Our German Midwife, Karin

So living in Germany has its challenges.  We have learned a lot and grown as parents.  Once I found out we were pregnant, I was terrified.  Especially about having a baby, but in a foreign land.  One of the first things I was told, was that a midwife will deliver your baby.  I was like "a who?".  I mean I had heard the term before, but didn't really know their role.  Well, let me just tell you, I LOVE MIDWIVES!  Instead of your regular nurses, Germany has midwives.  They take you through the entire labor and delivery, plus help you with prenatal and postnatal care.
I became especially close with my Lamaze midwife, Karin.  She came to the house for 2 weeks after Eli was born.  She listened and observed.  She was a true lifesaver.  I can call and ask her anything at anytime. She taught me so much....thought I would share some of her best practices.
1.  Johannsubeer nektar - for low iron during pregnancy
2.  Sab Simplex - gets rid of bubbles in formula
3.  Quark - soothe breasts after breast feeding
4.  Baby massage and gymnastics
5.  Massage oil for your lower back during contractions
6.  Still tea - Add to formula in order to soothe babies tummy

Life as we know it......

Eli turned 5 weeks old today.  He has changed to much!  He is eating every 2 to 2.5 hours.  Needless to say, he is quite the little chunk.  Jonathan and I are trying to find a routine that works for Eli and both of us.  

 

Eli has had colic.  Any of you mothers out there that have experienced this.....WOW!!  It has been one of the most challenging things I have ever dealt with.  I have been online everyday reading about colic and ways to help soothe your child.  We should be on the up-and-up because colic peaks at 6 weeks.  We are getting close.

A friend from the states sent us the book "What to expect the First Year" (thanks, Dede).  It is from the series "What to expect when you are expecting".  I highly recommend it!  It has pretty much anything and everything you need to know about your baby.

We have had 2 really good days and nights, so I am hopeful that Eli is past the colic stage.  We will keep our fingers crossed.  

On a sad note, Eli's great-grandfather isn't doing well.  He is in stage 4 cancer.  Eli is actually named after him.....Elijah Walker Griesse.  His great-grandfather's name is Eulis Grant Walker.  I hope and pray that they will get to meet in person when we travel back to the states in September.  We love you great-grandpa Walker!!!

Elijah - 1 month old

Our hopes of being parents came true on May 21, 2011.  Weighing in at 9lbs 1oz, our baby Elijah Walker Griesse was born at Helios Klinik in Mullheim, Germany.  Four years ago, when Jonathan and I married.  We knew that we wanted to have children.  After trying for a couple of years, we did get pregnant, but it ended in a devastating miscarriage.  The doctor in Arkansas, actually classified us as "non-fertile".  Jonathan and I knew that only God could make that decision.  Thankfully, God did know and showed us his way.

Our plans to become missionaries and move to Germany were still in full action.  We arrived here in August 2010 and shortly after our arrival, to our surprise, we were pregnant.  What a great experience it has been.  Our Black Forest Academy community has been outstanding.  The doctor's and midwives were wonderful.  Our friends and family in the states have sent numerous packages.  We are just overwhelmed with the generosity!

On June 6th, Eli's Pawpaw and Lala Walker came to visit.......AND Aunt Emmy.  He was showered with many kisses and hugs.  Jonathan and I barely got to hold him during their 10 day visit.  While they were here we visited Triberg, Heidelberg, Lorrach, Freiberg Germany along with Basel, Switzerland and Riquewiher, France.  So our little one month old is a world traveler already!!

Currently, Jonathan's doing summer work at Black Forest Academy.  Next school year he will be the BFA Videographer and I will work part time in the Personnel Office.  We love working here and being a part of the Missionary Kids lives.