August 2011
5 posts
Tot Morgen
I am leaving for the airport at 7am (in 5 and a half hours). My suitcases are stuffed. I hope stroop waffles can survive being in my check-in bag because I cannot fit them in my carry-on. We had a going-away dinner at the beach because the weather was lovely. I’m so tired and anxious/sad/happy about tomorrow. When I get home I guess I’ll actually have to blog about the cities I...
Why didn’t I bring bigger suitcases? Is packing ever easy?
One Last Day
I have one more day in the Netherlands! Where did the time go? I have been trying to decide what to do with my last day. Should I go to Haarlem? Utrecht? Hoofddorp? Delft?
Our usual cleaning lady, Fatima, got back from her vacation yesterday. She was in Morocco for the wedding of her nephew (who happens to also be our contractor). Before she left I asked her to take lots of photos. After she...
Leaving and Coming Backing Again
I will be home in two days! I was feeling pretty bummed about leaving but now I’m getting excited. When I told my dad that I was sick he asked “What kind of sick are you? If you are homesick, you will be cured soon.” Dad, I love you.
I’m feeling much better but I did cancel my trip to Prague this past weekend. I was upset about not going but my mom said not to worry...
July 2011
19 posts
Me: Eleonore's onesie is so cute! I've been looking for adult footie pajamas.
The mom: They make these for adults?!
Me: Yes!
The mom: You will have to get me some.
The dad: There goes my sex life.
“I think the day you get back to The States is the day they will officially...”
– the dad
One Hundred & One Week
A couple days ago I passed the 100 diaper milestone. Yay? I changed a record four poop diapers that day. I used to see diaper changing as a game of Russian roulette. Will I luck out with a pee pee diaper? Or will I get a big kaka diaper? Now, I’ve gotten used to them and I mostly know when it is a “blank” or “bullet.”
I can’t believe I have a little over a week...
I have a ridiculous number of tabs open on my browser. I’m currently looking up trains to Paris, flights to NY, and what to do in Delft, Rotterdam, Haarlem, and Gouda. I don’t want this summer to end.
I forgot to check in with my card on the tram. The tram attendant said he was going to “make up a number” and fine me that amount if I didn’t show him my ID. Then, he threatened to detain me until someone bailed me out for €37.50. Instead, I somehow got a €25 fine. The fare should have been around 60 cents. Most expensive tram ride ever.
On the bright side, the U23 World...
When I dropped Frederik off at daycare today, he was especially upset. Apparently when I drop him off he always cries when I leave. He asks the ladies, “Is she coming back? When is she coming back?” What a sweet kid. Is it bad that I feel special that he doesn’t do that when his parents drop him off? He runs up to give me a hug when I pick him up. Adorbs. I am not ready to leave!
I love that such simple things can make kids burst out in laughter. When was the last time you laughed so much that you drooled? It’s an everyday occurrence in this household. I love it.
Me: Do you have poop in your pants?
Frederik: Nope, only mommy does big poops in her pants.
Translation SVP
The usual cleaning lady is on vacation in Morocco for her nephew’s wedding so she brought her friend in to replace her for the time being.
The new woman is a Colombian lady who speaks Dutch and Spanish. We have been communicating in Sputch (Spanish + Dutch). This is strange that I feel more comfortable with her speaking Dutch to me than Spanish. I haven’t studied Spanish since eighth...
I’m working on sorting through my photos. I’ve taken over 1,000 and my computer keeps crashing when I try to upload them. Oops.
I’m not going to post the pictures of the kids on here. I don’t think that is appropriate. I’ll probably be posting my touristy photos on Facebook.
I’m excited about the weekend. The parents are going to their friends castle (wth?!)...
June was an amazing month. I’ve gotten quite attached to the kids and finally feel comfortable with them. At first, I had trouble with Frederik mainly because of the language barrier.
Conversation with his mom four months ago:
Mom: Oh, I forgot to tell you. Frederik only speaks Dutch and German. But don’t worry, Eleonore is too young to speak at all.
How do you take care of a kid...
$270.20 for a ticket to London for this weekend. I am so tempted.
The parents are dropping the kids off at the grandparents in Belgium this weekend. I’m tagging along for the free ride to Belgium and then heading off to Brugge and Gent.
I officially have one month left in Den Haag. I am not ready to go home and I’m trying to cram in as much traveling as possible!
Scenic Route
I took a day trip to Antwerpen today.
Estimated Travel Time: 3 hours round-trip; 1 tram and 1 train ride each way
Actual Travel Time: 7 hours; 2 trams, 2 buses, 6 trains
I’m not pissed. Actually, I think it is comical that I could have driven to Germany in less time than it took me to go the 60 miles from Den Haag to Antwerpen.
I promise I will post pictures this week.
Tot ziens!
“Sometimes I have dreams in Dutch with English subtitles. I think I watch too...”
– the quadrilingual mom
June 2011
11 posts
Kus Kus
I love that Frederik is young enough that most of his au au’s (ouchies) can be fixed by a kus (kiss). He fell and hit his knee and I asked him if he wanted me to kiss it.
Then he started slapping his arm and asking for kisses. He did this five times. I guess I’ll just take it as a compliment.
“Tsingtao Beer was actually started by the Germans when settled in part of China....”
– The dad was giving me a history lesson about “Chinese” beer after explaining the scientific explanation of why Asians are allergic to alcohol.
The dad: I consider myself to be just average height-wise. I have to really look up to some people here.
Me: How tall are you?
The dad: 6' 5"
Kat: Do you need me to help you spoon your soup?
Frederik: Spoon yourself!
("spoon your soup" is the direct translation from Dutch so it sounds awkward in English)
“Well, the Belgians have waffles and chocolate and the Germans...”
– The mom commenting on why her German in-laws are thinner than her Belgian parents.
Mystery Groceries
We order our groceries online and get it delivered about twice a week. Since the parents are so busy, they pay extra for this convenience. They asked me to order the groceries. No problem. I love grocery shopping. However, the site is only in Dutch. The dad asked if I will manage. I figure I will be fine if I use Google Translate and look at the pictures.
I’ve made several orders but last...
Random Baby Facts
Have you ever heard of baby acne? I didn’t know babies got pimples until I saw one on Eleonore’s chin. I guess acne doesn’t discriminate between babies and oily teens.
Sometimes Eleonore intently stares at people. When she does that to me, I have staring competitions with her.
I always lose. Always.
When I told her mom about her baby’s staring competition skills, the mom...
Double Dooty
I had to pull a double shift today since the dad had to work late. So, I’ll have to write about my London trip later.
Why do babies cry when they are sleepy? Why don’t they just go to sleep?
Emily, thank you for this wonderful goodnight story. I think about this when the kids don’t sleep. Y’all need to listen to Go the Fuck to Sleep. I hope that link works. If not, look...
What's that on your bib?
Kat: Frederik, don’t touch Eleonore’s barf. That’s gross.
Frederik: That’s not barf. It’s butter!
It's About Time
I have been trying to make myself start a blog for over a month now. Oops.
Anyway, I can’t believe I have been in The Hague for almost a month. The kids have already changed and grown dramatically during my stay here.
Frederik is a “terrible two” who can be charming when he needs to be. He loves playing with firetrucks, cleaning, and taking care of his baby sister. When his sister cries, he...