Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Luka Language Observations
Since Luka was pretty little (just 2 or earlier?) he got that there were two languages and would specify which language he was talking about--even though when he was younger, he sometimes called French "anglais" and Enlgish "français" - mixing them up. Now, he never mixes the labels up. Now, at 3-1/2, he knows that the same words are even pronounced differently if you are speaking one or the other languages. For example, "Spiderman" in English and "Speeder-mahn" in French. If you say, "Spiderman" while speaking French, he will correct you. Another example is "Axel" in English and "Ax-elle" in French. I called Axel "Ax-elle" in English and Luka corrected me: "Mommy, it is 'Axel.'" In addition, today, he tried to say "Robin" (as in Batman's sidekick) with a French accent on his own--he and I had never even talked about Robin before. He pronounced it "Roe-bin" as opposed to "Roe-bain," since he does not know formal rules for French pronunciation, but I thought it was very interesting that he is adapting to these conventions on his own!
Spiderman!
If you need help fighting bad guys or climbing any walls, let us know and we will dispatch Spidey out to help you. He has an entire team at your disposal, since, according to him, Spidergirl, Spiderbaby, Big Spiderman, Batboy, Batman, Batbaby and other various super heros live at our address as well.
Save the world, Spiderman!
Save the world, Spiderman!
Spiderman
(aka Luka)
Monday, February 27, 2006
More Skiing Fun
Yesterday, Luka did the rope tow for the first time--at Eldora above Boulder. We met Corinne, Ada and Dan there and Corinne and I traded off watching Axel as he slept in the back pack. It was very warm! Luka went up (and down) 4 times with me, skiing down between my legs. The rope tow was the hardest part--but we got better at it each time. Next year, ski school, here he comes!
Reynald also had a good ski day in that he did one of his ski tours. Everyone else bailed, but he did it alone and met Ken part way. He did Edlora to Winter Park over Rollings Pass. Go, Reynald!
Reynald also had a good ski day in that he did one of his ski tours. Everyone else bailed, but he did it alone and met Ken part way. He did Edlora to Winter Park over Rollings Pass. Go, Reynald!
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Ode to Mittens and Gobelets
Baby Mittens
Here is a picture of the tiny mittens that Grandma Joan (my mom) bought for Luka, before he was born, during our trip to France when I was pregnant with him. Of course, we did not know he was Luka then. She bought them when she and I stayed in Aix at the end of our trip at one of the cute baby shops in town. Luka wore them as a newborn to keep his hands warm at night and Axel wore them inside his buntings to give his hands an extra layer when he was several months old.
I am passing them on to my friend Ann who is due in July. Great to get more use out of them--they have crossed the ocean to do their duty. But, it is kind of sad, so I wanted to chronicle their part in our lives. Bye bye sweet little mittens!
Here is a picture of the tiny mittens that Grandma Joan (my mom) bought for Luka, before he was born, during our trip to France when I was pregnant with him. Of course, we did not know he was Luka then. She bought them when she and I stayed in Aix at the end of our trip at one of the cute baby shops in town. Luka wore them as a newborn to keep his hands warm at night and Axel wore them inside his buntings to give his hands an extra layer when he was several months old.
I am passing them on to my friend Ann who is due in July. Great to get more use out of them--they have crossed the ocean to do their duty. But, it is kind of sad, so I wanted to chronicle their part in our lives. Bye bye sweet little mittens!
Luka's Gobelets
We had to retire the beloved Sponge Bob straw cups ("Gobelet"). I could not get them clean anymore and we had had them a long time. It was a sad parting, but of the four, we only had three left anyway (or was that two)? They must be in sippy cup heaven. We have replaced them with a new cup, but it doesn't work as well (meaning, it leaks). Sponge Bob, we need you! Here is a picture in memory of our first and most beloved Gobelets.
Luka's New Room!
With a new bedroom set and a new hardwood floor, we can say that Luka has a totally new room! Here is a picture of him from last night--the first time he saw his new set up. Wow! No more sleeping in Maman and Papa's room while the work is being done!
He had a great first night: didn't fall off the bed and slept 12 hours. Mmmm - I love my own room!
Now, the work is not done for Mom and Dad--new rugs to buy, put all the pictures back on the walls, everything back in the closet, etc. But, we are getting there and it was worth it!
He had a great first night: didn't fall off the bed and slept 12 hours. Mmmm - I love my own room!
Now, the work is not done for Mom and Dad--new rugs to buy, put all the pictures back on the walls, everything back in the closet, etc. But, we are getting there and it was worth it!
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
French Rock Star Jean-Louis Aubert & other Famous French Visitors to Denver
We saw Jean-Louis Aubert last year in Denver in March and even got our pictures taken with him after the show and talked to him and his entourage--and talented backup guitar player. Being French expat(s) has its perks in getting to meet really famous people up close that we'd never be able to get near in France. (That includes Julien Clerc with whom Eve had dinner and Reynald drove his band around town (he was very gracious and looks very young for his age), Jack Higelin with whom we ate a midnight dinner with, along with his entourage, at My Brother's Bar (he was an amazing musician but kind of a weirdo), director Alain Mottet who Eve took to a Rockies baseball game (he said it was his dream to attend an American baseball game--how could I deny him?), Bernard Lavilliers, and director Claude Lelouch, and former French president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (even in English, his speech is very aristocratic--not like Geo Bush II, I'd say).
Turns out Aubert made a mini-documentary of his trip to Denver that is on his recently-turned platinum CD in France. The ablum is called Ideal Standard and you can find it on Amazon.
Check out this article in the Denver Post about the album and Aubert's take on Denver.
Also, go here to see our pictures with him. I was just beginning to show being pregnant with Axel.
In this picture, Eve is on far left.
In this one, Reynald is far left.
And here, it is just Reynald and JL Aubert!
When Reynald's cousin Fabien saw these pictures on our website, he emailed me and said the guy with Reynald looked just JL Aubert, and was it really him?!
Luka was really into JL Aubert after this concert (even though he didn't go). He liked the autographed poster, and any time the CD came on, he'd say (in French), "That's Jean-Louis Aubert!" Then, when we were in France in November, we saw him on the equivalent on French MTV while looking in the electronics section at the store Auchan, and he was very excited (me too!).
Turns out Aubert made a mini-documentary of his trip to Denver that is on his recently-turned platinum CD in France. The ablum is called Ideal Standard and you can find it on Amazon.
Check out this article in the Denver Post about the album and Aubert's take on Denver.
Also, go here to see our pictures with him. I was just beginning to show being pregnant with Axel.
In this picture, Eve is on far left.
In this one, Reynald is far left.
And here, it is just Reynald and JL Aubert!
When Reynald's cousin Fabien saw these pictures on our website, he emailed me and said the guy with Reynald looked just JL Aubert, and was it really him?!
Luka was really into JL Aubert after this concert (even though he didn't go). He liked the autographed poster, and any time the CD came on, he'd say (in French), "That's Jean-Louis Aubert!" Then, when we were in France in November, we saw him on the equivalent on French MTV while looking in the electronics section at the store Auchan, and he was very excited (me too!).
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Sking Fun!
Here is our new ski sled for the kids that we got on Friday (it also turns into a bike trailer, a rickshaw/hiking get up, a jog stroller and a stroller). It is the Chariot Carrier. We used it for its first run today! We went to the East Portal trail by the Moffat Tunnel above Nederland.
It was around 20 degrees where we were (a bit colder at the end of the outing), but the kids were toasty warm in their little cocoon. We both took turns pulling them, me on snow shoes and Reynald on skis. And, Luka skied down quite a ways with Reynald on his little skis. Both Axel and Luka were outdoor champs!
It was around 20 degrees where we were (a bit colder at the end of the outing), but the kids were toasty warm in their little cocoon. We both took turns pulling them, me on snow shoes and Reynald on skis. And, Luka skied down quite a ways with Reynald on his little skis. Both Axel and Luka were outdoor champs!
Reynald pulling the new kid sled with Luka and Axel inside. Yee ha!
Luka's sled last year and this year (with the addition of the booster chair as a brilliant idea of Mommy's) before the new sled. It was fun, but just not ridin' in the same style (or warmth).
A cute picture of Axel from our trip to Han's Peak (nothing to do with the sled--I just like the picture :).
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Pool Fun
We went to the pool at the new Broomfield Rec Center just north of us for the first time, from around 5:30 to 7ish. Luka had a blast, but Axel was not a happy camper in the water. I guess he is still too little. This was his first time in a pool/anything outside the tub. We tried him in the floatie frog, but he is not big enough yet and did not like it. He could not sit up right in it anyway, so we will wait a couple of months. We dried him off and put him in his towel on his stroller. He was happier that way! Reynald and Luka had a blast going down the big slide! They went down like 8 or 9 times - which is good for Luka since he can be kind of scared of stuff like that. But, I asked him if he wanted to go down with Mommy too, and he said, all happy, "No! With Papa!" :) He is probably right - don't know if I could hold on to him going down!
Friday, February 17, 2006
Winter Fun and Fur Rondy Memories
Winter Fun near Steamboat
We spent a long weekend (Reynald took a day off and so did I) about 45 minutes north of Steamboat Springs (Hans Peak area) this past weekend with friends Corinne, Dan and Ada. Luka and Ada were great buddies and Axel thought Dan was the greatest.
We also went to Steamboat Springs Hot Springs. Luka loved it and Axel screamed in his car seat till he fell asleep. It was too cold for him out of the water. Ada and Corinne had a blast too--poor Dan was back at the cabin sick. :( The adults had fun on their huge water slide. Corinne and Reynald had to convince me, but then I did it a second time!
Axel spent his first snow shoe hike (or any outing) in the baby back pack. He was a trooper. It
was sunny all weekend and Monday long, so we lucked out. Everyone else skied but me (no back country skies yet, just snow shoes). Luka even got a ski in around our cabin with Papa. He did some sledding and rode in Ada's ski sled too. So did Axel. We also rigged up a sled for Luka using our red plastic sled and Axel's high chair/booster seat. But, we loved Ada's enclosed ski sled so much, we just bought a double ski sled for the kids. We would have liked to get away with a single one, but for skiing and hiking, the double seems necessary despite the gap in their ages. It is a Chariot and we got all the kits for it. They are found at www.chariotcarriers.com. It was a big (= spendy) purchase, but hopefully, we will use it all year round. It is a gorgeous pod for our little guys!
All this outdoor stuff encouraged me to spend other some money at REI too. They are having a big sale. I got a new day pack with reservoir system, Axel got a new bunting and fleece baby shirt for winter and Luka got a ski helmet and ski goggles (actually, those were from www.Trail-kids.com). Today was really cold. It was 0 degrees at around 5 p.m. and last time I checked, it was -2 degrees. Oh-- www.weather.com now says it is -7 degrees. Brrr!Oh, Axel screamed all the way home from Steamboat (~3 hours). I am not kidding. It was awful. Not sure why he did it, but we could not get him to stop. :( Oh well....hopefully, he will be happier next time.
Axel news: He is extremely smiley and people comment on it wherever we go: Chipotle for lunch where he flirted shamelessly with a couple next to us, at our CPA today for our tax appointment, with people in the tea house where I had a tasty tea to ward off the cold weather, etc. He also seems to like solid food in the morning but lately is not too keen on it in the evenings. I think he is too tired by that time.
Luka seems to be having a lot of fun at school. He is really into playing with his friend Johnny. He asked if Johnny could come to his house--he has never asked that about anyone before. He has known him since Toddler 2 (1 - 2 year old class), but John is 4, I think. We were watching the Olympics the other night and figure skating was on. Luka said, "I can do that!" and did some turns around the living room, imitating them. To him, seemed pretty simple! :) He was very proud. Maybe he will be an Olympic champ some day--ha ha.
I have noticed that no one ever mistakes Axel for a girl. That happened all the time with Luka when he was a little baby (under a year or so?). I think it is because he was so "pretty" with his long eyelashes (like his Grandpa Paul). Axel has gorgreous dark brown eyes too, but his lashes are not as long, I guess.
Fur Rondezvous Memories from Anchorage, AK
Talked to my mom today on the phone and she said Fur Rondy (big winter carnival in Anchroage, AK) was starting. I miss it. Sounds like it will be fun. The Miners and Trappers Ball is being held again this year. We had some fun times doing that (me, Cathy and Dolly--were those fun days, or what?!). She is also going to the Pioneer Pancake Breakfast. I wonder if they still have the Polar Bear Party. That was the best. I remember going with Dad too when it was dowtown off G street at the old Fur Rondy office (now is that building the Glacier Brew House?) and in later years going with Mom, Charlie and others when it was at the Sheraton. We would sneak in using the polar bear sticker passes from the previous year on our Fur Rondy buttons (you were supposed to be a "VIP"). That was hilarious. Some pretty good sneakiness for us straight-lacers. Well, we are VIP's too--(ast least Dad was). Tee hee.
I remember when I was a French painter in the parade--something about I got extra credit for that in my high school French class??? I remember that it was fun, but pretty cold. And talk about cold--going on the carnival rides down at the "buttress area" on Third Ave. That was really cold. After the Round Up or other rides, we could hardly move our faces because they were so cold. In college when I would tell that story, people thought it was weird. It is just the way it was--and I guess we were pretty tough Alaskans. ;) And I can still smell how it always smelled like cigarette smoke down there. Carnival rides always do, don't they?
And the fireworks. Very cold but fun to watch outside from the TeePee park or downtown, all bundled up. And, one year I was in the Miss Fur Rondy pagent, but that is another story....Ah.....I miss the the Fur Rondezvous. Like Mom and I said, I had been going to those events since I was born, so there are a lot of years to be nostalgic about. If you want to visit Anchorage and make your own Rondy memories, check out their site at http://www.furrondy.net/.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Axel's 6-month check up
Axel had his 6-month check-up at the doctor today. He's in good health, of course! He also got two shots--poor little guy! For the first one, he flinched a bit but didn't cry till the second one. ("What are you guys doing to me?!")
Weight: 15 lbs. 2.5 oz. - 20th percentile
Length: 26.5 inches - 50th percentile
Head circumfrence - 17 inches - 20th percentile
Luka came along and was a good helper (well-behaved). He was embarassed when he called Tammy the nurse "Dr. Jarmul." He was smart though to know to use the dr's name (we talk about going to visit her). Also, when we drove up to the hospital (where our dr's medical offices are), Luka said, "Maman, je ne suis pas malade !" (Mommy, I am not sick!)
Weight: 15 lbs. 2.5 oz. - 20th percentile
Length: 26.5 inches - 50th percentile
Head circumfrence - 17 inches - 20th percentile
Luka came along and was a good helper (well-behaved). He was embarassed when he called Tammy the nurse "Dr. Jarmul." He was smart though to know to use the dr's name (we talk about going to visit her). Also, when we drove up to the hospital (where our dr's medical offices are), Luka said, "Maman, je ne suis pas malade !" (Mommy, I am not sick!)
Monday, February 06, 2006
Happy 6-month Birthday, Axel!
Today is Axel's 6-month birthday! Wow - can you believe it? He is growing fast and getting more observant every day. His new things are that he is holding things more with his hands and into sticking things in his mouth (Mommy's shirt, Mommy's arm, his little teether hedgehog or other toys (no actual teeth or real teething yet though, just sucking like mad)). He is also really into sucking his thumb in the last few weeks. That is good! He can self-comfort a lot more.
Luka sucked his thumb for a bit too around this age. Neither of our kids ever sucked a pacifier. For Luka, we never tried. For Axel, we just tried for a few nights in France in November out of desperation because he would not sleep a wink without being held by one of us. He used the pacifier a bit for a few nights there (sucking it nervously instead of Mommy) but then he dumped it. Which is fine with us! He got back to sleeping more normally back in the US, and now, the last week and a half, he has been sleeping 10 - 12 hours a night! Go, Axel! Looks like we are done with the waking up during the night stuff, but we will see.
He is also rolling over some, from front to back, and some from back to front, but not a lot for either. Luka was never a big roller either, so no big deal.
He is also very vocal and likes chirping, "talking" and likes to sing with Mommy and big brother. He is also really into books now and loves to be read to. He likes to play with Luka and was very excited the other night when he heard Reynald and Luka come home from work/school, even before he saw them. He knew two good playmates were on their way in the house!
Joyeux Anniversaire and Happy Birthday, Axel Baby!
Luka sucked his thumb for a bit too around this age. Neither of our kids ever sucked a pacifier. For Luka, we never tried. For Axel, we just tried for a few nights in France in November out of desperation because he would not sleep a wink without being held by one of us. He used the pacifier a bit for a few nights there (sucking it nervously instead of Mommy) but then he dumped it. Which is fine with us! He got back to sleeping more normally back in the US, and now, the last week and a half, he has been sleeping 10 - 12 hours a night! Go, Axel! Looks like we are done with the waking up during the night stuff, but we will see.
He is also rolling over some, from front to back, and some from back to front, but not a lot for either. Luka was never a big roller either, so no big deal.
He is also very vocal and likes chirping, "talking" and likes to sing with Mommy and big brother. He is also really into books now and loves to be read to. He likes to play with Luka and was very excited the other night when he heard Reynald and Luka come home from work/school, even before he saw them. He knew two good playmates were on their way in the house!
Joyeux Anniversaire and Happy Birthday, Axel Baby!
Monday, January 30, 2006
Flash: Mary Had a Little Lamb!
For those of you who don't know, Mary had a little lamb! It's fleece was white as snow (or "wipe as snow" as Luka says), and everywhere that Mary went, the lamb was sure to go.
This classic is Luka's current favorite song (yes, it is in English!). A very close second is Here we Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush (and wash our clothes, brush our teeth, brush our hair, wash our face, jump on one foot, hop around, etc, etc, etc). All those motions are such preschool fun!
I'd say Axel's favorite song is My Bonnie (Axel) Lies Over the Ocean and also, Round and Round the Garden, Goes the Little Mouse (or Bear). He also loves it when Mommy counts to three (or trois as the case may be) and does something fun on three. Such as makes him fly, makes him clap his hands, stand up, etc.
Luka's current fav books are Pigs Rock (I'd say that is my favorite too!) by Melanie Davis Jones and illustrated by Bob Staake. The story is clever, rhymes very well and the illustrations are very appealing. Rock on! He also likes the Olie books by William Joyce, and in particular Snowie Rolie as well as Big Time Olie. I think the text is kind of awkward sometimes, but Luka loves it. The story lines are clever and the graphics are impressive here as well. These two were library books. Have to take them back tomorrow - oh no! Gotta love the library! I just ordered Luka Sleepy Time Olie used from Amazon, so we will see how that goes.
Axel likes reading too and I try to read to just him once a day when Luka is at school. Today we read some of good baby French books about animals (Tic Tic la Giraffe, Tchok Tchok le Chameau, Zoum Zoum la Cocinelle, Odil Bourdon, Estelle la Cocinelle et Pierrot l'Escargot).
This classic is Luka's current favorite song (yes, it is in English!). A very close second is Here we Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush (and wash our clothes, brush our teeth, brush our hair, wash our face, jump on one foot, hop around, etc, etc, etc). All those motions are such preschool fun!
I'd say Axel's favorite song is My Bonnie (Axel) Lies Over the Ocean and also, Round and Round the Garden, Goes the Little Mouse (or Bear). He also loves it when Mommy counts to three (or trois as the case may be) and does something fun on three. Such as makes him fly, makes him clap his hands, stand up, etc.
Luka's current fav books are Pigs Rock (I'd say that is my favorite too!) by Melanie Davis Jones and illustrated by Bob Staake. The story is clever, rhymes very well and the illustrations are very appealing. Rock on! He also likes the Olie books by William Joyce, and in particular Snowie Rolie as well as Big Time Olie. I think the text is kind of awkward sometimes, but Luka loves it. The story lines are clever and the graphics are impressive here as well. These two were library books. Have to take them back tomorrow - oh no! Gotta love the library! I just ordered Luka Sleepy Time Olie used from Amazon, so we will see how that goes.
Axel likes reading too and I try to read to just him once a day when Luka is at school. Today we read some of good baby French books about animals (Tic Tic la Giraffe, Tchok Tchok le Chameau, Zoum Zoum la Cocinelle, Odil Bourdon, Estelle la Cocinelle et Pierrot l'Escargot).
Recipe: Most Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookies
This is the Quaker Chewy Choc-Oat-Chip Cookies from the inside of the top of the oatmeal can. Also, at their web site. We started making these 13 years ago when I mailed Reynald some cookies from Anchorage when he was doing his military service officers' school in France. (Back then, military service was still mandatory in France.) My fav cookie is oatmeal chocolate chip and I discovered this recipe on the box. The rest, as they say, is history.
Mom has taken these over as her own and is famous for making them. I make a mean cookie with this recipe too. I usually make them as bar cookies. I don't have enough time to make them one by one. Don't over cook them as drop cookies and they will be divine. So buttery (and good for you too, I am sure!).
These work well in high altitude too. The Quaker recipe says that the nuts are optional, but I don't think so. They are soooooo delicious in this recipe!
Ingredients
1/2 pound (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened
1-1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 TBS milk
2 tsp vanilla
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour (increase to 2 cups for high altitude)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
2-1/2 cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
2 cups (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
This recipe can be easily halved. It is big the way it is written.
Directions
1. Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, beat margarine and sugars until creamy. Add eggs, milk and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda and salt; mix well. Add oats, chocolate chips and nuts, if desired; mix well.
2. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 9 to 10 minutes for a chewy cookie or 12 to 13 minutes for a crisp cookie. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.
3. If you are making bar cookies (my favorite), press dough into the bottom of an ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. I use a glass one. Quaker says bake 30 - 35 minutes till done. Note that at high altitude, I never bake them that long--they'd be burnt to a crisp. I cut the recipe in half (it is big as given and it halves easily) and I bake the bar cookies around 15 minutes.
Ah, heaven!
Mom has taken these over as her own and is famous for making them. I make a mean cookie with this recipe too. I usually make them as bar cookies. I don't have enough time to make them one by one. Don't over cook them as drop cookies and they will be divine. So buttery (and good for you too, I am sure!).
These work well in high altitude too. The Quaker recipe says that the nuts are optional, but I don't think so. They are soooooo delicious in this recipe!
Ingredients
1/2 pound (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened
1-1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 TBS milk
2 tsp vanilla
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour (increase to 2 cups for high altitude)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
2-1/2 cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
2 cups (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
This recipe can be easily halved. It is big the way it is written.
Directions
1. Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, beat margarine and sugars until creamy. Add eggs, milk and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda and salt; mix well. Add oats, chocolate chips and nuts, if desired; mix well.
2. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 9 to 10 minutes for a chewy cookie or 12 to 13 minutes for a crisp cookie. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.
3. If you are making bar cookies (my favorite), press dough into the bottom of an ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. I use a glass one. Quaker says bake 30 - 35 minutes till done. Note that at high altitude, I never bake them that long--they'd be burnt to a crisp. I cut the recipe in half (it is big as given and it halves easily) and I bake the bar cookies around 15 minutes.
Ah, heaven!
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Axel's first solid food!
Axel having fun on his first day of solid food
Luka helping out with friendly cow - used to wipe little mouths
We just finished introducing Axel to his first taste of solid food. (We being me, Luka and our friendly cow friend for wiping Axel's mouth - see photos.)
Organic rice cereal mixed with mommy's breast milk - yum! Actually, it did not go over that well, and he is right now in the process of getting his milk straight fron the source! :) But, he will get used to it soon enough. Another try tonight.
Update Friday, January 27, 2006
Today we tried solid food again and Axel was into it and ate all his rice cereal/milk mixture. Go, Axel! Soon, I will have to go to Wild Oats and get him some organic baby veggies!
Update Again
Sunday, January 29, 2006: We have now added (baby food) sweet potatoes to Axel's repertoire. He seemed to like them! It is bittersweet--he is becoming a big boy! Stay small! Stay small! :)
Tuesday, January 31, 2006: He didn't really like sweet potatoes in the end and he kept spitting them out the second and third time I tried. So, I tried peas and he seems to like those so far (two times). Let's hear it for peas!
Tuesday, February 7, 2006: Today we added carrots to his repertoire. He seemed to love them! And, I think he was kind of hungry. He opened his mouth right away when I popped the top of the baby food jar and spooned some out. He then proceeded to eat the entire jar! Yum, yum!
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
What is in a name: Luka and Axel?
Meanings given for Luka, a form of Luke, are bringer of light (Latin) and light.
Meanings given for Axel are divine reward; divine source of life (Hebrew, Swedish) and Father of Peace (Old German).
These names are both uncommon in the US. On our trip to France this past November, we discovered, to our surprise, that Axel was a very popular name there! The stats say that "Lucas" (pronounced like "Luka" in French - the "s" is silent) was more popular: first or second in popularity the last few years. But, during our trip, we met two shop clerks who got all excited and said their boys' were named Axel too. I heard someone calling his son in Auchan (store), Axel. Also, some friends of Reynald's various cousins' kids were named Axel too. We heard about A LOT of Axels!
On the other hand, I have yet to meet a Luka in France, though we have heard of one or two friends of friends, or of Reynald's parents, whose sons are named "Lucas", which to the French seems the same as our son (people often misspell his name that way), but, is, in fact, different.
Even though we wanted them to have unique names, I am not really disappointed with this outcome in France. Because they live in the US, they could seem a little "foreign" in France when they are older--just because they live abroad--even if their French is good. So, on the issue of their names, after all this, I am just as happy that their names will seem "normal" there and they will fit in and not seem "foreign" in their second home country, France.
How we chose their names
One reason we liked them is because they were not ordinary but were also not excessively odd. Also, because they work both in English and French. I still remember the moment Reynald came up with the name "Luka"--it was an evening when he (Luka, not Reynald - ha, ha) was probably 3 days old already. The hospital had been calling us to get his name for their records, but we wanted to make sure we were not pressured and picked the perfect name for our gorgeous new born son.
I had been thinking of Luke or Lucas (these are both quite in vogue in the US, I have since come to realize), but we both agreed that that was not exactly right for us. Something was missing. We had even written Luke on his birth certificate application at the hospital, but then scratched it out! In any case, when Reynald came up with "Luka" I had a really excited feeling and knew that was the perfect name. We looked it up on the Internet and found that with that spelling, it was Slavic. Luca is more common and a very common name in Italy. Various forms are quite popular world wide, but in the US, it is not common at all. ("My name is Luka, I live on the second floor"...yeah, yeah....if you are my generation you know that song, but Luka's generation will be like, "What song? It is 40 years old....", so no big deal there.)
A common reaction (from older people) is surprise (and you can tell they don't really like it); from younger people they are often really excited and say it is a really cool name. Of course, we agree with the latter!
Axel did not remain unnamed for so long and had his name in his first 24 hours of life (quick for us!). We first thought of that name from a list of names we received from a French website suggesting names. Reynald noted it several months before he was born, but we were looking at several other names as well. I liked Axel more and more as time went by and we just wanted to confirm it was the name for him by actually seeing him after his birth. I know a lot of people name their kids before they are born, but we were uncomfortable doing that. We wanted to see the little man before bestowing his life-long moniker, to make sure it fit. And, it did! It is hard for some people though to not know the name in advance (really hard for my sister Laura - tee hee!).
My two men. What great names!
Meanings given for Axel are divine reward; divine source of life (Hebrew, Swedish) and Father of Peace (Old German).
These names are both uncommon in the US. On our trip to France this past November, we discovered, to our surprise, that Axel was a very popular name there! The stats say that "Lucas" (pronounced like "Luka" in French - the "s" is silent) was more popular: first or second in popularity the last few years. But, during our trip, we met two shop clerks who got all excited and said their boys' were named Axel too. I heard someone calling his son in Auchan (store), Axel. Also, some friends of Reynald's various cousins' kids were named Axel too. We heard about A LOT of Axels!
On the other hand, I have yet to meet a Luka in France, though we have heard of one or two friends of friends, or of Reynald's parents, whose sons are named "Lucas", which to the French seems the same as our son (people often misspell his name that way), but, is, in fact, different.
Even though we wanted them to have unique names, I am not really disappointed with this outcome in France. Because they live in the US, they could seem a little "foreign" in France when they are older--just because they live abroad--even if their French is good. So, on the issue of their names, after all this, I am just as happy that their names will seem "normal" there and they will fit in and not seem "foreign" in their second home country, France.
How we chose their names
One reason we liked them is because they were not ordinary but were also not excessively odd. Also, because they work both in English and French. I still remember the moment Reynald came up with the name "Luka"--it was an evening when he (Luka, not Reynald - ha, ha) was probably 3 days old already. The hospital had been calling us to get his name for their records, but we wanted to make sure we were not pressured and picked the perfect name for our gorgeous new born son.
I had been thinking of Luke or Lucas (these are both quite in vogue in the US, I have since come to realize), but we both agreed that that was not exactly right for us. Something was missing. We had even written Luke on his birth certificate application at the hospital, but then scratched it out! In any case, when Reynald came up with "Luka" I had a really excited feeling and knew that was the perfect name. We looked it up on the Internet and found that with that spelling, it was Slavic. Luca is more common and a very common name in Italy. Various forms are quite popular world wide, but in the US, it is not common at all. ("My name is Luka, I live on the second floor"...yeah, yeah....if you are my generation you know that song, but Luka's generation will be like, "What song? It is 40 years old....", so no big deal there.)
A common reaction (from older people) is surprise (and you can tell they don't really like it); from younger people they are often really excited and say it is a really cool name. Of course, we agree with the latter!
Axel did not remain unnamed for so long and had his name in his first 24 hours of life (quick for us!). We first thought of that name from a list of names we received from a French website suggesting names. Reynald noted it several months before he was born, but we were looking at several other names as well. I liked Axel more and more as time went by and we just wanted to confirm it was the name for him by actually seeing him after his birth. I know a lot of people name their kids before they are born, but we were uncomfortable doing that. We wanted to see the little man before bestowing his life-long moniker, to make sure it fit. And, it did! It is hard for some people though to not know the name in advance (really hard for my sister Laura - tee hee!).
My two men. What great names!
Friday, January 20, 2006
Axel and Luka Update
Axel is going through a time of noises and having a lot of fun with it. He laughs a lot--that wonderful baby laugh. I am so glad to hear it again from a child of mine. I didn't realize how much I had missed it from when Luka was a baby. He laughs at funny noises and things we are surprised to see that he find funny, like me counting or something.
He also is "spitting" a lot. He purses his lips and spits/blows bubbles. It is actually very cute. It is not really spitting (as that sounds gross), but not sure what else to call it. He does that a lot. It makes an audible sound: bthhhhhhhhhhhhh, bthhhhhhhhhhh, bthhhhhhhhh!!!!
He is also making little happy "screams" or chirps and "talking" away. This is very cute too. If we are all talking, he likes to do that to participate in the conversation.
Luka is going to his first birthday party tomorrow for one of his friends from school, Josh. I made Josh a card and we got him a Spiderman/Dr. Octopus MegaBlock toy present. Ooooo! Luka will probably be jealous... ;)
We all went to the National Western Stock Show on Thursday with a friend of Luka's from school (and swimming), Connor, and his mommy, Kristin. We had a good time, but it was tiring for all of us. The kids liked the rodeo pretty well, but we didn't stay for all of it as it got kind of long for them. We did the petting zoo (stupid goats who attack you and scare Luka when you try to give them food - ick - I really do not like petting zoos that much, actually--the kind of gross me out). Saw lots of cows, steers and horses. And, of course cowboys. They do not have an elevator in the Coliseum where the hold the rodeos, but with all those cowboy-types around, it was not hard to find someone to help me carry the double stroller up and down the stairs!
He also is "spitting" a lot. He purses his lips and spits/blows bubbles. It is actually very cute. It is not really spitting (as that sounds gross), but not sure what else to call it. He does that a lot. It makes an audible sound: bthhhhhhhhhhhhh, bthhhhhhhhhhh, bthhhhhhhhh!!!!
He is also making little happy "screams" or chirps and "talking" away. This is very cute too. If we are all talking, he likes to do that to participate in the conversation.
Luka is going to his first birthday party tomorrow for one of his friends from school, Josh. I made Josh a card and we got him a Spiderman/Dr. Octopus MegaBlock toy present. Ooooo! Luka will probably be jealous... ;)
We all went to the National Western Stock Show on Thursday with a friend of Luka's from school (and swimming), Connor, and his mommy, Kristin. We had a good time, but it was tiring for all of us. The kids liked the rodeo pretty well, but we didn't stay for all of it as it got kind of long for them. We did the petting zoo (stupid goats who attack you and scare Luka when you try to give them food - ick - I really do not like petting zoos that much, actually--the kind of gross me out). Saw lots of cows, steers and horses. And, of course cowboys. They do not have an elevator in the Coliseum where the hold the rodeos, but with all those cowboy-types around, it was not hard to find someone to help me carry the double stroller up and down the stairs!
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Luka and Jessie do the Oatmeal race
Today, we participated in the Oatmeal 5K in Lafayette, CO with our friends, Ann, Cameron and Jessie. Luka had a blast with Jessie and they ran half of the 5K before getting in the strollers (where Axel already was)! They did great and I even made them special bibs (see photo) that people liked; they'd clap when the kids would go by, or yell out, "Go, Runner Boy! Go, Runner Boy!" They also kept each other going. "I want to run with Jessie!"
I (Eve) and Cameron were the ones with the official bibs, so sacrificing for our kids ;) we had really bad finish times. Hee hee. (We were very last several times, but when the kids finally got in the strollers, we caught up a bit--just a bit I'd say--but hey, we let our kids run instead of making them stay in the strollers the whole way!). Reynald did the race "for real" and was 56th out of 1491, with a time of 20:57. Not bad.
It was very fun and the kids had a good time with the rest of us.
Here are Luka (3 years old) and Jessie (4 years old) before the race began. What a team!
I (Eve) and Cameron were the ones with the official bibs, so sacrificing for our kids ;) we had really bad finish times. Hee hee. (We were very last several times, but when the kids finally got in the strollers, we caught up a bit--just a bit I'd say--but hey, we let our kids run instead of making them stay in the strollers the whole way!). Reynald did the race "for real" and was 56th out of 1491, with a time of 20:57. Not bad.
It was very fun and the kids had a good time with the rest of us.
Here are Luka (3 years old) and Jessie (4 years old) before the race began. What a team!
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Celebrating Epiphany: La Galette des rois
In France, they celebrate Epiphany (when the wise men arrived to see Jesus) with the Galette des Rois, King Cake. These are available most of January at bakeries everywhere. This is a pastry roughly the size of a pie that is made out of puff pasty with an almond-based filling. Inside the pastry/cake, a small fève (bean) is hidden, and cooked right in, so no one knows where it is and it will be discovered when the pasty is cut and divided up to be eaten. Whoever find the feve in his/her piece, is the king (or queen, as it were). That person gets to where the crown provided with the cake. Fève literally means "bean", but in this instance, it has come to mean the little porcelain favor that is used in these types of cakes. Traditionally, they were little ceramic baby Jesuses, or something religious. But, often now, there are themed to go with things popular at the moment (Ninja Turtles or whatever...I am making that one up, but things like that).
For our celebration today, I made the recipe that I posted below. It was really good and tasted pretty much like the real thing. Years ago, the year I came back from France when I had met Reynald, I made one totally from scratch using a French recipe. Puff pastry is hard to make from scratch, and is time consuming. It was fun, but no time to do that kind of thing now! So, this new recipe uses frozen puff pastry, which is just as well. I mean, does anyone have time to make that from scratch?
I have a fève that I bought in France the year I met Reynald. It is a little ghost screaming. Kind of weird. I remember getting it from a bakery to take home with me, and that is what they had. But, I have had him for over a decade. I keep it in my jewelry box. In any case, we explained to Luka what was going to happen - we were going to eat this great galette and one of us would be the king. He and I made a crown (it turned out really great - see pics). Of course, I marked where the fève was with a toothpick, because we had to make sure he got it. He was so excited when he did. He was very happy to wear the crown. But, he also wanted us all to share in the "winnings" so he said we were all princes (Axel and Papa) and a princess (me) too. Or, kings and queens, but we said, since he was the king, we were princess and a princess.
He also loved finding the fève, so he wanted us to hide it again in his piece. Reynald did and he was excited to "discover" it all over again. Then, he hid it a few times himself. "Wow! Look, Mommy! Look what I found (hee hee)".
We shared two pieces of the galette with our neighbors and went over there that evening. The wind was blowing really hard and Luka's crown almost blew away. He was very excited to show Jesse and Jennifer and their baby Sean his crown, his fève (and his new little car--unrelated to the galette!) as well as carry and give them their two pieces.
Very fun!
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Recipe: Galette des Rois
To celebrate Epiphany (the arrival of the wisemen) the French way, make a special "King Cake" with a feve (literally bean, or a little ceramic favor) to discover who is the king or queen at your house.
Galette des Rois
see original recipe for this quote:
This is a popular French cake that celebrates the holiday of Epiphany (January 6th) the day when the 3 Kings visited the Baby Jesus. As part of French tradtion, a bean or small china feve (favor) is hidden in the cake. The person who finds the feve in his or her slice becomes king or queen for the day. The person can also choose someone to be their king or queen and can lead the tradtional dance.
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Servings: 16
INGREDIENTS:
· 1/4 cup almond paste
· 1/4 cup white sugar
· 3 TBS unsalted butter, softened
· 1 egg
· 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
· 1/4 tsp almond extract
· 2 tsp all-purpose flour
· pinch salt
· 1 (17.25 ounce) pkg frozen puff pastry, thawed
· 1 dry kidney bean or real porcelein fève
· 1 egg, beaten
· 1 TBS xxx sugar for dusting
DIRECTIONS:
- Place the almond paste into a food processor or blender with about half of the sugar, and process until well blended. Add the butter and remaining sugar using and process until smooth, then blend in 1 egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, flour and salt. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Butter a baking sheet or line with parchment paper, and set aside.
- Roll out one sheet of the puff pastry into an 11 inch square. Keep the pastry cool, do not knead or stretch. Use a large pie plate, cake pan or frying pan to trace an 11 inch circle onto the dough using the tip of a small knife. Place the circle of pastry onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the second sheet of pastry. Refrigerate both sheets.
- Mound the almond filling onto the center of the pastry that is on the baking sheet. Leave about 1 1/2 inch margin at the edges. Press the bean or feve down into the filling. Place the second sheet of pastry on top, and press down the edges to seal. Beat the remaining egg with a fork, and lightly brush onto the top of the gallette. Use a knife to make a criss cross pattern in the egg wash, and then prick several small slits in the top to vent steam while baking.
- Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Do not open the oven until the time is up, as the pastry will not fully puff. Remove from the oven, and dust with confectioners' sugar. Return to the oven, and cook for an additional 12 to 15 minutes, or until the top is a deep golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Lay a golden paper crown gently on top of the cake. This will be used to crown the person who finds the bean or feve. Serve warm or cold. Make sure to tell everyone about the bean or feve.
Galette des Rois
see original recipe for this quote:
This is a popular French cake that celebrates the holiday of Epiphany (January 6th) the day when the 3 Kings visited the Baby Jesus. As part of French tradtion, a bean or small china feve (favor) is hidden in the cake. The person who finds the feve in his or her slice becomes king or queen for the day. The person can also choose someone to be their king or queen and can lead the tradtional dance.
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Servings: 16
INGREDIENTS:
· 1/4 cup almond paste
· 1/4 cup white sugar
· 3 TBS unsalted butter, softened
· 1 egg
· 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
· 1/4 tsp almond extract
· 2 tsp all-purpose flour
· pinch salt
· 1 (17.25 ounce) pkg frozen puff pastry, thawed
· 1 dry kidney bean or real porcelein fève
· 1 egg, beaten
· 1 TBS xxx sugar for dusting
DIRECTIONS:
- Place the almond paste into a food processor or blender with about half of the sugar, and process until well blended. Add the butter and remaining sugar using and process until smooth, then blend in 1 egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, flour and salt. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Butter a baking sheet or line with parchment paper, and set aside.
- Roll out one sheet of the puff pastry into an 11 inch square. Keep the pastry cool, do not knead or stretch. Use a large pie plate, cake pan or frying pan to trace an 11 inch circle onto the dough using the tip of a small knife. Place the circle of pastry onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the second sheet of pastry. Refrigerate both sheets.
- Mound the almond filling onto the center of the pastry that is on the baking sheet. Leave about 1 1/2 inch margin at the edges. Press the bean or feve down into the filling. Place the second sheet of pastry on top, and press down the edges to seal. Beat the remaining egg with a fork, and lightly brush onto the top of the gallette. Use a knife to make a criss cross pattern in the egg wash, and then prick several small slits in the top to vent steam while baking.
- Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Do not open the oven until the time is up, as the pastry will not fully puff. Remove from the oven, and dust with confectioners' sugar. Return to the oven, and cook for an additional 12 to 15 minutes, or until the top is a deep golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Lay a golden paper crown gently on top of the cake. This will be used to crown the person who finds the bean or feve. Serve warm or cold. Make sure to tell everyone about the bean or feve.
Recipe: Delish Rustic Apple Tart
I made this right after Christmas. It hit the spot on a crisp winter evening.
Delish Rustic Apple Tart
In a small bowl, combine the flour with 1 tablespoon of the brown sugar; reserve. Peel and core the apples. Slice them into 1/4 inch-thick slices. Cut cranberries in half. Place apples, berries and nuts in a bowl and toss them with the lemon juice, the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, and cinammon.
Remove the dough from the refrigerator and sprinkle the reserved flour/sugar mixture evenly over it, leaving a 2-inch border uncovered. Arrange the apple mixtureevenly over the flour mixture. Fold the edges of the dough over the apples. Moisten your fingers lightly with water and gently press the creases so that they hold together. Shave the butter over the fruit.
Bake the tart for about 40 minutes, until the crust is golden brown, the apples tender, and the juices syrupy, covering the tart halfway through the cooking time if the crust is browning too rapidly. Let cool for 10 minutes, then slide the tart onto a serving platter. Just before serving, sift the confectioners' sugar evenly over the crust.
adapted from http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/recipes/special_fall_appletart.shtml
Delish Rustic Apple Tart
- Refrigerated or other traditional-style pie crust
- 2 TBS all-purpose flour for thickening the juices
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1-½ pounds or 3 cups pie apples
- ½ - ¾ cup fresh cranberries
- 1/3 cup walnuts, brkoen/chopped
- 2 TBS lemon juice
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp butter
- 2 tsp confectioners' sugar
In a small bowl, combine the flour with 1 tablespoon of the brown sugar; reserve. Peel and core the apples. Slice them into 1/4 inch-thick slices. Cut cranberries in half. Place apples, berries and nuts in a bowl and toss them with the lemon juice, the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, and cinammon.
Remove the dough from the refrigerator and sprinkle the reserved flour/sugar mixture evenly over it, leaving a 2-inch border uncovered. Arrange the apple mixtureevenly over the flour mixture. Fold the edges of the dough over the apples. Moisten your fingers lightly with water and gently press the creases so that they hold together. Shave the butter over the fruit.
Bake the tart for about 40 minutes, until the crust is golden brown, the apples tender, and the juices syrupy, covering the tart halfway through the cooking time if the crust is browning too rapidly. Let cool for 10 minutes, then slide the tart onto a serving platter. Just before serving, sift the confectioners' sugar evenly over the crust.
adapted from http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/recipes/special_fall_appletart.shtml
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