the big girl

well, at exactly this time 9 years ago I was busy getting ready to deliver my first baby. so excited I "started" the day early, but this baby didn't decide to make her way out until 11pm.

and then...there she was, a girl, so beautiful, so tiny, our little Mia. just as I had her in my arms she was taken away again. thanks to a wonderful nurse, who realised how my baby struggled to breathe,  Mia was taken to intensive care the same night.

so our first few days together weren't quite as expected, but with the help of wonderful friends we made it and could start into our new life only 4 days later...

now, 9 years later - Mia, a strong, sensitive, crazy girl - just what we needed ;-)

she joined our adventures right from the start, well we didn't really give her a choice. now, being older there is one side in her that's really proud of living the adventurous life of an expat girl and a small part that is sad not to be as "normal" as the rest of our extended family. living in Austria, not moving every other year, going to one school...

as our family will move on at the end of June this topic is almost daily talk again. and of course as parents we are not always sure. but isn't it just different things we have to think about in an expat life? when I listen to friends living the so called "normal" life, it's just other questions that come up, other decisions/life-choices they make each and every day for their little families. ours or theirs are neither bigger or smaller, all just as important to the life you live.

not all do understand why we chose this kind of life, but then I don't understand all the choices of other people either :-)

so, what I am trying to say, it doesn't matter. I trust all of you out there to think of the best for your own kids and well, so do I!

so yes, here is she is, my 9year old. all she wants today is be at home. enjoying her presents, the time for herself. in the evening family dinner at her favourite restaurant...

hey, big girl, we love you more than anything and wherever the 4 of us are together - it's home!