Collin's Birthday Party

Last weekend we celebrated Collin's first birthday in Germany. We had a brunch birthday party at Shooter's Bar and Grill. They have the best hamburger's we have eaten in Germany. However, after we had planned the party we found out they do not serve lunch on Saturday until 1pm. So everyone ordered breakfast food. Their American style breakfast is one of the best in our area so it turned out well. It was nice getting together with friends and celebrating Collin's special day. Here are a few pictures from Collin's party.

I made my first cookie cake for Collin's party as well as cupcakes.

White Winter and Darmstadt

We woke up Saturday morning to a white Valentine's Day. The snow was beautiful. It continued to snow through Monday. Many people in our area have said this is one of the whitest winters they have seen in this part of Germany in a long time. Being from Texas snow that sticks to the ground is new to us unless we are vacationing in the mountains during winter. We have enjoyed driving around watching the snow fall. Collin has also done an excellent job shoveling snow from our driveway which I think is something he used to only dream of doing - being that he grew up in the desert where it rarely even rains.

We had a wonderful weekend. Monday was President's Day so we took a day trip to Darmstadt and ate at the old Ratskeller (Town Hall Cellar). We decided to celebrate Valentine's Day on this day rather than Saturday. The restaurant was recommended in one of our Germany Day Trip books. It was about a 45 minute drive and we drove through snow the whole way. After driving about 20 minutes I asked Collin if we should turn around. That's the Texan in me questioning if it's safe to be on the autobahn during a snow storm. If the weather was like it was Monday in Texas most schools and businesses would be closed for a snow day and only the brave would be on the roads. Snow days are rare in Germany, I heard the trucks out at 6am Monday morning shoveling the snow from our street. When the sun is out the snow melts a little bit but Monday the snow was not out and the temperature stayed below freezing. I was afraid that it would continue snowing the whole time we were gone and we would be stuck in Darmstadt or on the side of the road. We talked about turning around but decided to continue with our plans. We thought with as many cars on the road it would keep the snow on the autobahn from sticking. After lunch we walked in part of the castle in town which is now a college. It was too cold to stay outside very long so after a little exploring we decided to head home. We took a few pictures and would like to dedicate them to our friends in Texas. May you see snow this year even if you have to drive out of State to see it.

Our house Saturday morning

Picture taken from our balcony

Picture of our street

Ratskeller Restaurant in Darmstadt

Traditional German meal

Castle in Darmstadt

Collin standing in front of King Philipp's statute, a previous king in Darmstadt - yes his name ends in two p's.

An old clock near the castle.

Big Surprise!

I went to my fifth doctor's appointment tonight and had my first 4-D ultrasound. We found out to our surprise that we are having a boy. It was very obvious tonight! Here is a picture we took of the 4-D ultrasound video.

The baby seems to be covering his ears. I wonder if the ultrasound is really loud. Poor baby!

This was taken a few weeks ago. Since the picture was taken I have only gained about more 2 lbs. However, I'll try to post some new pictures soon since a woman's body changes so much during pregnancy.

I am now 20 weeks pregnant and the horrible risks if I caught rubella have almost ceased - although I have been advised to still be careful because I am not immune. I am fully showing that I'm pregnant now. We went to a Chinese restaurant after church last Sunday and the owner made several comments about me being pregnant. He also did not bring me a shot of liquor after our meal which I was very happy about. I don't like the shots anyway. He said I could not have any because I was pregnant. Which by the way, many restaurants in Germany give out a free shot of liquor after a meal. it supposedly helps with the digestion of the food. I don't know if that is true or not but I was glad he was able to see that I was pregnant and not overweight.

I am still a little surprised to find out we are having a boy especially since last month the doctor told us she thought we were having a girl. However, in December she thought we might be having a boy. The main thing we are praying for is a strong and healthy baby. And now, just when we had almost narrowed down on a few girl names we discover we are having a boy and have to start all over. We are both very excited. =)

Six-Month Milestone

We have now lived in Germany for six months. That is the magic number people tell you to wait for when you move over here because it takes about that long to get "settled" in and adjusted. While we still at times feel like American tourists we are now finally starting to feel like we really live here.

Here is a list of some of the differences we have experienced during the past six months in our area of Germany compared to where we lived in America:

- Germans rarely smile and no one will go out of their way to greet you. They do not have Walmarts or Targets and nobody stands and greets you at the door at department stores.
- Employees at department stores do not offer you help, if you need help finding something you must find someone to help you.
- Many German stores seem overpriced maybe because we are paid in USD not EUR. I have found that if you want a good price, sometimes it is better to shop online.
- You seat yourself when you go out to eat and on busy nights you need to make reservations or you will not get a table.
- Restaurants do not have waiting lists. Once the table is full they are done seating people.
- Water is not free at restaurants, not even tap water.
- You have to ask for water with out gas if you don't want carbonated water. If you just ask for "wasser" you will get bubbly water.
- Sunday is still considered a Holy day and a day of rest in Germany, therefore all of the stores are closed and only a few restaurants are open.

- On German holidays many stores are closed.
- German ovens cook from the top and bottom and are generally smaller than American ovens. Only my smallest cookie sheet fits in my oven out of the pack of three.
- The typical German refrigerator is much smaller than the average American one.
- Many Germans shop daily or almost daily for their food.
- Our German dishwasher takes 2 hours to wash a load of dishes and is pretty small. We tend to run it every other day.
- Our dryer takes 2.5-3 hours to dry a load of clothes.
- In just 5 minutes from our house we can walk to a meat market, 3 different bakeries, produce shop, and several restaurants and shops. That may just be different from where we lived, I know in some areas of the States people can walk to stores.
- By law you must walk your dog every day or you can be fined.
- Dogs are allowed in restaurants, grocery stores, and pretty much any place a human can go.
- Health codes are not as high as they are in America. For example the people who work in the bakeries do not wear gloves when they handle food and money but rather use their bare hands to give you a pastry and without washing exchange money with you.
- Some hospital facilities do not change gloves between patients.
- There is a speed limit on parts of the autobahn.
- Bikes are very popular modes of transportation.
- Many older Germans seem very healthy. In fact it is not uncommon to see a person who is in their 70s or 80s riding a bike or walking down the street.
- We have seen people riding their bikes and drinking beer on busy streets as well as people drinking and driving (I know drinking and driving is against the law but am not certain if drinking and riding a bike is).
- The drinking age in Germany is 16, in the U.S. it is 21.
- The driving age in Germany is 18, in the U.S. it is 16.
- Milk is served warm.

- If you are not sure what to order do not just ask for something popular because you may be served raw meat - we were served a salad with raw beef in it.
- Rarely do you get ice in your drinks and if you do get ice it is usually just one or two ice cubes.
- Germans have more vacation days than most people in the world and I think they are healthier for it.
- Many German employers give their employees unlimited sick days - I don't know the laws about this but have heard stories and think it may be the law.
- Many German swimming pools have nude days.
- Unfortunately, smoking is still popular here.
- People live in small, tiny spaces.
- Air conditioning is uncommon.
- Homes and apartments typically do not have closets, light fixtures, and the kitchens are usually unfurnished.
- Many Germans are good at following laws.
- Germany still is more of a cash only society. There are many places where you cannot use a credit card but only cash or a German debit card, this includes many gas stations.
- They do not have pay at the pump gas stations.
- Many car washes make you wait outside while your car is shut behind a garage door type thing.
- It is illegal to wash your car in your driveway.
- Germans seem to favor pork as their meat of choice.
- The streets are really skinny, I think many of them were built during the horse and buggy era.
- Pregnant women get ultrasounds at every doctor's visit (a big plus in my opinion and I do not know why they do not do this in the States).
- Germans receive a lot of time off when they have a baby and both parents receive this.
- German spas are sometimes considered a place to go for medical treatment. Wouldn't it be nice if your doctor prescribed a massage for you?

- Germany has a nasty rodent called a Marten that will eat the engine of your car if you are not careful.

I know there are some more differences but those are just some of the ones that have stood out to us the most. It has taken some time to get adjusted to this new life but we are learning and growing a lot.