Feeling Thankful

The holiday season is officially upon us. The streets of Amsterdam are decorated with festive lights and the people of Facebook have been counting down the days until Thanksgiving with their days of thankfulness. I will not be posting a daily blurb about what I am thankful for but I have been counting my blessings these last few months so will dedicate today's post to a few of the things that I am thankful for.

1. Top of my list today, of course, is for my little Enzo James. This week marked 7 weeks and has already brought so much happiness and love into my life. I'm thankful for the little smiles that he now gives me when I go to pick him up, for his sweet cheeks that I want to kiss every time I see them, for his 10 fingers and 10 toes that he is starting to discover on his own, and for showing me a love beyond anything I could have previously imagined.

Someone is finally starting to enjoy the after bath ritual as much as the bath.

 

This little one is growing faster than I can count. Last week he weighed 13 pounds and is growing in length too!

A close up of my little sleeper.

Those are those cheeks that I'm talking about. Love. 

Trying to capture those toes is a little more difficult. But you get the picture. This little piggy...

You looking at me? Yoga with mommy.

All this activity makes me sleepy.

2. Speaking of love, I am thankful for my husband, love of my life, and father to our son that has helped make our family feel so complete. I'm thankful for a partner that challenges me and supports me fully. I love that he is my Z to my A and that while we often see things so differently, this is what makes our lives that much fuller. I love that we still have fun together and I couldn't ask for a better travel buddy, foodie restaurant critic, and comforting shoulder to lean on. I'm thankful that we have been given the opportunity to live abroad and that he works so hard to give me the chance to devote my undivided attention to our son and being a good wife.

Latest family photo. We ran into our neighbor while walking through Vondelpark and he was kind enough to snap a quick photo.

3. We would never be able to live abroad without the support from our family. I am thankful that I have a family that has supported me in life as I have spread my wings and taken flight. While we may not get to see or talk to each other daily, there is not a day that goes by without them passing through my thoughts. I'm thankful for my nieces that are so full of surprises and make me smile every time I see them. I love going back to Nebraska to a full house of craziness. Here in the Netherlands they would say it's "gezellig". I can't wait to to go back this holiday season and introduce Enzo to the family. Between my family and Felipe's family, this boy is going to be loved like no other. It makes my heart happy. I'm also thankful that this Thanksgiving our in-laws are able to travel this way to spend the holiday with us. I look forward to spending time hanging out, drinking some good wine, and finally introducing Enzo to his Auntie Camila.

4. You are born into a family, however, I always think of my friends as the family that I have chosen. I am so very thankful for my chosen "family". I'm thankful to have so many amazing people that I have been able to keep in touch with, even as I have jumped around from place to place. I love being able to pick up the phone, make a visit, or send a string of emails and be reminded why that special person has chosen to stick with me through my bouncing around. I have such a varied group of individuals that make up my circle. I love the crazies that will dance with me into the wee hours of the night, the foodies that will geek out to different recipes and restaurants with me, the winos that have spent more hours in the Napa sun than I can count, the creatives that continue to inspire me and make me strive to be a better designer/crafter/artist, and the runners that talk me into continuing to push myself-if someone would of told me 10 years ago that I would have a few half marathons under my belt I would have laughed and now I'm trying to figure out when and where my next one will be. All of you-big hugs from Amsterdam. I love you all.

5. Because this is so very much part of my present situation, I am so very thankful for the network that I have found so quickly upon moving to Amsterdam. I have made friends that have made being away from family and "family" doable. From my museum/coffee buddy that has helped me out when Felipe was out of town to my other new moms that give me a place to exchange stories and know that what I am going through with Enzo is "normal" and much needed adult conversation while Felipe is at work. I look forward to our walks in the park, coffees, and lunches.

6. Moving on from the people that I am thankful for, I'm thankful for living in a city with such cool architecture and parks that provide loads of inspiration. I love walking through Vondelpark with all of the different cool trees and right now it is especially beautiful with the different colored leaves. I can't wait to show Enzo this cool city and also introduce him to this big beautiful world that we live in.

7. One last one (marking 7 weeks of my little one), I am so thankful that my family and I are all healthy. It is often easy to take for granted a clean bill of health but life is full of surprises and there are so many people out there that are handed an unfair hand of cards. We are lucky and I am grateful for that.

Life with Enzo

My apologies in advance. First, I have not posted in a really long time and, secondly, this post will most likely be all over the place. Such is life with a baby. On October 1st, 2013, we welcomed Enzo James into this world at 8:17AM. I was a little worried about the experience since it ended up being a planned cesarean, but I couldn't of asked for a better way to welcome my sweet boy into this world. We delivered at St. Lucas Andreas via a "gentle cesarean" and the doctors and nurses were amazing. They talked me through the whole thing and when it was time to bring Enzo out, a green cloth was dropped and I was able to watch the doctor bring Enzo into this world. He would of liked to stay in there a little bit longer because as they were pulling, he was pulling in the opposite direction to get back in. Once out, they brought him to my face so I could meet him. It was magical, puffy face and all, he was the most perfect baby I had ever seen.

First look.

The pediatrician then took him, along with Felipe, to check out his vital signs and then brought him back to me while they continued to "seal" me up. Once they laid him on my chest, we didn't exactly have the "look into my eyes" bonding moment. The bright light from the other side of the curtain caught Enzo's attention and he was set on focusing in on that-probably wondering how he could get back to his warm cozy place. We spent 3 days in the hospital before we were released to come home. I think they would of liked to keep me a 4th day but I was done with the hospital room. All of the nurses and staff were wonderful but on the second night I had a roommate. I knew that I would probably be getting a roommate and was lucky to have the first night to myself. My roommate was super nice and actually had some good tips as this was her second baby but this made the night a bit stressful since I was scared that I or Enzo would wake her or her baby up. My room was also furthest from the window so lack of natural sunlight started to get to me as well. I could go on, but the bottom line is that I was ready to get home and be a family. Update-I just tried to post and lost everything but the above paragraph. Below is the abbreviated version of an entry that has been a week in the making and today Enzo turned 1 month. Hopefully, I will get this out before the end of the day.

Traditional Dutch treat. Champagne, beschuit met muisjes, and some fruit to celebrate

 Enzo sleeping peacefully in his "day of birth" outfit. I had not been told that the tradition here is to put your baby in a special outfit the day he is born so that he will look his best for visitors. Since I did not know this, and didn't have many visitors, this little green and white onesie had to do. 

Mommy, Daddy, and Enzo ready to go home.

One of the best things about having a baby in the Netherlands is the Kraamzorg. The Kraamzorg is a nurse that that specializes in helping the mother and newborn in the first week and is part of the standard health care system here in the Netherlands. Within an hour of arriving home the Kraamzorg came. Frankly, I don't know how mothers survive that first week without her. Her advice was invaluable and she was very strict to make sure that I was getting the rest I needed to recover. From the moment she walked in, after we discussed what to expect, she got busy making up Enzo's bed, cleaning bathrooms, and vacuuming. The first week, I also had the midwife visit us twice for check-ups and the consultatie bureau came to our house for the hearing test and heel prick.

 Machine used for hearing test. He passed!!

The heel prick. He was a total trooper and didn't cry.

Enzo also has gotten to meet all of his grandparents. He has been completely spoiled and we are adjusting to life without the extra set of hands.

Nonna and Enzo.

 Grandma and Enzo

Enzo getting some Vitamin D

He's getting more and more alert. 

3 generations of Zardo men. Enzo, Nonno, and Daddy

As I mentioned earlier, Enzo turned a month today. The time has flown and I can hardly believe we've had this little love that long but also don't really remember the days before he came into our lives. So far, he loves baths but hates the part where you have to get out, dry off, and get dressed. I don't blame him because I don't really like that part either. He loves looking out the window, walks outside in the pram and even more so being carried in the Ergo Baby Carrier, being cuddled, and eating. He had his month check up on Thursday and everything looked good. He now weighs 11 pounds and is 23 inches long. Needless to say, all newborn clothes have been packed away.

Enzo's first bath

Introducing him to Scrabble at a young age.