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3/3/2001 10:20:00 PM
Boulder Creek, CA
In the Santa Cruz mountains and the redwood forrest

January 2001

As mentioned in my last letter we always start the year with Sebastian's birthday on the 2nd and this year he turned 4! and is very proud of it

Hallo everybody!

A bit later than planned I finally sit down to write to you and even tough I am tired I want to get started on this report before the month of February is over... Broesel kept me quite busy this evening, running out of the gate, barking up a storm waking the whole neighborhood. During the day I really don't mind but at 9.30pm it is rather embarrassing and not nice to listen to. She did not react to any of my calls or whistles and I could see myself walking into the woods with a flashlight (certainly Robert is out at a hockey match tonight...), when she finally decided to "crawl" back very slowly knowing she did not obey and being very naughty. She usually doesn't go out at night anymore, or if stays nicely on the porch, so I don't know what irritated her today to be barking so loud and long, maybe a coyote or a nightly hiker?!?!?

Anyways I really wanted to get this done earlier, I sure hope I can finish it today and not fall asleep on my desk. The month of January actually was quite quiet so it won't be very long one. As mentioned in my last letter we always start the year with Sebastian's birthday on the 2nd and this year he turned 4! and is very proud of it! Everybody gets to hear it whether they want or not! It was a Tuesday and therefore we only had his party on the weekend, so on that day I took him out together with my friend Hemma and her son Lucas to a big indoor play area called Bamboola. There are several different play activities there a climbing structure, a water play area, a face painting, a little supermarket, a music room, etc. They had a wonderful time (also Benjamin and Mia) and at lunch we celebrated with a small cake I had brought along. On Saturday we had his big party (everything had to be Scooby Doo!) with 10 kids! We first went for an hour activity at his gym (we go there once a week and he has a wonderful teacher that he absolutely loves) and afterwards to a pizza place around the corner for (obviously) pizza, cake and presents. It was so nice and easy for me and the kids loved it. Sebastian had a great day and was very exited the whole time, specially to have all his friends around at the same time!

During the week I have really tried to slow down a bit and not to be at too many places at the same time. Nevertheless there is always something going on and if it is only having a playmate over (which actually helps a lot and gives me some "free" time) or going to the park. Once or twice a week I will go down to San Jose to visit friends, run specific errands, visit a museum or ice-skating.... The first few weeks I was really good at going to the workout and also had a lot of fun. It all got into a lazy routine again when Benjamin got sick for a couple of days. I also signed up at a fitness club close by and hope that once we get back from our skiing trip next week I will be good and stick to going twice a week - my this years goal...! Robert has been very disciplined with sports and plays ice hockey every weekend, luckily the games start rather late in the evening so our family days don't get too much interrupted. During the week he works out at least 2 times and is very happy to be back in his shape (certainly not like when he was 18!), but feeling good and trim. Ice hockey is a big thing at our house because already Sebastian loves this sport, maybe it is in the genes? Robert also takes him to a Sharks game once a month and Sebastian has a ball on those daddy outings.

Our little one is more going to be a boxer or wrestler, it is quite dangerous to get hit by a toy or his hand/foot at the moment. Benjamin is rather petite but one should not underestimate his strength...! It is mostly Sebastian who gets "attacked" when he sits on the couch to watch his favorite show, reading a book or getting dressed on the floor - and Benjamin is quite quick, so often he doesn't even see it and has no time to escape.... It is something we never experienced with Sebastian and it is hard for me to deal with this in a nice, gentle  and strict way - he could care less - he turns around gives me a big smile and hits again! He certainly is a very different child then Sebastian and definitely challenges me more with my consequences and patience. He also started his 2 year tantrum phase very early and throws himself on the floor, kicking and screaming, something I try to ignore. Once he has settled down I'll take him to a neutral spot and talk to him, hoping he understands what I try to get across...?!?!? When I tell you that otherwise he is really sweet and cute, you probably just laugh, right?! He is starting to say a few words and early this year his first one was "ball" (his passion!) and yesterday for the first time he said "baby". He understands everything (in both languages) and has no trouble to communicate like bringing me his shoes if he wants to go outside, opening the candy drawer when he feels like chocolate,... He is especially sweet when he comes and brings me his play police helmet and wants me to close it for him, about 20 times a day...., he keeps it on for a minute and off it is! He loves anything he can put on his head, a cap, a hat,... and looks really cute with it! Tomorrow we will have his 18 months check-up and I am curious to see whether he made progress on getting up on the scale or not. We will also start a music class, while Sebastian is in pre-school, so that he has a mommy and me time at least once a week. He usually has to come along wherever Sebastian goes or I have to run an errand that I felt he needed something like this. He also seems to have much better rhythm then Sebastian and at least one will not notice when he screams and shouts...

We are so blessed that both kids are sleeping through (there are certainly some exceptions) for almost 12 hours, and we also can get a good night rest. Up until it gets light outside (7 - 8.30) our house is quiet and even Broesel only gets up when the kids are awake. Benjamin sometimes wakes at 6, I give him a bottle and he and I both  immediately go back to "dreamland". On the other hand Sebastian has gotten into the habit of crawling into our bed and since he likes to snuggle up it is hard to defend my space, plus he also likes to kick. Robert sometimes escapes for a quite night in our guest bed, but when he is on business trips I keep Sebastian on his side and enjoy that a lot - probably until I'll have 2 children in there... any tips how to stop that habit?

Last weekend we had the luxury of having a big bed just for ourselves - at a hotel! Roberts company had their big year party in San Francisco and so that we would not have to drive back afterwards my friend Peggy and her husband (Seamus, their son is Sebastian's buddy) offered to stay at our place and watch the kids. Robert and I took off Friday afternoon, I even got to go to the hairdresser in the city and at night we enjoyed a great buffet dinner and music. In the morning we got to sleep a bit longer, had breakfast in bed - and didn't even have to clean up - GREAT! It did good to have some time away together and re-energized me a lot! It felt good to come home and it was especially cute to see how happy Benjamin was that were back. He practically "flew" into my arms when I came in the door. Sebastian by now kind of enjoys some "free time" and has no problem whatsoever to be with somebody else, which is also a good feeling for me.

Last week we all got a big cold and stayed home being very cozy, the last 10 days we've got great weather, even though it is quite cold in the morning it is beautiful sunny and can get up to 70 degrees during the day! Yesterday and today it was so warm we were out in T-Shirts and shorts, it felt like spring (if not summer!) - a perfect weekend! Well before you all get jealous of this California weather (specially our Europeans...!) and you stop reading my report, I'll close up myself. It got much longer than expected and my eyes, fingers and brain are getting tired too - time for bed. I hope you all will have a wonderful shortest month of the year and will get in touch with you again in a few weeks.

Lots of hugs and kisses from here to there Yours the 4 Schmids and zoo.

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