This sentence completely changed the way I travel. I felt myself relax, and my desperation to see.it.all fade a little bit. It’s hard to completely let go of the fomo-mentality, but it’s really made me enjoy my travels so much more.

This point was driven home when, recently, planning a trip to Europe in November, E and I began to reminisce about our trip to Europe last November.

(November, by and by, is a totally underrated month to hit the road!)

As we talked about the highlights of that trip, where we visited Finland, Estonia & Denmark, I realized most of my favorite moments from this trip were the simple ones, the ones where it was just the three of us–me, E and baby A–hanging out and exploring.

Our first lunch in Copenhagen at a random “activity church” we stumbled upon–it was one of our best meals, and I still don’t know even know what we ate. Just that it was crazy delicious.

There was dinner with our Danish friends, watching our little girls run around together.

Taking long naps with baby A, thanks to jet lag.

The ferry ride between Tallinn and Helsinki.

Running out in the dark, cold evening, to watch them light up the Christmas tree in Tallinn.

The three of us getting coffee in an atmospheric, cellar coffee shop.

Baby A passing out and sleeping on the window sill of a restaurant while we got in a lunch date.

Strapping baby A to my chest and finding our way to a local coffee shop in Copenhagen.

Baby A saying “Mmmm!”, to the delight of the entire café, at her first taste of a Finnish butter-eye bun, voisilmäpulla.

Stumbling upon a beautiful trail to Helsinki’s train station from our rental flat.

The sauna at our flat in Helsinki.

Baby taking her first steps in Helsinki.

Getting cute hand-me-downs from baby A’s little friend in Copenhagen.

E riding the moving sidewalks in the Munich airport with our tired baby, trying to keep both of them awake and entertained.

The list goes on and on.

It made me realize that sometimes the most special moments of a trip are the little ones, the ones that didn’t seem very significant at the time.

And, really, isn’t that what life is all about, too?

The post Little Moments appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

Also, side note–this post originally had the title “one month of motherhood” then switched to “two months of motherhood”…at around the four-month mark I decided six months would be my goal. So that’s where I’m at!

I’ve always struggled with expectations–and not just being too high. With parenting, my expectations were…dead low, actually. I really was not sure I ever wanted to be a parent, and for much of my pregnancy I was angry that I even was pregnant. I wanted to stay in Budapest. I wanted to stay in our lovely little flat. I didn’t want to put my job or career on hold. I didn’t want to feel obligated to live closer to family, and I didn’t really enjoy much about pregnancy. Even in childbirth, my midwife kept saying “Just get through this! Then you get to be a MOM!” and although I don’t think I really responded because let’s face it, words are hard in labor, I just kept thinking “I DON’T WANT TO BE A MOM! THIS IS NOT WORTH THE PAIN!” Even my husband, who knows me well, told her to tell me that I would get to stop being pregnant instead. That worked better!!

Now that my daughter is here…I absolutely LOVE being her mother. I am forever grateful that somehow this sweet, fun, adorable, spunky, smart, gorgeous little soul is ours. I was so worried about everything that would be gone from my life after she was here, but I don’t actually feel that way at all. They say your heart has room enough to keep adding space, and I found this to be completely true. My daughter has taken nothing from my life, only added to it. Maybe I’m not still living in Europe, chasing my travel dreams, but I’m more at peace knowing that I still want those things, and now I get to bring my little girl with me.

first plane ride at four months! 

She amazes me every day. Her eyelashes are so long! Her dimples are the cutest thing. Her laugh makes me laugh without fail. Her smile lights up her whole face–and lights up the room. Her brain is constantly working! She spends so much time minutely examining everything, figuring out how things work, just like her daddy. Her hairline is hilarious with a persistent bald patch. She is such a happy baby and already an indispensable member of our little crew.

Although six months in, I still love motherhood every day, it’s not all rainbows. And not just the daily frustrations, like the lack of sleep and the ten billion diapers, but my own physical and mental health has suffered since welcoming my little A.

I wasn’t sure I wanted to address this on the blog, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to do it quite yet–but I’m diving in. Two days after my daughter was born, after a traumatic birth, postpartum anxiety hit me like a ton of bricks. I’d been well-educated on postpartum depression, and had several friends reach out to me during pregnancy, sharing their own experiences. But the fear and anxiety were like nothing I had ever known. I credit these friends and my education, however, for helping me see the signs right away, and telling my doctor. I credit the myriad of other people who shared their stories–everyone from my lactation consultation, my amazing doctor, various nurses, friends and friends’ moms, for helping me feel not so alone. My doctor immediately put me in touch with a postpartum group at the hospital, validated all of my feelings, and recommended medication. The next two weeks were some of the worst of my life. Here I was with a precious new baby, and all I felt was anxiety and shame and sadness. I still feel a pit in my stomach that I wasn’t able to just soak up those first days with her–I will never get those back

Luckily, the medication began to help after a few weeks, my hormones leveled out, I was able to sleep a bit (thanks to pumping/my husband, a true co-parent), and I began to recover from my host of health issues leftover from my delivery. I found the joy in parenting and in my daughter, and now I love her so much I hate to even be away from her to shower. Seeing her grow and smile and live is so amazing, and I am trying my best to soak up every moment (although I don’t always succeed).

The main reason I’m sharing this is so other new moms out there aren’t afraid to reach out. You should not have to suffer. You will be a better, happier mother when you get help. So if you’re struggling–reach out! Send me an email or DM me on Instagram, tell your doctor/baby’s doctor/midwife/husband/boyfriend/best friend/mother. I know that every person who shared their story with me gave me the strength to seek out the help I really, really needed.

The post Six Months of Motherhood appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

Before she even officially entered the world, our little Adelie was surprising us and proving that you can’t plan much when it comes to parenthood. Her birth, and the first few days of her life, did not go at all as I had hoped. On the other hand, though, she surprised us in so many good ways. She has these amazing dimples that come out when she cries (and although she’s not quite there yet, they will come out when she smiles, too!). Seriously. Cry dimples! Who even knew that was a thing? They are ridiculously adorable.

After a rough start, now that Adelie is a month old and I’ve had a chance to (mostly) recover, I absolutely love being her mother–way, way more than I ever thought I would!–and we have settled into more of a groove. You guys, parenthood is fun. Sure, I’m more tired than before, and sometimes this little human is a baffling puzzle that is screaming for no reason I can figure out, but truly, it is a joy. She is a joy!

So, welcome to the world, Adelie Laine! We are so happy you’re here.

The post She’s Here! appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

Of course it’s not the only thing we do together–but it’s definitely our favorite pastime and one of the biggest things that has formed our relationship.

I will cherish the memories we’ve made together forever–from scooting around Croatia, to scuba diving in Mexico, to zip lining in Costa Rica, to hiking in Scotland, to road tripping in Romania, to getting lost in Iceland, to teaching in Prague, to moving to Budapest, to whale watching in Washington, to camping in Colorado, and so much more!

But the next best thing might just be the fact that am I currently making our baby. And that said baby has been to (in utero, of course) England–twice!, Serbia, Macedonia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Poland, Croatia, the Netherlands, Scotland, Iceland, and to six states in the United States.

This little one is already such a good travel partner, and I can’t wait to go to more places with the wee babe in tow! It’s already added a new, different, and sometimes disconcerting dimension to our travels…and it will be so interesting to see what will change when baby is actually here!

And yes, part of me is scared out of my mind to be a parent, much less to travel as a parent, but the rest of me says…

bring it on!

Who is your favorite travel partner? 

Linking up with Emma, Polly, Angie and Leona! 

The post My Favorite Travel Partner(s) appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

// Did you know your body can develop issues when you’re pregnant? Issues that everyone has to get tested for, like liver problems and diabetes (that is specific to pregnancy?). Or, if you have negative blood type, you have to get a shot so you don’t start rejecting your baby, if said baby might have positive blood type? And some of them can happen no matter how healthy you are before and during said pregnancy? CRAZY. I’ve been poked more since I got pregnant than I’ve ever been poked–and not just because I’ve had prenatal care in two countries and had a few repeat tests.

// I’m officially 30 weeks as of yesterday! Which means I could have this baby in 7 weeks…or 12 weeks. Quite a range, my friends!

back when I was 20 weeks and thought my bump was “huge.” AND was still fitting in my clothes, sob. 

// I’m proud of the fact that I’ve managed to become more minimalist these past few years, but I think I’m a marketer’s dream when it comes to baby stuff. Firstly, all the baby stuff is so cute. Secondly, I’m anxious and feeling out of my league, so everything they are trying to sell me seems like a necessity!

// I don’t know what it is about pregnancy, but so many random strangers will talk to you. Or family members will tell you things you never wanted to know, like specific details about their own child’s birth. I’ve heard so many birth stories–from random strangers and actual people in my life. One good thing about it, though, is that every story is so different–I’m usually able to forget the scary ones (like the ones that involve twelve-pound babies–of which I’ve heard multiple stories, c’mon people!) and just assume mine will also be unique. Plus, most of them have a happy ending that gets them a baby! Trying to focus on that part of the stories ;).

// Pregnancy has also made me realize how little I know my body (and how little I retained/listened in biology class).

// Let me just get mushy and say that watching E prepare to be a dad is one of the best things. He’s one of those people you just know will be an amazing father. I think he will be a more natural parent than me!

// I know pregnancy brain is a cliche, but I practically have to be supervised in the kitchen these days. I keep having to open the trash to count the eggs shells because I can’t remember how many I put in!

// Speaking of the kitchen, my baking this week for Amanda’s Bake Off Bake Along was inspired by my current pregnancy craving: Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies. I haven’t had one of these in years and I have no idea where this craving came from–but it’s a bummer, because for a while I was craving fruit mostly (except for a few days of sugarsugarsugar and that one night where all I could think about was steak). Now it seems like I’m craving comfort foods and sweet things as opposed to healthier stuff.

Since this week was “biscuit week” on the bake-off–which translates roughly to cookies in American-speak–the choices were sandwich biscuits, fortune cookies, or a giant board game made from biscuits. (Yes, a board game, complete with biscuit dice and playing pieces!)

As much as I’m hoping to challenge myself with a showstopper, I just could not justify making a board game. And since I’m not a fan of fortune cookies (except for the fortune) to begin with, the obvious choice was sandwich biscuits!

Then, enter in my current craving, and the timing is quite flawless.

I decided to make these Mini Maple Oatmeal Cream Pies, because fall is most definitely in the air here (if you follow me on Instagram you’ll see that it’s already snowed!) and I can’t resist those autumnal flavors!

Admittedly I did not think through the beauty aspect of oatmeal sandwich cookies–I think these would be called “rustic.”

Rustic, but delicious!

In a weird turn of events, my favorite part is the cookie, not the inner-frosting. So much so, I ended up only frosting about half before deciding to leave the rest plain. Who am I?

The post Pregnancy Rambles + Bake Off Bake Along Week 2 appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

one of baby’s first trips–Scotland! 

I admit that I’m struggling with what my life will look like–and what my identity will be–after babe. Traveling has been such a part of my life and such a part of me–it’s almost always been one of my number one dreams and goals–that I’m not sure what my life is going to look like going forwards.

Many people assure me that you CAN still travel with a baby, and I am really crossing my fingers that we are going to make it happen. In true form, I have many ideas on where we could go with a baby in tow–and here are the top ten places I want to go with my child!

TOP TEN PLACES I WANT TO TAKE MY BABY

France.

The last few years, I’ve really wanted to do a road trip around France, mostly in the countryside. I think we could base ourselves one or two places and still see a lot. It seems like road tripping with a baby might be the best way to travel with one! But correct me if I’m wrong??

see more France here. 

Spain.

source

Some of our favorite friends moved to Spain, and I’m dying to visit them! I’m sure the baby will want to meet them, too ;).

England.

I think both my parents would love to see England, so I have (lofty) dreams of gathering our family there, and showing my baby the English countryside. Plus, more people = more babysitters!

see more England here. 

Iceland.

I just feel like Iceland must be really nice to babies, although I have no evidence of this, except that I know IcelandAir is. Plus, two one-night layovers there is just not enough time!!

see more Iceland here. 

Peru.

I studied abroad in Peru during my university years and I’ve always wanted to go back with E–and now our child!

see more Peru here. 

The Oregon coast.

One of my favorite places on Earth, and probably the first place our little one will put those cute little feet in the sand!

see more Oregon here. 

Hawaii.

source

I don’t know why I think this, but Hawaii seems like such a fun place to take your baby. Of course, I’ve never been, so that’s a plus. I really want to go to more islands in the South Pacific, and Hawaii seems like a good place to start!

South Africa.

source

Okay now we’re getting crazy, because that would be a long trip for a little one. I won’t make my goal of getting to Africa though before I pop, so it will just have to include the new member of our family!

New Zealand.

source

I’m pretty sure one of the longest flights in the world might be hell with a baby…but I have a feeling New Zealand would be completely worth it.

Japan.

source

Japan has been at the top of E’s list for years. I think it would be fun–if chaotic–with a little kid!

I need your advice, parents–best places to take a baby? For the childless, would you still want to travel with a baby in tow? 

Linking up with Adventures of a London Kiwi, SilverSpoon London, Follow Your Sunshine and Erin Out and About for the monthly travel link-up! 

The post Top Ten Places I Want to Take My Baby appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

If you can’t read German or have never seen a pregnancy test, the above photo might be confusing…

but to confirm,

YES, I am pregnant!

(And for some reason, at first, here in Budapest we could only find German pregnancy tests).

I announced the news yesterday on Instagram and was overwhelmed by the love and excitement E and I received from all over the world! This is one lucky little babe already.

I am just over 16 weeks pregnant–the baby is expected to arrive at the end of November, around Thanksgiving (in America, anyways). Which means we exclusively refer to it with all the fall fruits and foods we can think of, including Lil Turkey.

Anyway, that’s why it’s been so quiet around here! I can’t believe my last post was in APRIL!!

Mostly the radio silence is because the first trimester left me nearly comatose every day. The fatigue and morning sickness (or, all-day sickness, really???) really threw me for a loop. I was so nauseous all the time, that some clothes I wore during that time make me feel ill. Our spring break trip to Macedonia–two days after we found out I was pregnant–is still hard for me to think about, even though it’s a beautiful country. I just feel sick again at the memory!

Add the “morning” sickness and fatigue to teaching every day?? I practically had to crawl home and not move again once I got there.

Tomorrow is the last day of school (so many feelings!!) and while I love my job and my students, I am so grateful for a break. I do not understand how teachers teach until right before they have the baby.

^^one of my first-graders drew this picture of future me…pregnant and in London. Apparently he thinks I’m British, ha! 

Although I shared not long ago that we would be staying for another year in Hungary, after our little surprise turkey news, E and I decided that going back to the States–for the time being–would be better for us.

There are a few reasons for this:

First, family! It would be nice to be a little closer to at least ONE member of our family when our little babe arrives.

Secondly, the healthcare here is decent–dare I say better than in most of America, unfortunately?–but even at the private clinic we go to, there is quite a language barrier. We always have to furiously Google both during AND after the appointments to figure out what exactly is happening. There is also a protocol in Hungary (and perhaps in the States?? I’ll find out soon!) for prenatal care, and with the language barrier, half the time I’m not even sure why they’re taking my blood or giving me another ultrasound. Since it’s my first pregnancy, I’m a bit of a hypochondriac, and I already had a small complication at the beginning of the pregnancy, I really want a doctor who can help me understand my pregnancy and baby.

Another reason we are leaving is because our visas are tied to my job here–and since I would get at least a year or so off with maternity leave, this would also impact our visas and make it harder to stay.

Another minor issue? Even if we did have the baby here, it wouldn’t have Hungarian citizenship since we are both American–a perk I did want to give my child, but doesn’t seem to be happening this time around :).

So, what’s next?

Next, my parents come to visit–they arrive TOMORROW, in fact!–and we are going to Poland! After they leave, E and I will be traveling some–Lviv in Ukraine, Amsterdam, Scotland and Iceland, to be exact!

That will take us into the middle of July, and we’ll fly back to the States then. We’ll stay with my parents for a few weeks, and then…who knows!

A big fat question mark is still in my mind about where exactly we are going to have this baby and what we’re going to do. I’m planning on teaching online for the rest of my pregnancy and then taking time off to enjoy my new baby before getting another job. E, who works for himself from home, will probably find a more full-time (but hopefully still remote!) job that will give us benefits (because healthcare, besides the English thing, is NOT A PERK OF MOVING BACK TO THE UNITED STATES).

But really, we have no idea what will come next.

And that goes for parenting!

Truthfully, my first trimester was so rough, emotionally and physically, and my pregnancy was quite a surprise–and along with the fact that we have to leave my beloved Europe–I have been so up and down about this new adventure of ours.

Now that I’m feeling a bit better, with a summer of family and travel is ahead of us, and now that I even have a little baby bump!, it feels more real and more exciting.

I am so excited to show our little one the world! We hope to live abroad again and give our child that experience, but first we will have to adjust to being parents. Whoa!

I hope you’ll join me for this next chapter in our lives, too :). Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out and shared their excitement with both me and E–it means so much to us!

Do you have any questions about my pregnancy? Do you travel/live abroad with a child? Share your wisdom!  

The post Schwanger’d + A Little Life Update appeared first on Amy and the Great World.