Malcolm at 1 month

Malcolm is one month old already. He sure does grow fast. Two weeks ago he was 9.5 lbs and 21 inches long so he must be over 10 lbs now and longer still. He is a much quieter child than his sister and definitely enjoys alone time in his crib. He doesn't require me to nurse him to sleep. In fact, he prefers to fall asleep with a pacifier either being held or just alone in his crib. It is quite strange for me because Inga would only fall asleep nursing. He is already really good at holding his head up as well and likes tummy time. He enjoys challenges.

Malcolm with the size comparison bunny

I had to do a size comparison stuffed animal for Malcolm just like I did with Inga. The bunny was a gift from a co-worker and has his name and birth date embroidered on the bunny's ears. It is very cute.

His usual look

Occasionally he chews his fist

Smiling for Mama

Picture taken by big sister

Inga helped with the photo shoot. She even took a few good pictures. She really loves to use my camera. Digital cameras mean even toddlers get to take pictures. Lucky girl. (I'm already doing the "When I was your age…").

Hocking Hills Hiking

A mère six days after Malcolm was born, we went hiking in Hocking Hills. My parents and brother were all visiting to the new baby and wanted something to do outside the house. Hocking Hills is only about one hour from our house and the best state park in Ohio. My parents actually met while attending Ohio University, in Athens, for graduate school, but had never visited Hocking Hills because they didn't own cars. We took the opportunity to show them a great part of Ohio forest. 

I was also feeling really great at this point, which was so different from Inga's birth. We had barely gotten home from the hospital at this point with Inga. I am so glad I did a VBAC in Columbus.

We drove down to Ash Cave and had a picnic lunch then walked the flat trail to the cave. Even though it has been a wet summer, Ash Cave was quite dry and there really wasn't a waterfall. It is still an impressive cave, but not as interesting without the waterfall.

Daddy carrying Malcolm because it was still too much for Mommy to wear the baby carrier.

Inga with her Uncle Morgan

The family at a very dry Ash Cave

After walking at Ash Cave, Inga wanted to do more hiking. We drove over to the Rock House, which I'd never been to before. My parents didn't walk down into the gorge, but the younger folk walked down to the Rock House although not all the way to the bottom of the gorge. It was a very interesting rock formation. I took Inga inside the cave and she was talking about how birds might live in the cave. At that point, a couple pigeons flew in and right over our heads. This totally freaked Inga out and we had to leave the cave immediately. It was pretty funny.

Our good little hiker charmed all the grandmas on the trail

At the Rock House after a nursing break

We don't think much of taking a newborn out on weekend excursions so close to home. However, we met a couple people who were surprised we were taking our newborn on vacation so soon. When we asked where they were from, they said Cincinnati. Umm…Hocking Hills is way too close to count as vacation for us.

Malcolm Edward

It's a boy!! Malcolm Edward finally arrived (9 days late) on July 10, 2014 at 10:14pm after way too many hours of labor. (I will be able to guilt both my children will long labor stories!) Anyway, we are all very happy he has arrived. Inga is really happy being a big sister and having Mommy home all the time. Here are some pictures.

Proud Papa with baby Malcolm

My wonderful birth team (L to R): doula Megan, midwife Pat, and almost midwife Ebonee (1 birth and a couple big tests away from her certification)

Clean, fed, and much happier with the world

Daddy and his two kiddos

Grandma Lindstrom and her two grandkids

Very proud big sister

Guess who?

Guess who?

Malcolm looks a lot like his big sister did when she was a newborn. They are very different people, but definitely look a lot alike. They both have the Wiley chin, the Lindstrom nose, and beautiful baby blues. 

The Stats:

8 lbs 6.6 oz 

20.8 inches long

Old Man's Cave Hiking

It was a beautiful spring day after the rain cleared in the morning. Rather than listen to Inga whine while Sam and I tried to get some yard work done, I figured we could see some of the interesting parts of Ohio. We drove down to Hocking Hills State Park and walked around Old Man's Cave. We had been camping here last year with friends, but missed seeing Old Man's Cave because of rain. There were plenty of people there hiking especially college students and people with dogs. The dogs frightened Inga quite a bit although they were all friendly and well behaved. I also learned the new hiking uniform, at least in Ohio, is black, capri yoga leggings, a quarter zip workout sweater in a bright color, and cheap aviator sunglasses. Nearly every college girl was wearing this outfit. I am definitely old and behind the times. Inga walked the better part of a mile that included lots of stairs. At bedtime, Inga asked to go hiking tomorrow. Music to my ears.

  

Sam and Inga in front of the Sphinx rock face.

Lower falls

Family picture

Long tunnel where we found an Inga monster.

Ready for some lunch and a nap.

Christmas 2013

Christmas at Grandma Wiley's before we left for California

My Christmas post is a little overdue, but I can blame it on the new baby leaving me very, very tired in the evening coupled with Inga turning into a night owl. We went to see my parents for Christmas, which meant warm, sunny days. Inga had a great time visiting different playgrounds. She also rode a choo-choo train and visited San Francisco. 

Go slide! Playground #1 for the day.

She was very proud to have climbed up by herself.

Asleep at playground #2 while Mommy and Daddy ate our picnic lunch.

Riding the Christmas train through Niles Canyon.

She LOVED the sea lions at Pier 39.

Posing with the big Christmas tree at Pier 39

She fell asleep on the cable car ride to Union Square.

The big Christmas tree at Union Square.

Christmas Eve picture with her stocking

Christmas morning excitement

Helping Grandma Lindstrom make breakfast

The California coast near Pescadero

Sam and I left Inga overnight with my parents so we could go down to Monterey. We drove down highway 1 and stopped at several beaches that looked interesting. We found some great tide pools near Pescadero. We were able to visit with the Crains, who recently moved to the Monterey area, and then do some Wiley's Finest work visiting some retailers in the area. It was pretty awesome seeing our products on the shelf at stores all the way out in California.

The Travels of Fox and Ornery

Fox and Ornery are Inga's best friends and members of the family at this point. They go everywhere with us. Now, they are world travelers. 

On their first international flight

Resting on the train after a long flight

Posing with the Freddie Mercury statue in Montreux

Riding the gondola in Haute-Nendaz

Enjoying a beer

Riding the GoldenPass

At Trummelbachfalle

Taking a break on the hike down the Schilthorn

Another lunch beer while enjoying views of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau

International Travel with a Toddler

What I learned from traveling to Switzerland with my 2 year old:

For the long flights/train rides:

1. Child sized head phones + iPod: Load that iPod up with favorite TV shows, songs, and pictures of family. This was the most valuable toy during the trip.
2. Magna-doodle: Inga loves to draw, but crayons get lost too easily.
3. New books: New books are more interesting to read over and over again.

For carrying stuff:

1. Child sized backpack: Inga has a Northface backpack so she could carry her own toys. Yes, I ended up carrying this more often than Inga, but it was better than her rummaging through my purse for Mickey.
2. Ergobaby Carrier: This is the only carrier you need. There is no metal frame so it can be packed in a suitcase or backpack. It is also super comfortable. I never fly without it.
3. Rolling suitcases: These are easiest to take through the airport/train station when you have a child on your back. Just don't take too many. We brought 3 suitcases and only needed 2.

For going potty:

1. Bring your cheap US diapers. Disposable diapers in Switzerland are expensive. We packed all the diapers we needed for the trip. Best part is you free up more suitcase room for souvenirs as the trip progresses!
2. Public restrooms do not have changing tables, not even women's restrooms. The only place I saw changing tables were the berghauses. 

For eating:

1. Bring some favorite snacks from home for those difficult days. I brought Nutragrain bars for Inga (aka Jammies) because they are her go-to snack food. I never did find something similar so I am glad I had an emergency stash.
2. Go to the grocery store. Buy snacks and PB&J fixings. Switzerland doesn't have the explosion of fast casual restaurants the US does and restaurants are expensive anyway. Buy yourself sandwich fixings, too, because the restaurants are expensive. 

I highly recommend picking a home base and renting an apartment. In Meurren, we had separate rooms so we didn't have to go to bed at 8pm. There was also a kitchen for making meals, which is a money saver and more relaxing. 

Finally, adjust your expectations to a slower pace. You will not go as many places or see as many museums. We did, however, talk to way more Swiss than I expected because we visited playgrounds and talked to other parents just like you do at a US playground. Inga helped us have more of those cultural experiences that many international travelers are looking for (well, at least I am looking for).

Stopping to observe the rushing water. She sees the wonder in things I have learned to ignore.

As my father-in-law says, "If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right."