So I wrote too soon

The past few days have been really hard, morning sickness wise. Wednesday night I got worse and it has just been downhill from there.

When we first found out we were pregnant, Brian and I were both hopeful that this pregnancy would be better than our first go 'round. My morning sickness started at the 6 week 1 day mark with Marion and it didn't stop until the day I gave birth. I was so sick it was awful. I distinctly remember this conversation with a coworker (at that time) and friend that pretty much sums up my experience with my first pregnancy.

Mike: "So, you haven't complained about being sick lately. Are you feeling better?"
Me: "No, I've just gotten used to puking everyday."

Yea. Puking everyday, something I definitely would have liked to avoid this time around.

I was dreading the 6 week 1 day mark with this pregnancy for this reason. And when it came, I was only hit with slight food aversions and nausea. Not too bad.

But it was gotten worse. Significantly worse. I haven't been able to keep food or liquid down for the past 24 hours.

So this week has been difficult. Add to that a curious toddler and, well, it gets interesting.

On Wednesday night I was sick. Marion came over to me, put her hand on my back, and asked "Are you alright Mommy?" Awww, so sweet. I picked up my head to thank her and was greeted with shots of water from Marion and her SpongeBob water gun. Not so sweet.

Yesterday was spent near the toilet after our return from Ikea. After her nap, Marion seemed to find my predicament hysterical. She had a lot of fun bending her head over the sink, mimicking my sounds and laughing. Later, she made dry-heaving noises in the living room and than ran to the bathroom to pray to the porcelain goddess. She's a riot.

I think part of the problem is that I don't like a lot of the food here. I have cravings for things that I can't get here. For example, last night I really wanted The Noodle Company's mac and cheese. Uh, can't get that here and can't ship it over. So when I try to eat something I'm not craving, it doesn't sit well. I'm basically screwed. Better start craving weisswursts or something.

So, needless to say, my goal today is to keep food down. Brian is being a champ, basically taking care of everything else. I am useless these days. So he is Super Dad, working during the day and taking care of Marion in the evenings and weekends. And then threatening to ship me back to the States to my family if I don't get better. I'm pretty sure he is joking about that.

She's a natural!

This morning we went to Ikea. We found our way to the lobby where there was a photoshoot going on. The sign looked like it said it was a complimentary shoot for Ikea Family members, but it was also in German. And we know how my German is.

So I flagged an Ikea person down and asked. And yep, it was a free shoot for Ikea Family members. And, if you did get your picture taken, you got a copy of an Ikea catalog with your picture on the front.

Cool, right?

Well I thought so. So I signed us up and, when it was our turn, got Marion out of the shopping cart.

Marion ran over to the set and started jumping on the couches. I moved to behind the camera so at least her head would be turned in the correct direction.

After the photographer was done, the Ikea employee told me to come back in 50 minutes to get our picture. Interesting, in the US they probably would have said to come back in an hour.

Either way, we did some shopping and came back after we were done to find this:

The girl's a natural. Maybe I should get her into modeling?

Me too!

This morning (Tuesday, August 5th) was Marion's usual playgroup. We headed out the door after a slow start and were finally on our way to run an errand and get to our playgroup.

First stop was the Drogerie. After searching online last night I was reminded that I should be taking prenatal vitamins, specifically folic acid.

I arrived at the Drogerie after a short walk and asked for the English speaking person in the store. She came over and I asked for prenatal vitamins. I was met with a blank stare. I then mentioned folic acid. Another blank stare. Next I tried pregnancy vitamins. That triggered something in her mind and she walked to the back wall and grabbed Acide folique Streuli.

I bought a box of one hundred 200-micrograms tablets for 8 CHF. The recommended daily dosage of folic acid for pregnant women varies from 400 to 800-micrograms; however, typical prenatal vitamins include 1000-micrograms of folic acid. I figured five tablets a day until I reach my first doctors appointment should do the trick.

After we left the Drogerie, we walked to our playgroup. We were enjoying our time with our friends when one of them announced, "I'm horrible with secrets. I wanted to let you all know that I'm pregnant!"

My jaw felt like it hit the floor and I started giggling. I had not told family and friends back home but felt compelled to blurt out, "Me too!"

Then, from across the room, another friend said "No way!?!? Me too!"

We are all due within two weeks of each other. How amazing is that?

Now, normally we wouldn't share this information this early with anyone. But I've found you form a bond with other moms here. We are all in the same boat and therefore have become quick friends. So, in this case, it didn't seem odd at all that we were sharing this with each other.

Now we can enjoy our pregnancies together. We are so excited!

On the hunt for a doctor

With baby number two on the way, it was obvious I needed a doctor.

I talked with friends and polled my local Yahoo group. Two doctors in my town were recommended over and over again. One a female, the other a male. Both came with good recommendations so I took a stab at the female since that was what I had back in the States.

So, I called the doctor's office the first business day after my positive pregnancy test (a Monday morning, same day I wrote this). I gave them all my information and was told that their office does first pregnancy appointments at 6 weeks, which would have been mid August for me. Then she mentioned that the doctor was on vacation and asked to put me on hold. When she came back on the line she told me that they wouldn't be able to get me in until September and then said "You should find another doctor here."

I was stunned. Who turns down a new patient? I'm sure they had their reasons but it wasn't what I was expecting. So I just responded, "Uh, Okay!" and got off the phone.

I then dialed the second doctor's office. I was told by a friend that he was older and has delivered 7,000 babies here. Sounds qualified to me!

Anyway, I got a busy message (both in Swiss German and English - good sign!) that said to try back again in 15 minutes. Not 15 seconds went by when my phone rang- it was his office calling back. Thankfully he was NOT on vacation! But, unfortunately, his office doesn't see pregnant patients until the 8th week. So, I made an appointment for August 27, gave them my information, and got off of the telephone.

My positive interaction with his office (especially compared to the blow off I received from the first office) made me feel that this was the doctor I was supposed to see. Sometimes things happen for a reason, and this definitely felt like one of those times.

*Written August 4, 2008.

Sorry for the lack of posts lately.

There's a good reason though. I haven't been feeling well.

Well, that's not the real reason I guess. Because the reason I haven't been feeling well is that we are pregnant with Baby 2.0 and he or she is due April 2009!

That's right ladies and gentlemen, we decided to have another child. Several people here in Switzerland mentioned that having a child in this country is something we definitely should experience. So here we are, ready to experience pregnancy and childbirth abroad!

We've known for several weeks know but wanted to wait until confirmation from my doctor before a big announcement. So don't be surprised when several posts show up after this one- they were all written and saved during the last few weeks.

And since we are so far away we decided to follow in Jason's footsteps and host a little guessing game. So, come one, come all, to guess our baby's birthdate, weight, and gender! Should be interesting considering Marion was 5 weeks early and weighed in at a hefty 6 lbs 8 oz. Anything goes with this one! The winner will get bragging rights and, possibly, some yummy Swiss chocolate.


*helpful hint: if you register on the website, you can edit your guess later on!

Spielgruppe = Success!

Marion started her Spielgruppe (playgroup) last week. She goes two mornings a week to a Swiss group, so no English at all. It gives me a break while allowing Marion to play with other kids her age and (hopefully) learn the language.

I was told before we went to be prepared to stick around to make sure Marion was okay and acclimated. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before- Marion is a people person. She loves to play and meet new people. She sees random kids at the playground and yells "Hi friends!" at them, scaring most of them away.

Needless to say, I had my doubts that I would have to stay. Nonetheless, I didn't plan anything for the two mornings of her playgroup just in case.

We followed my neighbor and her daughter to the playgroup because I didn't know where it was. It was definitely a drive away, no way I could walk this. A short drive though.

We arrived at a cute little house full of toys and kids. I took Marion's shoes and jacket off and she immediately ran into the room saying hi to everyone. Not a shy bone in her body! The woman who runs the playgroup was setting up a craft on a table for everyone so Marion and her friend from our apartment complex ran right over and sat down next to each other. I stayed out of the way to see what Marion would do.

As I expected, she jumped right in. My neighbor asked me if I was going to leave and I told her I wasn't sure, that I thought I had to stay. She said Marion sppeared to be okay and asked the woman in charge (I'll just call her teacher from now on) if I could go (she doesn't speak a lot of English). She said of course, Marion seems fine! And she had my phone number, just in case.

I went over to say goodbye to Marion and was met with a "Noooo!" Hmmm, unexpected. So I stuck around for a couple of minutes. At that point Marion had found a baby carriage and, when I said goodbye, she didn't object.

So I left and returned a couple of hours later. When I arrived, Marion was holding hands with another girl, spinning around in the center of the room. I asked the teacher if everything was alright. She laughed, shook her head yes, and said "Ja, super!"

Marion then saw me and came running over to give me a big hug. I picked her up and she wrapped her hands around my neck. The cuddling was nice, it is a rarity these days! She was in a good mood and it was obvious she had had fun.

But it was time to go so she said goodbye to her friends and teacher and ran all the way to the car with our neighbor's child.

The second day was similar to the first, except there was zero arguments from Marion when I said goodbye. I think we found a good fit! Now I can only hope she learns the language. She seems to be dealing with the different language just fine for now. However, she talks so much these days I think she will feel ten times better when she can verbally communicate to the teacher and the other kids in her group. Sooner or later she'll be teaching Brian and I Swiss German!

Movie Night: The Dark Knight

I went out to see The Dark Knight with some of Brian's coworkers on Wednesday night. Brian went out for sushi with a client.

First up was dinner at Papa Joe's. Or, as I soon noticed, the only restaurant I've been to in Zurich with 'American' food. It was a welcome change of pace after having been here for two and a half months. Sometimes familiar food just hits the spot, know what I mean?

Anyway, I had the fajitas. They were yummy. And the rest of the food at our table looked great. I'm definitely going back and soon. The ribs looked so freaking good. I'm surprised Brian hasn't been there yet. I think he would like a good rib and french fry platter.

After dinner we headed over to Corso 1-4. At least that is what I think the movie theater was called. The website says otherwise but I didn't plan the evening so I'm not the person to ask!

The theater was awesome. As always, a different experience than the States. First, when you purchase tickets, you purchase a specific seat. So no need to get their early to save a seat. You already purchased your seat. And you can print out the ticket at home ahead of time. So no waiting in ticket lines.

The seats were leather and pretty comfortable. There is a bar in the lobby so you can purchase a beer, wine, or mixed drink to enjoy during your movie.

Also of note, there was an intermission in the middle of the movie. So, right in the middle of the movie the screen turned red and we had a 15 minute break.

And just when I thought the experience of going to a movie couldn't get more interesting, I went to the bathroom and found the line to the men's room longer than the women's room. I kid you not.

Okay, so to the reason we went. The movie. Great movie, very dark. The voices from the Joker and Batman kind of annoyed me but I got past it quickly. Pay attention at the beginning of the movie- it starts with the story really fast. I recommend it. And I'll be suprised if Heath Ledger doesn't win an Oscar post-humously.

So, a great night out. And thanks to Shannon for planning it!