six months

There is a growing baby in here and she's not about to let me forget it.  She is busy - moving, stretching, turning, kicking - all the time, all night.  (In fact, the doctor who performed my ultrasounds was getting exasperated over this constant movement.  She had to pause and rewind again and again in order to take her measurements). 

twenty-four weeks

Of course I cannot help but enjoy it.  

Feeling those little kicks has to be the greatest part of pregnancy.  All the rest of it I'm really not so crazy about.  In just four months I will be a mother of two and I just cannot wait.  I'm sure there will be hard moments ahead but I know the joy that comes with these sweet little babies and June just cannot come soon enough. 

be mine

Happy Valentine's Day to all our family and friends!

 Sending all our love and
wishing you a wonderful day.

I hope your day includes something sweet!
This morning Jake and I made Rice Krispie Squares, which we've been devouring. And this Chocolate Banana Bread is in the oven right now. It's starting to smell delicious in here.

Image vie Eva Black

new hair

It was time for another haircut!  Long overdue actually.   And we decided to attempt another at-home-cut, we just needed a new plan.  One that absolutely did not involve the bathtub.  We were wiser this time around and put Toy Story 3 on the computer.  Jake's really had almost zero exposure to the TV so this novelty was just the trick we needed.  He was thoroughly amazed and sat still, eyes glued to the screen, while fine blond hair fell all around him. 

  It was a bit of a mess but he was blissfully unaware. We were just thrilled he wasn't terrified and there were no tears.  It was definitely a success.

boulangerie

We've been here in France now for six months already and I can hardly believe it!  Also hard to believe is that we're not really taking full advantage of all the beautiful, buttery bakeries we have here.  How is this even possible!?  So now with the season dwindling, we've decided this has to be a priority.

We decided a stop at Maison Bocquillon was in order.  We always talk about going in, but never do because there is always such a long line-up (which really is a pretty obvious sign that we should be going there).  We went for the basics, baguette and croissants.  Yum.    

"The beautiful aroma".  Yes, indeed. 

Here comes the buttery, light and flaky deliciousness.

Croissants have never really been my number one choice.  Basically what I'm saying is I never choose them.  I usually go for something sweeter.  Something filled with chocolate or almond.  But if you go to a good bakery and go early in the morning, they are really very lovely.  Definitely a must while in France.

Such pretty packaging too.  All dressed-up in their fancy 

little bakery bags.

le choix du roi

In France this is what they call the choice of king's - first born is a boy and the second a girl.  So it is only fitting that while in France, we find out that a little girl is on her way.  A little sister for our sweet Jake. 

   

We feel so full of joy at the thought of our family growing to four and cannot wait to welcome this newest addition. 

snow, hooray

We've finally gotten our first snow.  It started off one evening as just the slightest dusting and then continued a little more the following night.  The result of our two day storm, one whole inch of snow.  Jacob's not nearly as enchanted by the snow as Bill and I were.  I love waking-up to new snow.  Jake stomped around a bit and then decided he would rather walk to the arena instead.   

Snow: Day One

The poor roses in the picture above are not happy

On our way to the rink

Snow: Day Two

Writing in the snow, snowballs and chocolates from 

our neighbor downstairs.  Thanks, Monique.  

 

game night

Last nights game was an exciting one; they won and Jake and I stayed the entire time.  Most often we stay until Jake is looking awfully sleepy and then walk home.  Since the regular season is quickly coming to a close though we thought we should stay and participate in some of the post-game fun. 

Going to games is such a highlight for Jake.  He sits so well and is so entertained by the game.  Often he just snuggles on my lap and couldn't be more content or sits in his stroller and eats his snack.  There are never any tears (although the closest to tears was last week when a giant mascot, a squirrel, skated around prior to the game.  He still doesn't want to talk about squirrels). 

Jake snuggled in my arms until the game was over and then got a second wind in the dressing room with all the players.  He was a happy boy.  He played pass and got to run around with a big stick.  After, we all went up to the VIP and he munched away on baguettes and ran in circles. 

I'm lucky that I have girls here that take Jake walking in the intermission and play games with him while we are upstairs.  It makes the evening so easy and Jake has so much more fun.

 

Of course he still woke-up just after eight this morning, no sleep-in for us.  He is running on four hours less sleep then usual but we all had a great time.