Vienna Calling

Well, it's hard to believe that we leave for Europe in 3 days. I am exhausted from getting ready for this trip. Traveling with an 11 mth old has challenged me...phew! When I was single, I made this trip so many times and could pack and get ready for the journey in my sleep. But with a toddler, it has really been challenging. Soooo much to bring! I worry about him on the flight because he is at that stage where all he wants to do is be on the ground crawling and pulling up on things. He gets quite agitated if we pick him up or try to hold him. I know he will be fine, but I worry. Just what we do as mothers. We worry.

It's been a long time since I have been back to Vienna. I moved from Austria to Portugal in 2000. My last trip there was in 2006 to visit Markus before he moved to the states. I know a lot has changed. The crazy thing is going back as a wife and mother. How different my life is now from when I lived there. I lived the total single life and I travled everywhere the train would take me. Now we will have to plan our outings around naps and mealtimes!! haha! It's good though, all very good. I can't wait to see Markus go home and show his family and friends what an amazing husband and father he has become. His life has really changed too since he was back. He gets to show off his son to his country and home. Sweetness!

We are also going to Portugal at the end of our trip to have a mini vacation and to visit friends. I lived in Portugal for 3 years and haven't been back since I moved home in 2003. I cannot wait to get back there and smell the smells, walk the streets, lay on my favorite beaches and drink that amazing Portuguese wine! Portugal became home for me. It was painful to leave that place...so it will be theraputic to be back and show Markus the reason why I love it so much. I know he will fall in love as I did. Our goal is to move back there someday...so we can live that ever so dreamy Portuguese life.