Bluebird's Nest

Happy Holidays Everyone!

This year was a big year for us in the Jermann/Howe household! So much to tell – where to start – let’s start with the littlest…

Little Winter had a wonderful carrot and parsley filled year this year, thanks to my dad. Unfortunately, it was her time to go and visit her sister in guinea pig heaven due to a growth on her back. RIP little Winter we miss you dearly.

Our next littlest family member has had an event fill first year! Violette was born on January 4^th. Her adventures began in July. She drove across Canada, crawled around Egypt, explored almost all the corners of Switzerland and saw the Mont Blanc in France. Oh and we mustn’t forget the trip to the wine district of Alzace, France. 3 continents by her first 9 months isn’t too shabby. To say we think she’ll be a world traveler might be an understatement. She also keeps us hopping. She had 8 teeth by her 8^th month, she’s climbing stairs at 10 months and pushing around furniture. She’s a powerhouse! And not surprisingly for all that energy, she sleeps quite well (now). Oh and starred in her first Groupon ad!

Jaedyn turned 12 in November. My tweenager was involved in dance this year and finished off grade 6. One day after finishing school we set off on our cross Canada trip. JJ was initially nervous but after getting into the swing of road life she quickly settled in. After driving clear across the country we flew to Switzerland (from St. John’s) and began yet another chapter. JJ started public school here and fit in straight away. Her French was at the perfect level for school and she quickly began picking up Swiss/Vaudois slang immediately. She misses her friends in Canada but has also made new friends here. She likes it in Switzerland but is also looking forward to going home in the new year.

For me, I’ve been on mat leave all year and LOVING it. I’m so happy to be able to take the opportunity to travel with my family. The cross Canada trip and our trip to Egypt have really been life long dreams that I had. I’m enjoying spending the days watching my wee babe grow up and loving being able to spend so much time with my almost teenager. I’m really looking forward to Christmas here to see what kinds of traditions the Swiss have and to finally see real candles on a Christmas Tree! I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed watching the changing of the seasons. I miss my family and friends back home but you really can’t beat this weather here. Vevey is situated in such an area where it’s sunny more than it’s rainy. We’re loving it!!

Luc took a leave of absence from school for a year and a leave of absence from work for 6 months. He has been enjoying watching his little mini-him grow up and making her laugh and smile. He also has been enjoying his time in Switzerland spending time with his family and friends. He celebrated his 30^th birthday this year with him and 4 other close buddies by throwing themselves a huge dance party (the theme was fluorescent). It was a blast!! Thanks to him, we started out our first month in Switzerland rent-free by doing a house exchange. It was wonderful. Then Luc found us the most incredible apartment in Vevey with stunning views of the lake and mountains from our balcony.

Our trips around Switzerland consisted of visiting Luc’s Grandma in Valbella, his aunt, uncle and cousin in Zurich area, and our Canadian best man in Thun. We also walked to Montreux and took part in Desalpe when my mom came to visit. And just 2 weekends ago we went high into the Swiss mountains to Bretaye with some friends of ours to take in the fresh mountain air in a cozy little chalet. We’re looking forward to visiting Santa at Rochers de Naye this weekend, as well as spending the new year in Valbella with family.

We have had an incredible and fortunate year touched by so many generous friends and family. We wish everyone and their families a peaceful and fulfilling holiday season with love and warmth felt throughout.

Love, Light and Laughter for the New Year
Robin, Luc, Jaedyn and Violette

Click here to view our holiday eCard
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Click on the image above to view our holiday eCard

Today I have asked “The Hubby” to write on some of his thoughts on our across Canada trip and what it’s like to be back in Switzerland. I hope you enjoy.

1. Recapping on our trip across Canada, what was the highlight for you (or most memorable experience) and why?

   The whole thing being able to do it as we planned without any problem almost on budget and exactly on time. Being able to do it through some rough camping but fancy meals with the Baby and the tweenager who have very different needs. But the best part I think was the Ferry to Newfoundland, not the province just the trip on the ferry I would have loved to go right back The BC Ferries are pretty modern but that Ferry was just like a cruise holidays for 1 night…

2. What was the best meal?

   I think it was the best meal location which was when I cooked the meal on the rocks on Inverness Beach.

3. Which city did you like the best and why?

   Morse. ok it’s not a city but it was the most canadian of all in my opinion mosquitoes, train, grain elevator, storm. I like Montreal because it’s so cosmopolitan it’s like the whole world is meeting there (I say that because I’ve never been in New York) but I prefer Montreal cause they speak more french than in NYC.

4. What did you dislike the least?

   Packing the camping chair in the Thulebox

5. Now that you are in you home country again, how does it feel to be back?

   I realize that a lot of time has gone by, the first time I came back there was a couple things that changed but now it’s been 8 years almost and wow I’ve been in Canada for too long. Life in Switzerland is good enough no need to go so far…

6. What food or meal did you miss the most?

   Bread, BTW I think Sliced bread is the worst invention ever !!! rosti, sausages, pfffff, CHEEEESE why is cheese so expensive in Canada ???

7. What are you most looking forward to doing?

   Snowboarding with my friends…. eating chestnut in the street when it gets cold, celebrate my 30th birthday with my friends, and the very last thing celebrate the Baby’s first birthday.

8. What is one thing you absolutely must do before leaving again in 2012?

   Snowboard

9. What do you miss about Canada?

   Turning right at a red light

10. What is the best thing about your country?

    The view

11. We do a lot of comparisons from Canada and Switzerland, what is one thing that is great in Switzerland and sucks in Canada? And visa versa?

    Public transit
    Beer is so much cheaper in Switzerland but the quality is so much better in Canada. (expect for my friend’s beer)

12. Now that you’ve spent more time with your loved ones than you ever have, can you tell us what is one pro and one con to each (be nice) and please include the wee babe.

    You:    Pro:    The time we spend arguing is proportionately less than when we don’t see each other all day.
    Con:    We still argue….

    Tween   Pro:            It’s nice to see how she enjoys the trip and to see how smart, mature and open minded she gets day after day.

    Baby    Pro:            Do I really need to explain myself, everybody would like to spend time with our baby she’s so cute…
    (con):  Well sometimes she’s a little less cute. but still there is no cons

And there you have it. Thanks for being my second guest blogger to date my Swiss Mister!

We had coffee and hot chocolate, sang happy 6 month birthday to the wee babe, packed up the tent and car and hit the road. It wasn’t until we were 400 km’s away that the hubby realized he’d left two of our towels in the bathroom. Really. Guess we’ve got to buy those now. The tweenager was happy that it wasn’t her that forgot the first thing

We didn’t get far as the hubby wanted to visit the local museum. There are 250 people who live in this town so you can imagine how small the museum was.

When we got there, there was a baby girl falcon that had made its way into the museum over night so we got a photo. The museum was quaint.

On the road again and we drove to Moose Jaw and had our first sit down meal at Smitty’s. We had checked the budget first and it was all system go!

After that we headed over to Sobey’s to grab some snacks and food for breakfast tomorrow. Couldn’t pass up the monstrous moose for a photo op.

We forgot to get gas so about 40kms after we left Moose Jaw I realized we were pretty low on gas and about 5 minutes after that the gas light came on. Oops… stress level cimbing.

So the hubby grabbed the gps and it said we needed to make a detour 40kms off the highway. I was freaking. We pulled into a farm and asked a man there and he said to go back to the highway and drive for 4 miles and then we would find gas and also the place where “Corner Gas” the tv show was made!! Crazy.

Tried to look for a sticker again. No luck. I’m having absolutely no luck at this sticker business. And as it turns out, we didn’t end up finding one before we entered the States so mom and Aunty Terry could you pick us up one?

We got a photo with the cop car from Corner Gas. Back on the road and we went through some flooding area where my stress level was peaking again as our you couldn’t see the road there was so much water on it.

We made it to the North Dakota border where the border people said that there were about 3 main highways shut off due to flooding so the hubby is going to have to figure it out for tomorrow’s drive. They also scared the bejesus out of us by telling us that there wouldn’t be any hotels/camping for another 5 hours. It was already 5pm.

We rolled into Kenmare, grabbed a hotel, unloaded our stuff and then went for a drive around the town, grabbed some bottled water (as you can’t drink the water due to flooding), some fireworks for the 4^th of July, some burgers and ice cream and then back to the hotel.

It’s going to be a tame night, watching TV in our air conditioned room.

Until tomorrow!

EXPENSES:

Hotel: $69.95
Wee babe disposition: Great!
Weather: 27 degrees average
Items lost: two beach towels
Stress level: 85% when searching for gas, 95% when driving through the flooding, 45% when fending off mosquitoes in the car.

There’s been quite a few lasts lately. We’re getting down to the wire (I can count how many days are left on one hand now). When you’re getting ready for a huge trip there’s a few things that you aren’t going to do again for a while. 6 months feels like a long time!

Some things that I’m happy are my lasts for a bit:

• last load of cloth diapers to wash
• last time to clean the fridge, range, oven, floor, bathroom, car, etc…
• last load of laundry in my washing machine
• last time I cut the grass
• last time I have to deal with tenant issues

Some things that I’m sad are my lasts:

• last time I’m going to drive my Kia
• last BBQ/dinner with friends and family
• last time I’m going to sleep in my bed
• last time I can hug my parents/best friend
• last time I eat a gorgeous steak
• last time my baby plays in her exersaucer
• last time I can sit at my island and write my blog
• last time I can have a shower in my bathroom
• last glass of water from my tap (I’m a little picky about the taste of water)
• last trip downtown
• last time I say goodbye to my house and yard
• last time I get to watch my TV
• last time I eat a Reese Peanut Butter Cup
• last time I can use my electric toothbrush

Don’t get me wrong. This is not forever folks. I’m not about to join a convent. But 6 months feels like an eternity and I’m sure it will go by in a heartbeat.

I would like to take the time to thank my husband for the last 7 years of our life together. I think I know a little bit better why he is always talking about his country and why he misses the things that he loves so much about what makes his country so unique to him. 7 years is a long time to wait to be able to have the things you are missing. So even though I might have a bigger list of things I will miss while I’m gone than things I won’t miss, I will always remember that you have been doing this for the last 7 years… for me and our family.

I’m so happy to be able to be doing this with you. You must be so over the moon excited

Wow, these past few days have been a real whirlwind of activity. I said good-bye to some colleagues/friends, we attended a wonderful solstice party and father’s day wrapped it all up.

In the meantime, our wee babe has been growing by leaps and bounds and I don’t want to forget any of it so here goes:

Rolling: back, forth, in her sleep, wide awake, change table, floor, grass – you name it, she’s rolling on it.

360′s: like a spinning top, she’s doing her first break dancing on the ground. Mind you, she’s only mastered the clockwise 360. The Swiss mister likes to think she keeps time to her internal swiss clock.

Bumbo: sadly, we need to say good-bye to this unforgettable piece of furniture. It’s been a constant in our house for the past 3 months. We loved to plunk it down on the island or dining room table while we ate breakfast, lunch and dinner and the wee babe stared deeply into one of our eyes trying to win a staring contest (I know you’re not supposed to have those things on anything higher than the floor). But no more. She now does a twist like no one’s business all the way around to the back and yesterday she *almost* fell out.

Rice cereal: we’ve made the plunge into solid foods! And she is definitely ready for this. No problems eating, big open happy mouth. We’re on day 3 and it doesn’t appear to be allergy inducing. Our plan is to keep up the rice cereal all the way across Canada and then start in on home-made purees once we’re in Europe. We’ll see how that goes.

Sippy cup: along with the rice cereal, we’ve started giving her a sippy cup with water. This is not as well received but it doesn’t go horribly. We’ll keep persevering.

The plank and knees up: a few times I’ve caught her doing the plank. And other times We’ve seen her bringing her knees up and then pushing her arms up but not having the coordination and balance to putting the two together. This can only be a matter of time before she masters crawling or creeping.

Sitting up: she does this with very limited assistance. She falls over a lot still but she can keep herself up for a good 30 seconds before tumbling.

Singing: The wee babe is very vocal. She’s mastered raspberries, da da da, some sort of weird grunting sounds and an array of various other interesting noises.

First tooth: her first tooth has come through with minimal disruption to her and us. There was one night where she screamed bloody murder and I thought she had been stung or bit by a spider so I ripped off her clothes but the next day her lower left tooth came through. Hindsight is 20/20. I am an extremely proud mama.

Standing: this continues to be her favourite thing to do (besides breast feeding) and prefers this any time over sitting.

Reaching and grabbing: I think I should note here that last month she started doing this but this month she’s definitely mastered it.

It’s been a big month for our baby. Did I miss anything mister Swiss or the tweenager?

P.S. I would also like to note in this post that we had a wonderful father’s day yesterday. I think we might have started a few father’s day traditions as well. We started the morning with a delicious breaky of eggs benny, followed by a hike out to our wedding spot in East Sooke Park to plant a tree (sshhhhhh… I think its illegal to plant trees in parks so don’t tell anyone.) we named Xavier. (This was going to be the name of our wee babe if she was a boy.) We had a sugar infused Swiss desert called Vermicelles that we also shared with my father, followed by a yummy steak dinner. Happy Father’s day my Swiss mister and happy father’s day dad!

It was a hot humid morning waking up in an unknown apartment in Geneva with my boyfriend. Let me be clear, the apartment was known to him but not to me.

We were heading over via EasyJet to the South of France to attend his cousin’s wedding that morning.

After boarding the plane it dawned on me that this would be the first time I would be meeting his family. And not just his parents and sister. His ENTIRE French family. I began to shake a little.

My French was appalling, I’d had little to no sleep and I’d just been through the time change ringer so my senses were all a tizzy. Oh and did I mention it was hot?

I expressed my uncomfortableness to him and he said not to worry. All I need to know is that in France they kiss on the cheek. Oh and they do this in Switzerland too but instead of the standard 2 kisses that the French give it’s 3 for Swiss people so his Swiss family will greet me with 3.

Huh? Are people going to be flying flags so I know if they are French or Swiss? What if Germans come? Or Italians? My heart began to race.

The questions came pouring out.

“Could you demonstrate how I should be doing this? Do we start on the left or right? What if we both go left and then we kiss on the mouth!??! Do we actually land our lips on their cheek or is it more of an air-kiss-cheek-bump? Do we grasp each others arms so we don’t fall into one another? Do I make a kissy sound? What about my breath? Does it stink? And my makeup? What if I accidentally get lipstick on someone? Should I wipe it off? What about sweat? Did I mention it’s hot out? Do the guys kiss each other? And if a French person and a Swiss person kiss, how many kisses do they give? What about germs? If someone has a cold do they not kiss? We don’t hug when we have colds. Is this whole kissing thing optional like when you can tell that someone isn’t really a hugger? NO?”

I wasn’t sure I was up to the task. Could we go back to the unknown apartment? Not only am I meeting his family for the first time but now this whole kissing thing is happening. It gave a new meaning to “all up in your face”.

Did I mention that they do this upon greeting and departing? Has anyone ever heard of a hug sufficing?

The plane landed and we were greeted by a couple of people in his family. I got to practice. It went not too poorly.

We arrived at the wedding. Smiles, kisses, some awkward cheek smashing, (hey, I’m new at this!) but I got through all 45+ family members. If you do the math, let’s say there’s 40 French people and 5 Swiss people so that’s 40 X 2 and 5 X 3 which equals 95 kisses I donned out. And then I got to do it all over again when we left.

I wonder if people in Europe actually account for the added time it takes to greet people for events like this cuz let me tell you, hugging is much more time efficient

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This post was prepared in response to a RemembeRED prompt for the Red Dress Club. This week’s prompt was about affection. We asked you to write how the show of affection played a part in your memory.

There’s another man in my life.

My husband is fully aware if this man. The man knows nothing about me. He’s never heard my name, he doesn’t know I exist but I know he exists. His name is apart of my daily life.

This man is Swiss. He’s sporty to say the least. He’s sexy. He’s rich. He’s HOT. He’s drives a very nice car. He’s an Olympian. He’s married and he’s a dad. He’s a bit of an overachiever but that doesn’t stop him from achieving everything.

Have you guessed who it is yet?

Do you think my husband should be jealous? Or do you think I should be jealous?

Let’s just say that it’s not me who speaks of this man on an almost daily basis. Let’s say it’s my Swiss mister. My man’s got a man-crush.

Do you have someone, maybe it’s someone famous, rich, or both, whom you would leave your spouse for if this person decided it was you they wanted to spend the rest of their natural lives with? I joke that this man is that certain someone for my hubby.

And who get’s forgotten when there’s the US Open, Australian Open, French Open, Masters, etc…? Who gets cut off when the shiny object of all shiny objects drives past? “Oh, is that Roger?”

Am I jealous of this man’s incredible tennis skills? Am I insecure about the lifestyle, car, riches, etc… that this man has? Do I envy him for the attention that he gets from my hubby?

Maybe a little.

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This post was prepared in response to a red writing hood prompt for the Red Dress Club.

Aaah…jealousy. We all have it. We all feel it.

And now we’d like you to write about it. We’ll leave it open: you can write about something or someone you envy, or a time when your jealousy got you in trouble, or maybe how it makes you feel to be envious. Whatever you want.

My Swiss mister and I took our relationship to a whole new level today. I might even say I fell in love with him a little bit more today than yesterday. My Swiss mister held my hand as I had my ingrown toenail removed (by the way, my toenail looked not nearly as terrible as the photo in wikipedia). Or more accurately 2 ingrown toenails removed.

About, oh, 11 years ago after the birth on my first baby I had an ingrown toenail on one of my big toes. This thing was so painful. I guess I had gained some weight and a whole bunch of water weight and this caused my toes to plump – thus the ingrown toenail. So off to the clinic I went with my new born baby in tow.

The doctor at the clinic said “no problem” and shoved 4 needles in my big toe. You can’t imagine the pain from the needles for the freezing. I was in agony. After the freezing took effect I was good to go with the procedure but my anxiety, nerves and heart rate were already screwed so once I stood up, without fail, down I went onto the floor. Black out.

One month later another ingrown toenail same toe opposite foot. Back to the clinic but this time I had my mommy to hold my hand instead of my newborn. The needles still hurt like hell but I was a lot more prepared.

Flash forward 11 years. Another newborn, more post birth water logged toes, double ingrown toenails (toes next to the baby toes). I had been having issues for months. Even before I gave birth, my little sausages needed care and attention from my hubby as I couldn’t reach them. Poor him.

My hubby on the other hand was also having his fair share of foot problems – he had worn a pair of his buddies shoes and then went and played “Ultimate” (it’s a running/frisbee game). Somehow this did damage to his big toe and wouldn’t you know it, it turned black and threatened to fall off.

So off to the podiatrist we went; new born in tow.

I went first. Two needles inserted into toe on left foot. Not bad. You’d be surprised how little it hurts if you actually go to the specialist. I asked him why and he said that doctors in clinics don’t know jack about ingrown toenails and on top of it, they probably used a large gage needle. Great. I wish I knew that 11 years ago.

In true “sickness and in health” form, my hubby held my hand (and the baby) and tried to distract me while my worst fear took place.

Then he was whisked away into another room while “the man” looked at his toe. Without a needle of freezing, that podiatrist cut out his dead nail and told him it would all be better in six months.

So what did my man do? Whined about how he can’t wear his strappy shoes during the summer and then he mowed the lawn. Meanwhile, after the procedure was complete for me, I went home and thanked heavens for my hubby, the podiatrist and chardonnay.

Why are feet made to get ingrown toe nails so incredibly easy?