Last month in Malaysia

Our final month in Malaysia was a big one. It kicked off with a weekend at Bukit Fraser with friends Reece, Yaya and TJ. Not satisfied by exploring the abandoned Golf course, the two boys hit the mini-golf course. Even Reece and Aiden got in a few shots!

Aiden's friends Olivia turned 1 in early September. We enjoyed a BBQ at the Kastrop's pool to celebrate (and a birthday dinner at Chilli's). 

Our final farewell party was held around the pool of our house. DJ Bernie (aka Luna Bar Executive DJ) set the vibe while Bram and Michael managed the cocktail bar. Like any good KL party it ended with beers and bods in the pool. Ahhhhh.....

Farewell Party

First Steps

Aiden took his first few steps in August! AT 13 months, check out his graceful poise and not so cool commentary from proud parents.

Birthday Bubbles

Aiden at Meera's 2nd Birthday Party! Check out the bubble machine (Oooo....)

1st Birfday Extravaganza

Aiden's 1st birthday rolled around in the bat of an eye. Our friends gathered at our home in PJ for BBQ, swimming and (of course) cup cakes! Aiden's friends, Olivia, Reece, Annabel and Meera, all joined in the cupcake fest. While mum and dad celebrated with bubbly!

Check out more pics here!

Penang in June

We spent Claire's birthday weekend in Penang. Staying at the AMAZING Cheong Fat Tze mansion, famed for its Feng Shui architecture it was built by the 'Rockerfeller of the East'.

www.cheongfatttzemansion.com/

Carolina, our friend from our Manila-days, joined us from New York as part of her whirlwind Tour de Asia. It was good to catch up as we hadn't seen her since our wedding!

Check out more pics from Penang and general running a muck in KL.

Baptism in Vegas

While in Australia, we took the opportunity to get our family and close friends together for Aiden's baptism. Sunday, April 30 was a fabulous Bris-vegas Autumn day - 24 degrees and sun shining.

Aiden's Godmother and long-time friend, Marjon flew from London to be there. Unfortunately, Godfather Caspar couldn't make it from Chicago, but Uncle Andrew kindly stepped up on the day.

We heard songs from David D (powered through a rather interesting accompaniment to 'You Gotta Be') and moi. As well as readings from Uncle Simon, Uncle Andrew and Marjon.

Afterwards we enjoyed an abundance of cupcakes, sangers and drinks in West End. Aiden was fabulous and held in there until crashing in his pram at 8pm.

More photos of our Australia trip and the baptism below.

Stompers in Honkers

We escaped to Hong Kong for Easter. The trip was great for the legs and even better on the j-lo butt as we stomped through the streets, pushing the stoller up and down the winding roads and laneways of Hong Kong island. The temperature was 22 - 23 degrees - perfect for meandering through Hollywood Rd, Staunton St and down to Central. We stayed in Causeway Bay near Victoria Park and headed to the Peak on Easter Sunday to take in the view of the Harbour.

The highlight was definitely a walk through Tai Tam reservoir from Tai Tam rd. to Parkview (minus the last 30 minute of rain which Aiden slept straight through!) and the pub lunch in Stanley afterwards!

More in March

March was a big month for Aiden, with serious belly to floor crawling (think body dive action), pulling himself up to standing, clapping and waving 'bye bye'. He even attneded his first children's party of a much older (by 14 months) friend Annabelle.



Check out more photo's from March here.

Stompers in Honkers

And video of the floor crawl!

Aiden meets Holland

We celebrate Aiden's first Christmas (and his 6 month birthday!) in the Netherlands. Aiden meets Opa and Oma van Hulsen (and Oma Hanna). We all are shocked by the cold weather, but none more than Aiden who spends his first few days wide eyed and annoyed by his many layers of clothing. He soon gets used to it and joins Opa for a few stolls around Medemblik.

We held a special blessing ceremony on December 30th to welcome Aiden into the family. Many of Bram's family and our friends turn out at the church in Amstelveen and a borreltje afterwards in the local pub. Aiden's god mother, Marjon Wind also makes it to the ceremony from London.

View more pictures from Xmas in Holland;

Xmas in Holland

Kuantan with the Kastrop's

Our second little family holiday was spent in Kuantan. Aiden's friend, Olivia and her parents, Marco and Josette joined us. Kuantan, on the east coast of Malaysia, is an easy 3.5 hours drive. Aiden slept through most of it! It was the first time he felt the sand between his toes!



More photos available here;

Kuantan with the Kaastrop's

9 mths later - Aiden's arrival

Just to prove the point that new parents are sleep deprived and busy as all hell - my second blog entry is 9 months after the first!





Aiden was born on June 26,2007 - a little van Hulsen from top to toe (yes - even his toes are a mirror of Bram's). Poor little fella was a little reluctant to enter the wide world. Here he is wearing a little suction cap on his head ;)











What an experience. It's got to be the most amazing and terrifying life experience I've encountered. After all the planning, worrying, induction and initial pain, suddenly there is a warm perfectly formed, translucent baby on my chest - still with eyes shut. He looks like he's asleep - until a small 'yelp' and then he's wisked away briefly. He gets a bill of good health.





We lie with him in the room for 2 hours or so. Feelings of wonderment and good fortune (that he's healthy) surround us. Until we head to the maternity ward and a room that could compete with any 4 star hotel in any European country. Sleep engulfs us until its time for a feed. Now that's another story.

More pictures of Aiden's arrival here;

Aiden