Welcome Kleine Stafke!!!

And and and here comes the next nephew!  Born on a sunday (same as me) stayed in Virga Jesse room #208 (same as me) and 50 cm (same as me then).

I bet we are going to be good playmates!

Welcome welcome Stafke!

And congratulations to the new parents Jimmy and Astrid!

And to the second time Oma and Opa, Tante Nicole en Nonkel Roger!

Birthday: 25 July 2010

Weight: 3,250 kilo

Length: 50 cm

A 4-day-3-night Summer Trip to Oostende

Day 4: 22 July 2010


Today is our last day here in Oostende.  We all woke up early cause I still have appointment with the gyne in Hasselt.  We ate our daily breakfast downstairs at the hotel's restaurant.  But since it is our last day today, the girls from the buffet gave Niels their biggest hug, sweetest kisses and some snacks for the ride home!  Chocolate, cookies, kellog's and cecemel!  And as always, he said his sweetest "Da-da" and wave goodbye to them.

The way home was a sleepy ride, since we slept late last night and woke up early today, nobody had much to do in the auto but sleep (except Papa of course) and wait till we get to the destination.  But our destination, like what I said earlier, is not Paal but Hasselt attend my 10am appointment.


We got there 10.30am, and yet the gyne is still busy with another patient, we have to wait another 30 mins before we were able to get in.

When we were there the doctor checked my tummy and it looks like the baby is all OK.  My blood pressure was a little bit low but the doctor said if I feel dizzy, I have to eat some salty cracker or chips...I dont know if I heard it right so I asked it again..and yeah, the doctor made me smile afterwards so I guess I did hear it right!  Lucky me!

Anyway, I'm now 59kg (gained 3kg from last month...tsk tsk tsk...not good...and my excuse??? "It was due to the vacation!")  And my baby is now 1,270kg, healthy and kicking!

On the way out of the building....BLOGGGG!  Ouch!  Niels hit his head on the door!  He didnt cry so the nurses panicked cause they thought he passed out.  The nurse asked if we want to put ice on his head so we just said sure...and the nurse said afterwards, I will also bring some cookies...ehem...if you could only see what a big smile showed on Niels' face when he heard it!  And then he laughed, he said "Cookie?!?"  Haha and after that instance, everything was OK...just like how the saying goes "No Pain, No Gain!"

After the, we decided to visit Marcel and Aline.  That was also a fun couple!  They also have Pietje, the little bird they have in the cage that can sing nice and eat a lot!  We played Hide-and-Seek in their house, they showed us the auto in the garage and then its time to go home. 

Everyone is starting to get tired and Aline has to sleep soon.  So we headed back to Paal and after 30 mins it was Home Sweet Home!

Thanks for reading!

Neri

A 4-day-3-night Summer Trip to Oostende

Day 3: 21 July 2010

Today is a special day.  Its not only National holiday but it is also PAPA'S 33RD BIRTHDAY!!!!!

The weather is quite OK I should say, not really hot...just perfect!  And today we will not be going anywhere with our car but with the TRAM!  To quench Niels' thirst for public transportation we decided to take the tram to go to De Panne.  It was quite a looong ride but Niels had fun.  Even if the tram was quite full due to the national holiday day (day tourists rushed to the beach), we found a seat at the back of the tram where Niels could also be free to look and move around.  The peeping, the opening of the door, and the coming in and out of passengers fascinated him.

When we got to De Panne, a tall statue of King Leopold welcomed us.

And then a right turn showed us paradise! Such a big playground was put up there with all sorts of exciting attraction for Niels.  He didnt hesitate at all, he ran straight to the playground.

Attraction No. 1: Carousel

Attraction No. 2: Baby boat tour

Attraction No. 3: A Giant X-O-X

Attraction No. 4: Slide with twisted tunned

 
Attraction No. 5: Regular Slide

Attraction No. 6: A Castle

Attraction No. 7: Merry-Go-Round   

 
Attraction No. 8: High Slide

Attraction No. 9: Mini Kitchen

Attraction No. 10: Colorful Ball Bath

After the playground (it was quite a drama to get him out of there though but we managed to lure him to go out) we went to have lunch on a terrace by the sand so Niels can play while we eat.  But since we didnt have any toys with us, Papa went quickly to buy a bucket and a shovel so Niels can amuse himself in the sand.  And it was a success.

After we ate, it was time to go back to the hotel to have a big long rest...cause tonight will be a long night!  We were planning to watch the Fireworks at the beach of Oostende. On the way back to the tram stop we enjoyed a walked through the shoreline.  And while walking at the shoreline, Niels showed us his new dance step!

See for yourself:

Once in the hotel, we cleaned up and took a loooong nap.  When we woke up we prepared already bags that we will not use anymore so we can bring it to the car (avoiding overload tomorrow morning on the way to the parking).  Before we went out, Niels said "But Papa its raining outside" .  And we just didnt believe him, we went downstairs..and what surprised us??? RAIN!  He was right!  And Niels said, "Yeah, its raining, we will get wet.  We have to put jacket on!"  So we put our jackets on and walked to the parking with our bags.  While Niels ride his bike and mama and papa has bags to pull, the rain slowed down and stopped finally.  On the way back were were looking to eat something quick.  We saw a french fries snack bar that doesn't have any customer.  We ate fries there quickly and afterwards walked around the vicinity.  But it was getting a little bit chilly and raindrops started to fall again so we decided to just go back to the hotel and play there.

Around 10pm, we went out to head to the Fireworks venue.  When we got there, lots of children were playing around with lights in their hands, balloons, and lots of men selling funny stuff!

There was also a fire dance busy, and Niels was soo amused but what he saw first was that the guy is dancing on barefeet!

Watch this:

When it was time for the fireworks, all lights turned off and the noise of fire cracking began!  After a minute or 2, Niels wants to go home.  It was too scary for him, the noise was too loud, although I was able to take something to show you.

Good night!

Neri

A 4-day-3-night Summer Trip to Oostende

Day 2: 20 July 2010

It was a warm night last night but everyone had a good sleep.  We all woke up at 8:30am.  Showered, dressed up, Niels drank his milk and we all went downstairs to have breakfast.

The buffet table was ready, they have a kid's high chair for Niels.  Everything we want for breakfast was there!  Niels ate good, and we ate good.  And while we were busy finishing up our breakfast Niels was learning who Suske, Wiske, Lambik and Tante Sidonia were :-)

Our plan today was to go to Blankenberge to visit "Nijntje Aan Zee".  Nijntje turned 55 years old this year so they have a special exhibit for her at the dock of Blankenberge.

With Mama watching the sea gulls in the water

Happy Birthday Ninjtje!

Writing Ninjtje a birthday card

Playing with the fruits and vegetables at Nijntje's bday table

Trying out Boris' ears

Learning how to play with the poppenkast

Giving Nijntje a big hug a kiss

Learning how to cut with scissors

Watching a Nijntje Episode

Piraat Niels

Niels also made high towers using the puffy block seats at the play pen. Here is the video:

After our visit to Nijntje's exhibit, we ate Lunch at the dock.  When we left, right after the bridge, Niels saw this airplane and car carousel...of course he wanted to ride on the flying car.

We headed to the hotel and arrived at the beach at the right moment with the right temperature! It was perfect.  No tents needed, just a wipe of the sun block and clothes off!  Including the preggy me!  We all played in the sand and helped Papa in making another private swimming pool with a tunnel.

Our new pool

Papa making Niels wet

Nielske's big jump!

And mama

It was late when we decided to get back to the hotel and prepare for dinner cause the weather was so nice and we were having so much fun.  And also, we tried to get Niels back to the water.  So when the tide went back in, Papa put him on top of the mountain of our swimming pool and waited till the water gets really close.  And looks like he is having fun :-)

But continues to say, "Papa, daar komt de zee!"


Until tomorrow!

Neri

A 4-day-3-night Summer Trip to Oostende

Day 1: 19 July 2010

Our day started early, busy and quick, for today we left for Oostende. After eating breakfast and packing everything up, we headed for the beach.

At around 2pm, we arrived at the area but could not find a close-by parking spot near our hotel.  Oostende was packed with tourists!

When we were finally able to find one...it was an expensive one but at least we can unload right infront of the hotel and just look for another parking spot after we've checked in.

The friendly hotel personnel led us to our room and we dressed up for FUN!  Niels with his toys and swimming pants, and papa with his digging tools and swimming pants (hehe) and I brought my brand new pop-up beach tent, some snacks and camera :-)

As Niels and Papa headed to the water, I started setting up my tent...supposed to be a pop-up...but went belly-up!  It was broken...so...what else can I do but to hide under the shadow of the buggy and call the store to let them know we will bring the tent back the next day against a refund.

The father and son started digging up for their sand castle close by the water line.  I stayed at the shore of course taking pictures :-)

After a while, with such wind coming in, came in a GIANT wave into Papa and Niels' castle ruining the castle and its walls and frightening Niels to go back to the water again :-( Too bad but we dont want to force Niels back again to the water when he didnt want to...to avoid traumatizing him of the beach and waves.

So what Papa did, he just made another sand castle and our very own swimming pool right beside where I was sitting, meaning a little bit far from the water, at a distance from the sea where Niels is comfortable.

Of course Niels helped built another one up.

...and once it was done, he enjoyed making Papa wet with cold water!!! But Papa strikes back and made Niels wet too!

After some time, the tide came back and the water started entering the walls of our castle gradually.  We stayed a little bit longer to show Niels there is nothing to be afraid of about the sea and left when the castle has almost disappeared.

"Papa! De zee komt!" Niels kept on saying.

It was a memorable start of our trip to Oostende.

Till tomorrow!

Neri

Horse Jumping in Genk

Since it was such a beautiful day last saturday, Papa decided to bring us to Genk to watch the horse jumping contest.  But we were one day to early :-( However, it didn't ruin our day.  Not only it gave me more time to play than to watch horses...we also had the chance to look at the horses from up close and touched their noses :-) 

There were big ones, white ones, black ones, sleepy ones and eating ones.  Some of them have names that are familiar to me: Popeye, Bumba, Wickie, and Big from Big & Betsy.

We also ate pannekoek from the restaurant and I ordered on my own!  "Pannekoek met suiker" I told the waitress :-)

After a long tiring day...the way home looks like this:

The next day...the correct day, we went again to Genk but this time with Oma and Opa.  We watched the horses run through the forest, passing us swiftly with their heavy gallops, and saw them jump the high fences!  I also learned that once we hear a whistle...we have to go to the side quickly and stop cause it means that a horse is coming!!!

Afterwards, we went home and built the nicest sand figures with Oma!

Till the next blog!

Family BBQ and Proposals...

Like any other year, Mama and Papa organized a BBQ for the whole family...and I should say the family is getting bigger!  With Laurens born and 3 other Mama's waiting for their DDays, it is evident that soon enough our lawn will not be big enough!

From Left to Right: Astrid (end July), Hannelore (end August), Mama (Mid October)

Almost everyone was present and that's really fun.  Not only Celeste, Lieke, and Laurens were there but also Ermina and Vincent joined the party!  The big thing is, Papa and Mama put the swimming pool up!  And with this hot weather...we made the most perfect splashes!...

From Left to Right: Celeste, Ermina, Niels, Vincent and Lieke

And not to forget...Papa and Nonkel Danny's WATERBALLOON!

Most of it ended up at Nonkel Danny's anyways...hehe

From Left to Right: Jimmy, Nonkel Roger, Nonkel Danny (the Target), and Papa

The other best thing is the ice cream van was there!  We gave everyone with a cool ice cream treat!!!

Here below is a video of a stunt Mama shouldn't have seen...cause it's very "gevaarlijk" So children, DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!

Till next year's BBQ!


Niels

PS: Oh yeah and about the proposal...we proposed to my sister's soon-to-be Meter and Peter :-)

PS2: We also surprised Oma with Mama's "home-made" cupcakes and magic candles! To Joerie en Hannelore...ssssshhhhhhh....Mama said you know her secret!...whatever that is :-)

In mijn groooot bed!

Hey hey hoi hoi!

Ja, je heb het goed gelezen!  Sinds vorige week zaterdag slaap ik al in mijn gloednieuw groot bed...voor echte grote jongens!  De ander bed is alleen voor babies, dan kan mijn baby zusje daar inslapen wanneer ze geboren is. Hehe.

Het is echt zalig om in zo een groot bed te slapen zeker nu met dit tropisch weer.  Nu heb ik veel plaats om te bewegen.  Ik heb daarbij ook nog een nachtkastje gekregen, een nieuw commode, een boekekast waar ik al mijn boeken kunnen insteken en 't is gemakkelijk ook om ze te kunnen uithalen, en een heeeel grote kleerkast!  Ik liet oma en opa nog zien dat mijn jasje's daar in de kast allemaal hangen. Fijn! Zo trots ben ik op mijn nieuwe slaapkamer :-)

Nielske

3 Deers, 3 Kids and a whole looot of bread!

The closest 3 deers in the neighborhood

The future gangsters of Mierheuvelstraat

And all the bread lying on the ground!  Haha

(From left to right: Me, Arthur 3yrs, Louise 1 yr)