Merry Christmas everyone! We all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and Baby loved the musicians at church on Christmas Eve. The guitarists, pianist and violinist were excellent and we sat right beside them so Baby could watch them closely and when they finished their songs, Baby sometimes kept singing! Christmas Day was also lovely at St. Michiel Cathedral. We also enjoyed great food. Boxing Day we went to Modave Castle for a hike and lunch in the cellar. The next day was our anniversary and Baby was really well-behaved while being babysat. We went to see LOTR during the day. Tonight we went out for a Thai dinner and Baby was also very good while being babysat. (we celebrated our anniversary in two parts so we weren't away from Baby too long.) Baby likes to brush his hair after bathtime now. Before going out for dinner we got some wonderful news about a new baby due in May!!

Today was a hard day as we went to the crowded mall to do some last minute shopping and Baby fell while running and chipped off a piece of his front tooth. We all felt bad about that but it was nobody's fault. His boots are a bit clunky but he does seem to trip at other times too. Well, it kind of gives Baby a new, tough guy, image!

All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt!



- Lucy, Peanuts

I keep forgetting to tell all of you that Baby hums, in tune, Ba-ba black sheep, Itsy Bitsy Spider and Head and Shoulders when he is playing. (not just when he hears these songs but other times too.) He also says a few words in French (oui and au revoir) and in Italian he counts "a b chee" and says "si". I thought I had better write that down before I forget. I will try to find a musical class for babies so I can sign him up. That will be another fun thing to do with Baby! By the way, the landlord will come today to discuss some of the challenges which isn't that fun but afterwards, we are picking up the photos that the professional photographer took at the Carrefour. The best part is that Daddy will take the afternoon off work. We have been having a month of 4 day work weeks!!

What an amazing weekend in Germany with Baby visiting Gramma's homeland both times with her! We went to the Mosel town of Bernkastel where we stayed right in the old part of town in a beautiful hotel. The first night we had a three course meal and as usual, Baby was so good at the table. We walked around town and enjoyed the Christmas market and especially, hot mulled wine called Gluhwein. On Saturday we went to the Vinotek where we sampled excellent Mosel wines. As part of our weekend package, we received tickets to this wine cave and boy did we have fun! Again Baby ran around the cave and let us enjoy sampling with no fussing. After that we all needed a bit of a rest except I later found out that the Grandparents ran around Christmas shopping while we rested. Then we met up at a WeinStuben to try even more wines followed by a 5 course dinner. Very delicious food. At night we danced in the center of the old town by the beautiful, tall Christmas tree and beside the ice bar, a real bar made of ice. What a hoot! Today we took our time leaving, visited a Christmas market in Trier where we enjoyed sausages and beer and made our way home with the Baby sleeping the entire way from Trier to Brussels, almost 3 hours straight. What a Baby! He is now sitting at the table on a regular chair eating a crepe that Gramma just made. He is using a huge, wooden fork...too cute, gotta go watch!

Can you imagine a beautiful manger scene at the Grande Place with real, live sheep? That is what we discovered today when we took Baby downtown to enjoy the Christmas markets of Brussels. What a very beautiful place and we can't wait to go again in the evening when all the Christmas trees are aglow. Baby loved the sheep and enjoyed eating a waffle too. The sky was so blue and air so warm. We had some Ardenne sausage at the market and a glass of Gluhwein at a great resto at the Grande Place. Finished the day with a massage while my folks babysat. Can't beat a day like that, I'd reckon!

We just took it easy today and caught up on some chores. The professional photographer stopped by to show us the proofs she took of Baby. I may include her name in my book since I think she provides an excellent service. Apparently she is the only one in Brussels who will come to one's home to take photos. For new Moms, it sure takes the hassle out of trying to get their babies to a studio. Anyway, some of her pictures were cute. The Grandparents took off for Ieper. Mowgli is feeling better today- he threw up a few times yesterday. Luckily Mom helped me clean the carpets. Baby, by the way, enjoys the song "Head and Shoulders..." and sings along, pointing to the appropriate body parts and knows the words "nose" and "eye."