Gavin Mathieu B. born on February 14th, 2012
3:34pm, 51 cm, 3.57kg (7lbs, 14 oz)
Brothers
Our new island home
So good to have my arms full of this...
Alex and I make a yummy meal with a fresh catch from the local market
Pool Time!
Showing posts with label beginning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beginning. Show all posts
Thursday, March 15, 2012
one month
One month of waiting and all you get is this tiny blog post of an update into the most intense month of our lives. It is all I can do for now, bear with me, there is still a lot going on for us!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
the big move
Most people who read this blog know already that we are moving to New Caledonia. Like soon. It's the reason I haven't posted much in the past couple of weeks. When the plans became solid, we had to start right away with the planning for such a big move. And all I want to be doing in the meantime is nesting or resting. Nesting is out of the question, but Alex makes sure I don't try to do too much during this time. "I'll take care of it! Go rest, you're 9 months pregnant you know", he says to me. But if you know me, you'll know I can't just sit back and do nothing. I think it's in my genes.
There has been so much to think about, with the arrival of baby #2, obtaining a passport for the new little guy, renting out our house, what to do with the stuff we are leaving behind, how to ship other stuff, cleaning up inside the house, packing, the copious amounts of paperwork, saying goodbye to our cat (she'd have to stay in quarentine 6 months if we wanted to bring her with us, and we don't want to put her through that), and the numerous house projects to finish before people start to come look at the house. Alex can't do everything.
On top of that he is due to start work on Feb 20th. Will baby #2 be born in time for all of us to travel together? That is the big question. Also, if I travel alone with the 2 boys afterwards, how the hell am I going to cope with recouperating after a delivery on a 14 hour flight? (Hey Luc, you're 3 now, could you get all those heavy suitcases?) Let's not even think about if there are any complications. We debated for a better part of 2 weeks if we could find a way to get someone here to help and to travel with me. If money weren't an issue....tickets can't be bought until the baby is born. Last minute long distance flights aren't cheap.
Don't get me wrong, we're both pretty excited about this opportunity, but honestly, I find myself thinking, "why not just a few more weeks, please, let's delay!" Not an easy situation to be in, for sure, but it will work out, even if it's not exactly how I pictured the arrival of our second boy. He may not use cloth diapers like I had wanted, and I may find breastfeeding difficult during our move, but as long as we all remain healthy, I'll be happy.
I have been impressed though so far with how Alex and I have worked together in this, and not gotten all crazy-crazy stressed out. One step at a time. That's what we keep telling each other. He is working so hard on the house. Have a look-see:
There has been so much to think about, with the arrival of baby #2, obtaining a passport for the new little guy, renting out our house, what to do with the stuff we are leaving behind, how to ship other stuff, cleaning up inside the house, packing, the copious amounts of paperwork, saying goodbye to our cat (she'd have to stay in quarentine 6 months if we wanted to bring her with us, and we don't want to put her through that), and the numerous house projects to finish before people start to come look at the house. Alex can't do everything.
On top of that he is due to start work on Feb 20th. Will baby #2 be born in time for all of us to travel together? That is the big question. Also, if I travel alone with the 2 boys afterwards, how the hell am I going to cope with recouperating after a delivery on a 14 hour flight? (Hey Luc, you're 3 now, could you get all those heavy suitcases?) Let's not even think about if there are any complications. We debated for a better part of 2 weeks if we could find a way to get someone here to help and to travel with me. If money weren't an issue....tickets can't be bought until the baby is born. Last minute long distance flights aren't cheap.
Don't get me wrong, we're both pretty excited about this opportunity, but honestly, I find myself thinking, "why not just a few more weeks, please, let's delay!" Not an easy situation to be in, for sure, but it will work out, even if it's not exactly how I pictured the arrival of our second boy. He may not use cloth diapers like I had wanted, and I may find breastfeeding difficult during our move, but as long as we all remain healthy, I'll be happy.
I have been impressed though so far with how Alex and I have worked together in this, and not gotten all crazy-crazy stressed out. One step at a time. That's what we keep telling each other. He is working so hard on the house. Have a look-see:
 |
| repainted balcony |
 |
| working on repainting the exterior |
Monday, January 16, 2012
2012 goals & resolutions
I've been pondering this topic for a few weeks now, and though this list may seem short, it's been narrowed down to the few things I'd like to improve upon, because I think having fewer goals will help keep me on track. In no particular order, here we go:
1. Make photo albums - this means shelling out the money to print photos and to buy a book, but it is so worth it once it all gets put together. I may even turn it into a scrapbooking project. It's so nice to have photo albums, to look at from time to time, to share with others, etc.
2. Hang wall art - We moved into this house a year ago and have yet to hang anything! (with the exception of Luc's room, we hung framed underwater shots that Alex took while diving, plus a cross-stitch my mother made when he was born) This also sort of ties in with the "print photos" goal above, because we have some unused frames that can be utilised.
3. Create a writing center for Luc and I - I have a little dream of us sitting next to one another (or to have him on my lap) at our desks, writing, drawing, and creating. I want to make more cards this year. Luc has enjoyed the process too, enthusiasticly scribbling away at the pieces of cardstock I handed to him to decorate our holiday cards this year.
4. Make a birthday calender with all our loved ones special days - this ties into the goal above of making more cards to send by snail mail, because it's just so nice to get handwritten cards in the mail, isn't it?! I figure if I have a pretty little calender made up and posted to our wall, I have less of a chance of missing those important days! I have to get on this goal, since people are already having birthdays!
5. Give this blog a make-over - I think this will require a little practice and research in creating more eye-pleasing details in internet-land, so this is a goal that will probably get pushed to later in the year, when we have a normal routine again after baby #2 arrives. Seeing as how I do like blogging, and it keeps our loved ones involved in our lives here, I think this is a nice resolution.
6. Find a class just for me - Be it yoga, or swimming, or tennis, or some kind of crafting, I want a little time for me, away from motherhood and wifedom (did I just make up a word?!) that will help me to stay balanced. Preferably, I'd like to do some exercising, because I'll probably need it after baby #2 is ready to start solids.
1. Make photo albums - this means shelling out the money to print photos and to buy a book, but it is so worth it once it all gets put together. I may even turn it into a scrapbooking project. It's so nice to have photo albums, to look at from time to time, to share with others, etc.
2. Hang wall art - We moved into this house a year ago and have yet to hang anything! (with the exception of Luc's room, we hung framed underwater shots that Alex took while diving, plus a cross-stitch my mother made when he was born) This also sort of ties in with the "print photos" goal above, because we have some unused frames that can be utilised.
3. Create a writing center for Luc and I - I have a little dream of us sitting next to one another (or to have him on my lap) at our desks, writing, drawing, and creating. I want to make more cards this year. Luc has enjoyed the process too, enthusiasticly scribbling away at the pieces of cardstock I handed to him to decorate our holiday cards this year.
4. Make a birthday calender with all our loved ones special days - this ties into the goal above of making more cards to send by snail mail, because it's just so nice to get handwritten cards in the mail, isn't it?! I figure if I have a pretty little calender made up and posted to our wall, I have less of a chance of missing those important days! I have to get on this goal, since people are already having birthdays!
5. Give this blog a make-over - I think this will require a little practice and research in creating more eye-pleasing details in internet-land, so this is a goal that will probably get pushed to later in the year, when we have a normal routine again after baby #2 arrives. Seeing as how I do like blogging, and it keeps our loved ones involved in our lives here, I think this is a nice resolution.
6. Find a class just for me - Be it yoga, or swimming, or tennis, or some kind of crafting, I want a little time for me, away from motherhood and wifedom (did I just make up a word?!) that will help me to stay balanced. Preferably, I'd like to do some exercising, because I'll probably need it after baby #2 is ready to start solids.
 |
| early December, in Jardin d'etat |
Monday, January 2, 2012
Welcome, 2012!
2011 was a great year for us;
We moved into a house, we made new friends, we learned we were expecting a second boy (only 6 more weeks until his arrival!), we travelled to France to visit family, we adopted a cat (or was it the other way around?!), and we spent a lot of quailty family time together. I realise this is a really short and general list of what happened this year and I'm not saying our lives are always simple, but these things stand out the most. Certainly, there are many, many things that never make it onto this blog that also affect our lives, but one can only blog so much, right?
I have a feeling that 2012 will be great too, but full of surprises and learning experiences along the way. I will try to keep this blog up to date, but I have a feeling there will be a period of quiet around February and March.
We moved into a house, we made new friends, we learned we were expecting a second boy (only 6 more weeks until his arrival!), we travelled to France to visit family, we adopted a cat (or was it the other way around?!), and we spent a lot of quailty family time together. I realise this is a really short and general list of what happened this year and I'm not saying our lives are always simple, but these things stand out the most. Certainly, there are many, many things that never make it onto this blog that also affect our lives, but one can only blog so much, right?
 |
| Luc and Kitty occupied with trains, me and the neighbor using Luc's Play-Doh |
I have a feeling that 2012 will be great too, but full of surprises and learning experiences along the way. I will try to keep this blog up to date, but I have a feeling there will be a period of quiet around February and March.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
progress and change
We are almost there.
The painting is done.
We're in the scrubing, scraping, and sweeping stages now.
Pretty soon it'll be all clean and we'll be moving in next Monday.
Alex, Luc, and I were there past sunset tonight, our first time all together at our new house at night. It's strange, but that's when the house began to feel really like ours. Like we weren't just visitors during the daytime anymore. Or maybe it's that it's looking so clean now. Or maybe that we're just one week away from moving in. Whatever the reason for that feeling, I'm glad to be feeling it.
We will definitly miss this résidence, as we've many great opportunities to interact with other monkeys, make friends, play games, have parties, and in general enjoy many unique and kind people here.
But we have the house and a new set of neighbors to look forward to, and oh, we can't wait!
The painting is done.
We're in the scrubing, scraping, and sweeping stages now.
Pretty soon it'll be all clean and we'll be moving in next Monday.
Alex, Luc, and I were there past sunset tonight, our first time all together at our new house at night. It's strange, but that's when the house began to feel really like ours. Like we weren't just visitors during the daytime anymore. Or maybe it's that it's looking so clean now. Or maybe that we're just one week away from moving in. Whatever the reason for that feeling, I'm glad to be feeling it.
We will definitly miss this résidence, as we've many great opportunities to interact with other monkeys, make friends, play games, have parties, and in general enjoy many unique and kind people here.
But we have the house and a new set of neighbors to look forward to, and oh, we can't wait!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
story time is just beginning
A number of truly exciting events in my life have already passed. Peace Corps, travels, marriage, baby, etc. I’m only 26! So what else could there be to blog about than just ordinary everyday life stuff, you might wonder. I have to tell you though, I think it’s better to write about things after they’ve happened. Funny stories and events come to mind only when I’m doing those ordinary everyday things. Usually they make me laugh out loud in the middle of a shower, grocery shopping, cooking, driving....
Knowing that, I hope you delight in this blog as much as I will as I reveal to you my best stories, and of course, add in a bit of the everyday stuff.
Here’s some recent photos of us to start you off on what our life looks like here in La Réunion.
Knowing that, I hope you delight in this blog as much as I will as I reveal to you my best stories, and of course, add in a bit of the everyday stuff.
Here’s some recent photos of us to start you off on what our life looks like here in La Réunion.
