The "SiouxX"

Nathan has been cooing and babbling for a few weeks now. His favorite things to say back/forth with us are "A-reu A-geu A-gligli" and the ubiquitous "raspberries."

It turns out he is a good story-teller, as well. After a night feeding he'll burp, and then begin telling Alex a bedtime story. Softly his voice (more a hummmm) rises in falls as if he's recounting a fabulous tale that ultimately puts him to sleep on mommy's shoulder.

Sometimes we're actually not involved at all in the conversations, as this video shows.

Lately, however, Nathan has discovered screaming. And he loves it. Is quite talented at it.

In fact, upon hearing the screaming, Robert began calling Nathan "the Sioux" because of all the war-whoops he was prone to let loose at various times during the day, for no apparent reason.

An election in France

While on vacation, we had the good luck of being in France during their presidential elections. It was really neat to see so many people (84%+) come out to vote to help shape their future. France is struggling to both become a bit more market-driven, while at the same time maintain their high-level of social benefits. I am disappointed that my French passport won't be ready until September as I would have really liked to participate (go Sarko!!)

Nathan meets les Z.

It just so happens that Alex's good friend from school, Alexandra ("Zozo") was visiting her parents in Paris while we were in town so we took the opportunity to introduce her to Nathan! Zozo's parents welcomed us into their home (and invited us back for a delicious dinner, to boot!) and had a nice time hanging out with Nathan.

Having had a little experience, Francoise seemed more comfortable holding a baby -- but Zozo still managed to get a few smiles out of Nathan as well.

Oh what MORE people we'll meet!

After a full day of meeting new people, Nathan slept like a baby (of course) only to wake up and meet even MORE people. First we met his first cousins once-removed Jordan and Ruben while taking a walk sur Ave Victor Hugo.

Later, Ruben's Dad, Phillipe, came to pick Ruben up for dinner and had a chance to toast to Nathan's health along with my sister, my brother-in-law David, and their daughter Elena. Elena and Karyn had met Nathan once before (at the brit) but David was another new acquaintance! My sister and family had been vacationing in France the weeks before, and we managed to overlap long enough to see each other while both in Paris! Mamie Linda was gracious enough to invite everyone over for dinner at her house and make it a very enjoyable evening.

Oh the people you meet!

After arriving in France, the first thing Nathan did (after a nice night's sleep) is go meet more of his family!! On Saturday we all went first to Style to meet Alex's aunt Diana. Linda and Diana chased each other around the shop offering to "help hold Nathan" so that the other one could see him better. Apparently neither one wanted to let Nathan go!

After that, we drove to the George Pompidou hospital to visit Grande Mamie Sylvia for a short "hello" (Nathan remembered her and she got a BIG smile!) before driving across town to meet Grand Papi Louis Miguel. Papi was very happy to meet Nathan and spend some time with Nathan and his granddaugther, Alexandra.

The only way to fly...

So after our horrendous experience with USAirways on our way to/from Mexico (it's no surprise to me that they had been in bankruptcy... ugh!) we had an amazingly pleasant 10-hour flight with Air France. Nathan was given a "bassinet" to sleep in the entire length of the flight, and instead of being tired and cranky when we landed he was well rested and ready to rock n' roll!

A bas USAirways! Vive Air France!

Vacaciones en México

And in other news...

In other news (that Alex might not want people to know about, so I'll just post it here in the secluded privacy of the INTERNET!) ...

Q: What do you get when you cross a Pink Motorola RAZR and a white washing machine?

A: A waterlogged (and totally non-functional) Motorola RAZR. (At least it didn't dye all our socks pink, as well!)

Wow...people ARE reading the blog!

Our good friend Kimmy from Seattle sent me an email today wishing us a "bon voyage" to Puerto Vallarta. Which is strange, beacuase I hadn't said anything to her about it...

I had forgotten that I blogged about it a few days ago and was totally amazed (and a little freaked out) that she knew not only that we were taking a vacation, but even where we were going! I guess if you publish your life to the internet, people are bound to read about (especially your good friends from Seattle!) This one's for you, Kimmy Bubbles!!

Grandpa Joe and Karen come a-calling

My dad and step-mom stopped by for a few hours on their way down to LA from Oregon to meet Nathan. Grandpa Joe took us all out for lunch at Park Chow, and Nathan had a great time laughing and playing!

Passover with the Hartog's

Alex's new friend from Day One, Deborah, thoughtfully invited our family to join her husband Steve and their daughter Lila for a seder at her parent's house. We were delighted to participate, and met many friends and members of her family. Nathan sat on my knees through most of the seder, intently watching all the festivities... until he practically fell asleep sitting on my lap!

Jamie and Kay come for a visit

Jamie and Kay, our neighbors from down the street, came by today to meet Nathan. Kay seemed very comfortable with Nathan -- and Nathan was happy to see some more new faces!

While they were here, the two world-travellers gave us some ideas on where to go eat when we get to Puerto Vallarta on our vacation!

Thanks guys!

Massage with Dad

After our first barbecue of the year with Elizabeth and Jim, Sam gave Nathan a nice massage and we witnessed his first rollover.

Can't leave him out of sight now!

Hello morning!

Stroll in the park

Our meeting today with our Day One mom's group was at 12:30 pm at the Conservatory of Flowers, but Nathan was sleeping so well that we missed the meeting time and joined the group later at the De Young. On our way, we couldn't help but stop by the Shakespeare Garden to admire the cherry blossoms...

Once at the cafeteria of the De Young, we all sat in the grass. Moms ate, then babies ate, slept and played. Nathan was like a lizard in the sun -- except that he didn't like the sun that much!

One of the highlights of the afternoon was Max, butt-naked, courting Sophia!

Graduation day!

Nathan turned 3 months today so we graduated to the 3-6 months group at Day One. How exciting to hang out with the big kids!

The group was bigger than the 0-3 months group but Nathan recognized some of his friends: Sophia, Laila, Max, and Elijah. At his weigh-in, Nathan was 13 lbs 11 oz (6,2 kg) -- better than last week. We had a fun morning.

Then, to make the day even better, cousin Lois came to play during massage and bath time.

What a busy day we had!

New sleep record

Nathan slept 12 hours last night! Unfortunately, I didn't because my milk supply was not "trained" that way. It has to be because of his new room setup, right?

Nathan has a new room

After
About a week ago, we decided that Nathan's room was really too small and even though he wouldn't need the space for a while, it felt bizarre to have to go to his room to get my purses and shoes.

So, after a few days of total chaos, with the house sans dessus-dessous, we finally took out 2 closets (and their content) and rearranged Nathan's room.

Where did I put my purses and shoes, you wonder? Well... don't tell Sam but no, I didn't throw them away. I found some room for them (after rearranging a few *things*) in our bedroom closet... ;-))

New discoveries... more

Well, Nathan is not the only one discovering new things. Today, Mamie tried a burrito for the first time! We were spending the day in the Peninsula and while showing her where my office was I thought it 'd be nice to take her at one of my lunch joints...

Unfortunately, le burrito did not leave a lasting impression...

New discoveries

Nathan has been teething for several weeks now but could only use his hands (both of them!) in his mouth to get relief. But now he can hold stuff and found that the "teething bug" can bring some comfort too.

Today, he also started to talk to the hanging bugs on his car seat while we were having lunch at Asquew... Finally, he had his first "fou rire".

The Cliff House

Mamie Sylvia invited us to have lunch at Sutro's. The view was still very nice even though the weather was not cooperating...

Nathan had a great nap!

Lunch in Sausalito

Papa and Maman had left us an envelop when they left with the instructions to take Mamie Sylvia to the Spinnaker in Sausalito for lunch. The weather was so beautiful the first weekend of her visit that we decided not to delay, so we went on the first Sunday.

We had the best table of the restaurant with a view of San Francisco on one side and the hills of Sausalito on the other. The weather had never been clearer -- it was truly amazing!

After eating and touring Sausalito, we headed to the Marin Headlands to take a look at the city.

Merci Papa et Maman!

Nathan sleeps tonight... (thanks Aunt Betsy!)

Nathan's Massage

Herb and Karen come for a visit!

Alex, Nathan, Mamie Sylvia and I were lucky enough to have the opportunity to meet up with my uncle Herb and his wife Karen (et al) while they were in town visiting. Herbie bought everyone lunch at the Buena Vista Cafe and then we spent the afternoon walking around Ghirardelli Square (read: eating chocolate).