Okay, it’s not really the first encounter. But at least the first I have on video. Spontaneously recorded, with the iPhone. Because I found it cute. So please do not complain about the quality, the content is what counts :-)
25th November 2009, 0:55 am: our son Malte Lennart enters this world. For the stats: 3300g and 49cm. The birth itself ran smoothly, just as written in the books. Still, it was a miracle! Mam and Malte are just fine, and Dad, too. Nadja was pampered by Grandma and Grandpa and could not wait to see Malte next morning. But enough said, let the pictures talk!
We love the autumn. Especially the “Indian Summer” when the trees are turning yellow and red. Only at our Hazienda this is no fun: the foliage is covering the lawn and has to be removed – or the green is gone next year. Especially as we have many oaks. Those leaves do not rotten so easily… so, move everybody, for a “subbotnik” on the “datcha“!
The destination for our summer vacation 2009 was Lajatico in Tuscany, Italy. We have been there two times before, and also the third time we liked it very much! It was great for us three to relax, spent time together and forget about time, work and other daily duties. During the weekends we were four as Christianes sister Ulrike visited us. She is currently living in Florence and was happy to see her nice again. As everybody knows the “typical” pictures of beautiful Tuscany, we selected only a few personal ones. Enjoy!
01_Am Pool
Wir baden im Pool des Anwesens

02_Auf der Rutsche
Nadja erobert die Rutsche

03_Oben
Ganz allein hochgeklettert

04_Gleich geht es los
Los geht\'s mit Gebrüll

05_Runter
Runter und wieder hoch, immer wieder ;-)

06_Das Ferienobjekt Casa Dera
Das ehemalige Landgut Casa D\'Era in Lajatico, umgebaut zu wunderschönen Ferienwohnungen

07_Casa Dera Lajatico
Mit Pool und schönen Sitzgruppen drum herum.

08_Casa Dera - der Ausblick
Wunderschöner Ausblick vom Hügel in die Umgebung

09_Casa Dera - der Ausblick
Typische toskanische Landschaft

10_Im Olivenhain
Nani und Nadja beim Spazieren.

11_Im Olivenhain
Im Olivenhain gleich nebenan vom Ferienhaus.

12_Im Olivenhain
Sieht fast aus wie Paparazzi-Fotos, oder?

15_Sonnenbrille
Italien? Nicht ohne Sonnenbrille!

16_Sonnenbrille
So, sitzt. Jetzt kann es los gehen. Wohin auch immer ...

20_Ausflug mit Tante Rike
Spazieren in Lajatico mit Tante Ulrike.

21_Ausflug mit Tante Rike
Sind die beiden nicht ein hübsches Paar?

22_In Lajatico
Familienbild beim kleinen Ausflug in Lajatico

23_In den Straßen der Toskana
Papa und Tochter unterewegs

24_In den Straßen der Toskana
Mama und Tochter bei einer Pause

30_San Gimignano
Papa und Nadja am Brunnen auf dem Marktplatz in San Gimignano

31_San Gimignano
Mama und Nadja auf dem Brunnen auf dem Marktplatz in San Gimignano

32_San Gimignano
Und nochmal die gesamte Familie am Brunnen ;-)

40_Ausblick
Auf den Hügeln hoch über der Toskana

50_Siena
Vor dem Dom in Siena. Prachtvoller Bau.

51_Siena
Der Platz in Siena, während einer Pause.

52_Siena
Einfach nur Nadja.

53_Siena
Papa macht Pause, und schaut Nadja zu.

55_Eisessen
Der Beweis: unsere Tochter mag kein Eis, sondern gibt es Papa. Gut so!

60_Volterra
Papa sucht den Weg, und Nadja hilft.

61_Volterra
Gemeinsam finden wir den Weg, oder?

80_Zypressenauffahrt
Nein, leider nicht die Auffahrt zu \"unserem\" Haus... aber schick, oder?

90 Lajatico Teatro del Silenzio
Ein Freilufttheater bei Lajatico. 364 Tage im Jahr Schweigen (Silenzio), dann kommt Andrea Bocelli zum Konzert, und 9.000 Besucher dazu.

91 Toskana Lajatico Teatro del Silenzio
Ein Freilufttheater bei Lajatico. 364 Tage im Jahr Schweigen (Silenzio), dann kommt Andrea Bocelli zum Konzert, und 9.000 Besucher dazu.

Already two. Nadja celebrated her second birthday during our holidays in Tuskany. So we had only a small party: the three of us and her aunt Rike, who is currently working in Firenze (Florence). It was just amazing to see her eyes lit up when she saw the ballons and the presents…
24. Jun 2009, kurz nach dem MittagFaces of Nadja
Unbelievable how differently Nadja can look… here are some portrait pictures of the last weeks.
Some picture my parents have made during the last weeks…
Nadja has started to count. Okay, she can say the numbers in correct order. However, we were really surprised when Christiane was counting while changing the diapers: “One… two… three” and Nadja – out of the blue – continued with “Four!” First we thought it was a misunderstanding or coincidence. So we tested again: “One, two, three” – “Four” was Nadjas answer again. Meanwhile we can do this till “Five”, supported by fingers. ;-)
28. May 2009, kurz vorm MittagNadja and Lea
Lea Sophie is my brother’s daughter and a big fan of her cousin Nadja. Or course Nadja is a big fan of Lea, too ;-). Monday is Grandma & Grandpa-Day. That means my parents pick up Nadja from Kindergarten. Usually Lea will join them as soon as school is out. Luckily everything is very close. School, kindergarten and the flats of my brother and my parents are within less than 5 min walking distance.
Having both girls under control is quite a challenge, which Grandma and Grandpa can meet phantasticly. And they are rewarded with many beautiful moments. Some of them they could save on zelluloid memory cards. The pictures were taken in March, however enjoy Lea and Nadja in action!
25. May 2009, kurz vorm FeierabendThe miracle

We hesitated a little before announcing it here. Probably because we could not believe it ourselves. Or better: needed some time to realize it, to believe it. And maybe because we wanted the first 12 weeks, which are said to be critical, to pass by. However, a lot of people around us already know it, and now it’s time to “tell it the world”: We are going to be parents again!
“Okay, great, congratulations. But “miracle“? Isn’t that a bit overreacting?” some of you may think. Especially as we have already a wonderful daughter, Nadja. That’s right, somehow! However then I may recommend to read this blog post dated 6th February 2008. Maybe then you understand why we call it a miracle… because we were told by the doctors that we will never be able to get birth to a baby. “Doing it naturally” we were told the chances would be 1:1.000.000 - okay, this was not a proven statistical figure. However, after even test-tube fertizilation did not work for us, we “closed that file”… and then we got this (positive) shock!
So, what’s left?
1) “Mother nature” plays her own game – doctors can only do something, but not everything.
2) You are officially promoted to the circle of people who can tell any couple planning to adopt a baby: “Yes, go ahead. After adoption you will get pregnant then. I know a couple…” ;-)