tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61480951786211429332024-02-21T01:25:22.923-08:00Micha and MEmariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.comBlogger256125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-75670084124251819042015-03-09T07:26:00.000-07:002015-03-09T07:26:08.099-07:00 0 - 7 months of Adam<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZiwyVM57kNBPBRfTFa5NPSzDu6TZdTqjH6jpcdfuccVD8arl7thdoyiyAbzphStte79RScWX4xjzehsiz6YfLCRuaKidE6TLVIa2tcVAaC4VRL1COx-zXtUUXaC-7H6HS3KSFmWBI1c/s1600/adamcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZiwyVM57kNBPBRfTFa5NPSzDu6TZdTqjH6jpcdfuccVD8arl7thdoyiyAbzphStte79RScWX4xjzehsiz6YfLCRuaKidE6TLVIa2tcVAaC4VRL1COx-zXtUUXaC-7H6HS3KSFmWBI1c/s1600/adamcollage.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">0-7 months of cute</td></tr>
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I know, I know, Adam is already 8 months old, but I haven't gotten around to making his eight month photos yet, so up till seven it is.<br />
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Adam, oh Adam, what a sweetie he is! He is the most easy going and happy little babe there is.<br />
A little list of him at 7 months:<br />
<b>Loves:</b> his brother, mah boobs, his dad, food<br />
<b>Hates:</b> being stuck on his belly (even though he can easily roll to his back or scooch around)<br />
<b>Eats</b>: everything, we're doing baby led weaning again, and Adam loves eating the same food we do. (for him I omit salt and make sure whatever is on his tray is soft enough for him to chew with his gums)<br />
<b>Teeth:</b> nothing yet, but any day now<br />
<b>Breastfeeding:</b> about 4 times a day and once or twice at night. Our schedule is usually: 7 a.m. , 12 - 12.30 p.m. , 4 p.m. , 7 p.m. , sometimes at 11 p.m. , and then at 2-3 a.m. I don't really mind that he still nurses at night, but it would be nice if he would give it up eventually.<br />
<b>Sleep: </b>he does two good naps during the day, and at night he only wakes to nurse. Just like his brother he never puts up a fight when we put him down to sleep, I just lay him in his bed awake and he just falls asleep. I don't know how we got this lucky!<br />
<b>Moves:</b> he can move from a sitting position to his belly and scooches around the house on his belly. He tries to pull himself up in the playpen and in his crib, he hasn't succeeded yet, but we definitely need to lower his crib asap!<br />
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I can't believe he's eight months already, time really does fly, but we're loving every second of it with him and his brother (maybe not eeeeevery second, but you know what I mean..)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span><br />
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<br />mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-29403664191727360012015-03-06T01:25:00.001-08:002015-03-06T05:58:54.355-08:00well hello!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My view right now</td></tr>
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Hi! I'm still alive (if you follow me on <a href="https://instagram.com/maria_n_stagram/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> you might know that)!<br />
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I just kinda lost all inspiration to write and maybe was in a bit of a winter funk, you know, the one all of blogland seems to be in ;).</div>
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But the days are getting longer again and Spring is around the corner, literally, this weekend it's supposed to be sunny and about 14 degrees (celcius), which is perfect spring weather! </div>
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And I'm starting to miss blogging a little bit. </div>
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So, although I won't be posting every day, I'll be writing a bit more. </div>
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I don't have big, exciting things to write about, but maybe I'll be able to amuse you with my day to day thoughts and of course photos of the cutest little boys in the world! (Who are doing really well by the way, Micha is the funniest and naughtiest toddler I know and Adam is such a happy and cute 7 month old.)</div>
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Happy Friday!<br />
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Edit:<br />
Also, <a href="http://crappypictures.com/crappy-pause/" target="_blank">this post</a> by Crappy Pictures (do you know Crappy Pictures, you should, so funny!!) pretty much sums up why I kinda stopped blogging for a bit, and I also love, love, love <a href="http://www.amberdusick.com/woodmouse_loves_crafts/2010/07/changes-are-afoot.html" target="_blank">this post</a> about being mediocre and being fine with that. :)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-87693949530647190492015-01-07T05:59:00.002-08:002015-01-07T06:03:17.577-08:00our holidays<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm so behind with blogging I'm not even going to bother catching up with all different posts about our Christmas, New Years Eve or New Years resolutions.</div>
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So I'll just lump them all together in this post.</div>
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Christmas was great, New Years was fun and I have a few resolutions that I'll probably forget about by the end of January.</div>
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We had B.to ourselves for two whole weeks, which was awesome. </div>
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I'm so grateful that he has a good job teaching at a highschool, but the days are long and he only gets to see the boys for about an hour each day. Micha loved having him around and so did I.(Adam is still a bit indifferent about the guy, kidding!)</div>
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Christmas</div>
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We spent Christmas Eve and morning at home where we opened presents and went to a beautiful Christmas service at church. Later on on Christmas day we went to B.'s parents house. We headed to my parents the day after that, which in Holland is called 'Second Christmas day' (we like to spread out our holidays here in Holland, we also have '2nd Easter day' and '2nd Pentecost day').</div>
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Almost all of my brothers and sisters and their family's were there, so it was a full house, but so fun.</div>
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Like every year for the past five years we celebrated New Years Eve with our friends. It started out with just the six of us all those years ago and now we have five kids added to the mix. Micha woke up at midnight from all the fireworks, so we brought him outside to see them, he was so excited!</div>
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We filled the rest of our days with outings and walks and just enjoying time together. </div>
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We took our <a href="http://michaandme.blogspot.nl/2013/10/a-fall-hike.html" target="_blank">annual 'fall' hike photo,</a> which we forgot to do when B. had his Fall vacation. </div>
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I love seeing how this little family of mine is growing! </div>
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What a blessing!</div>
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I can't wait to see what 2015 will bring for us!(and, no, I don't mean a baby..:) )</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
<br />mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-46944933068033301372014-12-24T04:46:00.005-08:002014-12-24T04:46:51.036-08:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Merry Christmas!</div>
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our christmas card this year: </div>
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(<a href="http://michaandme.blogspot.nl/2013/12/merry-christmas-real-reason-for-my.html" target="_blank">no spectacular announcement</a>s like last years)</div>
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May the true meaning of Christmas fill your hearts and homes.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
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<br />mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-17318680794678241852014-12-19T06:09:00.000-08:002014-12-19T06:09:36.151-08:00a christmas tradition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'll share our special Christmas tradition in a moment, </div>
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but let me begin by introducing the Worlds Best Babysitter Ever!!</div>
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World, meet Christmas Tree (he keeps Adam busy for ages) :</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">only kid friendly ornaments on the tree this year!</td></tr>
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Now, for our Christmas tradition:</div>
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Every Christmas since Micha's been born, we've made a little memento ornament for the Christmas tree, and it's become a precious tradition (<a href="http://michaandme.blogspot.nl/2013/12/a-christmas-tradition.html" target="_blank">last years ornament</a>)I hope to keep alive for many years to come.</div>
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This year we attempted to make Cinnamon Applesauce ornaments, using (as the name says) cinnamon and applesauce in equal quantities (I used half a cup of each) to make a dough and than baking the shapes in the oven for a while to harden them.</div>
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As per usual with Pinterest ideas it looked a whole lot easier online than it was in real life. </div>
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The dough came together quite well, but it was super sticky, and it was hard to roll out. </div>
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I finally ended up rolling it out between two pieces of baking paper. </div>
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Cutting out shapes wasn't too easy either, to be precise: the cutting wasn't that hard, but moving the cut out shapes from the table to the baking tray was a bit tricky.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5-I1hflAf66gb5OMw7zDh28bffAPUeTSpXADSmSoT3KWj-IXaz70HyZZjFPJRwcrKhhdzbXH3fOOc9eThpN4-OYeU5ZXbzdpY90y6zXC5mPbFfpac-kQUKAkQbAQF1NG9ZG4M_RpnQo/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5-I1hflAf66gb5OMw7zDh28bffAPUeTSpXADSmSoT3KWj-IXaz70HyZZjFPJRwcrKhhdzbXH3fOOc9eThpN4-OYeU5ZXbzdpY90y6zXC5mPbFfpac-kQUKAkQbAQF1NG9ZG4M_RpnQo/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look at that concentration!</td></tr>
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Micha and I made little hearts and two gingerbread men (one for Micha and one for Adam), and they turned out pretty cute. </div>
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After they had hardend up in the oven I decorated the gingerbread men ornaments with a bit of white paint in a piping bag to resemble icing.</div>
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They did seem a little fragile, so we ended up making some back up ornaments in case the cinnamon ones break:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this one is Adam's , it says '1st Christmas'. <br />I dipped his little fingers in paint and pressed them onto the ornament</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micha painted and 'glitterized' his ornament all by himself</td></tr>
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Even though it was all a bit messy and tricky, it smelled heavenly and we had fun!</div>
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And we held onto our own little family tradition!</div>
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Score!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
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Do you have any fun Christmas traditions? Do tell!</div>
mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-37029428590746254392014-12-01T05:42:00.000-08:002014-12-01T05:42:57.797-08:00life lately + Adam 5 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- brothers enjoying each other. </div>
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Adams face lights up whenever he sees Micha and Micha is mostly so sweet and gentle with Adam. Already Adam loves it when Micha is acting silly, </div>
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I can only imagine how much fun these two will have once Adam gets older</div>
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- saying goodbye to a beautiful and sunny fall. </div>
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I'll miss the pretty views from my livingroom window.</div>
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- this funny monkey is growing up. </div>
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We said goodbye to his soother last week. </div>
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I was kind of dreading the moment but we felt it was time. </div>
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So we made a little party out of it with balloons and his favorite food and then let him throw his soother in the garbage. We told him he could pick out a toy the next day. </div>
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There were a few rough nights (especially the first), but things are going a lot better again and there's no searching for soothers in the middle of the night anymore!</div>
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- this cutie pie is now a five-month-old! </div>
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After a pretty rough week about a week ago, things are settling down again. </div>
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He seems older and even rolled over for the first time. </div>
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I'm able to put him down for his nap awake and he falls asleep by himself, which is so great!</div>
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He's a smiley, happy, giggly baby and we all love him like crazy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWzsYvPgtY_latArrzbzaGxP4COiPxe2ZTlFs4Wyh1qnobpdmL3Tjwj1wlyzgdVKa1jC3ZJOz89OupT6vte0X7ttg1eV49k1XE8Y9O8YWYclxRv_t5EDvT7-IO0LX66YtLPGh0k7dsdQ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWzsYvPgtY_latArrzbzaGxP4COiPxe2ZTlFs4Wyh1qnobpdmL3Tjwj1wlyzgdVKa1jC3ZJOz89OupT6vte0X7ttg1eV49k1XE8Y9O8YWYclxRv_t5EDvT7-IO0LX66YtLPGh0k7dsdQ/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div>
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This week I'm going to decorate the house for Christmas </div>
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and on Saturday we're putting up the Christmas tree! </div>
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So excited!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-67194603313083558572014-11-19T13:19:00.001-08:002014-11-19T13:19:58.079-08:00Thank goodness he's cute!<div style="text-align: center;">
I should be going to bed instead of writing this little post. </div>
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Adam has been kicking my butt the last few days, and I'm pretty exhausted.</div>
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I don't know what it is, teeth (already?), gas, or just a fussy phase? </div>
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Whatever it is, I'm over it! I can't wait for him to be over it too!</div>
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I know he will, I know thát much, as a second time mom. </div>
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With Micha I would always panic if his mood changed, </div>
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and I would be so scared he would stay fussy forever. </div>
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But, luckily, every hard stage comes to an end eventually, </div>
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that is, until the next one comes around the corner (haha, life with a baby is so much fun).</div>
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It is pretty hard though, to see the big picture when you're in the thick of sleepless nights, fussy days, and toddler tantrums and all the frustration that comes with that. </div>
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Every now and then I just need to take a deep breath and remind myself that 'this too shall pass'.</div>
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And, lucky for him: he's cute! So we used one of his nap strikes to do a little photo shoot. </div>
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(Can't stay frustrated with such a cutie for long, right?)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-41407223280770441942014-11-03T06:13:00.000-08:002014-11-03T06:13:21.038-08:00Our October in pictures<div style="text-align: center;">
Wow, how is it November already?</div>
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October flew by so fast, it was such a busy, full month.</div>
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I think there were about eight birthdays (family and friends), </div>
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there was fall vacation, </div>
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a family get-together </div>
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and beautiful fall weather as well.</div>
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As you can imagine I haven't spent much time behind my computer blogging.</div>
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So, let's get caught up! </div>
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I could've chosen to split up all the photos for separate posts, but I'm lazy so I'm sharing them all at once!</div>
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Our October in photo's:</div>
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The first weekend of B's fall vacation we met up with some friends at a nearby forest for a hike and we ended up finding the cutest little orchard with pear and apple trees. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbILHATPcnGZybcnsAAdQiQPpYIMtGgbm-q4b_dBvqNV1rGv9OenNNXMXokTWZ9yPiAC8WzfsTMlFI1IOAbTCUrViVc2mgrRkoVQdWgcrMnAmn-6BNKP9hjp9llEr39dKDMvSPKIijPoo/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbILHATPcnGZybcnsAAdQiQPpYIMtGgbm-q4b_dBvqNV1rGv9OenNNXMXokTWZ9yPiAC8WzfsTMlFI1IOAbTCUrViVc2mgrRkoVQdWgcrMnAmn-6BNKP9hjp9llEr39dKDMvSPKIijPoo/s1600/6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micha and his best buddy in the whole wide world, Ben.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to get at the pears at the top of the tree</td></tr>
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During B's vacation we went on lots of walks through town, Micha loved all the 'leaf mountains'.</div>
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On the last weekend of fall vacation we visited my sister and her family and they took us to a fun playground with water and rafts and all kinds of cool stuff. </div>
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Not only Micha enjoyed his time there! ;)</div>
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On the last weekend of October we had a family get-together for my dads 62nd birthday.</div>
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It was a full house (five of my parents seven children with their families were there, we missed you Alice and Ian!) but we had so much fun with each other!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was freezing cold out, but a few crazies (including the birthday boy) went for a swim</td></tr>
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This cute little dude turned four months in October</div>
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And, finally, this tiger. </div>
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We don't really celebrate Halloween in Holland (it's slowly gaining in popularity), but I just couldn't leave this tiger onesie at the store when I saw it. </div>
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So on Halloween I had a little tiger following me around all day. </div>
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And all day people were fawning over him. </div>
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I don't blame them, look at him: </div>
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Hope your October was fun as well!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
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mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-32354513371946895012014-10-22T05:58:00.003-07:002014-10-22T05:58:58.056-07:00Ginger-Squash Cake with White Chocolate Frosting<div style="text-align: center;">
Like a good little blogger in Fall I'm sharing something pumpkin-y today. </div>
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Squash, pumpkin, it's the same right? Pota (ay) to, pota (ah) to..</div>
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The other day I bought a butternut squash and after a week of it sitting in my kitchen window sill, and still not knowing what to do with it, I decided to check what Pinterest would do. (WWPD, we should make thát into a bracelet) </div>
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I stumbled across <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/ginger-squash-cake-with-white-chocolate-frosting" target="_blank">this recipe</a>. And I'm glad I did, wow, what a great recipe and what a delicious cake! Butternut Squash, two kinds of ginger (fresh and dry) ánd for good measure a white chocolate frosting. Yum.</div>
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I could type out the recipe and share it on my blog, but I only subbed the Hazelnuts for Cashews(allergies) and left the rest of the recipe as is. So I'll leave the instructions to the original poster. Find it <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/ginger-squash-cake-with-white-chocolate-frosting" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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I only remembered to take pictures after we'd (read: mostly me) eaten half of the cake, and during making the photos I might have eaten some more...</div>
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<i>(note: the photos aren't the best, our computer crashed and now I'm using an old laptop without any editing software. Grrr...)</i></div>
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Enjoy!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
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mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-66751486010255940962014-10-01T02:00:00.000-07:002014-10-01T02:00:55.933-07:00Let's go for a train ride!<div style="text-align: center;">
Last weekend the weather was beautiful and we thought we might as well enjoy it while it lasts.</div>
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Micha being the typical boy toddler that he is, has developed a fascination for trains and so the idea of going for a train ride popped into our heads.</div>
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There's a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kampen,_Overijssel" target="_blank">beautiful little city</a> not far from the city we live in, it takes about twenty minutes to get there by train, the perfect amount of time for M. </div>
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Not to long, but long enough for him to have a fun train experience.</div>
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It was a hit! We left in the morning and Micha loved every minute of the train ride! </div>
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The town was beautiful, Adam slept in the carrier and hung out a bit in the stroller and we enjoyed a real Dutch lunch of 'Pannekoeken' (thin, crepe-like pancakes). </div>
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After an hour or two we hopped back on the train and were back in time for the boys afternoon naps.</div>
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It was the most perfect little adventure for a Saturday morning!</div>
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Our little adventure in pictures:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuOW04ncufWFbc2CSVA-7UdPrFyWo4pamf1e0nlatxpLio5BxvwT_7BOP5z3LTjN_aj4P75v1BnW6LXezNQn6yodVIF2fTakI3Zf6Yss5XoEiNuS5G_69KUzZBURCuAv7K9qDs_nvEKw/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuOW04ncufWFbc2CSVA-7UdPrFyWo4pamf1e0nlatxpLio5BxvwT_7BOP5z3LTjN_aj4P75v1BnW6LXezNQn6yodVIF2fTakI3Zf6Yss5XoEiNuS5G_69KUzZBURCuAv7K9qDs_nvEKw/s1600/9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an almost successful family selfie </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDJmzfDSOyBDn4rCpHJeiWxuU5cwchcq-XcA3TUg_ZNLDk92zsLW7FhBHRrPt1uF8WvjdlhsxorwtedGJuXCe8fYqd-CoXJebv2zlCOlCvlR5_4ewqa2oP4AU6oeVREaRNN4loPZfJBI/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDJmzfDSOyBDn4rCpHJeiWxuU5cwchcq-XcA3TUg_ZNLDk92zsLW7FhBHRrPt1uF8WvjdlhsxorwtedGJuXCe8fYqd-CoXJebv2zlCOlCvlR5_4ewqa2oP4AU6oeVREaRNN4loPZfJBI/s1600/10.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boys and their cars</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4XpvcVC4hYvfNbcLHdjs_05oKSDfoc70IJrjsgGfF_yCMfdYClDPNgkLe-35S1XNzTRyaVsJv-jMyo2R4xy4e0paSqNkvP9I-WxQWhu_WBoClGPp2XCSVByCmG71bG-NP4uitTPyAgk/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4XpvcVC4hYvfNbcLHdjs_05oKSDfoc70IJrjsgGfF_yCMfdYClDPNgkLe-35S1XNzTRyaVsJv-jMyo2R4xy4e0paSqNkvP9I-WxQWhu_WBoClGPp2XCSVByCmG71bG-NP4uitTPyAgk/s1600/11.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying his 'pannekoek'</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-14845605246488026772014-09-29T01:41:00.001-07:002014-09-29T01:41:41.613-07:00Adam // 3 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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3 months.</div>
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- giggles and big wide smiles</div>
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- lots of 'talking'</div>
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- nursing like a champ every three hours</div>
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- usually sleeping from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. straight before I need to feed you (how long will my luck </div>
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last?)</div>
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- sometimes a good napper and sometimes not so much</div>
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- loving the baby carrier</div>
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- crazy about your big brother</div>
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- first bottle of my milk</div>
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- the sweetest little baby there is!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Mama</span></div>
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<br />mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-83356058171912832262014-09-22T05:19:00.000-07:002014-09-22T05:19:27.411-07:00Adam's room<div style="text-align: center;">
Poor Adam is so the second child, especially when it comes to his room. </div>
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With Micha we were finished with his room by week 34 of my pregnancy, but with Adam things are still not completely done. </div>
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I had a pretty clear plan of how I wanted it to look, and so far I'm quite happy with the result. </div>
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My favorite part of the room is the ceiling and the needlepoint art made by B.'s grandma.</div>
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We still need to find some cute curtains and hang them up and I need to frame the prints I now have washi taped onto the wall.</div>
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I also want to hang the big cardboard letters that spell his name on one of the walls, I just haven't decided yet how and where (idea's?), and of course once Adam is a bit more mobile we'll need to remove the bunting on his crib, no one wants a choking baby!</div>
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So even though it's still definitely a work in progress, I thought it would be fun to share what we have done so far: </div>
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There's definitely some work left to do, but so far I'm pretty happy with how it turned out!</div>
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Bright, cheery, colorful and simple!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
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<br />mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-11001865918516372642014-09-17T05:47:00.000-07:002014-09-17T05:47:26.644-07:00two<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adam is clearly enjoying having his soother shoved upside down into his mouth ;)<br />#brotherlylove</td></tr>
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Two kids. To be honest, it's not that bad!<br />
I'm able to shower every day and even put on my make-up, I managed (or lucked into) synchronizing their naps and quiet times and most evenings there's a decent meal on the table.<br />
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But sometimes it is crazy town!<br />
Yesterday was such a day...<br />
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It started off all nice and sweet with cuddles in bed with my boys followed by a peaceful oatmeal breakfast.<br />
After breakfast we read some books, Micha on my lap and Adam laying on the couch next to us, the sun shone on our happy faces and all was well with the world.<br />
After books it was time for Micha's quiet play time in his room, Adams nap, and my me-time.<br />
I had a nice shower, read some blogs and even sewed a little present for a my friends almost-here baby girl. Things were so perfect, maybe a little too perfect...<br />
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When the hour was up I went upstairs to get Micha, and that was when it all started going down hill.<br />
I opened the door to his room and smelled it straight away, somebody had gone #2.<br />
I picked that certain somebody up, put him on the changing table and felt something warm and soft on his back.... Yep, poop, on his back, on his clothes, on my hands, and not that innocent yellow stuff his little brother likes to poop, but the real stuff...<br />
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At that moment I heard that Adam had woken up from his nap, and it wasn't a happy wake up, but a 'get me out out this swaddle right now' kind of wake up.<br />
So with poop on my hands, a screaming baby in the background and a toddler who was way to interested in the stuff on his back, I had my hands full! What to do?<br />
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I quickly put M in the shower, washed my hands, gave Adam his soother to buy some time, and cleaned the mess up.<br />
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Crisis averted!<br />
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But that wasn't all for the day.<br />
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After the boys afternoon naps, I got them ready to go out for a walk to the grocery store.<br />
I managed to stuff M's chubby toddler feet into his shoes, put his coat on and let him play while I got A. ready.<br />
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The moment I had Adam in his car seat and ready to go I heard a crash followed by a wail and I rushed into the living room to see what had happened.<br />
Micha had fallen of the rocking chair and already the blood was pouring out of his nose.<br />
I grabbed a cloth to clean him up, but he was not having it!<br />
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He pushed my hands away and started rubbing the blood ALL.OVER.HIS.FACE, in an attempt to wipe the blood away. Blood everywhere!<br />
And again, Adam starts fussing in the car seat, I had an upset and very bloody toddler to wrangle into the kitchen, without getting to much blood on myself, which of course was impossible.<br />
I had my hands full!<br />
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A half an hour later we were finally out the door, me all sweaty and with blood on my clothes, Micha's nose scratched and red, but luckily a sleeping Adam.<br />
So I guess it wasn't all that bad, haha!<br />
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It was quite the day! Crazy, disastrous, but also pretty hilarious!<br />
You bet I had a big glass of wine that evening!<br />
<i>(After breastfeeding Adam of course, I'm not a totally incompetent parent) :) </i><br />
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Have you had any disaster-filled days lately?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span><br />
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<br />mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-87989231711002896222014-09-12T01:22:00.000-07:002014-09-12T01:22:21.722-07:00Making me happy this week<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-fried-cauliflower-rice-recipes-from-the-kitchn-207661" target="_blank">This recipe</a>, I was a bit skeptical at first, but it's so good!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cauliflower Fried Rice</td></tr>
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Celebrating with my little sister who received her Masters of Arts for Archaeology, </div>
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beauty and brains that one!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All students who get their Masters at Leiden University are allowed to write their name on the wall in 'het zweetkamertje' (the sweatroom). <br />Our king Willem Alexander's name is on the same wall as my little sisters! Isn't that awesome!</td></tr>
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This smile and that bald spot:</div>
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Playing 'hide-and-go-seek' behind the curtains</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">where, oh, where is Micha? ;)</td></tr>
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Dreaming up a shared bedroom for the boys</div>
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What's making you happy?</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-26034939818593860622014-08-27T06:02:00.000-07:002014-08-27T06:02:46.257-07:00Adam // 2 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know how interesting these monthly update posts are for most people... Not! ;) </div>
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But because I know of a few readers who will definitely appreciate them (mom, sisters) and because I'm not taking notes of life any other place than this blog, here it goes!</div>
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The last two months have been months of adjusting, enjoying, comparing (to how things were with Micha) and getting into a new flow.</div>
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Adam is nursing like a champ and growing like a weed.</div>
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Just like his brother he likes to be fed often, every two or three hours, except during the night, then it's every four or five hours, luckily for me!</div>
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His first smiles were seen around week two and he's been a smiley baby ever since.</div>
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He rarely cries, only when he's hungry or when his tummy is bothering him. And of course we regularly have a fussy hour in the evening. But he definitely is a pretty laid back little dude.</div>
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He loves his big brother, and always has a big smile for him every morning. </div>
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His favorite thing to do is going in bath, lot's of smiles happen in the tummy tub!</div>
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He does not like being ignored, he's perfectly happy to lay in his playpen for a while, but when he's done, he's done, and he'll let you know!</div>
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All in all, he's great little man! I think we'll keep him! :)</div>
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I didn't post a one month update, but I did make some pictures!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was his birth announcement (photo credit: www.hansenlidyfotografie.nl/)</td></tr>
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Don't you think he's grown like crazy??</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
<br />mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-11155705625988704582014-08-25T05:50:00.000-07:002014-08-25T05:50:37.063-07:00life lately<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Making: Baked Falafel and homemade pita's for supper (so good!)<br />Drinking: Water, lots of water! Nursing makes you thirsty!<br />Reading: The newest Khaled Hosseini 'And the mountains echoed' (B. gave it to me as a gift for our 8th(!!) wedding anniversary this weekend)<br />Wanting: A bit more sleep<br />Watching: The Wire (so old, but pretty good!)<br />Eating: whatever's in the cupboard<br />Smelling: Baby's-Breath in a pretty bouquet of flowers (also a gift from my sweet husband of 8 years), it smells kind of funky, definitely not as good as my own baby's breath.<br />Wishing: Fall wouldn't arrive so soon!<br />Enjoying: The fact that I still have two more weeks of maternity leave <br />Loving: My smiley baby and my car crazy toddler.<br />Hoping: Micha's 'terrible two's' won't be too terrible. They're pretty intense already! <br />Needing: some cute new fall outfits, that will accommodate nursing<br />Feeling: Grateful for Adams baptism yesterday<br />Wearing: <a href="http://www.hm.com/nl/product/23943?article=23943-C">This</a> sweater, love it so much!<div>
Organizing: Micha's many cars by color :) </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span><br /><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: arial, serif; font-size: 12px;" /></span></div>
mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-24808446711364540462014-08-21T06:26:00.000-07:002014-08-21T06:26:54.432-07:00How to quickly satisfy a craving : Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake (no joke)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh my, breastfeeding makes a girl hun-gry!</div>
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I thought I was insatiable during pregnancy, but breastfeeding hunger is a whole other ball game.</div>
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The other day I was craving cake, I didn't care what kind as long as it could be whipped up and eaten within the time frame of a nap or two. </div>
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Grocery shopping with a two-year-old and a newborn is no joke so I needed a recipe with ingredients I had in my kitchen. </div>
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Cue my infamous Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake recipe. </div>
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I'd made it before and I remember loving it, but mayonnaise? In a cake? Eww? </div>
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Could my memory be failing me? </div>
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But I had a craving and the only cake I could make with the ingredients I had on hand was the Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake. </div>
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I had no choice.</div>
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The recipe is so simple a toddler could make it, but my toddler was sleeping so I had to do it myself.</div>
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I could hardly believe it, but the cake turned out delicious! Chocolaty, moist and no mayonnaise taste whatsoever! I dare to say it is the best chocolate cake I've had in a long time.</div>
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I quickly whipped up some caramel sauce to top the cake, but I'm sure it would be delicious with chocolate frosting, or maybe even some cherry jam?</div>
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<b>Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake</b></div>
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(I have no idea where I found the recipe and I've adjusted it quite a bit, so I'll just call it my own recipe)</div>
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2 cups flour</div>
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1 cup sugar</div>
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1/2 cup cocoa powder</div>
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1 tsp baking powder</div>
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1 tsp baking soda</div>
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1 cup mayonnaise</div>
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1 cup cold water or cold coffee or a mix of both(I do a mix)</div>
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1 tsp vanilla extract</div>
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Heat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C) . </div>
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In a bowl mix dry ingredients, add the wet ingredients.</div>
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Mix for two minutes.</div>
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Pour into a greased pan. </div>
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Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. (there should be a few wet crumbs on your knife when you test) </div>
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Let cool completely, then frost with frosting or drizzle with caramel.</div>
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Enjoy!! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
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<br />mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-41833946712838724432014-08-19T01:58:00.001-07:002014-08-19T01:58:20.817-07:00Life Lately<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay, I'm back! Well, as much as I can at least. :)</div>
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<i>B. went back to teaching yesterday, after six weeks at home, so I'm still figuring out the whole 'stay at home mom with two kids' thing. </i></div>
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<i>It's actually going surprisingly well so far (knock on wood).</i></div>
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I'll try to post at least once a week, and I'm working on Adams birth story, so that is coming up asap too!</div>
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Wow, this summer has been so... great, exhausting, awesome, challenging, fantastic... what else?</div>
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Let's just say it has been special.</div>
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It started off with a bang, our beautiful son Adam arrived on his due date, June 27th.</div>
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I delivered him at home and it all went smoothly. I'll tell you all about it in his birth story!</div>
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He is doing so well, growing like a weed and he's such a happy, smiley baby. I'm feeling great too!</div>
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We celebrated Micha's second birthday on July 31st. He ordered a lion cake and a tiger cake, so what else could I do but deliver? </div>
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We had a small party at a playground nearby and it was perfect.</div>
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He is such a two year old! Super sweet one moment and then the most aggressive being the other.</div>
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He is quite sweet and gentle with Adam though!</div>
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We enjoyed the warm days of summer at splash pads and our parents homes, our balcony is just not enough for our energetic Micha! Hopefully we'll be able to find a home with a yard before next summer!</div>
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And now the temperatures are dropping and normal life is beginning and I'm back at blogging.</div>
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And it feels good!</div>
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How was your summer?</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
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<br />mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-25153357864611679212014-07-01T06:18:00.005-07:002014-07-01T06:18:50.979-07:00Meet Adam!<div style="text-align: center;">
He's here! </div>
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Our sweet little Adam is here!</div>
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Just like his big brother he decided to arrive on his due date. </div>
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He was born on Friday, June 27th at 6.59 a.m. after a 12 hour labor.</div>
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I was able to have the home birth that I was hoping for and it was such a great experience.</div>
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There will definitely be a birth story posted in the future.</div>
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Everything is going really well, we're all happy and healthy and a little exhausted :)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
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mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-45468905314634644572014-06-18T08:21:00.000-07:002014-06-18T08:23:37.580-07:00slowing down<div style="text-align: center;">
Oops, it's been more than a week since I've posted an update. </div>
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My mom and my sister were getting a little impatient, so I thought I'd make them happy and write a little post. </div>
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I'm only a week and a few days away from my due date, and things are going really well, </div>
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I don't feel super uncomfortable or itching to get this baby out, I'm just savoring my last few weeks/days/hours (?) as a mama of one.</div>
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But who knows how I'll feel a week from now :) </div>
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I've been pretty busy nesting, the baby room is almost finished, </div>
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as soon as I feel it's share-able I'll post some photos. </div>
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Micha's nap time (which usually is my blogging time) has become nap time for me too lately, </div>
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that is definitely contributing to the lack of blogging.</div>
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But I actually don't mind slowing down a bit on the blogging side of life, </div>
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it's a summer thing, it's a 'getting ready for baby' thing and also a priority thing. </div>
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While I love sharing bits and pieces of my life, I want to be able to live it as well, and I think that's where my priority should be right now. </div>
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Sharing life is great, (and I'm definitely planning to keep on sharing) but living life is better, don't you think?</div>
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Anyways, I haven't posted a bump photo or a monthly Micha photo in a while, so here you go:</div>
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Micha, at 22 months you love:</div>
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-hugs</div>
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-playing with rocks, sand and water</div>
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-swimming</div>
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-singing your own made up songs</div>
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- being naughty</div>
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-your bed</div>
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-when your papa comes home from work</div>
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-kissing my belly</div>
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-talking and talking and talking my head off</div>
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-charming strangers</div>
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-'riding' your tricycle (you use it as a balance bike)</div>
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-being the cutest almost two-year-old there is</div>
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Baby boy:</div>
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It's almost time to meet you, little one.</div>
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It's been such a beautiful surprise to have you grow in my belly,</div>
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I've loved every minute of it, even when it meant being tired and nauseous and fat. :) </div>
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I can't wait to meet you!</div>
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Love, Mama</div>
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mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-73762160709835329642014-06-06T06:12:00.000-07:002014-06-06T06:12:11.112-07:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja11HLbJcQW_R_1QtpkVdnk9C9-TBIuxWeXx2VVwl0R6jytTt219Y_LKFtJ3ozAG7A9aX-p0_e6aXQEreV4rXSV-XMstgT3KINcPs3DzVKAa5Cxb5bB2DlDGNaSN7IXYUUstONhos90Ws/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja11HLbJcQW_R_1QtpkVdnk9C9-TBIuxWeXx2VVwl0R6jytTt219Y_LKFtJ3ozAG7A9aX-p0_e6aXQEreV4rXSV-XMstgT3KINcPs3DzVKAa5Cxb5bB2DlDGNaSN7IXYUUstONhos90Ws/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July 2013 / July 2014</td></tr>
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The kid needs new pajama's. </div>
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That's all I'm sayin'.</div>
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Happy Friday!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-40103090442883654212014-06-04T12:55:00.000-07:002014-06-04T12:55:33.173-07:00It's getting there<div style="text-align: center;">
The last few days we've been pretty busy with one thing and one thing only (hence the lack of blogging):</div>
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the nursery. </div>
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Yes, finally!</div>
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With Micha we had everything done and ready by the time I was 35 weeks along, but this time around we were both suffering from second child procrastination plus an active toddler who is a master at keeping us busy!</div>
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But last weekend we had a long weekend, and decided now was the time to get things done! </div>
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I mean, I'm only 37 weeks pregnant... Eek!</div>
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We made an Ikea run and bought<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40242629/#/70242637" target="_blank"> this drawer chest</a>, which will be painted yellow, like <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/173459023122612361/" target="_blank">this one</a>.</div>
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We wallpapered and painted and sanded and then painted again. </div>
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We taped off the ceiling to paint stripes, like<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/173459023122189105/" target="_blank"> these</a>.</div>
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I made a start at making a name banner and other decorations for the little guys room.</div>
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I collected a few free printables, like<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/173459023122660900/" target="_blank"> this cute one</a>.</div>
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The nursery is still far from ready, but it's definitely getting there!</div>
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This weekend we have another long weekend, </div>
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so I'm hoping we'll be able to get at least all the big things done. </div>
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Hopefully I'll have some better pictures to share with you then!</div>
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I can't wait to finally start decorating and putting little clothes away in drawers. </div>
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And then, when that's all done, all I'll have to do is wait for this little baby to arrive!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
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<br />mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-72043384482677729512014-05-28T04:43:00.001-07:002014-05-28T04:43:40.501-07:00Recipe: Homemade Vanilla Maple Frappuccino<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fw4xFIcLz1PpgPcD4FXQEcZsU7O8pUyXGjXjVcdQQJ06cnpBYowWoxGEkH0DRux_nS4Q1QY7_AFHs-g2oSUexL9lKKGTm5WlcFNzsECdpr0MJPqEUKPy9na1a2fxS94dYK23kMozJIo/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fw4xFIcLz1PpgPcD4FXQEcZsU7O8pUyXGjXjVcdQQJ06cnpBYowWoxGEkH0DRux_nS4Q1QY7_AFHs-g2oSUexL9lKKGTm5WlcFNzsECdpr0MJPqEUKPy9na1a2fxS94dYK23kMozJIo/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div>
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Today I'm sharing this recipe with you, but first a funny story: </div>
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When we were in Canada a few weeks ago, B. took me out for breakfast on my birthday </div>
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(the big 2-9, one more year in my twenties, eek!). </div>
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We had the most amazing breakfast with freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh fruit and big stacks of french toast and waffles. </div>
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During breakfast the (really sweet) waitress walked up to us and asked B. if he wanted some coffee, </div>
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and while I was politely waiting for my turn to order ( yes, I'd LOVE / need some coffee!) </div>
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she turned to me and said: 'I'm not even going to ask you if you want some, because you're pregnant'.</div>
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Uh, excuse me? </div>
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I know very well that I shouldn't drink too much coffee while pregnant, but my one cup a day is definitely okay, not to mention: needed. </div>
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I have no idea what the girl was thinking, </div>
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maybe the Canadians are super strict with coffee during pregnancy, </div>
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or maybe she heard somewhere that coffee is bad for preggo's, </div>
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but I was a little taken aback by the fact that she decided what I could and couldn't put in my body, how well intentioned it probably was.</div>
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After that awkward moment I didn't even dare to say that, in fact, I would love some coffee, </div>
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so I ended up ordering water.</div>
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It was a strange moment.</div>
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Anyways, back to the coffee, as a part time Barista I love my coffee, </div>
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and my favorite way of drinking it is as a cappuccino. </div>
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A good strong espresso poured into warm and frothy milk, delicious!</div>
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But now that the temperatures are rising I also love drinking iced coffee, </div>
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Frappuccinos, to be exact.</div>
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I found the perfect way to make them at home and thought I'd share the recipe.</div>
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You can change it to you liking. </div>
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I used decaf coffee, this way I can enjoy a frappuccino a few times a day without 'risking' my baby's life :) </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Homemade Vanilla Maple Frappuccino:</span></b></div>
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<b>4 cups of strongly brewed (decaf) coffee </b></div>
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<b>( I used 8 scoops of coffee for 4 cups of water, but you can make it as strong as you like)</b></div>
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<b>1/4 cups of sugar (or 1/4 cups of maple syrup)</b></div>
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<b>1 tsp vanilla extract (I only had artificial on hand, but the real stuff is better)</b></div>
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<b>1 tsp maple extract (if using maple syrup as a sweetener you can skip this step)</b></div>
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<b>(you can use any flavoring you like, I also love it with almond extract, and I can imagine it'll taste delicious with coconut extract)</b></div>
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<i>Make the coffee, while the coffee is still hot stir in the sugar until it's dissolved, add the vanilla and maple extract.</i></div>
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<i>Let the coffee cool a bit.</i></div>
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<i>Pour the coffee into an ice cube tray, I needed about four trays.(about 40 ice cubes)</i></div>
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<i>Once the cubes are frozen you can pop them out and store them in a ziploc bag to save space in your freezer.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKHdHHHeoxarQwHC-EQM754OmeEMoNeLa1Kj7cgtz6wHwOJ42HKQenb68Rd07_AFI2PMm1d4FU95HB2mAuvAaH62hLMFM_sHgM9IgnZ13Vtm_GzHvPQ0ZkMXT6D1QMrzhu3CVOfZVBas/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKHdHHHeoxarQwHC-EQM754OmeEMoNeLa1Kj7cgtz6wHwOJ42HKQenb68Rd07_AFI2PMm1d4FU95HB2mAuvAaH62hLMFM_sHgM9IgnZ13Vtm_GzHvPQ0ZkMXT6D1QMrzhu3CVOfZVBas/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>To make the frappuccino:</b> take as many coffee ice cubes as you want (I used four cubes) put them in a blender with about a cup of milk (or more, or less, whatever you want) and blend until it's nice and frothy.</div>
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Pour into a tall glass, stick a straw in it and enjoy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzq5JgX71vXKUD7BFVKpatwXXBNxbB-mHSro5sbyXs1R7-v332plIISiyuXdPLbZekpQgb_7QdB1QmvmVUw7COFx6U6cgwDtVNkQdb3bZzp1NPw2J5WCTZmyVDkjKi6j5uxBq6PXJZHn0/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzq5JgX71vXKUD7BFVKpatwXXBNxbB-mHSro5sbyXs1R7-v332plIISiyuXdPLbZekpQgb_7QdB1QmvmVUw7COFx6U6cgwDtVNkQdb3bZzp1NPw2J5WCTZmyVDkjKi6j5uxBq6PXJZHn0/s1600/4.jpg" /></a></div>
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If you really want to treat yourself you could top the Frappuccino with whipped cream and drizzle some chocolate sauce over top. Yum!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-40611541261576088112014-05-25T11:37:00.000-07:002014-05-25T11:37:39.994-07:0016/52<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Project 52: a portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014</i></div>
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Micha: Going so fast on your little bike, I can hardly catch up</div>
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Baby boy: Growing and kicking like a champ</div>
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Love you both so much!</div>
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Mama</div>
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mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148095178621142933.post-39644255090105226262014-05-22T04:36:00.002-07:002014-05-22T04:36:54.009-07:00a song, a book, a quote, a look - # 3<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been a while since I've done of these, November to be exact. </div>
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So let's get to business with my May picks, shall we?</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIo4TRwPeAe4aS5hqOWSVc6iq6fhXjmbdRf5vAerDMvMOcvGmmQAn77_Hny9hkQ9HPHlCysst_e42e-z5I-97bYcWw-HbM4tJcPZ1IP6AgRnnXLyd-ujno-MgqS2NUY4j5KEJJFFByBd4/s1600/sbql.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIo4TRwPeAe4aS5hqOWSVc6iq6fhXjmbdRf5vAerDMvMOcvGmmQAn77_Hny9hkQ9HPHlCysst_e42e-z5I-97bYcWw-HbM4tJcPZ1IP6AgRnnXLyd-ujno-MgqS2NUY4j5KEJJFFByBd4/s1600/sbql.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/258675572318225972/" target="_blank">s</a>,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak/dp/0375842209/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400755898&sr=1-1&keywords=the+book+thief" target="_blank">b</a>,<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/208432288977407087/" target="_blank">q</a>,<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/173459023122632244/" target="_blank">l</a></td></tr>
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<b>song</b> - I just love this Ben Howard song, it reminds me of long summer days and freedom.</div>
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<b>book</b> - I know, I'm a bit late to the game with this book, but it's so good. </div>
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On the plane one of the movies available to watch was 'The Book Thief', </div>
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but I never watch a movie before I read the book, it feels like cheating to me. </div>
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So when I saw a copy of the book on the shelf at my friends house I stole it </div>
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( just kidding, I borrowed it, I'm not a book thief) </div>
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and it's been one of the best reads I've had in a long time.</div>
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<b>quote</b> - This quote is from another book I had been wanting to read for a long time </div>
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and recently I finally had the chance too.</div>
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'A year of biblical womanhood' is one of those books that is really fun to read </div>
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but also makes you think and rethink things you thought you knew. </div>
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<b>look</b> - A little background as to why I picked this look. </div>
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As you know I recently visited my sister in Canada, but we also visited my best friend, Lydia. </div>
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I would definitely say that Lydia and I are soul mates or at least 'twin-sisters from another mother'. </div>
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It's almost scary how similar our lives are, from our decorating style to our similar husbands, </div>
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and from the shows we watch to our fashion picks. </div>
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One morning when we were visiting at her house we both came downstairs wearing the exact same outfit: jeans, a blue striped shirt and a leather jacket, with flats. </div>
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We weren't even surprised, it's happened before. </div>
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So when I came back from Canada and resumed to normal life, </div>
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including browsing Pinterest once in a while, </div>
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and came across this outfit, I knew had to pin it. </div>
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I just really love this look, and the story behind why I pinned it.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Maria</span></div>
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<br />mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16969029210955252178noreply@blogger.com1