Author Archives: alex

Settling In With Teo

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We ended up bringing Teo home a day early due to so many new incoming deliveries (it’s true about this Prenzlauerberg baby boom). Happily, Teo was in perfect health and got the full green light to become our ward. We decided to keep the first meeting with Kai until Sunday morning to have everyone at their best disposition. And so far, the two brothers seem to be getting along well — even when they are not sleeping 🙂 Could Chika have asked for a better birthday present (I don’t think so)?

Brothers in Arms
That Face
Teo and Papa
Sweet Dreams

Teo Day 1

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They say the second child is easier, but Teo lived up to his “Gift of God” naming. He was so kind to mama — the delivery was so fast, we were all in awe. And for the first day he slept or nuzzled against Chika. Barely a peep. He still has the intensity of his older brother Kai, but somehow a bit more relaxed. At least that is papa’s wishful thinking. Like with Kai, we were so lucky to have Yukie and Meg with us to be part of the amazing event, and helping to manage all the things.

Here we go
Happy mama to be
Happy Family
German Precision 🙂
The full stats
Teo and Auntie Meg
Teo and Papa
Teo and Grandma Yukie
Teo
Teo
Teo
Looking at love

Kai Reading

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Kai continues to WOW us with his skills.  While Kai has read parts of Brown Bear before, he can just about read the entire book cover to cover.  While he may cheat a bit looking forward for cues about the next animal, mama and papa are both very proud.

P.S. Extra bonus for this post. We finally crossed 100,000 page views and we aren’t even publicly searchable.

Back in the Water

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Kai just had his tubes taken out of his ears finally, so we decided not to waste any time and found a central pool heated to Chika’s specifications at the Therman am Europa Center.  It was more spa/onsen style than a real swimming pool, but a perfect entry to get Kai started on the road to a life at the beach.

Thermen Spa
Thermen Spa
Thermen Spa

 

 

Valentines Day @ Facil

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Every year we try to have a special meal on Valentine’s Day, and there have been some fantastic ones (we were discussing that Gilt was still the most special, maybe because we had just found out that Kai was coming).  This year without much intensive research, we decided to try Facil in the Mandala Hotel.  It is strikingly beautiful design, with fantastic service, and food that was delightful.  It was a great relaxing time to spend alone — a luxury that will become rarer in the days ahead.

The Chocolate Dessert Cake
Sole and Oyster
Trout
Steak
First Taste
Oishi
Amouse Bouche
The Prince in Disguise
Our Morning Surprise