Ella's First Meal

On the coldest day of Ella's life we started her on solids. We have -3 C (26 F) with a bitter cold wind today. The ground is snow covered and the wind just stings your face. It feels like South Dakota out there right now. Ella and I went for a very quick walk to the local market. She was bundled against me in her carrier and had a blanket over her head. We looked like a giant walking marshmallow. The pictures show Ella before and after her first meal. Ella wasn't sure what to think of the first spoonfuls of cereal, but then she quickly learned not to push the food out of her mouth. In the end she ate almost 1/2 cup and couldn't stop smiling. We will work on her table manners next week. As I turned to get a rag to clean off her face she decided to blow bubbles with her lips. Funny girl!

Our Little American

Ella received her official "Consular Report of Birth" which refers to her as a U.S. citizen and her U.S. passport today. A proud moment for mama. Yesterday I received my new passport as well so now we are free to travel the world. Yeah!

Stranded

Shortly before Christmas we visited the US Consulate in Bremen to file the paperwork to report Ella's birth abroad. It is something that is required within the first year of her life. She is officially an American now after the paperwork was filed. In addition to reporting her birth we also applied for a passport and social security card for her. All of her paperwork is now complete. Thanks to a lovely American woman who grew up in Seattle and went to college at Concordia in Moorhead, MN the filing of paperwork was a breeze. GO COBBERS! As for me, I am currently stranded in the EU due to my passport being cancelled. It was my choice to apply for a new passport, however in the process I had to watch them punch holes in my old one. It was full and had no more room for stamps/visas. This type of situation does not happen often and if I truly needed my passport at the moment I could quickly get a new one. As I await my new passport, which should be coming anyday now, I can't help but be reminded that I am truly stuck. It is not a feeling that I enjoy.