Turmstraßenfest

This weekend was the yearly "Turmstraßenfest", when one of the major thoroughfares near us is shut down to traffic and turned into a little midway. For the last two years running Clara was too small to go on any of the rides, so I've been looking forward to this weekend for a long long time!

Clara was raring to go as soon as she got there, and really wanted to go on one of those spinning swing rides - next year (maybe) kiddo! Her first ride was with her Opa, and while she was really excited to go on it you can see her nervousness too. I love how in this series of photos she goes from anxious to loving it! The ride had just started to rise in the third photo, where she has the big pout.







Next up was a train ride that went in a tiny circle:


I really felt for her! The photo reminds me of the time I went on the Scream Machine at Expo '86 (I thought we were in line for the log ride). When we were back two days later she asked to go on the train again, and once again spent most of the ride in the same position as in the photo above! She relaxed enough to turn the steering wheel for a few seconds on that second try... then the train went around a corner and it was back to holding on for dear life. Eventually she started "steering" with her feet, while she leaned back holding onto the sides as above!

We kept bumping into a friend of Clara's from the Kita, Ivica, who had either just been on a ride before Clara or was just getting onto it after her. Finally the timing worked out perfectly, and Ivica's dad treated them both to a carousel ride in a fire truck.





On Saturday we visited Clara's great-grandparents and great aunt and uncle in Wolfen. Clara had a fantastic time, and on the way home she said over and over again that we should come back soon to visit. But that we don't need to bring wolves (to Wolfen)...

Oscar

Last Monday Oscar had his first bath. He didn't cry, and seemed to find it interesting.


Oscar can lift his head and chest really high off of the floor or mat, and he rocks from side to side. A few times I've been sure that he was going to roll over from his tummy to his back!


So much exercise is hard work!


Oscar is much more aware of his surroundings. He doesn't have much control over his hands or arms yet (although he has stroked my face a few times), so he's mostly constrained to looking at interesting things.




Oscar continues to eat really well. The midwife was by again today, and we found out that Oscar is still gaining ~60g/day. He's now up to 4340g (9lb 9oz), and showing it! He's starting to get a few fat dimples on his arms, and his cheeks are so big that his face has the look of a caricature! We need to try to somehow take a passport photo in the next few days, so you might get to see what I mean soon.