Truth is stranger than fiction

It sounds like a movie plot...."In a world of ice, the earth's core struggles to break free."

When I found out there was an erupting volcano in Iceland shutting down airports across Europe, I couldn't believe it! Seriously, I laughed and told Aaron to quit pulling my leg. I mean, Iceland - the land of Ice for crying out loud. Then I thought about my parents upcoming trip to visit us on April 29. hmmm.....

"Mom," I said, "I think you should get some trip insurance."

Wow, I mean, something is up Mother Nature's butt. Earthquakes, tsunamis, erupting volcanos that show no signs of slowing down......you would have thought that she was mad about something....not the hundreds of years of abuse we've been pouring on her, no that can't be it....

So keep your fingers crossed that everything settles down in two weeks, because this baby is coming and I would like my parents to be here!

Two weeks?!!! That's crazy! I'm ready but I'm not ready, if you know what I mean. We just now got a changing table together. I went to the Netherlands version of Goodwill today and grabbed a bunch of baby toys (half off today - woo hoo!) because I'm starting to panic. You would think I've never done this before. Deep breaths, deep breaths, it will all be okay.

At least I know what I don't want, thank you Mr. Miles. Sorry you bore the brunt of our floundering, inexperienced first-time parenting efforts. As first-born, you will continue to be our experiment, letting us figure out by trial and error what works and what doesn't. Maybe that's part of why we are having a second - proving we know what we're doing......of course this one's a girl and probably completely different. oh well. At least I know how to swaddle.

In other news, spring has finally sprung! We have had not one, not two but 6 whole days of sunshine and good weather! Cold weather, but sunny. My apartment is protected from the wind and I have been fooled several times

this week in going out without my coat and suffering the consequences. The last time I ran to the charity store (think I go there a lot?) on the way to pick up Miles from school and had to buy another coat just to cope! Good thing it fit, because I only had time to try one!

But we're so used to the rain here that it took a couple of days of sun blaring down on my face that I remembered, oh yeah, sunscreen would be good now.

But after a very dark, depressing winter, the sun feels so good, it's hard to not be outside when we can. Digging in our "garden" - very small backyard - parks, visits to the beach: Oh right, this is the upside to living in Holland! That and no mosquitoes, thank the lord and halleluia!

Miles was born in July, and he spent most of his first 4 months naked. It is damn hot in Texas. I am grateful that this summer, baby sister will have milder weather and be able to breathe outside without a lung collapsing from the heat! Last summer was gorgeous here, so keep your fingers crossed (and your jealousy to yourself), that this summer will be as good! If it's too hot in Texas, we have a very comfortable couch open to all visitors!

I'll keep you posted on any baby developments, but in the meantime, I hope all friends and family are happy and healthy!

Love

Nicole

PS - Ya think we like taking pictures with our Iphone now? Hipstamatic application rocks! And no, I did not swallow a watermelon in the top picture.