Family Vacation Part 1

France, or Europe rather, is all about the "holidays".  Vacation is something sacred, and well planned.  We had never been on a real vacation as husband and wife, other than our honeymoon, or as a family, and we wanted to do it right.  Papa and I started planning and figuring out all the things we wanted to do and see both along the way and while we were up in Normandy, and I am proud to say we accomplished every little detail on our list! 

We left around 9:30am in order to time Marcel's naps just right, and drove until he woke up and started his hungry cry, a bit over two hours.  You looked at books, danced with me to your favorite songs, and watched the world go by as we drove through the beautiful countryside of central France.  The sky was filled with huge, billowing clouds and the fields were a beautiful, deep green with splashes of bright yellow colza flowers filling the air with a scent much like honey.  We had a picnic lunch and plenty of running around time to get all your cooped up energy out, which proved to be successful on the second leg of the trip.  After we were on the road a few minutes, we told you it was rest time and you gladly took your nuk and bunny, laid your head back and said, "Ok Mama.  Nappy time."  We are constantly amazed by your love for sleep, and the ease at which you can slow yourself down to rest when the time comes.  We are spoiled, and definitely know we are blessed in this area!

After another two and a half hours, we arrived in Bourges at our hotel.  I was so excited for this little town in the center of France.  It was beautiful and quaint, with a HUGE cathedral.  I had read all about it and planned to spend the whole evening exploring while looking at their "light spectacular", but was quickly disappointed when we were told the light festival doesn't start until July.  The forecast had other plans for us as well leaving us with only a few minutes in the town to see the cathedral and grab a small dinner before heading to the hotel for the night.  You were in HEAVEN at the hotel, and played waitress bringing us tea and water, jumped on the bed, watched some tv with Papa, and took a bath in the HUGE jacuzzi tub.  If the vacation would have ended there, you would have been just fine with that.  We woke up and had a lovely continental breakfast with delicious coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, pain chocolat, and yogurt before heading out for a second day on the road much like the day before.  You and Marcel were so wonderful in the car, and made Papa and I so proud! 

After another four and a half hours on the road with a good break along the way, we made it to Normandy and headed straight to Omaha Beach!  It was a bit cold and extremely windy, but you could have cared less and kept yelling, "Made it! Made it! The sea! Sea Papa. Sea Mama!"  You were in your happy place running and splashing in the cold water with your little toes digging deep in the sand.  We could have watched you run and play all day, and were so full of joy seeing you so happy.  We ate a quick bite at the little cafe on the beach, and then went on a wild goose chase to find a bank in order to get our money for the gite.  The beaches in Normandy are very small town, and although there are touristy parts, they have tried very hard to keep the area as it has always been.  That being said, the closest bank was a good 15 minute drive through many twists and turns on roads covered in a canopy of lush, green trees surrounded by fields among fields among fields.  Thank goodness for GPS! 

We pulled up to our gite, and were so happy to see we made the right choice when picking where we would call home for the week.  The couple who owned the house were a sweet, young couple with a baby boy on the way.  We were only their fifth guests since transforming their house into a partial gite, and I must say the did a fantastic job!  It was immaculate, well decorated, cozy, and the garden area was well groomed and so inviting.  Zaylee girl, you LOVED the fact that there were chickens, a goat, a dog, and an overly friendly cat.  While you were rolling around on the ground with the cat, Papa looked at me and said, "I think she likes animals TOO much!" Ha!  You were definitely pleased with our house, and made yourself right at home. 

Moments

Our time here in France is all too quickly coming to an end.  I swing back and forth between feeling overwhelmed with excitement to be back in our Wheaton home close to my family and all your cousins, and being weighed down in grief to be leaving our Tabailloux family here in France.  To say you are attached to your Mamie, Papi, and uncles would be an understatement, and the thought of taking you away from all the extra love and attention you receive from them on a daily basis saddens this Mama's heart of mine.  In my moments of excitement, I am struck with the reality that our time here is closing and before we know it we will be on a plane heading to the states and away from this wonderful year in your Papa's hometown.

The emotional highs and lows are so confusing, but through each of them I am reminded of how blessed we are and how good the Lord has been to us through His promise to remain faithful.  We came here without knowing at all what the future held for us as a family, and are leaving with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and awe in the abundance of provision and promise we have seen in the Lord's planning for our lives.  Papa was given a job within the first week of our arrival here in France, but through the sometimes frustrating French trait of slow moving work ethic, we were given three glorious months together as a family before he officially started; three months in which we were still being paid from Porsche in the states.  God's perfect timing was evident in every crevice of this past year.  Now as we plan to move home, a job that started as a one year contract has turned into an exciting, new opportunity for Dad.  He will be essentially starting his own company with the funding from his boss here in France.  He is learning,evolving, being challenged and stretched, and enjoying this process of developing a company from nothing.  I am so extremely proud of him!  It is no surprise to me the fact that his boss, Hubert, trusts him so fully with his vision and hopes for an American base for his company, and I am once again humbled to be called his wife.

"All I have need of, thy hand hath provided."  Your Papa has always been a man of extreme faith and trust in the Lord's provision, and has taught me a great deal about what it means to truly and fully trust our Heavenly Father.  Everything about this year has been refreshing.  Living life in France is something I have truly enjoyed and will remain thankful for the things I have learned through the cultural differences.  Life is different, and in ways harder, but in much more profound ways fuller and more meaningful.  We have needed each other more deeply than ever before, and have learned so much about one another in our ever evolving role as parents to two of the most beautiful children.  The learning curve hasn't always been an easy or pretty one, but we are stronger because of those weak moments of struggle.  We look forward with anticipation, but also want to embrace the moments we have left here in France.

First taste of sorbet!

  **Photos from a day in Aix les Bains**

Half a Year!!

Marcel, my darling boy, it is hard to believe 6 months have come and gone.  You have blessed us with your sweet, charming demeanor more than we thought possible.  It has been such a joy watching  you grow these first six months of your life into the curious little boy you are becoming.  You have added so much to our little family, and we are beyond grateful to call you our own.  The Lord has been so good to us, and we could never say thank you enough for the privilege it is to be the mother and father of you and your big sister.

Every day you are moving a bit more than the day before, finding new things to study with your sweet blue eyes, and becoming more aware of all that goes on around you.  You have the most genuine eyes and love gazing into our eyes while you ever so softly stroke our cheek with your soft hands.  The shape of your fingers remind me of Grandpa D's and I like that little detail of yours a whole lot.  You have become quite quick with your hands, and are constantly grabbing at whatever it is that is within your reach.  Your toes have become your favorite chew toy, and it is the cutest thing to watch.  You grab hold of your feet, one in each hand, and rock back and forth as you decide which one to stick in your mouth.  Rolling around the floor is done with great ease these days, along with inching yourself around, spinning in circles.  You try with great determination to get up on all fours, but are yet to figure it out without nose diving into the floor while reaching for things to put in your mouth, which is EVERYTHING.  You are intrigued by everything and graze your little fingers over each object with such care and concern.  Gentleness is something I pray sticks with you my boy, as you grow and take on the world.

Our days are pretty routine, and it is a good thing because you and Zaylee are big fans of predictability.  Although, you are both equally just as flexible and go with the flow no matter what we throw your way.  We are blessed!  Naps are still your strong point with three solid naps about every two hours, but we are still working on sleeping without waking in the night.  You still wake up anywhere between 3-5, and after letting your cry for about ten minutes or so I feed you and you fall back to sleep immediately.  I can't complain as I know other mom's have it much harder, but I still look forward to the night you decide to just keep on sleeping!   

Life is good  here in the Tabailloux house, and we couldn't ask for two more beautiful blessings.  Watching you and your sister together is such an honor, and the best reality check when I am being a downer.  The joy that oozes out of the two of you when you are laughing with one another is nearly too much to handle for this Mama's heart.  You have the sweetest tone and we can't get enough of your talking noises.  Along with your happy noises, you have the most adorable fake whine that makes us smile every time.   I love you my sweet, sweet boy and am so thankful to be the one to watch you grow and change each day!

Strolling the streets of Geneva in your favorite spot!

6 Month Stats:

• Weight:  7.3 KG
• Height:  69 cm
• Food:  You have tried and liked oatmeal, banana, apple, avocado, sweet potato, and carrots.  We aren't pushing food, but we experiment here and there.  You love trying things, but don't have the greatest appetite or desire for full meals. 
• Firsts:  Road trip, train ride, vacation

Three Years

Three years ago today, your dad and I became husband and wife.  It was a cold, windy, beautiful day in Walworth County, Wisconsin.  We were surrounded by hundreds of our closest friends and family, and had the most beautiful wedding.  It was full of laughter, tears, promises, and many prayers and hopes for the years to come.  I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day, but more importantly I couldn't have asked for a more perfect man to spend my life with, through the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. 

Your father has challenged me, encouraged me, loved me, and held me up through all of life's ups and downs for not only the last three years, but for almost half of my life through a beautiful friendship that has been made into a beautiful marriage.  I thank the Lord daily for bringing him into my life, and am beyond thankful for the life we have been given and His constant presence in our lives. 

This morning your Papa got up before me to get you and your brother ready for the day, while I laid in bed for an extra half hour of rest before you climbed into bed with a special gift in hand.  "Mama, Mama wake up!  Present.  Happy!"  You handed me a small box, and helped me peel away the paper revealing a beautiful ring made here in France.  Your Papa searched hard to find a little jeweler that had pieces from a French Artisan, and I couldn't be happier with what he chose to give me for our anniversary, as well as, a little piece of France to remember our year here as a family. 

The Lord has blessed me beyond measure, and I can't wait to see where He leads us as a couple, and now as a family with our two little blessings! 

A Love for Music

Zaylee girl, you have always loved music whether it was on the radio, in a movie, or just me singing to you.  Every night I sing to you, and lately you have started singing along with me.  You love to pretend to play the guitar on anything that remotely looks like one, and always refer to Aunt Jenny when doing so.  Drumming and piano playing are also your instruments of choice.  Music is something that has always meant a lot to me, and I am so glad to see you enjoying the life that comes from the rhythm and beats that fill the silence.  Along with singing and playing, dancing is something you do automatically when you hear any sort of song no matter where we are or what we are doing.  Although Marcel is still a tiny babe, I can already see he too will love music much like you.  He instantly settles when I sing in his ear, and loves watching us dance around the living room.

Last night, we had the privilege of watching Tonton Steph in his happy place behind the piano.  He gets lost in his music, and is one of the most gifted piano players I know.  I could listening to him play for hours and not grow tired.  You can request any song and he will play it with great ease and pure perfection.  It is a therapeutic for him, but also for those around him while he plays.  You were loving every minute of it last night, and Marcel seemed to be enjoying it just the same.  Tonton Elie was serenading us as well, and David and Daniel were helping out on the drum.  It was a great time around the living room and tired you out for bed time that soon followed. 

Your dad and I can only hope that as you and Marcel grow up, you will find a passion for an instrument and take hold of it early on.  Uncle Timmy, Aunt Jenny, Grandpa D and Papi all play with great joy, and it is an honor to listening to them use their talents.  Music is in your blood and I can't wait to see what it is you find enjoyment in and if and how you choose to use it! 

It's eatin' time!

Marcel, my boy, I have been trying my hardest to hold off on introducing you to the wonderful world of food, but you just weren't having it!  For over a month now, every bite of food or sip of water we put in our mouth, you carefully and with great longing watched as your pretty blue eyes followed every move we made.  Last week your sister gave you her almost empty Pomme Pot without me knowing, and by the time I realized what you had in your hand you had already tasted the sugary goodness.  That night we went out shopping for some fruits, veggies and oatmeal to try out with you. 

Your first taste of food was oatmeal mixed with a banana, and you LOVED it!  I couldn't get it in your mouth fast enough, and you ate every single bite with great ease.  We decided to go with a very, very loose version of the Baby Led Weaning (minus the letting  you feed yourself bit since I hate the mess!) way about feeding you, and I think it will work great with you.  Papa doesn't like the store bought food, and since we buy a lot of fruits and veggies as it is the money saved makes me very happy and you seem to like your food chunky and full of real flavor.  You have successfully tried banana, avocado, and sweet potato all of which you enjoyed greatly. 

I'm still trying to figure out the best time to feed you, as you either get too full on milk to eat your food or to full on your food to drink your milk.  You love both, but are still learning to be able to handle both in your little belly.  For now, we will continue to explore and take it a day at a time while we enjoy watching you savor every bite!

Museum Monday

France celebrates the Easter holiday with a day off on Monday.  We had big hopes of going up the mountain with Mamie and Papi, rent a donkey, and hike to a picnic site, but of course it was the first gloomy, wet day in weeks.  Instead, we all hopped in the cars and drove out to Voiron to visit the Chartreuse distillery.  Zaylee girl, you drove with Mamie and Papi without hesitation and wouldn't leave Mamie's side the entire day.  If at any point you thought we were going to take you away from her, you would tear up immediately yelling, "No, no! Mamie!"  We get it.  You love her.  It was a fun little tour, with free samples and fun hats.  The original green Chartreuse is celebrating 250 years this year, and to this day only 3 monks know the recipe of over 130 herbs.  The monastery is right above our house, and is where they collect all the plants and herbs to send to the distillery.  It is pretty incredible, and I'm glad we went while we are here. 

After the museum, we headed downtown Grenoble to the fair.  As I have told you before, Mama loves a good fair, and by the looks of it you loved it too!  It was towards the end of the day, and most of the crowds had gone home, leaving it clear and free for us to roam.  You rode your first ride all by yourself, ate your first cotton candy (thanks to Dad of course!), and played your first fair game, which you rocked!  In true French fashion, we ended the night in the city with a delicious kebab, while listening to you and Marcel laugh at one another in your slap happy, way past bedtime state of mind.  

This day o' fun got me all giddy for our up coming vacations, and the full days we will have with your Papa while exploring new places together as a family of four.