Run for cover?!?

I was out for a stroll yesterday in Gruneburg Park (nearby) when I smelled that all-too-familiar comforting smell of rain.

The humid breeze passing by.

The summer rain began.

I happened to be around a certain tree-shaded bend in the park when the corner of my eye caught some movement in the distance.

It was the nude sun-bathers.  Standing up (in all their glory) and rushing for cover.  Seriously.  Funny right?  I wondered why?  You're naked!! Haha!!

I couldn't help looking more than my usual quick glance (you know the type, look quick cuz you kinda wanna know how many people are out on any given day - and who are these folks anyway? - and are they really naked? (disbelief)).

Well, from afar, fortunately details are smudged.  But at last, I could tell who these folks are.  And I don't use "folks" lightly.  They are older gentlemen who cluster relatively closely together to catch the rays.  They are all over 50 and are often a bit rotund.  Basically like Toronto's nude island beach.

Some time ago, my Mother-in-law and I were passing around the same tree-shaded bend and she was quite certain that it was the site of small business ventures... Haha!!! Too funny!

Rain

As it rained, we watched.

We could smell the humid breeze as the rain fell harder.
People walked past with determination and umbrellas to the wind.
The roses fluttered brightly and the weeds grew before our very eyes.
How simple and beautiful it was.

We looked at each other and smiled knowingly.

OMGosh.

Last night was terrible. Alexander woke at midnight for 3 hours and didn't sleep more than 1.5 hours until 1:30 Sunday afternoon.

AAAARRRRRGGGGGG!!!

I just fed him some broccoli and see a second tooth almost out. Give me strength!!!

He's using me as a scratching post for his face and his uncontrollable, frantic mouth itch. Poor kid is driving me crazy. Oh, I just realized his dad's beard is good for soothing his frantic need to itch.

Going to go wash my broccoli-drool-face now.

Back in Frankfurt

We've just returned to Frankfurt.

It's been a month and I must admit, coming home feels good.  Although our home smells oddly earthy...  I suppose we were gone long enough for the earth to begin reclaiming our apartment as it's own?

We had a wonderful time visiting with friends and family.  Really wonderful!  My heart has been warmed and I have re-found receding parts of myself.

It's gut wrenching to leave Canada again (as usual) but nicer and nicer to come back to my nest.  It was surprisingly difficult to leave Frankfurt in the first place, but I think it had more to do with my "omg-feelings-of-protecting-offspring... and oh-what-am-I-subjecting-him-to-so-early in life?" concerns... But the plane took off none the less.  We arrived in my home "town" in great shape and with minimal scathing as far as traveling with a baby.

We stayed with my Mom aka Vovó "Goopy", aptly named by Alexander.  We had friends visit us (mostly) due to Alexander's bed-time schedule.  In the middle of our stay, we visited Kingston and Montreal.  We had a great time everywhere we went (and stayed)!

The weather was stinking hot (avg.33...) and we melted.  Not the pounds though!  Alexander took to the new time zone within 3 days while we lagged behind.  He learned to get on his knees and is now on the move (oh dear)!!!  He's become quite the chatter box with words like "Gaa, Geh, Goo..." He also spent many a restless night while cutting his first tooth.  We suspected given all the drool, violent chewing and irritability.  And thus, we just found the wee-cerrated-inscisor (bottom right) last night but are giving full credit to Canada for helping him out over this month.

As we get back into our routine, more stories will come!