The Real-Real of Our First Month

Ok so, here’s the real real: I’ve been homesick. The time difference is hard. I’m accustomed to being able to call my mom as soon as I get up in the mornings. She has been two hours ahead of me for over three years now, and in the same time zone for three years before that. It’s hard. It’s hard to not be able to just text friends that I’m used to talking to basically 24/7 for most of my day. It’s usually lunch time before anyone in the States even gets up. That’s not an easy adjustment.

Hotel living has not been bad. We have a small suite, so we have a bedroom where the baby can sleep in peace (ie, we don’t have to stay silent, sitting in the dark while he sleeps). There’s an amazing coffee machine on three floors of this place. It makes cappuccinos, espresso, latte’s, and hot chocolate. We adore it. There is a small kitchenette in our room: a two burner stovetop. Guys, getting used to an electric stove again is going to be tough! I will miss having a gas stove! Again, it has not been bad, but I am EXHAUSTED. Jack has been getting up 3-4 times a night because he’s in the same room as me, and he wants to nurse. In CA, Jake could get him from his crib and take him into the living room and Jack would be fine. Here, he KNOWS I’m right there so he has a breakdown until I get him and nurse him. I want my stuff. I want my couch. I want my bed. I even want my freaking shower curtain, okay? I need my kitchen stuff. You have absolutely no idea how much kitchen stuff you use every day until you don’t have it for over a month. Monday will be 40 days in the hotel.

We do have German phone numbers now, so we have not been able to call anyone in the States unless you have an apple product. I’m sorry to everyone we haven’t been able to keep in touch with!

It’s gorgeous here. There are so many trees! The forests are stunning. There is a gorgeous little park in town that is right across the street from the mall. It’s such a lovely little place to sit and nurse Jackson, or hold him while he’s napping. We can watch the ducks in the pond, and the air is just thick with the scent of roses.

Everything I’ve ever heard anyone say about Europe is how expensive it is. We were expecting quite the adjustment with costs. We have actually found most things to be cheaper so far! We just had lunch today at a Brauhaus (brewery). We spent 60Euro (why doesn’t my keyboard have a sign for euro?). I had a daily special, the pork filet and mushrooms and fried mashed potatoes. Jake had the most ginormous burger I’ve ever seen. B had chicken nuggets, but she said that’s the last time she orders from the kids menu. She ate a ton of mine. Jake had a huge beer, I had wine. We ordered a soufflé and a fancy ice cream. Oh and a bottle of water. They do glass bottles here, and you pay for the whole bottle of water. The wine pours here are HEAVY. My kind of pour! We have been to a restaurant where we ordered two pizzas, an eggplant parmesan, wine, and beer. It was 26Euro.

Bella had volleyball camp last week. She LOVED it. She is beyond excited for the fall season! She starts fall ball around the time she starts back to school – August 26. We booked a mini vacation in the Bavarian Alps for August 18-21. We booked a military resort, and are SO excited.

Hopefully we get an apartment this week. We go to look at one on Wed/Thursday (hopefully). It’s on the 2nd closest base to Jake’s work, so here’s hoping we fall in love. We need a place of our own, guys. Mama is down to her last brain cell AND nerve over here. Pray for my sanity.