Blitz

January 2012 Blitz had his first debilitating disc episode as a result of IVDD. In the middle of a terrible ice storm we drove to the emergency vet in the middle of the night who told us that he would need to have surgery and quick...the longer we waited the longer the disc was putting pressure on his spinal cord, running the risk of irreversible damage. Spinal surgery is not cheap but with the help of our family and friends, Blitz was able to have the necessary surgery and came home 10 days after for almost 4 months of recovery.

Fast forward to this October...Blitz was as healthy and happy as an almost 11 year old dog could be. He had made a 100% recovery thanks to the surgery and seemed to have no lingering weakness or pain. Unfortunately, while we were in Texas, our dog-sitter woke up to find that Blitz was not able to walk and seemed to be in a great deal of pain.

The canine neurosurgeon in Texas told us that the likelihood of him having another episode was high but somehow I thought that we could avoid it. We were so careful with him. Arthur built ramps outside so he wouldn't have to go up and down the stairs. He wasn't allowed on the couches or beds and he was certainly never allowed to jump off anything. But in the end, I think it was inevitable. IVDD is a disease, not just an injury, and it was only a matter of time.

After several extremely expensive vet visits and long-distance calls we were told we had two choices...put him down or try surgery. I strongly believe that when you get a pet you are promising to give them the best care for their entire life...not just when they're cute puppies and not just when it's convenient. So we realized we had no choice but to move forward with surgery.

The only canine neurosurgeon even remotely close to us was in Kristiansand, almost 4 hours from Tananger. Time was again of the essence and both our surgeon and dog-sitter were willing to drive half-way to pass off Blitz. We are incredibly thankful to both of them for being willing to meet in the middle of nowhere Norway in the middle of the night for Blitz.

After the surgeon got Blitz, he took him to their clinic until the morning when he would be prepped
for surgery. The 7 hour time difference made it difficult to get updates on his progress at any normal time. Thankfully, the surgeon was sensitive to this and made a point to call us late in the day (Norway time) so it was only noonish in Texas. We were on pins and needles waiting to hear the results of his surgery. Finally we got the call...surgery went as expected. Now we had to wait to see if the paralysis was permanent or would start to resolve.

Blitz stayed with the surgeon in Kristiansand until we returned from Texas. His progress was super slow and when we finally picked him up he was stillnin pretty rough shape. He couldn't walk. Couldn't potty on his own. Couldn't even scratch an itch with his back legs. But he didn't seem to be in pain and seemed happy.

As the weeks have gone by he continues to gain strength and movement little by little. He can now walk on his own (!!!!) and can go potty outside! These are both huge accomplishments! He has quite a distinctive, wobbly, walk but I know he's glad to be able to move around! Just yesterday I saw him wag his tale for the first time in 4 months.

If you've met Blitz you know how much spunk he's got. That hasn't gone anywhere. Nor has his bossyness or impatience. He is just as demanding as ever, if not more! He is an aging dog and the sad fact is that a time will come when we will have to let him go. I'm glad that the time isn't here yet. He's got enough sass to last him many more years I'm sure. And he won't let a little wobble slow him down :)

Alexander - 3 months

I'll say it this time...I really can't believe our baby boy is 3 months old. We're really starting to see his little personality and I absolutely love it! He is such a sweet, silly, easy going kid...clearly he got all those traits from me :) This month has been relatively laid back and it's been really nice to settle into a routine as a family.

• You LOVE your dad! Like...big time! You get a big smile on your face when he gets you up in the morning and when he comes home from work. And one evening you started fussing while I was holding you so your dad took you and you looked at me over his shoulder with the big grin like..."Yup! I get what I want!"...too cute!

I think it's safe to say the feeling is mutual!

• Your weight has dropped to the point where we have to take action. We've had you checked by 3 doctors here all who say you are perfectly healthy...aside from low weight gain. The conclusion is that my milk supply is low. We've made some changes and you gained half a pound this week! Thank goodness because I was really stressing out! Here you are at the doctor's office smiling at dad (of course)!
  
• I don't know the first thing about dressing a baby for cold, wet winters...thankfully there is a used kid's clothing sale here in the Fall and Spring. We loaded up on things I know we couldn't find in Texas...a down pram sleeping bag, wool clothing, and a fleece snow suit. I must say...you look like a proper Norwegian kid!
  
• Thank goodness for Facetime! You got to have a chat with these two lovely ladies...I think I'm gonna be in trouble for posting this picture though...
  
• Your oldest brother, Blitz, still acts like you don't exist but Bailey is pretty smitten. He looks for you in the morning to give you puppy kisses (only on the feet of course) and he can't stand it when you're crying. Here Bailey is practicing rolling over with you.
  
• Then there was that time that I filled up the memory on my phone in record time with videos of you doing practically the same thing every time...such is the life of a new mommy!
  
• This video, however, is to stinking cute not to share...

• You are SUCH a happy baby! You are a total delight to be around...most of the time! You're killing me with those gummy smiles kid!
  

Next month is going to be exciting. We will celebrate Xander's 4 month birthday in San Antonio! We're going home for his baptism and to introduce him to everyone that is so excited to meet him! We can't wait!!!

Hike at Dalestemmen

A few weeks ago I met up with Stacy, a fellow expat. Her husband had found a beautiful hiking spot not far from Stavanger. After spending a warm, sunny afternoon exploring with her and her son I knew Arthur and I would have to come back! So a few days later we packed up the furry boys and set off for a picnic and hike on the island of Rennesøy.

It's a short 30 min drive, half of which is spent in sub-sea tunnels, to the quaint fishing village of Vikevåg. Another short drive up the switchbacks of a mountain and we arrived at a small parking lot with a trail head. This was the dogs’ first hiking experience in Norway so they were pretty rambunctious and at this point in my pregnancy, I am in full-blown waddle-mode. So Arthur took the dogs and walked in front while I followed. 

The trail head started at a small wooden gate. On our left was a pasture filled with sheep and adorable baby lambs. I'm kind of obsessed with lambs right now. Every field was full of them this spring and I think they're just about the cutest baby animal I've ever seen!! 

On our right was green rolling hills and Mastrafjord. Couldn't have asked for a more picturesque view! After a few more old wooden gates, I'm assuming with the sole purpose of keeping the sheep and lambs where they're supposed to be, we approached Dalstemmen Lake. At this point, we could choose to follow several different trails that would lead us to various sights and viewpoints around the island. 

Unfortunately, those trails will have to be explored at a later date cause I'm a preggo slow poke! We decided to continue past the lake and up a short walk to the top of the mountain. We picked a grassy spot near the top with the most breathtaking view of the fjord to stop and stopped to enjoy our picnic. 

The dogs also enjoyed their lunch of farm-fresh, local, organic sheep poo. Dogs are so gross!

The view over the fjord was breathtaking! The sun was out and you could see all the way back to Stavanger. I just can't get enough of the views here. The blue sky against the bright greens of the grass and glittering water is incredible. Add to that the pastoral scenes of green rolling hills, lambs, and old wooden farm houses surrounded by tulips and everywhere you look is a friggin' postcard! And don't get me started on the cool breezes and fresh air...such a welcome departure from the oven that is Texas in the summer!

We sat for a while, soaking in the view and the sun and then Arthur decided to explore. I would normally be right there with him but instead I decided to curl up on the picnic blanket and take a little snooze. He walked down to a creek flowing nearby which turns into a waterfall at the base of the mountain. You can hike all the way down the mountain following the creek and I can't wait to do just that hopefully later this summer! 

When he returned, the clouds had started to roll in and were threatening to rain. So we decided to pack up and head out. We're right on the North Sea coast and the weather in this region can change pretty rapidly. It frequently goes from warm and sunny to cold and rainy within a matter of hours. We stopped again at Dalestemmen Lake for a bit to snap some pictures and before we knew it both dogs were in the water! Little stinkers!

For dogs that hate baths they sure plunged into that icy water pretty fast! We had to drag them back to the car...stinky and muddy! I think it's safe to say they love Norway too!

Can't wait to go back again when we can explore more of the trails!!  :)

A Move Like No Other - Part 2

Friday morning we finally FINALLY got word that our tickets had been approved! It was well worth the wait too because, due to the fact that I'm carrying this big ole baby in my belly, we both got to fly first class.

It was a beautiful cool, clear, morning and I took a picture out the window feeling a little nostalgic that this would be our last morning in Texas for a while. The hotel is so close to our house you could probably zoom in and see the top of our roof!

One of the biggest lessons we have learned about international travel is to never fly hungry. It's hard in all the rushing around and preparations to continue eating regular meals but experiencing "hangry" (angry hunger) in a foreign airport is the WORST experience ever (not to mention it probably was the cause of us missing our flight in February from Frankfurt to DFW...but I digress.)

So to keep the "hangry" at bay we headed down to the Denton square for one last hurrah and some brunch at the Chestnut Tree Teahouse. If you're ever in Little D I highly recommend it!

I'm gonna miss this funky little town!

Then, it was off to the airport to get the boys checked it. To say that we were stressed about them flying was a massive understatement. We hired an international pet re-locator help us with moving them (worth every penny) and she met us at the Lufthansa gate to help us check them in.

Blitz seemed anxious but was surprisingly calm.

Bailey calm?! Yeah...that wasn't going to happen!

They went through doggy security and then to a special pet holding area until it was time to load them onto the plane.

We went through security and then to a special people holding area called the Lufthansa First Class Lounge until it was time for us to board the plane. Arthur took advantage of the free booze.

I took advantage of the free ginger ale and cranberry juice and grumbled about not being able to take advantage of the free booze.

We boarded the plane around 5pm and settled into our first class seats, pretending that it was no big deal that four-fifths of the plane had to walk past us to get to coach...HA! Yeah, we totally fly like this all the time. Why yes, you can take my coat. Why yes, we'd love a bottle of wine and a steaming hot towel that smells of lemongrass and lavender.

Then we took a selfie...something no self-respecting regular first-class flyer would ever do and our cover was blown for the rest of the flight!

But I didn't notice because I was too busy ordering off the 5 course menu...

...and enjoying my cushiony seat! That seat laid down completely flat folks...I think I heard angels singing as I drifted off to sleep.

The rest of the travel was a bit of a blur. In Frankfurt, we walked through the underground, fun-house tunnel of delirium to change terminals.

Pictures just do not do the weirdness of the tunnel justice. It's lit with miles of LED lights that fade from blue to purple, green, pink, and yellow.

Kinda makes you feel like you're losing your mind...if you haven't lost it due to jet-lag already.

Then hours, days, weeks, (who knows) later we finally landed in Stavanger. We watched them unload the boys off the plane.

We picked them up in baggage claim and (per usual in Stavanger) there was no one at customs to scowl at our one-way tickets or check our dog's meticulously prepared paperwork. So we hopped in a taxi and headed to our new home! Arthur picked up some salad and pizza while I showered.

The dogs settled in...

Then we all passed out for the next 15 hours :)

A Move Like No Other - Part 1

I've moved many times in my life.

In middle school, our family moved from Northwest Crossing to Braun Heights...just a few neighborhoods over. In college, I moved all up and down the I-35 corridor...Austin to San Marcos, San Marcos to San Antonio, and San Antonio to Schertz. Shortly after getting married, Arthur and I moved from Schertz to Denton...the furthest away from home either of us had ever moved. At the time, it seemed like moving 5.5 hours away was such a colossal effort.

But this time we made a LEGIT move!

Crazy how your perspective changes with experience, huh!?

Hey Arthur...remember that one time we said it would be so cool to move to Norway, and we were given the opportunity, and we jumped at it? Yeah, isn't it cute how naive we were!? We had no clue just how many details are involved in moving abroad (you'll just have to trust me on that one. I started to list them off and it was a loooooooong list...ain't nobody got time for that!)

After the garage sale, our house was relatively empty of big furniture items. My lovely parents drove up to Denton to pick up my car (which we sold to my Mom) and our bedroom set. Once they were gone, all that was left was what the movers had to pack. Arthur's sister, Charlotte, also came up for a few days to help. I don't know how we would have done it without her! So thankful for her giving spirit and "can do" attitude during such a stressful time!

This is how you take a break from packing in a house with no furniture.

We were warned to be prepared for the movers as much as possible. We tried to have our sea shipment and air shipment items separated. Charlotte did an excellent job packing all our "sneaky items" (medicines, liquids, and nail polish) so the movers wouldn't question them. Arthur bought breakfast tacos the morning of the movers arrival so they would be more likely to oblige any requests we had (see "sneaky items" above.)

Ohmagosh those tacos were good!

Ha! Nothing prepares you for the tornado that is international movers. They were literally grabbing anything and everything laying around and throwing it into a box. I fully expect to be unpacking boxes and find full trash bags, used paper towels, and dirty socks. Lucky for us, they were kind enough to write the contents on each box. For example, a box full of baby clothes was labeled "bags", a box with kitchen items was labeled "magazines, pot" (pot???), and another box of baby clothes was labeled "baby cards, paper bags". If it didn't fit in a box, no problem, just wrap a bunch of brown paper around it, slap some packing tape on the edges and call it a day.

To be fair, they were a nice bunch and it was wonderful not to have to do the packing ourselves. It took them two days to pack up the last of our earthly belongings and load them into a massive semi. I think our stuff barely filled a quarter of that truck.

We took what was left of our stuff and shoved it into 7 suitcases and moved into a hotel down the street. We tried but there wasn't enough room for the dogs in the suitcases...

...so we had to bring them with us to the hotel. This is how they roll...living the good life.

Then we waited for company approval to book our one-way tickets for Thursday to Stavanger!

Monday goes by...nothing.

Tuesday passes...not a word.

Wednesday...STILL waiting!!! What the heck!?

Thursday morning, still nothing, no approval, and it looks like we are NOT leaving Thursday as planned...