Lieke Pussy Miauw!?!

Yes yes I heard her say MIAUW!!!! I thought Lieke was turning into a cat! And then she was even wearing a Hello Kitty shirt…oh my oh my…so I confronted Mama to see if this is true. Phew! I was relieved! Mama said that Lieke is just copying Zoef! Oooh Zoef! I wished I caught your tail!!! It was so fun running after you! I cant resist your charms! (Poor cat!)

Lieke and I didn’t play together that long cause we were only a few minutes awake at the same time! When we got there she was sleeping so I diverted my playful attention to Zoef. When She woke up we played a little bit and it was time for me to sleep…so Mama and Papa had the time to talk seriously with Lieke. Mama said she also tells lots of stories like me…she says GA-GA-GA and OW a lot! While Papa, used to playing with me – a boy – threw the ball unexpectedly to Lieke and since then Lieke watches Papa’s every move very very carefully…expecting the unexpected!

After an hour of sleep I woke up…photoshoot! It didn’t work though..first I tripped and hit my lip on the duck…I was crying with a bleeding lip…and then we don’t want to sit still with the giant bear….and then Lieke started to cry cause she was tired of being put to sit down on the floor while all she wanted was to get up and practice walking! After a while our parents gave up. Lieke went upstairs to sleep and it was time for us to go home. It was a short but fun visit to Lieke, Joerie, Hannelore en ooooh ZOEFke!

Till next year then!

Niels

PS I forgot to say that Mama and Papa were also looking at Hannelore and Joerie’s baby photos…now I know why Lieke is so cute!

Kerstdag...Christmas...Pasko...

On christmas day the whole Elsen family reunites, greet each other merry christmas and eat together. This is the first time I witness christmas and it was so overwhelming! Everybody so happy and talkative! Oma’s house was so noisy it was about to explode! Papa with opa and the uncles (the boys in short) playing cards while Mama and the rest of the girls chatter ta-ta-ta-ta-ta the whole time! I played with the boys of course! But once in a while I looked for Mama and ask for a hug or a kiss. And sometimes when I pass by Tante Nicole she picks me up and play with me.



I also walked the whole stretch! (living room-kitchen-living room)..and not to say…I ate a piece of taart (pie) from Opa and sniffed his Westmalle beer too! That’s why I LOVE my opa!



I got lots of gifts as well, although the colorful wrapper with the funny sound it makes when I crumple is more attractive!



So again, to everyone...Merry Christmas and I guess you know by now…Im looking forward to my first NEW YEAR!!!



Santa-Niels

Noche Buena!

Finally its the day before christmas! In Philippines this day is more exciting than christmas itself. On the 24th, we sit all together on the table eating delicious food and of course give gifts!

This year I didn’t have much time to put up the christmas tree and some other christmas decorations. But Niels has cooperated a lot on the 24th! He slept long the day giving me all the time to put up the christmas tree, clean the house and prepare the Noche Buena!

When he woke up we talked to Lolo and Lola on skype. Although the lighting was not that good (so they can barely see us) it’s the thought that counts (we always say), we were still able to say Merry Christmas to each other LIVE!

Niels was sitting with us on the table

He ate with us (also had mashed potato!)

And opened the gifts for us

He was so happy and dancing the whole night to the christmas songs!

It was a fun Noche Buena with Niels, Papa, Oma and Opa.

And the best gift we received that night???

Wrapped inside a pamper box!

PS here is also a glimpse of my family in Manila with their christmas tree during the warm christmas day!

Jolly Neri

For this yuletide season...

Dear family and friends,

Its been 11 months and our little boy still continues to surprise us with his every development.

All the new things he learn every single day is a miracle on its own. A wonder.

Now that he is getting to be a year old he is starting to form his own characteristics, his own style and own manners. He has developed into a good entertainer and an adventurer.

As a boy with-no-fear, he has conquered his doubts and learned how to walk. Every step feels like a victory to him, he has won over his fear to fall and the hesitation to begin.

Like any other child, he has a mind like a sponge and a compehension of a machine. He understands a lot more than we think he can. Unbelievable. Such a small kid with a memory of how many gigabytes! He can mimic us and talk to us, only we can’t understand what his ya-ya-ya and da-da-da means but I assure you, we are trying our best.

With the just-passed-by Sinterklaas happening, he has shown us that it doesn’t matter what gift he receives, he is happy just to be around us. Doesn’t matter what food is on the table, he is happy just sitting by us.

Innocense is out of the question though. He knows exactly what may or may not. But with his curiousity taking control and persistance his weapon, he…as small as he is…still do what MAY NOT.

And since this coming Christmas and New year is his first celebration of this yuletide season with us and the whole family, we are doubting if we will be putting up the christmas tree with all those tempting colorfull balls and twinkling lights. Hmmm…

But how ever “deugeniet” he may be, he is such a sweet boy who knows how to cuddle with Mama, Papa, Oma or Opa.

To all the other mommies and daddies out there, I hope you all feel the same way with your little angels. You should be proud like we are. VERY PROUD that we can experience and witness the growth of a little human. A human who, in the future, will be one of us…as adults, and as parents themselves.

Only one regret, our little wonder boy is growing fast…too fast…but for us, he will always be our little baby.

Merry Christmas everyone and we wish you all a wonderful new year ahead!

Warm hugs and lots of kisses,

N&N&N

The Impressionist

Its me again...just want to share to you all my showbizz talent...

My impression of a Mexican:

Olé! Olé! soy un pequeño muchacho mexicano

My impression of Opa dancing one saturday night

Niels The Impressionist

Gotta get WET!

Hello everyone,

Since sunday I started my swimming lessons...and I was so surprised that it was SO MUCH FUN! Such a big bath tub full of kids, mommies and daddies!

After our 30 minute session I was TIRED!!l Real tired...

Lovelots,

Swimming Niels

...en Niels is vertrokken!

Yes yes yes, he did it! And he is oh so proud and excited with this new way of tagging along with Mama and Papa. And in front of all the witnesses (Meter Vicky, Nonkel Danny, Celeste, Oma, Opa) he proudly-a-little-bit-unsure-but-still-did-steps, he stepped! What a milestone...in his life and ours.

Mark this day everyone because from now on...Niels will soar!

Sinterklaas kapoentje!

Sinterklaas kapoentje

gooi wat in mijn schoentje

gooi wat in mijn laarsje

DANK U Sinterklaasje!

Woh!!!! A colorful-looking-moving-big-tummy-thing welcomed us when we entered the hall...Mama siad its called a clown...but what is a clown? They laugh weird and look weird...but they are totally funny!

Mama, me and the so-called-clown

There are 3 of them and they were teaching all the children (including me of course) .some songs and dance steps. It was fascinating to see looots of children! I thought I've seen already all the children in the world at my daycare center! I was totally wrong! There are a loooot more of them!!!!

Me sitting with Celeste, Mama, clown and the other children

And then...the clown said...the SINT has arrived on his horse and with Zwarte Piet also! My my my, who's Opa is he? He is oooh sooo old! And Zwarte Piet is oooh sooo black! He gave me a candy though! Yum yum!

with Papa and Zwarte Piet

And then it was time to seat on Sinterklaas' lap...the clown called my name and Celeste's name...then I saw Mama and Papa running with a camera. Then the clown gave the microphone to us...and Celeste started singing..the mic was kinda heavy so I helped Celeste hold it up...but still who's Opa is Sinterklaas???? He has sooo much white hair!..while my Opa doesn't have any!

Me and Celeste on Sinterklaas' lap

But to tell you the truth I had lots of fun with everyone! And I also proved to them I can also be a clown! See below...I can make faces too!

Papa and my weird laugh

Opa and my drunken laugh

When we got home I slept immediately. I was so tired with all the dancing, singing, laughing and walking! But I slept with a biiig smile on my face :-)

Happy Niels

PS..Sinterklaas gave me a treasure box for my toys...but really..who's Opa is he?

Hasselt Winterland!

Cold cold winter has started...Mama, Papa and I went to Hasselt Winterland last weekend. Although I should say, I was sleeping the whole time we were in Winterland...

Giant Santa Clause

small Mama with the giant snowman

Me...sleeping :-)

Trapped!

inside my toy basket...ehem...anybody HELP please?

My days in Balen

Every thursday...my destination..BALEN.

And I have loooots of fun there I assure you! Although I broke already 1 ceramic puppy and 1 ceramic cat...I just gave them my cute smile and wink and Oma and Opa forgave me already...I will just buy them a replacement when Im older.

Here are some shots Oma made:

Playing with Opa's vroem-vroem Jeepney

Playing with Oma's throwpillows

Me trying to cross under the table..phew! difficult!

My First Snow...

WHITE! Thats the best way to describe it! Last saturday morning it was totally white outside our house when Mama and Papa opened the curtains. But we had to leave then soon to go to Hasselt so I didnt have the chance to really look deep into this new phenomenon.

But last sunday, Oma and Opa were in Paal to plant some "beuk" hedges and it started snowing! I was banging on our big window to call them back IN but they didnt hear me! So I gave up...I just went upstairs and slept. And...and..and..when I woke up after 2 hrs...they were still outside! I thought we had 2 live snowmen playing outside but it was just Oma and Opa.

Anyway, would just like to share with you my first SNOW experience!

Brrrrrrr.

Happy Birthday Mama!

Excited Niels

Now its Mama’s turn to celebrate her birthday and we (especially Papa!) prepared a lot of surprises for Mama!!! Yuppeeeee!!!!

Boquet of Roses

Delivery: A big boquet of red long roses sent to Mama at work
Last night Papa and I planned to send Mama the roses to her work. So I reminded Papa yesterday morning before he brought me to the daycare to NOT FORGET to call the flowershop and order the flowers. He did and it arrived just the way it should be! Mama was so surprised when he saw that flowers arrived for her from Papa and me.

It’s a big boquet so I don’t know how she managed to bring it but when she got home last night, she has the boquet in her hands…although I should say..I didn’t see Mama immediately cause the boquet was bigger than her!

A warm bubble bath under the candlelights
Hmmmm, sounds relaxing isnt it? Exactly! That was the plan. To give Mama a relaxing bath before she gourge the next surprise! Papa convinced Mama to enjoy first a warm bubble bath under the candlelights! Papa prepared her bath with lavander oil to help her relax even more. And with no hesitations Mama jumped in the bathtub!

A 7-Course-Menu Dinner from a 5-star-Chef-Cook
Of course of course, we still had a surprise for Mama! Papa prepared a very vast dinner! 7-courses!

Papa started with some mini appetizers...

First was a small glass with layers of puree sundried tomatoes, fresh cheese and pesto.

(no available picture yet, check again blog tomorrow)

Second was a spoon with grilled gambas, a slice of sun dried tomatoes with a sauce of cream and spinach.

Grilled Gambas with spinach cream sauce

Third was a version of the second one but instead of the spinach cream sauce, the gambas were grilled with green pepperballs.

Grilled Gambas with Green pepperballs

Two warm dishes coming up...
The first warm dish was grilled salmon steak on a bed of various vegetables garnished with dashes of pesto

Salmon Steak

The second warm dish is Baked Ox steak in mushroom cream sauce and steamed potatoes garnished with parsley

Ox Steak

Dessert Finale...
My mouth is starting to get watery again! Yum yum, time for dessert!!!



Papa prepared 2 desserts.
First one is a trio. It’s a plate of passion fruit sorbet, sliced mango, and melon sorbet with a drop of whipped coconut cream! Heavenly!

Sorbet Trio

And last but not the least….creme brulée! Yup! Papa even bought a kitchen torch just to be able to perfect this dessert! It simply melts in your mouth!

Creme Brulée

It was a perfect ending to a tiring-cooking-night for Papa and a happy-birthday-night for Mama. Although I should let everyone know, I didn’t witness the dessert part anymore cause I was already upstairs asleep before they even finish their Ox steak. I was so tired. I need the early rest cause I also have no voice for the moment…ehem…and I have “snot/sipon”, a little bit cough and slight fever…but what more can I say???

What a Papa I have! For me and Mama he deserves not only 5 stars but 100 stars!!!!! He is our very own 100-star-chef-cook!

Mama, Papa and I hope you enjoyed our surprise and we want to let you know how much we love you so!

And oh…I loooove birthdays!

Party-Animal-Niels

Splash splash splash!

Ho ho ho!

Look how I enjoy my bath! Mama and Papa cannot do much but to let me play. Its so delicious to play in my warm water! And also I got to get used to it since beginning december I will start my baby swimming lessons...so plons!plons!plons!

See you next time! Gotta finish my bath still...

Warm Niels

A dialogue with Mama

Hello everyone,

Here is a video I want to share with you. While Niels was talking to me one sunday morning.

Enjoy!

Mama Neri

Aside from being 10 months...

Hello everyone,

After 10 months of being a baby, Im trying now to show Mama and Papa that I wont be a baby for long anymore. I will soon turn 1 and Im preparing myself for that!

1. Sleeping in Balen

Last week thursday I have to sleep with Oma and Opa in Balen. Its the first time I will sleep without Mama and Papa close by. Mama told me that she was crying on her way home thursday evening whenever she remembers that I will not be there when she gets home. So, Mama and Papa drove to Balen thursday night to see me and calm Mama down.

So at 21u Mama put me in my pyjama, brushed my teeth and tucked me in to sleep. Didnt take that long though....when Oma and Opa decided to sleep around 23u...I decided to wake up! It wasnt fun waking up in some other place than my own bedroom. But Oma has a trick to put me back to sleep...she walked around the house with me in the buggy! And I slept in my buggy until the morning! Oh my, sorry Oma and Opa to keep you awake...but I will get used to sleeping in Papa's old room. I promise, next time I will sleep better.

2. Walking with only 1 hand support

I like walking while being held on 1 hand only. If Mama or Papa tries to hold both my hands, I take my other hand back. I can balance! They should learn to accept that!

3. Stepping to 7!

Last night before I slept, I said good night to Papa...then I walked towards Mama...7 steps!

4. Hide and Seek

I loooooove playing hide and seek...I hide and they seek for me. When they catch me they tickle me. Sometimes I do the other way around! I tickle them! But because Im just 10 months, I dont know the difference yet between biting hard and tickling hard! Poor Mama and Papa!

5. Bday parties and pies

And last sunday we celebrated Meter Vicky's bday! And you know what??? Opa let me taste his apricot pie "abrikozen taart"! Yummy!

Till next time!

8-toothed-Niels

1-2-3 Yupeeee!

Hello everyone,

The last week has been very very busy. For Papa with his work, for Mama from taking care of me and for me from trying all these new things I have discovered I can do :-)

I can sing! But I dont understand why Mama asks me "What's wrong?" every time I sing. And when she looks at me she comments..."Ah you are just singing" (with a smile in her face). Do I sound awful when I sing? Is it in the family??? Could anybody in the family tell me please???

I can dance! Music on and Im SHAKING!

Aside from my singing and dancing talents...ehem...yesterday I also did my Very First 3 Steps alone! Woooooh! That was exciting! It felt like I was walking and balancing on a hanging bridge! The only difference is, im not on a real hanging bridge, there is no empty space below me where I can fall, and that Mama was on one end and Papa on the other. What an adrenaline rush..also for Mama and Papa I guess he he he.

It was fun and I want to do it all over again!

Stepping Niels

Aaauuuw and Wooohoo!

Hello everyone,

The Aaauuuww story
Last week Niels did not let us sleep a lot (waking up in the middle of the night crying and didnt want to go back to sleep in his bed).

For 3 days we have to sleep with him in his room, then he sleeps fine. But otherwise...na-ah.

Afterwards we came to a conclusion that it probably is because he could not breath properly from his cough and cold...but it wasn't that. Our next guess was teeth! And we got a jackpot on that one! Niels is growing his 7th tooth. Additional tooth means, more chewing, lots of drool, a bite that hurts more, but closer to a complete set of teeth!

The Woohoo story
Last weekend Niels started getting a kick (figure of speech) on walking with Papa or Mama holding him with only one hand. He knows that he is doing something new and he shows that he likes doing it.

And last night he surprised us by staying standing up alone...NO HANDS! And he can from standing position sit properly on the floor.

He was soooo proud of what he did and of course we were so proud of him too. Papa sent sms immediately to Oma, Meter Vicky and Peter Pan to tell them about the good news!

So, for us it means more alert eyes and faster reaction!

The proud Mama and Papa,

Neri and Nico

Sssshhhhhhhhh...

Im trying to hide from Mama and Papa. They want to put me to bed but Im not sleepy yet so ssssshhhhhhh...

Ooooopppppssss...Papa found me! Hmp. I better find a new hiding place for next time!

Wakkere Niels

9 months and in construction already!

Hello everyone!

Last 1st of october Mama and I went again to Kind and Gezin for my stats. And as what we already know, the doctor and the nurse said Im a good healthy growing boy!

They asked Mama...
"Can he sit on his own?" Mama said "Since he was 6 months old!"
"Does he crawl already?" Mama said "Like Speedy Gonzales!"
"Does he eat his bread good?" Mama said, "Oh yeah yeah yeah!"
"Does he sleep good?" Mama undoubtedly said "Yes!" of course
"Does he say da-da-ba-ba..?" and Mama answered "Non-stop!"

I was so proud of myself that I stood up infront of the nurse (even if I was only wearing my pampers)...leaned on the table and reached for her paper and put it in my mouth! Oh you should have seen her jump from her chair to get the paper back! I was faster though! Hi hi hi

Anyway, here are my stats:
As a result of my good eating habits, Im now 9 kilos and 68 grams!
As a result of my good sleeps, Im now 73 centimeters tall!

And by the way, Im also helping Opa, Papa and Oma put up our tuinhuisje!

And I helped in cleaning up of course. All the wooden planks have to be set aside you know!

And after everything was done...it's time to taste that leaf!

Ciao!

Nielske

Domein Kiewit and Hasselt Kermis

It was chilly but the sun was out! Sunday funday. Oma and Opa started their trip this morning going to Austria. We...we went to Domein Kiewit in Hasselt. Such a biiiiiig park, lots of place to play with! I saw goats, chicken, turkey, pigs, sheep, birds, ducks, and lots of children!

Mama and Papa said next year summer we will go back there and have a nice picnic on the grass under the sun.



Afterwards we drove to Hasselt to check out the Kermis. But grrrrrrrrrwllll...our tummies were growling of hunger. So Mama and Papa ate smoutenbollen while I had my delicious fruitpap (Passionfruit and apple with a liiiiiitle bit of cream). Delish!

Here is our picture by the library after we ate

And here is my share of the kermis attraction. I may not be able to ride the attraactions yet but Papa was tickling me the whole time! I laughed so hard that I cant even say "STOP PAPA STOP!"

Till our next attraction!

Nielske

6 teeth, new shoes and lots of birthday parties!

Ok let me tell the story one by one...i am but an 8 month old boy...

6 teeth
Yes yes yes, my teeth are coming per pair. But this time it didnt hurt at all. You see, I made a drawing so you can see it clearly.



1. The green pair of teeth below are my first teeth. They didnt hurt.
2. The blue pair of teeth above are my 2nd pair....oooh they put me into a lot of pain, stress and sleepless nights! But they make me enjoy my bread now a lot more!
3. The yellow ones are the new ones. They are still small but they didnt hurt as well.
4. The red part are my gums (big huh? Still swollen in my drawing but in reality they are not)
5. The orange thing is my itsy bitsy tiny little tongue (despite its size it can make looouuuuud noises already)
6. And that white thing coming out of my mouth, thats my drool...i still drool a loooot!

New pair of shoes
Last week Mama and Papa decided to buy me my first ever real pair of shoes.

Since every time we go somewehere and with the fact that I walk all over now...a sock is not enough anymore. They always end up somewhere on the floor and not on me. So last saturday afternoon Mama dragged me to Brantano Shoe store to buy my first pair ever.

The first 2 days I was walking like a jelly! I cant get my feel straight! Its like it has a mind of its own. Mama said I still have to get used to it. The 3rd day (yesterday) Mama got confirmation from the daycare that Im getting used to walking and crawling and standing up with my shoes on. Just hope it gets a lot better than this cause I cant wait anymore to start walking normal again!

Birthdays!
We celebrated last sunday 2 birthdays! One of 85th year and one of 4th year.

Tante Maria turned 85 yesterday and we celebrated her birthday with a big party in "De Bloomelingen" last sunday. Oh she was sooo happy singing and clapping "Happy Birthday!" She has never met me nor Lieke but we sat on her lap last Sunday so next time we see her she will remember us. We also gave her a gift. A picture frame with my, Lieke and Celeste's picture on it. Now it stands on her nightstand...so she sees us now everyday :-) We had a very delicious cake (the rest of the people I mean) and Papa ate lots of pie!!!!!

Oh no that's not Tante Maria with me and Lieke. He is Joerie...Lieke's Papa.



After that we rushed to Celeste's birthday...she turned 4 today. She was waiting for all of us (Oma, Opa, Moemoe, Papa, Mama and me) already for quite some time (she was too enthusiatic to receive and open all her gifts hi hi hi). We got there at around 4pm and I have to eat my fruitpap first before she gets her gift...so she waited and waited and waited.



After gift opening, we played, I played, I crawled, I danced, I did everything! I was a showman! Then afterwards I tried to eat Opa's newspaper :-) What do you expect?

The rest is history. The most important thing is WE had fun, I definitely had fun, Mama and Papa said they are so proud of me cause I was so behaved despite being unstoppable (going around I mean) and talkative...so the sun went down and the moon showed up, the night came and I slept...soundly!