The most fun trips are definitely the most spontaneous. Last week, my husband and I traveled to the far south for recordings when Jon suddenly had an idea halfway: “Of course, we can also drive on to Maastricht and stay there for the weekend?” Tears sprang to my eyes at the thought. In the past, I would have panicked slightly at the idea of starting the next day without deodorant, a toothbrush, and a new set of clothes, but luckily I can now wonderfully surrender to the moment. So I immediately went online and fortunately, there was (literally) one room available in all of Maastricht at Kaboom Hotel. The atmosphere feels like a modern boutique hotel, but at a low-budget price and with beautiful, stylishly furnished rooms (with Auping beds!). In the evening, after a delicious Italian dinner at Bocca Lupo (highly recommended!), we had a drink in the beautiful courtyard and for a moment we were completely in vacation mode. I can't wait for our next spontaneous adventure! From now on, I will leave an extra set of diapers and baby clothes in the car...

Now that the weeks are almost countable on one hand, the excitement is definitely increasing. Do I have everything at home? Should I pack my ‘flight bag’ already? And I completed my quest for a nice crib and stroller blanket yesterday at Poetree: I would love to lie under that mint green one! Actually, everything else is already in place, but I keep coming up with something to keep myself busy with the little one. When my husband caught me yesterday ironing the baby socks (which are really no bigger than 5 cm...), he thought it was time to call me back. And rightly so: a sleepless night with intense back pain was the result of that two-hour ironing session. But every time I pull open those drawers and see all the clothes neatly folded in KonMari style, a wave of joy rushes through me.

Although the little one has yet to be born, Sunday felt like my first official Mother’s Day. You understand: I pitched that loudly and clearly at home, so Jon can get used to this very important, new holiday of the year (wink). But when Jon prepared an elaborate breakfast on the balcony on Sunday morning and I was treated to my favorite perfume from Bulgari plus a dinner for two at our favorite restaurant, I started to believe in my own pitch. Especially at the thought that in a year, this same scene will be enriched with a little boy who has scribbled four scratches on a piece of paper with great effort and has written ‘For mama’ at the top. Yes, I am sure that this has truly become the most important holiday of the year.

Yesterday, the haptonomist (for readers who have no idea: really a recommendation in preparation for childbirth) somewhat surprised said that I was the only ‘client’ who was not yet wearing maternity clothes! Although I do have those flattering pants and leggings with a band in the closet, I am indeed trying to find brands that are ‘fashionable yet maternity-proof’. I did a little happy dance when I rediscovered 10 Days last year: I mainly knew them for their delicious comfy jogging outfits, but the collection has now grown into high-end fashion. Next season they will celebrate their 10th anniversary, and that will be grandly celebrated with the ’10th Anniversary Campaign’. Throughout the year, they treat their loyal fans to a journey full of beautiful memories by releasing the most successful styles from the past years as limited editions. I am already in line for the ‘Best of items’!

Some women don’t get one, and others are surprised with as many as two! I can count myself lucky to be in the latter category: last weekend, my childhood friends organized a lovely baby shower afternoon full of beautiful gifts and delicious snacks. Now that one of them has recently set up the wonderful children’s website Pluk & Paloma, they didn’t have to look far for gifts. I got to unwrap one adorable baby outfit after another, and his first wooden toy car has already arrived. Very clever, of course, because you understand that I immediately went online shopping the next day. I will give a small but compelling hint to my other friends about where they can find the cutest gifts for my baby shower 2.0…