I dropped my mom, kids and the luggage off while I went to park. This luggage was stressing me out - I didn't know how the heck I was going to handle it all and then how the heck we were going to put it in our vehicle when Dave picked us up! I had already gotten rid of so much, donated, sold, left even more behind for mom to donate yet I still had 6 checked bags and carry-ons!
Thank goodness we did get to ORD early, while there were not many people at the airport the line to check in was very slow moving. Once we finally got to the counter, handed over our passports, flight info, lease to our apartment, and a photo of Dave's residence permit I was told that we could not board because we had no proof of residency. The Lufthansa agent made a phone call and used his Google Translate to read the paperwork I gave him but finally said that if he were to allow us to go, once we got to Germany they'd put us directly back onto a flight back to the US. WHAT?! I called Dave, I was about to throw up. I had no idea what to do. The agent directed me over to a ticketing agent and said that I could push the trip out to give us time to take care of the necessary arrangements. Oh Lord, I was about to lose it. I was nearly in tears with the other ticketing agent and she walked over to a gentleman who simply told her that I needed a copy of our marriage license and a printed picture of Dave's residence permit - and that was it?! That was all I needed I asked her?! Perhaps the 1st agent could have asked the same gentleman who was walking back and forth in front of the check in counter and have saved me a million gray hairs and an almost panic attack. Good God we were able to board!
We walked Grandma out to the van, had a snack and said our goodbyes. We knew we'd see her soon on FaceTime! During our prior 2 months I purchased a collapsible wagon from Target that the kids and I used everyday on walks since our double stroller and wagon were shipped. I figured the wagon would be of great use to haul the kids and stuff through the airport and I was right, it really was a lifesaver. We got to the gate and the agent let us stand in the early boarding line as we'd be boarding in 20 minutes but asked that I gate check the wagon because it was just a tiny bit too big to fit overhead - I think I could've made it fit but regardless I'd have it in FRA.
The kids were so excited, saying hi to every stewardess and looking for our row. We were in the 2nd row of premium economy on a newer 747 and had the 4 middle seats all to us. There was a lot of room. I immediately took out my Clorox wipes and got to work. Everyone on board was asked to wear masks and for the most part everyone did. The kids did a great job of keeping them on for quite some time. It was about an 8 hour flight and the kids were excited to get food on the plane, have their own TV to watch and sleep - I knew the sleep part was all talk - but I just let them roll with it 😉 I’d hope they sleep but I wasn't going to force it.
It was a good flight, went relatively fast and the kids did wonderful! They both slept, I woke Evie and she was excited. William on the other hand, was a tough cookie to wake up and get off the plane but we made it. Thank God for that wagon - it was at the end of the jet bridge and I can't tell you how many people asked if I needed help or needed to carry anything for me because they could see the struggle with a super tired 3 year old but I made it.
At immigration a nice man from our flight opened up the rope to let me go ahead with the kids (ahead of 5-6 people!) because I was a super-mom he said. That was a nice bit of encouragement! Only a few questioned asked from the German Polizei and we were on our way to baggage!
I retrieved a luggage cart and we were so close to meeting Dave on the other side!
Finally, to see Daddy after two months! It was so great to be reunited 💗
We walked out to the garage and had to play a game of Tetris to get all of the luggage to fit. I stuffed myself in between the kiddos in back and luggage went every place else! We couldn't have fit one more thing in that Volvo! The kids talked the whole 40 minutes to our apartment, they were just so keyed up. We pulled into our underground garage and rode the elevator up to our apartment, it was all such an adventure for Evie and William. Once inside it was a mad dash to their rooms and reunite with all of their belongings after 2.5 months! Since it was all brand new to them, staying in for the next 2 weeks wouldn't be so bad. As tired as we all were, the kids ran at 90% ALL DAY on Friday while I may have dozed on and off 2 or 3 times 😊
Saturday morning both kiddos woke up throwing up, and it was an ALL DAY event. They could not keep anything down. Thank goodness Dave had us all stocked with laundry supplies and food/drinks so that we had nothing to worry about but making sure they were ok.
We decided that their little systems were super messed up from all of the anxiety that had built up for the trip, the lack of sleep and especially the lack of food in their bellies. While they were running like crazy the day before they barely ate a bite! Evie was able to keep food/drinks down by early afternoon but for William it lasted till the evening. They both were considerably better before they went to bed and by Sunday they were back to their normal selves.
Our time in quarantine went just fine. There was plenty to do to get the house organized and the kiddos kept so busy with all of their “new” toys. We are so lucky to have this wonderful terrace to be out on everyday. The kids ride their bikes and scooters and sometimes just run back and forth - there’s about 50’ on two sides (south and west facing) of the house. The other side facing east has a much more narrow walkway.
This is the west facing side - living room, master bed/bath.
The terrace also made for a wonderful home office for the days Dave had to work. This particular day ⬆️ was right after we washed ALL of the huge windows in the apartment - and by we I mean me and my two little helpers.
We enjoy hearing our Saturday night neighborhood concert and Evie loves dancing!
The kids are always finding something creative to do. Evie drew a mermaid on a box so of course William had to pretend 😊
There were a lot of boxes due to A LOT of Amazon orders happening during the 2 weeks. And sometimes same day deliver?! Come on! I have seen the same guy nearly everyday, I’m certain we will be best friends.
Only one night did we order food for delivery, a combination of Greek and German and it was delicious. There is also grocery deliver, which are both so helpful, easy and amazing! To have everything dropped right off the elevator onto our floor! Still getting used to how cool that is. All this technology though is so so so completely different than it was 7-9 years ago when we lived in Alsenborn. The city of Weinheim is probably close to 10x bigger than our quaint little town from before so there is so much more to offer.
On our final night of quarantine we ate some Würsts, potatoes (loving my German air fryer!) and broccoli. I love cooking in our modern kitchen, the kids have been eating pretty good too. Although when I mentioned that it was going to be pretty challenging to find ranch dressing Evie dramatically asked how she was going to live her life without ranch? We ensured her I stocked up to get us through quite a few months 😉
So, tomorrow we can venture out into the world and honestly that means we will walk around for a bit till the kids start to whine or have to go to the bathroom. I’ve already coaxed William by telling him we’ll go to the bakery. Truly, they just want to play on the bouncers that are right behind our building.
Quite frankly if that’s all that makes them happy, that makes me happy. This adventure will be exciting for them no matter what we do and see, we can’t do it ALL this coming weekend as Evie would like but in time we will. I’m just happy and thankful that we’ve had these 2 weeks as a family, we are healthy and Mother Nature has been very cooperative!
Bis zum nächsten mal, tschüss!
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