We just finished Christmas Eve dinner, opened presents, and now the kids are snug alspeep in their beds. Or, at least The Younger is asleep. We had a seafood bonaza and before we forget what we ate, I thought I would write it down for posterity. Frunty and the daddy went to Cora to shop for these critters and Frunty did most of the choosing. He is especially excited to get oysters and watch them being shucked. We had shrimp in our pasta, as well as jumbo shrimp dipped in various sauces. Oysters from the Bay of Quiberon in Brittany, two types of clams and the Common Northen Whelk. If you're not sure what this is, other common names are: in French the bulot; in "Belgian", the escargot de Bruxelles. And if you're still not sure, it's the buccinum undatum (Linnaeus,1758) of the family buccinidae. The two clams we had were the amande and the venus. All of it was yummy but maybe a little salty. No problem, the bubbly Blanc de Blanc we had was a nice accompaniment. Merry Christmas everyone!

Frunty had an extra special time at school today and enjoyed telling us about it afterwards. Something to do with a black rabbit (which was soft) being pulled out of a hat and there were birds and money went in one person's ear and out the other. He was so excited, it was hard to catch everything but you get the gist and so did we!!!!! A magacian, yes, you guessed it, visited the school and Frunty just loved it and told Gramma all about it and asked for Grampa to phone when he got home from skating, which he did. Frunty really wants Grampa to come over and play trains and says this about every two days. We have to tell him that soon it will happen.

Anyway, Daddy says that he loves taking Frunty to school and carrying him for the ten minute walk, partly up hill because

a) he really gets a chance to snuggle with Frunty and talk to him eye to eye
b) he really gets some great exercise by speed walking and holding that kid
c) he loves chatting with the other kids and parents during the 1/2 hour of "accueil" before class begins

The whole school experience started off in a stressful way but now is very fun and for my part, I enjoy getting to school a bit before 12 to chat with other Moms and have been able to improve my French in the process.

Frunty has been calling his brother, by the way, for at least a month a very cute nickname. He calls him, "Peau-Teau". (said very quickly) If you ask him what it means, Frunty will respond, "baby". And Peau-Teau looks at his brother when he calls him that so clearly knows it is him. So from now on, Tiny Two Legs will be referred to as Peau-Teau in this blog and elsewhere, for that matter!

We have decided not to go to Edinburgh for Christmas. The plane tickets were 1 Euro Cent and our new friends offered us their home in Edinburgh. It all sounded so tempting but we need to stay home and rest...I never thought we'd give up a trip opportunity but we are pretty wiped out and will look forward to visiting Edinburgh in the new year as we would really like to see our cousins there! Of course, they are welcome to visit us here too and with 1 cent flights, who can loose?

Last night we had a super fun time at Frunty's school. From 3:30 pm til 7 pm Chant d'Oiseau school hosted their annual Marche de Noel. It was really lovely. We got there at about 5:30 pm which was good since it was less crowded. (We came from our visit to Medecis.) We enjoyed some French Onion soup though not nearly as good as the one Gramma used to make in the special bowls. Alongside that, we drank some excellent Belgian Christmas beer. Frunty had a candy shishkabob with his friends, D and L. They ran around like maniacs and had so much fun. TTL slept til almost the very end. Children came around selling different Christmasy things and we bought an ornament and a cross-stitched Christmas card.

We enjoyed chatting with some friends we've made from France, their children being in Frunty's class. We also have some friends from Ireland and Scotland with whom we enjoyed some more beers. It was very festive. When we first arrived, we found Madame Claire, Frunty's teacher, and gave her a little box of homemade treats. (Frunty helped me make rice krispy snowballs with coconut, decorated gingerbread cookies and he helped Daddy make Hello Dollies.) She seemed very pleased to receive our Christmas gift. She speaks so slowly to us in French which is very thoughtful.

We woke up today to find snow on the rooftops and have enjoyed flurries on and off again all day. With our carols on, it is starting to feel a lot like Christmas! Hope you are all enjoying the Christmas season too!

Merry Christmas, everyone! Yes...I know it is not Christmas but tonight, we had the dress rehearsal. We just feel that there is so much pressure on the actual day(s) so we decided to have a Christmas before the actual Christmas to take the pressure off! It all started with a really nice chat with Gramma followed by decorating two gingerbread houses. What fun! Boy, did we stick a lot of crazy things onto our houses. Gummy teeth, a green, sour crocodile and lots of skittles from Nonna. At first, our icing wasn't quite right because we didnt' have cream of tartar so Daddy used lemon juice and the icing rolled off the eaves. After thickening it, the t.reats seemed to stick a whole lot better.

Then Daddy prepared a gourmet, Christmas feast. First we had "green" oysters which are extra special and not the usual garden variety. Who knew that being green was so awesome? We enjoyed a very nice champagne with the oysters plus various smoked salmon, mackerel and trout and an excellent cheese or two. The we moved along to a baby wild boar, mashed potatoes and roasted zucchini and onion. All too good and especially with a wonderful red, though I can't remember the name of this Bordeaux. We also enjoyed two "bouches de Noel", one chocolate and one mocha, for dessert with an Asti. All too decadent! If you think we over ate, think again because we enjoyed portion control which left room for a Limoncello cake pandoro.

Here is the very best part of all...because everything was really perfect, there is no pressure now to have a perfect, Christmas dinner on the actual day. Daddy just handed me a "Karamel Korkant Guld Barre" that he purchased in Copenhagen. I'll enjoy that later. He is just saying that he forgot the "crowning piece" as I look over and see him reaching into the freezer. What is it? He replies, "a little mouth wash to rinse the palate." Still waiting to hear what it is...raspberry sorbet laced with vodka...oh, the fun never stops...gotta go, no time to spare! Now if everything burns on Christmas eve, at least we had this perfect, pre-Christmas meal prepared by Claudio, shopped for by all of us hier soir, and enjoyed by all of us this evening, especially by T.T.L who loved the mashed potatoes and some applesauce!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!

Today I took the kids downtown by metro to see the 1982 classic, silent film entitled The Snowman. I met my new Scottish friend, F, and her daughter and we enjoyed the thirty minute film in an old theatre right near the Grande Place. It was a really nice movie with beautiful music and I was so glad that I put my fears aside and ventured forth with my two boys. Frunty really enjoyed it and T.T.L even watched almost the whole show, squealing at certain parts and laughing.

Daddy left for Copenhagen this afternoon but not before making Hello Dollies with Frunty. When we came home from the theatre, our Christmas tree was on and the warm dollies were on top of the stove. They are excellent and made with a speculoos crust instead of graham crackers. We are enjoying this Christmas season very much so far with lots of baking (cookies, Auntie L's coffee cake etc.) and two visits to the Brussels Grande Place Christmas market which is fantastic. Next week we are going to a party at the school hosted by the "equipe maternelle" teachers. They will serve, among other things, artisanale beers and hot chocolate and cakes. We are looking forward to it very much as it'll be a nice chance to properly talk with the teachers and meet other parents and children in Frunty's class. St. Nicholas and Zwarte Pete came to Frunty's school and handed out candies. Frunty comes home with treats in his Bob the Builder Knapsack and letters from his teachers about actitivies. It is all very cute and we think and hope he is having fun. We sure are!

Today was a special day not just because it was St. Nicholas day but because it was the first day that Frunty did not cry before going to school. He did whimper a tiny bit but did not scream and cry as he usually does. Thank goodness. I really hope that that is over. Poor little guy, such anxiety. He always says he has fun and that is why we kept taking him.

Tiny Two Legs smacks his highchair with his hand making a loud sound and gets really excited when I get out the Braun to puree something for him. He loves these combos:

for breakfast: oatmeal with apple/banana or peach- pureed

for lunch or dinner: also cooked and pureed:

tofu and peas
squash/apple and a tiny bit of ginger

snacks: mashed avocado or banana and sucking on clementines!

I am having a lot of fun making him food which I never got to do with Mister Two Legs. I never pureed him anything as he went from breastmilk to steak and skipped that in between stage! Frunty also likes helping puree food for his little brother and will have a snack with him

Together they sit on the mat playing trains. Well, T.T.L sort of chews on his train from Grampa, called Douglas, while Frunty arranges the tracks. For the last two weeks I would say, I have been able to leave the two of them on the mat together to play while I make a cup of tea and even drink it! I can hardly believe that I am able to do this and appreciate it so much. Frunty is an excellent brother and will bring T.T.L a new toy if he starts fussing. He will even run over to me and tell me if his brother is upset or has fallen over, not that I am unaware of this! That five minutes I get to myself is very nice but I am happy to get back to them to do Yoga Kids or some other fun game like Lotto (Bingo) or a craft or just watch a bit of Barney.

We have some new friends from Scotland who are just great and live nearby. They are here for two years so we can look forward to lots of fun times ahead. We enjoyed a play date at their home this afternoon and Frunty and I made Auntie L's coffee cake to bring over. They loved it! I will try to write in this blog more often as I don't want to forget all the fun times we are having with the boys!

One of the highlights of my day, if not my life, is listening to Tiny Two Legs laugh is head off. There is only one person who can make him laugh like that...his brother, Mister Two Legs. He does stuff that T.T.L thinks is just hilarious. I try to make him laugh too but don't get the same laughs. These two guys, if you can believe, sit together on the floor and play trains and Lego and laugh. Yesterday, I actually made myself a cup of tea and drank it while peaking around the corner and watching them play. I couldn't believe my eyes. I am so happy that I have them and that they have each other and I hope that their friendship grows. I guess they'll eventually fight and that's normal but right now, they get along famously and it is such a joy to watch them interact. It's hard to describe in words.

Tiny Two Legs really enjoyed French library yesterday and listened to the stories really well and tried to sing along with the songs. I wish we could go every week but it is only offered once a month still. We found another library that offers it so now we can go twice a month. The other libraries are too far. I guess one could go every week if one had a car. But anyway we'll find other activities for little ones. We do miss the Beaches though where everything was available within a twenty minute walk, especially we miss Movies4Mommies and coffee afterwards.

Tiny Two Legs, formerly known as Tiny Baby, can bend down, touch his toes and sit back up. I will include two pictures of this wonderful feat, pun intended!

Wait, I made an error. I also had two full days with those two boys way back when the Nonni were still in Italy and we had already come back. Those two days were so hard, I think I tried to forget about them. I would look at my watch and it was 9 am and then I'd look again and it'd be 9:20 am and I thought Daddy would never come home. Finally phoned him at 5 pm and he could figure out that he had to come home immediately! The following day was a bit better but not really. You know, if I could sleep more, all of this would be a piece of cake (yah, right!) Speaking of sleep...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

(to think I used to babysit three kids at age 13 and then other little ones all summer...but I didn't have to contend with sleep deprivation and hormonal swings! And when I admit how challenging it is to other moms around here, the more women seem to admit to me too how hard it is too. So liberating!)

I haven't written for at least three weeks. I really have to get caught up but until I can, I would like to write about Tiny Two Legs! At 5 months old, as of last Friday, he is even more of a sweetie because he reaches out to us literally and figuratively in many ways. Tries to kiss my cheek (just smooshes his wet, super soft lips against my cheek and doesn't move), grabs my nose, touches my face and is now sitting up quite well. Just bought a hire chair for him today so that he can sit with us at the table and so I can eat with two hands!!! What a milestone. T.T.L is really adored still by his brother and tries to play lego with him (mostly chewing on it, of course!) We went to the doctor yesterday for his second vaccination. Doing just great! Getting too big (7 kg approx.) for the snuggly with the snowsuit on so am breaking him gently into the stroller. So far, cannot stand it. Screamed yesterday, had to put him into snuggly on walk. Cried today, second attempt. I will not let him cry for more than 5 minutes. Little by little, Tiny Baby will get used to the stroller, has to, otherwise my shoulders are going to break!

I gotta go but I can tell you all this, I have only had two half days on my own with both boys in this entire 5 month period. Because of all the family help and now with Daddy mostly working from home and Frunty going to school in the mornings (giving me a little quiet time with Tiny Two Legs), I have been able to enjoy this time in my life very much. Yes, it is challenging to say the least. I am just so grateful that I have this support. Otherwise, yes I would survive but I would not be as happy as I am right now...I know this for sure.

Yesterday J came over to help me prepare for Frunty's third birthday party, part one. It was really fun icing the cupcakes which Frunty helped with...well, maybe he just helped with putting the candies on and making a couple disappear! We invited our Asian friends and it was great to catch up with them and to see how all the kids have grown. And they met Tiny Two Legs for the first time too and gave a beautiful, Fisher Price Zonic Boom toy to him. We played two games, hot potato and pin the tail on the donkey, I read a story about Halloween and Daddy helped me read a story by Eric Carle about a spider. I made a spider cake but forgot to tell Daddy that there were coins hidden inside so most of the coins got sliced in two. Oh well! It was funny! Soon it is Halloween and both boys will be pumpkins!

Survived first day as mother of two unaided, sort of. Frunty went to pre-school in morning and said, voluntarily, that it was really fun despite being chased by some bully and falling down and crying. Will see to that tomorrow. I managed to eat lunch and even have a cup of tea while Frunty played with Tiny Two Legs on the floor. Frunty ate too, his usual "sandwich" with butter (Benecol) and fish eggs. Later two bigs bananas after our reading session in bed. (With cleaning lady here we have to stay out of her way so what better place to read then in bed) Went to nearby school, Paradis des Enfants, to feed fish (got in trouble) and goats (permitted). All in all, not a bad day mainly thanks to Daddy getting home at 5 pm (thank goodness) and Nonna having made us meals to last the whole week (thank goodness again!) Gotta get back to making fudgey spiders!

Daddy got back from Vienna with a wooden box. "What's inside?" we asked! A Sacher Torte!!!!!!!!! Thank you, Daddy! Of course, we shared with everyone, including our Austrian neighbour!

Daddy came home from Vienna after two nights away with a wooden box and inside we found a Sachertorte!!!!!! Delicious! Now he is on his way to Paris.

DeMille really enjoys grabbing stuff and you have to watch out when you are holding him at the table as he'll put his entire hand into your rice and grab a fist full...yes, it's happened to me! He loves being massaged too, hey, who doesn't?

Today was another gorgeous day here and this fall has been very sunny and warm. We took the train to Brugges for a "B excursion" asking for the train/canal boat combo. The ticket guy at the train station told us that there weren't any canals in Brugges...what planet is this guy from? We not only enjoyed those non-existent canals but also a visit to a chocolate museum afterwards! Gotta go...

First week of school done. Overall, a positive experience...I think. Talk about exhausting what with waking up before 10 am, haven't done that in years and emotionally draining too with tears in the mornings but highs after school. Frunty said he likes school and pronounces his teacher's name beautifully, "Madame Claire". What a beautiful, French accent he already has. Frunty escaped twice and came out of the school (should have been let out by lunch time teacher upon seeing me...will see about that on Monday), was lead down to the lunch room once (I ran into the school and found him coming back up the stairs with another teacher, some confusion on someone's part!) and came home today with someone's chocolate milk and apple and without his Canada, red baseball hat from Gramma and Grampa, will have to see about that on Monday too.

Tiny Two Legs and I enjoyed a baby massage class today with Nonna taking pictures. The instructor showed us a technique to help the baby relieve gas and boy did it work! Mine not only gased immediately but also pooped all over the towel and later I realized, me! We had been "invited" to take off our babies' diapers. Next time I will decline. It was very funny and everyone laughed. Will eventually post some photos of tha massage class and Ireland. When I have a spare moment these days, I tend to like to brush my teeth or scratch the dog...Daddy off to Ikea and mattress shop to bring home a surprise!!!!!!!!!!! Stay tuned!

Day Three of pre-school, yesterday, Frunty sang Alouette on the way home from school and said he liked school, it was fun, but he never wants to go back "not ever". Tiny Baby enjoyed French library at another location and we will go twice a month now. Time's up!

We had a fabulous trip to Ireland and just got back late last night. You don't have to die to go to heaven, just visit Ireland. Just go for a walk or a run on Inch Beach, surrounding by cliffs, mountains, green rolling fields with sheep dotting the landscape. Heaven! And then, hot fruit crumble for dessert on a rainy evening in a little pub called the South Pole in Annascaul, with clotted cream on top...heaven. And smoke-free! Yes, we have that in Canada, but we can't take our children into pubs back home. This way, we as adults can enjoy the pub experience with our kiddies too. Fun for the whole family!

There were so many highlights. Our cottage in Inch Beach, overlooking the ocean, was beautiful and very cozy. Like the one in Tralee, all pine. We had a great hike from our cottage along the Dingle Way to Annascaul. During the hike, we were at a crossroads wondering if we should hike all the way to Annascual or turn back and we were talking on and on about it and finally Frunty said, "Excuse me, everyone, why doesn't Daddy get go back and get the car and then pick us up and take us to Annascaul." Luckily we stopped our gabbing to listen to a three year old who had the best idea. So Daddy ran back, got the car and then picked up Nonno and Frunty to take them to find a standing stone while Nonna, Mommy and DeMille continued hiking to Annascaul. We all had lunch and then didn't have to hike the 7 km back but could do some more adventures along the way by car.

Frunty loved the Ocean World in Dingle. We loved the deep fried Mars/Snickers bars. Sounds weird but boy are they tastey! Two more highlights of our trip.

Nonna discovered that sucking on a clementine would help Tiny Baby in the car. He really dislikes car travel, perhaps feeling car sick. Trying everything, the clementine finally did the trick most of the time. We only did very short car trips with the kids as a result.

As soon as we got home, Daddy started looking for flights with Ryan Air again and found that for 7 cents, we could fly to Girona. Who can beat that!? But I think we will stay put for a little while as we have done a lot of traveling and have really taken advantage of Daddy's paternity leave!

We got home today from a long weekend spent in the very beautiful and charming Ardennes, an area of Belgium with rolling hills, green pastures and very old, stone cottages. We stayed in a mill in the town of Grupont where we went last year with my folks. Waking up to the sound of the river with ducks quacking is absolutely heavenly, if you ask me. I stayed in bed two of the mornings enjoying that soothing sound before grabbing my running shoes and exploring the town and surrounding area on foot. Running in the early morning with that crisp, clean air is as heavenly as the river and ducks. I enjoyed two runs and after three months of being the only one to be able to soothe Tiny Baby, I am thrilled to say that he is now permitting others to hold him and keep him entertained while I have some much-needed "selfish time" to myself. Afterall, with all the traveling we are doing lately, I can't save running for Brussels alone and I can't bring along the jogger stroller everywhere we go.

One highlight of our weekend was sampling some escargots after a very didactic session on these slimey critters at an Escargot farm. Eating butter that has the texture of cheese and various cured meats afterwards at our cottages with different beer was a definite highlight too. We had a hike to the "cou cou" which was hard as the first part was all uphill and we didn't have snacks. Another hard part was car travel with Tiny Baby who really can't stand his carseat or gets motion sick or something. The screaming is brutal and so one of the days, I stayed at the cottage with him so we could avoid all that.

We enjoyed beautiful weather the whole weekend. In a few days, we'll be packing our bags for our next adventure...Ireland. I can't wait. And getting plane tickets for 5 Euros each just could not be passed up. Ryanair sure is amazing and if we could have flown on a Tuesday, we only would have paid 1.49 Euros. Our friends flew to Shannon for 50 cents, if you can believe it! It is ridiculous but true! I am really looking forward to heading back to Ireland and enjoying an Irish coffee in a smoke-free pub. I am so happy to say that Tiny Baby may never experience a smokey pub in his lifetime as one by one, countries will be become smoke-free, I hope. Anyway, enough about all that. Just can't wait to get over to that gorgeous, green isle.

I've been trying to deal with the 300+ fotos we made of our 1 week in Torino and decided to post a nice one of Frunty with his Nonna Lilly. Frunty had so much fun with his cousins and, luckily, he was able to understand what they were saying to him. On our last night there, we went out to a typical pizzeria, and savoured every bite.

Happy Three Month Birthday, Tiny Baby!

You are growing so fast. You love to pull your ears and stare at your toes and giggle and smile. You are a jolly, little guy. You enjoy watching your brother and your eyes follow him as he jumps around you. You really study pictures or books for an unusually long time for your age. You are very happy in the snuggly...sometimes the hugabub when you are ready for a nap or need to be soothed and in the baby bjorn, you love to face outwards and watch the world going by. Your neck is quite strong now but you don't sit up on your own yet. You are getting there. No rush, Tiny Baby...time is going fast enough. You like to snuggle and sometimes I wake up to find you and your brother side by side with your heads touching and when Frunty is half asleep, he grabs and holds onto your hand. We really love having you around, Tiny Baby. What a joy! You are also a little world traveller and have beaten some records. Daddy did his first flight at three months, you at five weeks. Daddy was the youngest to visit Torino at three months, you at 2.5! At three months you have already got two passports full with stamps...Tunisia, Egypt, Italy. Good for you!

You are getting good about taking little naps by yourself and are asleep right now on the bed. You really like your Winnie-the-Pooh, fleecy blanket over your face sometimes. But you'll sleep for a very long time in the snuggly. I can take you for a run like this morning but you don't sleep anymore, you look around. Another runner ran beside me today for a bit and said what a cutie pie you are. We are all so thrilled to have you in our lives, Mr. Tiny Two Legs!

Today we returned from Torino, Italy. We spent a wonderful week showing off our new little one to all the relatives. As usual, we enjoyed excellent hospitality and ate our hearts out! There were many highlights but one of the funnest parts was watching Frunty with his cousins, playing and goofing around. I had a hard time believing that my little guy was speaking Italian so well and seemed to understand most of what was said to him. Is that my child?! Conversing with his relatives, with a Piedmontese accent? It just seems amazing to me! Tiny Baby and I had fun most mornings going for a "cafe" which means espresso. Chatting with the folks a little at Cafe Bresil was fun. And it sure gave me a boost to get me through the day...walking around a lot, eating a lot! As usual, I love browsing the markets and went to several different markets this past week. Got some cute socks for the kids! We noticed how friendly people are especially towards children in Torino especially compared to here. People always made a fuss over the kids and asked questions or just smiled at us. Even the noisy kids in the piazza told each other to be quiet one night when we walked by, saying that the baby was sleeping and needed quiet. We were surprised and appreciated this kindness to us. I don't know what the heck is wrong with people around here. Why are they so cold towards children? I dunno. Anyway, after Egypt and Italy and all the friendliness down south, the coldness here sticks out more so. But soon we'll be in Ireland where people are over-the-top in terms of friendliness!

Just got home from a super trip to Egypt. We really like El Gouna and would recommend it to anyone! Tiny Baby went to bed at the usual 9 pm and when I crawled in a little while later, I found his Douglas train beside his head. Frunty at some point brought it down to his brother and I thought it was an absolutely adorable act. More on our trip later. But first...update on Tiny Baby:

*he loves pulling on his ears and holding is own hands
*smiles and laughs, often before we start smiling to him
*has a bit of a cranky time at around 7 pm but otherwise, very calm
*weighs about 14 pounds, eyes browny-blue, hair seems fair-ish

Last night our Nonni arrived from Toronto and boy were we excited to see them! Tomorrow we leave for El Gouna in Egypt and I realize that I haven't written for over a week. So much has happened since the 16th. The boys and I took Daddy on the 19th to Plopsaland for his birthday! What fun! We got a new countertop in our kitchen the following day and hung out at the army and airplane museum. That night, after the boys went to bed (they both go together at 8 pm, it is super cute!) we watched a movie, "House of Flying Daggers". Mandarin was fun on the Monday and Frunty and I made a carrot cake together that was super good.

On the 23rd, it was our God son, J's birthday and we enjoyed chatting to him and his folks. On the 24th I went to the dentist while my friend, J, helped me with Tiny Baby who slept through most of the appointment, just started getting hungry the last 5 minutes. Then Daddy and Frunty picked up our nonni after the Little Gym. Perfect timing. The fun just never stops but it means that time really flies and Tiny Baby has been chewing his fists for the past week at least, perhaps indicating that the long process of teething has already begun. He smiles at us even before we smile at him. He is such a joy. I gotta get packing now but will write when we get back from El Gouna and before we go to Turin.

For my own records, I have been running with both children sometimes together in the one stroller and now that H leant me her double jogger, after a nice walk with her and friends the other day, I have taken them both side by side. Frunty sings to Tiny Baby and keeps him happy until he falls asleep. I sometimes have to make a few stops but I am grateful that most of the time, I can be "selfish" and get my running in!!!!! Cheerio!

Frunty took me to Plopsaland for a surprise birthday adventure. It's a theme park about a 2 hour train ride from Brussels. We had lots of fun on mini-train rides but probably the high point was this Balloon Race up in the sky! (Click on the picture to make it bigger.)

I was thinking about Movies 4 Mommies the other day and remembering how much I enjoyed going with Frunty and friends and out for Starbucks afterwards. One of the highlights of my first "maternity leave". But it is the new me, I don't sit around and compare and complain...not since Christmas. Daddy found an adventure for the boys to do this afternoon and I took Tiny Baby to the video store to get a movie. I got one that I had hoped to see with Gramma but we didn't get a chance, called In Good Company. I've got a Canada Dry, some pumpkin seeds from Nonna and here I go...to my livingroom. It's a grey day and I am going to have my own M4M right here at home. Yes, it is not the same. Yes, I wish I could be in the Beach with other screaming babies...wait a minute, different can also be good! Don't forget, if you get lemons sometimes, you can easily make lemonade!

Daddy has taken Frunty to Science-tastic...some kind of science center type place. And in a few days it's Daddy's birthay and boy, do we have a special surprise in store for him! Stay tuned!

Tiny Baby's first post-natal flight was on July 23rd 2005 from Brussels, Belgium to Monastir, Tunisia. After take-off, he slept the whole way! Not a peep during take-off, in-flight, or landing. The flight was about 2 hours and 15 minutes. What a little trooper!

We will remember it was Tiny Baby's first flight as it is D's birthday!

While pregnant, I flew with the kids to Toronto, Makadi Bay, Egypt and Turin, Italy. No peeps then either!

Frunty said something very cute today. He overheard us talking about going to Pizza Hut for dinner so he chimed in with his own story in a melancoly tone: "One time. Just Frunty and Granma. We went to Little Gym and after at Pizza Nut there were no more balloons"

What a busy week since getting back from Tunisia. I haven't had a chance to write or catch up on emails so I hope I won't lose our readership! I don't have time to write even now but I will say that we enjoyed berry picking today and a picnic at the Foret de Soigne between chores! The blackberries were mostly quite sour though! I squeezed in one run this week and it was the first while pushing Tiny Baby in the new jogger. Pretty great since I feel strong and Tiny Baby slept the entire run and woke up just after I finished weight lifting! Perfect! This was after visiting H and her newborn, V, who came early on the 31st of July. (she was due the 21st of August) What a tiny cutie and H's birth story had us both laughing til our sides' ached. I think sharing birth stories is an extremely important part of the entire process and needs to be done. I had my six week check-up this past week though it was really almost 8 weeks because we went to Tunisia. Everything fine.

We enjoyed lunch out with Uncle M at MC Squared just like old times but I ate too much chocolate moose, the best in all of Belgium. Frunty ran around the grassy area a lot before and after. Uncle M gave Tiny Baby a vibrating chair by Fisher Price called Aquarium or something like that which he really likes for a few minutes two times a day or so. After lunch we all went to the Little Gym where everyone met Tiny Baby for the first time and were thrilled. M.P, our teacher, said he looks exactly like Frunty. Sometimes he really does other times he looks like himself. I had fun catching up with some other Mommies whom I've gotten to know over the months.

Well, I said I didn't have time and luckily I type very very fast, gotta go!!!!!!!

Kid Power!

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We are happy that we got at least two weeks of summer in Tunisia because we are back to cool, fall weather with lots of rain here in Brussels. (14 degrees Celsius) And we hear that the weather in Toronto is fantastic and that swimming at the cottage is perfect. I think that you only need hot and sunny weather if you are by a body of water. Otherwise, who really needs it!? I am not trying to make myself feel better. I honestly don't mind the cooler weather. And all this rain is great for the garden not to mention the skin!

We looked at all of our photos from Tunisia. I will now write some highlights but not in any particular order.

1. Enjoying our kids and each other without worrying about household chores or distractions from the outside world

2. Watching Frunty play with other kids and run around each evening before Mini Disco, laughing his head off, jumping off of little walls, jumping onto other children "human blankets"

3. Beach activities: building sand castles/boats, walking each day up and down (my two walks: Eden Viaggie and Demiss with Thai-style huts), and running around with Frunty in circles sometimes and several solo runs during which I felt no discomfort at all (the best one was 30 min. thanks to Daddy keeping Tiny Baby happy)

4. day trip to Mahdia, a lovely port town, and sitting outside in a courtyard, under some ficus trees, drinking almond tea and listening to traditional music with air scented with the smoke from those pipes (it was magic)

5. Playing in the room, jumping on the bed, wearing goggles in the tub, goofing around together during the hottest hours of the day

The challenging part of the trip included getting used to the "resort culture". But I'll write about that another day. Although resorts are great for very small people, in our opinion, we look forward to taking the kids camping one day for a kind of fun that cannot be paralleled and then staying at cottages is excellent too!

Back from Tunisia:

Today we returned from our first family trip and we had a wonderful time. We stayed at the Melia El Mouradi Mahdia Hotel. The weather was superb and the ocean warm. Frunty played a lot, Tiny Baby grew a lot (now about 5 kg at six weeks), Mommy rested a lot and Daddy took care of all of our needs day and night. We had time to just enjoy our kids and it felt great. We mostly played at the beach and pool and there were some other fun kids there and we visited the town of Mahdia. Someone is hungry so I gotta go but will write more later and include photos too.

We had a swing in T.O for Frunty but got rid of it when we moved here. Instead of going shopping for yet another short-term thing that would take up space we don't have, Daddy came up with an ingenious solution, I think! Hooked onto Frunty's exercise equipment, Tiny Baby enjoys swinging in his baby car seat!

Daddy posted a really fun, incognito photo of our folks with us. We had a great time with them and had to say "cheerio" yesterday. It was very sad because it was the end of such a special time and because we'll miss them til we visit again. But one of the reasons it was so special is because we are living here in Brussels. When we got home from the airport, I felt pretty down until our cleaning lady told us she hadn't seen her folks for six years. I counted my blessings at that point and haven't cried since!

I find that it really helps to have a busy day the day loved ones leave. So after the airport we went directly to the bank and then to the Canadian Embassy to pick up passports. Tiny Baby's photo was approved this time and his passport issued! Daddy and Frunty got new passports too. So we are all set in that department. Because Tiny Baby does not have Canadian citizenship yet though (this will take at least six months and Halifax may reject our application due to the photo) his passport is only valid one year. So next year, wherever we are, we'll have to renew it. This isn't a problem, I am just typing this info so I don't forget it.

After the passport pick-up, we came home for lunch and then L showed up to start sorting through our major mess. As hard as we try, we cannot keep our home tidy for more than one day. And the dog hair...don't even start! The best thing for all of us to do is to vacate the premises while she works her magic so we took off to Dr. W's for Tiny Baby's one month check-up.

Tiny Baby is doing really fantastic and we are thrilled. He is 4.6 kg and 56 cm long at 4.5 weeks of age. We were told the percentile and all that jazz but I don't give a hang for that. As long as he is healthy, which he is, then I couldn't be happier.
After Dr. W's, Daddy took Frunty to the Little Gym and I walked over to Medicis to change a doctor's appointment and deliver a gift to Dr. De V. The reason I had to change my appointment is because we'll be in Tunisia! (We booked a two week trip on Tuesday and will leave this Saturday.)

When I gave the gift to Dr. de V he looked really surprised and happy and said, "What is it?" and I told him I couldn't tell him because it was a gift and then he tried to open it in front of me but I really had to get home because it looked like another storm was going to hit and I didn't want to get stuck there all afternoon again. So I told him to take his time and scooted off.

Anyway, I thought it was funny that he looked like a big kid at Christmas. The gift was a bottle of Crown Royal that I asked my Dad to bring over from duty free and a Canadian cd. We were going to give him a cigar from Cuba but Dad and Daddy smoked some while together and they were quite dry. Anyway, when and if you ever meet a doctor with an excellent bedside manner, you gotta make sure that they feel appreciated because it is so rare to find one. He helped turn my fear of giving birth in Brussels into a fun experience and I wanted him to know how thankful I was. Most importantly, he safely delivered our baby and that is why we got him the gifts.

By the way, Mom helped hold Tiny Baby while I went to physio for some exercises, some simulated contractions (ouch!) and a massage. I asked the physio when I could start running again and she told me to wait awhile and check with my doctor. Funny, my doctor told me to wait awhile and check with the physio. No one really knows, I conclude. So I am listening to my own body and enjoyed a 40 minute non-stop run with my Dad the day before he left! We ran three times together. The first time was for 15 minutes to test the waters as I may have written, the second for 40 minutes with two stops to breastfeed (my Mom and Tiny Baby followed behind) and the third, we stole 40 straight minutes as my Mom kept Tiny Baby asleep in the snuggly. I don't feel perfect yet but I feel definitely well enough to run.

Back to yesterday:

After that, I scooted home and returned an umbrella on the way which I had borrowed from a new acquaintance during the last storm. I don't think it actually started raining though I cannot remember. It was just very windy I think with grey clouds but I think it blew over. So I got home dry and Tiny Baby and I relaxed until Daddy and Frunty came home. Apparently, they had fun at the Little Gym, thank goodness.

It is now the end of another long day as we celebrated Belgium's birthday today by goiing to the Museum of Natural Scient (boring...but fun watching Frunty zoom around) and the watched the air show from the top of K and E's building followed by a military parade down below (we went to the street level for that). We did a lot of walking and felt exhausted but when we got home, Daddy and Frunty made Gramma's chocolate snacking cake for the birthday party and to celebrate Tiny Baby's Canadian passport acquistion. Tiny Baby is now passed out on my lap as I type this. Daddy rigged up the computer so I can sit on the couch and type.

Tomorrow will be a busy day while we prepare for Tunisia so I may not have a chance to type in our blog but will do so after our trip. I am glad that we are off to a warm place to enjoy some summer fun as it is cool here now and feels as if fall has arrived. Could that be already possible? I don't mind the cool weather but am looking forward to swimming and goofing around with the boys at the beach! Until the next entry, cheerio!

On July 8th, we took Tiny Baby to the Italian embassy. We got all dressed up because it was a very special day. We were applying for Tiny Baby's citizenship. We did not expect to come home with a passport for Tiny Baby! It was very exciting to receive it right on the spot. The embassy even had a photo booth on site so we could get a photo of Tiny Baby for the passport.

After all the problems we have had with the Canadian Embassy (they did not accept our first pictures and our second set, taken by a photographer that they recommended, are dubious and may not ultimately be accepted for the citizenship.) we were so pleasantly surprised to have an easy time at the Italian consulate.

While we were waiting to pay and receive the passport, I told Daddy that when we got home, I'd really like some pasta chuta and he said, I am going to take you two out for lunch to an Italian restaurant. (Frunty was having a wonderful adventure with his grandparents) We asked for a recommendation and walked towards the area that was suggested as there were apparently many Italian restos there. On the way, Daddy saw a side street that we went up and we found a little Trattoria that was excellent. And it was no-smoking! The chef is from Calabria.

It was really fun to celebrate Tiny Baby's becoming Italian and that night, we got a cake and had champagne and dressed up in our Italian outfits. Tiny Baby wore the little blue outfit that Daddy bought in Turin a few years before. (Frunty wore it home from the hospital in 2002.) Here is a picture of Tiny Baby and his passport! Eventually, he will become Canadian too...

Frunty noticed that Tiny Baby is really growing quickly and asked me yesterday, "can Tiny Baby play with me now?" I had to explain that it would be a little while yet before they could play together. Frunty loves handing his baby brother a toy and often drives a little car over his arm. He also likes gently rubbing Tiny Baby's head and kissing him.

Yesterday we enjoyed a wonderful day at Chateau de la Hulpe. The weather was perfect and we had a great picnic and played "beach balls" as Frunty calls them. We even had an Egg Hunt for Frunty and then he hid the eggs for Daddy and showed him where they were. A crazy horse did a lot of neighing behind the bushes and we wondered what was going on. Later we looked for the horse but couldn't find him/her. It was funny.

Yesterday Frunty remarked that Tiny Baby is getting bigger. I agreed with him and then he asked, "Can Tiny Baby play now?" I had to explain that it would be a little while before he could play with his brother.

We really enjoyed a beautiful day and picnic at Chateau de la Hulpe yesterday. We played "beach balls" too.

To avoid screaming while changing Tiny Baby's diaper, we change him under this cute, Miffy toy. He likes a few minutes under it at other times of the day and sometimes Frunty crawls under there with him!

Four Saturdays ago today, we were at the hospital enjoying our precious newborn. Now he is beside me in the stroller having fallen asleep during our run. It has been a wonderful month and Tiny Baby is growing by leaps and bounds. I'd say he is close to ten pounds and perhaps 56 cm. We will know for sure after the upcoming doctor's appointment.

Last night we had a really superb bbq prepared by Daddy. We sat in the backyard and it was fun. Today Grampa and I went for a run with Gramma and Tiny Baby close behind and Daddy and Frunty on bike. Daddy could ride ahead and tell us Tiny Baby's status. We ran to Woluwe Park and through Lover's Lane and back and only had to stop to breastfeed twice. On a 40 minute run, that is pretty good and I just have to get used to the fact that some runs will be like that now. I think I used to get frustrated before with Frunty when he was a newborn because I wanted things to be the way they were. Now I know that things are different and I have to go with it. The run was still wonderful, just different. And there may be some runs during which I do not have to stop. Who knows?

My stomach muscles are a bit sore but other than that, I felt great on the run and so did Grampa. We'll try for one more before they return to T.O. Then we'll both continue our exercises til we run again.

Gramma and Grampa arrived late last night from London and Daddy picked them up from Gare du Midi. They said they had a really wonderful time. They did London "on foot" (understandably) and enjoyed every minute. Despite the heat and traffic congestion, they had fun. They also enjoyed the show "Blood Brothers" which has beautiful music. We missed them but are very happy that they celebrated their 40th in style, taking advantage of being so close to the UK. This is one thing we really like about Brussels, the proximity to so many beautiful places.

Like all newborns, Tiny Baby has been practising holding his head up everyday practically since we got home from the hospital. This morning was special in that he held it up for quite a long time and his neck seemed very strong. I asked Daddy, "hey, what happened to that newborn stage?" to which he replied, "We blinked." It sure does go fast like everyone says but I still find that each stage is more fun than the one before.

I love watching Tiny Baby watch Frunty which he enjoys doing so much. And Frunty loves making him smile. So far we see no jealousy whatsoever and are hoping that this continues. Maybe it is because Frunty is still getting a lot of attention. Today the grandfolks will return from London and this helps in the attention department. I am a bit tired from my two days alone with the boys but I cannot complain as Daddy has the next two days off, followed by the weekend, followed by two months of paternity leave. And then the nonni are coming for more help so I am very fortunate indeed. Plus Gramma and Grampa are still here for til Wednesday!

I do have a confession. Despite the sleep deprivation and slight achiness here and there...I went for a run with my Dad on July 10. We only went for 15 minutes to test the waters. The truth is...I felt fine but don't want to push it. I am very eager to get back out there. The weather is perfect, not too hot, but I still have not visited the physiotherapist which I said I would before running. I will go on Monday for my appointment. My sister-in-law started running about ten days after the birth of her second and her doctor said it was very beneficial. Different doctors have different opinions. My books say that most in the study started back after two weeks.

The only hard part about running will be stopping every ten minutes to feed "Mighty Mouse" who is a hungry little guy! If I time it right and get him to nap in the jogger (I bought a new jogger for tiny babies, my other one from T.O is for bigger babies) I will be able to go longer. I must sound desperate. I just miss the feeling I get from running. It makes me feel on top of the world.

Someone's hungry! Gotta skidaddle. Hope everyone is enjoying the summer and that our dear family and friends in Toronto are not too hot.

Our Koala Baby loves spending time in our Hugabub sling!

Happy Birthday, Momma/Gramma!

And many happy returns! Celebrating in Brussels is extra special. Frunty took Gramma and Grampa to Cinq. park to see the horse exhibit (horses painted like our moose in T.O.) and then afterwards, for icecream at Le Sel et Sucre Creperie where Gramma told them about the birth of our Tiny Baby, who was at home resting with Mom all afternoon! The waitress gave an extra special icecream to Frunty to congratulate him. In the evening, we had a wonderful, plum cake together and saved some for Daddy who got home safely from London!

Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary, Mom and Dad/Gramma and Grampa!

Tonight my brother and his wife are sending our folks to Le Vieux Stokkel restaurant in Stokkel, chauffered by Daddy and Frunty. And we are sending them on a three day trip to London. The last time they were there was when they first got married in the late sixties. They will take the Eurostar, stay in the romantic hotel near Oxford Street called The Berners and go to a musical called Blood Brothers which I saw on my very first visit to London in '89. It'll be a grand time!

Of course, we booked all of this before the horrible events that occured last week. It turns out that some of our family members from Calgary were in London the afternoon of the event and Daddy has to go there on Monday and then our folks after that but what can we do? We cannot stay home because of this as scarey as traveling there may be right now.

It did storm yesterday just like last week, well, not as bad but Gramma and Frunty came home soaked and I got marooned in two places near the tram stop. I hung out first at S's and that was fun because he hadn't seen Tiny Baby yet. It was a really nice visit and S told me about his Wimbledon experience.

After that, I made it to the doctor's before the next rain shower hit. Once again, Dr. de V had time to chat and sat down beside me for awhile looking at my Parenting Magazine and we talked about postpartum depression and night sweats and then he showed me a picture of his grand daugther before I left. I can't believe that last time he offered me his car to borrow as long as I returned it by 7 pm. I have to tell you that the medical care I have received here from the dentist/physiotherapist/doctor etc. has been really excellent. I am so happy that we decided to have our baby here.

It started to rain again while I walked home but I had the umbrella and it wasn't as heavy so I made it without getting too wet. The weather has been really crazy around here. The thing is...I am not going to sit at home just because it might rain. I gotta get some exercise and am really starting to go nuts. I miss running a lot. I can't describe it really but it is an achey kind of itchy feeling. I'd also like to weight lift and even do the boring stairs sometimes. But I promised to wait a month and to visit the post-natal physiotherapist first. Well, I didn't exactly promise...

It looks like a storm is coming again today and poor Gramma and Frunty are off to the Little Gym in it...again. Two Wednesdays in a row. Maybe it'll hold off. Our very hot heat wave has subsided and now it feels like early fall. This is more comfortable for me and Tiny Baby but we hope for a bit of sunshine when Grampa arrives tomorrow. Too bad we didn't have this cool weather while we were in hospital but that first week was in the thirties and horribly uncomfortable.

Today E and her baby will come for a quick visit to exchange hugs and gifts. Her baby boy was born on the 15th, ours on the 18th as you know. It'll be fun to see them.

Tiny Baby has been sleeping for the last 2.5 hours and during that time, our friend from Spain and her baby came over for another Canada Day party as Frunty and Gramma made a banana, chocolate cake. We put lots of candles and sang "happy birthday". It is pouring rain outside and I personally like it as it keeps us inside relaxing and I don't feel guilty that we should be outside enjoying the sunshine. Daddy went to work but will have tomorrow off at which time he will make a second attempt at the Canadian Embassy to hand in Tiny Baby's passport application. They said his head was too small in the photos Daddy took in last week...pig's ribs. Just ridiculous.

We have Mandarin later which is always a highlight on a Monday, especially a rainy one. And soon Grampa will be here arriving on Thursday of this week! Can't wait!

HAPPY CANADA DAY from my wonderful, little guys to all of you!

Daddy has left for Dublin today on a business trip that I asked him to postpone til after our Tiny Baby had arrived. I thought that missing one night with him/her would be better than missing the birth. And with Gramma here, it is very manageable to be without Daddy...not ideal but manageable. And Daddy took two days paternity leave this week so we have had some nice times together.

Yesterday we practically had a tornado here in Brussels. I walked Gramma and Frunty over to the tram on Tervuren so they could go to the Little Gym. Then I went to Medicis to book a doctor's appointment. I got caught there for over an hour because of thunder and lightening and Gramma and Frunty got caught at a tram shelter near the Little Gym. It was a really crazy storm. Luckily we all arrived to our destinations safely. Daddy was powerless to help us since his car was in the shop in Stokkel.

Gramma and Frunty ended up having fun cuddling in the shelter and then had a great time at the Little Gym even though they were a bit late. The class was very small because perhaps a lot of parents didn't want to drive there in this storm.

I ended up having fun at Medicis. Dr. de Vylder chatted with me since his patients were late for their appointments. We talked a bit about my birth experience, he told me about his grand daughter, he advised me not to run again until I'd seen a kinetherapist for standard, post-natal care. Even though I went there to make an appointment for August, I kind of had a free appointment right then and there and it was very nice. This doctor always makes time, it seems, for me and I would guess for other or all patients as well since anyone I meet who has him for a doctor says he is "magnifique". It is great to have a doctor with a nice bedside manner even though we don't always understand each other at first due to a small, language barrier.

Eventually I got home although had to stop on the way to say "hi" to a friend, show her our new baby and borrow an umbrella to get us the rest of the way home. Baby was happy the entire time in the "Hugabub" sling and never woke up once or made a peep. When I did get home the cleaning lady was working her magic (we have one come once a week who is absolutely fabulous and very sweet doing all kinds of extra touches to make our home lovely...a baby gift to me from Daddy to make all of our lives better and healthier!) so Daddy and I relaxed downstairs and chatted just us with Tiny Baby.

The famous St. Luc hot tub. Four delivery rooms, four women giving birth the night of June 17/18, one hot tub...who would get it that night? The lucky winner, the bath queen herself...moi. Thanks to this hot tub, I got through transition (and all the lovely parts of active labour proceeding transition) without drugs. It relaxed my body so much that I didn't need laughing gas during the pushing stage either.

Daddy said to me once, why don't you just have drugs so you can enjoy the birth experience like you did with Frunty to which I replied, "I don't want to enjoy the birth. I want to experience it... fully." If I had come out of the tub with 5 cm to go, I probably would have thought differently but that was not the case. During transition in the tub, drugs definitely crossed my mind at one moment of near-despair but I remember thinking, "no, I do not want drugs". After I was hauled out of the tub by the doctor and Daddy, I was ready to push, thank goodness, and the rest is history!

Tiny Baby is ten days old today and we are celebrating by going to a market and then to K and E's for lunch! Everything is going great and Daddy and Gramma are making us rest well. We took Frunty to Mandarin yesterday since it is a very short walk away and Frunty enjoyed himself as did Gramma. She could finally see and hear Frunty speaking Mandarin. I am so grateful that Daddy has these paternity days off so he can be part of the fun too.

Congratulations to our friends in Toronto! B phoned to say that her baby came three weeks early and arrived on Sunday, June 26th! A baby boy too! She went running on Saturday morning and felt fine but the following morning, woke up with contractions that turned into the real thing! How exciting! Best wishes to all of them back home!

Let no one come to you without leaving better and happier.

-Mother Teresa

Tiny Baby is one week old today!

And what a great week we have had! Tiny started gaining weight a few days after his birth, much to the surprise and happiness of his doctors, smiled at us a couple of times already and sleeps well. He also grabs me for a drink which is very adorable. His eyes are open and he has been more alert the last few days. His eyes by the way are steel blue/grey so we are wondering if they will turn brown or not.

Today is a little cooler and therefore more comfortable. We left the hospital after three nights (we were allowed to stay 5 but it was too hot) to enjoy the comfort of our home which is a lot cooler and more importantly, to be with Frunty. I am feeling better and very happy that the running/stair climbing/weight lifting has paid off as I am only a few pounds overweight and therefore feel stronger and less hot then when Frunty was born.

Frunty has been more himself the last couple of days and it is a relief. The first few days were extra hard for him and for us but we are now settling into life with Tiny Baby and despite some fatigue, we are all doing well and are very happy. Frunty loves his little brother, brings him toys, pushes him in the stroller around our house, kisses and hugs him and wants his picture taken with him often. So far very good. No jealousy at all.

The hard part has been when Daddy goes off to work (a few days a week) or when Gramma tries to take Frunty out for the day. Frunty is very worried he won't see us again and sometimes says, "I cried because I lost my Mommy". I am happy that at least he can express himself and we can talk to him about it. He now understands that he always sees us again and we give extra hugs and kisses when we do...which is not hard to do since he is still a big, sweetie pie. I told him the other night how happy I was that he was doing such a great job with Tiny Baby and I knew that it was hard and he said, "I love you so much, Mommy."

Gramma has been a huge source of love and support to us all and works like a dog helping in every department. If it weren't for Gramma, I could not take my daily nap which makes me a happier Mom. Gramma plays with Frunty and takes him on adventures, tidies up the kitchen, puts away laundry, cooks, holds Tiny Baby...the list goes on. We are so grateful to have Gramma here and this is a very special time for all of us.

I will try to write more later and add pictures but if I thought I was too busy to do the blog before, it is even harder now because when I do have a spare minute, I need to squeeze one of my 4 boys or make Gramma a much-deserved cup of tea.

Hope everyone is well! And enjoying the summer.

Enthusiasm is a kind of faith that has been set on fire.

-George Matthew Adams

It's a boy!

On Saturday, June 18th at 2:42 am our Tiny Baby safely arrived at St. Luc hospital, Brussels! After two weeks of contractions, it was a very fast delivery and our baby was very eager to meet us too! (3.260 kg/51 cm)

No sleep for the wicked! I've had contractions all night, from 9:30 pm. I wonder if Tiny Baby is getting as tired as I am!! All in due time.

Mom and Auntie enjoyed a beautiful day in Ghent yesterday while Frunty and I visited some parks and did some errands. We took our dinner over to their place and found out about their adventures. I am so happy that our Auntie can explore Belgium. Everyone talks of Brugges all the time but Ghent is quite a lovely treasure to see too with canals, hanging baskets overflowing with flowers, a castle and a cathedral in which my Mom and Auntie spent at least two hours.

I enjoyed 4 hours of very strong contractions last night which started around 3 am and ended by 7 am. It can sure wear a person down. But it isn't about me...the baby will come when he/she is ready...it just seemed that those four hours were the beginning but alas, not quite yet...these two weeks have been a really big, physical and mental challenge for me. Not just for me. Now Daddy has a really bad cold from so many bad nights. I also have a cough. Frunty's nose is running a bit too. But if we think we are all tired now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good thing I have so much support right now. I am too lucky.

Baby update: We made it to our ultrasound due date yesterday and nothing yet. More contractions, some bad ones last night, but not regular.

Mom and auntie have gone off to Brugges today and I am happy that the sky is blue even though the air is a bit cool. I'd like my aunt to see as much as she can before the big day.

Speaking of the big day, it does not seem that imminent anymore. I just received an email from a friend in Boston who has been 3 cm dilated for the last two weeks and was with her first baby and her first was two weeks late. So dilation clearly doesn't mean that birth is imminent as I originally and excitedly thought. With three more hours of contractions the other night, my body clearly is taking its time and that could be a very good thing in the end.

Friday night we enjoyed waffles at the Grande Place. We want to make sure auntie gets the full Belgian experience of waffles/chocolate/beer/Brugges and if I have missed anything, not to fear, Daddy will think of it!

This weekend Daddy took everyone but me on some sightseeing adventures to Woluwe park where they rented bikes, Hoegaarden for lunch and beer tour and geocaching in the surrounding forest. I was able to rest, go on some runs, rent some movies and luxuriate. No one would even let me make dinner. I am very lucky and very grateful.

We've gotta return the movies before Mandarin so cheerio for now! And stay tuned...just when I least expect it, I am sure our Tiny Baby will come! Just like falling in love!

Gramma and auntie have arrived safely from Canada and are already pampering us. Thank you for the wonderful gifts that were sent over. We haven't opened them yet but will soon, I hope! A few more contractions but nothing regular yet. We will definitely let you all know when something happens. In the meantime, it's an exercise in patience, that is for sure!

What a glorious day today. Frunty and I walked with our Spanish friends to Woluwe park and on the way, passed by our friend (J from mainland China) and her American, little girl, J. They were looking out of their window at that exact moment luckily and invited us to come and play for awhile and then we all went to the park together.

Frunty and J had a great time running, digging holes, giggling together...while the Moms/caregiver lounged on the grass and enjoyed the sunshine and fresh air. I have some discomfort while walking and had a contraction this morning but am not going to sit inside each day and wait for our Tiny Baby to come. Moving is great and I am still running/doing stairs/lighting weights because it makes me feel good.

After the park, our Spanish friends continued home and we played again at J's and she asked Frunty a question, in Mandarin, and he answered and the next thing I knew dinner was served! It was delicious and since Daddy needed some more time at work, it was fun for us to stay. I had a chance to flip through some magazines since J's employer gets a zillion different ones. The kids played really well, J cooked, I felt like I was in shangra-la!

Gramma's coming tomorrow with Auntie B. And then we'll have around the clock care for Frunty which takes the worry away!

Happy Birthday to C and K on the 4th and to Bones on the 5th and S on the 8th!

1.5 centimetres dilated...gotta skidaddle! If you don't hear from me for awhile, you'll know why!

Some of our favourite holidays seem to be in Holland. It is very picturesque. Here are a few photos. Today we are at 38 weeks, by the way!!! Not long to go!

"Strike an agreement with your family. The rule: You get 1 hour to yourself every day, provided that you use it for exercise (and reciprocate the favor). Since it's for your health, it's a contract they can't refuse. And that will allow you to exercise guilt-free while acting as a role model for your children."

-Carol Goodrow, Runner's World kids running editor

Just did my 30 minutes of stairs and walked Mowgli and the boys are still sawing it off. It is amazing that one would feel guilty about stealing the time for exercise when it could prolong life and make one live it more happily and fully but that is exactly how I feel...I feel like it is a luxury to have that time but it is really a necessity for me and should be for everyone, forgive my forthrightness!

Speaking of health issues, my belly button rolled off my belly and is nowhere in sight. Now what does that mean!? Could one cup of Raspberry Leaf Tea do that? Maybe it was the running or stair climbing. I dunno. I think this happened with Frunty. I noticed this yesterday and so did Daddy. Anyway, I don't have time to think about it as I gotta weight lift while my muscles are still warm! Cheerio and get out there and grab your health and your life by the balls! (that's a quote from me!) (exercise balls I mean, www.swissball.com)

The last two weeks, Frunty has attended the class for 3 year olds at the Little Gym. Last week he didn't seem to enjoy it very much but this week, he looked like he was having lots of fun especially with the camping theme. The class for 3 year olds is special because now the kids go in with the teachers and the Moms or other caregivers sit outside and watch through the windows. Frunty's teacher thought he was ready to graduate and I agree. Frunty seems to like the new challenges in the older class. Plus, I found it difficult to sit down and stand up and sit down and stand up and do other sporadic exercises with him in the Moms-Tots class. I just got dizzy! Next week is a dinosaur theme.

We are at 37.5 weeks, full-term, and trying to be patient but boy, is it ever hard! Went running yesterday, still feel fine. My friend, E, and her son came over for tea yesterday afternoon and kindly brought some Raspberry Leaf tea. I will double check with my doctor today about sipping this libation...apparently it helps get us ready for our big day! E and I are due almost the same day.

Happy June 1st everyone!

Frunty loves helping with the flowers and when we approach our home, he yells, "Look at those geraniums, they're bootiful!" The pink flowers on our back porch were chosen by Frunty and he takes care of them, as you can see!

Here are some pictures from the Breast Cancer Run on May 15th.

"We did it!"

Today we are full-term, yeeha! We made it to 37 weeks and I celebrated with an early morning run through Woluwe Park. With my new support belt, I feel great and completed 45 minutes with no problems. Now Tiny Baby can come any day! We are so excited!

Last night we celebrated K and E's engagement. I made banana leaf, sticky rice, and chocolate oaties...both designed to help K carbo-load for tomorrow's 20 K run. K made an excellent lasagna. We watched the sunset on their roof top...what a view of the city! K is already writing a list for my Mom and aunt of things to do and rules to follow as they will stay chez eux during their visit. It is such a nice area of town too.

The last few days we have had 30 degrees Celsius in the shade. It has been very hot. I am glad I got a run in before the heat wave hit and I did one stair work out thursday but yesterday, it was too hot to do anything! Tomorrow it is supposed to cool down a bit and be rainy which is way better for the runners. We will go to the race to take pictures of K and S, another friend, and I am so tempted to walk and run it...it isn't too late to join in the fun as S accidentally got two numbers...I will really have to think about it.

All our Tiny Baby clothes have been washed and are almost dry, my bag has been packed, we are getting our documents in order...I think we are almost ready to go except for the name business...still can't think of names. It isn't a question of deciding on a few we like...it is a question of finding ones we like...what a hard job again.

The other special thing to celebrate today is the wedding of L and B in Toronto. We wish we could be there. I bet it is going to be very beautiful especially given that it is at Black Creek Pioneer Village. We will have to content ourselves with photos. Our gift to them is Belgian Chocolates from Leonidas with the letter A on them. We will celebrate with them one day in person. Good luck, L and B!

Happy Birthday, to our lovely niece, K, in Port Credit! Hope you have a fun day!

Nonna sent me this wonderful quote today. Thanks so much, I love it too!

Quote by Noah Ben Shea:

"Do not kiss and hug your children so they will hug you
back. Kiss and hug them so they will kiss and hug
their own children."

Envy can be a positive motivator. Let it inspire you to work harder for what you want.

-Robert Bringle

Funny underwear moment: On Saturday in the car, I asked Frunty if he had to go "pee-pee" and he said, "yes...I want to go pee-pee in my underwear." I tried to persuade him not to but then his face went all calm and his eyes were just staring straight ahead and I knew he was going ahead with what he wanted to do. And I am really positive that Frunty really wanted to just see what it was like because all week he has been holding it so well and maybe he was just curious about what it would feel like. He didn't do it again the rest of our car trip to and from Holland. Anyway, maybe some people would be furious but we thought it was really adorable and funny. Frunty wanted the experience and now he knows what it feels like to go "pee-pee" in his underwear!

[Some people] have a wonderful capacity to appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder, and even ecstasy.

-A.H. Maslow

We just got home from a fun weekend in Holland. We think it is really lovely there and the Dutch seem to make their country very quaint and pretty. We stayed by the coast in a hotel near Noordwijk, about 2 1/2 hours from Brussels. On the way, we stopped at an Asian store where we used to go while living in Amsterdam. I was amazed that after all these years, Daddy could find it so easily. (the last time we went to this store was six years ago!)

We got to the hotel and checked in but then went immediately into Noordwijk to do some shopping at the Hema. First on our list, more underwear for Frunty. I never thought I'd have so much fun buying underwear but for a pint-size little guy, it is an adorable thing to do. The guys left me to walk to the beach where they played. We were lucky with the weather. After the beach, we ate some mackerel/raw herring and took a pizza, at Frunty's request, back to the hotel.

Our hotel was doing some renovation and although we never noticed any noise or experienced any inconvenience, they gave us coupons for drinks at the swanky bar. So after we had our pizza and enjoyed the pool and hot tub, we got dressed and went to the bar which was miraculously, not smokey! We sat at the bar so Frunty could watch the Karate competition and on the way back to our room, he practised lots of moves and it was hilarious.

Today we packed in a lot of fun activities. Across from our hotel were still a couple of bunches of tulips so we took pictures before moving onto the train museum. We played with a train set and took a train ride in the countryside where we saw cows/horses/sheep and people walking dogs. Mowgli came on the train too.

After that, we ate our sandwiches and headed to the ESA Space Expo. We thought the one in Belgium was way more interesting. This one had a very good film about Glenn, the 77 year old American who returned to outer space. Before heading back to Brussels, we tried to find a pannekoeken restaurant in Leiden but ended up getting a picnic-to-go from Albert Heijn. We were all pretty tired when we got home but Frunty was so thrilled to see some of his toys again so we stayed up awhile and played.

I think that that is it for mini-getaways until after Tiny Baby is born. We had a really fun time but any trip can be tiring and we have to save our strength for the months to come! Plus there are a lot of great day trips we can do around here.

Happy Victoria Day, tomorrow, Canada!

It's Wednesday and Frunty still wants to wear underwears and at the Little Gym yesterday, took off for the bathroom on his own twice. On the way home, he stopped by some trees. He is doing really well and I am surprised that he just all of a sudden decided to do this and that he is keeping with it.

Today J&J are babysitting while we, Daddy and I, go to our 35.5 week check-up to discuss our birth plan which are really hopes. We have to learn a lot about how things are done over here and it is like having a first baby in many ways. Afterwards we will visit the hospital. I will try to squeeze in a run by shuffling over to the doctor's office and meet Daddy there. I feel tired but runs always shake the willies out, as Raffi sings.

We got some great news yesterday as our friends here, K and E, are getting married in Las Vegas on June 9th! We wish them the very best.

Today I ran Brussels' first ever 10 K run for Breast Cancer held in Tervuren Park. I dedicated this run to: Terry Fox, my grandmother, Heidi, my Mom's best friend, Marie, Zio Franco and our friend and neighbour, Anna. Although they lost their battles with cancer, we can continue to fight on their behalf.

Because I've been running a couple of 3-5K runs a week and one 7K a week, doing a 10K run wasn't too big a stretch for me. It took me 1 hour and 21 minutes. (pre-pregnancy would have clocked about 1 hour but who's counting!) I came in third...last! An unseasonably cold morning of 7 degrees Celsius meant my muscles never really warmed up and pre-race excitement meant a terrible sleep of only 3 hours last night= I am thrilled with how I did. Tiny Baby refrained from leaning on any major organs, luckily, and Daddy and Frunty cheered me on at several points along the route, handing me tissues and energy candies.

The organizers of the event did an incredible job and if you didn't know it, you wouldn't have guessed it was the very first year. Everyone was super friendly and efficient at registration and the volunteers along the route were excellent at yelling support and pointing which way to go. I ran by a volunteer named Charlie twice who was quite worried that I'd give birth today. Afterwards he seemed relieved to see that I had made it...with the baby still on the inside.

During the race, a few women recognized me from my picture and article in the BCT magazine and together we encouraged each other to keep going. At the 3K mark I thought the race was going to be too tough for me what with the cobblestone, several steep hills and muddy paths but I plugged away and found myself almost sprinting the last 1K through the pink balloons in my wonderful shirt made by Daddy. I couldn't get enough fresh oranges at the end and was the only one still standing by the refreshment table half an hour later! Hey, I'm pregnant!

After the race, I saw a woman, about my age, with no hair and the fact that she was wearing the race t-shirt indicated that she had completed today's run. She is one of the heroes of today's race and I hope that this experience renewed her spirit somewhat.

Thank you for the offers to sponsor my run today. Due to geography, it is hard for me to get my sponsorship form to some of you so please feel free to donate directly to www.awcb.org or some charity in your own vicinity if you so choose.

Thank you also for your emails and phone calls of support. I appreciated them greatly. With one more month of pregnancy to go, I will continue to do short runs and stairs/light weights as I do my last stretch of training for the big marathon in June! (providing my doctor approves)

After the race, we enjoyed the sunshine and then had a picnic at the playground so that Frunty could run around too. It got cloudy and cool again so we got back home and made chocolate chip cookies together. They are sitting on the counter right now and it is taking me a lot of discipline not to go over there right now. I am really happy that this race was scheduled during my pregnancy as it has given me a goal and helped me stay motivated all these months. I have learned about discipline through my training and have been rewarded with an excellent pregnancy thus far. I'll have another cookie...tomorrow!

Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is.

-Maxim Gorky

Frunty told me today that he wants to wear underwear. He said, "No diaper". I asked, "And what about tomorrow?" and he answered, "I want to wear underwear tomorrow." I told him that we would still put a diaper on at night time and he said that that was okay. Frunty still wants a diaper put on for poops but that's fine. Sooner or later, he will feel comfortable using the potty/toilet. The last time we tried underwear, a few months ago, it was our idea to try. This time it is his and we'll see if it works out. If it does, it is great timing as we'll be needing those cloth diapers soon for Tiny Baby!

Today we went to our friend's home, S's, to make sticky rice steamed in banana leaves. They are called "banana" but are really "bamboo". What a lot of work! First the leaves had to be washed and dried by my friend while the other friend worked on the rice mixture in the kitchen and while Frunty played with toys and helped me supervise. I cut the pointy parts off the leaves of the bamboo. But wrapping the rice mixture just perfectly so looked hard...like some kind of Chinese origami and then tying them with a string before they unravelled...wow...so much work to make them and they are so delicious, we ate them in a few seconds!

Downside? I was only allowed one. I couldn't believe it! The two Moms reached for their seconds but told me that these traditional, dragon-boat race "rice dumplings" are too hard on a pregnant woman's digestion. How frustrating. I had to listen to them because they have gotten me through my entire pregnancy so far with all their support and tips and ancient Chinese secrets. So I had to watch them enjoy another. I am only allowed one a day. (they sent a bag home with me.) Frunty loved his one as well. As a little guy, he is also only allowed one but he didn't mind as was eager to go off playing again. Anyway, I will steam one tomorrow morning for breakfast. Talk about heaven wrapped in a leaf!

These 3 Moms from mainland China and Taiwan have helped me more than I can ever express. Because of them, I have no aches or pain. I have not gained any weight in 6 weeks, and they fill me with daily advice and support my recent emotional swings. They always say it is nothing and no problem but it means everything to me. Yesterday they talked to me about all my hospital and birthing fears with such warmth and patience and we were brought to laughter often...probably because I sound so nuts! And they have their cell phones on day and night for me. I write about this in my blog because I need to remember this because one doesn't meet such wonderfully supportive people everyday. I never want to forget this time. And although we know that we will all eventually move on from Brussels, we are cherishing our moments together now which is all anyone can ever do anyway.

Tomorrow we will meet at S's house to pick up our fresh, fish order. We ordered the fish from Holland and once a month it arrives and S's house becomes a little supermarket with women coming and going, picking up their orders, fumbling around in their wallets for exact change, bowing and smiling and going home to make sushi and sashimi for their families that night. We have now been invited into the circle so today is our first time picking up fish although we have been at the mini supermarket on other days when this little tradition took place. So tomorrow night when Daddy gets home, he will enjoy some sashimi and Frunty and I will make sushi rolls too with cooked shrimp. After a week of heavy British and German food, it will be nice for Daddy to have something filling but light.

So tomorrow's chore is fish pick-up and then it is another three day weekend with the highlight of the breast cancer run on Sunday!