Amsterdam Trip

At the end of March, we went for a 4 day trip to Amsterdam. It was Maria's FIRST flight, train trip, boat trip, bus trip, tram trip and underground trip. She was very good and we all had a great time.

We had a very nice weather that allowed us to walk and visit different places. One of the nicest place and a main tourist attraction was Keukenhof Gardens, where we spent one day. We also visited the centre of the city and were entertained by the Scottish supporters who came to cheer for their team when playing against the Dutch. They were very nice and funny, but also very drunk... In the last day, we went for the Heineken Experience. It was quite cool! All in one, our trip was a successful one and very relaxing and nice.

Ready for the tram/underground trip in Overamstel Station

In Keukenhof Gardens

On the stepping stones

Late in the afternoon, the gardens were almost people free

Some of the tulips that were already bloomed

Let's have a rest

Nice reflection

Big feet!Looking at daddy and listening to him

Maria seemed to enjoy a lot the flowers. Her favourites were the orchids.

On the river cruise with daddy

and with mummy
Me and a Scott in kilt
Scottish group celebrating (before the game)... (Holland beat them 3-0), but I guess they didn't really care as they had a good time
Let's have a beer, daddy!
Daddy's little princess

Friends visits and working in the garden

Maria has two very good friends: Ben and Sam. They visit us often and we like to play on the play mat or test the new additions, such as the Bumbo seat. Here are some pics with Maria and her friends.

Ben and Maria doing their tummy exercise and encouraging each other

After a minute.. almost giving up, getting tired of this

Sam having a chat with Maria
We moved in the living room, as it was too sunny for good pictures

Moving on to the Bumbo seat

"Daddy is home! Yeah!!"I have my time with daddy

Last weekend Will finished the garden and the two green houses. Now the veggie patches are ready and the seeds will be planted soon. Our daffodils give a bit of colour to our garden. They are really beautiful.

The 2 greens houses made by Will and Peter next to the last of the 4 vegetable patches

My Birthday and Wales

On my birthday, Will took a day off and prepared a special sushi meal for me. He did great and we enjoyed a sushi birthday dinner with my husband and our little baby. Very nice surprise. Thank you, baby!

Yummy sushi! Maria enjoyed them a day later, too.The weekend after my birthday we went to visit our friends Corina, Eric and Jamie in Wales. We had a very nice time, went geocaching and celebrated Eric's 5th birthday.

Needed a break, as Maria was hungry...

Happy Birthday, Eric!

Let's sing Happy Birthday!

Maria on our first visit to Wales
"Come on, Daddy, let me play with Eric's balloon!"
"Okey, dokey, can you hold the balloon?"
"I can surely do!"

Back to England and more geocaching with Maria and Daddy

Anniversary and Martisor

1st of March is officially the first day of spring. In Romania, there is a special tradition of offering to the dear ones a nice amulet, called "Mărţişor". The name of Mărţişor is the diminutive of March (in Romanian: Martie) and consists of a small decoration like a flower, an animal, a heart, tied to a red and white string. There are multiple symbols in this gift, but all of them have the main characteristics of revival, sensibility and love. The gift is considered to bring good luck and wealth. Some consider the red as the symbol of the spring, and the white for winter because the tradition takes place right between the two seasons. People wear it on their coats or blouses for at least the first 8 days of March and some of them for the whole month.
1st of March is also our marriage anniversary and it's our second one this year. Here some pictures from the previous two years:

1 March 2007 - Brighton

1 March 2008 - Chandler's Ford

1 March 2009 - Chandler's Ford - with our little girl, Maria Emma

Here are some pictures of Maria at 3months: