Gardens & Global Warming

April 2007 should and probably will go down as the warmest April the Netherlands has seen in centuries if not Ever! We have had approximately 38 days of warm sunny days - we all love the heat but the downside (isn't there always one!) is that we have had no rain. For those of you who have been here you know that that in itself is mighty strange for NL, if ever you needed an example of global warming this I believe is it.

Well because we would be silly to stay indoors during this weather we decided to get the garden done. So the Mart got onto the case and soon found a colleague whose brother was a professional gardener and he came by last week to check out our yard and give us a quote.
After the initial shock at the price (our garden is only 6x4.5 meters) and getting reassurance from friends that this was indeed normal to pay we gave the guys the go-ahead!
Well i tell you it was worth every cent .. on Tuesday evening the wood and bricks arrived, on Wednesday two VERY young guys started work and by end of day one we had a terrace hoorah! On day two the planter was built and the grass laid and by end of day two ... WOW our suburban jungle had been turned into a real little garden hahaha pure bliss!
We now have a lovely hard wood terrace and some grass for Scott (& Saba later) to play on and as we are not known for our green fingers we have limited ourselves to a modest planter for colour and a coupe of pots on the terrace. So should you wish to come over for a relaxing sit in our back yard we are as they say open for business hahaha the last three mornings have seen us sitting in the sun and dinners outside are now obviously the thing to do. The little man is walking about in the sunshine and singing and chatting and helping Daddy water the garden! Thanks to the 'klussers' for making us our own piece of green in Amsterdam :)
Check out the before and after shots and if you want to see the 'between' have a look on shutterfly!

Before After

Pregnancy Part II

I am almost 9 months pregnant (36 weeks)- where did the time go and how come this pregnancy went so damned fast! I can still remember the shock i felt when I realised we were expecting a second baby - I was still breastfeeding Scott and he was still so small. Now here we are 4 weeks to D-day and our little girl is already such a part of the family. Today I was sitting in the sun upstairs in the lounge and she started moving about - my whole belly was jostling and bouncing and I felt this lump in my throat that this pregnancy was coming to an end. I am so lucky to be able to enjoy this time and to experience this change in my body - we are not sure if we want a third baby so I am trying to savour every moment of the last weeks just in case this is the last time. I went to the midwife on Mondaya nd Saba is in position, head down and ready for launch! I can't believe it .. 4 more weeks!!
I am also slightly annoyed with myself for not enjoying more - its difficult to take some alone time when you have a one year old running about and discovering all his abilities - actually why am I moaning? That too has been a pleasure - being home with Scott in this special time and being able to just be pregnant! The afternoon naps have been great and I love nothing better than having Scott lean against me while watching another episode of the teletubbies ... his little head resting against my big belly! He would also try to stick his tiny finger in my navel and laugh hahaha not to mention hitting what he must see as a big skin drum! I tried teaching him to kiss his sister but he just tried to bite me... what can I say he is a true boy!

thankfully, Mart and I are more prepared for Saba than we were for Scott with the room painted, the maxi-cosi (very girly) bought and I have washed her first outfit. Thursday we get the cot and move the furniture around so that the room is completely ready - I'll make an album of the before and after when everything is done.
For now though I am going to marvel at my gorgeous stomach and enjoy feeling this new little person moving about. I am going to enjoy our home without worrying about how tidy it is and I am going to give Scott ALL my love and attention while I still can!!

Spring has sprung

Its the first weekend of April and the sun has come out! Its warm and lovely and today we took the little man for a walk around our hofje (courtyard), it was so great seeing Scott getting all happy being outside and we also got a chance to say hi to the neighbours who in true Dutch fashion all came out to sit in the first rays of sun.


I am so happy that we chose to live in this little hofje with its small play area - I can just see Scott running about in front of the door with all the other boys and girls.


It is also really great that the long winter months are coming to an end (finally) and that the promise of sunshine and summer is imminent! Our first summer in our new house and the coming of our little girl in two months time! What a good life - Super exciting!

Here are some pics taken today of Scott and one with him walking with his lovely Papa. along with his super pregnant Mommy - shame look at the ltle man standing alone :) Goodness how we love our son!