to tell her he had been born and he put the phone up to me and I said the only words that came to mind, 'he is so beautiful'.

Baby Luca was born at 7:31 am on Tuesday December 22nd. He was born after 16 hours labor, 2 failed induction attempts, a failed epidural and a failed spinal. He was born via c section under full narcotic.

It took me a long time to get to the point where I had come to terms with the birth and what had happened. My intent with this post is not to be vulgar but to share my story in a way that you understand why I felt my concerns were left unheard and why I felt the way I did.

I feel like so much was lost. I never got to hear his first cry, I was afraid at a time that I should have been overjoyed. My husband was so upset he vomitted and no one felt the need to inform him of the decisions made, ones with very serious risks. He never got to kiss me before I was knocked out or tell me everything will be ok. But the fact he was just left in the hall terrified with no idea of what was going on breaks my heart.

But the journey is not what matters here, the outcome is. My mom told me something that has affected me more then anything. She told me that photo above showing me meeting Luca, that that was my moment of birth and that nothing and no one could take that away.

Check back for a second post about my experiences post op. :D

Sundays in my city- the pacifier

2011-01-16T17:06:00.000+01:00

Welcome to another Sundays in my City.

Today has been a quiet day at home, my mom few out Friday and we are becoming used to life as a trio. So far so good. Tomorrow will be my first day alone with Luca and I am nervous to say the least.

But the highlight of the day was when our 3 1/2 week old son pulled his pacifier out and held it. We got him holding it on video and photos of the progression. I wish we could have caught it all on video, we had thought he was just holding it so we were just taking photos. Oh well, I am sure there will be many moments we are not fast enough to capture, but what we did record was great.

Check it out!

Make sure you stop by www.unknownmami.com to check out everyone else.

Menu Plan Mon(Tues)day

2011-01-11T08:22:00.001+01:00

Sorry folks I am still adjusting to baby time, so I thank you for bearing with me. I must say even having been a college girl a few years back who could master the all night cramming and 4 am papers, that is nothing to prepare you for parenthood lol. I guess it is just one of those things you really have no clue about till it up and smacks you in the face. hehe

So sadly this is the last week with my mom. You will notice that my plan is different then usual. Normally we eat abend brot or cold meals Mon-Thur and warm meals Fri-Sun and that will return next week. But I have enjoyed cooking for my mom and exposing her to (or coercing her to) try new foods.

So here is our plan for this week, just dinners (My days are not set in stone, so I am just gonna do list format)

1. Bratwurst with green salad, brat sauce, and potato salad

2. Rinderfleish with spatzle and brat sauce

3. Bratklössen with knodel and butter veggie mix

4. Leberkase, rotkohl, and boiled potatoes

(Those were moms choices and you may note that many are dups, she wanted to have her favorites again before she left)

Now end of the week will be simple since we had hot meals all week. I do not want to do cold, because I want to cycle back into my routine next week and a week of cold meals sound icky lol.

5. Soup with rolls

6. Fishsticks, boiled potatoes, and a frozen veggie

7. Steakpfanne with rice and rolls

Now for breakfast my mom and I have been having oatmeal. Toni takes 2 brotchens with him to work with coild cuts, cheese and veggies.

Lunches mom and I have been eating left overs, odds and end and small things I pick up. T has 2 american style sandwiches with cold cuts, cheese, and veggies.

Now do not forget to stop over at Orgjunkie.com for over 300 menus weekly.

Oh and an update T started his new position this week so wish him lots of luck, he is excited but hates change, can't say I blame him :P

Now I have a lap top with a dying battery and a sleeping baby on my legs, and we all know to never wake a sleeping baby so I must run.

I go the births tory two thirds done so do check back.

Hugs- Rena

Sorry for the lack of the normal graphics my mac died so I am on a different computer booooo.

Sundays in my city- Baby recap

2011-01-09T19:39:00.000+01:00

Hey guys,

As promised I am back with Sundays in my city. I am gonna start with a recap of life with baby Luca thus far and end it off with a recap of our day and some photos.

I will be posting weekly updates about the baby on Wednesdays, this week I will also recap his birth story and the first 2 weeks in upcoming posts. I will continue with Sundays in my city and meal plan monday as well as my normal frugal living, expat, and homemaking posts. So while there will be baby posts of course, no need to worry the conent I wrote before will also remain :D

So just to recap baby Luca was born on December 22nd at 7:31 am. He was 53cm long and 3640g. He was born via c section under full anesthesia after 16 hours labor, 2 failed inductions and a failed epidural. It was a very traumatic experience to be honest not due to having a c section but the care I recieved was subpar and I will go into details later, but I have come to terms and I think I needed to take the time to do so before sharing my story. I am now at peace with what has happened and can only refocus my energies on the outcome a beautiful little boy, the way he arrived is trivial.

After 6 days in the hospital including Christmas we headed home. Over New years my inlaws came down to meet him. And my mom has been an amazing support and help during this time.

We have had some struggles with breastfeeding which I will likely talk about in another post, don't worry I will have big warnings before any topics that I feel people may want to skip over. But he is doing well. He just crossed the 4 kilo mark this week and is growing like a weed. He is so strong. He kicks and has just started discovering his arms and hands. He can even lift his head, don't believe me?? Well check out the evidence below.

All in all we are doing well. Daddy went back to work last week and my mom flies out this Friday. Next week will be my first week alone and I am scared to death to say the least, but I am sure we will do fine.

So now lets talk about my Sunday.

Today was a pretty quiet day at home. I worked on catching up on housework and hanging out with baby Luca. We had a pretty uneventful day until baby Luca lifted and held his head. Before he was bobbing a bit but now he holds his head up. I know you think I am mad but I assure you it happened. We had taco ring for dinner and are getting ready to do babies hand and foot prints.

Here are some photos from our day:

Make sure you stop by www.unknownmami.com to check out everyone elses day.

Alive and well

2011-01-09T10:15:00.000+01:00

Hey guys I wanted to apologize for the lack of posts. Baby and I are doing well after 6 days in the hospital we came home and have been settling into our new roles withen each others lives. My mom is here through this Friday and I want to take as much time I can with her, the visit has been wonderful but far too short. She has been such a resource and great help.

Check back later today for my sundays in my city post which will include photos and an update on baby Luca. I will also post my menu plan tommorow. Then I will return to regular posting next week.

Thanks for your understanding.

Rena

Teenie ist da...

2010-12-25T07:27:00.000+01:00

Just a quick update I will write more later

After 20 hours labor including 2 failed attempts at induction, a failed pda and failed spinal baby Luca was born via C section under full anesthesia Wensday morning at 7:31 am.

He weighed 3640 grams and was 53 cm long.

I think hes perfect, check back for updates.

Sundays in my city- 40 weeks can you believe it???

2010-12-19T22:12:00.000+01:00

40 weeks, 40 weeks can you believe it??? It sure is hard to believe it. Here it is my 40th week. I was hoping to have some baby photos to share but little Luca has decided today is not the day. That is unless he changes his mind in the next 2 hours.

I am hanging in there. It is great having my mom here with me. My next appointment is Tuesday if nothing jump starts on its own, and c-section has been laid back on the table as an option after the baby weighed in at 9 and a half pounds on the last scan. Scans are not fool proof in weight projections, but even with the margin of error he will be a big boy. Which explains the gnarly pressure I have been having on my pelvic floor. Otherwise no progress since 2 and a half weeks :(

So here it is week 40 in all its glory

We will just ignore that hair mishap :P

My battle scars which luckily are not anywhere I could easily see them so it has not caused me much duress. I am at the point now where I have come to terms with pregnancy in all its glory :)

We have had some wild weather.

As well as some late nights taking a toll.

But we have had a lot of fun too.

Not that I am biased since I won or anything :P

So that was my Sunday in my city. My due date come and gone. Here's hoping for some new smiling faces in next weeks photos.

Thabks for joining me and make sure you check out everyone else over at unknownmami.com

A few more

2010-12-18T00:50:00.000+01:00

I wanted to share a few more of the maternity shoot photos with you.

Baby Luca is due in just 2 days now. :) I am ready for this part of the journey to come to an end. I still can't wait to meet him. I think waiting is the hardest part.

Woohoo!

2010-12-15T17:29:00.000+01:00

Since I first opened this blog I have posted 309 posts.

And I just discovered between Networked blogs and google reader I have exceeded 100 followers woohooo!!!

Now I know there are a few duplicates. But in all fairness I did not count my facebook fan page which had quiet a few new follwers as well, so I think it balances out :P

Thank you so much to each and everyone of you who reads my blogs. Even those of you who do not follow me. You bring my voice to life and it means the world to me.

I hope to keep writing quality content that you enjoy reading. I enjoy everyone's comments and read each and everyone of them.

Only 4 days left until baby Luca is due and I am having so much fun with my mom. And who doesn't love Christmas right?

Meal plan monday- Dec 13, 2010

2010-12-13T15:37:00.001+01:00

It is that time again. Here is my meal plan for the week. You will notice more meals are planned as Hubby is on vacation and my mom is here now. Also being 9 months pregnant I could eat a small horse so we are eating more often and it changes a bit based on what sounds or smells good lol.

I wanted to start out by reflecting on how last weeks meal plan worked out.

Mon- Thurs was abendbrot

Friday we did have the pasta with baguettes, but instead of salad we had Brussels sprouts. I had a small accident in the fridge and milk exploded over all my produce and I was not about to eat produce soaked in milk.

Saturday we ended up eating some Berliners for breakfast, the donuts not the people no need for concern, then we had a coffee and Mcdonalds at the airport later in the morning. Lunch got skipped. Dinner was leberkase, rotkohl and an attempt a Knödel. I ended up only need one package of leberkase so I have another one left for another meal made the dinner even cheaper. I screwed up the knödel, normally Toni makes them, and he failed to tell me to start will cold water, so we ended up with knödel smash, which at least tasted good.

Sunday Toni made German eierkuchen (pancakes/crepe like dish) for breakfast. We were at the Weinachtsmarkt (Christmas market) at lunch time so we ate out. My mom and I shared a piece of Pizza and Toni had his own. He then had a steak brötchen and we shared a Bratwurst and kinder mulled wine (alcohol free). We had planned döner for dinner, but since we ate out we were not ready to eat again and its not a dish that sits well or reheats so we will eat that at a later time. Instead we had chicken noodles soup (canned) and warm rolls.

So the eating out was not in the budget, but at the same time we skipped Döner so it only ended up being off by a few euro and it was a special occasion so well worth it. First weinachts market in over 25 years gotta make that special :)

So here is a look at my plan for this week: (obviously subject to change if teenie makes an appearance)

Monday:

Breakfast- Maple and brown sugar oatmeal Rena + mom, Belegetes brot Toni

Lunch- Sandwiches and my mom and me had pretzels as a snack while waiting for Toni

Dinner: Curry wurst with french fries (pregnancy craving)

Tuesday:

Breakfast: Toast and bananas Rena + mom, belegtes brot Toni

Lunch: Egg Salad

Dinner: Abendbrot

Wednesday:

Breakfast: yogurt- Rnea, oatmeal mom, belegtes brot Toni

Lunch: Baked potatoes with quark

Dinner: Abendbrot

Thursday:

Breakfast: Cereal Rena + mom, belegtes brot Toni

Lunch:Asian noodles

Dinner: Abendbrot

Friday:

Breakfast: Oatmeal Rena + mom, belegtes brot Toni

Lunch: Sandwiches with veggies

Diner: Eggs and potatoes with mustard sauce

Saturday:

Breakfast: Omlettes

Lunch: Sandwiches with fruit

Dinner: Peppersteak and fried rice

Sunday:

Breakfast: Rolls

Lunch: Sandwiches with veggies

Dinner: Fish sticks, potatoes and a veggie

Dessert: Apple Strudel

And I thought I would leave you with this pic, it was also taken by the friend who did the maternity photos. I think it is just lovely. I plan to blow it up and frame it.

Make sure you stop by Orgjunkie for over 300 weekly meal plans from real folks. And leave me a link to yours, I love new meal ideas.

Schlecker Baby Club Begrüssungspaket

2010-12-13T12:20:00.003+01:00

Next one arrived today from Schlecker's Baby club and this one was pretty cool too. Have I mentioned that surprises, things in the mail and freebies are a few of my favorite things?

This set had:
* A sample of NUK Spül Reiniger (bottle and nipple wash)
* A pouch of Tetesept Entsoannungs Bad (therapy bath)
* A sample 50 ml bottle of Bübchen kinder shampoo
* A full sized Shogetten Vollmich-Schokolade (Candy bar)
* A copy of Leben and Erziehen magazine (living & parenting) with a special offer supscribe to the magazine for 23.88 and get a free 20 euro schlecker gift card, so in the end 43,88 in value for 23,88.
* A pair of socks from Pampers
* A mullwindel (German gauze diaper)
* A packet of Hipp Feucht- Tücher (babywipes)
* A small ,25l Frucht Tiger apfel-erbeer juice
* A 3 euro gift card
* A 40 ml sample bottle of Penaten Intensiv Lotion
* A schlecker baby product catalog
* An advert for some random baby items clothing
* A coupon book valued at 31 euro in savings

The coupon book had the following coupons:
* 10€ off 22,95 fr an a4 hardcover photobook
* ,50€ off Babay smile Nature Gesichts- & Pflegecreme 75ml (Face and body cream)
* ,50€ off Babysmile Sensitive Panthenol Hautschutzcreme 100ml (skin protection cream)
* ,50€ off Babysmile Kopf bis Fuß Waschgel 500ml (head to toe baby wash)
* ,50€ off MAM My first Silikon pacifier
* ,50€ off Erstes Zähnchen Baby Zahnpasta (baby toothpaste)
* ,50€ off Nenedent Kinderzahncreme 50ml (Childrens toothpaste)
* ,50€ off HIPP Babysanft Washgel Haut & Haar 400ml (Hair and body wash for babies)
* ,50€ off HIPP Babysanft Intensivcreme Wnd & Wetter 50ml (wind and weather cream)
* 1,00€ off Bübchen Baby Bad 1000ml (Babybath)
* 1,00€ off Bübchen Creme Pflegebad 400 ml (creamy bath)
* 1,00€ off Bübchen Baby shampoo 400 ml
* ,80€ off Bübchen Calendula Gesichtspfelege 75 ml (face cream)
* ,80€ off Bübchen Wind & Wettercreme 75 ml (wind & weather cream)
* ,50€ off Penaten Stilleinlagen 30er (nursing pads)
* 1,00€ off Penaten Bad & Shampoo Kopf bis Fuß 400ml (head to toe baby wash)
* ,75€ off Penaten Pflegecreme Gesicht & Körper 100 ml (face and body cream)
* ,50€ off Penaten creme 50 ml
* ,75€ off Penaten Shampoo Gländes Haar 250 ml
* 1,00€ off Penaten Plege Öl 200 ml (Baby oil)
* ,75€ off Penaten Lotion Tücher 4er Vorteilspack (lotion wipes)
* ,75€ off Penaten Sensitiv-Tücher 4er Vorteilspack (sensitive wipes)
* ,50€ off NUK Kühlbeißring-set (cooling teething set)
* ,50€ off NUK First Choice Flaschensauger Latex Verschiedene Größen (nipples Latex)
* ,50€ off NUK First Choice Flaschensauger Silikon verschiedene Größen (nipples silicon)
* ,50€ off NUK Genius Beruhigungssauger Silikon verschiedene Größen (pacifier silicon)
* 1,00€ off NUK Junior Cup mit Push-Pull-Tülle
* ,50€ off HIPP Bio-Milchbrei Kindergrieß 500 g (Organic childrens oatmeal)
* ,30€ off HIPP Gemüse 190g verschiedene Sorten (baby veggies)
* ,50€ off HIPP Tee 400g verschiedene Sorten (Tea)
* 1,00€ off Humana Folgenmilch 3 500g vershiedene Sorten (Forumla)
* 1,00€ off Humana Schlummermilch 500g (Forumla)
* ,40€ off Humana Brei ohne Milch 250 g verschiedene Sorten (Dairy free oatmeal)
* ,40€ off Humana Milchbrei 350g verschiedene Sorten (Oatmeal)
* ,40€ off Humana Schlummerbrei 250g vershiedene Sorten (some variation of oatmeal)
* 1,50€ off Humana HA 2 500g (Forumla)
* 1,50€ off Humana HA 3 500g (Forumla)
* 2,00€ off Humana Folgenmilch 2 100g Sparpack (Forumla)
* ,20€ off Humana Babywasser 1,5L (water)
* ,50€ off Edelweiss Milchtucker 500g (milk sugar)
* ,30€ off Kölln Schmelzflocken 250g (oatmeal of some sorts)
* ,50€ off Alete Greisbrei Vanille oder keks 4x 100g
* ,50€ off Alete Mahlzeit zum Trinken 2x 200ml verschiedene Sorten

All good through 12/31/2011

Babysmile is the Schlecker house brand offering a variety of baby products and diapers. Check out their prices on my diaper price comparison, and coming soon my baby care products price comparison.

The baby club is free and you can sign up on their website here

Check out other freebies for expecting and new parents here

Sundays in my city- 39 Weeks!!!!!!

2010-12-12T21:31:00.000+01:00

All right its that time again, this time we are celebrating 39 weeks, only 7 days to go holy moly!

As promised meet my mom :D

We took her down to check out the wintermarket today. It was the last day so it was beyond packed. We had pizza and bratwurst from the food stands and enjoyed a kinder glüwein (alcohol free warmed punch). Toni enjoyed a steak brotchen. We found some goodies. I got a special Christmas gift for my dad. I cannot share now as he reads my blog, but it is something I know he will love. My mom found some wooden hand carved ornaments, and a gift for my cousins family as well as some special gifts for her step kids.

We had a pretty quiet afternoon, more naps both Mom and Toni. Toni's prep for the terror that lies ahead :P and mom's attempts to overcome the jetlag, so I spent the afternoon catching up on some final baby prep.

And here it is without further ado..... 39 weeks.

I am tired and uncomfortable to say the least but in good spirits. Excited and terrified the same. But so ready to meet him. I have a feeling he will make his appearance this week. We will have to wait and see what lies ahead for next weeks post.

Thanks for spending Sunday with me and my mom in my city. And don't forget to stop by www.unknownmami.com to check out everyone else's weekly adventures.

Day 1

2010-12-11T22:06:00.000+01:00

Unfortunately I do not have any photos. I will take some tomorrow for my Sundays in my city post :)

Many of you know that my mom was flying into Germany for the birth of my son, which is really exciting. Add into that the holidays and its just wonderful. This is the first time I have seen my mom since 2008 when I left home. She had never even met my husband.

She flew into Frankfurt this morning. We left around 6:30 am to go pick her up. She had no trouble with the TSA no photo shoots or frisky frisky, just the fact that no one would help her. She explained she had not flown in 30 years and did not know what to do and they just stared at her, thankfully another passenger helped her.

She said the flight went well, but the seat got smaller lol. The food was ok, she enjoyed the personal screens and the fact that she could want the live tracking to see the flight progression along the way. And I too was able to watch the flight tracker online. The few times in the night I woke up I checked online and saw once when she was over eastern Canada and later Iceland.

The plane was a bit late and they were slow with the luggage, so we ended up waiting about an hour after she landed till we saw her. We found parking without issue, traffic was not bad took about and hour and a half to get there. But oh man did I miss the us conveyor belt escalators, we had quiet the hike to her terminal.

We were able to wait in an area right outside of customs, just like most other areas you can no longer go to the arrival gates. It was all sectioned off so aside from an occasional peek as someone cam out through the doors, you could not see in. Luckily there was a nice sitting area. Toni and I had a coffee at a small cafe and checked out a small shop. They sold English magazines at 11 euro a pop. Needless to say I did not buy any.

I finally got to see my mom around 9:30 am. She saw me right after she came out of the doors and we cried and hugged. She said no one would help her get her luggage of the belt but she managed. Took a while to get through the passport stamping lines, but no one was even at the customs desks when she came to them, so she was able to just walk out without any issue or searches.

We walked hand and hand through the airport and stopped at Mcdonalds for breakfast on the way out. Then we drove back home. Luckily we got back before the winter market rush so we did not have any issues getting a parking spot.

We rested a bit in the afternoon and took naps. We then went through some baby photos I shared some of toni and she showed me some of mine. We looked at some heirlooms and gifts she brought.

For dinner we had leberkase, rotkohl and an attempt at Knödel. Toni failed to tell me to use cold water first, so we ended up with knödel smash, tasted the same but looked horrid.

We spent much of the day chatting and catching up. After dinner we went through the baby items she brought. I was amused to find out I have been subpoenaed on a old hit in run from about 5 years ago. I was the victim. This woman no showed so many times its not even finny. They dropped the initial attempted assault with a deadly weapons charge and this whole experience has been a joke. I am shocked after all this time to get a new summons. I will have to call next week and inform them I will not be arriving to the Mult co county courthouse on the 10th.

Its now 10pm and everyone is asleep but me lol. Depending on how we feel we hope to take her to check out the winter market tomorrow.

I am just so happy to have her here. We are going to have so much fun.

Oh and I almost forgot. She brought me the journal she started the day I was born that runs through the first year and a half of my life. We started reading it together :D

I have missed her so much.

DM Schwangerschafts Paket

2010-12-11T15:30:00.002+01:00

Dm is now offering a pregnancy club in addition to the baby club. You can sign up during your pregnancy for freebies. At the time of sign up, after confirming your account, you are given a coupon to take into the store to pick up a gift box.

I just got mine and it included:
* A full sized house brand pregnancy massage cream (Babylove Mama Massagecreme)
* 5 Euro gift certificate (no minimum purchase)
* A welcome letter
* A info brochure with pregnancy tips and product suggestions
* A coupon book valued at over 15 euro

My coupon book included:
* ,60€ off 2,95 Babylove Mama Massagecreme (massage cream)
* 2,00€ off 9,95 Weleda Damm-Massageöl (Perineum massage oil)
* 1,00€ off 4,75 Bübchen Massageöl für Schwangere (massage oil for pregnant women)
* 4,00€ off 19,95 Hipp natal Nahrungsergänzung (Prenatal dietary supplement system)
* ,60€ off 2,95 Abtei Calcium *d3 Lutschtabletten Nahrungsergänzungsmitttel (Calcium and d3 suppliment)
* ,70€ off 3,25 Taxofit Vitamin B-Komplex Nahrungsergänzungsmittel (Vitamin B supplement)
* 1,00€ off 4,45 Dopelherz aktiv Vitalstoff für Schwangere + Mütter Nahrungsergängzungsmittel (Vitamin supplement for pregnancy and motherhood)
* ,80€ off 3,95 Paradontax toothpaste
* ,60€ off 2,95 Nivea Natural oil shower gel
* ,50€ off 1,55 Dove visiblecare shower cream
* 1,00€ off 4,95 Mein Öl
* 1,00€ Guhl Prachtvoll Lang oder KOpfhaut Sensitiv Shampoo
* 1,00€ off 4,95 L'Oreal Paris Dermo-expertise hydra active 3 skin care series
* ,70€ off 3,45 Spee sensitive laundry soap
* ,40€ off 1,85 Lenor sensitiv fabric softener
* 10% off kodak 20x 30 cm Poster

all valid through 31.3.2012

Overall I thought this was a pretty cool set, it was one of the ones I was most excited about due to the 5 dollar gift certificate. Thats almost a full pack of house brand diapers.

I am excited to see what they offer in the baby welcome packet.

Check out more freebies for expecting and new parents here