Hi!

Well things are coming along now for the arrival of baby de groot in say 7-10 weeks. Ramon's parents brought us a beautiful baby cot (wieg in dutch, not sure what its called in english) that was built by Ray's great uncle and little de groot will be the 3rd generation of De Groot's to sleep in it. See the picture of it all decked out with his super cool puppy bumper! This bed is supposedly good for the first few months and then we will move him into his new posh crib...which we just ordered and won't be ready until 2 weeks before the lil' man is expecting to make his big appearance! I hope it gets here in time so we can properly decorate the nursery. Anyhow its now starting to feel real - I just thought I was getting fat for a while there! We are getting rather excited/ nervous!

I am also attaching a photo of our balcony - well 1/4 of our balcony (its mammoth!). The pic was taken today since the sun was shining and it was around 50 degrees! It was beautiful!...

27.5 Week Check up - The Swiss Way

So I just went to the hospital for my 27 week checkup with the OB. They are implementing a new pregnancy wellness program at the hospital - along with my monthly checkups by the OB, they also encourage a consultation with a nutritionist who has set up a whole eating program and free exercise program with weekly classes for us big-bellied ladies! It was nice to feel like they care about me a bit!

So the doctor checked me out again and confirmed - I have a big belly! Baby is still breech - likes to kick a lot though, but has a strong heart beat which is great. Then she told me I was gaining a lot of weight (they dont sugar coat things here!) - I thought I was doing ok. At least by American standards I am right on target! I have gained 7.5kg (or around 16.5 lbs) gaining about a pound a week. If I stay at this rate I should gain in the 25-35 range...But apparently they want me to gain 20-25 lbs here so I have to stop eating this delicious Swiss chocolate that I have come to love:( Its ok though, this is a lotta weight for a little woman and its all in my belly :) I might fall over soon!

Now I just have to figure out how to get my insurance company to pay my medical bills - every time I call I can't get through to an english speaking customer service person. Its been entertaining!

Till the next posting!

Just for entertainment...

Today I was informed that some of Ray's ex-colleagues think that I am a MILF. I had to look it up - not sure if I should be complemented or disturbed:)

27 weeks!

Hi!~
I am slowly getting more active on this blog thankfully! The baby is now 27 weeks - just about 7 months so things are going by quickly! We still don't have a nursery or anything else, but I have been collecting clothes and random stuff that apparently we will need. Ramon's parents are coming to Zurich this Sunday to visit and go baby shopping with me - Despite the small language barrier, Ramon's mom will be incredibly helpful as she had 2 kids of her own and 2 grandchildren so she knows her stuff! I am excited for their visit!

We have been busy meeting people and making friends - Its not so hard here as there are lots of expats and young families like us, thankfully.

I have attached a prego picture of me at 26.5 weeks - (not to be posted on Facebook!), but thought y'all might be entertained. The baby is quite active and kicks a lot-particularly when Ramon speaks to him which is kinda funny! My belly is huge, but gaining weight as to be expected. It is all in my belly which makes me look like I might fall over soon! haha

Trying to read some books on what to expect after I realized this week that I have NO idea what to expect...not sure these books are helpful though as they just kinda freak you out! Oh well I will figure it out and the support they have for new mothers over here is incredible so I am not worried.

Off to the grocery store by foot with my canvas bag - only in europe - I love it!

Till the next post!

18 Week reunion - Becky & Sheela Zurich

I am a little behind on updating photos, but wanted to include this one from early Dec 2009. Becky Day Merrill and I were both in Zurich for a chance meeting - she had an interview and we were apartment hunting. Our little men met in person for the first time when they were just 17/18 weeks conceived!

We are in the Mountains

We have safely arrived in Zurich and its going really well so far! We still have no furniture or household goods as the movers arrive this upcoming friday. We are reliving our college days of eating ramen noodles, oven baked pizzas (no totino's here unfortunately) and toasting sandwiches in the oven on tin foil. I have no idea how I survived like this for 4 years at Emory!

Our apartment has spectacular views of Lake Zurich, the mountains and the city of Zurich...not to mention our back yard is the Zurichberg forest where I take the dogs hiking every day. Its nice to get back to nature after spending almost 13 years in major polluted cities!

Some random facts about Switzerland and Zurich:

-Switzerland is the smallest country I have EVER lived in - 7.5 million people!
-Zurich is a town of 300k people
-They really do have the best cheese and meat fondue, AND chocolate anywhere!
-Everything here is so organized that I am in heaven - though some of the organization is a bit -strange!

Some random funny things about Zurich:

1.) They charge you a garbage tax via your garbage bag. I had to buy a special garbage bag costing 1chf each or $0.75 to put my trash out. They have trash police that will fine you if you don't use the bag! We still haven't figured out what to do with the pup poop bags! haha

2.) The chicken sold in supermarkets here comes from Switzerland and Germany. The German chicken is 50% less in price than the Swiss.

3.) According to our lease, we are only allowed to vacuum from 8:30-noon and 3-8pm Mon -Saturday. No sundays, no holidays! And forget about taking a bath after 10pm at night...it is too disturbing to the neighbors!

4.) I can finally get a drivers license here without being treated like I am from Zimbabwe! Finally a country that recognizes that America can be "civilized", when it wants to be that is...

Well hope you enjoyed these antics! More to come in the weeks ahead!

Its a boy!

We are delighted to share that we will be having a boy in May! It was a bit of a shocker for Ray and I, but we are delighted. The 20 week scan showed that he has all the right parts, with longish legs (which he gets from Ray of course) and big feet! I have been feeling him kick since 15 weeks and Ray just started feeling him from the outside at 22 weeks - this is very early for first pregnancies so we think we have a smarty pants on our hands!