'cotland!

Olivia&me
Originally uploaded by danishsprite.

I made it. . . all the way to Edinburgh and back again. It's strange how easy it is to get used to traveling with another person, and then stranger how odd it feels to travel alone. But all went well, and I arrived in the West End, just short of Princess Street, just on time last Thursday.

Edinburgh is a beautiful town, and very different from any other I'd seen over here. Olivia and her parents live just under the castle in the center of town, and it's a great location. In a few ways, Olivia has changed. Thanks to time at daycare, she now plays more like a kid, which is great. She's also picked up a few new habits from her teachers, one of which is to ask anyone who has an idea to raise their hand.

Thursday I was introduced o Princess Street (the main shopping street) when we went to get dinner, and later Olivia and I did some arts and crafts. Friday we left her dad home to work, and the gals all went to the National Museum for the morning, and Olivia and I hung out for the afternoon. (She requested more arts and crafts.) Saturday we all explored the Royal Mile in the Old Town.

Olivia and her mom returned to Helsinki Sunday morning. Her dad and I explored the waterfront, and I read for the afternoon. Monday I was off and traveling again. I left the apartment at 11am, and returned to Aarhus about 11 pm. It was a long day.

I'm really glad I made the trip. It was great to see Olivia again, as well as her parents. We're all hoping to eventually meet up in the States. I've got my fingers crossed.

Swinging and hiking.

Nice day in the backyard 05 (sm)
Originally uploaded by mgenovese.

I finally downloaded the pics off the camera this morning. These are from April and May. Enjoy!

Snyder Baby, 12 weeks, 4 days

Sonogram4-adj
Originally uploaded by danishsprite.

We had our first sonogram this morning. I opted for what is called "double testing" here in Denmark, which means I get a scan at 12 weeks (plus a blood test) and another around 20. I was unsure at the time I decided for the extra tests, but I'm very glad I did it now. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have any doctor's visit until mid-July, let alone a sonogram. I feel better having a bit of reassurment.

It was way cool, but you Hunnies probably knew that already! I was amazed at how active the baby was. He or she was bouncing around like crazy. I can't believe I don't feel that, but the technician said that when you do finally feel the baby kicking, they're really letting you have it . . . these little kicks from such tiny feet don't register. The good news is, so far, so good. Everything looks fine. The baby is 2.75 inches. They've moved my due date to November 27.

Twins

Hey dave and sabrina, how are the twins feeling? Sabrina how is/was the visit with your mom. Sorry my mind re-left me when emily was born I can't remember when she was coming. I hope everyone is well. We're still trying to get rid of a nasty yeast infection emily has. Apparently when a little one is on a amoxicillion or any other antibiotic it can lower their resistance to other infections while helping clear up one. So after she was done taking meds for her ear infection she arrived with a yeast infection. Going to take her to the dr. again tomorrow to see if we can get things cleared up. Poor thing. Oh, I was told it can happen to boys too. So if they have a diaper rash that just won't go away take them in it might be something else. Oh hey, here is something really gross for you girls. Did you know that a yeast infection is a FUNGUS? Pretty gross when you think of it like that huh? Sorry guys maybe too much information?

Those crazy Danes

You may or may not remember that two years ago I went to the boat relay at the University. It's a student function in which memebers fo several teams from different departments drink beers, spin in a circle, and navigate a homemade raft across the University pond and back. Then the next team member drinks, spins, and (more often than not) practically swims across the pond. To add to the excitement, scuba divers lurk in the depths to pull under drunk students. Teams seem to get points for most ridiculous entrance (one team had an camel two years ago, another arrived on motorcycles) and costumes. The whole University comes out to watch, cheer, and drink. For some reason, the ducks leave the pond for the afternoon.

Last year I missed the function, but I may make it today. I still have some shopping to do, but I think I'll be ready for a rest about 2, when the races begin. John will be locked in the basement lab slaving away, but the rest of the lab will be there. I'll try to put in an appearance.

I was just finishing my breakfast, and planning out my day (I have just enough room in the fridge for the rest of the party food, I think), when I heard shouting coming from the parking lot below. The day care center across the street allows their charges to play in our parking lot, and at first I thought it was the kids again. But I quickly realized that the shouting was coming from University-sized people.

Sure enough, one of the relay teams was practicing below. The girls were dressed up in Playboy bunny costumes and nurse outfits. The guys were in jeans, white dress shirts and ties. They were actually practicing, at 9am, with beers, spinning in circles and running across out parking lot. The gals were timing them. While I watched the guys pounded three beers. On the last run, one ran into a parked car.

Ahhhhh, University life. Brings back memories. At least it's not co-ed naked drunk relay raft racing.

I have to wonder, does, um, "practicing" this way really help performance later? I'll see how they're doing later today.

Going to 'cotland

I received a call Friday from Olivia. She wanted to know when I'm coming to 'cotland. Sounds like those illusive s's are still missing from her speach. I haven't been sure whether or not I should make the trip. Part of me thinks I should let the kid get on with her life, while another part of me reminds myself that we spent more time together than she did with her parents for almost a year.

In the end, I decided to go. I had already told her I would try my best. After I move back to the States I'm probably not going to see her again, and on the odd chance I do, it will probably be years from now. With a little encouragement from John I bit the bullet and booked the tickets. I leave May 25th from Copenhagen and fly straight to Edinbourgh, and return on the 29th. Even if I only get a tour of the playground of Edinbourgh, it should be fun.