Better late than never. Alex finally has an album with photos from his birth to his first birthday. The album was easily made using software from the hema. In addition to a nice printed version they even prepared a free online version.

This post used to have the online version of the photo album, but is is no longer available… sorry.

Alex clearly enjoys himself. Once he hears music his Spanish genes just take control and he can’t resist moving his body. Dancing (Takka, as Alex calls it) clearly is his favorite pass-time!

In two weeks a lot can change, and even more so if you are just a little boy. Two weeks ago Alex started going to school, and he was very unhappy about it, but slowly his attitude changed. Now he seems quite adapted, and walks to school without any problems. He stays there from 9 in the morning to half past 1 in the afternoon. The focus is not on learning, but on getting used to other children, a different environment and a different authority figure. All very important issues to start with at a young age.

Learning things is working very well and comes easy to Alex. When he was allowed to stay at home one day because he was sick he suddenly was sick again the next day. His illness didn’t have the desired effect, because he had to go to school regardless, and suddenly he was all better. It’s clear that Alex is a very smart little boy.

All new things are difficult and even more so when you’re just two years old and suddenly find yourself in a strange new environment called a school. Yesterday Alex went to school for the first time in his life. Only for one and a half hour and in his new school uniform, but it gave him quite a scare. He left the school crying.

Today it was even worse. Crying even more and vomiting all because of the stress of being in a very new situation. Lets hope he adapts soon.

Poor boy!

Today we celebrate. Our little Alex is already two years. Time flies and Alex is growing very fast. He is doing well and so are we. Since April I have been in living in Holland so I was far away, but we have good hopes that we well be reunited in the near future. Right now we’ll have to settle with seeing each other online almost every day so out family keeps in touch.

Alex experienced another year of great advancements. During his first birthday he was still crawling through the house. Now he is running, climbing, jumping, talking in Spanish and Dutch with quite a few words, drinking his own milk and even sometimes peeing on his potty.

We are very proud of our little boy and while we can only imagine a fantastic next year we are sure Alex will surprise us again and again. We are looking forward to the next year but first today we celebrate.

Alex once again had a haircut, resulting in a nice short hairdo. According to his mother he now looks even more like his father, which of course it way to much credit for me. Still it is undeniable that he is a very good looking kid.

It is already the second time Alex’ hair is cut, and this time he knew it would be painless. He kept smiling while his hair was cut.

It is truly fantastic to see a little kid enjoying himself so thoroughly. His can only lead to a very good feeling for the people around him. Weeks after Alex’ visit to Holland there were still kids coming by asking for him.

A few days ago we had a little celebration. Alex indicated all by himself that he needed to pee, and after getting his potty he sat down and peed away. Mommy and daddy were o so proud, but Alex himself was even more impressed. Halfway he got up and started running through the room while cheering and continuing to pee.

Again we see another step taken by Alex towards his adulthood. He is still developing very very fast and we all wonder what will be his next big advance.

Alex his mother sometimes mentions that there are quite a large number of differences in the Dutch and Spanish culture. In Spain we cannot cross the street with Alex without hearing compliments and remarks about Alex. Here in Holland we hear absolute silence. No compliments, no remarks, nothing.

Until yesterday when there was an event that left us speechless. Two little girls rang the front door bell. They were around 10 years, and they only asked about Alex. They wanted to know if he was coming out to play. He was asleep, but when I told the girls that after his sleep he would probably go out and play they left very happy. Ana and I were baffled. Alex’ not even two years old, and already the girls are seeking him out. It did however leave me with a proud feeling.

After just one week in Holland the changes we notice in little Alex are quite big.

He has adopted to a Dutch timetable very fast. He goes to bed much earlier, he wakes up more early and his daily routine has changed a lot. Normally Alex would start to show signs of being tired around 10 or 11 o clock at night. but now he falls profoundly asleep at 8.

It´s not really clear what is causing the change. Maybe its the Dutch light, or the climate of because we are are doing more activities, or maybe it’s just because Alex sees a lot of people around him all with different timetables.