Update
Always late, always trying unsuccesfully to catch up. Even at home, I feel like we are struggling to keep up with all what needs to be done, dealing with one small task after another and starting all over again.
In November, I was lucky to meet with Virginie, Eric & Mailys and Alban in Beaubourg.
My brother Thomas came back from a trip to Canada and brought us back maple syrup (which Ruben quickly dispatched) and a special pacifier for the Mustachio man in our life.
We of course often met with my grandmother Mahe. And sometimes we even took (nice) pictures.
With ruben also (blow drying Mahe's hair?).
In December, it was time for Christmas, birthdays and holidays. First there was a lot of excitement around the 'calendrier de l'avent', counting down the days to christmas and eating chocolate daily. And also setting up the christmas tree (ah, the lights...). And fielding tricky questions (how will father christmas manage to get through our blocked chimney, etc).
My family came around for a birthday-lunch party on the 24 th for me, Eric, and Alexandre.
On the 24th in the evening, we went to Jacques and Laurence's place, where we met with Olivia, Marie, and her son Aurelien. Emilie was then away for a long trip to Thailand.
On the 25th in the morning, our joy was in watching ruben's joy as he discovered a pile of presents at the foot of the tree.
We joined the family at Domi's place for lunch and another round of presents.
And finally we left for briancon on the 26th, after a few days of non-stop celebrations.
In Briancon, there was a big snowstorm just after our arrival and a decent amount of snow. We sneaked out for two snowshoe outings, one on the fields near the house, the other one behind the Fort des tetes.
As for the rest, we mostly hung around the house and the garden. Elizabeth and her sister Anne-Marie were there.
Ruben was very happy playing around the garden.
And then, it was back to Paris, back home, back to school and to work.
I forgot to say that Ruben caught chickenpox (despite his Indian vaccine) just before Christmas. (Thanks to his Indian vaccine?), the rash was not to bad. Precisely two weeks later, as the doctor had predicted, Alexandre got it. The poor boy had a very big and impressive rash.
As for ruben, he luckily was not sick again for almost the whole month of january - but this was too good to last and he got stomach ache, fever, no appetite, etc, for a while in february.
We often have very quiet week ends (except for early wakes up, Alexandre and ruben competing for attention, etc). We frequently visit or welcome Mahe, often go to one of the parks around the house or a bit further out, sometimes meet up with friends..
Here are the park near street Emeriau, which has a nice play area.
And did I mention that Alexandre finally learnt how to walk at almost 14 months old ? Still a bit wobbly, but enjoying himself going around the house.
He also loves to climb, as a true child to his parents. Unfortunately, he is much better at climbing up (the sofa, chairs, stairs, beds, etc), than downclimbing. We have to keep a close eye on him and even that has not prevented a few falls.
Ruben got his first photo shoots at school, and they are actually quite nice !
For the february holidays, Domi took him a few days to my sister's Emeline, in Nancy. The cousins had a good time together, it's great for Ruben to be spending time with them. Now we are waiting for the arrival of the new cousin there (soon, so soon...).
Elizabeth then took him to Briancon ; we joined them there after two days .
Actually, staying and working in Paris without Ruben around felt like holidays to us ! Oh, having only one baby to manage, being able to put him to bed at 8pm and enjoying long and free evenings after that... That was pretty cool.
Of course, going to Briancon was also nice, but it's usually intense with the kids there. Luckily, Elizabeth usually stays with us to help and she is a superb grandmother.
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We even managed to take Ruben out skiing ! Ok, it took three attempts, going out to the ski resort, watching the ski lift (big success with the ski tow), and we only managed to go down once, with me holding him tight.. but that's a beginning. On the down side, I also broke my ski binding then and it's a real bummer.
Back to Paris, it was time to say goodbye to some of our friendly colleagues at work. We are mostly a team of dynamic young women, and we are very prolific outside of work also. Two of our colleagues and our team manager have gone/ is about to go on maternity leave. The next few months at work will be "interesting" as we will try to fill in the gaps.
Sandrine kindly invited us all for a farewell diner at home, as she will also be moving on to a new position after the summer.
The pregnant ladies, Valerie, Sandrine and Gaelle.
With the team : Fanny, Sylvie, Emma, Gaelle and Valerie at the back, and Rosine (who used to be the team manager) & Sandrine to the front.
Did I mention that Rosine, Valerie, Sandrine and I are all from the same class at Engref ? Working at the Ministry sometimes feels like and old boy's club.
Elisha and Nurit stayed for a few days in Paris and came for dinner with Mahe at home. Alexandre and Nurit were big buddies.
And some more Alexandre's pictures : isn't he cute ?
In November, I was lucky to meet with Virginie, Eric & Mailys and Alban in Beaubourg.
With ruben also (blow drying Mahe's hair?).
My family came around for a birthday-lunch party on the 24 th for me, Eric, and Alexandre.
On the 24th in the evening, we went to Jacques and Laurence's place, where we met with Olivia, Marie, and her son Aurelien. Emilie was then away for a long trip to Thailand.
On the 25th in the morning, our joy was in watching ruben's joy as he discovered a pile of presents at the foot of the tree.
And finally we left for briancon on the 26th, after a few days of non-stop celebrations.
In Briancon, there was a big snowstorm just after our arrival and a decent amount of snow. We sneaked out for two snowshoe outings, one on the fields near the house, the other one behind the Fort des tetes.
As for the rest, we mostly hung around the house and the garden. Elizabeth and her sister Anne-Marie were there.
I forgot to say that Ruben caught chickenpox (despite his Indian vaccine) just before Christmas. (Thanks to his Indian vaccine?), the rash was not to bad. Precisely two weeks later, as the doctor had predicted, Alexandre got it. The poor boy had a very big and impressive rash.
As for ruben, he luckily was not sick again for almost the whole month of january - but this was too good to last and he got stomach ache, fever, no appetite, etc, for a while in february.
We often have very quiet week ends (except for early wakes up, Alexandre and ruben competing for attention, etc). We frequently visit or welcome Mahe, often go to one of the parks around the house or a bit further out, sometimes meet up with friends..
Here are the park near street Emeriau, which has a nice play area.
He also loves to climb, as a true child to his parents. Unfortunately, he is much better at climbing up (the sofa, chairs, stairs, beds, etc), than downclimbing. We have to keep a close eye on him and even that has not prevented a few falls.
Ruben got his first photo shoots at school, and they are actually quite nice !
For the february holidays, Domi took him a few days to my sister's Emeline, in Nancy. The cousins had a good time together, it's great for Ruben to be spending time with them. Now we are waiting for the arrival of the new cousin there (soon, so soon...).
Elizabeth then took him to Briancon ; we joined them there after two days .
Actually, staying and working in Paris without Ruben around felt like holidays to us ! Oh, having only one baby to manage, being able to put him to bed at 8pm and enjoying long and free evenings after that... That was pretty cool.
Of course, going to Briancon was also nice, but it's usually intense with the kids there. Luckily, Elizabeth usually stays with us to help and she is a superb grandmother.
Back to Paris, it was time to say goodbye to some of our friendly colleagues at work. We are mostly a team of dynamic young women, and we are very prolific outside of work also. Two of our colleagues and our team manager have gone/ is about to go on maternity leave. The next few months at work will be "interesting" as we will try to fill in the gaps.
Sandrine kindly invited us all for a farewell diner at home, as she will also be moving on to a new position after the summer.
The pregnant ladies, Valerie, Sandrine and Gaelle.
Did I mention that Rosine, Valerie, Sandrine and I are all from the same class at Engref ? Working at the Ministry sometimes feels like and old boy's club.
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