Through the garden gate...

My sister was obsessed with the small gardens all around Hamburg (schrebergarten). No one lives in the small homes, but use their space as an oasis. The owners of the gardens just enjoy being there and taking care of them. It says a lot about the culture in Germany- they try to slow down and enjoy life. I wish it were more like that here in America instead of living to work... Here are a few from a stroll we took together:::

Zara's Blessing.

One major reason that we visited Germany was to have Zara's blessing in our church. It was really cool to have my sister present, to do this in Jonas' childhood congregation and to be surrounded by people who love and support our family. It was a special date too- we were engaged on May 29 six years ago!

Zara is a really quiet and predictable baby most of the time. Unfortunately, her blessing fell as she was trying to fall asleep. yikes. She cried through the whole thing. I felt so bad for Jonas, who gave her the blessing. & I was disappointed at first because I wanted this long, eloquent thing. But you know, it was simple and beautiful and perfect for our sweet girl. We are so glad that we were able to have so many friends and family make a special trip to be there for us. It was perfect.

Here are a few photos from her special day:::

Schloss Ahrensburg.

We (me, my sister, Jonas & Z) took a trip to a small castle in Hamburg. I think it is beautiful, especially in the snow. It dates back to the 13th century and it has a moat, which was and still is just for aesthetics. I don't blame them, I would have done the same :) It was a chilly, grey day and when the sky is so white, I have no idea how to work my camera. I always want someone to teach me the settings for this lighting but it hasn't happened yet. The weather was fitting for our visit to the castle, it made me feel like I was in another time...

Jonas' Birthday !

Happy 30th Birthday to my love!
It was a bit low key this year because we left for Germany the next day.
I even skipped the cake because we would have had to throw it away.
Ben and Jerry's helped me out and it was still black forest flavors :)
oh my, 30. That is a big one!
The first birthday I celebrated with Jonas was in our early twenties.
I got him a cake and we had a picnic at a park in Hamburg.
We have come a long way!
& now that little baby is here and makes birthdays even better :)

at the flea with our wildling.

A lot of stress and worry and exhaustion from the week really came to a point when I dropped 4 oz. of breast milk all over the floor..and my supply was already low. I shouldn't complain because I have two people who will share a Pina colada popsicle with me at The Flea off Market...and a husband who will help me eat all the BBQ we ordered....and a baby who likes to try pickles...

Z's Fifth Month!

FIVE.

Here we are at 5 months!  We have one sweet girl on our hands and she is such a good baby.  We cannot get enough of her! I love to tickle her little face and she must love it too because she opens her mouth and smiles. She is my light. So, what has she been up to this month?:::

Zara had to go to the doctor this month for a sick visit. She has thrush and is taking Nystatin. It is clearing up now and hopefully she won't pass it to me. She wears size 2 diapers and 3-6 month clothes, but some of her 0-3 month clothes still fit.

She loves chatting or playing with toys in her bumbo while we are in the kitchen. She also seems obsessed with dropping things constantly so I can pick them up..To be fair,she does try to reach for them:::

One of our Baby Gap trips:::

Eating- We tried baby food for the first time this month! It went well from the start. She tried apples the first time and ate the entire container! Now she has one container of baby food everyday, sometimes with a little cereal mixed in. Her favorites are banana and mango! She does not like peas. I am still breastfeeding(and pumping and pumping). Isn't it so crazy how big she is nursing now! She usually eats  6-7 times/ day. It must be about 4.5 oz. each time(at least that is the amount in her bottles).:::

This is how I eat dinner now:::

Breaking out:::

She is my little Drool Monster. She drools constantly. I mean, her clothes are wet, My clothes are wet. We still have no teeth though. Teeth- show yourself!? (or don't because I am afraid of her biting my boobs. haha). I have given her a teether now and then and she likes to chew on those:::

She is really interested in toys these days! It sort of happened overnight. She holds them, looks at them, shakes them. She even cries if you take a toy away. Right now, she is really into these plastic keys and bright toys that are easy for her to grasp. She also loves to grab book pages while we read:::

This is one of Jonas' soothing methods (drumming on her back). It works!:::

Zara is becoming very social. There were tons of people on our bridge walk and some of them would smile and talk to her...she loved it and smiled her cheesy smile right back. It seems like she adores attention:::

LOVES:::

To stare at ceiling fans.

To lay on the floor and play with her baby gym.

The mirror...it is her favorite ever to look at herself, laugh and to be bounced while she looks into it.

Play. I feel like it is what she does most now.

Her Papa. I think he is her best friend.
To be on our shoulders.

DOES NOT LIKE:::

The sun in her face.

Being in the jogging stroller too long.

Other things:::

She has had the ability to roll from back to belly & belly to back, but now she is becoming an expert. Rolling all the time and holding her feet in "happy baby"- one of my least favorite yoga poses..but she loves it! Zara girl is a mover. When I lay her down to play, she turns up in a very different location every few seconds.

She is trying to crawl.. she can lift herself from her chubby little arms and is trying everyday to lift up on those knees and scoot..mostly scooting backwards right now :)

Zara chews on her feet every chance she gets.

She is still learning to sit up all be herself, so right now she sits up and ends up leaning forward. She can also hold herself very well if she is in our arms.

She reaches and grabs for things. I have to keep my food far from her hands. She will just reach in. ha.

I feel like she swings her arms around just to find something to explore. A lot of times, she likes to put her hand in my mouth and feel my teeth.

I am so grateful that she continues to sleep through the night. Sweet child! Now why am I still so tired? haha. She still sleeps in the swaddle and on her back.

I have witnessed this a little, but at daycare they have this parrot on one of the walkers and she loves to talk to it and scream and squeal at it. I think it's hilarious!

Zara seems really interested in our food when we eat..like drool and fussing while we cook and eat.

She is showing interest in the cat with constant stares & occasionally reaching for her.

Her little legs are so strong and she loves to stand (with help, of course).

I think that all children bring joy when they are around. Zara is no exception. I love seeing her make someone smile or laugh. I am loving this stage of discovery and firsts. I want to celebrate everyday that we get to be right here together. What a privilege.