Her First Birthday Party

I always say the first birthday party is for the parents and pictures...the baby has no idea what is going on for them!  Liora must have known what was happening, because she was taking her second nap already when the first guests arrived. She was a perfect little angel during her party and took a 3rd nap towards the end of the day.

The party was supposedly a Sofie the First party, but I think it ended up only being on the invitation. The rest was princessy. 

Even though hubby probably disagrees and thinks I made it more complicated than necessary, I tried to keep the day reaaaaallly simple.  However, I did want to make a birthday cake.  I had great plans and thought I was very prepared.  But, of course, there were complications and I felt that the whole morning was stressful trying to prepare.

It started off when I didn't have enough sugar last night. Thankfully my SIL lives in the same street. Yay. Cakes were baked. I started the icing and could not find any of my food colorings besides yellow. I needed to make purple! I borrowed that also, but couldn't get purple.  First thing this morning I drove to the store to get more food coloring.  My icing was a light gray and an ugly brownish purple. Mauve? After quickly googling, I found out that mixing red and blue does not necessarily create purple icing like one would thing. Yes, it makes gray...

At this point of the day I gave up. There was no time (or energy and ingredients) to start all over.  I iced with what I have and stopped to clean up.  I figure I may use my same ideas next year. If I don't show anyone what I was aiming to create (and they don't look at my Pinterest board), it is ok. I am pleased, however, to say that the cake and icing was yummy!

It was a nice afternoon. I'm glad for the ones who could make it.  I think everyone had a good time and that is what is important to me. 10 of the 12 played outside most of the afternoon.

Video of the pinata. I bought them in Spain. I'm not sure if that's how they do it there, but it was cheap fun. Another one.

Month Updates

Liora also started standing up in her bed last week. She actually seems like a different baby than when we left to Spain! Since she picked up the crawling thing there, the whole house is a new discovery. She takes things off the pantry shelves, goes through the doors, pulls stuff off the table and she even managed to climb onto the first stair.  We now have installed the gate upstairs by the stairs.  She also started pulling herself up. So she'll stand against the coffee table to take things off, or stand against the window to look outside.

Yesterday was her first day to have only 2 feedings. She drank 90 ml of hypoallergenic formula.

TBT

One year ago...I was 36 weeks pregnant! How the year flies! I can't believe my little baby girl is almost one! It is scary. I feel that once she turns one, she is no longer a baby.

What is nice about THIS year is that we are in Spain. Much better weather, even though last year was not cold.

40 Weeks (+/- 9 Months) PLUS room update

With the move, I did not get around to doing my typical month update.  L is now 9 months.  Actually, today she is 9 months and 1 week, so we are nearly to the 'longer out, than in' day.  She is awake now with a fever, so it is a short update. Enjoy the photo of my little lovey. 

Liora 8 Months

I guess I forgot to post them last month...9 month post coming up tomorrow :P

 

Someone is THREE!

You've already seen photos of the cake, now to hear about the birthday boy.  We are transitioning from the terrible twos to the terrific threes *fingers crossed*

He's 101 cm / 3 ft 4 in and 16.3 kg / 36 lbs and wears a size 26 / 9 shoe. At the end of the school year he was the tallest in his class and had the biggest feet.

Eating
He's still a decent eater, although he is easily distracted and will often say he's done just so he can play, but then we run into problems when he is in bed. He then realizes that he is hungry. I am so glad he likes fruit!  The YES veggies are corn, green beans, beets occassionally, sweet potatoes, raw bell pepper, cauliflower and broccoli. The NO ones are mushrooms, zucchini and tomatoes, along with kidney beans and onions.  Carrots are inbetween.  He loves his 'boterhammen' (untoasted toast). He would be happy to eat that every day, although it is always an issue with the crusts. His favorite spread is chocolate (kind of like his mommy in that area).  He is allowed a cup of chocolate milk every morning.  He doesn't seem to really like milk, so I don't force it, since I am also not a milk drinker, but, again, like me, he loves yogurt, so I figure he gets calcium that way.  Overall I am happy with his eating. Only sometimes not with the fights we have to make him try a bite.  I asked him when we went grocery shopping what we should get. He answered, "Apples, bananas...and chocolate."

Sleeping
Part of the reason this post is delayed is because around his birthday we were having sleeping issues. I am going to say they are done now. The last 2 weeks he has been taking naps again! And since we moved there have almost no fights (beside last night) to get him to stay in his bed and sleep. He doesn't wake up at night and normally is awake at 7:45. He goes down anywhere between 7:00 and 10:00 (depending on if he napped, if we are out and if he is behaving).

Potty Training
I think the worst is over! Since his birthday. Literally on the day itself, he started going #2 on the potty and going ALONE and SAYING that he needed to go ON TIME! It makes for one super happy mommy here.  Not sure what happened today, because we had two poopy accidents, but for the last 3 weeks there have been maybe 1 or 2 accidents and I have been very brave and not put on any diapers when we were out and about, at church, visiting friends or when he was away 4 days (I sent the potty with him). I'm so proud of him! He totally gets it now. So my great advice (now that I can give it) is to NOT force it.  We are working on nap time and I'm not worried about nights. Sometimes he's dry other mornings not.

Talking
Every day I say I need to write down what he says. He is really talking now. In general is he a quieter fellow. He likes to observe. I don't mind if he is a quieter kid. His teacher also said that at the end of the school year. I asked how it was with the 2 languages and she said she didn't notice any problem. She mentioned that he doesn't talk a lot, but he definately talks when he needs something.

I think it is so cute right now the words and phrases he is saying. He is also starting to use his imagination, so I hear him talking to his animals or cars. Often it's about Mama, Papa, Oria (Liora) or Hanne and Lise. 

I noticed he often says a P for K. Petchup. Pamer. Poffee.  I'm sure I've said it before, he understands both languages perfectly, but he speaks 95% Dutch.  Hopefully speaking English will come...Yesterday I did notice he said 'cars' to my mom instead of 'autos.' I'm not sure if it was on purpose, coincidence or because he's now seen Cars 1001 times.  He is into talking on Skype now. It is pretty cute. Yesterday he was saying whole sentences to my mom, but some I couldn't even understand.

He is starting to grasp concepts, which makes him really seem more grown up. For example,  his daddy was putting on his pjs and they were too big, so we put other ones and he said, "It's better, yeah?" I was so surprised to hear him figure that out. He now always is saying what he likes or doesn't. "Ik vind het niet leuk" of "Het is leuk, huh?"  He also gets if I go "grrr" that something is wrong and he says, "Wat is, Mama?"

And the questions have begun...right at a handy time with us doing some projects in the house. "Wat doe jij?" "Wat is dat?" " Repeat 10x..."What are you doing?" "What's that?"  And then he likes to know where everyone is. Where's Liora? Where's Daddy?  I am waiting fohttp://www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/3-to-4-year-old-milestonesr "Why?"

Motorically
Advanced gross motor skills  :)  He is a pro on his balance bike, can pedal on some things, climbing stairs and slides is NOT a problem. I always laugh when I read that he should be able to throw and kick a ball. He mastered that before he could walk... At the indoor playgrounds he is always on the 6+ toys right along with his cousins.  The fine motor skills I haven't noticed as much. He can turn the pages in a book no problem, but I never let him play with scissors, so I'm not sure how he is at that. He enjoys drawing and is just now starting to say what he is drawing.

Personality
Mateo is a happy fellow. Smiling even when he shouldn't be.  He is a super social kid. LOVES to be around people.  He really enjoys school and is kind of bored when he is home with just mommy and his sister.  I am sometimes surprised at how good he does in new social situations. Last month we were in Germany and he went to Sunday school with his little friend. I asked him if he wanted to go and he said no, but I took him anyways and stepped out when they were praying. Apparently he was a perfect angel. I would have been scared as a little kid to do that.  Yesterday he started a sport camp for 2 weeks and it was the same story.

Three things that are important for me for him are that he is Respectful, Responsible, & Independent. The latter 2 are coming along ok. The last one maybe a little too well...  To me we have a lot of work in the RESPECT corner. Respecting his parents, sister, toys, rules...the good news in this area is that apparently he behaves when he is with other people (when his parents, and especially his mother, are away). 

We have an extremely stubborn little fellow on our hands. I've already read Dr. Dobson's Raising a Strong-willed Child and I think I need to reread it.  His strong will and jealousy issues make for many daily conflicts. Hopefully by next year we will be conflict free. Hahahaha

7 Months

Hubby was away with the camera on Liora's 7th monthday, so I took the photos on my phone and since we were going on vacation the next day it slipped my mind to post them. Oops, next week she is 8 months already!

Diapers For Sale

12+12+6+3=33 luiers + 7 luierbroekjes voor €250 of alles voor €275 (includes 10 other diapers, plus snappies and washclothes) Sounds like a lot? Sort of, but the new price of the Bambino diapers were were over €300 and the other diapers I guess were probably like €25/each, so over €500. Also, think of all the money you can save!

Just writing that last sentance makes me thinks I should reconsider...but, I don't feel I have enough support to do cloth diapering and we are moving, so now is a good time to sell.

If you are interested or have questions, leave a comment or message me.

Snappis-to use on prefolds

Into Pack-3 diapers, one cover

6 prefolds, M

Free, I think it is homemade

10 of All-In-One's, €3/each or in total price

 

Size M prefolds 12 diapers, 3 covers

Size S prefolds 12 diapers, 3 covers

Many NEVER used

34 Months

I've started planning his 3rd birthday. It will be the week before we move. I am going to do a Disney Cars theme, but I don't want to do something big. I am thinking cake and ice cream for cousins is good. No meal or whole day thing.

We are not making very good progress with potty training. I guess it is probably more than my last update, but I don't like cleaning #2 out of underwear!  He never says when he needs to go and won't go #2 in the toilet.

Mateo learned how to open up the gate, so there is no restraining him anymore. We also took the belt off of his Stokke. It was too hard to get him in and out.

I think he is exactly 1 meter and 15 kilos. He has size 26 shoes and wears 98/104.

Soon we will switch him to his next car seat. It will be more comfortable for our road trip next month.

Mateo loves school. He now comes normally 1-2 whole days/week. I leave him there to eat lunch, so he can play outside an extra half an hour and someone else can clean up his mess.

He started using his balance bike a few weeks ago and loves his ''grote fiets."

Naps are a thing of the past, however if we drive somewhere in the afternoon, he'll fall asleep.

Talking is coming along. Every day he comes up with new things. I admit I have been very bad at documenting the last while. Actually, I am going to log off and go do that right now, for both children!

6 Months

First School Performance

Mateo is in the back row on the left.

 

The 'original' (or one of them)

Liora 5 Month Photo Overload

Trying for an Easter shot

Adore this one

I love their feet. Horse was a gift from hubby's cousin.

Our beautiful thumb-sucker

See her move

Active girl

4.5 Months

I love her dress in this! She now sits in the Bumbo when we are eating. She likes it for 10 minutes at a time. Sometimes I set her by us on the floor when we are playing.

I could gobble her up!

I am so biased. Stinkin adorable! I kind of wish she could wear this outfit every day.

This sweater is special. I bought it when I was pregnant with Mateo. I didn't know the gender (obviously). The other girls clothes I bought have now been passed on as gifts, but this I loved too much to get rid of it. I think Minnie Mouse is so cute. I am not really into other Disney clothes, but Minnie is good. Now that Mateo has seen Cars, Nemo and Jungle Book, it is actually cute to see him get excited about clothes with the characters.

Liora is moving a lot. No rolling over yet, but she is trying. Somehow she manages to twist in a circle when she is on her playmat. She is also not very cuddly. She likes to lay on my lap, but squirms all over.

She got a tooth last Tuesday, the 18th.

She has had carrots one time, rice cereal another and Tuesday she had something from a jar. She ate more than she had the other time, but spit it all out 10 minute later. Eww! I still want to work on her to take a bottle.

Liora moved into size 3 diapers on the 9th. She is wearing mostly size 6 months. When I took her to the doctor, she actually had LOST weight! A few ounces in a month. I think it was because she was sick and then I had a stomach bug, so I didn't eat for 3 days the week that she got weighed. Her next appointment is June 2nd.

Missy is starting to discover her feet. It is so cute. She loves being without clothes or no bottoms or socks. She then starts waving her arms and legs all over.

She is almost too big for her babytub. She props her feet up on on edge of the tub. I have put her a few times in with Mateo. They both like that. He helps wash her and she thinks he is funny.

See you in a few weeks!

32 Months

March 22nd

Every few days I have a nagging feeling of 'I'm supposed to do something today, what is it?' Then I remember, I need to update the blog...Um,  that feeling must've been coming and going for a month, because I realized we are 2 days past Mateo's 32 month mark. I planned on posting for 31 months! So, that is basically how my whole life feels. Like I am always trying to get caught up and when I finally do I realize how much time has flown by and I need to start working on the next thing.

Eating
Mateo is doing so much better with his eating! That bottle issue solved a lot! He is even drinking some water or plain milk. Our rule is that he is allowed a chocolate milk cup in the morning and then he takes watered down juice or water to school. The rest of the day we kind of see how it goes/what we have in the house. Breakfast goes smoother when he has been awake a bit. He eats oatmeal very well and likes cinnamon roll oatmeal (I mean, who wouldn't?). Following the advice of my MIL, I added a little Splenda on his carrots and he ate 2 whole ones! Mateo learned his 2nd week of school about food and utensils. Since then he wants to try to eat with a knife and asks for a 'mife.' Often I have him eat his sandwich at school, so he can play outside PLUS someone else can clean up his mess.

Jules is the class doll. He takes turns of who he gets to visit each weekend.

Sleeping
Maybe the reason I didn't get to his 31 month post was because of the serious sleeping issues we were having. They are mostly solved. Everyone told me 'Once he goes to school, he will sleep more/longer.' *wrong* Not with this kid. I decided to give up fighting on naps every day. I basically figure he takes one every 2nd day and it is only after he has had a good dose of play time after lunch, then he is allowed to read in bed. Most of the time he falls asleep, if not, I get 30 minutes of quiet time. Nights are also going better. He was sick with an awful cough and that was waking us all up. I guess I don't need to post about all the fights and fits we have been through. The good news is that he doesn't ever ask for his pacifier and most nights now he goes nicely to sleep. Bedtime is between 7:00-8:00 and he is awake around 7:00.

Talking
Everyday he is saying new things. I feel like being my brother's sister (aka interpreter) helped prepare me. I understand what Mateo says, but realize others don't. It is a mix of the 2 languages and then lots of mispronounced words. I noticed in the wekeend that he says N's as M's. So Memo is that cute, little, orange fish.  I am realizing now how 'behind' he seems in his speech. I sometimes worry if the teacher can understand him, but she said it is going fine at school, so I guess he can communicate his needs. I also realized that I am underestimating how much he understands and remembers, because he doesn't speak so clearly. BUT, a proud parent moment was when I was telling the story of Noah (I started feeling like a bad parent a few weeks ago that we weren't telling Bible stories, so I pulled out his beginner Bible and we now try to do one story a night) and he said "All done regen (rain)!" I was shocked. I then realized that Daddy must've read it already, but I also realized that Mateo listened and remembered what it was about!

School
We both love it, not sure about the school and teachers *wink*. Mateo has gone a few full days. I think I'll try 1-2/week. Normally he is there from 8:45-1:00. He seems to be learning a lot. Like I said, he doesn't say much about what he does, but then he surprises me with new words and actions (such as putting soap on his hands while washing, wiping his own nose, putting on his jacket).

...it is now 5 days later, so I have lost my train of thought!

Things to remember
-He says 'ikke doen' for EVERYTHING. He wants to do everything himself, until it doesn't work and then he starts whining.

-Rode his balance bike for the first time today

-Went to the Zoo for the first time Feb 15th.

-Had antibiotics for a nasty cough. He had an ear and eye infection at the same time.

-Has grown out of all his size 86 pants and needs 98 shirts for the length.

-I finally got size 5 diapers. We were having some issues with the 4's, but I think it was more the brand.

He was a zebra for Carnaval.