Gotti Sara

Jeron and Andrin

Leoni and Andrin.

Nayan.

Yesterday, we took a day trip to see Andrin's Gotti (godmother), Sara, and her family. It was fun to see Andrin and Leoni play together. The day before, we went to see Nisha and Nayan in Basel again.

Pictures

We went yesterday, Sunday, to Zürich. Opapa headed back to the Netherlands. Aunt Nicole and uncle Jorrit hosted a beautiful breakfast and then we also took a walk with them to the lake. We returned just in time since it started raining heaviley on our way back home. Once back at my parents' home, we relaxed and enjoyed being lazy.

Thank you, Opapa, for visiting us!

Thank you, uncle Jorrit and aunt Nicole, for hosting us (we will see you Wednesday again!)

Enjoying a ride with uncle Jorrit (Andrin really liked holding on to uncle's hair).

All smiles with Oma.

Relaxing at the lake (Rote Fabrik).

Family picture (minus uncle Timmie who is in New York and aunt Chantal).

With aunt Nicole.

Four generations (Opa, Mami, Andrin, Opapa, Oma).

Farm impressions ... visit with our neigbors, Fränzi and Theddy and their animals.

Smiling and laughing Andrin in the morning.

Looking at Oma.

Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus....

posted by Clemens



...better known as steelhead, chromer or metalhead around here. Basically a slab of steel!

Life is good right now, although it would be so much better if Femeke and Andrin would be around.


(ok, I admit this is not the fish I caught today but this picture would have been better anyways...actually, I did not have my "mobile contraption" with me today so I could not snap a quick picture).

My frog

Please meet my newest toy (I am being spoiled here) ... frog!

Teething Swiss-Style

Well, I always thought that I got teething down pretty well. But now I had to discover that teeting can get a whole lot worse. I woke up in the middle of the night because my gums were hurting so much and I had a high fever. I could not get back to sleep for over two hours. Whenever my Mami would try to put me down, I was awake again. Thursday was a difficult day for me and I finally felt better in the afternoon. But I still went out for lunch with my Opapa and Omama. I just felt best when I was in my Mami's arms (her arms must hurt her now) and did not sleep a whole lot during the day. I hope that I will be feeling better soon (my second top tooth is breaking through). Wish me good luck!

Gotti/Go-Gotti

I feel really honored that my godmother came to visit us Wednesday night. It might not seem like a big deal to you, but it certainly was for me. My godmother has not been visiting with anyone since February ... Unfortunately, she only gets out of the house for her chemo and doctor's appointements. It was great to see her and I think she also enjoyed meeting Andrin (who presenting himself from his best side and with his best behavior :) We love you, Gotti and Go-Gotti (for Andrin)!

Day on the lake

On Wednesdays, Opa has the day off. Oma left early in the morning with the train to Luzern where she had an appointement. The rest of us (Opapa, Opa, Andrin, and Mami) took the boat to Luzern to pick up Oma. The ride out there was quite cold, but then it warmed up and we had a beautiful day on the lake. We drove slowely to Weggis where we had a pick nic in the park. Andrin enjoyed his first boat ride. He played for the longest time with a string that he found and was just happy and content.

Luzern

Today, we went to Luzern. The circumstances were not too uplifting though ... I had a dentist appointment (everything went fine). Andrin was not too happy while I was at the dentist, but he survived. We then went for a little shopping. At the moment, there are sales going on everywhere. I really wanted to hit H&M's sale, but I was dissapointed. I hope that the sales will get better and that we will get some cute deals while we are in Basel (I will think about you, Becky :). Andrin went on his first train ride today since we took the train to Luzern. He really enjoyed it and looked out the window, especially when we were in the tunnels. He really loves the tunnels anyway, I already noted this when we were in the car. Since Andrin did not take a nap in the afternoon (he had a long nap in the morning), he was asleep fast tonight.

Visit with friends

Nayan and Opa Britschgi playing the guitar.

Nayan also liked Sophie.

Nisha and the boys. It was rather humid today ...

Andrin and I met my friend Nisha and her son Nayan today. At night, her husband Matthias also joined us for dinner at my parents's house. We took a walk to the lake (we had planned to go to another village, but could not collapse the stroller that we borrowed :) and then had something to drink underneath beautiful trees with my godmother's husband (it is right by his office and we surprised him). Andrin had a great day and is adjusting more and more to the time change. Nights are still a little bit difficult, but he has not been awake for hours again!

Portrait

posted by Clemens


Thank you Becky. Many many thanks.
Femeke and I truly love it.

(my poor photograph does not do any justice to the wonderful painting you made).

More new faces ...

Today (Sunday), we had another filled day. Andrin seems to adjust to the time change and has been more his little cheerful self (I am hoping the best for a better night as well :) In the morning, we took a walk around the house and Andrin feel asleep in his little stroller. Oma wanted to show him the Scottish cows, but he was sound asleep when we went by them. Once back at home, Andrin had a close encounter with our neighbor's cat. He was not entirely sure if he should cry or laugh. Uncle Jorrit was still around as well and Andrin enjoyed playing with him (at the moment, it takes Andrin quite some time to warm up to men, he is more welcoming to women ...). Around noon, we took off and drove to the airport (once again). Uncle Jorrit and Opa went with the motorcycle and we took the car. At the airport, we waited for Opapa to arrive from Amsterdam. There are another four generations under our roof at the moment! On our way back home, we stopped in Uitikon and visited Chantal (since my brother Timmie is in New York busy preparing for his first marathon and working a little bit :) We had a chance to talk with uncle Timmie on Skype. Aunt Chantal made wonderful carrot cake (she always tries to convince us that she is not the homemaker, but she will not be able to trick us anymore!). After our visit there, we headed back home and had dinner at home. Andrin also talked with Papi on Skype and squeaked in delight!

Family, family

With uncle Jorrit.

My first bath outside.

Four generations. With Opa Britschgi and Omama Ruckstuhl.

Family picture with Oma and Opa Britschgi, Omama Ruckstuhl and Opa Cabernard.

With Omama Ruckstuhl (my great grandmother).

I have been meeting a lot of new people lately. I have been told that they are family. But at times, it is a little bit too much, especially with the fact that my schedule is off and I am constantly tired. But since there is so much to discover, I also do not want to miss anything.

Today was another exciting day. I was at home with my Mami while Oma and Opa went to get my uncle Jorrit at the train station. They then ran some errands and then I met my uncle again. I guess he was surprised to see how much I changed since he last saw me in November! We had a barbecue in the backyard today and I ate some great spinach. In the evening, I also got a bath outside in the warm sun. It was a lot of fun and I was splashing around. But since it was outside, I did not have to worry about anything!

Welcome Switzerland

Andrin and I made it! After a really long trip, Andrin and I arrived yesterday morning in Switzerland. We headed up to Portland on Wednesday night and spent the night at the hotel. I was optimistic because even though we were in a new enviornment, Andrin slept well and only got up twice during the night. Early Thursday morning, we left the hotel and drove to the airport. We did not have any major problems getting through security and everything. Unfortunately, we had to leave Papi behind (even though he was sad, he also was happz because he had the opportunity to go fishing at the Deschutes again :) Our flight from Portland to Philadelphia (five hours) was really smoth. Andrin actually slept quite a lot. I guess it was an early start for him and he was happz to catch a nap again. He even slept through the entire takeoff and did nto wake up at all. In Philadelphia, we had a short layover and then took off to Zuerich again. It was a longer flight (eight hours) and it was difficult. Andrin was really tired, but fought going to sleep for the longest time. He would fall asleep and whenever I tried sitting down with him, he woke up again and started crying. I think that his ears were bothering him. But finally, we were able to catch about 3 hours of sleep toward the end of the flight. We arrived a little bit delayed in Zuerich. For some reason, we had to wait a long time at the gate in Philadelphia and then before takeoff due to heavy rainfall.
Once in Zuerich, we were welcomed by Oma and Opa Britschgi and Opa Cabernard. We drove to Alpnach together. There, Andrin met his Omama (my grandmother) and we all had lunch together. After lunch, we went for a stroll with the borrowed stroller (I already miss the BOB!). Andrin went to sleep around 7.00 pm, after I kept him up and occupied because I wanted him to start getting into a routine again. By the time I was ready for bed, Andrin was ready to be awake again. It was a long and difficult night!

If it is really quiet ....

I was preparing dinner today and it was really, really quiet ... When I checked, Andrin welcomed me with a big smile and ...



Saturday has been filled with a lot of new discoveries. Andrin was able to pull down a card from mobile ... Our little boy is getting strong.


Andrin also has been starting to try to crawl around ... so far, he is only going backwards. But he also discovered that he can get to a place he desires by turning himself on the floor (he loves the wooden floor because it is nice and slippery; before he starts, he usually pulls off his socks so that he has a better hold :)


And then Andrin also discovered riding on Papi's shoulder. He loved it and was all smiles.

9-Month Well Child Visit

Well, I am not yet nine months old, but since Mami and I will be leaving the country soon (already next week, I am so excited!), we had the well child visit this week. Papi also came with us and Mami was kidding him that he only joins when there are no vaccination shoots scheduled ... but I actually got a shoot today, my last hepatitis shoot (the pediatrician had the impression that I would need that for Switzerland :) I also was pooked in my big toe to draw blood to test for anemia and lead. I was a brave boy and hardly cried. Mami had suspected something and sure enough, I have another ear infection. Since we will be flying soon, the doctor also thought that it would make sense to get another round of antibiotics ...

But here are my stats:

• weight: 20.2 pounds (9200 g); 50th percentile
  
• height: 26.9 inches (68 cm); 25th percentile
• overall health: outstanding
  

Meet my girlfriend ... Sophie

I know, I am a little young, but who cares. If you are hit by feelings of love, you cannot deny them. Yesterday, I first met this wonderful girl ... Sophie. You might wonder what I like about her, but it is simple. I love that I can squeeze her and she squeaks in delight. I love her taste. I love that she does not mind when I nibble her ears and feet. She also does not seem to mind that I am drooling all over her at the moment and that my teeth are pretty sharp. I was introduced to Sophie at my friend's house and I could not let go of her. Mami then decided to look for her again today and we found her! I am so HAPPY!

Oh, did I mention that she is a giraffe?