'Tis the Season

Gilles' guest post as Alyson is unable to access or post to this account from her workplace.

We've all been gone way too long so we are back with a quick post along with our sincere apologies. For the past 7 weeks, we have had some major wireless issues at home and finally decided it must be more than just the router. Brought the computer into Mac and it appears that the logic board requires replacement at a cost that would come close to bringing us a new computer. Who knows when we will get that new computer as we are in the midst of holiday travel and spending, but we anticipate getting a new one by the spring. So needless to say, posting will be intermittent until then....sorry, everyone.

That being said, Isabelle has been a busy girl getting ready for the holidays and our trek to the Maritimes festivities. Here are a few recent shots for those who havent seen her since Hallowe'en.

Santa considers a potential outfit for Xmas Eve?


More to come soon on Paris....for now, Isabelle and her mom enjoy the carousel at Montmartre:


Isabelle and Logan have different attitudes about the nanny's double stroller:


Entering the vortex:


For those who haven't heard about Isabelle's mad pumpkin carving skills:

Paris!

In a word or two, amazing, incroyable, fabulous........Isabelle flew with ease, as usual, and we were off from Montreal for a 6.5 hour flight. She slept for most of it, and, with the time difference was raring and ready to go when we arrived at 9:30am, Paris time. We arrived at the apartment to meet Meredith at around Noon and we were off - shopping, checking out the neighbourhood, and visiting Notre Dame. No point in wasting time :) By the time we returned in the early evening, we had already amassed many Parisian outfits for her, and she had decided she loved all of the people, and their croissants!

Hanging out on the metro with Dad!



Enjoying some wine in Montmartre



Checking out the sights with Auntie Mer


I wasn't sure when we booked the trip if it could be as lovely as the last time, being that we were honeymooning, but I was wrong. Staying in the same area as we had the first time meant that it felt like going to our favourite Parisian home - the same little marches, cafes, restaurants.......the shop where they sell my "Allison" perfume, the narrow streets, and the throngs of people out enjoying the latin quarter......until all hours of the night! The apartment we chose this time was great. It was on Rue St. Andre des Arts, and as soon as you walked throught the big double doors off the street, you entered the courtyard area, which our apartment was right off. No stairs, which was unbelievable. It had two really nice size bedrooms, a family room, kitchen and a great big bathroom. No bathtub, but a huge shower, complete with full size mirror and sitting area (great for shaving legs)! It was a quiet little oasis off a really busy street, so we had the best of both worlds. We were able to make any long distance calls we wanted, and we had access to the internet. Great, but not that necessary, since the next six days, we spent very little time in the actual apartment, and walked about for up to 9 hours a day.

First ever Carousel ride..



Sitting pretty at Place des Vosges - THE place to hang about in Paris....


We saw so many things, and having Meredith there for the first time was really special. I was afraid that she might be bored with a married couple and their baby, being that it is so party oriented in the Latin Quarter, but she seemed to have an absolute blast anyway, and was the perfect travel companion. Isabelle loved having her there, and she was a huge help to us keeping her busy, and carrying her around, helping to change and feed her, and occupy her when we were shopping. She loved Paris as much as we do, and I was so happy we got to experience it together. Next time, the entire family comes.

We managed to see almost all that we wanted to - The Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, Sacre Coeur, Versailles, Place des Vosges, The Champs, Notre Dame, Bon Marche, Avenue Montaigne, Boat Tour of the Seine, Tuileries, Pompidou Centre, shopping in Les Halles, the Louvre....there is probably more, but for now, some of the fav’s included the day we spent at Montmartre. It was the annual wine festival as they bring in the Harvest. Everywhere on the streets of this quaint little town, there was wine, and cheese, oysters, escargots, breads and tons of people selling paintings......Meredith was often double fisted, sampling the wares:) It was also the semi final game of the World Rugby Championships that evening, so the French were ready to take on the Brits and out in full force to let everyone know! British Roses were seen everywhere - we felt so cosmopolitan! Isabelle tried her first Merry go Round, and loved it; was also a big fan of her Dad’s pancetta and cheese sandwich.

We also did the tour of Versailles - were totally impressed with the Hall of Mirrors which had been under renovation when we first visited. We took another tour of the entire grounds via the golf cart. Having seen Marie Antoinette, Mer really appreciated seeing all of the palace first hand, and we even checked out Marie’s private abode away from the palace, called Le Petit Triannon...not so small though! Isabelle was not such a huge fan of the golf cart, unless we let her play with the sound system, which played lovely classical music interspersed with the details of what we were seeing. We were often blasting the classical music as we toured around, based on Isabelle’s love of the volume control buttons. I’m sure the other visitors were very happy to also take part in the tour based on the way it rang across whatever area we were visiting.

The boat tour of the Seine was great since it was more like taking the metro, but by water. You could take it a few stops, visit what you wanted and then hop back on the next one that came to continue your way through Paris. We visited the Eiffel Tower, which Isabelle loved, and then hopped on a boat to hit the Champs D’Elysses for some shopping. That was the great part about being out all day - we could see some real Paris history, and then still shop to our hearts content......and what shopping there is to do. AMAZING!!!!!! We all picked up some really French fashion, and spent a half of a day on the Avenue Montaigne, right off the Champs, which houses all the big fashion names. Checked out all of the big ones, and even all got to make purchases. Mine was a Prada purse, Gilles got a Louis Vuitton tie, and Mer bought some Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses. We loved the French Maid in the D & G store - completely in uniform, walking around dusting things! The actual purchase made, you are completely spoiled by the sales staff, taken to the door when you are ready and presented with your lovely bag full of the spoils.......Not to be missed! Mer and I took off and did some alone shopping while Gilles hung out with Isabelle and we were nearly attacked in some stores based on all of the bags we were carrying from our recent purchases. Was reminiscent of Pretty Woman on a small scale :)

Every night we would retire to the apartment and make sure Isabelle had a normal dinner (most everything else was on the run somewhere...), and relax while we decided what to do the next day. We would go out to collect dinner at any one of the many take out’s on the street, and enjoy it in the comfort of the pad. We would often dress Isabelle for bed and take her out in the later evening for our favourite late night snack, GELATO. Not to be believed and not to be missed, Amoretto was right around the corner and worth every nightly visit we took. This is when Isabelle started with the “mmmmmm’s”. Mer would give her a bite from her cup, and Isabelle would literally scream “mmmmmmmmmm” to Meredith, pointing at the wanted object (always food, and in this case the gelato) until she would give her more. She still does it now whenever something catches her eye, or is particularly appetizing. It’s hilarious and was so unexpected the first time that we were in hysterics in the middle of the street.

The trip was a complete success, and we all had so much fun together. None of us wanted to go home, but for Isabelle and I, at least the trip to Halifax for Olan’s birthday was going to extend the party a little longer...........She was a truly great child and on the day time flight home to Halifax, did not fuss once, which is incredible considering she spent 6.5 hours confined to a chair and only took short trips up and down the aisle on her hands and knees for some well deserved respite. I had nightmares about the flight beforehand since the last one had been overnight, but it went really well, and Auntie Mer was such a big help that it flew by and we were in Halifax before we knew it.

Happy Hallowe'en and Happy Birthday :)

So, Happy Birthday, first and foremost to my lovely husband and Isabelle's Dad. It has been a great day and we really enjoyed the first true Hallowe'en celebration with the little one. She isn't quite walking on her own, but she had so much fun being out and about with all the other costumed kiddies, and was the toast of the neighbourhood (or so we thought!)....She was a lion, or a lioness, as soon as I added a pink bow to her mane! Getting the nose and whiskers on her was not as easy as one would expect, and it's a one shot deal only so be kind to her mother :) I will be writing more about it, and all the other happenings over the past month IMMINENTLY, I promise. For now, a few photos to enjoy.

Pulling on Logan Crocodile's tail!


Hanging out with the birthday boy......



Making the rounds, surrounded, once more, by the paparazzi!



Bringing home some chocolate and goodies for the big Mama lioness...



Checking out the loot!



Lioness au naturel :)

TWINS!!!!

Today I found out what it would be like, in relative terms, to have twins......Nanny Kristy called in sick this morning and I took up the slack. Logan arrived at 8:30am and we were off. I was entirely sure I could handle it, but knew it would not be easy since we haven't yet redone the basement, outfitted the table with an extra high chair, or bought the double stroller. To be sure, we'll be moving along with those accoutrements now!

Logan was a doll and after Renee had said good bye, and slowly made her retreat; he only cried for about a minute and then returned to the play area. They can wave bye bye, but don't really get the context since when they can't find you after you've made your big exit, it's like a light goes on, "Oh you meant BYE BYE, and you're not coming back right away"....and the crying begins. I supposed it's for the best right now anyway.

My first stumbling block was the morning nap, but I knew that Logan could go down on his own, as long as he had had his bottle first. This is when I anticipated I would breast feed little Isabelle and then have a break, albeit a brief one. I wasn't totally insane in thinking that they would coordinate brilliantly right off the bat! Unfortunately, Logan was in foreign territory in Isabelle's crib and didn't want to go down. Knowing that Renee will let him cry it out a bit, I waited downstairs with Isabelle for as long as I could. 14 minutes later, I was up taking him from the crib and returning him to playtime. I thought I had done well, and I didn't want him to hate me forever......I had visions of him remembering years from now.....You were that horrible woman who left me alone in a crib for 18 minutes when I was a year old, and so on and so forth. Only now, I had a problem. I needed to be able to breast feed Isabelle in somewhat quiet for her to go down, and I knew that wasn't going to happen with a one year old around who is completely mobile and quick on his feet to boot. I therefore did what any self respecting Mom and pseudo Auntie would do............I DROVE around aimlessly until they konked out.

Capitulation #1


Capitulation #2


Together = One Happy Mom



Lunchtime was next, and actually went off without a hitch. I put Logan in the high chair and sat Isabelle on my lap. He didn't seem at all interested in his main course until Isabelle tried it and the gauntlet was thrown. Delicious, and a hearty serving was promptly ingested.

In the afternoon we went for a long walk, Logan in the Chariot, and Isabelle in the Beco on my chest. I could see the many passers by, and their questioning looks. For Pete's sakes lady, if you're going to have twins, you might prepare yourself properly with the right stroller. Ah well, we managed just fine anyway, and Logan had a nice cat nap while Isabelle helped me to push him around Dow's Lake. She thought she was being quite helpful, I'm sure, but it felt like she was trying to throw herself out of the Beco face first so she could control the stroller all on her own.

TWINS though................I therefore did what I think any Mom of twins would do after a long day, or just a regular day for that matter!

Logan's birthday

So, the next big ONE was celebrated last weekend with little Logan Lee Dear. We had a great time celebrating, and so did he. Isabelle managed to control herself slightly around his gifts (only tried a few times to highjack the present opening), and had fun playing with all his new toys. Logan was fascinated with his balloons and walked around most of the party holding on to two or more, making them bob up and down. The cake was awesome, the company even more so, and I have to say on record, that it has been more than amazing going throught this first year of firsts with Renee. From our weekly coffee and shopping sessions, as well as Stars and Strollers with two teeny weeny babies, to playdates that take place over our entire first floor (now that one of them is a walking maniac), to just having someone close by to talk to about how they're dealing with all of the new things that have been thrown our way. Shawn and Renee are amazing parents and Logan is growing into a great little boy. I couldn't be happier that we're sharing a nanny and the two little ones will be able to continue to grow up together, best buds for a long while.

Enjoying some more balloons!



Making a basket..



Enjoying some of the new toys.



Party boy all tired out after the long day of celebration!


On another note, we changed Isabelle and I's flight home from Paris to make a small, but wholly worthy detour through Halifax for our (really this time!) last HURRAH for Olan's first birthday. We can't wait to see another smash cake enjoyed for the first time :)

Fun weeks continue......

Witness the new scrunchy face!

So, new mother's get an average of 3.5 hours of sleep a night, and then 5 hours up until 18 months of age. This information courtesy of a new study commissioned in Britain, featured in the Globe on Tuesday. Are you kidding me? So, now I know the mom's who say they get a full night sleep at the age of 1 are full of something. Isabelle is even worse now than she was at 6 months. She wakes up within three hours like clockwork when she first goes down, and then it can be as often as every two hours afterwards. A couple of weeks ago, she had a 12 hour sleep, and only woke up twice. We literally thought we had died and gone to heaven. Last night, we tried a bottle for self soothing and it kind of worked, and she only woke up three times. Best sleep we have had this week, bar none. I feel like a new person today.

Good to the last drop. I've got to remember to show her this photo when she has her first beer. She looks like a frat boy chug a lugging it :)


We've had a great week so far. Lots of fun at the new Kindermusic classes. She has really taken a liking to painted toe nails - which is of course going to be great in the future as a reason we need to have mother/daughter pedicures. I saw her examining one Mom's toes and turned my head to grab us some instruments. When I turned around, she was trying to suck, and or bite the Mom's toes, and I had to intercede. How embarassing :) She's also getting great at showing you where your eyes, and nose and various body parts are, which is great, unless she's at a class with newbies and is trying to poke out the eyes of 5 month old.....ostensibly just trying to show her where her eyes are. Can't really explain to her that the baby really doesn't care at this point, and would rather just have her sight for the remainder of her life.

We're finding it hard to be disapproving when she makes you laugh. The other night we tried to feed her minestrone soup, and a back up (always have to have one) of garlic mashed potatoes and spinach. She promptly spit out the minestrone soup, and it went all down her pant leg. Gilles managed to control himself on that one. She then had the potatoes, and not only spit them out, but right into her hand, and then threw them with much expression to the floor, where they landed with a proverbial plop. Her Dad could not control it any longer and broke out into laughter. We have since discovered that she might not like certain food items, but it goes a long way to just let her feed herself. She no longer wants to be spoon fed, which is fine, unless you discover this when it's a soup night (which of course, we did!). I made some Autumn soup yesterday and she usually loves it. When she refused to eat, we gave her the spoon and she was loving it again. Problem is that the soup, although thick, still ended up behind her on the wall, and all over her person (she did, however, finish the entire bowl). We'll just have to stay away from soups for the next little while, I guess.

Autumn soup - ALSO good to the last drop when you feed it to yourself!


Isabelle was also very upset yesterday, as anyone would be, to discover one of her favourite people has narcolepsy. Her favourite doll is the baby that Auntie Meg, Uncle Adam and Olan gave her for her birthday. The problem Isabelle discovered though is that this baby's eyes shut when you lie her down. Isabelle was playing with her and became very frustrated when the baby would shut her eyes as soon as she was placed down. She would pry them open and try to play, only to have them close again. She would thrust the doll in the air in frustration, and behold, it would open it's eyes once more. The vicious cycle continued for some time and I laughed myself silly. Narcolepsy is a horrible affliction, but somewhat humorous in a doll.

So, we've also made the move to an SUV. My beloved BMW is for sale, and we are set to take over a 2 year lease on a pretty sooped up Honda CRV. The real bonus is that it has a remote starter which will be awesome this winter. I don't like the new models and this is a 2006 so another bonus. I can't believe how much trunk space there is, and will be happy not to cram her stroller in from now on, and also to find myself with some foot space when we leave for the airport, packed to the gills with our luggage. It will be nice to know that Kristy can fit in both kids, and a double stroller, and they'll be toasty warm when she gets them out to the car. But still, I'm sad. I loved our car.

Aunt Leslie's birthday gift for Isabelle arrived by mail today and Isabelle was only too happy to open the box, and to discover that the enclosed was for her. She might be a bit much at Christmas when there are gifts for other people......oops sorry, did someone else want to open one of these?

Presents for me!? Let me at them!



Sorry Mom, don't think I'm going to wait for Dad!


Before I sign off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JESSICA (26th of September) :) Thinking of you and hope you have a great one.

The celebration!

Solange and Henri arrived the week of Isabelle's birthday and she was promptly spoiled rotten for the rest of the week. Reading with Grandmaman, and taking long walks with them daily. Hours of play and attention and much love sent her way. We finally got to show Grandpapa what a macaroni fiend she is, especially as she has now taken to stuffing as many macaroni as her hands can pick up, in her mouth, at once. The child loves her carbs!

Isabelle reads with Grandmaman



Her Gran and Grandpa arrived on Saturday morning, and Grandpa promptly got to work fixing odds and ends around the house, picking up a dining room table for us at Ron and Menna's and the big purchase in Gatineau of Isabelle's play cottage. Gilles and his Dad put it up in the basement for her, and we all commented on how easy it was taking all the pieces downstairs when she didn't have a clue as they passed her en route. It may become a bit harder in the years to come.

Moving onwards and upwards.....crawling is becoming so boring!



Already stealing Gran's jewellry and running away (so to speak).....


Her birthday celebration was a great time spent among family and friends. She was thrilled to bits to open gifts and didn't know which way to turn when she was surrounded by them all. Christmas with her and Olan is going to be great fun this year :) She got lots of great things so thank you to everyone who sent things from afar, and those who came to share the day with us. Her birthday smash cake went over very well. She got right into the icing and made quite a mess of purple sorts - opting more for the latter than for the actual cake itself. She and Logan visited the play house downstairs and both seemed quite happy with it. It has sensors once they enter, says hello and other such phrases, and is complete with a big doorbell, telephone, stove top and cottage windows. I'm really looking forward to setting up the basement with all sorts of fun play things for the nanny daycare.

The Burberry birthday girl!


Loving the gift bags as much as the gifts themselves!


The party princess, complete with tiara and smash cake!


Anyone else for some of my cakes?????


If I hold on, will they take me away?


My new doll needs a hug.....


and a kiss......

Isabelle's FIRST birthday!

How to start this post? So much going on, and to be frank, so many bittersweet feelings about the whole celebration. It has been a year since our lives changed so completely with the arrival of a tiny 5 pound, twelve ounce little package of sweetness that was Isabelle.

I had a great pregnancy, enjoyed most of the entire 8.75 months, and then quite an easy time of the birthing process. I was induced at around 11pm on the night of the 15th, and she was born at 9:06am on the morning of the 16th. I pushed for all of 15 minutes and there she was, in all of her glory. A perfect 10 on the apgar and away we went. From the very beginning, I was completely in awe of the fact that Gilles and I had created this little bit of perfection, and she has not disapointed us in any way over the past 12 months. She is sweet, cute, funny, bright and happy. I, who had thought to be bored after a few months of mommydom, and ready to return to work, have become paralyzed at the thought that I will have to leave her to return to my job. No more mornings spent with sunshine, no matter the weather. No more naptimes of cuddling and breathing in her sweet scent. No more afternoons of walking, and shopping and playing together. Just a few hours every evening and the five day waiting period for a weekend when she will be ours, and only ours again. Gilles and I have not had quiet dinners out, or even gone to the movies since she was born. I don't regret this (although perhaps the coming changes would be easier for her if we had). If we are to have but this one time in our lives when it will be just us, then I am happy that we have spent all of this time together, making sure we get to see all of her first experiences, helping her grow into the little toddler we have right now.

Isabelle and I have travelled the country, seen and experienced so much together and spent so much time with our family that I could never wish any of the time back. We have truly made the absolute most of this year, and I think she is the better for it. I know we are. She has made me patient beyond my expectation, happy with the simplest things experienced together, blessed beyond my wildest dreams. She is our first thought every morning, and last thought every night. She is the reason for everything. I had no idea just what motherhood would truly mean. Now I can't imagine life without her.

How to tell her how she has changed our lives? How to tell her how blessed we have been to spend so much time together over the past year? Perhaps this blog will be a start. All I know for sure is this. If we are but the sum of all of our life's experiences, than I am so RICH for having had the opportunity to be with her day in, and day out, for a year now. So happy to just be her Mom.

More on the week long celebration with family and photos shortly.

The Christening

So, lots to talk about, but for now, let me just start with the nanny dance. This is something akin to the tribal dances in Africa (I imagine!), and involves shaking all parts of your body whilst moving around like a crazy person in a circle. All the while chanting "We got a nanny, we got a nanny.....Woohoo, woohoo.....We got a nanny, we got a nanny". Repeat as many times as you feel necessary. Isabelle thought I had gone out of my mind, or so her face told me, but she thought it was hilarious all the same and was happy to participate. The story is long and involves more interviews, phone calls and e-mails. At the end of the day, let's just say that Nanny Kristy, our first love, came back and we are extremely happy to have her on board! Especially, and I mean especially, after we had more interviews and were a bit concerned about who was out there. In addition, Gilles and I had to make an executive decision about whether to sign a contract with our daycare and put down the fairly substantial, non refundable, deposit they required for November (by September 1st), just in case the nanny search was fruitless. We decided not to, and forging ahead paid off in spades. We got a nanny, we got a nanny. We're all a little excited since we love this girl. More on her in the blogs to come.

What a great weekend we had. The weather was fantastic and the visiting even more so. Jessica and Chris arrived, followed by Ida, Jordan and Dillon, and then Lena and Andrew. We all had a nice dinner on Saturday night and Isabelle was quite charmed by her older male cousins. More visitors, YEAH! She got to eat Naan bread with Auntie Ida, which she now needs on a regular basis, and was passed from person to person for love, love and more love. Such was the next morning when her Mom awoke and came downstairs, only to be left in the cold so Isabelle could go visit with Lena. Ouch!

We got a surprise phone call from my Mom on Friday to let us know that she felt she couldn't miss the Christening and was flying in to Ottawa on Sunday morning and staying until Tuesday. We were, for lack of a better expression, all stoked about that! I adore that woman. Not a great flight since she had to fly in through Toronto, and out through Montreal, but she came just the same and we are always happy to have her in the house. Isabelle went for walks and was amused in the mornings so Mom and Dad could sleep, and Gilles and I were treated to WONDERFUL food which we have been enjoying every night since she left.....and we only let her leave since she's coming back in a couple of weeks. We can't promise anything next time.

The baptism...


Give me that candle, Dad!



Most of the Christening crowd....(if anyone has a photo without Jessica's head cut off, please send....)


Anyway, back to the Christening. Great service and so nice of everyone, Andrews clan, Asselin/Dear clan to come too. It meant a lot to Gilles and I. Isabelle was a doll, and looked just like one too - sat through almost two hours of Church service and spent only a minute crying when she was in the middle of the baptismal celebration. The priest, Katherine, went to annoint Isabelle with water and ended up soaking her face and ear as Isabelle squirmed at the last possible second. Once she was returned to us though, she was just fine.

The Andrews were nice enough to host the apres Christening bash and we all were fed yummy vittles and enjoyed cake and presents afterwards - with enough room for everyone as opposed to our own humble domain! Isabelle received lots of great gifts which she will definitely treasure later on......funds for her school trust, and jewellry that her Mom promises to keep her mitts off in the interim :)

The Christening Cakes!


Since then, we have returned to the quiet life and are getting ready to have Isabelle's Grandmama and Grandpapa arrive for her birthday week. Ahh, more company to keep our little one amused! We are also trying to get the downstairs ready for the daycare area for Isabelle and Logan. Have bought a mini slide, and a small picnic table for crafts, and are working on the rest. My head is full of ideas, but we'll see if the pocket book can keep up as we have the upcoming trip to Paris and I am now officially on Leave WITHOUT pay, which stretches us a little more than usual! Can't imagine that I would have had to go back to work last Monday as the kids hit the schools. It filled me with dread, and I was spending the day at home. Slowly but surely, we'll settle in to the idea - I've started weaning her with one bottle feed of whole milk every day, but it doesn't go over so well sometimes. She learned to sign for milk, as in BREAST milk Mom, so the bottle seems a paltry offer in comparison, I guess. I actually have been feeling more like the snack shack lately, as everytime she feels the least bit peckish, she signs and I'm supposed to comply. We're trying the sign for NO, but it's not taking as quickly as the latter. Can you imagine!