Time catcher

running on the silvery beach
miles of sand and sea shelves
some broken into tiny pieces
some whole
after their unknown journey
the view of endless blue
the sound of calm
your innocent smile
your hair dancing in the wind
like time
I want to catch you
and keep you in my arms forever

2 years & 9 months

Dear Monkey,

Just 3 months away from your 3rd birthday. And little Monkey, you are independent. Eating, undressing, using the toilet, walking: you want to do it all by yourself. And we applaud you for it. You even went into a small store to buy a tram ticket while daddy waited at the door.

You talk. Oh boy you talk. Whole sentences, stories, jokes, puns. And you parrot and learn new words every day. Shame is no friend of you. "LOOK MOMMY A LITTLE MAN!" you said loudly when a little old man walked in the tram. We laughed, luckily old man are usually little and a little deaf.

Your passion is everything with wheels , construction, planes and helicopters. And you don't know it yet, as you are asleep, but we're going to visit a construction site later today. I can't wait to see your eyes. The little Einsteins, Handy Manny and The Backyardigans are your heroes.

We play music all the time. Your favorite instruments are the trumpet, drums and cymbals. You make us listen to classical music, band music and basically everything that has those 3 instruments in it. You could dance to The Elephant Mars of Jungle Book the entire day, and by now it's the most played song in our iTunes.

You are sweet, funny, smart, friendly, enthusiastic, talkative, energetic, cute and lovable.

I love you little Monkey,
Mom

The day my firstborn streaked in the Queen's backyard

A few days ago, we decided to check out the new playground in the garden of the 'working palace' of our queen. My friend M. joined us and we enjoyed watching Monkey run around while we chatted on one of the wooden benches.

The garden is actually more like a small park, with lots of green, a lake, some modern art objects, and now, a playground (if you're a tourist in The Hague with or without children: it is worth a visit and an escape from the busy shopping center!).

I can't help but thinking this playground is actually a compromise between the queen wanting a golf court and the City of The Hague wanting a playground. What do you think:

Actually, the architect of the playground says these balls are pearls.

But the reason you're still reading this post, is you want to get to the streaking part, right?

Be patient! I am getting there.

Monkey found some new friends to play with, and in the excitement he 'forgot' to mention he needed to go to the toilet. When the other children where gone and there where only giant white golf balls left to play with, Monkey ran up to us and showed his accident.

What's a mom to do?

Sure, there was art, golf balls and trees... but no toilet to change him into his spare set of clothes. But it was also too chilly for him to walk around in wet clothes until we found a toilet. Really, what would you do?

You would ring the doorbell of the palace and ask if we could use the royal restroom?

(Why didn't I think of that?)

I decided that if you 'rule' a country you have seen worse than the cute little white behind of my toddler. And it's not like Monkey yelled - while pulling down his pants - "SO THIS IS WHAT I THINK OF THE TAX RAISE!" or anything like that.

So I quickly looked if there weren't other visitors very nearby and I changed him into clean & fresh pants.

Being toilet trained ... in a situation without the presence of toilets, but with the excitement of a bunch of fun children and ginormous balls can be a bit of a challenging combination.

I love you

Me: I love you
Monkey: I love cow

Husband (to Monkey): I love you
Monkey: I love mommy

Husband (to Monkey): I love you
Monkey: Fish is delicious

2.5 years

Monkey, Monkey, Monkey,

Where do I begin? What exciting moment in your 2.5 years do I pick to start this post with? One of the many moments you discovered something new and was enthusiastic like a little monkey finding a soccer field full of bananas? One of the many moments you lay in my arms and we read books about trucks, cars, farms, Lola and Charlie, Miffy, Sesamestreet and about how your name buddy discovers the world with imaginary plains and busses and boats? One of the many moments we did crafts and created all kinds of animals and cars and moving objects? One of the many moments you melted my heart just by being your adorable little self? One of the many times you went on a bike ride with me? Or one of the many car rides you never stop to enjoy?

Or should I begin with describing you? How incredibly smart I think you are? I have to admit, I'm a little bias, but your little brains don't let anything in your surroundings unnoticed. You see, hear, feel everything. You want me to explain everything so you can understand it. I still consider you my little boy, and that's why sometimes I feel like I'm explaining too much. But then you understand it and you make me even more proud. Or how good you are with words? Honey, from the moment you learned sign language, people worried if you'd ever talk. But really? You vocabulary never seizes to amaze me. And the way you finish sentences when we're reading books, it baffles me. Or should I start this letter by describing how sweet and affectionate you are by telling us you love us and you want to hug us and kiss us? Or how funny you are? You now start to make jokes and they're funny too, little comedian.

Or should I start your letter with things you love? How you love your little drum set and your crafted trumpet? Or how you love our Sunday mornings in bed watching Little Einsteins or Backyardigans on daddy's laptop while we eat breakfast? Or how you like cars, and balls, and Duplo, and Playdough? Or how you love your little sister and your daddy? Or how you love helping with chores? Or how you love bath times?

Or should I start with things you've recently started to do? Like making jokes? Like singing? Like trying to carry Roo and the cats? Like showing your urge for independency by saying no and wanting to do things all by your self? How you've started to use the toilet?

How do I start to describe the everything you are to me? You see, describing the little world that is you in a letter is next to impossible. And even though every day I think my heart can't grow any bigger with love for you, it does. It has been since the second your little pink body was put in my arms 2.5 years ago. There isn't a day that goes by without my heart overflowing with love for you and your sister.

I love you Monkey.

Mommy

2 1/4

Monkey,

Every day your structured word waterfalls take me on a incredible journey through your thoughts and imagination. You bless me with saying out loud many of your feelings and thoughts. It enables me to peek into your character as if I was looking into a diorama showing the interactive theater show called "Monkey's life".

The primary set of the show would be our living room filled with countless bright colored props: your toys. Toys, toys, toys. You have so many. January and February were Duplo months. But bouncing further into 2008, you also gained interest in other things like your Little People school bus, your many toy cars, drawing, doing crafts with mommy and reading books. The arrival of this somewhat hesitating spring has taken you to many joyful trips to the playgrounds in our neighborhood.

The main character of the show, you, is growing into a young, handsome, funny and intelligent boy. Me and your dad are characters too, but we are also responsible for the set, the props and the well being of the main character and his sister. Yes, your show has gained a adorable little character, your baby sister Roo.

You are still the star of your own show, but you and her are a bit like Bert and Ernie. Together most of the time, known for the laugh - until - you - pee - your - pants - funny - conversations (though at this point still one way - conversations), sometimes a little annoyed with each other but overall, you seem to have bonded really well with her.

Sometimes the show takes you to an outside set, like toddler soccer and swimming with mommy or daddy. The toddler soccer class is more about playing and interacting with mommy and daddy than it is actual practice. You enjoy it, but wish there would be more exercises with a ball.

Days with you are filled with fun. You're quite the comedian. Your jokes and monologues remind me of the Sahara dry humor your daddy has. Must be the genes.

Your character loves more than it dislikes.

You love giving gifts and receiving gifts.
You love eating deserts.
You love your bath. But hate the shower.
You love to eat fish. But refuse to eat beans and leafy veggies.

You love me and your daddy.

You told us that a few weeks ago.

And I think that triggered spring.

I love you too little Monkey. I hope to be part of your show for a very long time.
Mommy

(Letter to Monkey, 2 years & 3 months)

Playing with your toy cars on our self-made road.

The end of a wonderful era

It was bound to happen.

Inevitable.

It's a sign of growth.

Of a youthful spirit ready to discover the world.

Instead of napping.

*cries*

I think the Monkey is done with napping.

*cries even louder*

For the last few day putting him to bed at his nap time has been difficult. You won't believe how many times he can climb out of his bed and run into the hallway and be put back to bed and run out his room and put back to bed and... well you get the picture.

(Can you pass me a tissue?)

Today he crowned his new bedtime routine by saying to his dad after he put him back to bed for the 15th time (obviously in denial): "teasing daddy".

But we won't give up. Besides from being sad over losing my two hours to relax, most of the time he really needs that nap. We'll try to move his nap time from before lunch to after lunch... and if that doesn't work... we'll just have to accept the fact the Monkey has definitely outgrown the baby era.

Cross fingers.

Happy birthday big guy

Big Tim, you were born exactly two years ago. Up until the birth of your baby sister, you were still mommy's baby. But now, I have to admit, compared to your tiny sister, you are a big boy. And a big brother. And I am so happy we celebrated your birthday two weeks early, so you at least had your own party. Because you deserve nothing less. I hope life will turn out to be one big party for you.

Love, mom

PS: you totally rock those new firetruck rain boots! I am happy you agreed to at least not wear them in bed.

Happy early birthday and two year letter

We celebrated Tim's birthday yesterday. His birthday isn't until January 30th. But that's my due date and I really did not want him to miss his birthday party. We decided on a small party (as that's all I can handle at this point in pregnancy). So we invited close family and just a few friends. But man, he got SO spoiled! He now has a complete Duplo village. Little People drove into our house in a school bus and our living room is no officially a parking lot. I'm thinking we should charge by the hour.
I even got myself to bake two pies (with help of my 8 year old niece and darling husband): a white chocolate banana layer cake and a spice and honey bunt cake. Mmm. Leftovers anyone?

Before eating the cake, we all sang happy birthday. He was surprised and looked at everyone with a big question mark, but he so loved it. Ahh, my heart melts again.

Early birthday party means early quarterly letter. Just in case Tim's sister is born a little early. And she can come now, because this birthday party really was the one mental block I had until I want to go into labour.

Tim's two year letter

My dearest Tim,

You're almost two. Your quarterly letter is a bit early. Your baby sister is due on your birthday and I don't want to risk missing this letter. You already grow so fast, and it's hard to remember all the things you do and have done. These letters help me to remember, and I hope one day you'll enjoy them to.

I still get all warm inside when I think of you. You're the sweetest little boy on earth. You enjoy everything, adapt very well to almost every situation, are always happy and cheerful, you sleep well, eat everything - you ate Pecten jacobaeus shells, salicornia and asparagus for Christmas dinner! - Your favorite is fish but you also use your many teeth to chew on fresh veggies. I'm embarrassed to say, I only noticed one tooth I knew was coming: your first. You woke up a couple of nights because the thing was giving you pain. All your other teeth and molars? I have no idea how and when you got them. All I know is that we brush a full mouth of teeth every evening.

You have started talking. You started doing it when we went to Lissabon, just two months ago. You started with mommy, daddy, car and Lala (the name of your favorite Telletubby). We heard you practice those words in bed. For a while you combined your words with your sign language. But now? You're a waterfall of words and everyday you learn a few new ones. You like to describe what's happening "mommy breakfast, daddy breakfast, Tim breakfast". That's right my dear, you have learned to say your name a few days ago. You've been saying it proudly ever since.

I have never seen you throw a tantrum. I believe that's pretty unique for a two year old. That's not to say you haven't started exploring your boundaries. You like to say 'no' and do things you're not allowed. Like throwing things at the cats and chasing them. But when I get down on my knees and gently ask you to stop, you usually stop and give me a kiss and a hug.

You adapt very well to changes in your life. Moving to our new home hasn't had much influence on you and smaller changes like going on international vacations haven't seem to bother you either. There is an upcoming change that will be huge for you. The birth of your baby sister.

I am sure you'll love her and everything will work out just fine. But the thought that I have to divide my attention between you and your baby sister breaks my heart. I know how much work a little baby requires. How much time I will have to spend with her, comforting her, nursing her. I am worried her crying will wake you up. I am worried she'll turn your life up side down and I am worried you won't like it and be sad about it. I am worried about breaking your little heart, which has brought me nothing but beautiful moments.

I would say you're perfect, but they say there is no such thing as perfect on earth. Maybe God made an exception when he gave us you.

Love always,
Mom

Let's hear it for the boy

Remember Tim had sand phobia? He was PETRIFIED to touch it!

Last week, out of the blue, he started playing with the sand at the playground. And now it's his favorite thing to do at the playground.

I am so proud!

And now I totally have that Deniece Williams song stuck in my head.. Whoa, maybe he's no romeo
But he's my lovin one-man show Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa... Let's hear it for the boy......

This is a sign

SURELY this is a sign.

I have been teaching Tim to not touch OUR books in the book closet. However I have made an exception when he grabbed that potty training book. So far for consistency.

Gina Ford gives a few conditions on whether to start potty training. According to those (+ 18 months, aware of doing pee or poo, etc.) Tim is ready. However, I am not sure if I want to try yet. He's still so young. But it's either now or a few months after his little sibling is born. Because potty training when a big change is about to happen, is not a smart thing. For those with potty trained children: when did you start potty training your toddler? How did you do it?