Family Get-away to France

Last month we found out that Charles had to go work in India for 6 weeks, starting November 1st all the way through December 15th (only two weeks before my due date!). Since we were going to be apart for several weeks we decided to take a family vacation so we could spend a little time together before the separation. We had been wanting to go to France to see Charles' family for a while. Since Charles had to fly through France anyways and Isabelle is still under 2, we would only have to pay for my ticket. So we made some last minute plans and booked a trip to France. Right before we were supposed to leave Charles found out his Indian work Visa hadn't been processed yet. It was a very stressful situation. We found out the day before we were supposed to leave that it had finally been processed and mailed out that day. Unfortunately it didn't get to us in time for Charles to fly with Isabelle and me, but he was able to join us two days later. So I got to fly, 7 months pregnant, with Isabelle on my lap the whole way there. It was especially tight considering we had a big guy right next to us. When we tried to pull down the tray, it would squish Isabelle in the belly. Poor thing! But we made it through and she was quite the trooper. We spent the first 5 days in Valence at Charles' parents house. My sisters Laila and Mikenzie are staying with his parents for the semester, so it was an extra bonus to be able to spend time with them. We have really missed them a lot. Some of Charles' aunts and uncles came to visit as well, which was wonderful. After a few days in Valence we took the train up to Paris. Charles, Isabelle and I got a hotel there for two nights. It was pretty close to the Champs. We got an awesome deal on the hotel room. We found it online on one of the websites where you name the area you want to be and how many stars. We got it for 80 Euros a night. When we got there to check in, it was absolutely gorgeous, we were very pleased. Then we were even more pleased when we saw the sign that said the cheapest room started at 540 Euros a night. I guess you could say we got a good deal! Then they proceeded to upgrade us to bigger room which was wonderful. We had a view of the Eiffel tower out to the left and the Arch de Triumph out to the right. We couldn't have asked for more!

We spent a day just walking around Paris. We walked and walked and walked. I eventually took off my boots and put on my flip flops, which were much more comfortable. Isabelle is obsessed with castles, so she was in heaven! She thought every old building there was a castle. It was fun to see her so excited.

Every Saturday Charles makes crepes at home for breakfast. Isabelle absolutely loves them, she truly is a little french girl! When we started walking that morning in Paris we told Isabelle we were going to go get some crepes. Well apparently we weren't in the right area for crepes, because we couldn't find them anywhere. Isabelle kept asking for them and we kept looking. Eventually she fell asleep while we were walking. But the first thing she said when she woke up was "mange crepes" (or eat crepes). Finally we found a little vendor on the side of the street and she devoured it.

Isabelle also loved eating baguettes in France. There were many meals where that was all she would eat.

Notre Dame

This was in our bathroom in our hotel. Isabelle thought it was a sink just her size. We just let her enjoy it as we laughed.

The Eiffel Tower had a new light show that they did every night. It was quite the show!

Once Isabelle spotted the carousel in front of the Eiffel tower, that was all she wanted to do. She was such a trooper all day, we were happy to do something fun for her. We followed it up with a big bag of popcorn, just for her (of course we snuck a few pieces too).

If you look close you can see the Eiffel tower lit up right behind the carousel.

The Chateau of Chantilly

Isabelle loves flowers! Anytime she seems them she has to pick them and smell them. I guess she is like her Mama!

Isabelle was thrilled when Charles finally arrived! I was too of course!

Outside an old cathedral in Valence.

Ready to go for a walk!

Isabelle and Laila

Since Charles won't be here for Isabelle's birthday we decided to have a little birthday celebration for Isabelle while we were in France. Charles' mom got two beautiful and delicious cakes. We definitely can't find anything like them in the states. Isabelle was in heaven!

One of the highlights of the trip was that Isabelle finally got to meet all of Charles' family. Prior to the trip she had only met his parents and one of his sisters. She got to meet Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and two great-grandmas. She loved playing with everyone. One huge bonus was we were able to be there for our niece Louise's baptism. What a treat that was! After the baptism we headed up to Crepy, north of Paris I think, and spent some time with more family there.

Isabelle with her great-grandmas.

Isabelle really enjoyed playing with her cousins for the first time.

Charles and his sister Adeline.

We had a lot of late nights playing games with the family at Didier's house.

Isabelle loved playing on the playground out back behind Mamy and Papy's house.

Laila and Mikenzie at one of the many castles we visited.

Posing!

Beautiful day in France!

Kenzie and me

Isabelle with her aunts

All in all we had a wonderful trip. We got to visit with all the family and visit lots of beautiful places. Isabelle was such a trooper the entire trip and was so well behaved. I couldn't have asked for a better trip. Now we are back home, counting down the days till Charles gets to come home. 1 more month! For anyone interested Charles has set up a blog for his trip to India.

Built in GPS

Who needs a GPS when you have Isabelle around!  Isabelle has always been very observant. Whenever I am driving she is always leaning to the side so she can see where I am going.  A while back she started pointing out our home whenever we would come up to the light at the corner.  I thought that was pretty normal considering that is where we always come in and out of every day.  Then last month we were driving to the YMCA and we passed the light where I would turn to go to my mom's.  Isabelle started crying and I was like "what's wrong?" then she said "Nana!!!"  I was shocked that she knew that is where I turn to go to my mom's.  It isn't even her neighborhood, just a light and there really isn't much of a landmark there.  I turned around and went back to the light and Isabelle was happy.  I guess Isabelle had a different agenda than me.  Now every time we pass that light Isabelle says "Hi Nana!" 

Whenever we take the toll road heading downtown Orlando Isabelle looks out the front window and as soon as the city's skyline is in sight she says "Papa's work!"  Typically I take the toll road to get to Charles' work when we meet him for lunch or sometimes dinner during the dreaded busy season, but the other day I decided to take the back roads and save a little money. Isabelle knew that we were going to Papa's work, but when I turned left out of our neighborhood instead of right she was all concerned.  She thought I changed the plans and was going somewhere else.  I had to keep assuring her that we were going to see Papa, just going a different way.  As soon as we were in view of the tall buildings, even though it was a different direction we were coming from, Isabelle was relieved and pointed to the buildings and said "Papa's work."  

The other day I was driving and Isabelle asked me for a cookie, I told her I didn't have any.  We got to the corner with Publix (a grocery store, where she always gets a cookie) and she said "Mama, Publix, cookie, please."  How can you say no to that?  Every morning Isabelle and I go to the YMCA.  On our way there Isabelle assures me that we are heading in the right direction with every turn I make.  And as soon as she can see the Y, she makes sure I see it too.  A couple weeks ago we were visiting with a lady from church and then we were going to Coleman's house (one of Isabelle's friends).  Well our house happened to be on the way to Coleman's house and when Isabelle saw us approaching the light for our neighborhood she started crying "Coleman, Coleman."  She was relieved when I continued past our street.  

Isabelle always wants to know where we are going.  Her new thing is I will ask her where we are going and she will start listing all the places where we are not going first and then say where we are going.  For example, Isabelle will say "Publix, noooo...Costco, noooo... Nana's, noooo...church, noooo, the Y, Yessss!!!"  Last weekend we were leaving a church activity and we were going out for ice cream.  As we passed our house Isabelle said "home, noooo... ice cream, yessss!"  It makes me laugh.  

So back to my original statement, I don't need a GPS, I have Isabelle.  She can get me to Papa's work, Nana's house, church, Aunt Jenny's house, the YMCA, Publix, Costco, Wet 'n Wild, Kayla's house, Coleman's house, our home and plenty more places that I probably haven't discovered yet.  

Disney... A Dream Come True!

For my birthday we took Isabelle to Disney for the first time. Originally Charles wasn't going to be able to go since it was in the middle of busy season, but fortunately his boss is a big fan of Disney and said he couldn't miss his daughter's first trip to Disney. So we got to go all three of us. We got talked into getting a 3 day pass, which you could use any time in the next six months. So we went again in September. Isabelle was in absolute heaven. This Summer she started watching all the princess movies and knows them all. She has dress ups for most of them and I cant get her out of them when we are home. So naturally she was so excited to see all the princesses. She was also thrilled to see Mickey and Minnie and all the Disney characters. We made our rounds and went on most of the kid rides and of course we hit up the parade. We absolutely loved watching Isabelle's face as she discovered this dream world.

Our first trip to Disney (my birthday) there was a LONG line to see the fairies. We decided to pass on it and said when we come back the second time we would get there right when the park opened and go straight to the fairies. We did just that and didn't have to wait long at all.

Isabelle was uncharacteristically shy around the princesses.

Isabelle couldn't get enough of Mickey and Minnie, she kept giving them hugs and kisses. It was so cute.

We went on the carousel over and over! Fortunately there was no line.

Of course we had to go on Dumbo!

Under the Sea with Ariel!

Enjoying the parade in the heat!

Isabelle also loved watching the performance on the stage by the castle. We took a video of it and she has me play it all the time on the computer.

We had such a wonderful time! Disney truly is a place where dreams come true!

The Verdict is in...

Charles and I found out this morning that Isabelle is going to have a little sister!!!  (Oh and by the way I am pregnant, a little side note there.)  I thought for sure this time that I was having a boy, I guess that mother's intuition was a little off.  We are thrilled to have another little angel join our family.  I can't wait for Isabelle to have a little sister so close in age.  The baby is due right between Christmas and New Years.  The doctors say the 31st, I say the 27th, and the ultrasound said the 26th.  So I am about 20 weeks, half way!  Hopefully she won't follow the same time schedule as Isabelle and wait till January to be born.  We had a boy name picked out, but have a bunch of names being thrown around for a girl.  So we are open to any suggestions. For anyone wondering, this time I will be going to the hospital and I am thrilled to take advantage of any drugs available.  While a home birth was an amazing experience, I don't want to do it again.  Here are some fun pictures from the ultrasound this morning, she looks healthy as can be. 

There's my little girl!

I'll take their word for it.

She kept hiding her face with her little hands, maybe she was trying to play peek-a-boo.