Belly update: Week 38

Still no sign of Sproutje yet. We're definitely ready for this baby to join us - especially Megan!. We don't think Megan's belly was this big during the first pregnancy, so we're expecting a little monster. Surprisingly, though, even though she's a little front heavy Meg is still able to get around on bike. She's either the fittest mama I know or she's becoming Dutch! Please send all your labor inducing vibes to Eindhoven, please.

Biking to Belgium for Biers

Elliott and I went with our friend Joe to Belgium on bike last Sunday to visit an abbey. We went to get out of the house (it was a rainy weekend), but we mostly went to try some of the Trappist beer that is brewed by the monks there. The town of Achel (where the abbey is located) is about 20km from Eindhoven, which took about an hour and 15 minutes each way. It's completely flat, so it's a pretty easy ride even though it was 25 miles round trip. I've been craving some of the supposedly delicious Belgian food too, so that was my other motivation for the trip, but sadly the food was only cafeteria quality at the abbey. The beer was good, and as you can see from the picture, Elliott enjoyed his beverage as well.

If anyone plans on visiting and doesn't mind a few hour bike ride, there are a couple of other abbeys within riding distance that make their own beer, cheese, and who knows what else. Tot ziens!

For Priscilla...

You asked for a pic of your baby; here she is! Glowing, as always. I slipped one of Elliott in for good measure. (These pictures were taken by our friends Will and Laura while they were visiting Amsterdam)

Elliott's new favorite food

When our friend Marieke was in Holland on mother's day, we payed a visit to her hometown of Oisterwijk. It was a quaint little village not far from Eindhoven by train, which I would describe as the Lake Oswego (or Orinda for our Bay Area vriendjes) of Brabant. It was great to finally go into a real Dutch person's home for once. Actually, it wasn't that different than an American house. Over lunch, we were introduced to a new tasty treat: the brabantse worstenbroodje. It's essentially a spiced sausage baked in a roll. Kind of like the Dutch version of a bagel dog. Elliott didn't eat one that first day, but since then he has grown to love them. In fact, he asks for a "broodje-broodje" almost every day (followed by an enthusiastic "lekker"). Marieke would be so proud. Next time you're in Eindhoven, stop by and we'll toast one up for you--our treat.