To Rotterdam

I was told Rotterdam would be a good place to visit and its only 30 minutes by train, so we decided to give it a go. The city is quite different than the rest of the Netherlands because so much of it was destroyed in WWII. There was hardly any old architecture to speak of and the pictures below show it as much more of a modern city.

After a comedy of errors (missing train, cancelled train, failed bartering with taxis over 5 euro savings and subsequent 45 minute walk) we made it to the promised land of the Euromast. As you can see, it is pretty much nightfall at this point, but we spent the fee to go up a glorified Space Needle. The view was great, but we had no idea what we were looking at.

By the time we made it down, we had enough time for another 45 minute walk back to the train station and a single beer pit stop downtown. It truly was a trip to "check one off the list." Oh well, it was an adventure, if nothing else. Below are some photos from the Euromast.

28 weeks - a.k.a. the third trimester!!!

I was hoping to get a bit more of an exciting 28 week shot considering we're in Europe, but this will have to do...please note the beautiful artwork on display in the Utrecht flat...priceless, absolutely priceless ; )

Little Man:

Length: ~14.8"

Weight: ~2.2 lbs.

I haven't really been keeping up with my normal workout routine since I've been over here, but I'm hoping all my walks exploring Utrecht, etc., are keeping me and Little Man somewhat healthy!

Em's thoughts on Amsterdam...

I had the opportunity to gchat with Kate a bit last night but wanted to let you all know I arrived safe and sound (obviously). We had a fabulous/exhausting weekend in Amsterdam (probably the most exhausting aspect was trying to constantly hold my breath to avoid 2nd hand smoke (both from cigarettes and from pot))!

It was a great experience overall with TONS of walking and exploring, but I think I can definitely cross Amsterdam off of my list - Drew and I agree, probably no reason to ever really go back. While it was gorgeous, there's a reason why Amsterdam is the #1 destination in Europe for bachelor and bachelorette parties! I felt old there...very, very old... I imagine if I had been able to sit and enjoy a glass of wine, or 2 or 3, at one of the endless number of sidewalk cafes, I would have enjoyed it more. Just doesn't seem the same ordering water and people watching....

Much love!

Em

Amsterdam

Emily made it in at 2pm Netherlands time and we went right to work being tourists. She was a trooper, as I was half expecting her to need a nap. We hopped a train to central Amsterdam and took a 30 minute walk to our hotel through the tourist area. It was rather interesting with lots of stag parties and characters running around. Below are some pictures of around the town.

A barge converted into a house boat with a cool urban garden on top.

Busy canal.

The Pedal Saloon. I've seen these before and they look pretty awesome. One guy up front drives, the other dozen guys sit at a bar and provide pedal power. There's a keg in the middle. Great way to see Amsterdam. Bathroom breaks might prove a problem though.

Our hotel is off on the right, the big brick near the back. The tower to the left is the Munt Tower.

Here is the Rijksmusem, which we visited. It's closed for renovation but they put all of the most famous pieces into 15 rooms, so we got the annotated version, which was great. Rembrandt and a few other famous artists are supposedly the highlights, but I couldn't have picked anything out. It was a good place to visit overall though, with lots of 17th century artifacts.

We had to go to the Heineken Experience which is the original Heineken factory that they've turned into a a tourist trap. I've never paid so much for beer and advertisements, but it was a pretty good experience. Especially since I got to drink Emily's samples! Here she is at one of the many stops. Where we learned to "appreciate" a beer properly.

Here is where I learned to make the perfect pour.

And here we are back in Utrecht. We had dinner on one of the canals and it was packed out.

Here's the canal right before we left. That's all for now. Spending the week in Utrecht and then off to Prague for the weekend.

Around Utrecht

Here are some photos from my first trip around Utrecht on Sunday. I rented a bicycle for the month (photo to come later, you will be jealous) and headed out to find the only supermarket open on Sunday. I had drawn a path on a tourist map, but promptly got lost (I also left the map at home). Luckily the phone I was given has googlemaps, so I biked and GPS'd my way to the Albert Heijn. Here are some pictures from my trip.

Interesting bridge off in the distance

Some buildings along the canal I biked

Picture of the canal with some people driving a "water bike"

Man taking his child somewhere. I've seen as many as three kids on one bike. One up front, two in back. And the man driving was in a full suit, so its not necessarily a poverty thing. Just standard culture.

Waiting for the rain to subside, I stopped by a cafe for a beer.

27 weeks

3 months from today Little Man is due.  It's funny, it seems so far away until I really think about it - with all the holidays and plans we have, I have a feeling these last three months are going to fly by!

My energy level has definitely taken a turn for the worse this week... I swear it feels as though Little Man gained 5 lbs. in the last couple days!  Oh well, just preparation for the real exhaustion when we finally actually have him, right? : )

This week:

Weight: slightly less than 2 lbs.

Length: ~14.4" from head to toe

Hope everyone is having a great week thus far!

2nd Anniversary

Well, it's officially been 2 years since the big day out at Sahalee.  It's a bit strange having Drew on the other side of the world today, but at least we have this weekend to look forward to!  Not many people can say they're in Europe for their 2 year anniversary / babymoon : )

Love you, Drew,

Em

updated living room

Within the first 6 months or so of us buying our home, Drew and I decided the living room/dining room needed to be updated with a new paint color.  We went with a color we thought would be a nice neutral beige - instead, depending on what time of day you were in the room, the color was either a pleasant beige or a prison grey.  We decided immediately we needed to repaint.  Well, this weekend, a mere 3 years later, I decided it was officially time.  I must say I am very excited about the results - I find the room very calming and welcoming.  I'm going to wait for Drew's help to touch up the baseboards, etc., but for the most part we can cross this project off our to do list!

Not to state the obvious, but here are some shots of the old color...

 And, here are some updated photos....

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Antwerp

Below are some pictures from my trip to Antwerp. It was about a two hour train ride south of Utrecht so pretty easy. The city is known as the center of the diamond universe. I went to a few diamond stores to see if maybe I could find a gift, but apparently being the center of the diamond universe means prices are absurd. Diamonds are much cheaper in the states, at least compared to the places I saw.

I did go to the diamond museum, walked the meir (outdoor mall), visited the wharf, spent a few hours at the modern art and history museum and, most importantly, stopped by a few pubs for mid trip Belgian beers. Overall a great trip and got lots of good photos. Here is a sampling.

Here is the interior of the Antwerp train station, which had three decks of tracks. Pretty incredible place. I do not know these two people interrupting my shot.

Outside the train station.

The Meir. Lots of American shops which was funny to me. Plenty of other stores though and things happening. Picked up a Belgian Waffle on the street for 2 euro.

A lot of the buildings were very old style, like these on the left. But then you had new ones sitting right next to them. They have done a pretty nice job of incorporating the old and new though.

This is the modern art and history museum. A little Antwerp history and lots of other interesting exhibits.

View from the top.

Random guy sitting on an exhibit having a coughing fit. There were chairs no less than 10 meters away.

There was a whole section to ships. I know Jason would've enjoyed seeing these. Lots of very impressive models. Antwerp has a huge port system and maritime history.

A castle.

A church

Inside one of the shopping areas off of the meir. I bought some chocolate in here. Kind of like going to Napa and buying wine at the 7-11.

Apartment in Utrecht

Here are some pictures of the apartment I'll be living in for the next 4 weeks.  Its actually pretty nice.  A 5 minute walk from my office and in a nice little low rise apartment neighborhood.  Its 1100 square feet with 3 bedrooms.  The only real issue is the stairs.  As you will see in the pictures, they are incredibly steep. 

Living room on the second floor 

Kitchen (refridge is in the cabinet on the right)

View from the back deck into my neighbors back decks.

 Looking at the dining room from the living room

Stairs up to the third floor

Stairs going to the street 

Stairs looking down from the third floor.  Is the hand rail on the right even necessary?  If I had a protracter, I'm guessing it would measure at an 80 degree angle.

View out of one of the back bedrooms. 

My bed.  Yes, two twin beds on a queen frame.  I opted to make one half.

My mess.  And less than 24 hours of living there.

Bathroom.  Washing machine next to the shower.  No dryer!