Johnstein!

It is expected in Austria that mother and baby stay in the hospital for 4-5 days before going home...definitely different from the 1 night/24 hour turnaround and checkout when Justin was born. Today was our 4th day of Kaitlyn's life and we were able to return to our apartment after a 3 night, 4 day stay in the hospital. After the first night, when Rebecca got zero sleep due to her roommate's baby, we decided that a private room was necessary for her sanity...the second and third nights were much better in the sleep dept and I was able to stay with Rebecca and Kailyn. Justin stayed at the Klein's house on Thur night and then after school on Fri went home with the Schra family. Our experience with the hospital in Klosterneuburg was amazing...the midwives, nurses, and doctors were very attentive without being overbearing. Kailyn was only out of our presence once (while Rebecca was seeing the doctor for a checkup and I was getting Kailyn's Austrian birth certificate)

We have been living the last couple of weeks on the edge...knowing that Kaitlyn could be born at any point created a very surreal feeling. After getting in bed last night at 11:00 PM, this surreal unknown was shattered at 1:00AM when Rebecca woke up to the beginning stages of labor contractions. After waking me up with a very cliche "I think it's time" we called our good friend Thomas to give us a ride to the hospital...we arrived at the hospital at 2:30 and three hours later we were holding Kailyn in our arms! What an amazing experience. The midwives were so gracious and caring. The rest of the hospital staff were also equally helpful throughout the day. We will probably be in the hospital for a few more days (Austrian hospitals like keep mothers and their babies for 5 days or so)...but Kailyn is incredibly healthy and active. What an amazing blessing and answer to prayer. Please enjoy the pictures belowm Rebecca having a little fun in the midst of contraction

This week's installment of ICSV classes in action features my 12th grade British Literature class. We are currently studying Beowulf. This is my second year teaching the Brit Lit class while it is my first year teaching the students that are in this class. 

We had our sponsored class over for dinner last night. Aside from simply getting together for dinner, the main purpose of our evening was to provide an opportunity for the students to Skype with the Wells. We had 15 of the 22 kids in the class squeeze into our apartment... As you can see in the pictures below, this is a pretty fun group of kids who we are privileged to sponsor. One of our co - sponsors, blocking the line of site for the kids playing the Wii so he can get a beverage. Burrito cheers!   Burrito cheers! Again. It was so loud in the living room that we had to move the computer to the hall so the Wells could be heard. The kids had a great time talking with Josh and Beth...and for most of them, it was the first time they were able to see and interact with baby Noah. The boys especially had a great time making Noah laugh... While the kids took turns skyping with the Wells, the rest of us spent the time hanging out, eating burritos, laughing, and playing the Wii