The world's greatest blogger!!

Man I suck at this! Between Sofia and Flickr and Facebook I'm having electronic update overload....

So, since we're heading back in a couple weeks anyway I'll be discontinuing the blog. The links for flickr will still work and we're creating a site for little Sofia for those of you that are interested.

Both I and Nadirah are on Facebook as well if you're into that sort of thing.

Anway, looking foward to seeing all of you on our return!

Sofia Is Here!

We are exhausted and ecstatic - we have been blessed with a beautiful daughter named Sofia Imani Jackman. She arrived on 25 March 2008 - and didn't want to come out quickly either :)

She is still figuring out how to cry, thank god, but is already markedly alert and following conversations with her eyes. We once more have discovered more to love about this country, as I'm not sure what we would do without the "kraamzorg" - a full time nurse for 6 hours a day who teaches, cleans and cooks. She's made the entire process easier and we can actually get some sleep while she's here.

I've taken the week off, but I can't believe it's already over - I don't want to leave Sofia alone for 2 minutes let alone 9 hours a day....

Can't wait to introduce all of you to her.

Babies Need a Lot of Junk!

Well, we've been really busy gathering all our "baby stuff". We thought this activity would consist of grabbing some diapers and onesies - apparently you need to outfit a small army in order to prepare for the bundle of terror!

I didn't even know there was such a thing as a "booger sucker". I get the impression we're going to get over any fear of bodily fluids fairly quickly.

So, we're getting more excited and of course really nervous!

One Lazy Blogger

Well, as you can see I took a break as we've had guests in and out for the last month.

Had a great Christmas here in Amsterdam, got our first Christmas tree and we even had some "snow". It was essentially some mist that froze on to all the trees overnight - was beautiful.

Nadirah's brother was hanging out with us for a couple weeks and we took the opportunity to head to Dussledorf/Cologne for one weekend and Berlin for New Year's weekend. There are these wonderful little Chirstmas Markets in every town in Germany. Filled with glass blowers, ornaments, food and tons on wonderul drink like spiced wine - they were beautiful ways to spend the afternoon. It's probably our last trip for a while, as the soon-to-be mom is starting to have trouble with walking around aimlessly.

We miss you all and hope everyone had a great holiday!

The Long Arm of the Law

Well, the only thing more embarrassing than being pulled over in a car, is being pulled over on your bicycle!


I am officially the laughing stock of my office after being handed a EU50 ticket for running a red light on my bicycle. Apparently it's a "do as they say, not as they do" sort of thing - I pretty much have learned to copy the Dutch on my ride to work. So - looking both ways carefully and then crossing is not okay, you have to ride like a car....Learn something new every day.


He asked me if I had a reason for running the light, he didn't think "being an idiot" was a valid reason.

Tuscany

It was so romantic - just like my favorite movie "Under a Tuscan Sun". Okay I'd never actually watch that, but we did spend a nice 3 days in Florence with day trips into the countryside to Siena and the hilltown of Cortona. Finished things up with a couple days in Vienna.

I got way too far behind on this post - but all the photos have been loaded to our flickr page (see the link on the right)

Oooh Pretty - Cinque Terra

I did not want to leave this place - despite being packed with proportionally more tourist than even Rome, it was absolutely beautiful and you still managed to feel like you had some personal quiet time. The locals were great, with one laughing as he watched me wander from restaurant to restaurant before asking if I needed a room...


Nadirah managed to put away enough seafood to keep her going for at least a couple months - and the days were filled with hiking, sunning, and swimming. My kind of vacation. The 5 towns lining the coast each had their own personality, I think we got lucky and stayed in one of the best in Vernazza.

Couldn't recommend this place enough, a real spot to feel at peace.