Grammy Tammy to the Rescue!

Mom arrived the evening we got home from the hospital. She had quite the adventure coming over to Geneva! We felt relieved when she finally arrived safe and sound. She got to take a little peek at our sleeping babe, but the real meeting would be the next morning. She peeked her head in our room and she couldn’t wait to scoop him up in her arms. It was a sweet meeting the following morning. She just snuggled him for ages! We just lazed around a bit and ate yummy meals brought to us by members of our Geneva ward.(Pesto lasagna………tiramisu………mmmmmmmmm)

These first few days were so awesome. We all were lacking in sleep a little bit, but it was nice to just relax, have our Anne of Green Gables marathon, and snuggle little Benny Boo. You sure have the Grammy touch Mom!

First Snuggle!

True Love

Squinty Eye

Stork Sack Weigh in by the midwife!

 I was glad mom was with me for Bennett’s first follow-up appointment with one of the doctors. The appointment was clear across town, so we ventured out with our new stroller on public transportation. This was a little crazy to undergo with a newborn. I was a nervous wreck inside, but she was there to keep me calm all the way there, and as we met with the doctor.  Bennett had had some trouble nursing, so the doctor offered to clip the skin under his tongue. It was a short procedure, but I was a nervous wreck inside! After nursing Bennett for a little bit afterwards, we found ourselves locked in the room! We pounded and pounded on the door and were finally freed! 

Fortunately, no more clinics and doctors!

Off to the doctor's appt!

There was a decent amount of this:(

After a few days of rest, relaxation, more Anne of Green Gables, and taking care of Benny, we got adventurous and went out for our first long walk! We took the bike path down to the river and walked to the lake. It was a  gorgeous day and it felt good to be out! 

first walk down along the river. 

More cabin fever calls for a little outing! We also wanted to test out the pram again;) After finishing our Anne of Green Gables marathon, we took the bus across Lake Geneva to the Parc des Eau Vives for a picnic! This park used to be a private estate, but is now open to all. It boasts beautiful gardens and a killer view of the Lake. We strolled down the paths, enjoyed our picnic of local cheese, salami, grapes and tapenade, and fed our little B. We couldn’t get enough of Bennett’s little legs and feet! It was the perfect day!

Picnic at Eau Vives!

Little legs!

little feeding time

It was Sunday, so this particular bus was crowded! We were trying to hold Bennett while we waited for seats to free up in the bus! Crazy! He didn’t seem to mind, but I remember us breathing a sigh of relief when we got off that hot, stuffy bus.

We wanted to take advantage of the sunshine, so we took the bus to the Botanical Gardens for a nice outing.  We saw all parts of the gardens, took pictures of beautiful flowers, cooled down with some refreshing gelato, and then relaxed with Bennett under a shady tree! We then walked along Lake Geneva back to the apartment. So beautiful!

Walk from the Botanical Gardens

Gelato of course!

After Andy's first time alone for a couple of hours with Bennett. Nicely Done! ("where the heck have you guys been?!?!")

Andy took his brother Jed and a few friends, who were also in town visiting, on a hiking trip near Interlaken.  I was so relieved mom was there to take care of us while Andy was gone! We decided to live it up and go get yummy food! We went for our last outing to the Ferney-Voltaire Farmers Market. This would be Mom's third time! We really like this market. Fresh fruits and vegetables galore, homemade jams and honey, fresh olives and yummy sausages and tapenade. We loaded up on some fresh produce, then decided to get a fresh roast chicken with potatoes. The chicken vendor was quite the swooner and boy did he work it! (I went back with Andy the next week and he was not quite as flirtatious;) We would all miss this market. The French know how to gather up the freshest and yummiest food the country has to offer. It was a fun memory! And Bennett handled it all so well!

Ferney Farmers Market

Smoozer Chicken Man. The chicken was delish though!

I hit my limit with sleepless nights and exhaustion. Grammy to the rescue! After giving her step by step bus instructions, she braved the journey on Bus 11 bound for the Botanical Gardens! She took Bennett in the Baby carrier for a nice outing while I rested. It is amazing what an hour of uninterrupted sleep can do! And she made it all the way back to the apartment! 

Mommy about to brave the Bus!

Mommy and B at the Botanical Gardens

When you have loved ones in town, ya gotta hit up Tristan's! Mommy was happy to get a good dose of chocolate, as well as a breathtaking view! As was I:)

View from Bougy Villars

oh Tristan's!

We got a little more ambitious and ventured out a little further. We went to the beautiful town of Gruyeres, famous for its cheese!  It was a picturesque drive, and the beauty only continued upon our arrival. We ate some delicious fondue at a cafe (you have to right?), and then we went up by the chateau to feed Bennett while enjoying the view! Bennett got to enjoy his meal by a herd of sheep! It was pretty comical. We walked through the village, then got some gelato. Next stop—Cailler Chocolate factory! We went on the tour, then on to the tasting room! We can’t seem to get enough chocolate in this country! Andy had a yummy meal waiting for us upon our return!

Gruyeres!

Nursing above a herd of sheep. Not something one gets to experience everyday!

Gelato, again! (B's face!)

The sheep:)

Gruyeres Village

Chocolate time!

Our last outing (frown face). We decided to go to Yvoire, a little medieval village in neighboring France. You don’t get more quaint than Yvoire! The cottages, shops and flowers are so gorgeous, and it is right up against the lake. We got yummy salad and pizza at an outdoor cafe, bought some wooden toys for Bennett and Liam, got gelato, and soaked up the ambience! Such a perfect day!

Wandering the streets of Yvoire

Oh hello!

Delicious lunch!

Right out of Beauty and the Beast!

Gelato. Again.

Our last day. It was Andy’s birthday, so we made his favorite chocolate cake and went shopping. We had pork chops and salad for dinner, and then had Andy open his gifts! We ate the scrumptious cake with some ice cream, and had a relaxing evening together. I am glad that you got a lot of Bennett snuggle time on this trip! He was going to miss his Grammy a lot!

Fondue Dinner

Trying to soothe this child. We. Will. Succeed. Someday.

Someday.

Oh look!

We did it:)

As would we. She did so much for us during those weeks. These first weeks being parents were a bit daunting, not to mention exhausting! She gave so much of her time, energy and love to all of us! During the stress of nursing and calming our little babe, she was there to give me reassurance and to help me know what to do. I will forever treasure this time we had together. Bennett is lucky to have such an amazing Grammy! We love you Mommy!!!!!