Big News

I don't think I have shared this yet, probably because I haven't wanted to jinx it. Isaak is sleeping through the night. He typically does 6 - 5ish. I can't believe it!

This week was Bill's last week in The Netherlands, so we took him out for fondue at Cafe Bern. 4 sterno flames at a table of 10 isn't the best idea on a hot & humid day, but it was good anyway.

Kathleen baby sat Isaak (not to difficult when he just sleeps).

Andrea was in town this week for work too. I wasn't a very good city host. Saturday I sent her and Kathleen to the Van Gogh museum so Isaak could get a good nap in the morning. I met them at the museum for lunch and then a stroll down the Albert Cuyp market - my first time. The market is definately the place to by fruits & veggies. A better selection then Albert Hein (the only grocery store around) and a heck of a lot cheaper then the veggie store.

Bella Italy

Last weekend, Isaak, Kathleen (Kevin's Mom), Andrea & I went to Cinque Terre. These are 5 towns on the northern Mediterrean coast of Italy. There are hiking trails between the towns. If you don't want to walk from town to town you can take the train.

It was beautiful and relaxing!

We left Amsterdam on Thursday morning, after Andrea arrived from the US. We took the train to Eindhoven so that we could catch a cheap flight to Pisa. The plane was late and Isaak was hungry, but once we boarded and I fed him then it was a good flight.

I think each airline has a different infant policy, Ryanair's policy is to use a infant seat belt, I don't think Isaak was impressed.

We picked up our rental car in Pisa. I had asked for a car that would fit 3 adults, 1 infant and our bags & stroller. The initial car they gave fit everything, but the stroller, so I had to ask for a larger car. Once we were finally on the road it didn't take long to get to Manarola (2nd of the 5 towns and our home base).

Wouldn't you know that I chose the steepest of the 5 towns to stay in, and our apartment was at the top of the town. It was a beautiful town.

Friday morning, after an Italian breakfast of coffee & a pastry, we walked to the harbor in Manarola and then decided to walk north to Cornigila. It was very warm but beautiful We would rest in the shade and just enjoy the view of the Mediterrean. Once in Corgnilia we hopped the train to Monterossa so that I could pick up a swim suit (yes I forgot mine). We had lunch in Monterossa and walked around a little.

When we were ready to head home we headed back to the train station to take the train to Manarola. We jumped on the wrong train that took us all of the way to La Spezia (south of Cinque Terre) and then had to figure out how to get back.

We finally made it back to our apartment and crashed. I gave Isaak a quick bath to cool him off, in the bidet. It was the right size... Too bad there aren't any pictures of it though.

Saturday we decided to head north to Riomaggiore. I had Isaak in the Ergo but didn't need to. The stroller would have made the entire trip...very flat and PAVED!

We had lunch in a cute little restaurant that was overlooking the harbor and then headed into town to find the bar with "better mojitos then in Cuba", according to our guide book. We then wandered on down to the train station and jumped on the train back to Manarola. We screwed up again and actually took the train all of the way to Monterossa. Eventually we did get the hang of the train system...really.

Sunday was more relaxing. Kathleen went to Mass at the church in Manarola and Andrea & I hung out by the water. It looked like it was going to be dark & stormy all day, but it burned off pretty quickly. We hadn't yet seen Vernazza so we grabbed the train there, once we picked up Kathleen. By the time the 5 minute train ride was over the weather was glorious. We headed into town, making our way to the harbor. We stopped to have gelato....and Isaak's first solid food. Strawberry Gelato. Everyone should be so lucky. I think he liked it.

Once at the harbor we dipped Isaak's feet in the water & sand and then Andrea and I went for a swim. It was quite warm! We hung out on the sea wall in the sun & shade until about 4pm and then decided to head back to Manarola.

Monday morning we got up early to drive back to Pisa and then fly home.

Its been too long...

It has been a long time since I posted last.

Isaak and I traveled to the US at the end of May. It broke Kevin's heart to be away from Isaak for so long. Isaak and I were able to spend a few days in Portland and then spent a week at my Dad's. The Portland portion of the trip was too short and I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to.

While in Portland we stayed at Andrea's house. Michelle came down from Seattle to see us, we had dinner with the Pool's & Dittman's. Rebecca threw a "Meet Isaak" shower -- moving the 3-6mo onesie up to 18. 18! I got to see most of the girls while at Rebecca's. I miss them so much! Before I left town I also had coffee with Sarah.

I spent more time at Dad's. We spent in an evening in Spokane at my brother's house, spending time with my Sister-in-Law and nephew. My aunt's came up to visit, they took turns holding Isaak for the 45 minutes that he was awake between naps. At the time he was sleeping for 4 hours between feeds. They kept wanting to wake him up to hold him...Louise ended up taking a nap with him, getting her a little more time with him.

My sister was also in town. It was great to see her. She and I stayed in my grandparent's 5th wheel that we parked in front of Dad & Janet's house. Janet's daughter, Jacki, got married that weekend and this allowed us to get more time with Dad & Janet yet be out of their hair.

During our time at Dad's, Isaak decided to start sleeping through the night. He went from around 9pm - 5am. It was heaven! He did it about 4 times.

The flight home was tough. He didn't sleep much, which meant I didn't sleep much. I am suprised I was still standing when Courtenay met me at the airport. I am not sure that I was coherent. She helped us get home (I came home with 1 more suitcase then I left with).

Once home (at 9am), I fed Isaak and then we both slept for 3 hours. I woke up and fed him again, handed him to Kevin and then slept for another 3 hours. It wasn't the right way to get over jet lag, but there was no way I could stay awake. I started to get a cold while I was at my dad's...the lack of sleep on the plane only made it worse.

Kevin's mom arrived on Saturday, June 6th. I had to go back to work on the 8th and Kevin is working 5 days a week during June so she is going to watch Isaak for us during the day. We are still trying to get in to daycare, I have my fingers crossed that we will have a spot when we need it in August.

I started work on Monday, and Sunday Isaak's jet lag was in full force. He was awake and hungry every 2 hours...and I had to get up at 5. It took until about Wednesday night for him to go for more then 3 hours at a time. YUCK! I was a walking zombie for those days.

This Thursday he started sleeping longer at night. He started to go from 10:30 - 7 or 8am, and I actually went to bed immediately after him! It has been a long time since I have gotten that much sleep!

Yesterday we went out to Pancakes with Courtenay, Brian & Bill. They were as good as I remembered! Kevin, Kathleen & Isaak and I then walked around for a while, slowly introducing Kathleen to the sights.

I promise to upload new Isaak pictures to Flickr and add a few photos to this post. After I get some sleep!

Isaak's 10th Week

I went for another run today. I don't know how far my little route is, right now it is far enough. I only had to stop once for myself and a couple of times for the dogs. It is a handful to run with 2 dogs and a jogger.

This afternoon Isaak and I went to another baby massage class. He made it through the entire class before crying.

Yesterday evening and this evening have been a little rough. He eats a little and then is tired but it doesn't seem like he should be tired, so we try to fix it and what he really wants is to go to bed.

Monday night Isaak slept from 11 - 5. WooHoo! Due to last night's cranky period that lasted until 10pm, I didn't wake him at 11pm. He woke on his own at 1am and then slept until 6am.

I leave for Portland on Saturday. I am a little nervous to fly for so long on my own with him, but I guess I will manage. I am really excited for everyone to meet him!

Below is one of Isaak's onesies that Krista made. These are too cute!

"Arrgh....Wipe Me Booty"

9 Weeks - Already!?!

I am enjoying the last few days of my maternity leave. I am headed back to work on June 8th. Before succombing to the grind, Isaak and I are going to head to Portland and my Dad's. I am really looking forward to having everyone meet him!

My friend & co worker, Joosje, came to visit Isaak and I last Friday. She brought her beautiful daughter Juultje. Juultje is 6 weeks older then Isaak (and his betrothed :)). We did a little simultaneous feeding and then went to lunch with our beautiful sleeping babes.

Last weekend Kevin, Bill, Isaak & I made a nice quiet day of visiting Utrecht. Who knew it was the oldest city in the Netherlands. It was a beautiful sunny day.

Tuesday was Isaak's second baby clinic appointment. He received his first round of vaccines, one in each thigh. His little face went red with the first one and the wails started with the second one. He calmed down pretty quickly afterwards though. For the next 24 hours he was pretty tired. He would fall asleep almost immediately after nursing (if not during).

The last few days (outside of his shots) have seen him be much more alert after his feeds. Cooing and smiling. Priceless. He sounds (and looks like) a little owl.

Thursday (yesterday) Isaak and I went to our 3rd baby massage. He started out much more relaxed then the other two times but only made it about halfway through the class before he let me know just how unhappy he was. He hadn't really slept in the 90 minutes prior and it got the best of him. In fact all day Thursday he had a hard time falling asleep. Probably had something to do with the sudden discovery of his little fists.

Yesterday Isaak discovered his hands, or at least that he really likes to suck on them. He would rather suck on them then a pacifier, so he spits out the pacifier and then gets pissed when he either can't get his little fist to his mouth or can't keep it there. He has also learned how to scoot on his back, towards his head. I often find him in his crib 12 inches above where I left him. His blanket still tucked in (whereas before it was kicked off) and he has scooted clear of it.

Today I took the train to Utrecht to visit An, Mattias, Vincent & Steven. Mattias is 2 weeks old and dang cute. He looks just like Vincent does. It is amazzing to see the difference between a 2 week old, a 10 week old and a 21 month old. It all changes so quickly and they grow up too fast. I still remember when Isaak would only open 1 eye and fall asleep instantly after nursing. I would test his fullness and depth of sleep by seeing if I could redress and swaddle him with out waking him. Now I test his sleepiness by waiting for him to get fussy after he has nursed and his fullness by checking to see if he will wail at the breast rather then nurse.

I will try to get more pics posted - he has changed so much and is SO cute (ok I may be a little biased, but still). To tide you over, check this one out. I love it when he looks like this!

Going Dutch

An interesting article on "Going Dutch" - How an American in Holland learned to love the European welfare state.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/magazine/03european-t.html

Catching Up - Grandparents in Amsterdam, Paris, Delft & Keukenhof

Where to start.

My grandparents left yesterday. They arrived on April 24th. It was fun having them. We didn't do much on the day they arrived. Lunch out and a tram ride to Central Station and back. We made it out to Delft for lunch and relaxing site seeing on the 25th. I liked Delft, it seems like a sleepy little town with beautiful canals. This trip also saw Isaak's first public diaper changes - on the train to and from Delft.

My grandparents travel with his & her cameras. Below is a pick of them taking the same picture of the Old Church in Delft.

Sunday we had Dutch Pancakes for lunch and then made a quick trip to the Red Light district. I tried a new pancake restaurant, it was not nearly as good as the one near Anne Frank's house. In the Red Light district Grandma started to pull out her camera, she says she wanted to take a picture of the canal. I made her quickly put it away as she was in danger of losing it. I did let her take this picture of Grandpa, Isaak & I.

Monday we picked up the Van Gogh museum. There is a special exhibit going on right now called "Starry Night". It has both Van Gogh's night paintings in addition to others that influenced him.

Tuesday we went to Rembrandt's House. I really liked it and it made me even more interested in his paintings.

April 29th - May 1st we planned to be in Paris. We rented a car to drive down as we thought it would be cheaper and easier then the Thlys. The drive down on Wednesday took much longer then expected. We ran into traffic, stopped for lunch and stopped to feed & change Isaak.

Driving in Paris is an experience. Below are pictures of our approach to the Arc d' Triomphe. We finally checked into our hotel around 7. I fed Isaak and then we headed out for dinner. We had planned to go to Notre Dame and do a river cruise on Wednesday. It was too late and we were exhausted. We decided to extend our trip by a day so we could spend more time in Paris. Isaak slept from 12:30 to 4:45!

Thursday morning we headed out to the Orsay first. We spent the entire time on the Impressionist floor. Kevin went through with Isaak. I followed a little more slowly and Grandma & Grandpa brought up the rear. After I made it through Kevin passed off Isaak so I could feed him and he went to round up the grandparents.

After the Orsay we headed to lunch and then the Eiffel tower. We walked along the Seine for a little while, until we figured out it was about a mile to the Eiffel Tower, so we jumped on the metro. Once at the tower I fed Isaak again and changed him. Last time Kevin and I were here we didn't try to go up as the line was too long and neither of us are very patient when it comes to long waits. This time we were going up.

After the tower I fed & changed Isaak again and then we headed to Montmarte. After a quick ride up the funicular we had dinner and headed back to the hotel. By this time Isaak was exhausted and letting us know it. His nap had been interupted at the Eiffel Tower and we paid for it.

Friday we changed hotels. We used Priceline to book the first and had to priceline a second for Friday night. After we checked in and I got Isaak fed we headed out for lunch in the Latin Quarter and then Notre Dame.

When we scheduled this trip we inadvertantly left the Netherlands for Queens Day (huge holiday) and ended up in Paris on May Day (huge protest day). Oops. The Latin Quarter and Notre Dame were packed! The metro was really crowed as well. So crowded that Grandpa was able to get on but not the rest of us. We picked him up at the next stop, once we were able to get on. People weren't very happy to move out of the way for the stroller.

After Notre Dame we walked to Pont Neuf to catch a river cruise. We had been told the cruise is best in the dark when everythign is lit up. I imagine it is! We saw it during the day but it would be very beautiful at night.

We fed & changed Isaak at Ille de Cite before heading towards the Arc d' Triomphe.

Oh the places he has nursed and had his diaper changed.

Saturday we headed to Versailles. Kevin and I both know that the fastest & least painful way to see major sites/museums is to buy your tickets on line. We failed to do this on this trip. We had gotten lucky at the Orsay and were able to go in the Disabled access because we had the stroller. We were not so lucky at Versailles.

We stood in line for 3 hours, just to get tickets! We stood in line for another our to get in to the palace. It was packed in side! It felt a lot like cattle in a corral. Kevin had to carry Isaak as the stroller wasn't allowed in. I am sure I would have liked it more if it hadn't had so many damn people. The crowds made it seem a little hokey.

The gardens were amazing! We rented a golf cart to drive around them as there was no way any of us were goin to survive after standing on cobblestones for 4 hours. We were short on time as well. If we were to go back I would go straight for the gardens. Yes, Isaak was fed & changed here as well.

We finally headed home around 7. We stopped for gas around 8:30 and had one more adventure. Kevin accidently put gasoline in our diesel rental car. Needless to say it took us about 4 hours to deal with the tow truck and getting another car to drive home in. We made it back to Amsterdam around 4:30 am. Everyone went to sleep as soon as possible, except for Isaak & I. I fed him and then changed him. Finally making it to bed around 5:15am.

Sunday we recovered by sleeping as much as possible, all 5 of us.

There were still a few more sites in Amsterdam that my Grandparents wanted to see.

On Monday Grandma, Grandpa, Isaak & I took a Canal cruise. Afterwards we headed to the RijksMuseum. I got them in and headed in the right direction and then went to wait for them in a cafe - so Isaak could get a good nap in. The next item on the agenda was to get them to Dam square to meet Kevin, so the 3 of them could go to the Anne Frank House - followed by dinner at Moeders.

Turns out we sent them to Dam Square, on their own, with out a cell phone, during the Rememberance Day event with the Queen. Oops. To make a long story short they never found Kevin, but did find the Anne Frank House. Kevin and I both went looking for them, and saw the memorial in the mean time, while Courtenay watched Isaak. My grandparents made it back to our apartment while we were still stuck in the crowds at the Dam Square. Thank goodness I had quizzed them as to which stop to get off at for our apartment!

Tuesday we went out to the Keukenhof. Very pretty!

Wednesday I sent my grandparents to the Anne Frank house on their own. With a cell phone this time!

They flew home Thursday morning.

Yummy Dinner - Pasta Primavera

I found a recipe for Pasta Primavera on a friend's blog and have been wanting to make it ever since. Kevin was gone for the evening and I knew he wouldn't really like it (too many vegetables and mushrooms, not enough meat) so I figured it was as good as time as ever.

The goods.

The sauce.

I think I need a bigger skillet.

It was delicious and I will gladly be eating the left overs for a couple of days.

Catching up on photos

It has been a while since I uploaded new Isaak pictures. 

As seen on our walk through the park today. That is a little dog chasing the ducks. This went on for 5 minutes.

In preparation for our daily park walk with the dogs.

Getting a little tummy time - gotta strengthen those back & neck muscles!

We have finally made the board! This is the board of new babies at my midwife clinic.

Last weekend we were going to try to go to the Van Gogh museum. The line was too long and the sun too hard to resist.

Rolling Over!

Today was my 6 week check up with my Midwife. Yes, Isaak will be 6 weeks on Monday. Time really flies. I expected a whole pelvic exam. Nope. We talked about what I think about when I think of the birth. How big and alert Isaak is. How he is sleeping (Really well between 9:30pm & 2, and then again between 2:30 & 6am. Not so well between 5pm & 9:30pm), how well he is eating and growing. Marike and her student felt my stomache to see if the muscles are coming back together - got the "all clear" for excercise/sit ups, and tested my iron to see how well I was recovering from the blood loss - just fine.

I quizzed her about allergy medication while breast feeding (my spring allergies are in full force and I was miserable last night. The netty pot works well to manage my allergies most of the time, right up until they get really bad) and if she had any OB/GYN recommendations for having my IUD put in (I really wanted a female doctor after my experience and horror stories of friends). She couldn't help with this one. She gave me her email address so that I can get her the very graphic birth photos. She really wants the ones where his head is crowning as I guess it is hard to get these and ours are very vivid.

On the way home I checked at the pharmacy to see if there was any "over the counter" allergy medicine that I could take. Of course they said No. I wasn't surprised as this is the "Tylenol for everything - and nothing stronger" country.

Once home I called my house doctor to make an appointment for my IUD, ask about prescription strength allergy medicine and my Hep A booster. They will call me back, hopefully they can give me something - I always have the "allergies make my asthma worse" card to play.

Yesterday we had a huge development with Isaak. He rolled from his front to his back - TWICE. We think it was a fluke as he shouldn't be doing that for several more weeks. We cheered like he was accepted into college!

This afternoon we are headed to Hoofdorp to get Isaak's residency started. If Kevin were to go alone then Isaak's residency would expire when Kevin's does - in 1 year. If I go then it will expire when mine does - in 4 years. 

He rolled from his front to his back yesterday, twice. We cheered as if he was just accepted to college. We think it was a fluke as he shouldn't be doing that for weeks. Maybe it had something to do with him being on the ottoman and it being a little 'cushy'. 

First Checkup

Today was Isaak's first check up since the Kraamzorg and Midwife week. In the Netherlands the baby wellness appointments are done through a "baby clinic" and our "house" doctor only sees him when he is sick.

Isaak is up to 4.9 kg /10lbs 13 oz and 54 cm / 21 inches. He was born at 3.6kg/7lbs 15 oz and ~50 cm/~19 in. No wonder he is burning through clothes!

We took him in the bike trailer (we get funny looks every time we break it out, I think everyone is used to seeing babies in a "Bike Fiets") to the baby clinic. We didn't really know what to expect or where to go so I am sure we looked lost. We wandered in to the appropriate office and told them we were there for Isaak's appt. We were told to take him to the waiting room and strip the man down to his diaper and wait to be called. There were two other women in the room when we got there, one with her pinky in her baby's mouth (thank goodness we have graduated to pacifiers!) and the other was quickly dressing her wailing daughter (must have gotten a shot). I felt sorry for the second woman as we have been experiencing similar wails recently. They are heart wrenching.

Last night Kevin and I struggled to get Isaak to sleep between 7:30 and 10:30. Well, I struggled until about 10, when Kevin came home from lacrosse and I handed him over. He finally went down at 10:30 and then awoke again at 11:30 to start his normal night routine (12ish to 3ish to 6ish to 9ish). Yesterday evening and afternoon were filled with Isaak waking up every 1.5 hours for more food, and then at 7:30 he decided he wasn't going back to sleep. I know it was a matter of him being over tired but he was pretty stubborn in fighting the sleep.

Today has been better in that he has gone back to sleep pretty easily after each feeding, however he has kept his feedings to about every 90 - 120 minutes. When it takes 30 - 45 min to feed and change him, it makes for short naps. I expect to be exploding with milk tomorrow as he has definately been telling my body "MORE MILK".

On other topics...
Kevin went in on Tuesday to sign his contract at AICS. He also inquired about the daycare. Good News, we don't have to worry about it as we are guaranteed a spot! I am thrilled, but will feel better once I have it in writing. Now to figure out how to fill out the appropriate paperwork to get the daycare subsidy from the Government. They will reimburse us for a portion of the day care costs, on a monthly basis!

Isaak's immigration appointment has been scheduled for next week, the same day as my 6 week check up. I may just send Kevin to that, while Isaak and I stay home. There isn't a need for all three of us to go and it is not in Amsterdam. Anna (the crown agent who helped us when we first arrived) will come and pick Kevin up and drive him to the appointment (very handy!).

Has it really been 4 weeks already?

This week was filled with beautiful sunny days. Yes I said sunny days in Amsterdam. Thursday actually felt like summer. Isaak and I have been taking advantage of them as much as we can. We mostly take a 45 minute walk around Beatrix park with the dogs. Saturday Kevin joined us for a 3 mile walk to and around Vondelpark.



I can't believe how much he is growing. His hair is dark but glows red in the sunlight. Kevin's does this. My dad and my grandfather both have dark red hair. I wonder if Isaak will take after the 3 of them. His eyelashes are getting darker and longer every day. He is almost 10lbs already. It is hard to beleive that Isaak is already a month old, the first 4 weeks flew by!

Monday we took Isaak to get a second set of Passport photos. His US passport arrived about 2 weeks ago and Kevin picked it up on Monday. The photos we used for his US passport wouldn't work for his dutch residency, so we needed to get a second set.



Thursday Kevin, I and Isaak had lunch with my cousins; Nancy, Jill and Sarah. They were in town at the end of their Brussels, Brugge, Amsterdam and Leiden vacation. After lunch Kevin had to run to tutoring, the 5 of us stuck around and moved to the restaurant's patio to soak up some of the sunshine. We then moved down the street to another restaurant for dinner.

Kevin got a teaching job for next year! It is at the Amsterdam International Community School, which just happens to be a 5 minute walk from our apartment. It also has a daycare associated with it the "Blue Rock Penguin". The teachers at AICS receive priority at the daycare, when Kevin goes in to sign his contract he is going to find out how to get us on the list. To have both Isaak and Kevin that close to home, and each other, will be really nice for next year.

The position actually starts on June 1st. It is 3 days a week and is on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. This presents a day care problem for us in the month of June. Kevin is in The Hague on Wednesdays and Fridays (AICS will have a sub for him on the Wednesdays he is supposed to be in AMS). I was going to take Fridays off in June and work from home on Wednesdays, that won't work now that Kevin has the AICS job. Kevin's parents have graciously offered to come and help us out in June....THANK GOODNESS!

It sounds like this week won't be filled with as much sunshine, it was nice while it lasted.

A day of firsts (not to be the last)

Today Isaak had his first bottle of breast milk. I was able to pump about 2 oz last night and Kevin gave it to Isaak this morning as a trial run. It went well (or at least that is what Kevin says, as I slept through it!). Turns out 2 oz is not enough for one feeding, we need more like 4 oz, which makes sense, he has been draining both boobs during most feedings which must be getting him about 4 oz, maybe a little more. What was even better was that he didn't seem to have any "nipple confusion" when I fed him a few hours later... This means Kevin may be able to take more of the middle of the night feedings and we may even be able to get away for a "date night". First, I need to figure out how to get more milk pumped while still satisfying Isaak's hunger...it will just be a timing thing.

The other first for the day was me riding my bike for the first time in about 4 weeks! It didn't hurt, which means my stitiches must almost be healed...now for the knots to finally dissolve!

The weather was finally nice enough that I felt that I could put my "Oregon" sticker on my bike bags, and not have it wash away in the rain. Sara S gave me this as a gift before we left and I have been wanting to get it on my bike ever since! I am sure Kevin will make fun of me for putting stickers on my bike, he will probably relate it to putting stickers on a car - which he says there is an age limit too. Oh well!

The last week went really well. Isaak is awake for longer periods during the day. He is also growing like a weed. I am suprised at the the clothes he no longer fits into. It is typically his legs and feet and arms that out grow the clothes. Isaak is also starting to look less like a newborn.

Here is a picture from Saturday morning when Isaak and I slept until 12 (in 2 - 3 hour spurts).





Kevin has a long term sub position in Den Hague (The Hague). It takes him about 1 hour and 40 minutes to get there and he has to be there on Wednesdays & Fridays. The position is covering for maternity leave and will go until July 10th. He is up to 5 tutoring students during the week Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday evenings). Kevin recently received an offer to teach 50% (which is what he wants) in Hilversum at the International School there, for next year. He is waiting to accept until after his interview with another International School here in Amsterdam. If he were to take the Hilversum position it would be 3 days a week and his commute would be the same as mine, an hour door to door. With the school here in town he would have 10 minute walk for his commute. Needless to say he would much rather have the 1o minute walk.



I will go back to work at the begining of June. I am planning on taking Fridays off until at least July 10th and work from home on Wednesdays (Kevin only teaches part time on Wednesdays). This should get us to August when Isaak will go to day care 3 days a week.



Isaak's passport has already arrived. The consulate called Kevin on Thursday (1 week after we applied). We didn't expect it for another week. Kevin will go and pick it up on Monday and then go to the Town Hall to finish his registration. At that point we can also start his residency paperwork with the Immigration office.



I have been trying to get out every day. Sometimes it is only to the store and to take the dogs for a walk, sometimes we actually make it to the park. It really depends on the weather and whether my desire for a nap wins out.

Week 2

Monday

Monday was our last day of having a Kraamzorg. Isaak got another bath and then Esther cleaned the apartment. She left early as it was pretty obvious that we were ok with out her.

Tuesday

Kevin had an interview in Hilversum at the International School of Hilversum. He was practically offered a part time teaching position for next year. The director told him she could make a schedule to fit his needs and potentially sweeten the deal with a Theory of Knowledge class (the class he has always wanted to teach). This is great news for next year!

I ventured out to the local Hema in search of a couple of more nursing bras. I didn't have any luck. I dug through all of their nursing bras (with Isaak on my chest) and they didn't have a single one in my size. Erghhh. I sent Courtenay a text and she graciously stopped at Prenatal on her way home and picked me up 2. Thank goodness! Otherwise I was looking at having to do laundry every day!

Isaak all bundled up for our walk to Hema.

My laptop crapped out over the weekend. Don't worry, I haven't been working! I use it to surf from the couch :) Kristen stopped by today to pick it up and take it in to the HelpDesk for me. She got a few minutes in of holding Isaak.

Wednesday

A woman stopped by from the "baby clinic" for our intake. In the Netherlands all of the wellness/vaccines/check ups are done through a baby clinic. Illnesses are treated by our "house" doctor. The intake woman came to get more information from us and set up the first appointment. After she left Kevin and I headed out for a walk. We took the dogs and walked to Vondelpark. It is about 3/4 of a mile to the park and then we think we walked at least a 1/2 mile around the smaller loop before heading home for 2 miles total. It was a beautiful day and Isaak slept through the entire walk.

Thursday 

Isaak cooperated beautifully. He woke up around 7:50, I fed him and then jumped in the shower. Our appointment at the consulate was for 10am. I have been worried about this all week, I knew I was probably going to have to feed him while we were there and was a little unsure of how to maintain my modesty - or at least the idea of it. (I am torn on this whole modesty thing. Part of me says - screw it...if someone wants to look at my big a** boob while I feed Isaak, have at it. But then the other part of me doesn't.) Turns out that with a little help from Kevin my Minky nursing cover worked well.  Turns out we were only 15 minutes late, we had to wait for 10 min for the tram, I think 15 min is doing pretty damn good for having a newborn! Once in side we were afraid that we would not be able to get what we needed done today as we hadn't pre-filled out the forms and Kevin didn't think he brought our marriage certificate (why there was a need for this, I don't know).  Turns out we had the certificate and we quickly filled out the forms. It was weird filling out official forms for someone other then myself. I had to keep remembering that when they asked for "Name" or "Birthdate", they wanted Isaak's - not mine.

We got Isaak's passport photos there (not perfect - but then in a year it won't matter anyway). Kevin and I had to swear that the paperwork was accurate and that was it. Isaak's passport will be ready in 2 weeks and his social security card will come later. Once we have his passport Kevin will go back to the Townhall to complete his registration. He went last week to register him but they wouldn't accept that he was a US citizen... something about proof that either Kevin or I had ever been in the US (because it isn't like we haven't proven that to them 15 times in the last 6 months).  So...Isaak is currently with out country. Once the US passport is here we can also start the process of getting him his dutch residency. The consulate took about an 90 minutes. We had a little problem with the tram on the way home. We didn't get to the stroller door fast enough. Once the doors start to close they will not reopen --- no matter how many times you push the button. So we caught a different tram and had a nice little walk home.

Once home I fed Isaak and then all 3 of us took a nap. Kevin then headed to tutor and Isaak and I went grocery shopping. I bought a little wheeled cart to bring the groceries home in. Kevin teases me that I could now go collect cans. I don't care --- I feel too much like a mule with Isaak on my chest and a grocery bag over each shoulder.

While I waited for Isaak to wake up from yet another nap I was able to fold laundry and make the potato part of Stamppot. Stampot is a dutch comfort food. It has mashed potatos with either carrots, onions, kale, or other root vegtables. You then serve it with smoked sausage, meatballs or bacon (or all of the above). Kevin made the meatballs while I fed Isaak. The stamppot turned out well!

Jay was in town for work and stopped by this evening. It was really great to see him. 

After Jay left Isaak ate off and on until 10:30 when he finally slipped back into the eat sleep rhythm.

Friday

I have been able to consistently get 2 - 3 hours a sleep at a time, starting at 1am and going until 8 or 9. I am actually very happy with this!

I gave Isaak a bath, my first solo attempt. It went well. We only used 1 towel...a first. The last 2 baths required 2 towels as Isaak seems to have the perfect timing to let it fly once bundled in a towel and on the way to the bath.

Diane & Alexander stopped by to see the little guy. We have had a lot of visitors this week, about 1 a day. I didn't get a walk in today, instead I took a nap. It was beautiful out and I wish the timing had been such that I could have gotten out.

Kevin had an interview with the International School of The Hague today, for a long term sub assignment. He came home with the job. It is about an 1 hour and 50 minute commute for him. An hour on the train and then a 50 min tram ride. Yuck. He will work Wednesdays and Fridays. They gave him a contract (rather then regular daily subbing) so they will reimburse him for the train tickets, pay him through July and tack on extra periods to get him more time there. This is great news! He is also up to 5 tutoring clients from the International School of Amsterdam. He really likes tutoring, he gets to teach and see them learn with out having to do any of the grading.

Isaak's First Week

My midwife, Marike. She was amazing and I trusted her completely. Note the time on the picture. Isaak was born at 4:29 pm, not 5.

Kevin has had this smile on his face ever since.

Monday night was amazingly easy. Isaak woke every 3 hours and would eat for a few minutes and then go back to sleep. I had to force myself to turn out the light and go back to sleep.

A picture of Isaak at 7 hours old.

Tuesday morning Kevin called the Kraamzorgs to tell them that Isaak had been born and we were ready for them. Charlotte showed up at 11:30. She was act

ually a midwife student from Belgium who was studying with the GeboorteCentrum and doing a short stint as a Kraamzorg. She helped us get settled in our first day. 

One of my midwives (there are 5 in the group) stopped by to check on us. 

Tuesday night was a tough night. Isaak slept and ate well all day, right up until 11pm. Starting at 11 he was awake every 30 minutes, for about 5 minutes. He would nurse for a few minutes and then fall a sleep. This night was hell. Kevin had came down with a cold (and was doped up on Nyquil) so I was the one who was up --- that I am the one with replenishing pacifiers.

Wednesday

I was never so happy as to see the Kraamzorg at 9am. Her name was Esther and she immediately told me how to prevent the night from hell. I needed to keep him awake while he was nursing. He was falling a sleep after only getting a little milk and then waking up hungry 30 min later. She also taught me a new way to hold him while nursing. Up until now all I really knew (and he was up for) was to laying down. I was exhausted all day Wednesday as I had only gotten about 2 hours a sleep the night before. I tried to nap during the day (while Esther cleaned the apartment ---- vacuuming, the bathroom/shower/toilet, kitchen, laundry, etc). I just couldn't fall a sleep. 

Courtenay & Brian came up around 8pm and we hung out for a couple of hours. They took turns holding Isaak in his "milk drunk" state.

Wednesday night was an improvement on Tuesday, however it was still pretty tough. My milk had come in so it would take an hour of Isaak and I fighting to get him to latch on. Once he was able to start drinking then he would drink for 20 minutes and then sleep for 3 hours. The hour of fighting was really hard. We were trying everything we knew but it wasn't very much and it wasn't working. I was also starting to come down with Kevin's cold. 

Thursday morning Esther showed up right after I had finally gotten Isaak to start to nurse, 

at 9am. She asked how the night went and I told her about our struggles. She said it was because of my engorged breasts (man oh man did they hurt!). She asked if I knew someone who had a pump...that was music to my ears enormous as I had one in Isaak's room. Once he had gotten his fill I released a little pressure from my boob --- what a relief! Thursday flew by. Another midwife (Bea) stopped by to check on us. Esther saw a bottle of Ibuprofen by the bed, she got concerned that I was taking them. Here in the Netherlands they only want you to take Paraceptmol/Tylenol while breastfeeding. Kevin and I had already confirmed that Ibuprofen was ok in the US ----so I was self medicating. My stitches needed something stronger then Tylenol. I told her the Ibuprofen was Kevin's... Thursday night was much better. We did have one feeding that was a little rough but all in all not bad. I still wasn't really able to sleep during

 the day.

Friday morning we had a new Kraamzorg, Balkije. She was here for 8 hours on Friday. She cleaned the entire apartment. We really did get spoiled. Having the place picked up and clean makes me more relaxed, particulary when I am up in the middle of the night with Isaak. I don't sit there wishing the apartment was clean. Courtenay and Brian brought us dinner. Courtenay made lasagna. Lori came too. She brought the dessert. It was all very delicious. I got to have my first guilt free glass of wine in 9 months! Friday night was good. It really felt like Isaak and I were figuring out our little routine.

Saturday:

Some of our friends got together and have arranged to bring us dinner once a week. Kristen stopped by around 8:30 to meet Isaak and drop off dinner. Balkije showed up a few minutes later and then Marike (the midwife who delivered Isaak) stopped by. We had a full house for a while. It was great to see Kristen (even though I hadn't showered and had terrible morning breath!) It was also great to see Marike again. We talked about the delivery and what we thought of it (both the good things and bad things). She weighed Isaak - who was back to his

 birth weight. We showed her the pictures that our nurse had taken during the delivery. She wants copies of some of them as they really showed everything. She said that since I was easily coachable and relaxed (after she showed up and took over) that we had the opportunity to get such great photos. She mentioned that sometimes the parents are so upset or distraught that it doesn't always work that way. I think we gave Kristen a little bit of mental birth control, as she wasn't expecting such vivid pictures of a birth! Don't worry, these pics are not posted on Flickr but safely locked away on our computer. There is a short little video of one of the contractions in which I am pushing. I haven't watched it yet.

The sun was out in the morning so Kevin and I wanted to take Isaak out for a walk. I wa

s getting pretty mobile and definitely a little stir crazy as I hadn't been out of the apartment since coming home from the hospital. We bundled Isaak up in the Ergo and walked to the canal and back. It was short but nice. The crocus are blooming and they are beautiful.

Balkije went to the store for us...we forgot to have her get diapers and since everything is closed on Sunday we had Brian pick us up some when he went. Have I said how great our friends are? 

Kristen's baked ziti was delicous and I actually slept for 7 hours that night. Not in one shot, but in a 2 - 3 - 2 hour interval. It felt so good! After the 7am feeding I put Isaak in his room (we have had him in a "bassinet" in our room between about 10pm and 6:30am) where the sun was shining through the windows and I went back to bed - with the black out curtains. My cold was starting to get better and I was able to actually fall a sleep when I laid down. Heaven!

Sunday we were on our own until about 2 pm. We had a nice relaxing morning. When Balkije showed up there wasn't much for her to do. We gave Isaak his first bath. He slept through the whole thing.

We bundled Isaak up in his fuzzy bear sleeper (thanks Dad!) and put him in his stroller (another first) and took him for a walk in Beatrix park.

Just outside our apartment we ran into Caroline and Andreas (our downstairs neighbors). They were out with their 1.5 yr old daughter Alissa - trying to get her to sleep. Caroline is also due in April. They joined us on our walk. 

Sunday night, both Isaak and I slept well again. His long sleep started at 4:30 and went until 10. I slept until 9. Heaven!

Added Photos

I uploaded the photos from Monday & Tuesday. There are more on Kevin's iPhone, I will load those later.

We are all doing well. Having the maternity nurse is very helpful! 

Our Son has arrived - Isaak Honn Tastet

Our son was born yesterday, March 9th. He is 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) and 19+inches (50+cm). The length is approximate, we think he is taller but he hasn't been measured yet. They don't measure newborns in the Netherlands. Something about not wanting to uncurl them until they are ready. He is quite long, long fingers, long feet, long legs, long torso. I don't know how he fit!

He is perfect in every way. We are both in awe that we are now parents and have such a beautiful son.

Below is the details of the birth...

I experienced light contractions on Saturday and again on Sunday. My aunt (via Skype) kep telling me to call the mid-wife. I couldn't really believe that the PMS-like cramps were really my contractions. I called her Sunday evening around 7. She was delivering a baby and said she would call me back later to check on me. I called her again at 11, when I hadn't heard from her yet and wanted to go to bed. She was delivering yet another baby and had to be thinking I wish this crazy/not yet in labor woman would stop calling me. She told me to try to sleep if I thought I could. Turns out I could. They woke me up at 5 am, I had to "breathe" through them. I thought that was a load of crap until I actually had to do it. And it worked. Monday morning they really started in earnest at 5am. I called the midwife around 6:30am. Kevin made a run to the French bakery (less then a block away) so that I could carb load. Nothing like fresh croissants and madelines to provide a little pre-baby sustenance. She came around 9 am, she checked to see how far I had dilated - 2cm. Up until this point Kevin and I had been playing scrabble. Yes, scrabble. We had to do something to pass the time...as we were going to go crazy with contractions coming every 5 minutes. Picture this. Me sitting on a bouncy/work out ball. Eyes closed tight trying to tell kevin where to put my tiles and what my word was, mid contraction. She came back around 1 and I had progressed to 4cm. This time she found me humped up on the ball watching "Star Trek, the next generation" while Kevin napped. Up to this point I had been managing the contractions really well. Breathing through them and hugging the "ball". Of course as soon as she got here my contractions went all wacky. No longer consistent in time, duration or strength. F**king stage fright. Great. She said it always happens that way.

She was afraid that my labor might be long and she didn't want me to get too tired so we decided to break my water at 2pm. Once she broke my water my contractions got MUCH stronger and faster, and started to really hit me in my hips. No more stage fright. Holy shit did they hurt. She broke my water on the bed. (kevin's side...gotta love that!) I had a contraction immediately after. I was able to sit up and then thought I was going to puke. Kevin went searching for a bucket. Marijke quickly dumped out the absorbant packing filled tub and put it in front of me. 30 sec later I was fine...and hadn't puked. I had another contraction between standing up and making it to the other side of the bed. Then another when I got to the hallway. MUCH FASTER and HARDER. We decided that Kevin and I would head to the hospital and she would meet us there in about 30 min. Kevin called a cab while I screamed bloody murder in the stairwell. My breathing was totally shot and now I was just trying to survive. I kept thinking that our neighbors could hear me. Hell, probably the whole street. The cab took forever to arrive. I was ready to hijack a car. I was panicking and did not want to do this with out my midwife or in a stairwell.

Man did it feel like the cab took a long time to get here. At this point I was not managing the pain very well and really wishing for morphine. I think I scared the crap out of the cab driver - I am sure he didn't expect to pick up a woman in the throes of labor. It took about 10 min to get to the hospital.

Once at the hospital we took the elevator to he main floor, of course I had a contraction in the elevator - more screaming and scaring of the people in the elevator. I tried to waddle after Kevin to the front desk. Contraction at the desk. I could barely stand at this point. Kevin asked how to get to the birth center and we took another elevator to the 2nd floor. More contractions, more screaming. They were really starting to come very quickly. As we left the elevator I made it about 2 steps before another contraction hit and I couldn't walk any more. Thankfully a OB/GYN who was leaving for the day walked by and figured out that I needed a wheelchair. She then wheeled me in to our room. I think I had another contraction when either the midwife called or we called her. She said she would be there in 15 min. That was the longest 15 min of my life.

Our nurse didn't speak any English and been told that I was 4cm when Marike (our midwife) called to say we were coming. I am sure she thought "Wimpy American, 4cm and screaming bloody murder - this is going to be long day". Kevin kept asking for pain relief for me but it didn't translate. I got into the shower and Kevin ran water on my back while the screaming got worse. I remember saying "I don't want to do this anymore".

Marike showed up and immediately took over. She was awesome. She got me to stop screaming and start breathing - which really helped. I was in panic mode before. She got me out of the shower to check to see how far I had dilated. I was up to 9.5 cm. Yes, 4 - 9.5 in about 45 min. No wonder it hurt so damn bad.

At some point the nurses switched shifts. Our new nurse was a dream. I am so happy to have had her.

It wasn't very long (only a couple of more contractions) before she had me on the "stool" and start pushing. It was only a few more contractions before I felt like his head was right there. Wouldn't you know, it was. She kept saying she could see his head but I didn't believe her. I figured it was just her trying to encourage me. She got us a mirror so we could watch. During all of my contractions Kevin was either my back support or putting pressure on my hips - I couldn't have done it with out him. Between contractions he leaned back to take off his sweatshirt. I thought I was going to fall apart before he was ready to hold me again. I don't really remember this. I pushed for all of 25 minutes. I remember saying "OWWW, It hurts" at one point. We figure this was when I tore. It burned....I have since read the analogy of "burning ring of fire". Exactly.

I was amazed to be able to see Isaak's hair. Seeing just how close I we were was really encouraging. It was only a few more contractions before we were to the last one when Marike stopped to coached me. She told me I had to stop pushing when she told me to and then I would be able to push again when she said it was ok. One last big push and it was all over. Kevin says that during the next contraction, when I stopped pushing, Marijke had unwrapped the cord. After his head was out I could feel his shoulders slip through me and then his legs. An awesome feeling. I remember looking down at him, laying on a cushion on the floor under me, thinking "SCREAM, Damn it". It felt like forever before he cried. It was probably only 2 seconds. They handed me Issak and got me up into the bed. As soon as I had him in my arms I couldn't believe how long he was, and that he actually fit. I tore pretty badly and that was the only thing that hurt. It helped to have Isaak, but only a little. I asked for something for the pain and they gave me 2 paraceptomal - TYLENOL. Yes, 2 tylenol. I was thinking, you have got to be kidding. They didn't want to give me anything else because I planned to breastfeed. For an instant I seriously thought about blowing off the whole breastfeeding thing for some pain relief.

Once the cord stopped pulsing Kevin got to cut it. Very cool.

Because of the size of the tear (From what I have since read it would be a 4th degree tear in the US...meaning from one end to the other). Marike couldn't sew it so I had to wait for a OB/GYN to come and look - they needed to check to see if they were going to have to put me under a general. Luckily that wasn't necessary. They wheeled me to another room (around 7pm) and we waited for the OB/GYN to come back (took forever). In the meantime Marike got me some juice and Kevin and I couldn't take our eyes off of Issak. The OB/GYN finally came back but then left again to go find my midwife, who had since left...she had delivered 7 babies in 24 hours and was handing the shift over to the next one in the group). It took what seemed like forever for him to come back again and give me some a local to numb things up before he started stitching. He either didn't give me enough, put it in enough places or wait long enough because I felt some of those stitches. Had I had the strength I think I would have kicked him in the face. He was not gentle with either his inspections or sewing. I was not happy. He kept telling me to relax, yea right.

They wheeled (when I say wheeled, I mean in a wooden seat wheel chair, which is the same way I got to the room. Yes. I had just given birth, torn to high heaven and put in a wooden wheel chair. Come on! )us back to our room and our nurse started bringing us food, juice, and tea. We got Isaak to breast feed some more and Kevin and I ate and tried to pull ourselves together. Around 8 we tried to get me up and in the shower. I nearly passed out on the toilet so we decided to try again in an hour after more food/broth and juice. I had lost about 700 mil of blood - almost 2 pints. Around 9:30 I finally made it into the shower - I was amazed at how good it felt! I really just sat in a plastic chair and hosed myself off.

While I dried off, Kevin packed up our stuff and we started the process of checking out. There wasn't much too it. The nurse (I really can't remember her name, probably because it was told to me during a contraction) wheeled me down stairs where we picked up my prescription unfortunately it wasn't for pain relief but stool softener (TMI I know). She called us a cab and then got us downstairs to where the cab would pick us up. She helped us in to the car and helped Kevin buckle Isaak in. The ride home was much better then the ride to the hospital.

Getting from the cab to the apartment was a slow/hobble/walk. I got Isaak out of the car while Kevin got our stuff. I made it to the downstairs door before I told Kevin I would wait at the bottom while he shuttled stuff. I was walking very slowly. The local had worn off long ago and they were only giving me 2 REGULAR strength tylenol every 6 hours. I couldn't wait to self medicate with something stronger. At least Advil.

Once home we got a hold of a couple family members on Skype. We were in bliss. We finally headed to bed around 12 after changing his diaper.

Just to add a little more excitement to our days, Kevin has a cold. Poor guy. It started Sunday and has become the full stuffy nose/sore throat.

You can see the photos in our Flickr Web Album. We will upate this link with photos on an ongoing basis - so check back! We have some very graphic birth photos that the nurse took. These will not be posted on the web but are available if you are interested. Let's face it. Childbirth eliminates all modesty. If there is any modesty left, nursing kicks it out the door.

A Rare Sunny Day

Today the sun was out and we decided to go for a walk in the Jordaan neighborhood.  We took the dogs too. 

The skinniest house in Amsterdam.

Kevin and Duke on the Singelgracht.

Notice the forward and sideways lean in the maroon house.
At the very back of the picture is the gate that is used to flush and control the level of water in the canals.

The Herengracht canal.

Leliegracht canal

The other side of the Leliegracht.

The Keizergracht and the Westerkerk church in the background.

The Keizergracht canal.

The Prinsengracht Canal.

Me picking up after Maggie, something uncommon for other dog owners in this city.

A "Pisser", yes that is what it is called.

Notice the mirror, allows the resident to see who is at the door with out having to go down the "deadly dutch" stairs.

This door leads to a little garden.

The garden.