Marcel at 9 Months (and now 10!)

My boy, this month was extremely full.  It was filled with many special memories as we said goodbye to our little home in France.  Our year in France went by far TOO fast, and saying goodbye to the place we first met you and brought you into our little family making us four, was much harder than I anticipated!  To say I loved our life in France would be an understatement, and I hope one day you will know why I love it so; after all, you are our little French boy!

Along with sad goodbyes and happy welcome home's, you sweet Marcel have been growing and changing so quickly these days.  You are gentle, observant, determined, sweet, calm, and as all the French ladies referred to you, "tres sage".  We are completely smitten with you and can hardly stand how adorable you are and the amount of joy you have added to our little family.

 

You are all smiles all the time, but have definitely found your voice when it comes to your big sister stealing your toys.  You are completely content to sit and observe the world around you as long as there is food, a stick, or a pile of toys within your reach.  Laughter is one of your favorite things, and find your sister to be the funniest person there is.  Crawling, walking, climbing, making messes, drooling, eating, observing, and simply being the cutest little boy there ever was are a few of your favorite things. You love music and get super excited when I put on little music video for you to watch as you bounce up and down tapping your hand on the couch.  It is too cute.

I am your favorite person, but Papa is a close second.  When Papa comes home you immediately put your arms up towards him and anxiously wait for him to sweep you up into his arms and there you sit as happy as can be.  It is the sweetest thing.  Even though you prefer me, you go to others easily and even love going to nursery at Church.  You are definitely a go with the flow kind of guy and we love that about you.  You still prefer two naps, but if we have to be out and about you can survive with just one in the afternoon as long as I am there to rock you just the way you like it.  I love our snuggle time and have accepted that you just need me in that way right now and I will take advantage of these special moments with my precious boy.  You love playing with my hair as you nurse and while you are falling asleep, but always do so gently and aren't one to pull too hard.  It isn't just my hair you like to twirl, you are

Life is better with you, and we are so glad to have you as ours.  It is hard to believe you are almost a year old already, but it is so fun and such a blessing watching you grow and learn more and more each day. 

(This was partially written last month, but finished now in your tenth month!
Photos include your first Cave experience, goodbyes, mountain top hikes, first airplane trip, first LGYC experience, Chicago boat tour)