spring is in the air

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The weather here in Holland has been so springy and nice the last few days. 

The sidewalks seem busier and the people happier. 

Winter has skipped Holland this year and because of that spring flowers are blooming and the cherry tree in front of our building is starting to blossom. 

Spring is in the air!

And to top it all off it's February vacation, which means that Micha and I have B. all to ourselves for a week.

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We've made a start in the soon-to-be nursery, with help from my parents.

We've hopped on our bikes to watch the trains at the station.

We've slept in and had late big breakfasts, napped in the afternoons (all three of us) and spent our evenings tired and content from our busy days.

And we're only halfway through the week.

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This afternoon we headed to the city center to witness our city's THREE (!!there must be something in the water!) Olympic medalists being celebrated and cheered for by at least a thousand proud fans. 

It was a historical moment and I couldn't have been more proud of this little city I live in.

All this happiness and sunshine is making me long for warm spring days which bring the promise of the best part of the year: Summer!

I can't wait!

Love, Maria

08/52

Project 52: a portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014

Micha: 

I shot this (absurdly blurry, so in need of a phone that actually takes decent photos, but still so cute) picture when B. had just came home from school. 

The moment he hears the key in the door it's all 'Papa, papa, papa', and I'm okay with that!

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Little baby boy:

I'm falling in love with you more and more each day. 

Your kicks and flips are getting stronger and I feel you moving around most when I'm singing or reading to Micha. 

You're papa and I have decided on a name for you (I think) and while it wasn't my first choice I think it's actually pretty perfect now. 

Next week we're finally getting started on your room. 

We need to put a wall up in our extremely long guest/wash drying/junk room so we can make it into a room for you and a storage room.

Luckily your Opa and Oma are coming to help.

And once that and painting the walls is done, I can finally start decorating!

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Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

Love, Maria

Little Baby Boy's nursery - mood board

Now that we know that baby #2 is a little boy, I've been thinking about his future nursery a lot more than before and it's a little bit overwhelming for me.

With Micha's room I had years to dream up every little detail, I actually even made sketches (!), and his nursery is still my favorite room in our home up to this day.

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But for little baby boy I haven't really had a strong sense of what I want his nursery to look like.

I want it to be different than Micha's room, the littlest guy needs to feel special too, but I also want to be able to reuse some of the colorful baby gear that looked so cute in Micha's room. 

And how easy would it be if I can reuse all of the little blankets and sheets we used for Micha.

A similar look wouldn't just be practical, it's also a look that I just love so much. 

Not too gender specific, colorful, not too baby-ish, clean and fresh, just the way I like it!

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So, while I haven't been making any sketches yet, I have found out that a lot of the images I've been pinning for inspiration lately, have quite a lot in common.

You could summarize the look as: white, bright, colorful, simple, Scandinavian.

image source: 1,2,3,4,5,6

We painted one wall in Micha's nursery a chevron pattern and the other walls are blue.

But this time around I think we'll leave the walls white, and maybe paint the ceiling with a fun accent like in image #5.  

An other way of bringing in color is a fun rug like in image #3.

I found the posters (image #2.) at Ikea and think they'll be an awesome starting point for the nursery.

I love the overall feeling of image #1. and the simplicity of image #7.

And of course I'll be making some cute decorations (like in image #4.) to really personalize the room.

I think I've found the look I've been looking for!

Can't wait to get started!

Love, Maria

Let's fly away!

Exciting things are about to happen over here! 

We're going on a trip!

But where to, you ask? 

I'll let this little video of Micha do the talking:

For those of you who don't speak Dutch, I ask him in the video: "Micha, where are we going to go to by plane?"

And, well, you heard his answer!

That's right, this late April/early May we'll be heading to Canada for two weeks.

We are so excited!

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We've been wanting to visit for such a long time (especially before Micha turns two because, hello, free trip for him) but we just couldn't afford it.

But a few weeks ago we received a big tax refund that allowed the three of us to be able to make the trip. 

The refund feels like a gift from above, it really does! We're so thankful!

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We'll be visiting my sister and her family and we'll probably also be spending some time with my best friend Lydia and her little family.

I just can't wait to (re-)introduce them all to Micha and spend some time with some of my favorite people in the world (who happen to live across the world).
I'm so glad I get to introduce Micha to the country I grew up in,
I hope he loves it just as much as his mama.

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I already have a whole list of things I want to do/buy when we're there:

- Eat all the doughnuts at Tim Hortons

- Buy all the cute cheap zip-up pj's for my boys (I can't find them here in Holland, boo!)

- Have my birthday breakfast (May 2nd) at a pancake joint

- Hoard baking supplies and ingredients 

- Fill my suitcase with Canadian/American candy and food

(Just realized that almost everything has to do with food, I just really miss the (processed, obesity inducing, deliciously unhealthy) food!)

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I'm a tiny bit nervous (read: terrified) about flying with a busy and feisty toddler like Micha is, 

and have been pinning all kinds of tips and checklists on how to keep a toddler occupied during a flight. 

But I'll just keep in mind that if he doesn't behave as we'd like him to and people have a problem with him, we'll likely never see them again anyways. 

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Canada, here we come!

Love, Maria

p.s. Have you ever flown with a toddler? Any tips?

07/52 + Happy V-Day!

Project 52: a portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014

(This week just one of Micha, I was to lazy to take a belly shot!)

Micha: My little love!

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I'm actually not a huge fan of V-day. 

It's such a commercialized holiday and that's actually too bad because the idea is so nice.

I love the idea of letting B. know how much I appreciate and love him, 

and while that shouldn't be and isn't reserved for one day of the year, 

I wanted to make him feel special today.

So this year I decided to put my own spin on the 'day of love'.

No expensive presents, but a day filled with kisses, love notes 

and a romantic dinner for two at home after Micha's gone to bed.

On the menu:

Chicken and Ham Parmesan from my trusty cookbook: What to cook and how to cook it: Fresh and easy.

and for dessert:

Chocolate pots. This recipe. (which looks delicious, no?)

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We also sent some Valentine's cards to the Grandparents and some of Micha's little friends.

I saw this post, and thought it was such a cute and simple idea, and the results turned out really nice!

the left ones say: 'I think you're sweet' and the right ones say: 'I love you' 

I hung up a red sheet as a fun background and only drew the heart on the chalkboard, I photo-shopped in the rest of the words.

It was a little hard to make Micha hold up the chalkboard just right and look into the camera at the same time. So while the photo's aren't perfect, the results are still pretty cute, I think!

Happy Valentine's Day!

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I'll be back next week with some fun and exciting (for us anyways) news!

 (hint: it's travel related! eek!)

Love, Maria

a little list

There's been some fun things happening over here!

A little list:

I made this duvet cover for Micha. I'm pretty proud of it! 

The big stars on the cover are from left over fabric that I used to decorate his room with. 

So that ties the new cover to the other hand made things in his room.

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These cute little wedge boots I got for 2,50 euro's at the thrift shop. 

They look as good as new, and are made from a beautiful soft, good quality leather. 

They are super comfortable, I've worn them quite a bit already.

And the brand 'Ash' is apparently quite expensive.

I just love finds like these. 

(And no, I'm not above buying second hand shoes, 

especially if all they smell like is the sweet scent of leather).

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The Dutch Olympic team! We are doing so well in Russia! 

Four gold medals, two silver and four bronze. 

Hup Holland! 

middle and right are the twins, Michel and Ronald Mulder.

Fun fact: 

The gold and bronze medalists for the 500 meter are twins and go to my church! 

Well, at least their parents do, and they come to church quite often with them, 

so I've been in the very close vicinity of two Olympic medalists!

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Some very exciting things are happening, things that may have to do with this Pinterest board.

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I can't say much more about it yet, but soon I will!

Yay!

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So, what's happening with you?

Any fun or exciting things you'd like to share?

Do tell!

Love, Maria

06/52

Project 52: a portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014

Micha: 

Impossible to take pictures of. Always on the move or trying to grab the camera. 

Mama needs to learn some photography tricks.

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Little man:

Growing and kicking and being so loved by us already!

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Happy Friday!

Have a great weekend.

Love, Maria

oh boy...

Well, the ultra-sound happened. :)

After twenty long minutes of checking if baby was healthy (which is the case, we are so thankful!),

the technician zoomed in on the parts we were most interested in. 

B. had a feeling it would be a girl and I had no clue (maybe leaning a bit more towards a girl, because this pregnancy has been so different than with Micha). 

We saw almost instantly that we're having a baby....

BOY!

It was very clear (if you know what I mean, hehe), no doubt whatsoever!

We are so elated and I can only imagine how fun it will be to have two boys running around!

B. grew up with five younger sisters, so he's pretty excited to have a boys family.

And what a lucky little guy Micha is, a brother for him!

They are going to be the best of friends, and probably sometimes the biggest rivals, 

there will be fights and stinky socks, cars and lego's all over the place.

Oh boy!

But also, there will be three guys who think I'm the best girl there is!

Lucky me!

Love, Maria

a Boy or a Girl, what will it be?

Today is the big day! 

This afternoon we find out if Micha is getting...

a brother:

all H&M

or a sister:

all H&M

Eek, I'm so excited!!

Oh, and how cute are these little baby outfits from H&M?

I have a feeling you'll find me there quite a bit after today!

Stay tuned for the big news, I'll be sharing it first thing tomorrow!!

Love, Maria