So long, Farewell

As you can see by the picture above our house is "Te Huur" or in English: For Rent. We're officially moving back to America. It's going to be a crazy summer for us.

People are asking if I'm sad to leave well, I'm more reminiscent than sad. I've grown so much as a person over the past 3 years. I've pushed my self to do things I never thought I'd do. I've survived living in a country where I don't speak the language very well. We've grown as a couple. We've delivered and raised a baby in a foreign country. If that's not a challenge I don't know what is. I've seen more places than I ever dreamed I would see.

I find myself always saying, "In America" or "In my country" but, I bet from now on I will say "Well, In Belgium!" Belgium has left an everlasting mark with me and I will never be the same.

I'm extremely excited to move back to America and have all of the modern conveniences that I haven't had for 3 years. But, not having all of the modern conveniences (dishwasher, car, large washing machine, large dryer, large refrigerator, freezer, large oven, a double kitchen sink, dry cleaners, air conditioning, etc.) has really taught me to appreciate things more. I hope to take all of what I've learned here and keep it up in the U.S. I'm sure it will be hard not to get swept up in the self-indulgent, glutenous ways of American life but, I'm sure going to give it a try.

I'll try not to make it sound like an award speech but here are a few shout-outs.

Shannon, without you my European experience would have been a miserable 3 years. From keeping the slingbox working (my American TV); sending countless care packages; coming out to visit me when I needed a friend or just a vacation; loving Alexis as if she were your own child, calling me everyday. You will never know how much those things mean to me. Your not only my BFF you're the sister I never had.

Mom, thank you for always being there for me. For calling me everyday at 9:15am your time. I looked forward to your calls everyday. Thanks for keeping up with all of our mail that was sent to your house. Thanks for skyping everyday to see me and Alexis.

Dad, thank you for always being there to help us out when we got stuck in a sticky situations. Like the time we accidentally put unleaded fuel in our diesel tank. And all the times I needed voltage information or drill help. I always enjoyed our Sunday morning chats too!

Thanks Mom and Dad for putting us #1 in your life.

Jacke, thanks you for all of the times you came out to see us and travel with us. Thanks to for all the shirts you ironed for me! And calling to check in and keep up with how our week was going.

Shanell, thanks so much for letting us come to see you so often. Just knowing a family member was so close was just like being at home. Thanks for letting us go to the commissary and PX to fuel our American cravings. You never complained when we had two carts piled high with groceries or when we had 20 jumbo packs of diapers in the cart. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

Finally, thank to everyone who ever came out to see us. We really enjoyed showing everyone around and showing them our new life.

Thanks to everyone who ever sent anything to us. Whether it was a card or gift, it was nice to know we were being thought of.

Thanks to all of my blog readers out there who faithfully read each week and kept me in check when I wouldn't post for a few weeks. You are the ones that kept me doing this for 3 years.

_ - _ - _ - _ -

I leave next Friday and will officially be back in Atlanta (Gwinnett specifically). Scott will be back and forth from Europe and Atlanta all summer until we officially get settled in. Only 1 more 10 hour flight with a baby (well, now toddler!) YAY!

I won't be doing the blog when I get back to ATL (it is called Today in Brugge afterall) but, I should have a couple more posts before we leave so keep checking back. Just wanted everyone to have time to grieve over not being able to read the blog anymore. laugh.

Until then....

Hanging out in the city

We had a little photo shoot by the windmills the other day. It's so fun now that Alexis is walking. However, we didn't get too far because she stopped every step to pick the flowers.

It is very crowded in town with all of the tourists so Scott likes using the backpack. This time he wanted me to try it. He bribed me with pizza to wear it out. I'm not a backpack kind of girl so this is the one and only time I'll be sporting the look.

The stroller is more my speed.

FINALLY, someone told me where the one and only baby swing is in Brugge. It was in a park and neither Scott or I had heard of. I love this park. It's a little further out but it's much cleaner and more peaceful than the other parks in town. Alexis loves the swing too. Daddy pushes her much higher than Momma. If you couldn't tell by the different outfits in the pictures below, we go to the park everyday. The weather has been a cool, breezy 70 degrees lately.

Alexis likes putting her hand in the sand. I can't tell you how much better this secluded park is. At the other parks the sand is full of crap. Literally, it can have dog poop in there, cigarette butts, and brace yourself....one time Scott saw a condom. AAGH! I'm so glad we found this one because I started feeling bad for Alexis since I wouldn't let her touch the sand at the other parks. We've only found sand, rocks and sticks in this sand so far!

Tight Left, Wide Right

For my 30th Birthday we drove over to England. We had a great time. I had wanted to see the Windsor Castle before our time we left Europe so that's what I got for my birthday present. We drove over via the English Channel/Euro train. This is the train that you drive your car onto in France and it takes you under the water to England. It takes about 30 minutes to cross. Since they drive on the other side of the road in England Scott and I are always reminding ourselves: Tight left, Wide Right. That's so we don't drive on the wrong side of the road!

Our hotel: The Oakley Court Hotel in Windsor

Alexis walking in the courtyard of the hotel.

The hotel overlooked the Thames river.

The walls of the Windsor Castle.

Walking up to the gates of the castle.

I guess we could have fixed her hat. :)

People always ask what the euro train looks like: We drove into one of the open doors and then sat in our car for 30 minutes.

Sleeping for the last 1/2 of the trip.

Happy 1st Birthday, Alexis!

I can't believe it's been 1 year already. It seems like just yesterday I was holding this tiny baby in my arms and now she's the one holding and cuddling with her stuffed animals. I'm still amazed at how fast she's grown. We've had an absolutely amazing year. I had planned on writing a blog about the day she was born but it ended up being 11 pages and who wants to read 11 pages of a birth story. I've saved it and put it in her baby book. Instead for the blog readers, here are pictures of how the birthday girl spent her day!

Alexis at her birthday breakfast, eating pancakes.

Playing peek-a-boo.

YAY!


Having playtime before our morning nap.

It's party time! Hats and all!

Let's open gifts!

Above is a video. Press play to watch.

What better present can you get than a stuffed animal cow?

Alexis' Birthday Cupcake!

We videoed her eating the cupcake on our other video camera and the battery went dead and we can't find the cord to plug it in. I'll upload it once we find it. It was really cute. She was really neat with it. She licked all of the frosting off and then asked for some water. Then I pulled the cupcake apart and she loved it. I'm sure she was on some sort of sugar high!

Family Photo!

Alexis talking to her Aunt Shannon on the phone!

Waiting on the school kids to come back from lunch. They all said "Happy Birthday" to her since her shirt said "Baby's first birthday". (Don't worry, Scott was within reach in case she fell. We just did it for a cute picture.)

More playtime!

Alexis thanks everyone for the Birthday wishes!

Proof.....

that she's walking (for the grandparents).

Mother's Day

I had a wonderful 1st Mother's Day. Scott and Alexis made my day very special. He made me pancakes and bacon, changed all of the diapers, did all of the dishes (by hand since we don't have a dishwasher), and did anything I asked for in between those.

At the park visiting our friends: the ducks.

Momma and Alexis

By the way, Alexis is walking. She took her first steps on April 29th but this week she's been walking to get things she wants.

Scott has a big week this week (a for years to come): Mother's Day, Alexis' 1st birthday on the 15th and my 30th birthday on the 16th.

Stay tuned for a fun week ahead for the Eichenberger Family!