De Bomen in Bloom

Ahh, Spring. The days are long (9pm and not yet dark), the sun sometimes comes out, birds are chirping and the beautiful trees (de bomen) and flowers are in bloom! This post is dedicated to my two favorite trees/tree areas, our gorgeous magnolia and the Kersenbloesempark (cherry blossom park) in the Bos. 

Last year's magnolia bloom was a dud. Only half of the blooms came out and I was majorly bummed! Then, in the fall, when the other half of the tree bloomed, I was flabbergasted. Turns out this can happen with magnolias! Well, this year we had redemption and I savored every moment of our gorgeous peak bloom.

Pete about to leave for school

Pretty even at night!

Jude created this "display" so that people passing by would have "something nice to look at." I tolerated it for over a week! 

View from bed

Popsicles under the tree

We also took our annual trip to the Cherry Blossom Park on a gorgeous afternoon after school. We dropped the ball on bringing a picnic dinner though! The kids had fun exploring and wrestling. It is near impossible to get a posed picture of the two of them, but they were all smiles with each other and I seized the moment! Their love is fierce.

 

Moments after this, Maeve bit his back and the fun was over. She's like a puppy with her love sometimes! 

Happy 5th Birthday, Jude!

We got Jude's birthday celebrations started early when I kept him home from school the day before his birthday for a special mommy and son day in the city. In the Netherlands, there are strict truancy laws that take effect when kids turn 5 so it felt like one of my last opportunities to spend the day with him without jumping through hurdles. We spent the day at NEMO and had a blast on the roof in the sunshine.

The big day was on a Saturday. Started with pancakes with daddy, soccer with mommy, presents with Maeve and then his birthday party at the house with his friends. It was such a gorgeous day- sunny and warm! We lucked out for our garden and park party. 

Jude asked for a transformer themed party, so we rolled with it. 

The kids "transformed" and then were off for training and games in the park near our house. 

Back for cake and presents before setting off on a scavenger hunt.

Thanks to our friends for helping to make Jude's day extra special! And to the real life super hero that day, Pete, who was battling a severe cold, but gave his all for a day of fun.

The final celebration was last week at school where we brought in the requested angel food cake and watched Jude glow while looking at the card from all of his classmates.

We hope this year brings great things, Jude! 

Oh Joy Begin

5 years ago today, on my mom's birthday (happy birthday, Mom!), I went into labor with Jude and life has never been the same! I have been reflecting a lot on those early days with Jude, as we sit in disbelief that he is soon to be 5. I could never had imagined then what this little boy would mean to me.

On that fateful day, I was in severe pain and was terrified as labor progressed. I would love to say that the moment they put Jude in my arms the following morning, I only felt bliss, but I was too shell shocked to feel much of anything. Those early days were really bad between sleep deprivation, difficulties with nursing (syringe feeding Jude when he couldn't latch for days), hormonal swings and so.much.pain down there! I wanted to go back in time to "before," when a colicky baby didn't have me feeling like a lactating hostage destined to bounce my whole life away on the yoga ball!

I asked Alexa to play Dave Matthew's today and the song, Oh Joy Begin came on. Woah, serendipity. I had never heard it before and it couldn't be more fitting for how I'm feeling today.

"Let’s not forget these early days

Remember we begin the same

We lose our way in fear and pain

Oh joy begin

Oh joy begin"

Jude placed in my arms after 4 hours of pushing. Perhaps my initial lack of joy had something to do with what the birth canal did to him! (dying laughing looking at the pic!!)

Another winner. When people told me what a beautiful baby he was, I thought maybe they were on crack ;) Or just being really kind to me in my emotional state. 

You know what they say, bad rehearsal, great show. When the fog of those early days had passed and he began to sleep more, I finally started to feel parental bliss. We were awed and amazed by all of his firsts. Jude was just the loviest toddler. So gentle, kind and loving. Cheeky, too and oh so verbal and precocious. He didn't tantrum, he wasn't aggressive towards other children (his sister ages 6-12 months excluded!) and he was a social butterfly. He soon entered school full time at ISA and really took flight, enthusiastically participating in every new experience. He made best buds, was introduced to cultures from around the world and thrived. He cares for his sister like no other and watching their relationship blossom has been the best thing.

Jude, we love you so, beautiful boy! Now let the birthday celebrations begin!

Age 1

Age 2 

Age 3

Age 4