Swimming...

So, Lorelai got changed into her swim suit for the first time and we took her swimming.  The pool was too cold so we opted for the hot tub (DON'T WORRY!  We turned the temp waaaaaaay down to about 90 degrees so it was like bath water).  Anyways, she had a ball with Pop-pop and Uncle Joe in the giant tub!

She liked the bubbles

What a swim!!  What fun!!

All tuckered out. 

Happy Memorial Day!

I know I'm a day late posting this but Happy Memorial Day!  Lorelai was very patriotic all decked out in red, white, and blue.  We had a wonderful day with wonderful weather.  Thanks to all those who serve or have served.



5 Months old!

I'm a few days late in posting these pictures but our baby girl is five months old now!  I was late with the pictures because I forgot to pack her teddy bear (gasp!) and Joe had to mail it to me.  She is getting so big.  She is in 6-9month size clothes already.  I love her personality.  She is such a happy baby and quick to give anyone a smile.  Enjoy!

Addie is still so gentle with little Lorelai.  She's very protective and has been very much on alert since Daddy is still in Germany.  I have a feeling she will relax a little when Joe comes home.  Addie does well at protecting her baby.

Back in the US!

Sorry it's been a while since the last posting.  Things have been hectic with the move and everything.  Lorelai and I flew back to the United States last week and we are visiting family while Joe finishes moving out in Germany.  The animals are also with us so, needless to say, it's been a bit of a circus.  Everyone is getting acclimated to the jet-lag and the new routines.  It's good to be back in the US.  Below are some pictures from here in New Hampshire.  Lorelai is officially 5 months old now.  Those pictures will be along shortly.

Checking out the exer-saucer

Happy baby!  She loves being able to where little dresses now that we are out of the crummy German weather!

A little bit of tummy time.  She is so close to rolling over. 



Entertaining baby on the ferry

We had a long ferry ride from Santorini back to Athens.  We upgraded to business class which was awesome and helped make us more comfortable.  Lorelai was a happy baby the whole time.

Finally to Santorini

We ended our trip on the island of Santorini.  This is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen!  The island is crescent schaped and surrounds a volcano.  The cities are situated on sea cliffs overlooking the water. 

The first day we were there we took a half day boat tour in the caldera of the island.  We went out to explore the volcano

Daddy and Lorelai being silly on the boat

This picture was taken during an hour long hike of the volcano

Lorelai loves the boat ride

This is a picture of Daddy and Lorelai as we are heading back to the island to dock.  You can see the buildings situated on top of the cliff

The next day we spent the morning at one of the many beaches.  This beach is called "Black Beach" appropriately named for the black volcanic sand

It was Lorelai's first day at the beach.  The weather was nice but Joe and I rigged this beach blanket to protect her from the wind and the sun



She was so cute playing with the blanket, tugging on it and swatting at the colors

I've never seen a happier baby.  I love my sweet Lorelai

Still all smiles, hanging with Daddy

I took her out to the water.  It was very cold so we just dipped our feet in.  Lorelai liked to watch the waves

Santorini is said to have the most beautiful sunset in the world.  This picture was taken as the sun was sinking into the Aegean Sea

This picture was taken from our dinner table later that night

Another picture of the amazing views

Love the buildings

This was taken during lunch. 

On to Mykonos

From Athens we took a five hour ferry to Mykonos Island.  This is a beautiful Greek island full of white washed buildings.  BUT IT'S VERY WINDY THERE!  We spent two days on the island.  Enjoy the pictures!

This picture was taken of Lorelai on the ferry going to Mykonos.  She was so happy and smiley.  Little did I know that she was filling her diaper with the biggest blow out of all time!  It was a mess.  It was a good think that I was a well prepared Momma with plenty of wipes and extra clothes. 

As soon as we got to our hotel in Mykonos, the first order of business was giving Lorelai a bath (due to what I mentioned in the above picture).  There are no bath tubs in any of these hotel rooms so a sink will have to do.  Lorelai doesn't seem to mind though.  We made do.

This picture shows our Mykonos hotel.  The pool was beautiful. 

Some of the hotels we went to provided us with play-pens for Lorelai to sleep in.  Others did not.  So we slept as one big family in the bed.  It was nice waking up to this sweet face every morning!  It made late night feedings easier for me but hopefully she didn't get too spoiled sleeping wtih Mommy and Daddy. 

Daddy and Lorelai enjoying the water.  It's so pretty!  The water is amazingly clear.  Probably the clearest water I've ever seen.

This is an area of Mykonos called "little Venice" because all the restaurants are right on the water.  This is where we ate lunch one of the days we were there. 

The view from our lunch table

Great food!  steamed mussles for me, and grilled calamari for Joe.  Also, freshly made pita bread, hummus and feta cheese.

Mykonos town is a maze of small streets like this one.  It's easy to get lost!  Beautiful buildings and tons of shopping.

A family picture!

Mommy and Lorelai

Lorelai is one happy baby.  She didn't like the wind so much but we kept her bundled up  and she was good.

Mommy and Lorelai by the pool.  Enjoying the sun!  We don't get much of this in Germany.

There were many stray cats and dogs all around Greece.  This one visited us at our breakfast table. 

The start of our Greece Vacation... Athens

We have taken our very first vacation as a new family!  I thought it would be challenging with the baby, but with a little planning it worked out so well.  Lorelai was a perfect angel!!!!  The Greeks loved her.  They are very family oriented and everyone made such a big deal about her.  Her smiles were a big hit.  We began our Greece trip with two days in Athens.  Enjoy the pictures!

This picture was taken as we were getting ready for our tour of Athens to begin.  Doesn't Lorelai look excited?  Traveling really pooped her out. 

Our first stop on our Athens tour was this stadium.  It holds 50,000 people!  It was the first Olympic stadium.

Daddy and Lorelai in front of the stadium

We are getting ready to enter the Acropolis.  Look at the view of Athens. 

Mommy and Lorelai in front of the Parthenon

This pedestrian path was a five minute walk from our hotel.  It was beautiful with the view of the Acropolis in the background

Mommy and Lorelai having a little fun

We bought this bracelet for Lorelai.  It's a little big but she'll grow into it and it's adjustable.  The beads are significant to the Greek culture.  They represent "the eye" which is supposed to protect you from evil and give you good luck.  A lot of Greeks put these symbols on their babies for protection.