Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Next Round of Visitors
Our friends, Bruce and Cindy, are making the big trip over to see us. They arrive this Thursday and will be staying with us for a week. We’ll spend most of the time in Switzerland but also a few days in Paris. I have the week off from school so I’ve been busy getting ready for them. We have a long list of possible things to do and see, so hopefully the weather will cooperate. They timed their trip perfectly with the tulip festival in Morges. I’m sure this was high on Bruce’s priority list.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Successful Visit (Until the Last Day)
After several days of sight-seeing in Paris, Rowan, Evie and the rest of the family, including Grandma Connie, came to Switzerland. We had a wonderful weekend with perfect weather – 70+ degrees, blue sky and beautiful views of the Alps and Lake Geneva. We took full advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and spent our time out and about Switzerland.
Here are the highlights:
• Walking through the Saturday market and park. The tourist office suggested a little scavenger hunt for the girls to do in the tulip park. They had fun running around looking for Tinkerbell's magic wand while the grown-ups enjoyed the scenery.
• Our friends often take their children to Signal de Boughy, which is a massive playground, just a short drive from Morges. This was the first time I'd been there. The girls loved the playgrounds and the views were stunning. Matt took Marc for a bike ride through the vineyards to see the Vufflens-le-Château while we were at the park.
• Château de Chillon in Montreux. Typically it takes more than an hour to go through the castle but Lisa and the girls were in and out in record time; less than 30 minutes. Marc and Connie weren't far behind them. After a picnic lunch Matt and Marc went for a hike while the rest of us came back by train and then went to the park.
• We ended the weekend with a trip to the baths in the morning before heading to the airport. It was a wonderful time until I put the wrong kind of gas in our diesel car. Bad, bad things happen when one does this. It created a lot of stress and worry for everyone. Thank goodness for my friend, Christina, who came to our rescue.
Here are the highlights:
• Walking through the Saturday market and park. The tourist office suggested a little scavenger hunt for the girls to do in the tulip park. They had fun running around looking for Tinkerbell's magic wand while the grown-ups enjoyed the scenery.
• Our friends often take their children to Signal de Boughy, which is a massive playground, just a short drive from Morges. This was the first time I'd been there. The girls loved the playgrounds and the views were stunning. Matt took Marc for a bike ride through the vineyards to see the Vufflens-le-Château while we were at the park.
• Château de Chillon in Montreux. Typically it takes more than an hour to go through the castle but Lisa and the girls were in and out in record time; less than 30 minutes. Marc and Connie weren't far behind them. After a picnic lunch Matt and Marc went for a hike while the rest of us came back by train and then went to the park.
• We ended the weekend with a trip to the baths in the morning before heading to the airport. It was a wonderful time until I put the wrong kind of gas in our diesel car. Bad, bad things happen when one does this. It created a lot of stress and worry for everyone. Thank goodness for my friend, Christina, who came to our rescue.
Getting Ready
We've been learning a lot as we prepare for baby's arrival in July:
• Prenatal check-ups have been every four weeks. My doctor has done an ultrasound at every appointment, which is a lot more than my friends back home say they had.
• My weight is measured in kilos at the appointments. I love how little that number sounds in kilos compared to pounds.
• In Switzerland women tend to stop working a month, or sometimes even two, before their due date. The doctor said the Swiss feel it's very important for the mother to have time to prepare for the birth. I like their way of thinking.
• The hospital stay is typically five days for mama and baby. Six to seven days if it's a C-section.
• After giving birth the mother is served a cheese platter. Yum, bring on the cheese!
• Prenatal check-ups have been every four weeks. My doctor has done an ultrasound at every appointment, which is a lot more than my friends back home say they had.
• My weight is measured in kilos at the appointments. I love how little that number sounds in kilos compared to pounds.
• In Switzerland women tend to stop working a month, or sometimes even two, before their due date. The doctor said the Swiss feel it's very important for the mother to have time to prepare for the birth. I like their way of thinking.
• The hospital stay is typically five days for mama and baby. Six to seven days if it's a C-section.
• After giving birth the mother is served a cheese platter. Yum, bring on the cheese!
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