Zoe's first Slipper's

Since you don't know the background about the 'Slipper's' in our household you probably just think these are just such cute Slipper's ;)... but here now our background: When Frank and I started dating we sometimes met in between Chicago and Detroit as you know from some of our posts. And you won't believe it but every time he forgot his 'slippers' at home so we went to Walmart and bought some slippers for the weekend. I would've just lived without them for a weekend but Frank needed to buy some for the hotel room we were in ;). Now he has a couple of Slippers 'extra' in case he needs them ;)... so I figured that Zoe should have some Slippers as well and bought some today for her... aren't they cute?
Her room is slowly coming together... the crib is setup and tomorrow we're going to buy a changing table and a dresser and then I'll go ahead and wash all her clothes. We bought a very nice bedroom set :)... it looks so cute. And a stroller we bought as well... we're almost there...

The first try

I did it :)... alright, after 'reading the instructions' (I normally don't do that!!!) I figured out how it all works and what needs to be done ;)...Oh, we're so lazy out here... and then when we start moving around it's very hard to get used to it *lol*. Frank put up the crib today and next week we're going to start shopping around for more stuff for Zoe's room, we still need some things before she comes... so exciting :). Here my first Latte result: a little to weak but I know what I've done wrong so next time it'll be much better.

Merry Christmas

We'd like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas... look what expected me when I came home yesterday :). We decided not to do any X-Mas decoration because of all the other stuff we're still working on and thought to just do the whole decoration and a real X-Mas tree next year when we celebrate with our little daughter :). This year we just take it easy and very relaxed. But Frank surprised me and did put up a little tree and decoration... that was so cute :). So now the little tree is bringing some X-Mas spirit into our living room :)We went out to dinner to a very nice restaurant and had a VERY delicious dinner and unwrapped gifts afterwards :). Then we watched 'It's a wonderful life'... somehow I couldn't keep my eyes open after a while so we have to watch the rest of the movie again today ;).

We enjoy our X-Mas at home a lot... very cozy and relaxing... Merry X-Mas again to everybody and will keep you guys posted about our progress next week in the house... the baby room will be worked on, the guest rooms will be completed and we try out our great X-Mas gifts :)... guys... we need some visitors ;) !!! I will post some pics later from the gifts when Frank has setup the speakers and I've tested out the best creations of how to make the best latte macchiato's and cappuccino's :)... can't wait... :)

35 weeks

Here we are at 35 weeks already... just 5 more weeks to go and little Zoe will be with us.

First snow

YEAH... today we woke up and we had our first snow that was actually staying :). The other night we went to bed and it was snowing... I was so excited about getting up and see how much snow we have gotten over the night and it was all gone in the morning due to rain :(... I was so sad. That's why I was so much more excited today... it wasn't snowing when we went to bed so it was a big surprise waking up and see all that snow :).

... another chapter of my life ends...

Well, maybe you can't say it ends... but it sure does end somehow. I still remember being all excited, leaving Germany to start a new life/ new job in Chicago, IL... the farewell party with all my friends and family was a blast and a great turnout. I came here and started fresh with a bunch of energy and success throughout my life. So many good memories with my German friends when we met and had BBQ or Margarita night... going to the movies... having good food, explore the area, made trips to friends/ family. Business trips to different cities, the little flying Rona... always here and there, enjoying the new life. And I really did. I'm very glad I had this opportunity and explored everything, started in another country all by myself and was successful... I grew a lot and learned a lot about myself and how to get out the hidden potential that was waiting to be free'd. When I was at a very high point of my self finding and success, my wonderful husband came into my life with a crazy firework of amazing feelings I've never felt before. And now we're getting ready for the little wonder we've created who will join our family in less than 6 weeks!!! Amazing!!!

So this week it was my last business trip to Chicago for a while... here you can see my CHI cubicle where I spent a lot of successful hours ;). My coworkers decorated it for my Happy Birthday cake party already because it was my last trip. Even though they know that we Germans don't celebrate PRIOR to our birthday's ;)... they just didn't listen and did it again anyways. After they sang happy birthday to me I cleaned up my cube, and took all my belongings with me, even my name tag I took off :( and said 'goodbye' to everybody.
Now I'm gonna tell you the plan for the work comeback after Zoe is here. I talked again to my boss to confirm it'll all work out. And here in the USA it's not that secure than in Germany, which bothers me a little but I just have to let it go now. I'll continue working in the DET office in my current job until the delivery date. After the delivery I'll be able to take off 6 weeks to recover. In case of a C-Section I'll probably be off for 8 weeks (the doc/ midwife has to release be back for work). And then I'll work from home 30 hrs a week for KNLogin Administration or something else in case they decide to just replace my whole position and give me another job. I'll give up the Quality part because I would have to be in Chicago every other week for that and I also give up the sales calls and all the trips to the other offices. That way I can take care of Zoe, we don't have to drop her off at a Day Care and I don't have to fly around and barely see my husband and baby. I'm very glad this will all work out this way but again... I have nothing in writing or so... I just have to trust that this is all working out... very hard for a German to trust on that though ;).

34 weeks

It just seems to me that the weeks are racing by!!! Unbelievable... I'm already sad :(... soon she'll be out of me and I won't feel her anymore inside poking me or moving/ kicking. But I have to say, she's already less active. Seems she has not so much room anymore to show herself off.

Ok Jela, here now another try :). Better? Next time I'm gonna make a shot in the afternoon and not in the morning... you can totally tell that I just fell out of bed *lol*. This is how I looked when we turned into the 34th week:
This week I was in Chicago (for the last time) and my coworkers told me that my belly dropped down already... oh oh... it's getting closer... I'm just sad because it all goes way too fast... I don't wanna know how fast she'll grow up :(... gosh... she's not even here and I think about her being a grown up already way to quick!!! RONA!!! Stop it... Really!!! ;)