27 Weeks: Last day of the 2nd Trimester

So today marks the last day of my 2nd Trimester! Coincidentally I also had a doctor's appointment today, so we have some new pics of the little guy who is already apparently getting into position. I am glad he doesn't seem to be following in his father's footsteps in this way, since his dad decided to make his grand appearance both breech and backwards. Based on his measurements the estimate for his weight is bit over a kilo (ie. just over 2 and a quarter pounds).

Naturally of course, here is the obligatory belly shot!

Sechseläuten 2012

Nothing says bringing an end to winter like blowing up a snowman....

The Swiss have a holiday (yes, some people actually get the afternoon off, not Matt though) which is like Groundhog Day with a pyrotechnic kicker. Essentially they put an explosive filled snowman (aka der Böögg) atop a wood pile, light the woodpile on fire, and see how long it takes him to fully explode. The shorter the time, the sooner and better summer will be!

While all you guys (on the East Coast at least) were enjoying what was already Summer... today was a miserable, cold, rainy day here. We thought for sure it was going to take FOR-EVER for the snowman to explode.

The official time hasn't been posted yet, but there was little left of the snowman after minute 8, though the final (ie. loudest) explosion didn't happen for another few minutes. Typically the head blows up within 10-12 minutes. Whatever the case, we are hoping the nice weather hurries up and comes back.... and stays.

25 Weeks!

Blindekuh

Tonight we went to dinner with Sara and Allison at the Blindekuh (translation: Blind Cow). The restaurant is an interesting concept in which you dine completely in the dark and are served by blind and partially sighted waitstaff.  It is meant to give you the experience of what their daily life is like as well as to provide work for people with little/no vision. It was really interesting- I think we all left with a renewed appreciation for our eyesight.

Blindekuh Website

This is what it looked like:

Mt. Pilatus

Today we went with Sara and Allison to Mt. Pilatus. There are two ways to see the Alps here: take a train ride through them or go up to the top of them. It worked out better with our schedule to go to the top, and we were all glad we did. The gondola brought us up above cloud level, so all you could see was mountaintops and clouds- it seems surreal to me every time I see it. I never get sick of it!

There were some people playing the alphorn (and what must be a traditional song, because you hear it in the monorail at the airport). Apologies in advance for any motion sickness you might feel while watching my video.

Sara & Allison