Axel Update

Here is another Axel update. He is such a sweet little man. Yesterday, he turned 7 weeks old and Luka and I and Reynald sang Joyeux Anniversaire (Happy Birthday) to him. For Luka, we did it every week, but poor Axel, sometimes we forget. :) Soon, we will go to every month, and then, sadly, every year! What a cliché, but they do grow up too fast!

He is smiling now (real smiles), started at about 6 weeks, and I got some good pictures of him doing it today.
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He is really a sweet baby. He likes to be held a lot (don't they all?) but he really only cries when he is hungry. He is losing some length on his hair since he was born (he had a lot of it) but still has quite a headful. His eyes are definitely brown and I weighed him the other day and he is around 11 lbs (calculated by me weighing myself, adding him to the mix and doing the subtraction).

He likes the snuggliness of the Baby Bjorn. He slept through the fireworks mentioned in posting below (and they were loud), but sometimes wakes up easily in a quiet house. He doesn't like his bassinets unless he's totally beat (too hard) so has been sleeping in the changing table pad (on the floor) or our bed (of course, his fav spot!).

He is becoming more alert during the day (Mommy, ses yeux sont ouverts ! - his eyes are open!), but still sleeps a lot. He sleeps even more when Luka's at day care and sudden noises (screaming laughter, temper tantrums, loud toys) don't jolt him awake at inopportune times.

Luka is sweet to him and likes to show him toys and help take care of him: getting his blanket, putting a diaper in the diaper pail, playing the music button his is baby swing, etc. Luka always loved Axel since the day he came home from the hospital (or make that, since he met him at the hospital), but went through a time of tantrums with us. That has subsided and he is back to his jovial self, with a few 3-year old ("appropriate" at this age?) tantrums thrown in.

Axel is a good nurser. He does, however, spit up quite a bit as evidence of an upset tummy. Often, in the second half of the night he has a lot of tummy problems and trouble sleeping. :( Poor little guy.

At this stage, Axel looks a lot like Luka did when he was little. Glad the pictures will be dated, because it will be hard to tell 20 years from now!

We tried the bottle (pumped Mommy's milk) for Axel twice, but he won't take it yet. Hope we did not wait too long... Also, excuse any typos - Mommy typing (fairly fast) one-handed is quite the feat (with little dude in the other).

Update to the Update - September 26, 2005

Axel had his 2-month check up today. Here are his latest stats:

Height: 23 inches - 50th percentile
Weight: 11 pounds & 2.5 ounces - 50th percentile
Head circumfrence: 15-1/4 inches - 50th percentile

Go, Axel!

Fireworks & Baseball

We have a lot of fireworks in our lives lately. Luka's little "computer" that teaches him the letters and numbers (in English) from Fisher Price that he has had since he was one (using it differently as he got older, but always liking it), has some fireworks that he loves. If he gets to the end of the alphabet or counts to 10 pushing the correct buttons, it has "fireworks" on its screen that he gets all excited about. He had to figure out how to do it himself since he was always asking Mommy to make it show fireworks. That was a great incentive!

Fireworks also appear in two T'Choupi DVD's. Our new one and current favorite, the full-length film (!) Le Mystère les Jouets (The Toy Mystery) has fireworks (and T'Choupi singing) at the end to celebrate T'Choupi and his friend's victory over the toy monster. And, in the episode Le premier bal (the first dance), fireworks and T'Choupi singing (yes, again) to show that he can sing if not dance. Luka likes these fireworks a lot too. Oh, and let's not forget the fireworks T'Choupi sees with his Papi (grandpa) in the book T'Choupi dans la nuit. (An aside: the author of T'Choupi seems keen on fireworks, doesn't he? He also seems to love the gouter (snack time) - or is that just a French thing in general?)

Lastly, here are some fireworks in real life! Friday, Reynald's company gave out tickets for the last fireworks game of the season at Denver's Coors Stadium. The Rockies lost but we and particularly Luka had a fabulous time. He danced a lot to the blaring music and flirted with some college girls behind us. He is already a ladies man - always seeking out the chicks (young or old).

We were in the Rock Pile (cheap seats) which is very desirable for fireworks games because if you are sitting there, for the display, you get to go down onto the ball field (with 10,000 other people) after the ball game is over. Lying flat on your back on a blanket with the fireworks bursting in air right above you is an experience to be had. Luka covered his ears the whole time, but was wide-eyed the entire time. He told me today that he wanted to go to another baseball game. I am sure we will. but we'll have to wait till next season.

Update - October 11, 2005

Today while sitting at his place at the table, Luka was playing with his "guys" or his "copains". These included Shrek, Fiona, Baby Donkey, Mama Donkey, baby gorilla, mommy gorilla, green frog, petit poussin, etc. He had all his buddies lay down on their backs on the table as if they were looking skyward. He told me they were all watching the "feu d'artifice"!! That kid has a good memory!

Letters Letters Letters

Luka starting learning his letters when he was a little bit older than one year. We took baby French class and his teacher started going over them. I thought she was nuts, he was so little. But, he was really interested in them and knew his French ones first, but thanks to day care/school now knows them well in English too. Want the alphabet song? Which language? Take your pick! He first knew the upper case letters but in the last few months, we taught him the lower case ones and he picked up on them really fast.

Now, we are starting to show him how words fit together. I bought a set of good magnetic letters for the fridge, with lots of repeats so you can actually spell words. At this point, he tells us words he wants to spell and we tell him what letters to search for. He puts them in order as we say what they are and he locates them on the fridge. Here is a picture of some of our recent masterpieces: EVE ~ CHAT ~ CHIEN ~ LUKA ~ REYNALD ~ AXEL

Marie, Josef et le Petit Bébé Jésus & Old MacDonald had a Farm

Luka has a battery-operated toy slide that three characters slide down, climb up and slide down again (with like an esacalator stair case), going on eternally in a loop. A friend of ours (Jessie) had the same toy, but with penguins and he loved it. So, I found it online and ordered it. However, I ordered him the Old MacDonald version - there are several, evidently. The litte guys that climb the stairs and climb down in this one are a farmer, a pig and a cow. It is quite amusing, but the noise it makes (the escalator) can get to you after a while (but obviously, it doesn't both the kids as Luka can leave it on for hours and not bat an eye).

When he had had the toy for a while, he started talking about "Mary, Joseph and le petit bébé Jésus." When I finally took notice, I realized he was talking about the characters for his little slide. Too hilarious. As I may have mentioned elsewhere in this blog, he is fascinated by baby Jesus. He still remembers the neighbors lit plastic lawn nativity display from last Christmas and wonders when it is coming back. Christmas will be here before we know it now, so he will be excited to greet baby Jesus there, I am sure! He also loves the songs Jesus Loves the Little Children, Jesus Loves Me, and, the all time favorite, Il est né, le divin enfant (He is born, the divine child). I am not sure where he gets this obsession from, but I guess it is a good thing to be obsessed with! :)

For whatever reason (how do little kids' minds work?), he decided that his Old MacDonald characters were Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. He consistently calls the pig Mary, the farmer Joseph and the cow Baby Jesus. Once for several weeks, we misplaced Joseph (the farmer) and Luka was very concerned and often asked me to find him. I was on it, but couldn't figure out what there little guy was hiding. I figured he'd turn up though and sure enough, I eventually found him behind the big armoire in the living room while plugging something in. Whew - we were glad to see him! Now, I keep a closer eye on the whole group - since they are only about an inch and half high they are easy to lose underfoot. For a while, they were kept secreted away in the little Alaska sock purse that Grandma brought him from Anchorage.

For now, we know where they are - safe and sound in the plastic Spiderman bag with Luka's "menagerie" of wild safari animals - hope they don't get scared.

The Best Crepe Recipe

I have looked for a good crepe recipe over the years and this one is the best yet. The crepes are yummy and pour out very well. It is from www.wildoats.com, modified to perfection by me.

Crepes
1 to 1 and 1/2 cups Milk
1 cup flour
2 Tbsp. Canola Oil
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Eggs
1 Tbsp. honey

Beat together all crepe ingredients to a smooth batter. Eyeball milk to make batter thin, but not too thin. Let rest 1 hour or overnight. Beat briefly before using. Brush a heavy 8-inch skillet or crepe pan with a little oil or butter then heat. Pour in enough batter to lightly coat bottom of pan. Move pan around to spread batter so it is uniform and thin. Cook until golden. Flip gently and brown the other side. Remove from pan. Fill with your favorite filling then roll up.

What goes around...

What goes around comes around. When I was a kid, I shared a room with two of my brothers and my sister for a while. No sob story here - we had the biggest room in the house (what should have been the master bedroom - my poor parents) and each had lots of room. We all got along well and had fun at night with Mom reading us stories and/or talking till late at night. One thing I remember is how we would often ask my mom for a glass of water, saying (thinking?) we were thirsty. One of us would ask and then another would ask. What little devils! But, Mom never complained and she would always get us a glass of water. Even though we were right across from the bathroom and could have gotten it ourselves! However, now as a parent, I realize maybe she didn't want us up running around once she had gotten us in bed! :) In any case, I am sure it was annoying sometimes, but my mom was always nice about it.

Fast foward about 35 years...pretty much every night now Luka says he is hungry just when you get him in bed and about to leave for the evening after the whole routine (reading, brushing teeth, massaging him, etc.). I am not sure if he really is anymore, but it is a habit at this point. Argh! We feel bad if we don't feed him, but with little guy number 2 around too (Axel) it is exhausting to add that one more item when you you think it is done for the night! Oh well... we will survive, I am sure Luka won't always eat a banana before bed, and some day we will miss even the late night "feedings" when he is all grown up.

Party Down!

We had a party for Eve's 40th birthday and Axel's actual "birth" day. As Reynald says, it was the biggest party we ever had. There were about 40 adults and 13 kids under 6 or so (and a few teenagers). It was in our back yard and the weather cooperated. It was catered by Word of Mouth catering - who had awesome BBQ and salads. We had a special French cake (if you can call it a cake) like we had at the second day of our wedding: cream puffs filled with vanilla or chocolate cream, then covered in hardened sugar, decorated with candied almonds and nougatine. Yum! It was fun to show off Axel and to have lots of nice people to celebrate two big events with us. My mom was in town too, to help with Axel, so she was able to be here for the big party too. She had a good idea to rent a bouncy castle for the kids and that was a big success. Thanks, Mom! We also received thoughtful presents for Axel and/or me. What nice friends we have.

The day after the party (Sunday), Mom, Luka, Axel and I hustled off to church for the 9:30 service, so Luka did not have a chance to check out the back yard before taking off. When he got back home in the afternoon, he asked me if the "trampoline" (the bouncy dog) was still there. I said it wasn't, but he asked if he could check and see. I think it is not that he did not trust me, but that he was hopeful. He checked out the back yard and saw it really was gone - which he accepted resignedly (no tantrum). :)

Some other pics from the event:

Luka and buddies: Megan and Kristin

Eve, Axel, Elizabeth, Randy

Fauchère Family and Richardson Family

Bouncy Dog!

Reynald pouring French champagne

Paul W’s Blueberry Pudding Recipe

(from Eve Lindemuth Bodeux)

½ cup sugar
2 TBS butter, softened
2 eggs
½ cup molasses
½ cup milk plus 2 TBS (See note 1)
3 cup flour (See note 2)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp cloves
½ tsp nutmeg
2 – 3 cups wild blueberries (See mpte 3)

Preheat oven to 350°. Cream sugar and butter. Add eggs. Beat. Add molasses. Beat. Add milk. Beat. In separate bowl, mix together flour, soda and spices. Add flour mixture to molasses mixture. Mix well. Add blueberries. Mix well – some berries will break and the batter will have a nice purple hue in parts. Turn into greased 8 x 11.5 or 9 x 13-inch. Bake 20 – 45 minutes till done, depending on pan. Serve as a cake or in a bowl with milk and sugar sprinkled on top.

Notes:
1 Original recipe calls for ½ cup milk only, but the batter is much too thick. Add additional milk carefully – it should still be fairly thick and a bit difficult to spread in the pan.

2 I use whole wheat pastry flour – it goes well with the rustic style. However, white flour is fine.
3 The original recipe calls for 1 quart berries and that the berries be rolled/coated in flour before adding to batter. (To prevent from sinking to the bottom of the pudding). However, I have never found this to be necessary. Berries should be wild – fresh picked or frozen (such as Cascadian Farm brand). I have also made the pudding with raspberries before as a variation and it is good too.

Axel Update

We can't believe that Axel is now over 2 weeks old! Before we know it, he will be three like Luka! No ... it goes too fast! Axel is eating (nursing) very well and gaining weight like a little champ. He had gained his birth weight back anda bit more by August 11 when he weighed 7 lbs and 14.5 oz. Then, on August 19, he weighed 8 lbs 4 oz!

Grandma is here to help us with our two little guys and Axel likes having her hold him and Luka likes his playmate. He will be sad when she goes!

Axel is an easy baby so far. In the evenings, he usually goes down to sleep from about 10 p.m. to about 2 a.m. or so. So, a good long stretch before he wants to be fed. Then, he eats or wakes (for diaper change or whatever) every hour or so after that. But, he usually snoozes pretty quickly after getting a middle-of-the-night snack and then wakes up again periodically.

During the day, he still sleeps a lot - especially when we go in the car to do errands - but he is getting more and more alert. He looks so cute with his little eyes open and looking around. I am thinking soon he will be able to go in the little bouncy seat I bought him at the mother-of-twins sale.

With Luka we used a cloth diaper service till he was about 7 months old (when we went to AK to visit), but Axel is using disposable diapers. They are much less bulky, though they leak too unless you fan out the leg part inside. When we first started using them, they leaked every time!

Axel is also good about the Baby Bjorn front carrier. He likes it more than Luka ever did. Axel did it for the first time when he was maybe 10 days old and now has done it 3 or 4 times.

Last weekend, we went hiking in Rocky Mt. National Park around Bear Lake - Grandma, me and Axel in carrier and Luka walking, and then started up the trail to Nymph Lake, but Luka then said, "Maman, je veux dormir dans le sac à dos," so we had to turn around. We didn't have the kid-carrying back pack with us! I was impressed he remembered that since we have not done it in several months (but he did use it a lot in the winter with us).

Then, Sunday, we hiked one of the trails in Boulder at Chataqua and Luka did awesome - we hiked about 2.5 hours over big rocks. Luka was a real champ and so was Axel, doing the whole trail in the Baby Bjorn on Papa's tummy. My little mountain climbers!

Luka Gets Promoted to Preschool

On Monday, August 22, Luka started in a new class at his school. They mark August 22 as the beginning of the new school year and Luka moved to a new class with some of his other buddies. His friend Kristin was already in the same preschool class so that is good that they are in the same one. There are several preschool classes because that is a popular program. This was an easier transition than when he moved from the little kids class (1 - 2 year olds, called Toddler 1) to the Toddler 3 class (2 - 3 year olds) last year. The first day after preschool, Luka said, "Mommy, I had a good day!"

He has also, on the suggestion of Grandma, been riding his bike (trike) to school every morning. Go, Luka!

His new teachers are Debbie, Jamie and Cory (who was also a Toddler 1 teacher). In a few weeks, Rachel will replace Cory in the later afternoon. His teachers in Toddler 3 were Majel and Rhandine for a long time. He really liked Rhandine and she was wonderful. She was due with her first child a few weeks before I was due with Axel, so in July, she was replaced with Sophie. Sophie was awesome too and seemed to really like Luka. He liked her a lot. Then, Majel was replaced with Danielle. Luka just had her for a few weeks before moving to preschool, but she seemed really good and interested in the kids and organized too. She was the new head teacher.

Luka loves school and it was time to move up to preschool where they are a little more independent. He is now going in the big kids potty in the main hallway too (as opposed to having a potty just for his room).

Luka's class makes us a congratulations card

When I went to drop off Luka this a.m. at school, his teacher Sophie told me to wait a second and she went to get something for us (we were in the creative movement room). Then, all the kids, including Luka, helped her hand it to me. It was a big red card that said "Congratulations" on it in glitter and inside, each kid's name was there with a glitter signature, and the teachers had signed too (Miss Danielle, Miss Sophie and Miss Mandi). Sophie said that Luka (and all the kids) was very excited when they were making the card on Wednesday. :)

Luka can ride his bike!

Luka has loved to "ride" his tricycle since he got it for his birthday (I think it was his first birthday...?) - "Je veux faire du vélo !" but he didn't get the idea of pedaling...until tonight! Reynald and he just back from a quick evening ride with Luka in the trailer and Reynald called me outside to see Luka pedaling for the first time! He wanted to ride his own bike after getting back from the ride with Papa. He is doing awesome! He is very proud and wants no pushing now from us - he wants to do it all himself. We will have to get this on video. Go, Luka!

WELCOME AXEL WILLIAM BODDEUX!

Baby Bodeux #2 made his big appearance on his due date! More info to come. For now, here are the important details:

Axel William Bodeux
Born August 6 at 9:56 p.m.
7 lbs 13 oz.
20.5 inches long

See http://co54.home.comcast.net/ for photos!

Update 08/10/5 - Axel's umbilical cord fell off this a.m. Mommy's milk came in at noon yesterday.

Luka took this photo-montage to school today to show his teachers and friends how proud he is to be the big brother.

Reynald and baby:

Eve and baby:

Baby #2 Update - Due Date -1

Today is the day before the baby's "official" due date - Saturday, Aug 6th. At my now weekly appointment, the doctor said I am 3 cm dilated, 50% effaced and that he is at station -2. So, he could come anytime... The weekend would be perfect, so maybe tonight? Luka obliged us by arriving on a Saturday morning, so perhaps his brother will just as accommodating! I love being pregnant and am somewhat sad it will be over soon as this will likely be my last time, but it is time for him to come now.

Luka is doing well, but must sense something - he is particularly attached to both Reynald and me lately. "I want you, Mama!" "Papa - je veux aller au travail avec toi !" I feel bad that he will be without us for a few days while we are at the hospital, but he is resilient and I am sure he will do fine.

Little man #2 could come any time, so watch this space!

Hiking at Rocky Mt. National Park

Today we took our last hike as a family for a little while. Little man #2 could arrive any day, so until he can go out with us, may be a few months. But, soon, I am sure he will be a little mountain goat like his brother Luka - starting out in the back pack and soon running up the trails himself. We went to Rocky Mountain National Park and were glad to use our park pass another time.

I am two weeks away from my due date, but my gut feeling is, the baby would not come early and we were a bit stir-crazy from the very hot weather we've been having that kept us inside recently. Record breaking temps up to 105 degrees in the Denver area!

Luka had a blast and we met a nice family with six kids (4 little girls and 2 boys they were taking care of). He has so much fun hiking and playing with them that he was heart broken to leave them at the end of the day. He is very social and it is often traumatic for him to separate from friends or family.

I have a big tummy (see photo!) and some people seemed impressed such a pregant mama was on the trail, but others obviously thought I was some kind of nut. :) The family we met asked when I was due and I was (almost) embarrased to tell them (38 weeks along). But, I was right - I felt good getting the excercise and Luka and Reynald had a great time too. And, anyway, the nearest hospital was Boulder where we are going to give birth anyway. Since we are now home safe and sound, that is all a moot point.

We started at the the Bear Lake trailhead and went to Dreamland lake. Luka was very happy to put his feet in the water like some of the other kids - though they were red a bit from the coldness of the lake. He had wanted to go swimming, but we convinced him otherwise (not safe and forbidden).

We had been up here before when I was ~1 month pregnant, on snowshoes in December. Then, there were just a few other people. Luka was on his skis then, I think, for part of it. This time, he hiked the entire way. It was fun to see it in winter and in summer. Nice in summer too - but very popular with lots of people! Actually, considering the situation, this time around, that was not a bad thing.

It's Summer Time...

...and the livin' is easy. Or, so the song goes. Actually, I'd say that, this week, the livin' is hot. :) But we have been enjoying the summer lifestlye. Summer to me also means strawberry shortcake and homemade ice cream. Last night I made a strawberry shortcake - the recipe we always used in my family from Better Homes & Gardens. It is easy and yummy.

Strawberry Shortcake

1/4 c sugar, divided
2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 c margarine or butter
1 beaten egg
2/3 c milk

6 c strawberries
1/4 c sugar
whipped cream

Stir together berries and 1/4 c sugar; set aside in fridge; stir every 15 minutes or so. Stir together flour, baking powder, and 1/4 c sugar. Cut in butter till mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Combine egg and milk; add all at once to dry ingredients. Stir just to moisten (be careful, if you over-stir, the cake will be tough). Spread into a greased 8x1/2-inch round baking pan. Bake at 450 for 15 - 18 minutes till done. Let cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan and split into 2 layers. Spoon berries and berry liquid and whip cream over top.

Dad's Ice Cream

This recipe is for a traditional (hand-crank) ice cream freezer. To make it in a smaller ice cream freezer (like the Cuisinart I have now), cut it down or it will never freeze. I cut it down by 1/3 or 2/3's, depending. Also, I guess this is recipe is technically ice milk, but it is what I grew up eating, so it tastes just right. Homemade ice cream that is heavy on the cream tastes too rich to me.

1-1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
3 cans evaporated milk
milk (not fat free)

Put around 3 c of the fruit of your choice aside, mashed, mixed with 1/4 c sugar. Add the eggs and sugar to the freezer, then the rest. Fill up to the "fill" line with regular milk. (If you are using a Cuisinart, don't fill too full, or it won't freeze hard enough.) Freeze until set, according to the instructions for your ice cream maker. Eat it fast - homemade ice cream is never frozen hard like the store bought kind. You can also put any leftovers in the freezer in an air tight container, but it is better when first made.

Eve Preg Pic

Eve Pregnant picture



Reynald took this picture of me to make sure we have some this late in the game: July 18, 2005. Baby's due date is August 6, 2005.

It's a new car!

Well, new to us anyway. Did I already say in here somewhere that our Ford Escort finally gave out? What a relief. 3-1/2 years ago, the mechanic said it could die any day and we put not one dime into since then - except for one oil change - and the !#$&%* thing would not die! We had sort of started looking for another car in the last few months anyway. The Ford was (poor) Reynald's commuter car to work. Luka had only been in it a very few times (on way to airport or whatever) because it could have stopped working at anytime... And I rarely drove it either. I worried that Reynald would die in it or something though, and we'd be sorry for not shelling out for a different vehicle!

It all worked out though - finally, about three weeks ago, Reynald called me and said the deed was done - yay! We were relieved, but I must say, it was nice over the years not to have to pay any car maintenance - hee hee. We just purchased a 2000 RAV 4 - a sporty, mini SUV with 4-wheel drive. Mostly, I think I will drive it. We will see how we feel when little man #2 is added to the back seat if I keep this one or go back to the CR-V.

In any case, buying a car is always stressful and an annoying process. But, within that parameter, so far I feel okay about this one and Luka and I are having fun tooling around in it.

Baby #2 Update

3 weeks and a few days to go - today is Thurs and it will be 3 weeks till D-Day (due date) on Saturday. Little man #2 seems to be healthy and happy in my tummy. I am thinking he will be like Luka and come out near his due date. Though when Luka was born, he was assessed at being 41 weeks! So, hopefully, this little guy (due date for him established by ultra sound, as opposed to Luka), won't decide to stay in a week past his due date!

Luka and I went to my (now weekly) OB appointment today. Baby's heartbeat is good and I measured 37 weeks - right on. I am getting pretty tired now, but feel good otherwise. Luka cries when they use the doppler to listen to the heartbeat and in general cries when he goes to appointments with (for) mommy. Not sure why, but I try to avoid taking him when I can...

We have a short list for #2's names, so will see what we come up with. We are leaning toward one that is pronounced (basically) the same in English and French, but is not that common in either. (Though we were surprised to see it listed as the 23rd most popular name in France!). Neither of us know anyone with this name, but both have heard it before. Well, will have to wait till the little guy comes out and see what he says his name is.

Spanish Numbers

Luka learned to count to ten in Spanish at school and he loves doing it. Maybe eventually, we will have him take Spanish lessons too. :) Sometimes, he will do it in English and/or Spanish, but refuse to do French. (French counting was his first experience/language to count in - I think it is just old hat, and he wants to do the "fun" counting.) In any case, he is very into it and I had to refresh how the Spanish numbers are properly pronounced to help him out - though he does a great job (just 4 and maybe 8 were a bit off).