OK, if you take one step forward and two steps back, how many miles does that journey become? I have full confidence that this time will be some of the most treasured in our lives, but without getting too down and dirty, this transition has been extremely challenging. There is no way to communicate the daily struggles that come with figuring out a new way of life in a new language with little people who have many many needs of their own! Life with kids is SO CONVENIENT in America. LIfe is SO NOT in Europe, but we will acclimate! It will just take time to get used to planning for: lots of stairs, heavy metal doors, swiss german, coats, boots, hats, mittens, swiss german, limited business hours, noise restrictions, swiss-german, new classrooms/teachers and schedules, the time change, and for the moment life without any friends, oh, and did I mention swiss-german? The following experience is just a glimpse at one example of what is currently making my days harder. On the way home from the daily trip to the grocery store, (while lugging Levi in the car seat carrier, a couple of heavy bags of groceries, straining to holding Isaac's hand, and attempting to read signs in German), we are walking up our second flight of stairs when I hear, "Mom, I have to go potty". Now envision the awkward turn around with all gear/kids/cargo in the stairwell, to go back down, through heavy metal doors, undressing Isaac with one arm and assisting him with "the mission", while holding Levi in the other, and then, getting Isaac put back together (with the one handed-button-someone-else's pants trick), wash hands (again with the one-arm lift to the sink assist), go back through heavy metal doors and back up the stairs to continue on the journey… Once in the parking lot with the kids and groceries loaded, I realize I have to pay for parking. But, the ticket validator only takes coins-of which I have none-so I break out of the garage by driving out the in door. Add in a blow out diaper from Levi within the next 10 minutes and some non-stop commentary by the "very articulate and never at a loss for words" Luke Courts, and you get the picture. All of this just gets us out of the grocery store. Repeat the carseat/heavy metal doors/and stairs with the grocery and kid lugging to get out of our parking garage at home and into our apartment. Looks like these steps are going to be baby steps…start your pedometers!
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Oh, my. And I really hate the one-arm-lift-to-the-sink-assist. I feel like I'm squishing Macey's precious internal organs when I do it. Cause she's not light anymore. And I have to do it all the time. Why can't they install sinks for our little ones?
ReplyDeleteNo kidding, Sarah! I feel the same way about their poor little tummy's being squished! Thanks for reading!
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