What I'm loving lately...

This amazing Sesame Chocolate

Baby wearing - especially with my new Mei Tei! (and I also got this HopType - I can't wait to try it out)

Listening to Startup, Reply All and Invisibilia in the shower each morning

Watching Nurse Jackie (how did I miss this show years ago?) (also, how hilarious is Zoe?)

Drinking more water thanks to this awesome Sigg Water Bottle

Playing with Magnatiles (seriously the best toy EVER)

Making all kinds of delicious coffee with my Aeropress and the Aeropress Timer App

Finally finishing up this memory book for Charlie

Testing recipes from the newest HEALTHY slow cooker cookbook from the Test Kitchen

Hello, again

Oh hi again, by the way. In case you didn't notice, I have started to post again! I brainstormed starting a new blog, but this is really my happy place, and I already have a small readership, so why reinvent the wheel?

I plan to post lots of Munich and Expat tips, especially geared towards families with kids.

Oh and one more thing - did you know you can rent our apartment for a Munich vacation? Click over to Airbnb to check it out.

Looking forward to being more present here in the future!

Emily

Review of the Fräulein Hübsch Baby Carrier (mei tai)

I'm that person who has a ridiculous number of baby carriers - but what can I say, I love trying different ones and when you have kids, you do what you can to combine your hobbies and your kids into one, because time for both there is not. Recently I asked for the Fräulein Hübsch toddler size mei tai for Christmas - and we are loving it. It has padded shoulder straps and is a half buckle which means that it has a clip at the waist and ties at the shoulders. The clip around the waist makes it easy to put on quickly and the ties at the shoulders give it a large degree of customizability and a really cozy fit.

I also love that they are handmade in Vienna, so right next door, and there so many fabric choices for the head support for when the baby is sleeping or doesn't have head control yet.

Many parts can be customized, for example the width of the under leg portion can be made smaller or larger with a Velcro system. The head support can also be made tighter or looser and both width and length. A smaller baby can use the shorter back piece then you can flip the whole system over for a tall toddler. This is done by reversing the direction of the buckle clasp.

So far we have only tried out the front carry but the back carry can also be done when there is a strap included to make this more comfortable.

I can highly recommend this type of career for someone who is intimidated by a long wrap that they have to tie in different ways. This is a nice introductory piece to baby wearing.

On our upcoming trip to Vienna I plan on visiting the Fräulein Hübsch shop in person!

A great swimming pool in Munich for families

The other day it was bitter cold outside and snowing and we decided that it would be great time to head to the swimming pool for the first swim with our 7 month old.

We do love our neighborhood pool, südbad, but we decided it would be interesting to try something new this time.
A quick S-Bahn ride and cold walk later we were standing at the entryway of the Pullacher Freizeitbad.

The pool area was lovely and heated to a very warm temperature which was great with a baby. There a waist deep pool, a lap pool and an outdoor heated pool that was open even in the frigid cold. There was also a lovely whirlpool which many babies were using because it wasn't too hot.

We spent the afternoon getting acquainted with the water and we had a wonderful time. After the exciting swimming experience Luke fell sound asleep on a chaise and I could eat a delicious Currywurst at the neighboring restaurant.

So if you're looking for a new place to go swimming with or without your kids I can highly recommend the Pullacher Freizeitbad.

Happy swimming!

The Easiest Vacation Ever

Last night, we stayed at a hotel. We took a bus with our suitcase, checked in, and flopped onto the bed. Our entire trip took 25 minutes - we live 7 bus stations away!

As a little valentine's day surprise I booked a night at the Holiday Inn Munich South. It was fantastic! We swam in the pool, gorged at the breakfast buffet, and slept like sardines all in one bed. What a fun easy way to "get away" without really having to go much of anywhere! We rode the bus back home in our PJs.

I can highly recommend this hotel for a fun night "away" in Munich - the staff was wonderful, the breakfast was delicious, the pool was warm and newly renovated - and the bar staff made us some excellent cocktails to take up to the room. Check hotel.com for good deals!