King's Day

Madness.

King's Night

King's Night on the Prinsengracht... this, and of course King's Day - tomorrow - are the biggest celebrations of the year in the Netherlands.

People appear to have gone certifiably mad. There is a loooot of noise. So far bub is asleep, but she is sure to wake up soon. Looking forward to another party with bub! Haha.

Mother in Town!

My own mother has arrived in the Dam! She is keen to play with bub. Woop! Met up this morning, bub spent entire morning howling as I attempted to wash, clean and tidy. But as soon as she was with grandma she was sweet as pie. Streetcred?

Went to the dutch beach yesterday so bub exhausted and full of undigested sand. Having two hour nap waiting for grandma to come visit the boat.

Dear Bub

It's wonderful how we learn lessons from our children. For instance, at the moment we are learning that "it could always be worse."

I'm sorry I complained about bub waking at 4-5am. At least she slept until then. Now, past few nights - awake most of the night. Crawling, sitting, crying, drinking milk, playing, scratching, pinching and kicking.
Patience wearing thin. Am perhaps not most maternal person in world?

Dear bub. Mom needs a full night of sleep. Soon. Please.

First Steps!

Finally! She's been on her way for ages, guessing going to the Dam and staying in a lovely but small houseboat, jet lag, and a new found hatred of food - caused the delay.

If any bits are present in the food - bub literally makes herself vomit. Frightening, I may never draw breath again-face, then cascade of vomit with everything we just cajoled into her. So I'm back to purees. Mixed with yogurt. The child refuses to even glance at a bit of pear or a piece of bread. Meanwhile a friend's much younger bub is allegedly already consuming vegemite sandwiches. Hmm.

Bub definitely not in any hurry to grow up.
As for myself, have managed Bikram yoga an impressive number of five times! Woo hoo! I fecking love it. But my waist has definitely seen better days. When bub is nearly one, is it still ok to say "just had a baby" by way of explaining lack of waist?

On the Canal

Staying at most decadent accommodation; literally on the Prinsengracht.

Having loads of fun placing bub in open window, holding her but hiding - then listening to hubby describe freaked out looks from tourists on boats. Bub sucks it all up, loving being centre of attention and the most special baby on the canal.

The Flight

We made it! A couple of dicey moments.

In Singapore bub set to work becoming the least popular individual in the waiting lounge. Feared for flight, well, feared for life itself; had mini breakdown and begged hubby to change flights and go to hotel instead of boarding another aircraft with 14 hour flight ahead of selves. Bub was red and blotchy by this stage, panicking with tiredness but unable to sleep for entire first leg.

Hubby explained flight could not be changed lest purchase tickets for completely different flight. And boarding in half an hour.

Bub continued screaming-fit after boarding, people sort of looking and cursing their luck at sitting next to the crying baby.

Then something magical happened. Right before take-off, bub fell asleep on my lap. She then slept through take-off, food and beverage service and the following FOUR hours. I was in all sorts of pain. Itches needed scratching, limbs screamed for blood, needed loo, etcetera etcetera. But kept just meditating all this away with the mantra "every minute asleep is a minute not awake."

Then she was awake most of the flight,  but relatively happy. Walking the aisles, making friends and smiling at people.

Am amazed and grateful. So far, bub is loving Amsterdam.

Amsterdam