Brussels, Brugge, and first ride on the train!

             It seems like when we have one thing to do, everything else just piles up in that same week...This past week was completely empty until I scheduled Kay's 18 month check up for Friday, then BAM, there was something else for every day of the week! lol. I'm not complaining, I like when we have things to do, it's just funny how it always seems to work out that way.

KayLeigh all warm and snug in her plastic bubble

              The week started out with a visit from my friend Dawn. She was in the Visual Ensemble with me at CSU. She's still going to CSU, and is studying abroad in France this semester, so she hopped on a train and came to visit! It was nice seeing someone from home, and weird at the same time, the last time we really got together was at Mat and I's wedding lol. We spent her first day here in Brussels with my Belgian friend, Blandine, and her little boy Max. It was my first time taking the train here, so I was very glad she came along to help, and show us some sites in Brussels. We went into a church, and finally saw the Manekin Pis (the little boy peeing) and that guy was NOT that impressive, I was expecting some huge statue in the middle of a plaza or something...no, it was about the size of KayLeigh, and it was just on some random street corner! We did some shopping too, and ate some awesome food, and of course waffles :) It was a really good day, and I"m glad I didnt have to drive into brussels, because, it's scary there...lol.  Kay liked the train, I think because it's like being in the car, but she didnt have to sit in her carseat, and she got to walk around with her buddy Max, and look out the giant windows. We almost missed our stop on the way home, but luckily jumped off just in time! The best part of the trip was Starbucks though, there's only 3 in Belgium, so we don't get it a lot, and I have missed it!! 
                After getting a good nights sleep and defrosting from being out in the cold in Brussels all day, we headed out to Brugge. Mat had the day off so he drove, and we all got to hang out. It was the first time Mat and I have been to Brugge too, and we loved it! It's such a pretty city, and they have canals everywhere, we plan to go back when it's warmer so we can take a boat tour of the city. It was fun to look around the city, but it was so cold!! We got a tasty pastry and some delicious chocolate from a cute little shop before heading to Ghent, which isn't too far from Brugge. It was already pretty late, and dark, so we just walked around the castle in the center of town and headed home afterwards. Dawn left early Thursday morning and Mat headed off to the airport to pick up the new kid that he is sponsoring.. I got a bit of a break to clean and relax with KayLeigh, which was nice, because all the walking in the cold gave me a bit of a cold! It was great to see Dawn, and she got Mat and I out of the house, and finally went to see Brugge, and rode the train! Hopefully we can meet up with her again before she heads back to the states when her school is over. 
                   Thursday was Mat's birthday! He was gone most of the day because a new guy came from the states, and Mat is sponsoring him, so he had to pick him up, take him around base, all the boring stuff you have to do when you first get here. Not the best way to spend his birthday, but he came home, got a nap, and we went out for our first date night in Belgium! Our friends Matt and Kelly watched Kay for us, so she got to hang out with their son Brody for the night, and she did really well! She didnt cry at all until I came back to get her, I guess she suddenly realized I hadn't been there all night lol. Mat and I went to a restaurant called "La Cervoise" and people talk about it all the time here. You can get a steak, or an assortment of meat, and they give you a piping hot stone to cook it to your liking. It was a fun experience, and it was nice to have a night with just Mat and I. Dinner was delicious and the beer selection was good, and Mat found a new tasty beer he enjoys. 
                    Friday Mat had to do more with the new kid, so I cleaned the house up a bit, and took Kay to her 18 month check up. She's right on track developmentally, and it seems like her vocabulary is taking off! She says "meow" so clearly now, its unmistakable what she is saying. She knows what ducks, cows, cars, dogs, cats, sheep, elmo, birds, and blue (from blue's clues) say...blue says "bow bow bow!" in a really high pitched crazy voice, according to KayLeigh, and Elmo says "lalala" lol. She's started to tell me when she goes potty in her diaper, and tries to say potty, although it sounds more like "pie" lol. So I'm thinking potty training may not be too far off...we'll see. Binky bear is still her favorite Baby, but she adds a new toy everyonce in a while, and she likes to make whoever the new baby is to kiss binky bear. Her hair makes cute little pig tails now, and even a little bitty ponytail, so I torture her every once in a while to do her hair. She knows a lot more things, like where her shoes are, and she tries to put them on, she likes to go "bye bye" She's got 10 teeth and is working on her second pair of molars, she also loves brushing her teeth, and requests to do so by saying "teef" and rubbing her finger on her tongue. She's a wild woman in the bathtub, and has discovered splashing, which can get messy, but is hilarious! She still loves her kitty to death and calls him "nin nin" or most recently "ninya" he tolerates her well, and lets her drag him around and love on him, such a good kitty :) KayLeigh is an independent little girl, but she'll let you know when she needs love, and she gives the BEST hugs now, wraps her little arms around your nech, andpats you on the back. she's a sweetie :) Her new favorite cartoon to watch is Blues clues, and it's competing pretty strongly with Elmo, she still loves Elmo, but she's requesting Blue almost as much, so I think we may have a Blue's clues bday for her this summer, we'll see... Shes growing up fast, and is perfectly healthy, skinny and tall!


                    After Kay's appointment and once Mat got home, we had Kelly and Matt over to thank them for watching Kay. I made Mat a birthday dinner (he's so spoiled :)) He got Frito pie, Home-made stuffed Jalapenos and made from scratch Chocolate- Bacon cupcakes.. I was a little worried about the cupcakes since I've never made anything from scratch, but they turned out really well!! Mat loved them, and I think I succeeded in making his 29th birthday a good one :)
                     And that was our week, busy!! So here are some pictures, and I hope you enjoyed the blog! love you all!!

Bacon Chocolate cupcake!

Random tunnel in Ghent, black lights, and music...

Delicious pastry in Brugge..if you look closely in the knife you can see a creepy reflection that Dawn and I decided is definitely a pastry ghost!!

Kay and Max looking out the window at the waffle restaurant

my new fave..Crouqe Madame

Manekin Pis, in Brussels. so small!!

Dawn and I in Brugge

Best waffles ever!!!

Belltower in Brugge, it rings every 15 minutes!

cute little chocolatier in Brugge!