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!