International Colorado

Today, I took Luka (and Axel, of course) to a play area in the Broomfield Rec Center. it was awesome, but that is not what this posting is about. While we were there, it was late in the afternoon, so there were not a ton of families there. However, in the 45 minutes we were there, I heard Spanish, Dutch, Indonesian and maybe Portuguese. Plus, we spoke French and of course, there was English. The suburbs go global!

A Day in the Life of Luka, Axel & Mommy

Wake up. Give Axel "breakfast in bed" so that he sleeps a little longer. Sneak away. Go to Luka's room and get him dressed or wrestle him down to get dressed, whichever applies. Make breakfast for Luka. Eat breakfast or not depending on time allowed (or not, is more like it). Reynald helps as he can, as he gets ready for work. Run to computer to see if any urgent issues from client or vendors. Address any outstanding issues while Luka eats breakfast with Papa. Axel wakes up. Go get him. Change diaper. Put him in his little seat or feed him as required.

If it is a "school" day, hope we can get ready in time for Reynald to take him without being late to work. If not (more likely than not): tell Luka to get his shoes on about 10 times. Help him if he needs it. Get his back pack, clothes for outside, make sure he has his dou dou and his blankie and sheet, make his lunch. Write check to school if it is Monday - don't forget to deposit it when dropping him off. Wrap up Axel, put him in car seat or Baby Bjorn with sunglasses, as weather dictates. Take Luka to school -walk, ride his bike or in car, as weather dictates.

If it is not a school day, it goes something like this: Luka finishes breakfast, Luka has to go to potty. Luka wants to touch/hug/kiss/pinch/hit Axel. Watch Luka like a hawk. Feed and play with Axel. Play with Luka: read a book, play Candy Land, do a puzzle, read a book, check the computer for any work-related emails, play hide and seek, sing some songs, read a book, check the computer for any work-related emails, maybe let Luka watch a video. Try to get Luka to take a nap. Ha ha. Most of the time this does not work. Luka cries, rubs his eyes and is grumpy and says he is not tired. Refuses to take a nap. Mommy asks him to play in his room while she falls exhausted on the bed with Axel. Feed Axel and nap with him.

Wake up. Help Luka to bathroom. Wipe his bottom if he wants help or let him do it (he can). Maybe do an errand or two. Maybe go outside and take a walk/push the stroller/let Luka ride his bike (trike). Try to get Axel to go to sleep. Feed Axel. Try to get Axel to go to sleep. Feed Axel.

Run around making dinner. Pick up Axel when he needs it. Feed Axel if he needs it. Play games with Axel and/or Luka while making dinner. Reynald comes home. Helps with Luka and Axel as he can. Try to convince Luka to eat or go to bed hungry. Give Luka a dessert - fruit, yogurt, cookie, etc.

Go upstairs. Get Axel ready for bed. Get Luka ready for bed - or, hopefully, Reynald is here to do it (he does it most nights now). Kiss Luka goodnight and have Reynald read to him, tuck him in. Put on his "slip special". Nurse Axel to sleep. At 8 or 9 or 10, when he is asleep, go downstairs and do any work that must be done tonight, read a magazine, write a note to someone, write an email or just go to bed.

Good night.

Big dino puzzle from Aunt Tammy & Uncle Vernon

And a very Merry Christmas

We had a long Christmas weekend together courtesy of Reynald's company giving him both Friday and Monday off. On Friday, we opened all our gifts that we had up to that point so we would not have to take them to the mountains. Lots of fun, and a relief for Luka that he finally got to unwrap them all (ours and Axel's too)!

Then, we took off to our reserved cabin in Estes Park at the YMCA right at the entrace to Rocky Mt. National Park. We stayed there three nights. It was easy access to hikes/snow shoeing for the three days. Also, we had some fun one day making s'mores at an inside fire sponsored by the YMCA activity staff. Also got some swimming in at the pool on Christmas Eve and then hoofed it over to the Christmas Eve service. The service was wonderful with many carols and fabulous special music by a bell soloist from the Broomfield area. Luka and Reynald sat a few rows behind me because it was full. I sat up in the front row with Axel. Near the end of the service, the minister asked me if he could take Axel up front. He was his example of "the meaning of Christmas". Axel was a good little man in front of the congregation of several hundred people. He just cried only at the end. :) He was so sweet - it made me cry. My little man representing all the generations of Lindemuth/Bodeux families in the past and future.

We had a good time hiking and Luka and Reynald went sleddding too. It was verrrry windy, but they had fun anyway.
For Christmas Eve dinner, we defaulted to our paella dinner since it was faster and then for Christmas Day dinner, we made the pork tenderloin, aspargus and yams. The store in Estes didn't have any more turkey breasts, so we skipped the stuffining and the salad was just too much food. But, we did make (and mostly eat all of) the pumpkin pie on Christmas Eve. Yum, yum.

Santa stopped by in person with his wife, Mrs. Clause, on Christmas Eve and delivered gifts to Luka and Axel. He even knew them by name! Luka got a really cool remote control car and Axel got some cute wood animal puzzles that Luka has had fun with so far.

Mommy's Piano

I have a piano! After a while of brainwashing (tee hee) Reynald about getting a real piano, he agreed. For my 40th birthday present, he said I could get a piano or an anniversary band. Being no dummy, I chose the piano this time around (I can convince him about the anniversary band next time, I am sure - or at least at the 10-year mark!).

We were referred to a piano in Highlands Ranch (otherwise, never would have gone there on my own - tooooooooooo far). We liked it and the look of it too. We negotiated just a bit with the woman and the piano was delivered November 16th, the day before we left for our vacation to France.

The previous owner is a musician - a soprano who sang in New York and now sings around town. That made me happy to get it from a musician and she was pleased that my grandmother and mother were/are piano teachers and that we will really use it (though I cannot claim to play like they do - oh well - but we *will* definitely use it and I am so glad to have a piano in my home!).

Luka's Christmas

This is Luka's first Christmas where he is really aware of all the goings on. He is really into the decorations and music. As he has all year, he likes the song "Petit Papa Noël" and really loves Jinge Bells too. We have been playing some songs on our new piano as well (though he insists on "playing" alongside me and I am trying to figure out how to deal with the cacophony without hurting his feelings).

Back to Christmas - he loves to look a the lighted houses in our neighborhood or any light decorations we see around town. When he sees lit trees, he says, "Mommy, Santa!" He loves our tree too and is very concerned if the tree lights are not turned on, so I make an effort to make sure they are lit for him by the time he gets up in the morning, etc. He also is excited about Santa (see previous posts) and Baby Jesus (if you read earlier posts, you know some of his "best friends" are his Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph "toys"). He also, of course, loves the presents.

He is being quite patient (for a 3-year old), but I know it is hard for him seeing the growing pile of presents for a few weeks before we can open them. What torture! It reminds me of how I felt as a kid - it is a cliché, but also true that as a kid, Christmas is really a magical time. So exciting all that! He does ask me every day now if it is Christmas (i.e. time to open the gifts). We are almost there! Just a few days to go. :)

He also likes to inventory the gifts and notices if a new one has been added for any of us. He also likes to rearrange them and to stack them into a "castle" (chateau). He recognizes his own name so knows which ones are for him. I just have one so far, so he was concerned I did not have "enough" presents. Aww. Sweet little man.

Movin' up to the big boy jogger

Axel took his first ride in the BOB jogging stroller today. It was 63 degrees here in suuny Colorado the week before Christmas, so we took a walk/jog on the trails around our house.

Grab it, Axel!

Today was the first time that I saw Axel grab and hold on to something purposefully with his little hand. He was holding on to the little doggie that hangs from his swing. Then, he was holding on to a stuffed airplane toy that I gave him (a gift for babies from Lufthansa when we went to France/Germany). Go, Axel!

Axel rolled over!

Axel rolled over for the first time today. I had placed him on a pile of clothes in the middle of our queen bed - just his head a bit propped up. That must have given him the extra oomph he needed and when I came back in from getting his bassinet for his nap (our room is darker during the day), he had surprised himself by flipping over. Way to go, Axel!

P.S. Axel slept 7-1/2 hours straight last night - a record for him. Yay, Axel!

Letter to Santa

In one of Luka's books (okay, it is T'Choupi Fête Noël) the character writes a letter to Santa. I asked him if he wanted to do that too and he was all excited. So, we got out paper and a brown crayon (at his request). I was ready to start writing "Dear Santa/Cher Père Noël" but Luka was into writing the letter "A". I did not know he could do that! The point wasn't quite there at the top of the letter (the upside down "V" part before you cross the "A"), but it was awesome for a three-year old. Then he wrote an upside, down backwards "L" and a pretty good "C". And I helped him do a "B" "D" and some other letters. Then he "wrote" his name (various lines/scribbles, but we are getting there). He always recognizes his name when it is written (especially on Christmas present tags!).

So, the upshot of this story is, I realized that for Luka, a "letter" to Santa was just that - a letter of the alphabet. He was so proud and it was so cute, I just let it go at that. The idea is to do something he thinks is fun and he sure did think that writing "letters" to Santa was fun. :)

Axel's 4-month check up

Axel had his 4-month check-up today at the doctor. Here are his current stats:

Height: 25.5 inches
Weight: 14 lbs. and 6 oz.
Head circumference: 17.5 inches

The doctor said he looks great. Of course, we knew that. :)

She gave some advice on getting him to sleep better. We will see how it goes. I think he will be happier and healthier with a more regular sleep pattern and we will too.

Luka can do addition and subtraction!

Luka spontaneously did addition and subtraction just now at the dinner table, using what we called in my high school math classes, "a story problem" (applied to real life).

Playing around, he sometimes calls himself Medium Bob (the Builder) [Bob Moyen], calls Reynald Big Bob [Grand Bob], and calls Axel Little Bob [Petit Bob]. Just now, Reynald was downstairs. Totally on his own, Luka said that there were three Bobs, now Big Bob was downstairs so there only 2 Bobs left. If Big Bob came back, there would be three Bobs again. I asked him if two Bobs were there and one Bob left, how many Bobs were left. He said one Bob. He also said if there was one Bob left and one Bob came back, there would again be two Bobs. Pretty simple you may say, but I was amazed that he was verbalizing those concepts of his own accord. Go, Luka!

Visits with Santa

We have had several visits with Santa this year. First, Luka saw him at his school on Dec 7th when he gave his school holiday presentation - singing songs with his class. The school invites Santa to visit with the kids. Got some cute picture of him and then Axel too (and me since he was in the Baby Bjorn on me). Luka wasn't sure what he wanted from Santa, so I suggested now shoes (since he may be getting that) and I think I have succeeded in brainwashing him. Tee hee.

Then, on Saturday, Dec 10th, we went to Reynald's work sponsored "Breakfast with Santa". There were less kids than last year. Not necessarily bad - less frenzied atmosphere. We had pancakes served by the nice people who work in the kitchen there who were very happy to see Reynald's kids. We made some ornaments, decorated a cookie (which I later told Luka that some little elves came and took from the house so he would could not eat it - ick - all that frosting and candy), and visited with Santa. Snow shoes mentioned again here too - go, Mommy. Axel also was held by Santa this time - and he smiled! Santa said this was the first time he had a baby of that size who did not cry. Our sweet little man!

On Sunday, Dec 11th, Luka, Axel and I went to downtown Denver to see the Tuba Christmas. Luka was pretty good, considering we had to get there 30 minutes early to get a spot. It was very warm in the sun, thank goodness. He said, "Maman, ils chantent (they are singing)!" Referring to the tubas. He liked it, but got bored when the conductor takes like 15 minutes to recognize all the schools participating (there are ~300 tuba players from around the metro area). So, we took off. Then, we saw Santa and Mrs. Clause at Skyline Park. He was a great Santa - very nice and with a real beard. He told Luka there would be a "surprise" for him under the tree as well. Good thinking, Santa! He also gave both kids bear ornaments donated from a local bank. Luka liked that a lot.

We also saw Santa at Flatirons Mall on Tuesday. I did not think he would be interested (I never take him to those things - lines too long and pictures too expensive). I was surprised that he was interested in seeing Santa there - he said he wanted to talk to him. I told him the line was too long and that maybe we could look for a present for Papa first. That distracted him.

On another topic, Luka told us on his own the other day: "Je parle en français à la maison et en anglais à l'école" (I speak in French at home and in English at school". Great observation since it is very common for a child of his age not to even realize there are two separate languuages. Go, Luka!

Luka Update

On Wednesday, Luka's first day back at school after our trip to France, they had their Christmas/Holiday presentation at school. His class, Preschool 1, sang three songs. I had asked his lead teacher, Miss Debbie, to tell me what they were before our trip and we worked on them a bit while we were away, though for the most part, he knew them already. The class did a good and they were very cute. The songs were Guess Whose Beard is Long and White, song to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb, and a Christmas Fingerplay, and a short song about Hannukah. Luka wore his new red gilet (sweater) from our friends in France, Jean-François and Alexandra, where we stayed our last night in Metz before taking the plane home.

Luka in general seems to be going through a phase where he is a bit more difficult to deal with on a daily basis. He is constantly pinching or hitting me and often wants to hit or poke Axel. Though he says he is not, he is just "massaging" or giving us "calins" (hugs or caresses), this is not the case. I think it is he because he mourns the loss of more time with Mommy. So, lately, have been trying to give him more individual time but it is hard to do with a small baby. But, trying my best. Also, am trying to be more consistent if he hits, etc. me or Axel, he has to go to his room. Hate to make his room a punishment area, but he still seems to like it otherwise, and wouldn't no where else to send him. Other times, he is his sweet self, but this is definitely a problem to overcome.

Yesterday, we had a great time decorating our tree together. We have a fake, 3-foot evergreen that we put in the family/eating area. When Luka was 2 months old, his first Christmas, the (real, 6-foot tall) tree fell over just as we were about to leave town for Princeton Hot Springs that year. It freaked me out and since then, we have used the fake one. It actually looks pretty good. Though, I always feel guilty since growing up we always had wonderful real trees. Oh well - I say that when the kids are older, we will go back to a real tree. For now, this works well. We also decorted gingerbread cookies. Luka seemed to really like that. Pillsbury has already rolled out dough that you just have to cut out and bake. That is always the hardest part - the rolling out of the dough. So, we did that, though in general, I am against buying pre-made cookies as they have a weird aftertaste. But, these were actually not bad and let us focus on the task of decorating.

Luka told me the other day to stop speaknig both French and English. That is a lesson to try and speak only in French with him. Of course, I still have to speak in English to get through the day (with pretty much everyone outside the family). But, I was getting kind of burned out on speaking French at home, but the trip to France re-inspired me and Luka's great attitude toward French keeps me going.

Guess Whose Beard is Long and White?

Guess whose beard is long and white?
Long and white? Long and white?
Guess whose beard is long and white?
It's Dear Old Santa.

Guess whose suit is red and white?
Red and white? Red and white?
Guess whose suit is red and white?
It's Dear Old Santa!

Guess who comes on Christmas Eve?
Christmas Eve? Christmas Eve?
Guess who comes on Christmas Eve?
It's Dear Old Santa!

Christmas Fingerplay

I am Christmas tree growing up tall (stretch),
But when I first started, I was this small (crouch),
Then, I grew bigger and had branches this wide (stand slowly, arms out)
And I made pine cones with seeds hiding inside (hands for pine cone).
The wind shakes my branches (shake arms),
And down those seeds fall (flutter fingers downward),
To make new little pine trees for tinsel and ball (point hands together for tree, opening slowly to form ball shape).

~~~~~~~~

Happy 4-month Birthday, Axel!

Today is Axel's 4-month birthday. For Luka's first year, we sang happy birthday/joyeux anniversaire to him every month. It is not happening for Axel as consistently (mainly because Luka will get jealous if we sing that particular song to Axel - or anyone else, for that matter). But, we think of how he is growing and changing - pretty much every day and certainly at his month birthdays!

We just returned from our trip to France and Axel changed a lot even in the 2+ weeks we spent there. He smiles a lot and especially in response to being smiled at or talked to. He is a very accommodating little guy. He rarely cries. However, since before the trip to France, and exacerbated by it (travel, time changes), he does cry often if he is not held. We know this is common for babies, but he really has to be held all the time (as in every second) he is awake and lately, he will not sleep for more than a few minutes at a time, as in 5 to 15. Then, he wakes up and needs to come with us. So, in France, I ended up sleeping with him in the bed pretty much all the time. In some ways I do not mind it because he is so sweet and I like to snuggle with him. But, really, overall, I'd much rather not sleep with him at this point for several reasons: 1) I am always very careful, but there is always a suffocation risk when sleeping with a small baby, 2) I cannot relax fully and my body is twisted to protect him and I wake up very unrested, 3) I need a little down time - even if it is when I am asleep. However, this will soon be a distant memory, I am sure, so don't want to stress too much about it. He will be a big boy soon enough. :)

In France, everyone said what a gorgeous baby he was (of course - tee hee) and how sweet he is (very little crying, etc.). Also, as noted, he is just the smiling-est little guy I have ever seen, even more than Luka was when he was little (and that is saying a lot!). His grandpa often held him during our trip and they were buddies. They look a like too. :) He had a hard time sleeping in France and would not go to bed till we did. It was hard on all of us and he looked tired, but he is a stubborn little dude and just did not want to sleep without us, I guess.

By the end of the trip, he really liked to put weight on his legs and be held in a standing position (on people's laps). He would often cry if not held up like that. He likes the Baby Bjorn too. He likes it to sleep facing me but also often likes to be facing out so he can see what is going on. He is giggling still and "talking" a lot - making great baby noises.

He had a little cold/cough for a few days in France, with a runny nose. He had never yet had a runny nose in his life. To make sure it was nothing serious (because in tiny babies, it can turn serious fast), we took him to a doctor who is a friend of Reynald's parents. Reynald was examined too because he has a persistent dry cough. Axel looked good - was just in his nasal cavity. His runny nose has pretty much cleared up. I am sure he is happy about that - we were trying to help him breath more clearly and cleaning his note out with saline bulbs, which he didn't like very much (neither would I).

People in France noted, and I agree, he has lighter features than Luka - his hair is a bit lighter and so are his eye brows and eye lashes. Seems to me they have a bit of red in them too. His eye color is dark brown too. We will see if they end up as dark as Luka's. He is a handsome boy just like his brother!

We have his 4-month check up with the doctor next week. I am sure they will say he is perfect.

St. Nicolas Again!

Luka got to attend the St. Nicoloas celebration in Bar-le-Duc tonight with his grandparents while Maman, Papa and Axel spent the evening in Nancy to attend an alumni function for the Centre Européen where we met. He had a good time and has a St. Nicolas poster to prove it. Here's a picture of him and his grandpa at the celebration.

Défilé du St Nicolas in Reynald's Hometown (or village, as it were)

Luka had a great time tonight seeing the Saint Nicolas parade here in Reynald's hometown, the village where Reynald's parents live. It was just one float in addition to the St. Nicolas float, and he was there with Père Fouatard, who is the one who punishes kids if they are bad. Though, on the float he was pretty nice - throwing candy along with St. Nicolas and giving people switches/sticks if they asked. :) The other float was from a local group equal to the Moose or Elks. Funny. Luka liked the candy part a lot and was trying his best to compete with the others to get some in his little pocket (he succeeded a few times and Mommy helped).

It was a cold (rainy) night but Luka and I had fun following the floats as they played Christmas music along with lots of other people in town. The songs were French ones he knows due to our "studies" together in French music. They included the song about St. Nicolas (kind of creepy if you listen to the words - he reconstitutes little kids that were chopped up and eaten by an evil butcher - Medieval times are obvious as the origins for that scary story) and the Sabot de Lorraine. We walked past a church and in various neighborhoods and people's houses lit with holiday lights. We walked over the bridge after going in a circle around the Hôtel de Ville and then past Reynald's parents house. We stopped there as the others went on. Right before their house, there was a neighbor with quite a display of lights and a nativity scene (but no baby Jesus - had someone taken him away?) and a little house with a Christmas tree and animals.

Reynald's cousin who is currently working at a hotel in Paris pointed out that St. Nicolas celebrations are specific to Northeastern France and the Eastern parts of Europe - Germany, Poland, etc. It is not celebrated in other parts of France. Lucky us! I did not recall that, but do not remember that now from my year in Southern France. In any case, it is a great holiday and glad it is part of our family's traditions. Reynald's dad said that when he was little, St. Nicolas day was when the kids got gifts and Christmas was solely a religious holiday.