Pumpkins and a Palace.

I grew up in the midwest of the United States. A region where I was fortunate enough to experience four seasons each year. Sure, I got sick of the harsh winter come February. But it come Spring? It made the buds on the trees and the warmer temperatures all the sweeter.

As for fall? It is one of my favorite seasons. Apple cider candles burning, crisp leaves falling, trees changing colors. The cool mornings and warmer afternoons. Boots. Pumpkin lattes. Football. Chili. You get the idea.

I remember our first year overseas: I was missing fall scented candles like something fierce. My mom sent a care package full of yankee candles and I opened that box inhaling every scent like there was no tomorrow. (Since that year I have been sure that scented candles have always made my packing list!)

I may be able to pack candles, boots, jeans and sweaters. But one thing I can't pack? Pumpkin patches or apple orchards. With Kaleb getting older, these are traditions that I crave even more.

Enter the Ludwisburg Palace Gardens. Surely, a magical place. The pumpkin festival had me at hello. So much in fact, that I bought a year membership with only two months left of the "year." This my friends, has made up for missing the past seven years of pumpkin patches back home. Sorry Vala's, but you got nothing on this palace.



Pumpkins line the walkways. Enormous creations are made of pumpkins. Pumpkin seeds are being roasted in cinnamon and sugar and are sold to those passing by. Children play in the hay. Parents chat over lattes and pumpkin bread. Or pumpkin strudel. Or pumpkin muffins. Or pumpkin cookies. My favorite? The pumpkin soup. I can't go back for enough of it. Apparently this pumpkin festival is the largest in the world when it comes to variety. Pumpkins comes from all over the world to show themselves off. I see you guys, you little beauties you.

It's kind of funny how it works, right? You don't know what you are missing until you have gone without you. Sometimes that is what it takes to make you appreciate the simpler things in life. I mean in the whole scheme of things, pumpkin patches really aren't a big deal. But, when you go without something for a while it makes you stop. Breathe. Appreciate. Cherish.

Made it.

I am taking advantage of a few minutes of household quietness and a mug of hot coffee to write a quick post to let you all know that we are still alive.

(Of course, as soon as I typed that sentance my sweet toddler emerged from his new bedroom where he was playing independently.)

 We. made. it. Made it through the hardest weeks with a fussy newborn, made it through packing to move across the Atlantic with tow littles in tow. Made it through good-byes. Made it through a long day of travels. Made it into our apartment and made it (half way at least) through unpacking.

 I'd be lying if I said it has been easy breezy. There were moments I thought I might lose my sanity. Between Isaiah dear not wanting to be put down, generally dreading the trip in front of us, and being more sad than ever before to say good-bye to dear friends and loved ones, I knew that if we could just get ourselves on the airplane the excitement would come.

And, it did. Seeing the world through your toddler's eyes only brings more joy to your life. Kaleb was so incredibly excited to get on the airplane. In fact, two of the three meltdowns he had were 1. because we weren't boarding yet and 2. because we didn't have a window seat. (The third being because he hadn't slept a wink and it was 10:30 at night and really needed to fall asleep.)

 Our journey over went so much smoother than I anticipated. I was prepared for the worst. Isaiah has fussy spells where he just screams and nothing seems to help. We traveled internationally at three and a half weeks with Kaleb and he was an angel. I can remember Isaiah dear at that age and thinking, "there is no way on earth I could get on an airplane right now." God always knows, doesn't he? His timing is perfect indeed.

 Sure, he cried here and there... but for the most part he was pretty easy. That said, I am thankful that our boarding experience was not an indication of how the rest of the trip would go. Both boys were crying at once and all eyes were on us. I had to just remind myself to stay calm, and that no matter what happened we would reach our final desintation in just nine hours. (And of course, I prayed.)

 We finally landed and managed to get all 400+ pounds of luggage into two waiting cars and up three stories into our apartment and basically crash landed. The team wanted us to go register our stay with the city and go to the team office, but both boys lost it and thankfully they obliged to pushing back our appointments one day.

 We are almost at the one week mark now. The first week is always the hardest. One more week and we should be adjusted and feeling a bit more like we are at home. As for this mama? I may still be tired, but I also feel relieved and am looking forward to getting into more of a routine.

 More to follow soon! (By the way, if you want to ruin golden silence in your home, just try writing a blog post.)

The birth of Isaiah John.

One month ago today, on June 12, 2012, we welcomed sweet Isaiah John Turek into this world. Born at 8:52 a.m. he weighed 8 lb. 9 oz. and measured 21 inches. After seven long weeks of waiting for John to arrive home in time for the birth, he got home with three days to spare. God is so, so gracious.

While we were hoping that baby Isaiah would come on his own, we had a c-section scheduled just in case. Although I was having contractions my body didn't show any signs of progress. Thus, we ended up heading into the hospital that Tuesday morning knowing that in a matter of hours our sweet boy would be in our arms. Although I had done it before, it still seemed just as surreal knowing that one minute my boy would be inside of me, and the next he would crying his way into this world.



I wasn't nearly as nervous with this birth and was able to relax and enjoy the experience even more. I was so fortunate in that a friend who is a nurse and was there for Kaleb's birth was also there for Isaiah's birth. Of course, a little bit of humor helped the situation.




So ready to meet our little guy! Those final minutes just seem to drag on forever.



But then I heard those cries... Isaiah John announcing his arrival. Oh, what a sweet sound.







If those final minutes before his arrival seemed to drag on... the minutes I had to wait to hold Isaiah seemed to last forever.



Finally in my arms.





I made it through post-op quickly while the nurses finished up with Isaiah and I was able to actually hold him, do skin to skin, and nurse him for the first time. Such sweet, tender moments that I will always cherish. I love that photos capture each moment.









Big brother Kaleb was out in the visitor's area with grandma and grandpa waiting to meet his baby brother.



After this precious photo he decided enough was enough and tried pushing Isaiah off his lap. Oh the thought process of a toddler!



Thankfully baby brother gave his big brother some puzzles to work on to keep him busy in the hospital room.



Isaiah's first bath was done later in the day which was nice because I was more with it at that point and able to take it all in bedside.



Clean, sleepy boy and happy mama.



And finally, our failed attempt at a first family photo. :)