Marcel at 4 Months!

Well, my sweet boy, it was four months ago today that we met you and every day since then has been nothing short of wonderful with your presence in our lives.  We are continually amazed by your easy going nature, charmed by your contagious smile, wooed by your flirtatious eyes, and touched by your sweet snuggles that we can't seem to get enough of.

 It has been so fun to watch you take more notice in your sister over this past month.  She is all over you and often a bit rough in her affections, but you are never bothered by her antics and light up when she is paying you any sort of attention.  You are becoming more and more interactive with her, and she thinks it is the greatest thing.  I just adore watching the two of you, and can only hope you grow up to be good friends with one another. 

While I was doing the dishes, this is what you two were up to!  I couldn't get over her snuggled up on you with your arm around her.  For the love!

We are still working on your night time sleep habits,  and moved you from the cradle to the crib this month.  I really shouldn't complain, as you don't ever KEEP me up at night, but I can't say that I don't look forward to the day that you sleep you tight twelve.  You are still a rockstar napper, and have mastered putting yourself to sleep without my assistance.  I still soak in as many snuggles as I can before your nap, and thankfully you haven't lost your need for them.

Sleeping in your Uncle Joe's crib with his much loved Tarzan sheets :)

Life with you is absolutely wonderful, and we couldn't imagine our lives without you.  Four months ago we were so nervous about how our lives would change with a new baby, but now we can wholeheartedly say that with you life is better than we could have imagined.  You are the sweetest, most gentle baby boy we ever did meet and are so thankful that you are ours!

Four Month Facts:

• Weight: 6.7 kg/14.74 lb
• Height 65 cm/25.5 in
• You figured our your tongue and love sticking it out while smiling ever so sweetly
• Chewing on your hands and anything you can manage to grab hold of is your favorite pastime 
• All of your shirts are wet within minutes due to your ever flowing river of drool 
• You are SO CLOSE to rolling over!  
• You can do the super man pose with impressive ease
• Talking is your new favorite thing and you make sure anyone that will listen can hear you loud and clear! 
• DTAP was your first vaccine and you took it without a tear shed!  That's my boy! 

Little Girl in a Big Bed

The transition from crib to big girl bed was something I was extremely fearful to attempt with  you.  You have always been a great sleeper, but ever since your brother came home from the hospital at least a few nights a week you wake up in the night crying for us.  I imagined you waking up, opening the door, crawling into our bed, and fighting going back to sleep leaving us all exhausted and frustrated.  The confinement of your crib was something I liked very much, as it kept you from escaping when you would wake early from a nap and sit calmly talking to yourself for long stretches of time allowing me my much needed quiet time.  We had a good thing going, and I was not ready to ruin our groove.

My mind quickly changed about two weeks ago when your brother woke up a few times in the night simply because he had very little room in his cradle and would rock himself into the corner causing him great frustration.  I knew he needed more space, and with our limited options of a solution in our sweet, little home I decided it was time to face the inevitable.  On a whim right before bedtime I went to rearranging, and you were excited to give up your crib for your baby brother.  We talked about your big girl bed, and got you more anxious then ever to go to bed that night.

A few pictures of you after waking up from your first nap in your big bed!

So excited!!

For the first time ever you requested to bring your doggie to bed with you, and we gladly obliged making sure it was the best transition we could muster up for you.    We did our nightly routine all snuggled up together reading your Bible and finding Elmo in your look n find book before praying and singing you into a sleepy slumber.  We explained to you that you aren't to get out of bed without us and if you do you could fall and get hurt, so always call for mom or dad.  Apparently that is all you needed to hear, our brave yet cautious little girl because you have yet to try to get out on your own! After kissing you goodnight that first night, you yelled out from under your comfy blankets, head snug on your first pillow, with your finger held high in the air, "No, no, no out Mama! Ouchie!"

You have always been an easy to bed kind of girl, but we were still in awe of the ease it was for you to be in your big girl bed.  It has become your favorite thing, going to bed and taking your "nappy".  We are so proud of your flexibility in life, and your ease with transitions.  You are a go with the flow, roll with the punches kind of girl, and I couldn't be more proud to be your Momma.  I'm sure there will come a day that we have to yell, "If you get out of your bed one more time..." but for now we will delight in our happy bedtime routine and sneaking in to see you sleeping soundly among your stuffed friends with your blankets all a mess around you. 

Dad is 30!

This past weekend we celebrated your Papa as he turned 30 on Saturday!  It was a fun weekend full of beautiful sunshine and warmth.  Fifteen years ago I met your father on a hot August day at LGYC while playing a game of sand volleyball.  I remember it very vividly, but your Dad doesn't recall that first introduction quite the same.  We have officially known each other half of your Father's life and I must say I feel pretty blessed to be a part of so much of his history.  The good and the bad.  Our memories have brought us to where we are now, and we have grown so much in our love for one another.  Your Father is a good, good man and it was a joy celebrating him!  You kept saying, "Papa, Happy," all day, and it was the sweetest.  Happy is your way of saying Happy Birthday, and whenever you see candles, balloons, or streamers of any kind you automatically exclaim, "happy!!"

We started the day off with savory egg crepes, mimosa for us and orange juice for you (a real treat seeing that we don't ever buy juice for you!), and a three hour morning nap for you as you decided to wake up at 5:30 and by 8:30 were crying, "Nap, bed, bible!"  After your much needed nap, we all headed out to our neighbor Mathias' rugby tournament in Villard Bonnot across the valley.  He was so happy to see us there, and you loved running around with all the other kids on the sidelines.  One little girl kept talking sassy to you, but since I couldn't understand what she was saying I am not sure if she was having fun with you or being mean to you.  Either way you were oblivious to it all as you were in your happy place with rocks and sticks to boot.  A sweet little boy, probably about three years old, kept talking to you and I couldn't help but laugh watching you try to mimic his French tones and words all while using the most inquisitive facial expressions and extreme hand motions.  You soak in as much as you can when you are playing with kids, and it is so fun to see you learn and grow through you experiences.  Although, we could do without the bad habits you pick up :)

Mathias is the third from the right.  He loves you and it is the sweetest!

On Saturday evening we had a family celebration at home with the Sanchez clan, the lady Puget's, and our other brothers Eli and Daniel.  It was chaos as usual, but so great having everyone together.  Mamie always knows how to make people feel special, and loves a well decorated table.  She requested people wear a fun hat to make it more of a party, and had plenty of extras to go around.  Auntie Donna out did herself and won best dressed.  She must have won you over as well because you haven't stopped talking about "Donna" ever since! :)

You loved playing with Naia, and kept following her around scooting on your bum like her.

By the end of the night, this is the only place you wanted to be.  Eventually you came to me and asked to go to bed!

The celebration continued on the next day with an afternoon at our cousin Emily and David's for lunch along with Gueneal and Harmonie.  We met at her parents house in Grenoble and enjoyed a delicious lunch followed by the traditional French walk (my favorite!).  You had so much fun exploring their large courtyard and playing with the girls.  Capusine was your favorite.  She loved playing with you all afternoon, and always made sure you were right by her side.  It was a beautiful day once again, and you all ran your little bodies tired in a nearby park after a quick stop at a neighborhood carnival.

You didn't move the entire time she was painting.  Not even a little!

Trying to do everything the big girls did.

 Three tries at family photos, and I'm not sure I would call any a real success.  We tried! :)

On our way home we were amazed by the beauty around us once again.  The mountains never look the same, and are always bringing us to our knees in thankfulness to our good God!

"Our Mountain"

It was a wonderful weekend celebrating a wonderful man.  We are more than blessed to call him ours!  Happy 30th to you my darling Paul.  Here's to many more years to come!