Reflection

I have been thinking about writing an entry on this blog for three months. I begin a thought, but get interrupted by planning birthday parties, changing schedules and planning events for a local woman's group.
We have been so many amazing places in the three months that I want to write pages about each, but a picture and a caption is the compromise this busy mom has to make!
Our Summer (in pictures):
MC Escher Museum in Den Haag, NL

 My favorite part of the MC Escher museum was seeing Escher's beginning work as well as the pieces that made him a well known artist. It was encouraging to me to see that even geniuses have to start at the beginning!

Thorn, NL

Thorn was a cute town with a pancake restaurant boasting 200 different types of pancakes!! The white buildings make it a picturesque place to spend an afternoon. (The pancakes are delicious too)!

Liege, Belgium

 

We went to Liege because it was a French speaking town in Belgium. (I have to practice my French

or I get rusty). It was a great city. We climbed the 400 steps to Montagne de Bueren. The view (and cardio workout) was amazing!

 

Kasteel De Haar, NL

This castle was BEAUTIFUL! We couldn't take any pictures on the inside, but it was worth the trip.

 

 

 

We have gone many more places, but these are the highlights. It has been a great summer and I am looking forward to fall!

Queen's Day

I have had the privilege of celebrating major holidays in three different countries. For Fourth of July, Americans have a barbeque and watch fireworks. For Buddah's Birthday, Koreans display beautiful art and have interactive displays celebrating their culture. For Queen's Day, the Dutch have a flea market in most villages throughout their country.
It was a flea market like no other. The quiet town of Brunssum was turned into an open air market. Stalls selling used items, French fries and home decor were squeezed into the narrow streets. There was a special section for children selling last years toys with hopes to earn enough money to buy the new toy they have to have.
In the main market, there was no particular order to the stalls or rule of what could be sold. The linking factor was orange, the color of the Netherlands. There were orange inflatable crowns, orange boas, orange balloons and even a booth putting in orange hair extensions. Everyone was happy and excited to be celebrating their newly corinated King.
At first, I thought a flea market was an odd way to celebrate such a special day. Thinking about it and experiencing it have made me realize it is the perfect way to celebrate. Closets are cleaned out, old things are given a new home and communities get together to have some good clean orange tinted fun. I don't think Fourth of July should become national garage sale day, but I think we had the perfect day celebrating our first holiday in our new home.

Free balloons from the bakery. I'm surprised this use for day old bread hasn't been on Pinterest yet!

                                                                   Dutch Flags

Boxes

I feel like the last few months have revolved around boxes.
First we had to gather everything up to be put into boxes.
Then we had to watch movers groan, complain and mislabel our boxes when we weren't looking. After that we waited for our boxes (and tried to remember what was in them).
On Tuesday, Tory and I watched them load the boxes onto an elevator to our second floor window and listen to the movers laugh every time I directed boxes into the craft room.
On Tuesday evening, Marc and I carried boxes up and down stairs that were mislabeled (We ended up with eight boxes labeled shoes).
On Wednesday I played a game with the boxes, trying to find a certain item that was needed immediately like the highchair. (Still looking for one box filled with craft supplies, need to check the boxes labeled shoes.)
Now, the boxes are in our garage empty, no longer taking up my attention.

Before I repress the moving experience (as I tend to do), here is the list of what to pack in which shipment:

Unaccompianed Baggage (The stuff comes first. Items are limited to a small crate size. No furniture allowed!)
Spices
Pots
Plates
Silverware
Dishtowels
Glasses
Laundry hamper
Bedding
Towels
 Marc's professional gear
Pillows
Medicines
Printer

Soap dispensers
Bathroom trashcan
Shower curtain (just in case)
Cookbooks
Winter jacket/hat/gloves/scarf (just in case)
Wine opener (!)
For Baby:
Extra Diapers
Extra Wipes
Sheets
Blankets
Jogging Stroller
Pack and Play (Lending closets have them too)
Baby Monitor
Bottles
Extra Formula
Warm clothes
Bibs
Highchair
Toys
Walker/Bouncer/Jump up
For Pets:
Bowls
Toys
Bed (if necessary)
Litter box (we have a fancy one as our cat has poor aim with a normal one)
Extra waste bags
Extra leash
 

To carry on the plane or pack in suitcases to go underneath:

Baby (haha)

Umbrella stroller

Cold medicine (We forgot this time and would have done anything for some dayquil while flying)

Important papers-Birth certificates, social security cards, rabies certificates, orders, passports, inventory of what the movers took, college diploma, transcripts, etc.

Cords and chargers

Enough clothes for two weeks of varying weather

Hat/gloves/scarf

Pillow and Blanket (for the plane and for house camping)

Extra dog/cat food

 

We mailed items to our sponsors this time around, but actually got our unaccompianed baggage before the mailed boxes arrived. So much for trying to be prepared.

 

Now, we can say goodbye to our boxes for THREE years (hopefully) and get on with exploring the Netherlands and Europe.

 

 

Adjusting

I feel like a game piece from the word game Boggle. After the gamestarting shake, I am not quite in the starting position. I feel a little more sideways than normal, but improve everyday.

My first impression of Brunssum is that it is beautiful. It is small enough that I can find my way around, but big enough that there are some nice stores. (There is a particularly a nice department store that has wooden children's toys. I could get in some trouble).

Here are the few things I have learned in the week we left sunny San Diego for Brunssum:

1.Pack cold and allergy medicine in a carry on. Marc and I got colds on the flight and were miserable. The pets and Tory did great the entire time.

2.Jet lag is hard alone and more challenging with a seven month old. We broke the night into two shifts. I tried to rest while Marc tended to our little world traveler and vice versa. We still don't have the routine together. Tory stays asleep about 30 minutes longer each night and I fall asleep about 15 minutes earlier each night.

3.It is hard to beat a European breakfast. Every morning, our hotel serves fresh bread, bacon and some of the best scrambled eggs I have ever eaten.

4.Spring has not yet arrived. It snowed about 6 inches in the last two days. Thankfully we all have jackets and some warm things.

5.We still love Europe. The people are so friendly. It is nice being somewhere we blend in after our time in Korea. People are very surprised when Marc and I respond to Dutch questions in English. We are excited to start exploring the area.

Besides learning the above items, we have been busy inprocessing, finding a house and entertaining Tory. It is nice to be here rather than thinking about the impending move, hopefully in a few days I will find my travel legs and feel right side up again.

On the eve of leaving

The bags are packed. The baby is asleep. The ridiculously early wake up call is set. Netherlands, here we come!

I have just enough time to reflect, toss and turn and then we will be on our way at 3:45 AM! I can't believe we did it. We sorted and supervised three shipments, moved two cars, visited both families, found a home for our cat, got health certificates for our remaining two pets, survived baby's third tooth and did a little site seeing in San Diego before heading out.

I thought moving would get easier the more we did it. Although this is our second international move in the last three years, i feel just as much in awe of the labor a move of this magnitude requires. I keep waiting for all the emotions of moving internationally to hit me in a wave of excitement, nervousness and sadness for leaving our friends and family. All that I feel right now, is an inkling that I forgot something (where is the baby's saline solution) and a slight worry of how the baby is going to do on the long flight.

I think I am waiting for the moment in the airplane when the captain tells us we are about to land in Brussels to realize the adventure we are embarking on. For now, I will listen to Tory's and Marc's breathing and try to get some rest.

Baby Registry Items

Preparing for a baby is overwhelming. The amount of items that a baby needs is impressive. Before I registered, I asked my mom friends what they really used. Now I am a mom and posting this for friends who are staring at their registry options unsure where to start. I registered the last week of my first trimester and was glad I did. Once you register in the store, you can update online as needed. Most stores offer 10% off of remaining registry items, so put as much as you can on the registry. I registered at Target, Babies R Us and Pottery Barn. I received items from Target and one gift from Babies R Us.

Bath:
3-4 hooded towels
Bath products gift basket
1 packet Baby washcloths
Baby Shampoo
Baby Soap-I would not buy a giant one. Baby allergies develop at any time during the first year. Bunny developed a rash from her soap, now I am stuck with a 3/4 full bottle of baby wash.

I do not use a baby bathtub. I tried a bathseat when she was a week old (after the umbilical cord fell off) and baths were a battle. I put her in the bathtub with about an inch of water and it works well for us. If you are more comfortable with a baby bath tub, use one!

Changing:
Changing Table
Diapers of all brands (This is your chance to see what works for baby.)
Wipes of all types
Diaper pail (We use the Arm and Hammer one.)
Diaper Pail inserts at least 5 refills
Over the door diaper organizer (It saves so much space.)

Sleep:
Pack and play(I got one with a bassinet feature which was perfect for us. When Bunny got older we just took the attachment off and she can still use it, unlike an actual bassinet.)
Swing
4 sets of sheets
2-4 swaddle sacks (Great for when they can kick out of the blanket swaddle.)
3-5 sleep sacks (My mom made mine.)
Baby monitor (We chose the Angel Care System. It tracks baby movement and helped me sleep at night.)
5-8 gown nightgowns with the elastic at the bottom
4-5 footie pajamas, all sizes
5-10 receiving blankets for swaddling (my mom made mine)
Crib
Mesh bumper pads (NO CLOTH BUMPER PADS, they can cause a baby to suffocate)
Rocking chair (We use an old Lazy Boy recliner.)

Out and About:
Backseat mirror
Carseat (We got the Graco Snugride travel system.)
Carseat insert that supports baby heads
Stroller (We have two, a jogging and the one that came with the carseat. I love having two, one always stays in the trunk of my car)
Diaper bag
I bought a carseat cover, but only used it once. I prefer using recieving blankets.
Baby carrier (We have the Infantino one from Target.)
Portable changing system (My mom made mine.)

Play:
Playmat (I see these all the time on Craigslist.)
Excersaucer/walker (We have both, she likes both.)
Johnny Jump-up
Assorted toys (Pick items that crinkle, have a lot of texture or do something unexpected.)
Board books
Blanket for tummy time (We got a ton of these without registering for them).
Bumbo Seat (I got ours on Craigslist.)
Teething toys, a lot of people swear by Sophia the giraffe

Food/nursing:
Boppy (If you register for one thing, buy this. This is the most useful item regardless of what method you choose to feed your child.)
3-4 Boppy covers (My mom made extras for me.)
A million burp cloths (I got a lot of homemade ones.)
Nursing cover
Breast pump
8 bottles (We use Dr. Brown's bottles. I would get the 8 oz bottles to start to avoid clutter as Baby gets older.)
Spoons
Plastic bowls
10-20 bibs (My mother in law made mine.)
Highchair (I got the kind that clips onto a chair and love it.)
Pacifiers all kinds (They give you the Phillips green one at the hospital.)

Sick baby:
Children's Tylenol
Children's Benadryl
Thermometer (We have the temporal one and love it.)
Booger Sucker (My dog thinks it is a chew toy.)
Saline Nose Drops

Clothing:
I didn't register for any, clothing is almost everyone's favorite thing to give as gifts. Keep in mind that if a baby is born in the summer, they will not be wearing summer clothes when they are six months old unless you live in Hawaii or other hot place. I did not buy any newborn clothing. I have gotten a lot of clothing from second hand stores that looks brand new.

I would make sure you have AT LEAST
10-15 onesies in every size- long and short sleeve
A million socks
Booties (My SIL bought Bunny snap booties from Gymboree.)
Winter hat

Mommy needs gifts too:
Lanolin if breast feeding
5-6 Nursing Camisole tops (Lifesavers!!!)
4 nursing bras for day
2-6 nursing bras for night if you do not get camisole tops
Nursing pads

Keepsakes:
Frame tracking pictures birth to a year

Album (My mother in law made mine.)
Baby Calendar (I have mine above Bunny's changing table and write small milestones everyday. My mom gave me the one that I had when I was a baby.)

Misc:
Baby Detergent (We use All Free and Clear)


I'm sure I forgot some items, but this is what I use/used on a regular basis. Keep in mind, the more you get of an item, the less you have to do laundry! You will most likely not receive all these items, so keep your eyes peeled for good deals on Craigslist,at garage sales, at second hand stores etc. You are entering an exciting time and these items will help you make the transition to motherhood a little easier.

Teaching in Korea

I have a good memory. I can remember eating a cupcake on my first birthday, my class schedule for all four years of high school and the preamble of the constitution. That being said, some memories stick out more than others. One of my most vivid recollections of living in Seoul, Korea was my first day of teaching.
In Korea they do an immersion program which sticks non-English speakers into a room with an English speaker. The welcome ceremony was finished and I lead my twelve three year olds back to my carefully decorated classroom. I stepped in front of my students, smiled and said "Hello, my name is Jennifer Tr."
I was greeted with blank stares.
I tried again.
"Hello," I said, adding a wave.
One of the boys started crying.
I then passed out alphabet coloring pages. For three year olds, coloring is a universal language.
Eventually they understood me, and I them, but that moment of sheer panic I felt stays with me. It reminds me that success can be created out of panic.

Teaching in Korea was one of my proudest accomplishments until I had Bunny and it is relatively easy to obtain a teaching job in the country. To teach in Korea, you must have:
1. an undergraduate degree (it does not have to be in teaching. At our school, we had teachers with such a variety from pre-law to university studies).
2. A passport from an English speaking country
3. College transcripts (2 copies)
4. A criminal background check

I used a recruitment company to find a job in Korea before we left the states. I filled out a very long form and took an appitude test. Within twenty minutes of filling out the form, I had a call from a recruiter asking questions about me and answering questions I had about the teaching process. Within a week, I had a job lined up in Daegu (the town the Army was sending us to). Once we got to Korea, the Army changed its mind and kept us in Seoul. One call to the recruitment agency and I had a new job lined up within another week. I wish it was that easy to find jobs in the states!

There are many perks of teaching in Korea. One of the big ones, that I did not get to experience, was that the school provides housing. It is not American style housing, but it is livable and all furniture is included. Most schools give a severance package at the end of the twelve month term. It is usually one month's pay. Schools also provide a plane ticket to and from Korea. I felt teaching in Korea gave me the opportunity to experience the Korean culture in a way that other military spouses did not. It also kept me busy during Dear Sgt.'s busy TDY schedule.

Of course with any job, there are also struggles. Korean culture is very different from Western culture and there are bound to be clashes. We worked regardless of weather or political conditions, but seeing the flash of understanding in a student's eye made the struggles worth it to me.

The Korean school year starts and ends in February, but teachers are a commodity at all times.

To find a recruiter, do a simple Google search of "teaching in Korea."

I used Footprints recruiting agency to find my position. http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/

Teaching in Korea was the best way for me to make Korea a home and not just a duty station.

Baby Footprint Valentine

As my family and Dear Sgt.'s family are both far away, I decided to make a special valentine with Bunny's help.

I stamped her feet in Versamark Watermark Ink onto cardstock. I then put Pansy Purple Close to my Heart Embossing Powder on the footprints, shaking off the excess.  I turned on my heat gun and waited for the powder to melt and bubble. (Bunny loved the sound of the heat gun).

Once my footprints were nice and glossy, I stamped LO and E.

I finished them off by gluing the cardstock to scrapbook paper and punching with a doily punch.

I am really happy with the result and hope we get smiles when they are opened!

Added bonus, the watermark ink is clear so Bunny's feet aren't stained the color of the ink!

January blahs

January has always been a blah month to me. Gone are the happy celebratory colors of Christmas replaced by winter white or blue. Gone are the buttery, cheesy, chocolately foods of Christmas replaced by diet plans and resolutions to fit into my pre-pregnency jeans. The landscape seems stark too, the magic of Christmas lights having disappeared from rooftops and trees.

This year, January also signals the beginning of the end of our time in the United States. Our hallway is filled with boxes for storage and the garage sale pile grows bigger each day filled with items that seemed like a good idea at the time. My to do list is longer than Dear Sgt.'s Christmas list and not as fun to fulfill. 

In the midst of all the chaos and bubble wrap, I feel a sense of peace that I've never felt when moving before. This is our first duty station move with a child. We are no longer at that awkward stage where we don't want to go to bars but don't quite fit in with the couples with children crowd. It is exciting to see Bunny grow each day and I know she will find Europe enchanting with all the castles and museums. I want to explore Europe as a family and have wanted to live there since my first trip to Provence in 2000. We still have a month to get as many family visits and Target runs in before boarding a plane to our new home.

So, I am trying to find the bling in the blah as I complete my tasks during nap time. It may not be December, but this January might not be so bleak after all.