I'm a big girl!

Even though she doesn't eat in it and we only use it for playing, MJ loves her new high chair that grandma and papa gave her!....

Merry Christmas!!

Here are some pictures from MJ's first Christmas. Pretty small this year considering 1) she has no idea what's going on, 2) Daddy is in Qatar, 3) No Christmas tree up this year because Mark Jan didn't get it out of the attic before he left and I can't get up there because I'm a shorty (this is mostly my fault because I didn't tell him to get it down when he asked me and I wasn't paying attention! haha).

She can hold her head up pretty well when she wants to. But in these pictures, she wasn't really in the mood and therefore looks like a little lump in my lap. Still adorable if you ask me though. All in all it was a very merry Christmas because I got just what I wanted...MJ!!

MJ with some of her presents...

MJ better like Nijntje the bunny because she has so much of this stuff already!....

Some yummy blocks that make noise that MJ will no doubt put in her mouth....

Merry Christmas MJ and mommy!....

Look at me in my Christmas outfit (which is basically a little sack she fits in...so cute!)

December 5th and Sinter Klaas

Tomorrows Upcoming December 5th Holiday

December 5th is a holiday celebrated in Holland. It is the birthday of Saint Nicholas AKA Sinter Klaas (what our Santa Claus is based on). He is the ex bishop of Turkey who lives in Spain and has "helpers" named Zwarte Piet (Black Pete). About 2 weeks prior to December 5th, Sinter Klaas comes to Holland on a steam boat. When the official Sinter Klaas appears by boat in that years designated town, a few hours after that the other towns in Holland have their own Sinter Klaas making appearances (like we have Santa Claus in the malls). The official Sinter Klaas has been played by the same man for the last 30 years or so. The Zwarte Piets are also played by well known actors. It is then that the childeren of Holland put their shoes by the door to await presents from him (this is during the 2 weeks before December 5th). In the shoe they must leave something for the horse of Sinter Klaas, such as a carrot. In return they will receive a small gift such as candy or a small toy. Then on the evening of December 5th the children will receive more toys. Usually the mom or dad will distract the kids while the other parent or a neighbor will put the presents outside the front door and bang on the window or door to let the kids know that Sinter Klaas has been there.

For you Americans reading this story, I know it sounds bizarre but I assure you it is totally accurate and dutch people take it pretty seriously. We will be introducing Sinter Klaas and Santa Claus to MJ.

Here's hoping everyone has a lovely December 5th!

Below is a picture of a couple Sinter Klaas and Zwarte Piet chocolate statues given to MJ from her Oma and Opa.

2 Months old and still going strong!

Well hello everyone. Sorry for taking so long to update the blog. I've had numerous requests for new pics and updated info, so here it is...

Little MJ is 2 months old today (9 weeks tomorrow). She's getting cuter and cuter every day! See for yourself...

Today we went to the doctor and got her 2 month shots. She took it better than I thought. Of course she screamed, but dad had her calmed down in a couple minutes. She is now 11 3/4 pounds (75th percentile) and 23 3/4 inches long (90th percentile). To us she's still a tiny tiny girl as you can see her here in our king size bed hanging out while mommy cleans.

Overall, MJ is loving life and she is a very good girl. She hardly cries and usually sleeps when she's supposed to. When she's not sleeping she's hanging out with mom or dad in our lap, or in the bouncer or swing entertaining herself. She loves to play with her tongue and sticks it out constantly. I hardly have pics where her tongue isn't sticking out!

She loves bath time. She is still in the mini baby bath tub on the counter top. It will be a little while before she gets into the big tub. I think Mark Jan enjoys bath time more than she does! He loves sticking her hair up all crazy and he says she looks like Einstein when he does it...

And whoever invented those towels with the little hoods gets my applause because they are just so dang cute I can hardly take it!!

Another one of the latest developments is she is now "talking" to us. The books call it cooing. I call it just plain adorable. The sound that comes out and the faces she makes while she's talking.

I guess other than that she's just having a good time hanging out with family..

With dad in the baby bjorn:

Sleeping with Oma:

Hanging with Papa:

And here is one pic I just thought was funny. Sometimes the flash freaks her out and her eyes get real big. That's what's happened in this pic. hehe

So hopefully this post has made up for the insanely long time without any entries/pics. And as a bonus here are a couple of short short videos

Here is a little clip of our own personal "bobble head" MJ.







Click below to hear our little one "talking".

Happy Halloween

Pumpkin time! MJ's first halloween!

Recent pics from week 4 of MJ's life!

Look at my new belly button!!! I lost my umbilical cord stump!

Hanging out with Mommy

Sometimes I like my swing

Uncle Rolf trying to keep me from crying

She smiles!

MJ smiles all the time now. check it out....

MJ's first video

Here's a little video so everyone can see MJ in action...

More Pictures of MJ

Asleep with daddy

Resting with Papa

With Lisa's cousin Krystie

With Aunt Darlene

First bath (she didn't like that too much)

Second bath (much better)

First Tummy Time

MJ is here!

The much anticipated pictures of Mijke Jospehine:

Born: October 2nd 2007, Houston Texas

Time: 1:11 pm

Weight: 7 pounds 11 3/4 oz (3496 grams)

Length: 20 1/2" (52 cm)

Hair: not blond (yet?)

Fans: 2 (see pictures below)

Our baby girl this week - 39 WEEKS

From Babycenter.com....

"He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath."

Well we are one week away officialy. We have a doctor's appointment today. Hopefully she can work some magic and help nudge our little girl along so we don't have to wait until Monday. Mark Jan is still calm as ever but I'm becoming more and more impatient/nervous each day. I'm so ready to hold her and play with her I can barely stand it. Let's hope I have some energy to do so! I fell asleep in my car this morning in the parking lot at work. I hope I can make it the rest of the day even. This little girl is sucking it all out of me. Cross your fingers she comes soon, and pray that she is born happy and healthy!

Here is a pic of what our baby might look like at this point in the pregnancy.

Our baby girl this week - 38 WEEKS

From Babycenter.com....

"Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs between 6 and 7 1/2 pounds (boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls), and she's nearly 20 inches long. She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old."

Ok little girl, it's time to come out already!!!!! Doctor appointment on Thursday, we'll see what's going on then.

Here is a pic of what our baby might look like at this point in the pregnancy.

Latest Update - ALMOST THERE

Ok everyone, we're almost there. we are 37 and a half weeks so that means 2 and a half weeks to go. At least that's the longest we'll have to wait. She could come early you know (fingers crossed. hehe). So we went to the doc on Thursday (yesterday) and she said everything looks great and we're ready to go that its just time to wait now. or as she said "hurry up and wait".

Yesterday evening Mark Jan and I went shopping at the baby store to get all the rest of the things we need for little ______. Now we just have to organize and put things together and we'll be all ready for her. At least that's what we're telling ourselves. I'm sure no one is completely ready for what is about to happen. As EVERYONE has told us frequently, our lives are about to completely change (even though Mark Jan thinks "it can't be that bad right?" Well it's not like I've been through this before but I think he'll be in for a surprise. hahaha.

As far as what else we're doing, the usual things. I'm takin it easy, when I'm not nesting (cleaning frenzie much!!). And Mark Jan is back into his usual role as handy man fixing this and installing that juggling a million projects at once and still doing a fantastic job on each and every one. He's mainly focusing on stuff that will affect the baby now. Like putting up a window shade in her room, and the valance. I'm sure he'll be back on the entertainment center and stuff like that in no time.

Well I guess that's about all for now. We'll send out an email when the baby is born, and for those of you that have asked, we'll call you if we can when i go into labor. so till then, start preparing yourselves for mark and lisa to change to mark, lisa, and baby (name to be stated after she's born for those of you who requested to not know!)

Lisa and Mark Jan

Belly, Belly, and more Belly

Sep 8, 2007 (36 weeks...4 More Weeks To Go!!)


Jul 29, 2007 (32 weeks)



June 20, 2007 (24 weeks)



May 16, 2007 (20 weeks...half way!!)


April 15, 2007 (16 weeks)



March 17, 2007 (12 weeks)

Our baby girl this week - 37 WEEKS

From Babycenter.com....

"Congratulations! Your baby is full-term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away. He weighs a little over 6 pounds and measures between 19 and 20 inches. Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long."

WE ARE OFFICIALLY FULL TERM!!!!!

Here is a pic of what our baby might look like at this point in the pregnancy.

Our baby girl this week - 36 WEEKS

From Babycenter.com....

"Your baby is gaining about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds and is a little under 19 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Next week, your baby will be considered full-term. Most likely she's in a head-down position, but if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an external cephalic version, where she'll try to turn your baby by manipulating her from the outside of your belly."

Well, we had our last baby classes on Saturday so I guess you could say we are fully prepared. haha. i dont think anyone is fully prepared, but we've done what we can to learn as much about what it's going to be like in delivery and afterwards. Mark Jan is being great about the classes, he's actually interested in them and not annoyed that I'm making him go to them. And I can tell he's going to be a very supportive labor helper. So come on baby!! By the way she is head down so no problems there. We are just waiting for the cervix to open up and for contractions to start. Doc says I am not supposed to call her until contractions have been strong for every 5-7 minutes for an hour. that sounds pretty brutal if you ask me. But we're ready. Hurry up little girl!!!

Here is a pic of what our baby might look like at this point in the pregnancy.

Our baby girl this week - 35 WEEKS

From Babycenter.com....

"Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 pounds plus. Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight."

she may not have much room to move around, but she's moving what she can when she can! It doesn't ever hurt though. I love it!

Here is a pic of what our baby might look like at this point in the pregnancy.

Our baby girl this week - 34 WEEKS

From Babycenter.com....

"Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which she'll need to regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies."

Little girl is more active than ever. Especially at night when I lay down she twists and turns and pokes for hours. She was also around 4 3/4 lbs 2 weeks ago so safe to say she's bigger than that now. I have a feeling she'll be big, but not gigantic like 13 lbs or something. Wouldn't that be something!!

Here is a pic of what our baby might look like at this point in the pregnancy.

Our baby girl this week - 33 WEEKS

From Babycenter.com....

"This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood."

She is very very active these days. kicking, punching, rolling, you name it she's doing it. it's the weirdest feeling in the world but its the most awesome feeling as well. sometimes it just makes me smile when she's wiggling and i start thinking about whats to come. of course i'm imagining the good things...not the bad like lack of sleep and wondering if i'll be able to fit in a shower! haha. Tired has a new meaning today. i though i was actually going to fall over walking from the car to my office. hopefully i can catch a power nap during lunch or something. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Here is a pic of what our baby might look like at this point in the pregnancy.

Dad makes an appearance..

Well it seems one very important member of this family hasn't really had much face time on the blog here. So here is a TRIBUTE TO DAD!

Of course baby is going to be beautiful.... we know where she gets her good looks from......



Here is a pic of dad with Uncle Rolf and Uncle Dan at Uncle Bas and Aunt Nathalie's house just after their wedding in July. They're all so adorable!


And one last tribute to dad, his latest project, still not complete (he ran out of time and had to head back to Qatar), but how awesome is this!! I can't believe I know someone who can build something like this much less my husband!!! He is so awesome! Good job dad...little _____ is waiting for you to build her all kinds of things! get ready!