For almost two months now, I've been struggling a bit and by now that runny nose and barking cough are just as much a part of me as my blonde locks. Not okay then. And when the fever hit last weekend and I lay shivering like a reed in bed, the picture was finally complete: a splendid little flu has overpowered me. Now, I absolutely do not like to stay still, but I had no choice but to surrender to it. I must say that with such a little guy around, it’s quite a treat to be forced to hang out on the couch for a day, and I can’t wait to plan those ultimate couch-sitting sessions with the whole family during the holidays. Just without the runny nose and barking cough, please.

Last year, our Christmas was extra special because I could finally tell family and friends that a little guy was on the way. I can’t believe we’re already a year further and Otis has had his first bites. Now, I must honestly admit that I really missed a nice glass of bubbles during the holidays... I found the invention of the lemonade bags from Agroposta to be a lifesaver, which I took to every Christmas party in my bag, so I could still whip up a nice alcohol-free cocktail. But for next week, the bottles of bubbles have already been stocked up in large quantities.

After Otis was born, I received a beautiful gift from my girlfriend: a horoscope spanning twenty pages, fully calculated based on his date and time of birth. Some find it all to be airy nonsense, but I truly believe that some character traits are already written in the stars. Strangely enough, we read quite a few traits of ourselves in it and I think we are in for some exciting challenges... Read: Jon left home with a knapsack at the age of three because he didn’t get a house key and he also had regular tantrums after which he fainted. Well, for now, we’re just looking at the ‘position’ of the stars in this beautiful picture by MrStarskyAmsterdam instead of the deeper meaning.

4. May knows all about it: it’s not exactly ideal to have a birthday just before the holidays. Most people have already planned a Christmas dinner with family or friends on the 23rd or they prefer to keep that evening free before the whole ‘holiday marathon’ kicks off. But yes, this year I’m really hitting that big 3.0. and that age obviously calls for a party. Now Marly has her birthday right after the holidays (also not fun, when everyone is still feeling sick from all the Christmas treats and oliebollen), so we’ve decided to celebrate our thirty-and-a-half birthday together in grand style when it’s beautifully warm (you hope, with those Dutch summers...). This coming weekend, we’re already doing a very small thirty-something karaoke dance for anyone who feels like an extra party night just before the holidays.