Naked Father's Day?

American Father’s Day was Sunday and I knew that Mike would want to be outside.  Additionally, another homework assignment from the dog trainer was to get Strela out to the countryside for a long, fun walk.  A Father’s Day walk/hike/picnic was born.  One of the nicest things about the city of Vienna is that the countryside (and a national park) are less than 30 minutes away.  We headed there on Sunday afternoon and while warm, it was sunny and beautiful which was a welcome change from the rainy, dreary weather we had been having. 

Smiley Dog

Jack trying out the new Baby Pack

The walk was fairly uneventful (after getting past many a dog at the entrance), and Strela was able to roam freely on her new long 45 ft lead.  She was a happy pup.  Mike had Jack on his back in our new Baby Pack that Jack LOVES.  Being up high and able to look all around has him beaming. 

We settled under a tree for a delicious picnic (if I do say so myself) when we reflected on something a bit odd in Austria.  People love to be naked.  There are lakes and canals around this national park and many were sunbathing….naked.  Not your normal Sunday in America but we were warned of this. It was the senior citizen hiker buck naked wearing shoes and a shoulder bag, or the 40 something guy ahead of you, nude, on his bike, or groups of people walking together in the buff that really caught your eye.  Now I know that Americans are more modest (possibly to a fault) than Europeans in general, but even my new British friend agrees the Austrians take it to a new level.  Don't worry, we didn't take any pictures of that.

My Daddy is #1

Sleeping Jack and Sweaty Daddy

Mommy and Jack cleaning up to head back

Animal Antics

Pigeon Out.  I can't say with full certainty that it is true, but I haven't seen Lady Pigeon for a solid 36 hours.  Plus, yesterday I did notice some odd bird feathers lying around the lobby floor.  One can't help but wonder if there are somewhat connected.

Either way, we sat outside with friends last night in a pigeon-free environment.  Let's hope this means the case is resolved...


Strela...sit.  Well, sitting is the one thing that Strela can do rather consistently on command.  However for all of her other "special needs" we have brought in an "Animal Behaviourist" named Helen as Strela has never had any formal dog training. Helen is British, note that I call her a behaviourist and not a trainer, and note my use of the fancy British spelling.  She is nothing short of amazing, and would truly give Cesar Milan a run for his money.

Helen worked with us for a couple of hours on Wednesday night and gave us TONS of homework.  Our first exercise is to help Strela process all the stimulus in this crazy city life we have thrown her into.  We now walk at a snail's pace and talk to Strela the whole time.  "Strela, what is that smell?  Strela, do you see that car? Strela, did you hear that bird?"  We may look funny, in fact we DEFINITELY look funny, but it helps us all derive more joy out of the walks.  Many of you probably already know that the only member of our family that is not dog-friendly...is our dog.  So these walks are only peaceful until Strela terrorizes the smallest chihuahua or the largest great dane with her bark (which we hold out hope would be worse than her bite).  Sigh, baby steps- literally- in dog training.  It's a good thing we love her so much.

Now some photos for good measure:

How could you not love this puppers?  Curled up in Jack's room before naptime.

Jack loves Strela. Photos from our first days in Vienna.

Pigeongate 2012

Our new home in Vienna is really beautiful.  We have a “huge” kitchen by European standards, a washer and dryer which is still something unusual in European cities and though we certainly downsized from our palatial Praia home, we still feel like we have enough space to accommodate our family of 3+dog.  One of the best surprises about our place was that we have a small deck off the kitchen.  We were not expecting ANY outdoor space, so while it is tiny and has a view of…well, nothing at all, it is big enough for a couple of chairs and a grill, and that is all that we really need. 

Our kitchen when we first moved in.

Being on the interior courtyard (more like a shaft for lack of a better explanation) of the building, this little balcony of ours has been plagued by city-dwelling pigeons since we arrived.  Not to state the obvious but pigeons are really gross and they have taken to using our balcony as their toilet as well as a perch in which to torment Strela into endless fits of barking. 

The Embassy maintenance services mentioned the pigeon problem to us when arrived.  The landlord wanted to install a net over our balcony to keep away the pigeons. We were less than excited about sitting on this already tiny balcony underneath a net, so we tried to solve the problem ourselves…with a plastic lawn owl.  We were really banking on this owl to work, and moved it around to make it appear lifelike.  Not only did the owl not deter the pigeons, but the pigeons were so not fooled that they would sit atop the owl and even use him as their toilet as well.  

The owl is creepy to me, just not the pigeons.

So after the owl failed us, we agreed to have the net installed.  We were so pleased when the net did not just cover our little patio, but spanned the entire length of the courtyard really not altering our “view” at all and maintaining an airy feel to the space. This four-day operation was quite impressive, complete with men in harnesses repelling off the roof of the building.  {Sidebar:  Strela thought that they were trying to break into our house and that led to more endless fits of barking.}   After the job was complete Mike asked, “Do you think they made sure that all the pigeons were out of there before sealing it off?”  And I said, “Of course they did!  This is Austria.  Everyone is so serious and diligent, they would never make such a mistake.”  Well, I was the one who was mistaken.  Not only did they leave behind a pigeon but apparently a nest of baby pigeons besides.

Since then the pigeon issue has actually escalated.  Now the one pigeon left has made a complete home on our balcony.  I have come to realize that this is for two reasons: 1) She has much fewer options as she is TRAPPED BELOW THE NET! and 2) Our kind but, in my humble opinion, misguided neighbors across the courtyard above the net, have taken to throwing bread onto our balcony so the pigeon won’t starve to death.  What am I to say to them? Please don’t do throw bread onto my balcony.  This net that was installed solely for our unit should just kill this pigeon mama?! Not to mention our neighbor is the Ambassador from Panama so I do not want to create a diplomatic incident.

The net working...

Stay tuned for resolution of Pigeongate 2012.

How big is Jack?!

This weekend, Mike and I taught Jack how to do, “So Big!”  We are both amazed at watching him learn this simple, but unbelievably rewarding game for all involved.  First we would ask, “How big is Jack?” and help him lift up his arms for “So Big!”  Then we would model it, lifting up our arms, and he would follow. Then Jack, without being asked, would hilariously lift up his arms spontaneously, to which we would enthusiastically exclaim, “So Big!” And now he is really doing it on command.  I have a little video of a performance here.  Strela was getting in on the playtime of course.

As of today, we have taken "So Big!" on the road.  Jack and I take a children's music class once a week on Monday mornings.  The class is made up of both Austrian and expat parents and babies, but we are the only Americans and I have come to find out that "So Big!" is not a worldwide phenomenon.  Anyway, Jack  has loved this music class from the beginning.  One of his favorite times of class is when we sing a song that goes, “We are going to shake, shake, shake, and shake and shake, and shake and shake and STOP!”  The kids and parents use little egg shaped rattles as the instruments to accompany the words.  We have purchased our own eggs to sing at home as well.  Today when the little shakers were brought out, Jack took one in each of his hands, and instead of eating them as he normally does, he put both his hands above his head for “So Big!” The teacher thought this was so cute that soon the whole class would be shaking the eggs and when they stopped, they would all put their hands above their heads like Jack.  I don’t know what it was about this moment, but I was giddy with pride, totally emotional, and just plain silly.  I tried to get a picture of the class doing The Jack, but I just was unable to capture it.  Here is the best I could do without making a complete spectacle of myself.  

Tchau Cabo Verde, Guten Tag Austria!

The Ralles Family in Vienna, a photo by mralles on Flickr.

Well, since I last posted, Mike and I had a baby, said goodbye to our beloved first post of Praia, Cape Verde, spent a whirlwind nearly three months in the United States and moved all of our belongings, including our precious cargo of Jack and Strela to the capital city of Austria, Vienna. Phew.

Now that we are (mostly) settled into our new home, I’d like to at least pretend that I am going to start blogging again. While this tour may not have the quirks and interesting side stories of Cape Verde, there is so much to do and see to keep us adventurers very busy.

We have been in Vienna just over two months now and love it so far. Mike thinks this is the most urban neighborhood we have ever called home, as we are fortunate to live in the city center, close to amazing sights, restaurants and shopping! I may need to get a job, either to keep me from shopping or be able to afford to do so. ☺ But I am not getting a job just yet, so Baby Jack and I explore the city, take a Music Together class on Monday mornings, and join a couple playgroups (really so Mommy can make some friends!).

If you want to SEE what we have been up to, check out our Flickr site. www.flickr.com/mralles. I try to upload pictures monthly, but we also post random pics on the go from our working cell phones!

Excited to be on a new adventure, and excited to be back to blogging. Everyone keeps telling us that now that we are in Europe, we will get tons of visitors. They are about as flabbergasted that we had 20 visitors to CV as they are that we liked it there. Check out our visitor list and poll.

Auf Wiedersehen for now!