So, how about Wednesday morning . . . say, about 9ish?

I had another OB appointment today, and everything is still looking great! Stephanie is measuring right on target - and is still a girl, even though I was worried that she might grow a few extra parts and throw everything off : ). We even got a video, but it's on VCR tape and unfortunately our VCR has gone kaput and so I can't digitize it just yet and post it. However, we did see her in 3D once again. She is definitely Steve's child. First of all, she was facing away from us and refused to look or turn so we could get a good picture (I guess she's a little shy). However, my doctor was able to manipulate the ultrasound wand a little, and we saw the side of her face. The first thing we noticed is that she has Steve's nose! I mean, it was very clear that that was his nose. She even has his lips, too (although she appears to have my puffy eyes). She kicked me through the almost the entire ultrasound, and at one point we were able to see her little legs and feet "stomping grapes" - as Steve put it. Luckily, she doesn't appear to have his head : ). My doctor gave me one of the greatest compliments any pregnant woman could receive - he said I was small and narrow! That made my day, considering that everytime I look in the mirror it feels like I grow a few inches in every direction.

So, after the ultrasound, we had time for questions and I inquired about inductions. Well, Germany just gets better and better! I fully expected him to say that they do not perform inductions, that they will wait until the baby is good and ready to come out. Turns out, I can REQUEST an induction whenever I like, as long as the baby is mature and I'm showing some signs that it would be favorable (like some dilation). Ah! So, if I'm already dilating by, say, 38 weeks, I'm SO gonna request an induction to get this thing over with! They do not use a pitocin drip, but a much more "gentle" method. And then, it gets better! I DO NOT have to have a natural birth. My doctor's wife is the anesthesiologist, and if she is working that day/night, hopefully I can get the hook-up! Alright! This is sounding better and better. I could also request a c-section, but I really want to avoid major surgery. As my doctor put it, "In Germany, the patient is in charge." Sounds great to me! I'm thinking, about June 14th, say around 9 AM, we get this party started!!! : ) Don't I wish it was so easy. . .

Valentine's Day

We spent our last Valentine's Day as just "us" at the Hirschhorn Castle. It was absolutely beautiful! Now, I don't know what I was expecting, but if I had remembered anything from European History, I would have known that the castle would be at the top of a mountain. When we turned onto the street that led us to the castle, it suddenly got very steep and was cobblestone. Unfortunately, it had snowed the day before, and we prayed the whole way up that we would not slip back down. On top of that, the road was extremely narrow, and we had to negotiate around cars parked along the way. Ah, fun!

So, we make it to the castle, and that means even more climbing to get to the main castle, again, on a cobblestone path. I was trying to look kinda cute, and the boots I chose were so not cut out for that kind of work! I could just see myself slipping and falling all down that cobblestone path. Luckily, I had a big strong arm to hold onto. : ) We get checked in and then have to report back for our walking tour. What was I thinking?? I probably should have sat that one out, but I figured that we had paid for it, we may as well go. So, we have to descend the mountain to reach the town below - ON FOOT! When we started, the weather didn't feel too cold. By the time we reached the bottom, my fingers and toes were burning from the cold. Our tour guide was chatty and liked to regale us with stories about the town and the history, which is all fine and well, except that I was COLD (and I really had to potty).

We make it all the way down to the valley, and look up and see the castle way up in the sky. I'm really praying and hoping that they will surprise us and take us to a van that will transport us back to the top. Or maybe there is some kind of elevator hidden in the mountain that we can get on and float back to the top. Ms. Tour Guide says rather cheerfully, "We're gonna storm the castle!" She leads us to a stone staircase (much better than cobblestone) that goes straight up to the top - and I do mean straight up. I've never seen a staircase so steep! So, we all begin the trek up the mountain. I have to stop and catch my breath at a few points, but I made it! Talk about a work out, though. Between a baby crowding my insides and the thin mountain air, I didn't know if I'd ever catch my breath. I was so happy to get back to the room and sit down. That fills my exercise quota for the next 2 weeks!

Then, we had to report back for dinner. I was very hungry at this point. We arrive at 6:30, and it took them over 30 minutes to serve the salad! At that point, I'm ready to lick the plate clean. There were long lags between each course, and I was about to starve. Baby Stephanie wasn't very happy about it either, because she kept kicking and kicking (she always does at meal time). After the salad came the cream of tomato soup, which was delicious, then the main course. I had the salmon, garnished with fresh veggies (that looked like seaweed, but tasted okay) and castle potatoes. Steve had the steak, which was so rare I swear it was mooing on the plate. Thankfully, they cooked it through for him and he says it was very good after that. Finally, we had dessert, which was milk and white chocolate mousse, chocolate gelato, and fresh fruit. All in all, dinner took 3 HOURS! By the time dessert was over, I was ready to eat all over again!

Really, it was a wonderful weekend. The view was spectacular and breathtaking. The food was actually good. Who knows when we'll have a chance to do that again once the baby is here.

Here is the link to the pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=89423&id=612321319&l=9926a