Life as an Expat Family in Germany during a Global Pandemic

Life as an Expat Family in Germany during a Global Pandemic

2020 - what a year, eh? A global pandemic is not easy on anyone, but it posed some interested struggles on expat families.

Expat families typically have to rely on each other more than others - that is the nature of being an expat. You are an outsider navigating an unknown country so your spouse/family become even more important.

But this year of being in literal lockdown / quarantine in our tiny Nuremberg apartment away from relatives definitely made us stronger (and crazier) as a family.

Road Trip to Provence with a Toddler: Itinerary and Hotels

Road Trip to Provence with a Toddler: Itinerary and Hotels

During quarantine it was impossible to turn work ‘off’. We weren’t ‘working from home’ we were ‘living at work’. Calls/whats app texts/emails/messages at all hours of the day. That is when we decided : we need to take a break. Turn work off and spend quality time together.

2.5 weeks spend on a road trip driving down to the South of France. Here the our itinerary from our travels.

Road Trip with a Toddler: Tips and Tricks

Road Trip with a Toddler: Tips and Tricks

Road trips… ah yes… what once was the ultimate freeing feeling: put the windows down, blast the music and see how long you can drive before absolutely needing a rest stop.

Wait, with a toddler?

“Mommy up up” pointing at the windows crying as we’re listening to “baby shark” for the 17th time hoping it keeps her from getting car sick as we sing along.

Oh how the times have changed.

Here are some tips & tricks on road tripping with a toddler!

15 Months of Parental Leave as an Expat in Germany: How to Make the Most of Every Month

15 Months of Parental Leave as an Expat in Germany: How to Make the Most of Every Month

Living in Germany as an expat can sometimes feel.. lonely… and then spending a year out of work on maternity leave can feel even more alienating. Don’t get me wrong - I am grateful for my year of maternity leave. But - I loved my job, I loved working with my team, I loved working out at Crossfit every morning. And all of that came to a halt, and I was home alone every day with my (adorable) little baby girl.

Between Andrew and I, I am the more ‘social-needy’ one in the relationship. I love being around people, making new friends & working on projects in a group. So I was honestly worried that I would be jealous and spiteful when Andrew would come home from work telling me about his day.

So here are some of the ways I navigated through those fears, and made some of the most amazing memories (and friends) on that year off.

The Pros & Cons of a Road Trip Through Europe with a Baby

The Pros & Cons of a Road Trip Through Europe with a Baby

With our combined parental leave we decided to do a 23 day road trip through Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia & Austria.

Yes, a 23 day road trip with a 3 month old.

You have no idea how many times people told us “you are so BRAVE for traveling with an infant!”, and I am here to tell you… this was the BEST time to travel with a baby!

Obviously traveling with a baby will never be as easy as traveling before having one, but that should never stop you from continuing to travel and experiencing the world!

Here are some pros & cons to road tripping through Europe with a baby!

Surprising our Family with our Baby Announcement & Gender Reveal | Holidays 2017

Surprising our Family with our Baby Announcement & Gender Reveal | Holidays 2017

While we were home from Germany over the holidays we surprised our family on Christmas morning with our baby announcement. Here is a little compilation video of their reactions! We also did a ‘gender reveal’ party on New Years Eve… which in the end.. was wrong! (The cake said boy, but we found out later we are having a GIRL!)

We are PREGNANT! Having a baby in Germany vs the US

We are PREGNANT! Having a baby in Germany vs the US

We have some news - we are pregnant!! Since we've announced the news, I've gotten quite a few questions about the differences of having a baby in Germany vs the US. As this is our first pregnancy, I don't have much to compare it to, but I've done my best to answer some of the questions!