Explanation for Trinny

Here you go Trinny, this is what threading is (and don't believe it when the girl says it's painless):

The Hairdresser Made Me Cry

I went to get my hair cut yesterday. Our usual hairdresser was closed for a holiday so I went to the dodgy-looking one down the street from it. The hairdresser was an Egyptian guy with a shaved head. Most people would have thought this was not a good sign, I thought about it but went in anyway.

He gave me the most thorough haircutting I've ever had, and then he attacked me with a piece of fluoro yellow thread. This is when he made me cry. Mum and I had no idea what he was up to when he cut off a big long piece of thread and started twirling it around. Then he asked if he could have a go at my eyebrows, and have a go he did. He threaded and snipped and plucked and I've ended up with the loveliest shaped eyebrows I've ever had.

I've always wanted to have my eyebrows threaded, I never realised how much it hurt though! Tears started running out of my eyes and he had to get me a tissue. It's kind of embarrassing when you start blubbing in the hairdressers chair. But as they say, no pain no gain!

dad's toilet frog

as instructed.... My hoose

just a few randoms and no explanations!

The Spoiling Continues

A girlie baby shower was also concocted for me and the kid. On Saturday Mum and I met up with a bunch of girls in a funky cafe here in Amsterdam. It was a lovely morning of chilling out, eating way too much apple cake, hanging with girls and getting advice from the two newish mummies there. Minette (what a star!) also made a prayer flag for me with messages from all the girls there, and the ones who couldn't make it. I was surprised (again) when one of the flags had a message from Trinny! Apparently there's messages coming from Linny (who's already sent it) and Kati (who hasn't, no surprises there!). I've hung it above our princess and the pea bed and I'm hoping the advice and love will come in handy when I need it the most! And if we end up going to hospital I'm going to take it along, the staff may think I'm a bit of a hippy but I want our child to be born surrounded with thoughts and prayers from the beautiful people that fill my life.

PS A huge big thank you to Minette who somehow manages to be a marvelous new mummy to little Emese and organise this (and play a large part in the other baby shower too). Wow.

PPS The guys in the small group also threw a man baby shower for Andrew on Saturday night. They had a gourmet dinner (thanks Hugo and Szaszi!) went to a comedy club and then went clubbing. I really liked Minette's comment on Andrew's facebook status about the night: 'what do those things have to do with babies? Sounds like you guys just wanted an excuse to go out...'

So, So Spoilt, So, SO Surprised

A few weekends ago Cousin Rachel and Stephen came to visit us in Amsterdam. Rachey was all insistent that they were going to take us out for dinner on the Saturday night, a last splurge before the bub comes. They wanted to go to a restaurant that Stephen's colleague had been to which was a little way out of Amsterdam. I thought maybe a picnic in the park might be nice but Rach was so keyed up to go to this place that I figured it must be good! So we ambled out to Mauden in the car. Once we got there someone suggested that we go have a quick look at the castle before dinner. As we drove past the castle a friend of ours who works there walked past. I thought it was a crazy co-incidence, she said she had been working at a special event at the castle and was just going to meet her colleagues for a drink but did we want to have a quick look in the grounds because she had a key? OF COURSE. I thought it was the coolest co-incidence ever. So we jumped out of the car and started walking through the gardens when all our friends jumped out from behind the hedges yelling surprise. And surprised I was. Actually, to be totally honest I was more confused than anything because I have never been got SO good before in my whole, entire life. They'd set up a beautiful baby shower for us in the gardens of the castle. We ate and drank and walked and boated and played and chatted and watched the sun go down. It was a beautiful, beautiful evening and I'm so glad that our baby will be born into a world with people as fun, loving and wonderful as these guys. I just wish all of you could have been there too.

Bump-a-licious

Vonny is off scouring the fabric market (although it's started raining so I don't know how fun that will be) so I thought I'd pop some photos up here. There's been lots happening but the baby seems to be taking all my energy for anything other than being in the moment, napping, sleeping, snoozing and then napping some more. I don't think Mum's ever seen anything like it!

Here's a few pics of the bump from recent times.The Amsterdam bump. 38 weeks and a few days. Check out the egg with legs!!!Minette sent her face paints home with me on Saturday and yesterday Andrew became all artiste and turned me into a stained glass window. I've just showered and thought I got it all off before a visit to the midwife this afternoon but I've noticed I've left some on that I could only see when I looked in the mirror after my shower. Oops, I guess it will give the midwife a chuckle. 39 weeks exactly.

Party Day

Birthday parties are Kenzi's thing. She gets invited even though she is not at school. Today we had an iceskating party...it started at 11:30 and finished at 3:30. I do believe I have frost bite on my little...but a big grin on my face....because it was Kenzi's first time skating and I thought that we would be ending up with a broken arm or many bruises at least. But no, she used the skate frame for about 5 minutes and then was off skating around with the big kids all on her own. Amazing.
We had to take presents as well. We love to give presents. A friend and I combined 1 gift and her Dad made a 4 poster bed for a doll. I decorated. I even bound a quilt!
For the other girl Kenzi and I made a skirt and decorated a top.
We both had a great time and I think I can save my toes.

This Date....Not Late

(whoops a little late, but here just the same!)

Birthday Poem

It's your birthday today,
We hope you have a great play,
Get lots of goodies
But no head noogies...

..well it's me what can you expect.

We hope your day has been wonderful and amazing, filled with lovely things and a LONG sleepy night!
Happy Birthday Linny Love.
Love from the Pobjie's
(please excuse the very boring birthday message......we will try to do better next time...also watch for a special little parcel just for you....coming soonish)

Hip-Hip-Hooray!

We may be a little late but in Dutch time you've got a whole day of celebration ahead of you! We hope you had a WONDERFUL day and appreciate the effort that it took both Mum and I to get off the ground to help you celebrate!

Happy Birthday Linny!

Ladies And Gents

This would have to be the biggest sign I have seen. We just had to get a photo with my little lady and gorgeous gent. (Sun was at a very bad angle and I am no photographer...but can you see the toilet sign above the kids.......It is HUGE)

Clever Clogs

I cannot knit...well I can but it is never very good. In fact the results always look as though someone has used my scarf to sheild themselves against enemy fire and consquently died. To that end I am amazed and admire greatly people who can knit. One such knitter is our wonderful Mumma. She is even more wonderful in the eyes of Kenzi because not only does she knit jumpers that keep her warm, she also knits ballerinas that can dance and prance and play.
Thank you Mumma for this amazing toy. We love things with no batteries, that are handmade, very special and can turn upside down.
Oh, and just before anybody complains that they have not got one or two as the case may be...I am sure that they are just around the corner...after a trip to Amsterdam!