Axel is a little gourmet

Axel is a little gourmet, just like his big brother. He is not yet 8 months, but he likes "real" big people food the best. He will still eat baby food if he is really, really hungry and there is nothing else (well, sometimes), but he prefers to eat what we eat now. No more of that mushy stuff--he wants the real deal! Some of his recent meals include:

Apple Chicken Curry (chopped up in a mini food processor, but not pureed)
Spaghetti (same preperation as above)
Taco meat
Mongolian BBQ
Lots of bananas
Cheese - oh yum, this is a favorite
Lots of yogurt - Yo, Baby!
Organic Fish Sticks
Cooked Teriyaki Fish
Egg Yellow
Scrambled Eggs
Tomatoes
Potatos (mashed and baked)
Green beans (canned--they are easy to eat)
Various fruits: melon, blueberries (no strawberries or organes yet--still too little)
Blueberry Pie
Blueberry Pudding
Oatmeal
Avocados
Lots of Cheerios (then Luka has to eat them dry too)

And, as far as baby good goes, I bought him a bunch of organic ones, like we did with Luka. However, they don't have as broad of choices as Gerber does. Oh well. So, I did end up buying him some non-organic ones because he was more into the combinations they have. He particularly liked things like Chicken and Apple, and he loved the food Gerber makes for the Hispanic market (labels in English and Spanish and it says "Latin Recipes"). These were things like mangos for dessert and Beef and Tomatoes for dinner.

Little gourment that he is! Well, as we say, our kids are French. :>)

Spiderman, where are you coming from?

SPIDERMAN!

Spiderman is a very popular guy at our house. If you look around you can find:

Spiderman sunglasses (2 pair!)
Spiderman shoes (size 9/10 for little boy feet)
Spiderman toothbrush
Spiderman dangling tag thingys that clip on to little shoes mentioned above
Spiderman baseball cap
Spiderman night light
Spiderman t-shirt
Spiderman figurine (along with "Spiderman Girl," as Luka calls her, and 8 other super hero
friends)
Spiderman birthday cake (oh yeah, we ate that last October)
Spiderman and Dr. Octopus toy from said cake
Spiderman bowl (for cereal and other edibles)
Spiderman backpack to take to school every Monday and take home every Friday

...there may be more...if so, I'll let you know.

Update: Spiderman sandals that we bought in May 2006. They light up when you put pressure on them (jump or whatever). Very cool!

SPIDEY, we love you!

P.S. You too will get sucked into merchandising when you have little kids, if you haven't already. ;)

Easter 2006

Easter update for this year:

Luka was very excited to hide his hat for the Easter Bunny. My dad did that when he was a kid and we did that too--and always got baskets too. So, I'd like to continue that with my kids.

He hid them in the drawers of the living room coffee table. He hid Axel's as well (in the next drawer over) since he is too little. He was really into it and happy to know the Easter Bunny would be coming to find the hats and leave a little surprise.

I had purchased toys earlier--thank goodness--but not the chocolate bunny. What was I thinking? Note to self: NEVER try to buy a chocolate Easter Bunny the night before Easter (or even a few days before). I was able to find some miniature, Lindt bunnies wrapped in gold foil and those worked as well as some cheap-o chocolate one wrapped in pink foil. Since Luka is too little to know what a bunny should look like, that was okay. But, that was close! I had told him the Easter Bunny would leave him a special chocolate friend, so he was expecting it.

In the morning, he found that the Easter Bunny had left chocolate bunnies and eggs in the hats, and that he had also hidden baskets with toys for Axel and Luka! Including Spiderman matching game, Dora puzzle, kid card games for Luka, along with dinosaur bath towel for Axel (to wrap him up good in) and a dinosaur crib sheet set.

Luka then saw some of the plastic eggs the Easter bunny had hidden around the house. They had money (coins) and more chocolate eggs in them. (He loves money...is that good or bad?)

We went to church and they had a nice children's program and Luka moved up to the preschool class. At first, I took him to his old classroom (he had not been in a while) and realized he was waaaaay to big. Those kids really looked tiny compared to him! They sang songs, told Easter stories and also had an egg hunt. Then, after the service/Sunday school, we attended the pancake breakfast that the youth groups put on. It was yummy! (Normally, I think pancakes that are made industrially taste fake, but those were pretty good.)

We did not see Monsieur Bunny this year in person, but he still made an impression on Luka. Can't believe it is almost a year since we saw him last and almost a year ago that I started this blog!

P.S. I have pictures to add to the blog, but am way behind in even downloading them from the camera. I checked the other day, and there are still pics from the middle of March. Sigh. [Note: I just added two to this posting: May 11, 2006)

Ode to a Stroller

When you have a kid/kids, strollers multiply and sneak upon you. So watch out!

We now own many:

Stroller #1: The universal stroller into which the baby car seat fits, that you can use from day one when baby is tiny, through one year old or so (till you switch to a front-facing car seat). Some people get the big Graco set up, but we appreciated the less bulky option of a universal stroller into which a baby car set can fit. Folds up more compactly and still has a good-sized basket at the bottom. Handed down from our friends that they used for "baby" Jessie, to Luka to Axel, soon to be used by Jessie's (who is now 5) brother to be born this summer! Got a lot of use out of that stroller - thanks Ann and Cameron! Click here for an example of a universal stroller. We did not have this one (ours was a Cambio) , but it looks fine and gives you the idea.

Stroller #2: We got the original BOB. This is the "mountain bike" of jog strollers. The manufacturer calls it a "sport utility stroller." Yeah--I'd say so! I used it a lot on our neighborhood trails with Luka and also at Chautauqua Park in Boulder to go over big rocks and roots (but have to be very careful with that--cannot have the stroller tip as this could invite severe head injury). It also has shocks. In the $200-$300 range, but we got a lot of use out of it. And, I guess they do pretty well when you sell them used. Got one more kid to go, and then will probably do that to make some of our money back. For a jogger, is a bit heavy, but not too bad. I liked mine and use it often with Axel now that he is big enough to go in it, but would likely do it over and get a lighter one for jogging had I known. Today, they make a lighter BOB called the Ironman. It is really light, but costs a pretty penny. You can check out their site at http://www.bobtrailers.com/strollers/.


Stroller #3: Little cheapie stroller for baby that can sit up well--umbrella stroller or the like. Axel is still too young, but he will be there soon. (I see people put really little babies in these sometimes and this is a bad idea--they are all slumped over with no support.) We got ours to take Luka to France when he was 10 months old so as to get as compact as we could for the trip. These cost around $20, or you can spend more, but that kind of defeats the purpose. We got a lot of use out of this one for Luka and used it till he was 2+, and still have it, but it may get tossed so Axel can start out with a clean one instead of with Luka's well-used/abused hand-me-down in this case.

Stroller #4: Got two kids? Need a double stroller? Luka was almost three when Axel was born, and is now a very good walker. He was then too, but sometimes, it would have been helpful to have a double, but not really worth buying one. A friend gave us a low-end one (front to back, not side to side) that she was not using. This helped at the zoo at Halloween when Luka got tired and at Christmas in LoDo, etc. We did not use it a whole lot, but it sure helped the few times we needed it. I thought about getting the Stand on Tandem Caboose stroller. The big kid can stand or sit in the back on a little platform and the baby can go in the other part of it in his/her car seat or directly in the stroller. People I talked to who had one really liked it. For kids with an age spread like Luka and Axel, it seemed good. However, now, as the months have passed, Luka is a bit big for it and he is a good walker and he listens well when told to stay with me, etc. So, even though it would have been neat, the window of use we would have got out of it was too small.

Stroller #5: Yes, the famous Chariot. We could not believe we bought another stroller, and a double at that, but it really is the Cadillac of them all. And, as we said earlier, we got it for the ski sled capabilities and just benefit from its split personalities as a bonus: this luxury kid carrier can function as a stroller, jog stroller, bike trailer, hiking rickshaw and ski sled. Even in a little over a month, we've gotten a lot of use out of it and feel it has given us quite a bit of freedom in the mountains. Check out the details that we put up about it on our web site or check out Chariot's web site. Reynald said he may want to use it as a gear sled after the kids are too big for it. No way--we are going to sell it used and recoup some of the money. I am sure it will be well-loved, but still in good shape, with lots of memories to boot.

I think this will be our last "stroller," but you never know!

P.S. I like using the word "ode" don't I?

April Fool's Day

Today was April Fool's day. In France, it is Poisson d'Avril day, where you also play tricks or try to stick a paper fish (poisson) to someone's back. I realized we had not played any jokes with Luka today so went up to say good night to him and stuck a paper fish on his back. He thought that was funny and then stuck it on Reynald's back and then mine--we didn't "know" it as he hugged us good night. (Axel was already in bed, and he'd just try to "eat" the paper poisson anyway. ;)

Of course, this makes me think of my dad's famous April Fool's jokes on us. Dipping cardboard "thin mint cookies" in melted chocolate and putting them back in the Girl Scout Cookie box. My teeth sliding on them when I tried to bite them. The box frosted with chocolate frosting--trying to cut into those delicious brownies (but being a bit suspicious of something, but not knowing exactly what as Helen and I think Steven offered me cake--we'd not normally share, but wolf it down before the others got there--ha ha.)

I, of course, have my own famous trick I played on my college roommate Laurie. I worked in the library in college and got a hold of some college letterhead and sent her a note saying she lacked some humanities credits and would not graduate in May (a month away). I sent it through inter-campus mail. She ran to the registrar's office demanding to know what was wrong. The registrar looked the letter and said, "Miss B----, what day is today?" She then screamed, "Eve!" and knew she'd been had. Her parents and my parents thought it was very funny, but it took her a few years to agree.

P.S. Happy Birthday, Pascal

Unexpected Visitor

My mom called us on Sunday to say she would be in Denver two days--due to a mishap with her flight back from PA after Popop's funeral. I picked her up at the airport on Sunday evening and she left today (Tuesday). What a wonderful unexpected visit! It was a lot of fun to have her and great to have her see the kids. Luka has changed a lot in the (almost) 8 months since Axel was born and, of course, Axel has changed immensely since she saw him last as a newborn. Both boys had fun with her here. We will miss her!

We will all miss our Popop. Laura and I had both ordered flowers at the same flower shop for the funeral and they called her back because we had spelled "Popop" differently, and they wanted to confirm. I have always spelled it that way, as a kid, all through college and into adulthood, when I wrote to my grandparents. I guess I was the wrong one--everyone else spelled it "Pop pop" (and as I recall, so did Dearma when she signed their letters). I guess he didn't mind, but that was a shock. Well, we never said it "Pop pop" but did pronounce it "popop," so I guess I took it too literally. Anyway, we will all miss him and our other grandparents who had gone before.

Post Script: Thanks to Steven for reminding me about the related Dear Mac and Poppy story. When Dad died, our grandparents, whom we called Dearma and Popop (see above regarding Popop!), sent us flowers. Our local florist signed it for them "Dear Mac and Poppy". We all thought that was hilarious. Probably due to some much needed stress release as well.

Axel says Da-da

Darn, I was trying to get him to say ma-ma first a few weeks ago. ;) Then, I kind of forgot about it, and today when we went to see Uncle Jack with Mom, Axel happily said "Da da da da da" as he looked out at us smiling from his car seat on the floor. The little stinker! No, really--good job, Axel! This was actually the first "word-like" sound that he has done. He makes a lot of cute sounds, but more like chirps and clicks. So, a very interesting "first."

He is also doing well now at trying to grab things. We had a bunch of finger puppets for him to play with at Uncle Jacks and he was batting on the side of table to get to them and really going at it.

His hair is lighter and lighter. He may even end up being blond! His hair is much lighter than Luka's but they both have the same dark brown eyes with long eyelashes.

Uncle Jack, a dentist, thinks his gums look like he will be getting teeth soon. He is almost 8 months, so he may be right. And, he is does have a special expertise in that area.

Another Axel First

Today, Axel waved at me for the first time. I was drying my hair at the master bath sink, and he was propped up on my bed so he could see me. With my free hand, I was waving at him off and on. He looked intently at me, and then raised his right hand tentatively and then moved his fingers slowly. Very cute. He was very intent on copying me.

Baby Sunscreen

In Colorado, we wear sunscreen all year 'round: it is sunny in winter too! No matter where you live, carefully choose your baby's sunscreen. I found this article (Baby Center Sunscreen article)
on how to choose it, and my friend Sanya used the advice in it and found Banana Boat Baby Tear Free that fits the criteria.

Axel Firsts

Today was a day of several "firsts" for Axel:

• He turned the page by himself on a board book. Reynald was reading (or that would be, translating to French) "Spot looks at colors" to Luka and Axel and Axel turned several pages on his own!
• First time Axel sat up on his own at home for an "extended" period of time (meaning more than a second!). He was sitting on our bed and doing an awesome job of staying up. Then, he'd do a "dive" over when he got tired, but he is getting there! The very first time he stayed up for an extended period of time was on Wedensday, at music class. He was positioned just right, leaning just so on his left arm, that he stayed that way for several minutes.
• Today for a nap at 4 p.m. was the first time he slept in his crib! (Well, he work up and cried about 5 minutes later, but we could say that was a nap--or should have been.) Yes, it took us this long to get it set up again after tearing it down when Luka went to his mattress on the floor a few months before Axel was born. So, Axel beat Luka's record of 4 or so months in the bassinet. He turned 7 months old 5 days ago. But, now, we are officially done with the bassinet and have folded and put it away. The crib seems so "big boy" comapred! And, it is much roomier for him and easier to lift him out of for us. :)

Go, Axel!

Luka Stories

Poor Luka! He has a bad cough and a fever. He keeps waking up at night and crying. Also, he has not figured out how to blow his nose yet, so that does not help with congestion. He just wipes it all the time, but can't get it really cleared out. Also, this a.m., he had a nose bleed when he woke up and it was everywhere on his new dinosaur sheets. I got out the blood, but it was a lot of work. Poor man!

Funny story: we sometimes play "Halloween" where he knocks on a door and says "trick or treat" and we play like I give him a lot of candy, like it is Halloween. He has not done that in a while and yesterday, he knocked on the door and said, "Christmas Tree!" He got influenced with Christmas happening recently, I guess. Then, he looked confused when I was confused and remembered it was "Trick or Treat". Funny.

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!

Spiderman
(aka Luka)

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!

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!

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!

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!).

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!

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 :).

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!

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/.

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!)

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!

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).

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

Recipe: Delish Rustic Apple Tart

I made this right after Christmas. It hit the spot on a crisp winter evening.

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

Preheat the oven to 400°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a rough circle about 14 inches in diameter. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet and refrigerate while you prepare the apples.

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

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.

Leavin' on a Jet Plane...to France

Luka was very excited to take the trip to France to see his grandparents and the rest of his French family. We had been preparing him for it for several months - talking about the trip and what we'd do when we arrived in France. The trip went okay, but Luka only slept 2 hours on the way there. Axel slept a few more in the baby bassinet they install on the bulk head wall for parents who request it. Our kids were the only ones in that row not screaming their heads off. Lufthansa staff is kind of strict though - I had Axel on my lap and they would not let our row mate put up my food tray for me because there was "no room." Well, okay, but I didn't have much either and it was about to fall on the floor!

Luka was excited about the plane, but apprehensive too, it seems. After we were sitting on the plane waiting to take off, strapped in and all, he said, "Maman, j'ai fini" (I am done). I said, Avec quoi?" (With what) And he said, "Avec l'avion" (With the plane). Oops! We explained that we still had to take off and that it would be a while yet. He did okay in the end and we were glad to fly directly into Frankfurt with no stops.

Dieter and Ruth, friends of the Reynald's parents were there when we exited the "passengers only" section after customs. We were the only ones exiting at that point and I thought, "Who are these people taking pictures of?" because I had never seen them before (though I had heard about them). When Reynald greeted them, I realized who they were.

They were very sweet and brought gifts for Axel (rattle) and Luka (little wooden toy). They also gave us gifts for Annick and JC to take to France with us. They walked us to the car rental and then to the car itself, which was very helpful because it was far and we were kind of tired.

The rental car had a GPS that helped us throughout our trip (free in Europe, I guess) and sometimes got us lots or did weird things, but overall, was helpful. We drove the autobahn through to France, stopping at a clean, German-style road side cafe/bathroom stop. Axel did well on the trip, hardly crying. We were worried about that part as he normally does not like the car too much yet. However, we did have to keep moving....his one requirement!

This was now Friday and we were on our way to a small village outside Troyes to spend the weekend with 6 other families - our friends who drove from their various cities to spend the weekend with us. Nice!

Chicken Little

On November, 15, 2005, Luka saw the second movie (at the theater) in his life. The first one was in AK with his cousins (Shrek 2) when he was 1-1/2 - the whole gang went. So, he did not remember that one at this point. He seemed to like the Chicken Little ads on TV, so I took him to see it on a Tuesday when he was with me. There were only a few other people in the theater with him, me and Axel.

He was very impressed by the big screen. It is impressive if you are not used to it - and if you are little! He concentrated very hard and was very interested. Though, as a parent, the movie seemed a little stressful to me for a little kid - always something happening and waiting for resolution (Chicken Little rguing with his dad, the aliens arriving to blow up earth, etc.). Overall, I think he had a good time. He did tell me several times afterward that Chicken Little said, "The sky is falling!" and people told him, "You're crazy!"

I love you...giggle, giggle

Last night, Luka told Reynald (in English), "Daddy, I love Axel," with no prompting from us. Awwwwwww!

Also, in the past 10 days or so, Axel has started to audibly giggle/laugh sometimes when he is smiling. It is the sweetest thing. So far, he has mostly done it for me (his constant companion), but he is a really smiley little guy, so am sure that will be a common part of his repertoire soon.

Axel has a new "pilot" hat I got from the Hannah Andersen store at Flatirons. He is (of course) the most handsome baby ever.

Halloween Fun

This was Axel's first Halloween and Luka's first Halloween trick-or-treating. We had lots of Halloween activities for several days.

On the Thursday before, we went to a pumpkin patch with Karen and her kids: Joel, Liam and Tristan. There was pretty much no one else there but us so the kids got to run around like mad and do whatever they wanted. We took a picnic lunch and ate at their tables. There was a bouncy castle and a trampoline, with a "petting zoo" which was some pigs, ducks, rabbits, lamas, cows and goats in stalls, and a hay bale maze. The kids had fun running from each activity back again. At one point after the bouncy castle, Luka told me, Maman, je veux voir les animaux!" He and Liam amused themselves greatly feeding one of the goats a bunch of hay. Stupid thing ate it since they gave the hay to it (even though it had hay all around it normally??). Luka was all excited when the pigs woke up. And, the lamas pooing and peeing was quite the event.

On Saturday, we went to Boo at the (Denver) Zoo and Luka was very cute in his coliforme / mountain monster costume. He was original, that is for sure, and had fun making scary faces while wearing it. We went there with the Sabot/Stansifer family as well. We got some candy and also had a good time looking at all the animals. Luka saw zebras, camels, elephants, cheetahs, sea otter, polar bears and I am sure some other things I am forgetting. Axel slept the entire time in his car seat attached to the double stroller so that worked great. This was the first time we test-drove the double stroller that Amandine had given us and it worked great: Luka could run around or walk when he wanted and when he told me "Maman, je suis fatigué (I am tired)," he was able to hitch a ride.

On Sunday, we met Corinne and Ada at the Boulder Library for Franken Fun, their Halloween activity. They had crafts and he did some of that, but was really into the Halloween concert put on by Mary Sue and Cari, two women who do a lot of kids concerts up and down the Front Range. He looooooooooved it - I have to take him to more kid concerts. He sang right along with them and did all the motions and he cried when it was over, saying, "Maman - je veux encore chanter! Maman - je veux encore chanter!"

Then, on Monday, I went to his school with him in the a.m. to volunteer at the Halloween party. The kids had a special morning snack (I took a fruit plate and they had special star cheese, etc.) and then they had various activities. Most of them were wearing costumes, but not all. There was Buzz Light Year, Simba, Snow White, Luka as Mountain Monster, Blues Clues, etc. The activities included decorating cupcakes (which they ate for their p.m. snack), coloring a scarecrow or decorating one big pumpkin. Luka (and some other kids) wanted to decorate more than one cup cake... ha ha. He was not that interested in the other activities and wanted to play with a bunch of Mr.Potatoe Heads and magnetic letters. At 10:30, they took off their costumes and went outside to play. There were 19 kids!

Luka's costume turned out great. It was lime green and curly/furry (though it shed something awful and was annoying to our eyes and getting everywhere on the floor, etc.). He had blue ears and a blue tail, made from navy fleece. He loved it and we got good use out of it.

Then, that evening, we went trick-or-treating. First we did our cul-de-sac and he was very cute. We have "played" trick-or-treat throughout the year, so he knew what to do. He would ring the door bell or "toc toc" (knock) on the door and then say, "Trick-or-treat!" very clearly (and usually loudly) when people answered. I sometimes had to lift him up to ring thedoor bellss. :) He was very cute and people seemed to think so too - the little kids are always the most fun when you are the one giving out candy. We did two other houses in our neighborhood driving the car (Axel slept through these) and then went to Jenni's, down Sheridan. Stuart and Jenni were home - Molly was working so missed us. They had fun with the kids and were glad to see both Luka and Axel. Axel is growing fast and changing a lot. And Luka is just a lot of fun. They watched Axel for a few minutes while he slept and Luka and I did a few more houses in their neighborhood. One that he picked out, "Mommy, I want to go there!" and some others with cool decorations. All in all, a very fun Halloween. He is very possessive about his candy stash and wants to know where it is. When I moved the candy from his candy bag (so he could keep carrying his copains around in it like he was before Halloween), he was very upset that his candy was missing. I had to explain I had put it in the cupboard for safe keeping. He does not mind sharing it, by possessive, I just mean he wants to know where it is. :)

Axel wore his little long-sleeved orange ghostie t-shirt that Angela and Steven had bought for Luka when was born (he was only about 11 days old his first Halloween - I recall that was a very,veryy cold night - answering the door for trick-or-treaters and trying to shield him from the cold draft). That was costume enough for my little Axel this year. He will have lots of time to wear cute costumes later.