Getting Settled In

Happenings
Maylia and Ella are still sick. May got some rest over the weekend, plus I took yesterday off, but it's just not enough to really bounce back.
Ella is actually growing comfortable with having her nose sucked out several times a day (with a disgusting, er... fancy Czech gadget we'll have to import to the States someday...)
May's mom arrives tomorrow ( 5 December is Mikulas - see last year's post). This will be a huge relief on May.
Baby Parker - Maylia feels "it dropped," whatever that means. Deployment date in 3 more weeks.

The Closing
"Handover Protocol" happened (surprisingly) as planned last Friday evening. We signed papers, got the keys and so a 100 sq. meter flat became our new home. Last step for official ownership is entry & registration into the Kadastr (Czech Land Registry) -that'll take ~2 months. Our lawyers have that hurdle covered.
To say again, the Seller stalled our purchase multiple times since last June, mostly due to slow renovation in his new flat. As it turns out, his new place is still not ready. However, our beloved lawyer included a massive penalty in the last contract, which forced the Seller's hand. (Too freakin' bad)
Meanwhile, and most importantly, we live there, Seller does not and we are officially paying a mortgage instead of (losing) rent. Whew.

Ella's Reaction
Ella's first reaction to the flat was a new playground she could run amok in. She sprinted from room to room, mostly dodging boxes and movers. Then, as day turned to night and we started to talk about bathtime ... "I want to go home. I want to go home."
But this is your new home, hon.
That will put a smile on Maylia's parents' face because they moved Maylia at Ella's age, just before her 3rd Christmas and we know May had the very same cry.

Ella's also enjoying her new bed, instead of a crib. Now she can (and does) get out of bed anytime she feels like it. And now we get woken up anytime she feels like it. We're discovering another fun milestone in parenting.

Surroundings
Jeff K -- your precious bakery is much closer. Not quite "smelling distance," but those warm, chocolate-filled croissants are 2 minutes away by tram.
One big attractor for the flat is the block is between Prague's two biggest parks, Letna and Stromovka. Playgrounds are our friends.

For visitors, we're even closer to downtown tourist traps. Old Town Square is now a 15 minute walk away (less than half than from our old place). The elevation, though, makes the trip a "commitment." It's all downhill to get to the center, but coming back...well, it's best to take the #8 tram.

And getting to the Prague Castle is much faster. Cross the street to Letna Park and it's a short stroll through park and gardens to the castle entrance. (Same elevation as us, a good thing)

Well, enough of this tomfoolery, I'm at work. Hope to get Internet started soon. -j