That's right, it's time for our annual trip to Holland, aka The Netherlands. When we went this time last year I was starting, in the middle of, somewhere around in my second trimester. I hadn't gained any weight yet because I'd been puking so much. Then, in Holland, I was still puking, but in between bouts I was eating. Kaas (cheese), and more kaas, vla (similar to pudding), fritjes (fries), croquettes (fried dumpling type things), aardapellen (potatoes), appeltart (apple pie), and chocolate, glorious chocolate. I gained 5 lbs. In one week. The Captain is a carnivore (and I am not) and he will be eating herring (the Dutch love it! The Captain buys it from stands on the beach, so stinky and fresh!), meatballs, and we will all be eating Spanse Pannekoeken (Spanish Pancakes) and any other pancakes we can get our hands on.
This makes me a little nervous. I'm still holding on to five pounds of baby weight (for those of you who are reading carefully, yes, I did gain BACK two pounds - blame the Easter Bunny). What am I going to do? This is food that I only get to eat once a year, that I love, that I can't get in the States unless I pay an arm and a leg. (Which we do for Calve peanut butter, Nutella, and imported cheese.) I just eat everything in sight there, like I'm about to get dropped on an island or something.
The week before we go to Holland, the Captain is going to a Java conference on the West Coast. We fly out the day after he gets back. I'm going to pack up the kids and stay with my parents for the week he's gone so that I have some help. So basically, everything needs to be ready to go for our trip by the end of next week.
I'm packing, I'm shopping, I'm making cards for Mother's Day. And there's lots more packing and shopping to do. I had so much fun going through the toy store buying special plane toys for Small Sun. In the past I've been really stressed about transatlantic flights with the kids but this time I'm so excited. I know I can nurse The Sprout to calm her and help her sleep. I know Small Sun will be excited about the plane, the new toys, and Curious George on the laptop. Ha! He also has his own seat, which makes a big difference.
Once there we have a car, and a cottage rented. We have a schedule (as all good Dutch families should) outlining who is coming to visit when. Each day is already booked up with entertaining guests, visiting friends and family, and sightseeing and shopping. The fact that we have a house makes all the difference. We can continue to have nap times and regular bedtimes, albeit all turned topsy turvey from jet lag.
The Captain's mother and oma are staying with us as well so they will dote on the kids. And the kids have their own room so we might actually get some good sleep! And did I mention we're staying in a water park resort that has all sorts of kids activities and childcare? Yea, I'm pretty stoked. Prepare for 16 more days of blogging anticipation and then an enthusiastic report afterwards.
I hope you'll have a fantastic time.
any chance you could make a little stop in Paris?
Posted by: Irene | 01 May 2007 at 02:23 AM