Sam, Paul and Siun are coming to visit us in Amsterdam in April for a weekend so we're all looking forward to that. I am busy sourcing a decent sling that I can use to transport Joe in for our next visit, those stairs are a killer. No trip to Amsterdam for us however until my new passport arrives whenever that may be. I had to have my photo taken twice before they would accept it and then had to pay seventy three quid for the privilege! It better come soon that's all I can say.

Joe relaxes in Amsterdam

We did have a great week last week. I've managed to upload some photos. Here Joe proved himself to be a true Haines - reclining on the sofa in front of the TV with the remote control.

I'll add some more photos later. Miss you both. X

Big News Chez Stewarty!

Fantastic news. Orla Francesca was born on Saturday 17th February! Congratulations to Paul and Susannah, we look forward to seeing the photos.

It was Valentine's Day yesterday, not that you'd really notice here - none of the hysteria that you see in London. Joe and I went to the Anne Frank Huis in the morning in the vain hope of avoiding the crowds. The annexe that the family hid in has not been changed since the Nazi raid and it really is worth a visit despite the queues. I just about managed to haul Joe up and down the extremely steep steps. Anne's original diary is on display in a glass cabinet so that you can see her handwriting, deeply moving. After that we needed some light hearted relief so headed down to the Bloemenmarkt to see some tulips, via the four canals and saw the sights. Horrible weather though so we, I say we, I mean I was completely soaked by the time we arrived home.
Simon, the old romantic, had arranged for Christophe's to deliver dinner to us in the flat after Joe went to bed - truly delicious! I had pork cheek with a fennel and mint risotto, followed by a lemon and ouefs a la neige dessert. I can't even remember what Simon had but he's just given them their plates back!

Weather was glorious today, clear blue skies and sunglasses needed. We had a stroll around, popped into a fabulous chocolatier to buy a present for Anne Marie who's hopefully been feeding Astro! Amsterdam is certainly not the most child friendly place to visit. Bicycles seem to have priority over even humans so walking along the pavement can be a bit of an obstacle course. Not much baby changing facilities, also everybody smokes here and there are no No Smoking areas anywhere! It will be nice to be able to leave things behind in the flat for our next visit, so our bags should be much lighter on the way back. Very early flight tomorrow morning so hope that taxi arrives on time!

Must also apply for a new passport tomorrow as mine runs out - Simon noticed on the way to the airport on Sunday!

Amsterdam fun

Hello! A rare post from me. As Niamh says, it's lovely here. Yesterday morning I felt so lucky when I actually saw Niamh and Joe for a few minutes before going to work - and I was home in time to have dinner with them and bath Joe & put him to bed. I'm sure for 90% of people that is a standard day, but it was a treat for me.

Amsterdam hightlights: the beautiful architecture, the canals and bridges, our lovely apartment (not the stairs), friendly people, some great bars (ahem, allegedly), and good food. Good touch wood.

Will try to take some photos tomorrow!

PS if you're reading this and you fancy a visit..... get in touch :-)
S

Amsterdam adventures

Joe and I have been exploring Amsterdam while Simon's at work. We have a great cafe next door that does lovely food and drink all day and evening so we've been keeping them in business! Our flat is in a lovely area, with lots of galleries, cafes, boutiques and museums. It's a lovely area to wander about in day or night, as long as you keep your eye on the millions of cyclists. I haven't come across a nicer area to live in in the city centre so far. Because we're surrounded by canals there's very little traffic noise and most of the tourists heading to the Anne Frank House must go by another route.

Amsterdam seems to have a museum for everything - theatre, cats, tulips, marijuana, sex, neon signs .... the list goes on!! Today while we were on our travels we bumped into a heron standing on the pavement looking in the window of a house! We had to go round him in the end as he wouldn't move! Joe's also enjoyed watching the horses and boats from our huge windows as well as the horses we've bumped into. I'm not sure how friendly the Dutch are in Amsterdam but having a baby with you has meant that people have been very kind, just this evening a man spent half an hour making Joe laugh while Simon and I had a lovely dinner. Although the Dutch aren't renowned for their cuisine I've eaten some lovely food, the other night we had great pancakes at a place round the corner, even Joe liked them! Everybody here speaks perfect English too so that's one less hurdle for me!

The stairs to our flat are quite a marathon though and very steep, I have to stop at least twice to get my breath back while lugging a bag and baby. The front door onto the street is very heavy and the hall is quite small so every morning you see me juggling Joe, bags, coats and a pushchair. Simon is going to start work late tomorrow so we're all going to have breakfast together locally.

Amsterdam here we come...

So here we are in Amsterdam! We arrived this afternoon and have made ourselves at home in our new flat. We've decided to keep it on for as long as Simon work's here so that we have a proper base here. We are just around the corner from the Anne Frank House, overlooking one of the canals. Our flat is above Christophe an astronomically expensive Michelin starred restaurant and belongs to the restaurant owner. We are on the third floor, in a large open plan two-bedroomed flat. Joe and I will be exploring tomorrow after breakfast with Simon before he goes to work. First impressions are very good, it's very pretty in our area, with lots of lovely cafe's, shops and museums. I'm not sure if I'll do the Anne Frank House this visit as there are lots of very steep stairs and I think I'll wait for Simon to give me a hand getting Joe up and down those. So if you're ever in Amsterdam be sure to let us know!

Thank you to Andy and Aine for their babysitting services last night that allowed us to go to Claire's 30th birthday party at the very swanky Bingham in Richmond. We had a lovely time and were very pleased to be invited to Claire and Keith's wedding in Majorca next summer too!

Joe at the movies

Joe and I went to see Dreamgirls today at the cinema in Richmond. Joe seemed to love it whenever Eddie Murphy sang, less impressed with the ballads though! Thank God Simon didn't come to see it I think he would have hated it. Must brainwash Joe into liking musicals so that I always have someone to go to them with!

Singing Hands

Joe and I were at our third baby signing lesson today. I feel like the thicky of the class, mixing up my right and left hand and probably saying something completely different! Joe really enjoys it, they teach us the signs by using songs and there's lots of baby participation, including a few punch ups over who gets to hold that song's cuddly toy! All lots of fun for Mummy.

I met my boss Sharon for a lovely lunch on Monday at Giraffe on the South Bank. Her daughter Eloise came too wearing a very dapper hat, wish I'd taken a photo.

Mr Ibbs has set up a new blog so I'll put the address at the side. Inspired by him I am also compiling a photo album on Flickr for more photos as we have thousands! As soon as it's ready I'll put a link at the side.