Toddlerhood

Hello. Ella's just turned two. She's a tantrum throwing, attention demanding, opinionated, extremely irrational and infuriating toddler. A real joy.

I hope it all channels into a confident and strong woman when she's older- but I don't know if I'll live to see it, as I constantly want to jump into a lake. Changing a diaper, getting into the car seat, not getting multiple bottles of milk in a row (I'm weirdly quite embarrassed that I haven't weaned her from bottles by now), leaving my parents house, not being able to go outside because I'm half naked because its 7am- all big challenges.

And on that note, we are expecting a second baby girl on Oct 4. We are very happy, and extremely anxious. Eh, Brent doesn't seem too anxious, just me I think.

Her 20 week ultrasound profile (here's Ella's ultrasound profile. I guess they look pretty similar...). I'm pleased to hear she's measuring well and everything seems healthy so far- which is always a miracle with diabetes and all.

My google search history consists of, "tips for a newborn with a toddler" and "how to handle a toddler tantrum in public" and "how to respond when someone says you look tired."

That last one- someone said it to me at work the other day AND someone at church asked my mom if I feeling alright- they thought I looked so tired. I will never say that to someone from now on- I guess its coming from a place of concern, but it reads as, you look horrible and let me mention it your face. I've decided my response will be a slight grimace with, "Huh, bummer. I feel quite good." Then, hopefully they will feel embarrassed.

Also, I have now bought 3 of the exact same dresses in different colors. It is so comfortable- like jersey- and long enough and loose enough and with a high neck to not worry about a thing. Excellent with and without pregnancy.

Plus, it's my sweet mom and mother-in-law's birthdays this upcoming 2 weeks (Billie is June 7th and Kathy Mouritsen is the 9th). If you have any awesome gift ideas, I'd love to hear. My mom is so so so good with Ella. I have to constantly remind myself that she's already had 4 kids herself and so I can't compare myself. We are very lucky. 

Amsterdam

We were lucky enough to take a trip to Europe a week ago. It was both lovely and a hair too long for me. As I get older... I think I'm a bit more grumpy about travel! Anyhow, here are some photos if you'd like to see.
The windmills in the city of Zaanse Schans- an hour ish bike ride from where we stayed in Amsterdam. I think Brent may have gotten annoyed with me because I biked so slow... but he was a good sport. The little town is known for its windmills- some work, but some are just for show. A lot of the little buildings in the town were green- it felt like the munchkin land from The Wizard of Oz. I asked a local about it and she said years ago, each community had their own paint color- green, yellow, whatever, to create a sense of unity. That sounds fake... but I have no better info, so I'll go with it. I rather liked this outing because we toured a little cheese factory and got to taste an awesome bunch of cheeses. A lot of gouda. Gouda from sheeps, goats, and cows milk (I liked cow gouda the best-the aged, sharp one was delightful). Even a lavendar gouda- which tasted a bit like soap.

 We took a Sound of Music bike tour in Salzburg, Austria to see the sights from the movie. It was such a lovely day and the bikes were awesome- breezy in your face and the seats were very cushy! This was on the path around the lake where the kids and Maria fall in from their canoe ride when they come home to see the Captain.

 These rapeseed flower crops were everywhere. In fact, Germany had a lot of dandelions too- like a weird amount. A lot of yellow flowers. I google why there would be a lot of dandelions there.. but nothing.

Tulip fields in Amsterdam. In thinking of Amsterdam, i thought there would be tulips everywhere. That wasn't quite the case. We did have to bike a while to find them, but they were worth it. We should have brought a picnic to eat by them.

 In one of the rental houses we stayed in (using airbnb.com website to book them) there was a little pond outside in the back. It does look a bit raggedy in the photo, but it was lovely and, like, "wild moss and flower garden" ish in real life.

The Neuschwanstein castle built by King Ludwig of Bavaria. It was a beautiful view, but we didn't go inside. It was very touristy- like kitschy almost. Like how Las Vegas is beautiful, but so fake. So, I wouldn't recommend it I don't think.

 In Salzburg on our Sound of Music Bike tour again- a sure highlight of the trip. I love the movie and I love biking. Win win. However, this courtyard was in the movie somewhere, but only really briefly. It was quite pretty of course. It you turn left and go through an archway, there is another fountain where Maria in the movie splashes her hand in when she sings "I have Confidence in Me"

PS did you know the movie was based on a real nun named Maria? I had no idea, and now I love it even more

Van Gogh's sketch book. We went to the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, which I loved, and Brent kinda liked. There was this one seaside painting on display:

And Van Gogh must have really painted in on the beach because there are still grains of sand, blown by the wind, and stuck in the paint!

However, the museum was really too crowded, which really bummed me out. Art is hardly worth looking at if you have so many heads to look through. But, what can you do, I guess.