Catching my breath...

Claire today

Since I've been under the weather for the last couple of weeks, the photos have been few and far between. But I just had to capture some sweet smiles today.
This is my favorite. She often bites her lower lip while smiling these days. It's THE cutest thing. That along with the babbling, the raspberries, the rolling over, the...the...WELL, just about everything really. ;)

As for me, I finally have a prescription for antibiotics. Maybe I'll finally rid myself of this sore throat - going on 14 days now. Bleck!

posted @ 10:14 PM | Feedback (0)

Julien turns 8!

posted @ 5:22 PM | Feedback (0)

Jen & Hayley in DC

I've been meaning to blog about Jen and Hayley's visit for almost a week now. Unfortunately, I've had the worst cold ever since our return from Turks & Caicos. Even half of their visit I was unable to speak to them since I had laryngitis. I finally started feeling like myself yesterday. I guess waking at all hours to care for a baby doesn't help with the immune system!
We're so glad that Jen and Hayley came down for a visit. It was so nice to catch up with them, introduce them to Claire and share our part of the world with them. They went sightseeing one day on the Tourmobile. And the rest of the time we were able to just hang out.
The cutest and most memorable part for me would be Julien's crush on Hayley. He followed her like a lost puppy. And copied her every move. Hayley was so kind to him and really paid a lot of attention to him. Thanks Hayley!
You guys have to bring your boys down and we can check out even more stuff. DC definitely can't be done in one trip!

posted @ 5:15 PM | Feedback (0)

8 years

Eight years ago today, this boy entered our lives and I became a mother. In the last year, he's really gone from being a little boy to being a big kid. His features have changed before my eyes - his face getting leaner and longer - looking so grown up. And he's gotten taller of course, growing what feels like 3 feet.
He's still the most imaginative guy I know. Creating scenarios to play, sketching wild ideas in his little book and telling us the wildest stories. HIs memory still blows us away. He can recite an entire movie, word for word, after seeing it only once. Or he'll tell you what you said verbatim weeks after the fact. He still loves, and I mean LOVES, his Lego. (You can guess what's on the birthday list!)
I love this little guy!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUGABOO!

posted @ 7:51 AM | Feedback (0)

Jumpin'

Although I try really hard to get technically great pictures, sometimes the out of focus, imperfect ones tell a better story. Case in point - Claire jumped right out of the frame on this one. But look at that expression of pure joy! Her personality is really coming out and she's such a happy, fun baby. I love it!

posted @ 3:22 PM | Feedback (0)

Back from Vacation

We went to Beaches in Turks & Caicos and got back on Monday night. We had a good time. Everyone but Claire got too much sun. Julien had a blast at the beach, in the pool, at the waterpark and in the Xbox game room. As for Arnaud and I, I have to say that Beaches isn't really our cup of tea. Hard to explain really - maybe it was the size of the resort, too many people or the not-so-great buffet style food. We only manage one get-away per year as a family so I think we prefer our trips to Grand Cayman.

I'm only posting photos now because we came home to no internet and cable service. The sewer repair in our neighbor's front yard led to a severed FIOS line. After a lot of time on the phone and a handful of technicians out to the house, this morning we got a temporary fix. This afternoon, there's a work crew putting it all back permanently.

On top of the FIOS mess, I've come down with a cold and this morning laryngitis. At least I can communicate with people via email and IM now!

posted @ 2:30 PM | Feedback (0)

Perfect Picnic Attire

posted @ 10:42 AM | Feedback (0)

Claire's First Feeding

We got the greenlight on solids from the pediatrician today and we were READY! The no-longer-sleeping-thru-the-night baby needed something more substantial in the tummy. And she really enjoyed trying it out. Check it out!

posted @ 10:03 PM | Feedback (0)

Swingin'

It seems that this guy, whom I used to call a little guy, is getting huge. Not only size-wise. He has a full-on attitude to go with it. I do love that he is still so fun-loving and still sometimes enjoys doing the little kid stuff. But of course, you have to add a little twist. In this photo, he was enjoying the swing but asking me to photograph him in continuous mode so that he can make a flip-book out of it. Ah, that's my boy!

It's been a bit of struggle to figure out how to share my time between Julien and Claire. At first it was very lop-sided and rightly so when you have a newborn. But it seems that we're working out the kinks.

posted @ 8:12 PM | Feedback (0)

Claire Bear

This one is just too cute not to share!

posted @ 7:56 PM | Feedback (0)