Don't Make Me Come Down There

A new apartment building is under construction in our backyard. The Swiss tend to build things at a slow pace – it must be all the concrete they use – so the work has been on-going for well over a year and a half. The noise from the construction can be a bit obnoxious but Finn loves all the action, especially the big crane. It is a source of entertainment at most meals.

Here are a few photos from breakfast the other day:


"I see the crane moving, but...."


"What the heck. No one else is working. Don't make me come down there!"


"Hey, break time is over buddy...get moving! This project seems like it's been taking a lifetime!"


"See, they just needed a little motivational speech."

Finn & His Dou-Dou

Finn has recently started sleeping with a lovey at nap and bedtime. Out of all his stuffed animals I love that he picked the one from my godson, Bryce. The word used for a favorite blanket or stuffed animal in the French-speaking part of Switzerland is ‘dou-dou’ (pronounced like ‘due’). Right now his puppy is just called ‘dou-dou.’ We’ll see what Finn names it once he starts talking.

Ready! Set! Hike, Dad!

Now that Finn can sit up he’s old enough to ride in the child carrier we bought him. He was all smiles as he ‘hiked’ around the apartment with Dad. The real test will be if he likes being in there when we snowshoe.

New Cousin

Finn has a new cousin back in Minnesota. And it’s a boy! Wyatt is the newest addition to my sister’s family. My nieces are ecstatic about their baby brother. I was at the hospital to see both of them within hours of their births so it’s hard not to be there for Wyatt’s. I can’t believe I have to wait until my next trip home before I can cuddle him. It’s going to be fun to watch Finn and Wyatt grow up together.

Still Frizzen

The temperature is no longer in the single digits (Fahrenheit) but it’s still frizzen. The wind is so chilly and shows no sign of letting up going into the weekend. Finn and I braved the cold yesterday because our fridge and cupboard were bare. Other than that we haven’t been outside this week. Needless to say we’re going a little stir crazy in the apartment.

This picture was taken by my friend, Christina, on a walk with her dog, Cleo, this week. Poor Millie probably doesn’t even remember what a walk is. It’s been days since she’s had one.

It’s Frizzen

As our first French teacher in Switzerland used to say in her limited English, ‘It’s frizzen outside.’ We had our first snowfall this week and temperatures are in the twenties during the day and single digits at night. I know it doesn’t compare to Minnesota winters but that’s cold for here. We were hoping to do some snowshoeing in the Jura Mountains this weekend but it’s going to be too chilly. We’ll have to come up with another activity for the weekend.

I do all my errands by foot so I have to bundle Finn up nice and warm in his stroller. Finn received this hat as a gift from my friend, Darcy. It’s hard to tell in the picture but it has built-in earmuffs. Perfect for this kind of weather.