Pompoenen

Today we went in search of the great pumpkin. We still had our sweet ride so we took off driving down the Amstel river. Pete and I agree that the Netherlands is very 'one note,' but that note is very quaint and charming. When nap time hit, we took a lovely stroll along some farms. Move over Old McDonald. We saw sheep, horses, ponies, pigs, donkeys and cows. A sweet farm side stand was selling jam: deposit the money in the clog shoes! Bedankt!

The first pumpkin patch was pretty picked over and more for older children with playground equipment and a pumpkin carving station. 

Oh! What is that?!

So after a lunch of tosti (grilled cheese) and frites (fries) at a riverside cafe, we continued on to pumpkin patch number two. Winner! Loads of pumpkins and other members of the gourd family and many older, friendly dutch people to ogle over Jude. One woman was talking to Jude so much, I felt like I should let her know that we don't speak Dutch. "It doesn't matter," she replied and continued chatting him up. 

It wasn't really a pick your own place, but the farmer let us wander the fields to take the much coveted (by me) photos of Jude with the pumpkins. I was so happy he fit the adorable outfit from Aunt Diane for the shoot :) He loved eating the dirt!

In between the two pumpkin patches was a tiny town, Nes aan de Amstel, which consisted of one river-side tapas restaurant and one, beautiful, haunted looking church with "Verboden Toegang" (Forbidden Access) signs. 

Happy Fall!

Jude's Dutch Nursery

What kind of mom blogger would I be if I didn't post photos of Jude's nursery that I've created here in Amsterdam??

First of all, I am thrilled that Jude has a nursery. Back in New York, as soon as I found out I was pregnant I started a secret "Nursery" Pinterest board with inspiration for the babe to come. I choose the color scheme of grey/yellow based on the love seat I reupholstered for our guest room (which would have been the nursery). Then, part way through the pregnancy we found out we'd be moving and the guest room quickly became the "move staging room" with boxes and piles in every corner. So Jude got a small corner of our bedroom (literally there was hardly room to move between the bassinet on my side of the bed and the wall). Pete and I kept banging our thighs against the end of the bed because the squeeze was so tight and we got some nasty bruises! We purchased an Ikea dresser to double as a changing station. I bought ceramic doves at a boutique in Winter Park the weekend of Leslie's bridal shower. I made a banner mobile and registered for the penguin changing pad cover from The Land of Nod. I was happy with his little corner, but couldn't wait until he had a room all his own.

5 day old Jude in front of his corner of our bedroom. I have a hard time remembering him being so small!

For his nursery here, we hit up Ikea our first week in town. We repurchased the same dresser along with a crib and rug. Friends lent us their Ikea chair. DIY touches include the JUDE letters, which I covered with coiled yarn, the banner mobile from Brooklyn and the pillow covers. I picked up the Amsterdam print at a crafts fair and the house lantern from a local shop. I received the beautiful colorful quilt hanging on the wall from my friend, Heather. This inspired me to add some more colors to the nursery, namely turquoise.

Jude approves!!

I could eat him up!!

We got wheels!

Check out our new ride!

Ok, our borrowed new ride. ISA owns a few vans and when they are not being used for school trips on the weekends, faculty can borrow them for free. Pete was very motivated to reserve one because the only homebrew store near us is a 30 minute drive away. Next weekend we fly to Scotland to meet my parents for Pete's October break. So we are having a quiet weekend here and taking advantage of our weekend wheels. Big trip to Ikea today for baby proofing supplies (and the 15 other items we bought while there because we had to walk by them to the check-out and couldn't resist!). Tomorrow, we'll use the van to go to the hardware store for weather proofing supplies and to check out the Pumpkin Patch in our town.  I will dress Jude in cute clothes and force him to sit while I take pictures of him with pumpkins :) Check back later for those! 

Day Trippin': Utrecht

Before Winter is upon us, we have been seizing opportunities to explore neighboring areas. We have a growing list of towns and places to visit in our new country. Utrecht was at the top given it's recommendation from numerous people here. It would have been a quick 30 minute drive away, but without wheels, we got there in 1 hour via bus and train last Saturday. It was a glorious fall day. Crisp air. Blue skies. Leaves changing colors. It was a charming city and much quieter than Amsterdam. It is Holland's number one college town and not high on many tourist lists. We spent the day wandering the canals, having a delicious lunch, and marveling at the Cathedral, gardens and Tower (the tallest in Holland). 

Utrecht's Canals have a lower level located right along the water and a higher "street-level"

Cathedral Gardens

Dom: Tallest Tower in Holland. 112 meters tall. Construction began in 1321!

My main squeeze and his main squeeze Sophie

These small cars can ride in the bike lanes and have a max of 40-45kmh

Old Fortress Walls

Outside the University

The perfect day ended with a night out in the city for Pete and I. We cycled in and had some tasty pizza and were just getting ready to leave when we noticed that it was raining (pouring actually). So we had quite the soggy ride home! Note to self: Always carry an umbrella in Amsterdam (or at least check the weather forecast- blue skies by day mean nothing for the evening!!). 

Soggy selfie back at the apartment!

My New Book Club... Reads Books!

Back in New York 3+ years ago, college friend Laura and her high school friend, Sarah started a book club with a combination or their high school, college and business school friends. Most of my friends at the time were couple friends and I was excited to have some girl time. We started with good intentions to read books, but the first one involved some sort of monkey cannibalism and we decided we were better off just reading wine labels. That group turned into great friends, ones who I miss being over here now. So when I learned that Amsterdam Mamas has a book club, I decided I needed to join to try to make some more gal pals. After putting Jude to bed Wednesday evening, I headed into the city and met 8 ladies at a cozy hotel bar. I had done my homework and read Wild by Cheryl Strayed in the preceding weeks. There was actual intelligent conversation about the book, it's credibility, content and likability. There was also wine (thank goodness). I found out that two of the women live just a few blocks from me and we now have a playdate set up for tomorrow. Another is the founder of the Montessori school where Jude is on the wait list for baby classes this fall. Yet another has offered to give me her baby food maker and another gave me a ride home! Putting myself out there and going blind into playgroups and meet-ups has been really rewarding so far and I am thankful for all of the welcoming people here in Amsterdam!

Next up: The 100-year-old Man Who Climbed Out a Window and Disappeared (20% into it, I am enjoying it!)

Uncle Matt and Aunt Kreeka come to Visit!

We were delighted to find out that Pete's brother, Matt and his wife Krista would be coming to visit us so soon after we had arrived. Krista recently started a job with a UK-based firm that has the University of Amsterdam as a client. As part of her training trip on this side of the pond, they were able to swing a visit and spend close to a week with us. Thanks to Matt and Krista for many of these photos to remember their visit!

Reunited and it feels so good!

Wednesday was Krista's birthday and Opa and Oma spoiled us rotten from afar by treating us to dinner at the Jonge Dikkert (restaurant in the windmill), which we have come to learn is one of the top restaurants in Amsterdam. It is wonderful and dangerous to have it around the corner from our apartment! We had delicious food and a wonderful time celebrating Krista!

Prost!

On Thursday, I cycled into the neighborhood, De Pijp with Matt and Krista to show them around for a bit before their Van Gogh museum reservations. They got to try poffertjes (mini pancakes) at the Albert Cuyp market and were not disappointed!

Jude has an awesome bomber hat for his bike rides.

Jude in Yankees stripes for Jeter's last game (unintentional, but should make Popsie proud!)

Saturday was our final day together and we did not waste a minute! We started by cycling to the Pannenkoeken house in the Bos for both sweet and savory pancakes. From there, we headed into the city to pick up a rental boat. We were joined by Paul, Andrea, Ken and Tennae for a great time out on the water. The brother's Durning took turns captaining and smoothly navigated the canals and the (forbidden??) Ij river. Renting boats and cruising the canals is easily our favorite thing to do in the city after just two times going. Come visit and we'll take you, too! 

The day was capped off with margaritas and Mexican food in the Jordaan and drinks canal-side. It was one of our first times out in Amsterdam after dark (Jude was safe at home with our babysitter) and it definitely has me craving more nighttime city outings.

Check out the amazing photo bomber!