Oh boy, what terrible blog writers we are! Seven months since our last update and we only find time now to report the latest, and oh what news we have for you!
On March 13th 2019, Zoe Gubler entered our world!
Two weeks early, and via planned caesarean, our tiny dot arrived strong and healthy, weighing just 2.6kg. We’re over the moon!
Zoe began her life just as it is set to continue; getting to know lots and lots of people. In her first two months, we welcomed six different sets of visitors from the UK and Ireland and were inundated with visitors from Switzerland. Zoe is one loved baby! We were overwhelmed by the wealth of gifts we received (and still receive) for her from far and wide. Thank you everyone!
Despite the hustle and bustle that came with Zoe’s arrival, we still had to keep our travel plans in tow. At just three weeks old, Zoe obtained her very first passport! This meant that we were able to apply for our USA visas! We filled out the necessary forms online, prepared our supporting documents, and attended an interview on the 7th June in Bern. The staff were very friendly and accommodating and the procedure was easier than expected. We were granted access and were able to book our flights! Yabadabadoo….America here we come!
Over the following few weeks we said goodbye to all our furniture and most of our belongings, including Richie’s beloved smoker and almost all his grills (we kept one of course, you’ve got to eat right)! We moved into our caravan here on the beautiful river Rhein and are settling into the camping lifestyle. Our life on wheels has begun!
Wrapping things up hasn’t been easy. Besides having to send numerous letters of resignation for our home (TV, internet, electricity, insurance etc), handing over that one letter to our boss was the biggie. Abigail had already informed her school that she wouldn’t return after maternity leave back in February (to her, becoming a full time mummy was an easier choice to make), and Richie handed in his notice in June. After many years of working in the same companies (7 for Abigail, 17 for Richie!!!), it felt a little scary. Giving up the security of money coming in each month was hard enough, but leaving behind the relationships established in the field of teaching, and agriculture and landscaping was difficult. However, decisions have to be made, dreams need to be lived and our new chapter starts on October 5th!
We’ve just returned from a one week trip to England, where we attended a friend’s wedding. Zoe was airborne for the first time in her life and did extremely well. She’s a real travel baby!
Now back in Switzerland we have some more downsizing to do! What doesn’t fit into a suitcase must go. The Jeep is sold and the ‘For Sale’ signs are displayed in the windows of our humble abode, the caravan. We’re off next week for yet another wedding in the UK (Abigail’s Mum by the way) and some much needed vacation.
Needless to say, there hasn’t been a minute to take stock of it all. To say we have been a little busy is an understatement! I guess it will hit us the day we set foot on American soil and start this adventure. For now, everything is on track and we are very happy with our little sunshine, Zoe. Richie is due to finish work by the end of September and all that is left to do is to host a goodbye party! See you on the other side.
Beautiful family photo 💗
Thank you