We've had a very busy week with Emma and Nathan visiting us earlier in the week and some very long hours for Adam. It was so nice to have some time with Em and Nathan and I was sad to put them on the bus to Schiphol.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Edward and Dad enjoy some lounge time
We've had a very busy week with Emma and Nathan visiting us earlier in the week and some very long hours for Adam. It was so nice to have some time with Em and Nathan and I was sad to put them on the bus to Schiphol.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
A Fine Friday
Well it's Friday again. The sun was shining early this morning but now (at midday) it is grey and cloudy once more.
Adam incurred 2 more speeding fines each for 20 Euros. Both on the Wakkerdijk - the main road near our house.
Adam worked from home in the morning and is now at the Almere office for the remainder of the day.
Edward has had his lunch (reheated Nasi Goreng), a ride in the pram to Boni and is now playing on the floor at my feet ie talking loudly to the toy garbage truck that was a present from Marco and Lila.
Great to have an email this morning from Uncle Marco. I so love being in touch with people. Also I Skyped with the Magees in Australia. I always feel happy after talking with you, Charmaine.
Emma and Nathan are visiting us on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. It will be lovely to hear about their wedding and to have a good catch up. I must email J-M to see if they can visit him Wednesday next week.
Adam incurred 2 more speeding fines each for 20 Euros. Both on the Wakkerdijk - the main road near our house.
Adam worked from home in the morning and is now at the Almere office for the remainder of the day.
Edward has had his lunch (reheated Nasi Goreng), a ride in the pram to Boni and is now playing on the floor at my feet ie talking loudly to the toy garbage truck that was a present from Marco and Lila.
Great to have an email this morning from Uncle Marco. I so love being in touch with people. Also I Skyped with the Magees in Australia. I always feel happy after talking with you, Charmaine.
Emma and Nathan are visiting us on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. It will be lovely to hear about their wedding and to have a good catch up. I must email J-M to see if they can visit him Wednesday next week.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Edward's First Step
Edward took his first unaided step (yes, singular) today while we were at a neighbour's (Joka's) having afternoon coffee.
A bit of background. Last week I was walking with Edward to the local Boni supermarket (the one that smells of rotting fruit and veg) when I actually saw another inmate of the village. She was out on the pavement weeding her hedge. She saw us and commented on Edward (in Dutch). I explained that I speak English and she told me that she was learning English at the local old people's home, which is next door to her house & at the end of our street.
I ended up inviting her to have coffee at our house (last Friday) & that went quite well, despite me deciding to cook a banana cake (yes, me who can count on one hand the number of cakes ever cooked), which unfortunately was a complete disaster. It collapsed in the middle when I took it out of the oven & was basically not cooked. Nevertheless I did serve the poor lady a 'slice' (well it was a crumbly, doughy bit)... which she bravely ate.
I cooked the ruddy thing for another hour after Joka left and then it was actually quite nice.
Anyway, this afternoon at 3pm Edward and I were invited to have reciprocal coffee at Joka's. It was nice & she is a nice woman. In her 70s, husband died a few years ago, lovely garden. Edward had a great time exploring her house - she has a sittingroom full of pot plants, ornaments, little tables etc.
So Edward's first step was taken as he proceeded from inspecting Joka's coffee table, to the sofa where I was sitting. He was on a mission to reach a biscuit I was holding, so I am assuming that his first step was motivated by his tummy. That's my darling!
A bit of background. Last week I was walking with Edward to the local Boni supermarket (the one that smells of rotting fruit and veg) when I actually saw another inmate of the village. She was out on the pavement weeding her hedge. She saw us and commented on Edward (in Dutch). I explained that I speak English and she told me that she was learning English at the local old people's home, which is next door to her house & at the end of our street.
I ended up inviting her to have coffee at our house (last Friday) & that went quite well, despite me deciding to cook a banana cake (yes, me who can count on one hand the number of cakes ever cooked), which unfortunately was a complete disaster. It collapsed in the middle when I took it out of the oven & was basically not cooked. Nevertheless I did serve the poor lady a 'slice' (well it was a crumbly, doughy bit)... which she bravely ate.
I cooked the ruddy thing for another hour after Joka left and then it was actually quite nice.
Anyway, this afternoon at 3pm Edward and I were invited to have reciprocal coffee at Joka's. It was nice & she is a nice woman. In her 70s, husband died a few years ago, lovely garden. Edward had a great time exploring her house - she has a sittingroom full of pot plants, ornaments, little tables etc.
So Edward's first step was taken as he proceeded from inspecting Joka's coffee table, to the sofa where I was sitting. He was on a mission to reach a biscuit I was holding, so I am assuming that his first step was motivated by his tummy. That's my darling!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
95%
Adam got 95% in his Last Ever Masters assignment. I'm very proud of him.
The other achievement in this household is that Edward can stack blocks on top of each other. This is an improvement on smashing constructions made by a parent.
He has not figured out the different shapes yet, and gets very cross when his attempted stacking on top of a triangular block is unsuccessful. I'll try and make a video of his block stacking but it's hard when the main actor would rather chew a camera than stack blocks.
Our darling little one is not walking unassisted. I was a bit disappointed as I thought this would happen at 12 months. However, after interrogating each of his grandmothers, neither Adam nor I walked until 15 months. So the pressure is on for 3 July. (Now, E darling if you walk before your 12 month check-up - next Thursday - I can tell that smug nursing sister that you are walking and that will be a good thing.)
Oh and the 12 month check-up is also when the next immunisations happen. I'm not looking forward to it. The NL does not have Baby Panadol (or equivalent). What they do have is paracetamol suppositories (called "Z Pillen" or something) over here. I actually bought some when E was so sick in the Hague, but cannot imagine (well I can imagine it...) them being used.
I took Edward to the Laren swimmingpool today. He does not like the water. Not a sporty baby.
The other achievement in this household is that Edward can stack blocks on top of each other. This is an improvement on smashing constructions made by a parent.
He has not figured out the different shapes yet, and gets very cross when his attempted stacking on top of a triangular block is unsuccessful. I'll try and make a video of his block stacking but it's hard when the main actor would rather chew a camera than stack blocks.
Our darling little one is not walking unassisted. I was a bit disappointed as I thought this would happen at 12 months. However, after interrogating each of his grandmothers, neither Adam nor I walked until 15 months. So the pressure is on for 3 July. (Now, E darling if you walk before your 12 month check-up - next Thursday - I can tell that smug nursing sister that you are walking and that will be a good thing.)
Oh and the 12 month check-up is also when the next immunisations happen. I'm not looking forward to it. The NL does not have Baby Panadol (or equivalent). What they do have is paracetamol suppositories (called "Z Pillen" or something) over here. I actually bought some when E was so sick in the Hague, but cannot imagine (well I can imagine it...) them being used.
I took Edward to the Laren swimmingpool today. He does not like the water. Not a sporty baby.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
A ferry across the River Eem
We are in the midst of a Dutch heat wave. The sun is shining. The children next door are playing outside wearing singlets and shorts. The streets are crowded with happy Nederlanders who have emerged from their gesellig homes. There is not a winter coat to be seen.
It is 23 degrees.
Now Australians, don't laugh. Without a doubt we have adjusted to the climate here as it feels as if it is 45 degrees.
Spring is here. I have seen a real Bumble Bee in our garden. They are absolutely enormous - about the size of 3 or 4 Australian bees.
This morning we went on a great expedition to first the Spakenberg Kringloop and then the Baarn Kringloop. Success in Spakenberg but nothing in Baarn. Then to Hilversum where we visited the organic butcher and organic supermarket. Came home very tired with enough food to last us until Monday.
On the way we travelled on a ferry across the River Eem.
It is 23 degrees.
Now Australians, don't laugh. Without a doubt we have adjusted to the climate here as it feels as if it is 45 degrees.
Spring is here. I have seen a real Bumble Bee in our garden. They are absolutely enormous - about the size of 3 or 4 Australian bees.
This morning we went on a great expedition to first the Spakenberg Kringloop and then the Baarn Kringloop. Success in Spakenberg but nothing in Baarn. Then to Hilversum where we visited the organic butcher and organic supermarket. Came home very tired with enough food to last us until Monday.
On the way we travelled on a ferry across the River Eem.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Edward has a visitor
Edward had a visitor last week on Thursday!
Edward and I were out on George-the-Dragon (driving up and down the pavement looking at other people's gardens) when our neighbour brought her children back from school. The little girl (Stella) invited herself in for a play. Stella speaks no English and I speak very little Dutch, and Edward doesn't speak any recognisable language.
I wasn't prepared for a visitor and so the house was a complete pigsty. Stella marched in and gazed in complete astonishment at the mess of our sittingroom.
And I couldn't get her to leave so that I could clean up .... after half an hour or so of her playing with Edward's toys, in desperation I mimed to her that Edward needed his nappy changed. But even that didn't put her off and she followed me upstairs (into the even greater mess of unmade beds and ironing piles) and watched in amazement as I changed him.
She was amazed because she only then realised that Edward was a boy ("een jongen") in Dutch. I was amazed that she didn't know this from his inherent boy-ness. I suppose this is what happens when a baby is almost bald.
But then the 2 little ones sat on the kitchen floor and Edward pulled various cooking things out of the cupboard and they played a very nice game of cooking things together. I hope Stella comes to visit more often.
Edward and I were out on George-the-Dragon (driving up and down the pavement looking at other people's gardens) when our neighbour brought her children back from school. The little girl (Stella) invited herself in for a play. Stella speaks no English and I speak very little Dutch, and Edward doesn't speak any recognisable language.
I wasn't prepared for a visitor and so the house was a complete pigsty. Stella marched in and gazed in complete astonishment at the mess of our sittingroom.
And I couldn't get her to leave so that I could clean up .... after half an hour or so of her playing with Edward's toys, in desperation I mimed to her that Edward needed his nappy changed. But even that didn't put her off and she followed me upstairs (into the even greater mess of unmade beds and ironing piles) and watched in amazement as I changed him.
She was amazed because she only then realised that Edward was a boy ("een jongen") in Dutch. I was amazed that she didn't know this from his inherent boy-ness. I suppose this is what happens when a baby is almost bald.
But then the 2 little ones sat on the kitchen floor and Edward pulled various cooking things out of the cupboard and they played a very nice game of cooking things together. I hope Stella comes to visit more often.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Monday, April 2, 2007
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Edward and George
Well it is Sunday evening and we have actually had a relaxing weekend.
This is due to:
- no more assignment for Adam
- the 2007-Dutch-Snot-Extravaganza beginning to depart
- afternoon naps (for parents)
- good news from Newcastle
- sunny weather.
On the Newcastle front, Damien's second operation went well. What a relief!
And the doctor has given Damien the go-ahead to visit us in June. I can't wait. I wonder whether Damien will be amazed by Edward. The last time Damien saw Edward, Edward was not even crawling. I think Damien will enjoy having a nephew a lot more now that he is no longer a fragile little baby.
Edward actually ate some non-breastmilk food today - hooray! Most of it was vomited out, but at least some went into his mouth.
I cannot believe how difficult and messy it is to feed solids to a baby. I am getting really tired of it and I think it should not be this hard.
I had the bright idea of giving him some grated carrot. This was because Edward does not like mushy food any more (unless it is yoghurt).
Well, the grated carrot was a mistake. While Edward loved the texture of it in his hands, none of it ended up in his mouth. The vast majority ended up on the floor, and when I showed Edward how to put it in his mouth (via me putting it in my mouth), Edward helpfully then 'fed' me bits of grated carrot.
After the grated carrot I tried to give him some boiled egg. A bit of that did go in, but then he did a big vomit. I have a suspicion it was on purpose as he then cheerfully crawled off to play with the blocks.
I spent a good half hour cleaning the high chair. I even took the little seatbelt thing off and washed it.
Oh, I almost forgot! We have a new addition to our family - a bright green ride-on dragon (now named George). Thank you to Aunt Jane for contributing towards releasing George from the toyshop.
George is a first birthday present for Edward. We bought him in Utrecht on Saturday morning. However we could not wait for Tuesday (E's birthday) and so Edward has had a lovely weekend riding on George and playing with blocks.
This is due to:
- no more assignment for Adam
- the 2007-Dutch-Snot-Extravaganza beginning to depart
- afternoon naps (for parents)
- good news from Newcastle
- sunny weather.
On the Newcastle front, Damien's second operation went well. What a relief!
And the doctor has given Damien the go-ahead to visit us in June. I can't wait. I wonder whether Damien will be amazed by Edward. The last time Damien saw Edward, Edward was not even crawling. I think Damien will enjoy having a nephew a lot more now that he is no longer a fragile little baby.
Edward actually ate some non-breastmilk food today - hooray! Most of it was vomited out, but at least some went into his mouth.
I cannot believe how difficult and messy it is to feed solids to a baby. I am getting really tired of it and I think it should not be this hard.
I had the bright idea of giving him some grated carrot. This was because Edward does not like mushy food any more (unless it is yoghurt).
Well, the grated carrot was a mistake. While Edward loved the texture of it in his hands, none of it ended up in his mouth. The vast majority ended up on the floor, and when I showed Edward how to put it in his mouth (via me putting it in my mouth), Edward helpfully then 'fed' me bits of grated carrot.
After the grated carrot I tried to give him some boiled egg. A bit of that did go in, but then he did a big vomit. I have a suspicion it was on purpose as he then cheerfully crawled off to play with the blocks.
I spent a good half hour cleaning the high chair. I even took the little seatbelt thing off and washed it.
Oh, I almost forgot! We have a new addition to our family - a bright green ride-on dragon (now named George). Thank you to Aunt Jane for contributing towards releasing George from the toyshop.
George is a first birthday present for Edward. We bought him in Utrecht on Saturday morning. However we could not wait for Tuesday (E's birthday) and so Edward has had a lovely weekend riding on George and playing with blocks.
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