Flo

hospital

So this past week was spent in the hospital - from Monday till Sunday - a week. 6 nights. The week before last I hadn't been feeling well -- headaches, throatache -- but really didn't think anything of it. That changed Sunday - father's day. I did not feel well. I ended up going to the doctor's and got antibiotics for a bladder infection (or possible kidney infection - nierbekkenontsteking). Sunday night was hell -- I didn't sleep. Was sick and vomiting pretty much the whole night. Monday was spent sleeping on and off. In the evening things just didn't seem to improve -- especially since I was also really really nauseaous. So I ended up being taken into the hospital. Given an IV with antibiotics and fluids. The next day there were tests and scans -- and I did indeed have a really really bad kidney infection. So I spent 2 days sleeping. And from Thursday on I felt much better....... now I am home. Still need to take it easy the next few weeks and we need to cancel one of our 2 weeks of vacation.... but at least I am better.

favorites

Still extremely busy here -- now that Olivia is walking, taking less naps, Chris is growing and needing naps and not sleeping at night. Victor has lots of year end activities et. Fun, but sometimes I wish I could catch my breath, clean and purge and organize the mess that is in my house... But for now that will have to wait...

Some of my favorite pictures from the past months -- most taken with a little point and shoot.

 

With the kids taken by Eef!

 

 

 

 

 

yuck

Last night -- while I was home with the kids asleep - our home was broken into. Nothing of importance was stolen (only cash and a small digital camera) but I feel so violated - so yuck that someone was in our home. Dealing with police and locksmiths today.

Hopefully I'll be able to sleep ok tonight.

first steps

Earlier today I finally got a shot of Olivia while she was standing alone without support for a few seconds. So happy to have gotten that shot....

 

The later this evening while we were having dinner with the neighbors she took her first steps -- 3 or 4 real steps.... with both Rutger and me watching -- and the neighbors. We tried to get her to do it again -- only once did we succeed!

time

If I could have one things these days it would be more time. I feel like there are so many different things I would like to do if only there was a bit more time....

The days these past few months/weeks have been full.

 

Rutger became a partner at the law firm he works for on May 1 - which is absolutely fabulous and I couldn't be happier or more proud. It's been quite the journey. But it means more work, more work related things, and us finding a new balance. Which isn't a problem, just something to take a little time. His ankle is fine -- it took about 3 weeks. He's thinking of getting bback to playing soccer and such....

I have been busy with my photography - besides portrait sessions (mostly families which I love!!!) I have also started photographing weddings. Such a special time in a couples journey - I love how each weddings is the same, yet different. I love the moments I am able to capture - true moments of joy of happiness, the moments of waiting which seem to be the hardest. And even though I only started photographing weddings on my own last year I've already gotten quite a few requests. Makes me happy that I also have friends that are photographers who are able to help out and join me on the day -- makes it wonderfully fun!

There are also so many other things I want to do -- scrapbooking which hasn't happened in a long long time. Editing my own photographs... Crafting - learning to crochet, making things from felt... I have a binder filled with projects I'd like to tackle but there's just no time.

Same with the house -- the boys started sleeping together in one room a while back and they are enjoying it -- but I'd like to create a playroom out of Chris's old bedroom. Update Olivia's bedroom, our bedroom, the boys bedroom. Paint and wallpaper. And then there's downstairs... 3 kids, means lots of toys... we need more storage... I also want things to be light and airy and clean... lots of white.. .I have some ideas of what I want to do -- now all I need is time.

Victor is busy - school (which he is enjoying) - but also swimming lessons 3x a week, hockey once a week and then there are the playdates. He is constantly on the go. Not wanting to sit still.... He can get moody once in a while -- frustrated when he wants to do something and his little brother and sister interrupt or don't do it how he would like to do it.... He had a really hard time when it was Chris's birthday and it was Chris who got all the presents, all the attention. This week he's in France with a friend and his dad.... outside, playing, enjoying himself and hopefully catching up on some sleep as he's up with the sun here these days.

Chris just turned 3! He's talking up a storm. We got him a bike for his birthday which means he wants to bike around the block - obviously not something we allow him to do alone... so there are lots of walks around the block going on. He goes to pre-school 4 mornings a week and I am thinking he'd be quite happy if he were to go every single day... He loves it -- he has a small group of friends. And he's even started having a few playdates of his own. He wants to do everything his big brother does...

 

 

 

 

And then there is Olivia -- our little firehouse. wow. I knew boys and girls were different, but that the difference is so apparant... She's quite the feisty girl. Will totally let us know when things are not going her way -- when she wants something. When attention is required. She copies her brother. She plays with their toys. We can actually calm her down by sitting and reading a book with her. She loves reading books. She's not yet walking - will stand by herself a few seconds and can walk along furniture etc, but no actual walking herself yet. This means all her pants have holes by the knees - something the boys didn't have. I can't believe she's already 15 months old.

 

chris

 

He cracks me up. Almost 3! Imitating pretty much everything his big brother does. He loves animals - loves going to the zoo. Watching each animal with patience -- learning about them, looking at them. He's gentle, sweet. He has a few great friends from pre-school. Starting to have his own playdates. Can bike his tricycle. Not the best eater in the world - especially if he isn't feeling 100%. He's not that big -- wearing a size 92 or 3T, sometimes even 2T clothes. Shoesize is 23/24.

broken

This weekend had all the ingredients to spend lots of time outside. Which is just what we did yesterday. Cleaning the yard. Hanging out. Enjoying the sunshine. Fabulous. Everyone went to bed satisfied -- and like Victor said "I spent the whole day outside!".

Today didn't start out so well. Last night Chris just didn't want to sleep -- dreams, coughing and just not wanting to sleep.... In the end that meant that neither did Rutger or I slept well. When I woke up - it was raining, raining really hard. So a shoot for this afternoon was cancelled and after breakfast I went back to sleep for a few hours, while Rutger went off to play soccer.... Luckily my brother was able to come to babysit the kids....

A call round noon woke me up. Rutger to say he'd been injured while playing soccer.... and he had hurt his ankle. It probably wasn''t broken but he did need to go to the hospital. So off I went to pick him up and to drive to the hospital. 2,5 hours later we went back home - Rutger's ankle indeed broken, so a cast and crutches accompanied im home. Not a whole lot of fun -- he can't stand on his foot for a week, needs to keep it elevated and rest... In a week the cast will be removed and hopefully we will know and find out what other damage is done....

In the meantime we enjoyed the Spring sunshine outside!

 

spring

I am so ready for Spring to come -- every once in a few days there is a sign that it's on it's way. Tulips and lots of spring flowers (narcisses, krokusjes, blauwe druifjes etc....) Birds singing early in the morning. It's lighter earlier - it's darker later. The smell of a new season...

But for now we are still dealing with being sick (I have a horrible cold). The weather is dreary -- rain and more rain.....

EMMA

Born early this morning -- while it was still dark outside. Our new niece Emma - little sister to Olivier and daughter to my brother and his wife. We couldn't be happier and more excited for them. She's adorable.

Victor, Olivia and myself went over for a quick visit this morning - bringing pink flowers, pink baby outfits and enough clothes to get Emma through the first few weeks....

 

 

normal

We are finally getting things back to normal around here after all the sickness, flu and whatnot that's been going on....

For the first time in weeks Rutger just left with the boys to bring them to school -- Victor on his own bike (for which we had to replace the lock this week as he had lost the keys....). Rutger with Chris on his bike - brining along mouse to pre-school.

Olivia wasn't feeling well yesterday so she had very very little sleep and she's already sleeping again. Hoping to her taking lots and lots of naps today.

I just put in some laundry and now have time to catch up on blogs, on web sites, some me time before the rest of the day begins. Also sorting out magazines and ripping out inspiration. I will be doing crafts at Victor's school later this morning. My mom is coming to babysit Olivia and pick up Chris while I am with Victor.

We are waiting for Suus - SIL - to deliver that baby of hers -- she's not due for another week, but we are hoping he or she comes early!

And then grocery shopping and admin stuff to take care of.....

A busy normal day :-)