Tun Fun

Yesterday we met some friends at Tun Fun. It is basically an indoor playground that I had taken the kids to when we first came. It was pretty hectic the first time I went so when my friend Chelsea suggested it I thought it would be better. WRONG! It was so crazy. The idea of the place is great because they have areas for specific ages but trying to keep Kaylin in the appropriate area was not happening. She ran from the time we got there until we left. I am glad she had a place to run, but there were so many kids there and so many places she could duck into it was hard trying to contain her. Chelsea's kids and Lucy's kids were the same way. We thought they would be content staying together and playing in the same area. So a nice playgroup for the kids and moms left us all worn out! So, tomorrow, they along with another mom, Robin, are coming to our house. The kids can play and us moms can talk! I can't wait!!

Delft

Today we spent the day in Delft which is where painter Johannes Vermeer spent his life, where William of Orange lived and where they are buried along with the Dutch Royal Family. Delft is also famous for hand painted porcelain typically blue and white. It was such a nice sunny day and we were happy to get outside!

Below is the City Hall

Can't get enough wooden shoe pictures

This is the spot where Vermeer's childhood home was.

Hope you all had a Happy Valentine's Day!

Welcome to our new nephew!

Welcome to baby River Penn Lubchansky! Born on Feb 11 weighing 8lbs 1oz. Baby and mom are doing well and we hope to talk to them today. Wish we could hold the little guy, but have to be content with pics and updates. (There is a cute pic of him on their blog) We look forward to seeing Kaylin, Shane, Asher and River together when we come back in Aug or Sept and looking forward to many years of sleepovers and playing together! SO exciting!!

Shane's Dr Appt

Yesterday we made our way back to the Dr. Again everything went well and I am very happy with the office. He weighs, 8.7 kg ( about 18 lbs) and in 69cm ( 27 in) long. On the Dutch charts he in about the 40th percentile for height and 50th percentile for weight. For the American charts he is about 20-25th percentile for both height and weight. Compared with his last apts back in the States he has stayed consistent with both height and weight which is what is important. He did well with his shots and Kaylin held his hand while he was getting them which was so sweet. He is pretty fussy today so it could be from the shots, but my guess is it is from the three teeth that are just sitting right under the gum line. Just pop through already and give the boy some relief!

Mittens to match

Here are mittens to match the hat. I had little pom poms on the mittens too, but they were pretty small and completely fell apart when he was wearing them today! Too bad because they looked pretty cute!

Kaylin's Dr App

Kaylin had a Dr appointment today and I am happy to report that everything went very smoothly! Whew. I found the office easily, no breakdowns and overall a nice visit. The only mishap was riding back home, the plastic cover over the kids part of the bike blew off right into my face. Pretty embarrassing since there were people right behind me and I was blinded temporarily. They said something to me in Dutch, but I have no clue what it was! Oh well.
Kaylin is about 89 cm which is 35 inches and about 12 kilos which is about 27 lbs. She did get a shot and did VERY well with it. It was a Men. C shot which I don't think is given in the states. I am a little disappointed in myself because I should have told them to hold off so I could research it and talk to Matt. I guess I feel that since we are only here for 2 years what is the point of giving her a shot that is not required back home. I just wasn't expecting her to get one today.
After the appointment I went to schedule one for Shane. I was told to make it for early to Mid March, but the receptionist told me they didn't have any openings, but they have one for tomorrow morning at 11:40, so we'll be back there tomorrow!

Weekend

This past weekend we had a friend from London visit. Matt and Heather used to work together in Milwaukee and she moved to London a few years ago. We have not seen here since then and were glad we had the opportunity. Kaylin was stuck to her like glue! She wanted Heather to put her to bed, play, eat with her and she also wanted Heather to change her diaper which we saved Heather from doing. We went to the outdoor market on Saturday and just spent time catching up. We hope we didn't scare her off and hope she'll come back again!

Spring

Could it be?!

Standing

Here are a few pictures of Shane standing. He stands quite a bit now and occasionally has more graceful falls. Rather than plopping down on his butt he tries to bend down and put his hands on the ground and then will sit. Such a smart little boy! :)

Here are a few more pictures from the last few days.

Bed time stories with daddy

Kaylin with my shoes. She even has her necklasses on. So cute!

House visit

Yesterday we had a house visit from the baby clinic. It basically was what we do when we go to the Dr for the first time, the only difference here is they come to your house. I was a little nervous before they came because I really didn't know what to expect, but everything went well and I understand the process a bit more. Kaylin has a check up next Wednesday and they want to see Shane the beginning of March.
The vaccine schedule is a bit different. The only one I can think of now is they don't administer the Hep B shot unless the child's parents are infected which makes sense to me. Although, she did say they will start giving it to all kids with in the next few years.
The baby clinic is for kids from birth to 4 and I believe all appointments and vaccines are free.
Also, all the kids here continue to take vitamin D a lot longer because we are lacking in sunshine in the winter.

Helmet and Sledding??

So, I am sitting here while the kids are napping listening to the radio ( I get a Milwaukee station on the computer) anyway they are saying that there is a bill that is being proposed to make it illegal for kids under 12 to go sledding without a helmet. Are you KIDDING me?!! Am I completely nuts or does this sound absolutely crazy to you? My hands are actually shaking while writing this because I am so irritated. Yes, I understand that kids can get hurt sledding, but they also can get hurt learning to go downstairs, especially in this house! I am stunned. If you are really worried about your kids sledding maybe you should go with them and make sure there aren't any rocks, trees etc.. that they can run into.
ok, enough ranting for today.

Shane's New Hat

Here is Shane's new hat! His blue one is getting a bit small so I took advantage of the pattern books I was given for Christmas. Very easy and very cute!

8 Months

Shane is now 8 months old and VERY active! This child shakes and pounds EVERYTHING! If he can't make noise with it he wants nothing to do with it. He walks along the furniture and tries to stand by himself. Yesterday he stood for about 5 seconds with out falling...doesn't sound like a long time, but it felt like it when I was watching him. :) I put him on the scale the other day and he weighs about 17.5 lbs.

His third tooth came through two days ago and three more are very close to coming through so he has been a little fussy and always has a finger in his mouth.

The poor boy was not happy about getting his picture taken so we had to ask uncle Sean for help while mama tickled him...

He is getting better about sleeping through the night. He goes to bed at 7 wakes up for his paci around 10 and then will wake up to eat sometime between 3:30-6 and then wakes up for the day at 8.

I know I have said this many times, but he his getting so big so fast! We are so lucky to have such sweet and cuddly kids!