St. Nick

St. Nick is a big celebration for kids in Holland. As the matter of fact, it is more common to get presents from St. Nick than from Santa Claus at Christmas. The story is that St. Nick arrives about 3 weeks prior to his birthday (december 5th) in Holland. He comes by steamship from his home country Spain where he lives during the rest of the year. He brings all of his black helpers (zwarte pieten) with him. They are black because they are the ones who actually go down the chimneys to put candy and presents in the kids shoes. And the coles from the fire places make them black. So during the 3 weeks that they are in the country they are very busy with visiting cities, schools, and other places where kids are, to hand out 'pepernoten en schuimpjes' (special candy from St. Nick) and presents. At night St. Nick walks over the roof tops of the houses on his horse with his 'zwarte pieten' and puts candy in the shoes of the kids who have put their shoe by the chimney (or front door if the house doesn't have a fire place). Can you imagine how busy he is during this time, and that at his age?????? I think he's about 1359 years old now.....Anyway, the big celebration is on December 5th, when it is St. Nick's Birthday. He's such a nice guy that instead of receiving presents, he gives them away on his special day. After he is done, he goes back to Spain with all his 'zwarte pieten' on his steamship, to rest for the next 11 months.....and prepare for another big mission the following year.

Just like Santa, St. Nick knows everything about everyone. He knows who has been good or bad, he knows who has been brushing their teeth or not, he knows who has been doing their schoolwork or not, he knows who has been naughty or nice to his or her parents and siblings.......nothing passes St. Nick. He has a big book in which he writes everything down so he can remember who deserves a present and who not......
Well, Quinn must have been a good girl this year (of course she was :-) ) because St. Nick send her a present as well. She was very excited about it and couldn't wait to see what it was.

Wow, my first laptop, just like the one mom has. But this one is much cooler, because it makes sounds when I push on the buttons and it also lights up!

Thank you St. Nick for such a nice present!

Playdate with Larz

My good friend Marisa came over with her little boy Larz for a playdate. We take music class together, so Quinn and Larz do know eachother. It was so much fun to watch them play together. Larz is a little bit older than Quinn, so he was showing her all his moves and tricks. He can even walk by himself already (way to go Larz!). We decided they can play together until they're about 14 years old.....haha.

Nice about this playdate too was that Marisa and I finally had some time to chat and catch-up. Normally it's just quick chatting during or after music class. Now we actually got to talk about things a little longer.
Thanks Marisa and Larz for taking the drive up her and play with us!

ps. Marisa took more pictures of the two munchkins so I will add those later.

Last day at Music Together

December 2nd was our last day at Music Together. For this season that is. Quinn LOVES it so much, and so do I, so we signed up for the next season again starting January 6.
You can really tell Quinn is enjoying the class a lot. They way she is moving around and responding to the music, it's just so much fun to watch. They only thing she still got to learn is that the instruments are for making music/noise, not for putting them in your mouth.
She recognizes the songs when we play them at home or in the car. They bring a big smile on her face.
We can't wait for another season of Music Together.

Quinn is 10 months old!

10 months today! It seems like I was just writing your 9 month blog post....And now we're one month older again.
It has been a very busy month for you little munchkin. You have grown and learned a lot! Your world is expanding. You are on the go every wake moment. And you keep me on the go as well :-)

Playing Peekaboo is one of your favorite games....

and pulling yourself up to standing is one of your latest achievements.....

"Seriously mom, how many more pictures are you going to take?"

I could take pictures of you all day long! Unfortunately, you are more interested in the camera itself (that is, grabbing it with your little paws and putting it in your mouth) and are not very fond of looking at it anymore when I try to take a picture. So it takes lots of silly faces, singing and other tricks to get you to look right at it.

Fun facts about being 10 months old:

* you say 'mama' and 'dada'

* you can babble, babble and babble a whole story together

* when we sing to you or when you hear music, you rock you body from left to right and back

* you look at the computer when you hear an email coming in

* you put your hands in the air when we say 'how big is Quinn' (in Dutch)

* your schedule looks about like this:

7am: wakeup time and breakfast (milk)

8.30am: bath

9am-10.30am: nap

10.45am: fruit

12.15pm: lunch (milk, cereal, bread)

1.30-3.30pm: nap

4.45pm: dinner (vegetables, potatoes/rice/pasta and sometimes also meat + yoghurt as dessert)

7pm: milk with cereal

7.15pm: bed time

* You have ONE tooth: your left middle tooth on the bottom came through on November 20

* I can see the start of your SECOND tooth coming through as well (right middle tooth on the bottom). That might be the reason why you have been waking up a few times at night in the past few days :-(.

* you are still army crawling. You know how to sit on your hand and knees, but as soon as you're moving forward, you slide to your belly. And as fast as you go this way, I don't think you feel the need to change that.

* you are pulling yourself up to standing. A major achievement, which makes us having to watch you even more though......you like to stand, but you forget to hold on sometimes. Luckily we have carpet in the living room....
* we put your crib mattress down to the lowest level on the 25th of November. I found you standing in your crib one day later. Like you were waiting for it!

* you love playing catch with your football.

* you're very interested in non-toys
* your little fingers find every tiny tine little crumb or fussball there is on the floor. You make mommy vacuum every day.

* you love it when we chase you on the floor. You stop moving and start to giggle when we almost got you.

I can go on an on about all the funny things that you do. You're such an entertainer. You know what you want already and don't hesitate to let us know it.
We love you little munchkin.

Merry Thanksgiving

What do you get when you celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas at the same day? A Merry Thanksgiving!
Yes, Thanksgiving was extra special this year: it included presents from Santa Claus. We will be in Holland for Christmas this year. And even though Quinn doesn't have a clue of what's going on yet, it is grandma and grandpa Eversons first year with a grandchild, so we didn't want to deny them the fun of Christmas presents.
Quinn was in awe with all the wrapped boxes and gift bags. She didn't know what to do at first, but quickly got the hang of it and understood that wrapping paper is LOTS of FUN.

A quick look at a new toy before going on to the next.....

This box has a big bow grandma...

You can see her think: "Wow grandpa, did Santa got you some diapers? I can't believe it, you're wearing the same size as I do!"

Wrapping paper would keep her entertained for an entire day.

Santa brought Quinn a Dino walker and ride-on. Now that she is standing up more and more, she can practice walking with it.

No time to waste. Daddy had to put it together right away....Hurry hurry....

Ta-daaaa!!!!!!!!!

Her little legs barely touch the floor, so we will need to help her out a little. But I'm sure that soon she will be crossing around on her own.

I have so much to be thankful for. A great husband, a great loving family and awesome friends in both the USA and in Holland and the most beautiful and sweetest little girl I could have ever dreamed of.
I love you all!

Ps. Quinn, just that you know.....there won't be presents every year at Thanksgiving honey.

Standing up

Quinn has mastered the skill to go from belly to standing. And now she knows how to do it, she is exploring her expanded world. She LOVES the tv cabinet, because it has the receiver and a DVD player in it, with lights and buttons to push. I know, we can close the door. But I want her to learn that she can't touch everything also. So as long as someone is in the room to watch her, we're leaving it open.

What is it actually with kids and non toys like cellphone and remotes. Quinn loves to play with our cellphones. We got her a fisher price toy cellphone. But hey, that's not the same! And the remote.....the most interesting thing EVER. So we got her her own remote of an old tv (took the batteries out of course). She can push on all the buttons that she wants, she can put it in her mouth, throw it around, whatever she wants to do with it......what does she do with it? Not much. She wants the other remote. She KNOWS that that's the REAL one. Haha....

Crawling into small places is another favorite thing to do. These days, she rather plays underneath her excersaucer then in it.

Go Pack Go!

Daddy is out hunting. It's just mommy and Quinn at home. So what do we do? Put on our Packers gear and get ready for some Sunday afternoon football!

I am getting more into football every year since I moved here. And ever since my first game at Lambeau field a few weeks ago, I really got the Packers blood running through my veins. I even got a jersey: #21 Charles Woodson. I have to admit, it wasn't until AFTER I got the jersey that I found out he is a Cornerback (I asked Ryan what position he played.....ouch) and that he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year last season.....Well, details. Fact is: I AM A PACKERS FAN. And way to go Woodson! I'm proud to wear your number!

Got milk for Quinn, tea for myself, let the game begin!

Touchdown!!!! The Packers scored many of them today. And the Minnesota Vikings......none.
Packers beat the Vikings 31 to 3. 

Quinn loves it when we play catch with her little football. Hopefully she takes after her dad when it comes to catching the ball......;-)