Terah - Back to basics

[Terah]

Back to basics

 

As you know from my last challenge: We're staying at my MIL's house until we get the key's to our new house. Wich is on December 29th. And a little after that, because we need to make the house ready: a room must be divided in half and we need to paint a little.

So for this entire challenge I'll be operating from my MIL's house.

 

It's time to create a new routine and find my place here for now. 

 

Challenge #1: Working out

My MIL lives in the middle of nowhere. It's a 30 minute bike ride to the city where I take zumba and dance lessons. And during November and December in the Netherlands, that means rain  And I will need to ride my bike across a road with no streetlamps.

BUT there are lessons every Thursday morning. So I will take those lessons. 

I will try to make it on Tuesday and Friday night as well, but not on all costs. I will get extra exercise in because THERE ARE NO STORES IN THIS PLACE I'M LIVING NOW O_O

 

Challenge #2: Food

This one is easy: I'm still in charge of groceries and cooking (as long as I don't touch the dishwasher, my MIL is fine with me in the kitchen  )

And I will keep being mindful and listen to my body, like I was working on the challenges before this one.

Sinterklaas is in the country again, so there will be lots of pepernoten en chocolade letters, and I will enjoy them. Moderately. And really savor them  

 

Challenge #3: Rust, Ritme en Regelmaat

Rest, Rhythm and Regularity: the three things all Dutch kids grow up with. The three things that make people thrive. 

I will make sure to listen to my body so I will get enough rest. I will develop a rhythm in my day. And I will do the things I need to do on a regular basis (like do laundry every morning, or buy grocery's every Friday). I will try to make my life predictable, and thereby stress-free. 

[Shello]

Does that mean MIL will be doing the dishes for you?  

 

Following!

[deftona]

2 hours ago, Terah said:

Challenge #3: Rust, Ritme en Regelmaat

Rest, Rhythm and Regularity:

 

Oooh, I like this bit, I might have to steal it. 

Can I be an honorary Dutch child?

[Terah]

11 hours ago, LadyShello said:

Does that mean MIL will be doing the dishes for you?  

 

Following!

Yes, and she will be very displeased if I would do it  I am not allowed near the dishwasher  

[Terah]

10 hours ago, deftona said:

 

Oooh, I like this bit, I might have to steal it. 

Can I be an honorary Dutch child?

Off course! I've already adopted Ensi, but I will adopt you too to make this happen for you <4

[deftona]

Off course! I've already adopted Ensi, but I will adopt you too to make this happen for you

Oh that sounds perfect, I was just thinking how I have too many responsibilities.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

[JessOfAllTrades]

Basics are good! Best of luck this challenge!

[Ensi]

On 21.11.2017 at 11:17 AM, Terah said:

Off course! I've already adopted Ensi, but I will adopt you too to make this happen for you <4

 

... I won't have to share my pepernoten with her, right? *hisses*

 

Following my Dutch Mom, as always!!

[KB Girl]

Haha! Lovely, adopted dutch kids Too cute. Terah maybe we should send them some actual pepernoten? 

I'm afraid my kid needs to be adopted by a different dutch mom because.. well.. RRR.. yea.. that's something 'het consultatiebureau' mentioned, but nobody taught me how to do this

I blame a half German, half Turkish mother. 

 

Sorry I missed most of last challenge, I don't think I clicked the follow button, but I have done so now and I'll be here! Because this is a TRUE challenge. If you survive this, you can survive ANYTHING! Living with your MIL ánd living in the middle of NOWHERE. (I'm curious where nowhere is btw).

[Terah]

4 hours ago, Ensi said:

 

... I won't have to share my pepernoten with her, right? *hisses*

 

Following my Dutch Mom, as always!!

If you're a good girl, Pete will put some pepernoten in your shoe just for you

 

2 hours ago, KB Girl said:

Terah maybe we should send them some actual pepernoten? 

Yes, we should spread the love!

 

2 hours ago, KB Girl said:

I'm afraid my kid needs to be adopted by a different dutch mom because.. well.. RRR.. yea.. that's something 'het consultatiebureau' mentioned, but nobody taught me how to do this

I blame a half German, half Turkish mother. 

Het contsternatiebureau you mean  Never listened to them, just get the shots, nod politely when they give you advise, and than turn to your mom/mom-friends (you're always welcome to ask me if you need <3 ) when you need some actual information  Seriously, even their growth curve is wrong (based on bottle fed babies, not breastfed babies). I could rant about this forever, but I'm going to stop now. Just DON'T EVER LISTEN TO THEM! Sorry you hit a nerve mentioning them, yes I'm going to stop now  

 

2 hours ago, KB Girl said:

Sorry I missed most of last challenge, I don't think I clicked the follow button, but I have done so now and I'll be here! Because this is a TRUE challenge. If you survive this, you can survive ANYTHING! Living with your MIL ánd living in the middle of NOWHERE. (I'm curious where nowhere is btw).

You're forgiven, you've got a lot on your mind with a baby. Nowhere is called Wadenoijen and is a 30 minute bike ride away from civilization (although the boy's school is just a 15 minute bike ride). 

[Terah]

I made it to zumba today!!!! 

It was storming with short periods of heavy rain, so I almost didn't went. And it was fun  I really missed dancing.

 

I think I spent around 2,5 hours on my bikes today (bakfiets and normal bike). Did 45 minutes of zumba. And got really stressed about mortgage stuff.

Spoiler

we need a small statement from our bank, the last piece of evidence we need to apply for our new mortgage, but the bank refused to give it with in a week, and we need it before next Wednesday. After a long phonecall it was suddenly possible though  So, with a bit of luck everything will finally be in order for our new mortgage

So I got plenty of exercise. 

Naturally I also got plenty of pepernoten  

 

And I found this amazing book in my shoe this morning!!!

Spoiler

For those who don't know: in the Netherlands we celebrate Sinterklaas. In the two weeks leading up to this celebration, children can put their shoe at the fireplace so Pete (Sinterklaas' helper) can fill it with candy and gifts.

It's called "How to be a Time Lord" and it is so funny and cool  

[KB Girl]

It's so cool that you get to put up your shoe! And someone actually puts something in it! I need to discuss this pronto. 

 

20 minutes ago, Terah said:

Het contsternatiebureau you mean  Never listened to them, just get the shots, nod politely when they give you advise, and than turn to your mom/mom-friends (you're always welcome to ask me if you need <3 ) when you need some actual information  Seriously, even their growth curve is wrong (based on bottle fed babies, not breastfed babies). I could rant about this forever, but I'm going to stop now. Just DON'T EVER LISTEN TO THEM! Sorry you hit a nerve mentioning them, yes I'm going to stop now  

Ugh yes. I mentioned them lightheartedly but I've got the same nerve. I'm still considering calling two of the bureaus where two acquaintances of mine go, because they gave them such ridiculous advice! They said to leave longer between (breast)feeding.. for one of them it was because of reflux and for the other so the mom could get some more rest.. because.. sure, mom will rest easy knowing the baby is hungry. And also how the hell do they expect the supply to survive that idea? 

How long did you breastfeed your babies? if this is not something you are comfortable discussing on your thread, sorry! I'd love to take it to PM, don't have many mom friends. 

[Terah]

You should do shorter, more frequent feeds with reflux! I can still get mad at this stuff and the boys are already 5 an 7 years old

 

A (now 7) got 10 months of breastfeeding. I had a lot of problems with him: he didn't latch on correctly so I had to express the milk and give it in a bottle the first months, after that I did drink, but not very well. So I got small wounds and infections. He also had a lot of allergies, so I had to avoid milk and peanuts. And he had reflux. So after 10 minths I was done. He had no problem taking the bottle luckily

 

J (now 5) was a natural breastfeeder I let him drink my milk until he weaned himself at 2,5 years of age. In the last months he only drank once a day (and he got solid foods at 5 months a la raply next to the milk)

[KB Girl]

Ugh yea. I have to go again next month. Haven't really run into problems personally, but just all the bad stories gets my hackles up. If they dare suggest I start weaning or letting her cry through the night I'm going to bite someone. 

 

Emma had trouble latching too, she luckily improved quickly and learned after a couple of weeks.. I'm super impressed you lasted 10 months that way! Expressing the milk isn't the most pleasant work ever.. and you lose the benefit of not having to clean bottles all the time etc! Glad you had an easier time with your second baby  my plan is also to let kb-baby self wean, but I really hope she gets over her milk/egg allergies soooooon because I don't want to miss those for another year and a half! 

Did you have a lot of trouble with people around judging you feeding a walking child? 

[Terah]

9 hours ago, KB Girl said:

but I really hope she gets over her milk/egg allergies soooooon because I don't want to miss those for another year and a half! 

I hope so too! Most babies get over it after a year. It took A 4 years, now he 'only' has a peanut and a dog allergy  

Most pepernoten are milk and egg free though  

 

9 hours ago, KB Girl said:

Did you have a lot of trouble with people around judging you feeding a walking child?

I was very fortunate with this: I'm a member of the mommy's club (I must have mentioned them before), and a lot of the moms there fed their child this long or even longer. It really helped me to feel 'normal'. And as he grew older, he didn't want to be fed as much. So it didn't happen often that I had to feed him outdoors when he was able to walk. Usually only before he went to sleep, and when he woke up in the morning (and sometimes during the night). 

[Terah]

Our request for the new mortgage has been approved!!! Now we can really relax, and just wait until we get the key to our new home. Which is only 4 weeks, 2 days, 13 hours and 30 minutes away  

 

Living with my MIL has been proven quite pleasant actually. The boys love their new school, and the attention they get from grandma. I've got more free time than I'm used to and I'm using it to make a little money doing odd jobs on fiverr. The only thing is that I have to bike so far to get anywhere. School is okay (just 15 minutes), but everything else is at least 30 minutes away. I do get enough exercise like this though  I'm going to zumba once a week on Thursday morning. I really don't want to bike that far in the dark at night, it just feels scary (and cold and wet  )

I'm starting to get a into a rhythm, which feels good. I am still really tired, but I do try to get enough rest: I go to bed on time and sneak in a nap on Sunday. I think it's just the stress of the last couple of weeks that gets me so tired. It will pass.

[KB Girl]

It will pass! Glad to hear it's been pleasant at your MIL! and congratulations on the mortgage It'll be so nice! Hopefully you'll be fully rested and super fit by the time you're going to be moving.

[DrFeelgood]

How are things going, Terah?

[Terah]

16 hours ago, DrFeelgood said:

How are things going, Terah?

Thanks for checking in

 

We celebrated Sinterklaas last Sunday. Unfortunately SH got sick and had to lay down with a bucket close by But the rest of us (me, the boys, my sister my SIL and their boyfriends, my MIL and my parents) still had a great time. They boys got spoiled big time  And they have been playing with their new toys non stop since then.

Fortunately SH got better in the evening and was back to normal on Monday.

That's when A fell ill. He also had to keep his bucket close for a couple of hours before getting better. He could go back to school on Tuesday. On Tuesday Sinterklaas came to their school. They had a great time. But J came home from school with a fever, and stayed home Wednesday and Thursday. His fever was gone on Thursday, but he hadn't eaten much in the days before, so I kept him home so he could recover. He had a great time at home: played hard with his new toys (lots of lego) and watched some tv rolled up in a blanket. And off course he didn't want to go to school today (Friday), because home was so much more fun  But he went anyway and had already forgotten he didn't want to go when he walked though the school doors   

 

So that was my week. Now there are just 2 weeks, 6 days, 23 hours and 54 minutes to go until we get the key to our new house!

 

tl;dr: We celebrated Sinterklaas, everyone except me got sick

[DrFeelgood]

Ugh, sorry for all the illnesses.  I hope everyone's recovering well enough.

 

Sounds like you didn't get much Zumba during that span.

[Terah]

Still alive and kicking.

I've joined a pop up facebook group of 'Life on Tellus' and it is helping me with my struggle with food.

If anyone wants to join me there: this is the link.

 

Less than two more weeks to go before we get the key to our new house!

[Terah]

We spent Christmas with my parents, and stayed there for a few days. It was wonderful

And now just two more sleeps until we get the key to our new house!

[Ensi]

I was just thinking about you some time ago  I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Christmas! Eeek you must be excited to get the keys!!

[deftona]

5 minutes ago, Terah said:

We spent Christmas with my parents, and stayed there for a few days. It was wonderful

And now just two more sleeps until we get the key to our new house!

 

Woo how exciting! 

[Terah]

My secret santa gift arrived! Thank you doodlie, whoever you are