During our trip to France, just as wonderful as speeding down the slopes and just as sweet as the boulangerie was the time spent with family. The little ski chalet was cozy yet accommodating and we spent many happy hours there cuddling Lena, making and eating meals, and playing games together in the evenings.
My mom and I traded "shifts" with Lena. I often skied in the morning while my mom was with her and then we switched in the afternoon. My sister Emily also enjoyed half days of skiing which meant Lena, Em, and I often had hours of quiet playing, reading, and napping time while the others blazed new trails on the slopes. I loved those quiet hours with two of my favorite girls!
Of course, being in France, there was a lot of emphasis on eating. We ate very well! We dined on local specialties, like this goat cheese that Elliott bought for me. (He knows goat cheese is my favorite food.)
And then there were the quiet moments when it was just Lena and me, spending time together as we do every day. I never knew how much time a mother spends with her first-born child! There is a bond there that I can hardly imagine will be the same with the second, third, or sixth (?) child. I love these hours with my baby, whether we read books or explore pine cones, whether we cuddle each other or read/play side by side in our own separate worlds, whether we talk or not talk, for hours.
And lastly, here's a photo showing that Lena can stand up all by herself! The week at the chalet you kind of had to trick her, like asking her to clap and she forgets to hold onto something, or helping her hold two toys in two separate hands and letting go of the chair or shelf. This week at home, though, I can set Lena down and she'll stand there on her own for up to 10 seconds! Still hasn't figured out the "taking steps" part, but we're working on it.
My mom and I traded "shifts" with Lena. I often skied in the morning while my mom was with her and then we switched in the afternoon. My sister Emily also enjoyed half days of skiing which meant Lena, Em, and I often had hours of quiet playing, reading, and napping time while the others blazed new trails on the slopes. I loved those quiet hours with two of my favorite girls!
Of course, being in France, there was a lot of emphasis on eating. We ate very well! We dined on local specialties, like this goat cheese that Elliott bought for me. (He knows goat cheese is my favorite food.)
We also cooked most evening meals in the chalet and ate together in the living room with our plates balanced on our knees. This was a spicy spaghetti with marinara sauce, compliments of my mom and Emily:
And another night we went out for cheese fondue, a specialty of that region of France. Lena enjoyed goofing off with her Poppy before the three-cheese fondue came bubbling and steaming to our table!
And then there were the quiet moments when it was just Lena and me, spending time together as we do every day. I never knew how much time a mother spends with her first-born child! There is a bond there that I can hardly imagine will be the same with the second, third, or sixth (?) child. I love these hours with my baby, whether we read books or explore pine cones, whether we cuddle each other or read/play side by side in our own separate worlds, whether we talk or not talk, for hours.
And lastly, here's a photo showing that Lena can stand up all by herself! The week at the chalet you kind of had to trick her, like asking her to clap and she forgets to hold onto something, or helping her hold two toys in two separate hands and letting go of the chair or shelf. This week at home, though, I can set Lena down and she'll stand there on her own for up to 10 seconds! Still hasn't figured out the "taking steps" part, but we're working on it.
This stirs up such happy emotions in me...seeing you, Em, and Lena all enjoying cuddles and books, seeing Lena stand up and realizing that she is growing daily (!), seeing the cheese that your hubby so thoughtfully bought for you to enjoy, seeing Daddy playing with Lena...we enjoy such great blessings and gifts from our loving heavenly Father.
ReplyDelete"Look, mom, no hands!"
ReplyDeleteplease tell me that was a best in show reference
ReplyDeleteYou would be correct, David. Good eye!
ReplyDelete