My stuff + Julien's stuff + Max's Stuff = WE NEED A BIGGER CAR!

We're home from the Alps. I wish I could say that I returned from this mini-break relaxed and rejuvenated but it's hard to feel that way when I was only able to sleep for two hours at a time for 5 days straight.  Maximilien was not too fond of sleeping at high altitudes. We were staying at my mother in law's chalet at Les Arcs 1600 feet in the Alps near Bourg St. Maurice.  I am sad to say that it didn't agree with me that much either. "Une question d'habitude", my husband says... Falling asleep was hard and I felt winded and tired the entire weekend.   I know that the lack of sleep didn't help that much either.  Poor timing for the teeth and the vacation and add a little stomach problems in there and Max was a rather miserable baby.  We learned that he still hates his car seat and that we need a bigger car.

Exciting things that happened in the last five days:

- Max officially has two teeth. His bottom two. They are the cutest little things and sharp too! We've made up a song to the Spider Cochon song instead substituting dents de laits for Spider Cochon. We are parents that make up silly songs for our kid.

- Julien and I were able to connected again as a couple. I feel like we've been having a bit of a lull in our relationship and over the last five days I've come to appreciate what an amazing marriage I have.  I am so lucky.

- Max ate his first solids this weekend. White peach compote and yellow peach compote. He absolutely loved them both.  It was really amazing to see him actually make chewing motions as he ate the compote. Just last week he was not even interested in anything else but his milk. He is growing up too fast. The peaches also helped with his stomach issues and we had one moment of utter follies of cleaning up his explosive poop. It was in his hair and out the sleeves of his long sleeve onsie! It was so gross. There was poop all over the place but we were all all laughing so hard that it didn't matter.  I don't think we'll ever forget the peach poop.

- Max is becoming more sure of himself and comfortable with strangers holding him.  We visited Julien's father and met with all of his employees and Max was calm and smiley the entire time as he was passed from person to person. 

- I drove stick for the first time in two years. Just like riding a bike. You never forget.

- I feel like I am really starting to be apart of my French family. Julien's father's family is so lovely and wonderful with Max. I wish we lived closer to each other.

Besides the lack of sleep I was thrilled to be out in nature and so happy to take in the fresh air like my life depended on it. I've forgotten how much I love wide open spaces and reminded that I am not a big city girl.  I was reminded of how I much I missed Kansas and how much sometimes France (especially driving back to Paris) resembles the wheat fields I grew up with. Julien and  I talked seriously about leaving the city.  The practicality of the grande ville is keeping us here in that Julien's job is here for now.  But we foresee that in a couple years we will leave Paris and perhaps move towards the mountains of France or even transplant ourselves to another country.  All depending on where Julien's job will take us. Anything is possible and that leaves us feeling very excited for the near future. 

Though I'm not feeling physically relaxed, mentally I feel better.  It's a start...

Comments

[Mary Anne]

Glad you are home safe and sound...LOL about the bigger car...when Jack was a baby we drove Omaha to KC a lot with Jack and gear, our stuff, and Ally and Murphy(our Labs)...in a ford escort! Yep...that is when Grandma Judy started buying things like pack n plays and such...which...btw...we need to email about your trip back to Kansas...and all the baby stuff...we will bring Katy's so you can have a pack and play and stuff at Erins...

Mary Anne

[Terry]

Sorry the trip wasn't tha tgood but hope you'll catch up on rest, etc. soon. Yes, I think the new family finds out soon that a new car is needed - with all the stuff you carry around for just the kid! I admire the French, they do take their vacances seriously, and often (as your MIL) have that 2nd home for relaxation. Oh Max - he's cuter w. every pic you show!!

[yaiAnn]

Very cool! Lots of milestones and memories, but too bad for the lack of sleep.

[Leigh]

Welcome home! What a cute photo of Max...I love his excited, curious arched eyebrows.
xoxo

[Robyn]

Sean is 8 months old today, and still has no teeth :( Sigh.

[Sarah]

Even though you don't feel "relaxed and rejuvenated" (doesn't work for everyone, I guess) you do seem to have reflected a lot. I read in your words that a lot of positive things came out of this trip - including two tiny little teeth. Maybe we will find ourselves as neighbors in the Alps in a few years :)

I'm glad your back in the big city for now though!

[Guro]

That bib is awsome! So is Max:)
And I think all new parents have a poop moment like yours, one they'll remember always. Solid foods... before you know it you're taking him to his first day at school!

[Sandra]

solid foods? teething?? did you bring max home from the hospital, like, last week? good lord, they grow up fast, don't they? he's gonna be going on his first date before you know it. . . ;)

[gleek]

hahaha, the explosive poo! :) totally had me laughing over here. glad to see that max is loving his solid foods. it's fun right? i'm always amazed when i see the cereal end up in peanut's diaper.. i think, "wow, she actually swallowed some!"

[Penny]

I'm glad the fresh air of the Alps did you some good mentally at least :). That is the cutest bib!

[andie]

I know what you mean about the bigger car. The minute, and I am not exaggerating, the minute we put Louise in the car when we got out of the maternity and her seat behind mine made it so that my passenger seat up front was so close to the dashboard my knees were up to my chin, that's when E and I both looked at each other and said 'Bigger car'. No discussion.
It's so funny how those little tiny things can take up so much space with all the stuff you have to bring for them, not to mention the huge carseats that take up half the backseat!

Glad you are home and in one piece. Even though it's difficult to travel with a baby (there are times when Gab just wasn't having it on trips), it's good that he is exposed to new places and the mountain air had to have been better than the Parisian pollution.

I agree with you and Paris is practical. For example, if you don't have something on hand for a recipe, if you live in "province", you can't just run across the street to the grocery, you have to get in your car and drive. On the other hand, we question, too, our choice of staying in Paris because with kids, it's not as practical and spaces are small. Maybe we'll all find ourselves outside of Paris one day and meet up for a Paris reunion!