With our move to France coming up, our time there last summer has been on my mind a lot lately. It was a pretty big trip filled with so many dear family and friends, a big celebration of love for Mamie and Papi, and a family "holiday" in the south on the Mediterranean. You were just 11 days away from being four months old when you first met all of your French relatives. The flight there went so well, and I was so thankful. I had prayed long and hard that all would go smoothly and you would get the rest you needed. You were such a joy to all of those that sat around us on the flight when you woke up from your 5-6 hour slumber. Behind us sat a sweet elderly Croatian couple that adored you as you peeked over the seat with your big, gregarious smile. It was such a blessing to Dad and I to see the way you brought so much joy to them. You were wonderful and didn't complain once. I was the one that didn't get much rest because I was so paranoid that you would wake up and be a wreck. You slept between Dad and I on the middle seat on your tummy and we made a tent over you with a blanket to keep out the light and muffle the noise a bit. You move a LOT in your sleep, so slowly you kept pushing your way over to Dad's side causing him to have very little room to find comfort. We laughed about how such a small little girl could take up so much space!
Getting ready for take off and changing into pajamas!
When we arrived in Lyon, Papi and Aunt Jenny greeted us at the airport. They couldn't get enough of you, and you just studied their faces as you gazed up at their teary eyes! You slept on the very tightly packed car ride home between Uncle Timmy and I, as I was yet again struck by the beauty of where your father grew up. We arrived home, and were greeted by the rest of the family with lots more snuggles and kisses for you to be had. It was a great afternoon of just enjoying the family, sitting around the table, and just letting them all get to know pieces of you! We even made a quick visit the the Puget's house for an American style Fourth of July Party, and you got to meet your "uncle" Steph!
View from the front porch!
The Zaylee tree planted for you the day you were born.
You slept 13 hours the first night we were there and it was so wonderful for all of us! We felt so refreshed and ready for the busy days ahead. Jetlag didn't seem to bother you one bit. Impressive to say the least. Your schedule was still intact, and you took long, solid naps and were so happy for everyone the whole trip. It was so special because they really got to know YOU for the happy girl you are. Mamie Suzanne was so sweet with you and thought you looked just like your daddy, and we all agree! :) We had long talks around the table, walks outside with the beautiful scenery surrounding us, and just enjoyed being with one another. I was still a bit crazy and a little controlling about your naps and such because I knew it would be for the benefit of all if you stayed on schedule, but looking back I wish I had been a bit more forgiving and flexible on certain things! You slept in each morning until between 8 and 9 and we would roll out of bed and mosey our way down to the kitchen where Mamie and Papi were usually waiting so patiently (or impatiently I imagine!) for you! Meals in France are so special, and really are a great family time of conversation and bonding. They are some of my favorite moments from both of my trips home to see the family.
We celebrated Mamie and Papi's 30th anniversary with many close friends and family, and it was such a joyous time with everyone! They truly are a great example to us and to so many. You were passed around to so many people and at the end of the party Uncle Joe got you laughing so very hard. It was contagiously cute! It was such a wonderful time with so many wonderful people, great food, bright sunny (super hot!) day, a wonderful song written and sung by Aunt Jenny, a beautiful speech (daddy had to translate for me, but regardless of the language barrier tears were shed from its beauty!), and just good fellowship with ones that love and admire your Grandparents! You have quite the legacy set before you little darling!
Trying to cool you off from the heat! :)
The following day we left on holiday. It was about a 3 1/2 hour drive from Grenoble to Toulon in the south of France. Uncle Luc and Aunt Anna drove with us, and when you weren't sleeping they were singing you countless old French songs. It was the sweetest thing. I was blown away by the beauty that surrounded us as we drove through the mountains. Breathtaking! We took three vehicles in order to fit everyone, and all made it down there within a couple hours of each other. The house we stayed in was big enough for all of us to fit comfortably, and had such a beautiful view of the Sea. Auntie Tina came with us as well, and she was a great addition and kept us all on track and made plans to keep us moving! It was so great to have her with us. We each had a a team and a selected day to prepare and clean up meals. It was a great way to share in the task of meal planning and it was so nice to see Mamie actually get to sit down and enjoy her time instead of always preparing everything for us! We spent our days out and about exploring the beauty of the south and ate dinners late in the evening on the front porch looking over the water by night. Since everyone was spread out for sleeping arrangements, each morning we had to wake up a few so that we could enjoy the morning sun on the porch. Thankfully we had you as the wake up call, because it usually went quite smoothly with your smiling face greeting them bright and early. We sat around in the mornings before heading out for our daily adventure, and you would be entertained by the family while I would get ready. They would sing to you, have meaningful chats, and just enjoy watching you enjoy life.
View from our house. Photo Credit: Uncle Timmy
View from our house. Photo Credit: Uncle Timmy
Night time stroll down at the Street Market
Breakfast on the front porch
Waking up Uncle Lukey!
We took a ferry boat to the Iles d'Heyeres and took a long walk to a beautiful beach. The water was a bit frigid and you were ready for a nap, so the dip in the Sea didn't go so well that first time around! We stopped at a little vineyard on the island, and continued our walk back to the boat. It was perfect weather our entire trip, and for that we were so grateful! Our next day trip was a stop at Port Grimaud on our way to St. Tropez. It was a beautiful little town that is a small version of Venice. It was so fun to see all the colors on the houses, and the boats as they made their way through the city. We took a quick dip in the Sea as the sun was very hot, and this time to our great surprise, you actually liked it! And it was FREEZING! We had a cool drink before heading back to the cars for the rest of the drive to St. Tropez. The drive in is crowded with cars, as there is only one small road that leads into the beautiful, little town. The yachts that surround the harbor are gigantic, lavish, and so over the top that they make you stop and stare! I wish we would have had more time to explore and walk the path around the water, but there is always next time, right!? It was a wonderful, long, beautiful day!
It was such a wonderful vacation, and I can't believe I am just writing about it now! So many memories made, and so many pictures to savor. We ended our trip with a visit with Mamie Suzanne and the Sanchez family. We sat around Mamie's apartment and talked and passed Naia and you around savoring each moment. We couldn't have asked for a better first trip as a family of three to Daddy's home town! It was so hard to leave, but we look forward to our time there this year and the memories that will be made.
We just turned in the paper work for you to be a true French baby, Zaylee Jean! So thankful for such a wonderful family to be married into. God has blessed me more than I deserve.
Last Sunday afternoon we celebrated your first birthday. I had a few ideas of what I wanted to do for your big day, but as per everything in my life I put it off until the day before! I wasn't feeling the greatest over the weekend, but mustered up enough energy to do some baking and shopping in preparation for the family that was coming to help us celebrate you! I went with a "Little Miss Sunshine/You are My Sunshine/Pink&Yellow" theme. Since a big part of my thoughts were on sunshine, I figured we would have a summer time party type of meal: lemonade, chips, BBQ Rootbeer pulled pork on pretzel buns, a simple salad, and a cupcake for dessert.
12 balloons with your monthly pictures hanging from the strings
Homemade Buttermilk Lemon cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream frosting
The day was very relaxed with all of our (close by) family here with us. We sat and talked, ate a late lunch, the kids took over the basement which gave us a bit of quiet to have adult conversations which is always nice. Uncle Craig, Aunt Janine and the kids couldn't make it until later, but we were so happy they made the drive for YOU! Micah didn't want to miss your first birthday party. He thinks you are pretty great, and I think it is pretty sweet! :) When everyone was here, we gathered around for you to open up your presents. You were also a bit tired with some teeth pushing their way out, but handled all the commotion when it came to your older cousins helping you open each of your gifts. They can be a bit intense for you, but they sure do love you a whole heaping lot! It is special to see the way they all fight over you and love on you. I am so thankful for our big, crazy, loud family with so many wild little ones! :)
The only picture I have with you and some of your cousins! I wish I would have taken more with all the others! :(
Blurry, but you LOVED this huge bag!
Sawyer trying to "help" you
You love cars, and deserved a pink one!
You also love baskets and bags, so Grandma and Grandpa D came through!
So cool new kicks and some hot wheels to add to your prized collection
You wanted that purse so bad, and didn't like that Kendrick was trying to open it for you!
Finally it was cupcake time! You weren't too excited for the cupcake itself, but LOVED the raspberry on top! Dad added a few more for you, and you ate each one so quickly it was quite impressive. You are a pretty dainty eater, and like to be clean for the most part. When your fingers get too dirty you stare at them and then proceed to lick your fingers clean. It is pretty entertaining to watch, and I appreciate your desire to be clean! :) You did end up eating the frosting, but that's about it and really only did because Grandpa D smashed the cupcake in your face to assist you in getting messy. Regardless it was fun to sing to you and watch you pluck your raspberries out of the frosting and eat them one by one!
So over it at this point, but look how cute you are! :)
It was a great day with all of the family, and a reminder of just how blessed we are to have each of them in our lives! You add a little something special to the family with your sweetness, and I couldn't be happier to be your Mom. You have blessed our lives for more than we could have imagined, and we can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for the future of our little family. Each day we are reminded of His blessings as we here you talking in your bed, and are just so happy that you are ours!!
Love you Little Miss Sunshine! Happy Birthday to you!
A couple weeks ago, we were blessed with a visit from your Mamie, Papi and Uncle Joe. We couldn't wait to see them, and counted down the weeks until it was finally time to pick them up on a cold, windy night at O'hare. It was Daddy's birthday, and a great way to end his special day eating pizza with a part of his family.
You warmed up to them all immediately and were having fun crawling around the floor with Uncle Joe, reading books with Mamie, and singing songs with Papi. They had a busy couple weeks planned with visiting old friends and speaking at different churches, but we got to spend some good time with them in the mornings and afternoons, with a few special all (present) family included dinners. They sure do love you, and you love them a whole lot too! Uncle Joe surely knows how to make you smile just by being him. It is so sweet to watch the two of you play, and listen to you giggle and laugh with him. He adores you, and it is the best!
On the last Tuesday of their visit, Mamie planned a little party for your first birthday and it was so special with hats, balloons, and a green table cloth for our little St. Patty's Day girl! :) Jane Hawthorne, a woman that is a blessing to know and love, joined us for the special night and we were overjoyed to have her company! You liked the fact that she had glasses, and continually pulled them off her face as she played "patty cake" over and over with you. You didn't care too much for the cake, but you ate about half the raspberries that surrounded it and enjoyed each and everyone of them! Uncle Joe helped you open presents in your sweet little dress from Mamie with a matching one for little Liesel. It was a great night celebrating you my sweet girl! You are well loved by so many, and it is so special to feel that love as your mother!
It is always hard for me to leave them, or watch them go. My heart gets sad for the distance that separates us and I never quite feel like we had enough time. Soon dear Zaylee girl, we will be seeing them much more regularly as we will be moving to France for some time with the Tabailloux side! I am so thankful for this opportunity to give them some much deserved grandbaby time and just get to know them fully and experience a bit of where daddy grew up! :) I have a lot of work to do before them with the whole language aspect of things, but am confident I will be just fine even if I am a bit lost for the first month or so! Thankfully I was given a pretty good memory and fast learning curve, but I am not hoping for any miracles in the time we are there just a better understanding and a bit of conversation skills in daddy's native tongue. Truthfully dad and I are just excited to take this leap together and experience something totally different together. It will grow our relationship in ways we didn't know possible or even that we may have needed, and we can't wait to see what God has in store for our little family!
Anyway more on that later, back to our two weeks with the family...
It was a great time with lots of love for you and your sweet little cousin Liesel. We were so thankful for the time we had with family, and can't wait to see them all again soon! Until then, we shall skype!!
The past two weeks have been bittersweet. I knew that by your first birthday I wanted you to be either fully weaned or at least on the way there, but I had no idea it would be so hard for me to let go of. I have loved the bond between you and I, and the ability to soothe you at any given moment if you needed me. It was something that came so easily for the two of us, and I am so thankful for that. I fed you anywhere and everywhere regardless of what people may have thought because my baby needed to eat! :) I had hoped you would wean yourself to prevent me from having to refuse you your much desired milk, but when the day came that you didn't want me it stung much deeper than I had ever imagined. I broke down in a puddle of tears to your daddy, and he of course wiped them away and picked me back up with words that always seem to set me straight and build me up like no one else has ever been able to do for me! The next day all seemed back to normal, so I held on to our bond for a few more days before attacking the weaning monster.
At first I dropped your late morning feed and tried different types of milk in a sippy cup, but you refused each and every one. For three days this went on, and you were extra crabby and I took it personally as it seemed you were mad at me. It hurt my heart a bit, until you started taking the last milk I tried, rice milk. It made me so happy to see you drinking from your sippy cup, tilting your head back as far as it can go. You are just so darn cute! I am happy to say that you are currently drinking at least 12-15oz or rice milk a day, but sometimes more. Every day it seems you are liking and accepting it more and more. I am still nursing you in the morning and before bed, and truthfully that bedtime routine will be a hard one for me to let go of, but I know the day is drawing near and you and I will be just fine. I know this, but it's hard for me to accept.
I love being your mom more than I could possibly every try to express. You make my life so full and rich. I pray we always hold a close bond with one another no matter what stage in life it may be. Zaylee girl, I hope you always know you can come to me with anything and everything. I want nothing but the best in life for you my sweet daughter.
