2nd birthday

Two years old already... where did time go? Well I guess the first nine months went in playing all day long and not sleeping all night long and meeting little girlfriends while eating cakes and drinking tea and laughing and loving wholeheartedly. Then I went back to work, and there was a whole lot less cake n tea parties and not a lot more sleep, but a lot more fun yet with first steps and first words and other kinds of first times. Anyway, we got there soon enough - 2 years old.

Since we have the most beautiful place in the world - I decided to throw a proper party, complete with gift bags for little guests, finger food, beer and wine for grown-ups and juice for the pregnant moms. Of course, I over estimated everything and invited more people than I could possibly cope with - but somehow wonderously managed to!

We had her three little friends from birth, Matilda, Emma and Libby, with their moms and dads as well as friends from nursery, Amelia, Billy, James, Marleigh and Oliver with their moms and dads. Unfortunately, Byelle felt a bit overwhelmed with the crowd though and clingged on to mom or dad throughout the afternoon, until it was just her three bestfriends left, upon which she had a great time dancing and singing and playing!

Gabrielle was quite spoiled with lots of toys and books and jigsaws but I guess her favourite moment was dancing along 'ring a ring of roses' with Emma, Libby and Matilda or jumping on the bed with James and Amelia!

A mountain of dust

It should have been a Merry Christmas, like every other Christmasses but it was a cold and tired and soul-less christmas for us this year.

2010 should have been a fabulous year, our little girl is more fun and gorgeous by the day, we still have secured jobs in this current economic climate, we acquired a beautiful home in a dream location. We should be so lucky.

Instead, we lost touch, we rely on each other for strength but don't consult each other or talk and forgot to have any fun at all. Too engrossed in trying to find fulfilment in difficult and demanding jobs, getting by day by day with as little as 4 hours broken sleep because our darling daughter is still not sleeping through, moving and decorating our home and counting the pennies in our bank account as we've ruined ourselves on the latter.

Eventually, the rock I am expected to be, started to crumple inside out and it all collapsed. Our great castle of cards needs rebuilding --- starting with getting some frekking sleep!

We're not in the New Year yet, but making amends need to start now, tomorrow might be too late:

• Get some proper hobbies and interests - facebook chat and TV just won't cut it. I want to learn to dive, Alex wants to learn to snowboard - expensive oh yeah - but our entire 20's we spent them living very frugal lives and saving every penny so we could afford a home and a family - now it's time to invest in some fun. Plus Byelle will benefit from it as she turns 3 (for skiing) or 8 (for diving)

• Learn a new skill - or two or three - cooking for Alex, he has to spend time in the kitchen with me - that will contribute to the 'us' time we've left behind and Alex will teach me the piano on Gabrielle's little keyboard, heck that's not a real instrument but if I learn 'Ah vous dirai-je maman' and 'jingle bells' I'll be happy - and either pick up on my Spanish - I'm so close to speaking that language, I can't believe I'm not fluent yet! Failing that, I'm quite curious about Japanese - I know it's random

• Get a good routine to include some 'us' time compulsory - no excuses; e.g. Monday - read, Tuesday- knit, Wednesday - update/catch up on the blogsphere, Thursday - shoot some post-apocaliptic mutants, Friday 'us' time ;) , Saturday - have friends over for dinner; Sunday - shopping in town or something intellectual in London

There - that's me and us sorted for 2011 - Bring it on!

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas to whoever stumbles upon this page
I love that clock that Alex brought home- I thought it was pretty cool this morning when I got up to see Dec 25th in large font across the corridor from my bedroom to the dining room.

That was actually yesterday, at Alex' office Christmas party, Byelle was happy to have her face painted and sat still for the artist to work, she wanted more so she had both her hands painted as well.

The show with Jojo the Elf and his magic tricks. Gabrielle participated passing around the lego bricks and the parcels for Santa's sleigh. Santa gave Byelle a hand puppet Fox, which she affectionately calls fok.

Opening the presents - crayons from Gemma, legos and scooter from mommy and daddy and the keyboard!!!

The masterpiece, an electronic keyboard from Memie and Pepi - well the actual best present from Mommy and Daddy was the 'Scoota' but weather does not allow the use for it yet.

Daddy spent as much time on my new toy as I did. He will be able to teach me soon enough :)

Cuteness incarnate

A short list of all the reasons I love it and Gabrielle is sooooo cute when...

• She stretches for 20 minutes in the morning waking up both her daddy and me with all the grunts and groans associated
• She looks at me with a corner smile when she sees me lift my top to breastfeed her, she knows what's coming
• She caresses my side with her little hand while feeding
• She grabs my tee shirt with the other hand while feeding
• She daydreams
• She loses the breast she talks to it and when she latches on again, she continues talking her mouth full
• She does the crab/tiger on her changing table
• She cries in her sleep
• She laughs in her sleep!
• She clicks her tongue when she's happy
• She pouts when she is sleepy
• She frowns when we play and I do something a bit unusual
• She lifts her head up high when lying on her tummy and that she's done sleeping
• She kicks her legs when she is frustrated, i.e. I tried to make her sleep when she's hungry or vice versa
• She licks anyone's tee-shirt (mine included) when she's hungry
• Like a gopher, she looks for the breast in her sleep
• She looks so miserable like an exagerated sad smiley before she starts to cry, it's hilarious, I hope one day I can capture it on photo
• She coos at her little bunny/spider/butterfly pram toys
• She falls asleep at the breast and continues pretending to suck

And best of all...

• She talks, coos, smiles and laughs with her Daddy and me

En francais maintenant... Toutes les petites choses qu'elle fait qui sont trop choux et que j'adore...

• Elle s'etire pdt 20 minutes tous les matins en faisant le plus grand baroumf possible jusqu a ce que Mama et Daddy se reveillent
• Elle me regarde avec un sourire aux coins de levres qd elle voit que je m'aprete a lui donner le sein
• Elle me caresse (et chatouille) les cotes avec sa petite main pdt qu'elle tete
• Elle s'accroche a mon tee-shirt avec l'autre main pdt qu'elle tete
• Quand elle a la tete dans les nuages
• Elle parle qd elle perd le sein et continue a parler la bouche pleine qd elle le retrouve
• Elle fait le crabe/tigre sur sa table a langer
• Elle pleure dans son sommeil
• Elle rigole dans son sommeil!
• Elle claque sa langue quand elle est contente
• Elle boude quand elle est fatiguee
• Elle fronce si je fais quelque chose d'inhabituel, meme si c'est habituel
• Elle dresse la tete haute allongee sur son ventre quand elle est reveillee et a decide de ne plus dormir
• Elle me donne des coups de pieds qd elle est agacee, souvent pcq je lui donne le sein qd elle veut dormir ou la berce qd elle veut manger
• Comme une taupe, elle cherche le sein ds son sommeil
• Elle leche mon tee-shirt ou le tee shirt de celui qui la porte quand elle a faim
• Elle fait sa pauvre malheureuse comme un emoticon triste exagere :( C'est a mourir de rire j'espere le capturer en photo avant qu'elle arrete de le faire
• Elle parle et fait des mamours a son petit toucan/lapin/araignee ou papillon qui pendent a sa poussette ou tapis de jeu
• Elle s'endort au sein et continue a faire semblant de teter

Et le meilleur...

• Quand elle fait des areus, mamours, sourires et rigole avec Daddy et Mama

Cuteness incarnate

A lot of work... but darn fun... and definitely worth it all (the wait, the pains, the extra kilos, the sleepless nights). I d love to write more about how much fun and lovely she is but we are in the middle of a conversation of aheus, coos, laughs and smiles.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

It's been another busy year end - I transferred to my new role successfully with a couple of teething problems as you would expect but with more victories than setbacks. We closed 2007 with a bang and now, 2008, Here I Come!

A line up of beauties: (L to R) Beth, Sarah, Alison, Tracy, Dani, Sarah, Me (Thanks go to Hannah for my hair)

A very jolly coach ride to Madame Tussaud

From top to bottom: Me enthusiastically pooring champagne

Ann, Julie, Sue and Jane

Emma, Me, Dani and Hannah

The next morning, Alex asked what wax figurine I saw, and I said "There wasn't a lot, I don't remember seeing any", the photos betray me! (darn photos), however, after seeing this picture, I do remember watching Johnny Depp and thinking, I would not have thought he was taller than me and also thinking he's wearing too much make-up. Martin met with his idol, (I can't believe I did not spot Shrek!!!), anyhow, Martin has been the most wonderful friend this year, he will be my boss next year but we will work as a team needing to achieve one common target; most of the best things that happened to me this year was with a little help from him.
Jun is unfortunately leaving our team, having to relocate to the mother ship in Japan, hope he stays in touch, I know I'll miss him next year.

The girls are a little bit worse for wear at the end of the night, but you are all my witness I never had that much of a good time last year and it was awesome.

Have a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

Happy Birthday Julien!

I'm copy-catting Kitem with an ancient picture of the best big brother in the World, surrounded with toys, no ferrari yet. Joyeux Anniversaire mon Juju!

Meeting Antoine

On Thursday 6th, we drove back to Saintes to give me time to catch up with the rest of the family. Papi came over for lunch and he is very well, the doctor says he'll live to be over 100 and is in perfect health for his age, our only concern is that he is bored very obviously, but I was pleased that he told different stories about his past than the last few visits, when he would only ever talk about the time he met my grand mother, now he talked about his trains and his career and that he noticed that for his first job back in 1930's, he was paid 1 euro a month (1.25 USD). So we've come a long way in terms of power of purchase and cost of living.



I also caught up with cousins Marion first and Eugenie later, who is now teaching in Saintes, she's glad to have moved back to the region and so am I because it means I'll get to see her more often.



On Saturday, Nicolas, Emilie and Antoine came over for lunch with Mamie Ese; Antoine, now 5 months, is a awesome little boy, he is so adorable but only laugh and smiles with his parents, even though he is very easy and did not mind playing and cuddling with me or anyone else. I was amazed at how well behaved he is. His mom put him in his cot and closed the door, we

could hear the baby talking to his soft toy until he fell asleep, and never crying, we heard him wake up when he resumed his conversation with his toy 90 minutes later.

Oleron Island

On August 31st I was off to my holiday back home. Kitem and Mr Garden picked me up from La Rochelle at 9pm and by bedtime we were in an Atlantic piece of paradise, Oleron Island. I think it is awesome to wake up to hear the waves rolling and smell the fresh sea air and have a croissant breakfast feet in the sand; with mom, dad and Mamie Ese and her infectuous chirpiness. I stayed bare feet for the whole four days, occasionally wearing them to go to the market and when Mamie Ese took us out for dinner at the creperie (pancake).

The programme was great. Wake up anytime, have breakfast, go for a long walk on the beach, have a lunch fit for kings, spent the afternoon on the beach, have dinner, sleep.

Up the sand dune that separates us from the ocean.

The Lighthouse, Chassiron, is at the most western tip of the island
During one of the many walks on the beach
Mamie Ese and Kitem sharing a silly joke while making a plum pie for lunch.

During another long walk along the beach

Collecting stones with wholes for a very specific purpose I won't reveal yet.
Posing with the catamarans. Looks like a magazine picture.

Happiness? Priceless

I'm happy, because:

My boss listened to one of my concern regarding the business and took action accordingly; I like being taken seriously, I'm not just a pretty face you know?

My dear brother was giving up hope of coming to France for Christmas; but I found a solution and Hope is restored that they can make it afterall.

I received a progress report from my little sponsored kid, Jonas, and he is doing very well; and it delights me, that my little help has given him so much more; he is doing very well at school and looks very well too. The only other picture I had of him, he looked... tired and angry; look at him now! He likes football, dancing and gospel music; sounds like mighty fine hobbies to me. And he drew a truck for me. Awwww! I'm smitten.

A summer routine

Going along the slow and lazy flow of summer, enjoying every moment of sunshine and stillness.

I've gone to Goodwood Horse Racing Festival. I've finally got to wear the dress I had bought for Nadine's wedding, that I did not get to go to, I looked beautiful and I got complemented by everyone, which was sweet. Although i did not win at the races, I had a lovely day, lots better than last year, it must have been the ladies, I get along very well with customers Heena, Liz (to my left) and Brian and I got to meet Anna (to my right here) who was great fun.

I read one the best books in a long time; the House at Riverton by Kate Morton, already a Best Seller. I love these books where the story teller isn't necessarily the main character, but everything around her is the story, the people, the place, the economy, the country, the history, love, drama, death and happiness. I only ever found another book of this magnitude, Empress Orchid by Anchee Min; if you can recommend any other please do.

I watched again Lost in Translation, I never tire of this film. I truly love it, I think it is because I can very much rely to it. At different stages of my life, I have found myself quite lost in translation. I do not mean literally, but just like in the movie, lonely, curious but shy, without friends, communication breakdown, insecure in love and life... And this time, I discovered a great song by Jesus and Mary Chain, Just Like Honey.
My baby went to Berlin while I was away on business trips; he had three great days discovering the war torn German Capital.

He met Knut the Bear at the Berlin Zoo, both famous because he was rescued from his mother who tried to kill him as a cub, but also because Bear is the symbol of Berlin. Here the teenager is taking a nap. Discover Berlin through my baby's eyes.
Summer finaly came in August, so last weekend we made the best of the first gorgeous weekend of the summer by having a picnic at Hampton Court gardens with Seow Ling and Nils. I was very excited to use my French basket for the first time (other than for decoration), I made tomato salad, taboule, Ham and salad and Salami and Coleslaw sandwiches, and Seow Ling was in charge of the dessert with fruits and brownies, she also brought a pasta salad in case we'd be missing, but we weren't...
The three of them took a nap after the heavy lunch, while I was reading the wonderful book The House at Riverton.
We had a perfect blue sky and I completed my book while getting a discreet tan. It was an absolutely perfect day, and I was humming the song of the same title by Lou Reed on the way home...

The rest of the month including Nicki's birthday lunch party, anther perfect day by the river in London; followed by a night out with Alex, where before going to watch transformers, we played bowling and a Time Crisis kind of game at the arcade below the cinema.

I went to a tea party at Nadine's where I put my foot in my mouth teasing her friend Bridget. See, Bridget got engaged, but she was upset because her engagement was not exactly what she expected, because her fiance James did not give her the ring and told her to fly back to South Africa on his air miles because it is cheaper to buy a diamond there. As far as I am concerned this is awesome, so I teased her about being upset, but I guess it was sensitive topic and I feel bad about it cos there was no harm intended. I took my first golf lesson and now I suck more than before the lesson, so lots and lots more practice is in order. There was a rumor going around the office that I may be pregnant, but I've set them straight before finding myself wishing that I was... huh?!

I caught up with my cousins Nicolas and Emilie about their new life as parents with awesome little Antoine; as well as with Chloe who seems to have put her life on hold in Limoges, she doesn't like it and waits to move back to Saintes to continue living; which is a shame, because experience taught me that the more you wait for something the less it happens, I told her so, I hope she will move on in Limoges, then Saintes will come around.

I spoke to my lovely boy Jacques who was 7 yesterday, he is very eloquent now and I am darn proud of him, he also enjoys conversing which new to me. Miss them all very much and I am simply looking forward to my holiday in France to meet Antoine and for Christmas to spend it with all my family.

Woo-hoo It's the weekend!

Ya-people, the week has ended, all problems are now gone solved or unsolved, whatever and who cares; it's done, gone, in the past, ain't nothing gonna change it now and I feel good.

Alex is coming back from his trip to Berlin and I can't wait to catch up with him; weird that I'd miss him after only a couple of nights, but it surely must be healthy for the relationship.

Since I confused some people with my last post about a nightmare, I thought I'd give you a glimpse in the background as it is in fact pretty funny even though the nightmare itself deprived me of a much needed night's sleep.

A couple of weeks ago, the office lunch conversation abruptly turned from what should be done with the over crowded jails to which movie star we would sleep with given the opportunity. Owen Wilson is my mate of choice: cute, funny, laid back, sexy in a non gorgeous way.

Coming home that night, I told Alex about the conversation, mostly because of one interesting choice from a colleague who named Nick Nolte!? (not sexy if my memory serves me right). And out of curiosity, I asked my dearest husband, which actress would be his choice. He chose the beauiful Scarlett Johansson and I even approved his choice, she is drop dead gorgeous and so very cool; I absolutely love her since Lost in translation, and if I wanted to look like anyone, it'd be her.

However in my over-stressed week and restless nights, the thought crept in my dream of Alex having sex with a gorgeous blonde that wasn't me and I awoke feeling fairly upset even though relieved it was just a dream.

'fess up people, for which star would you break your wedding vows in your dreams? ;)

News Bits

It has been a pretty cool week, with something special happening every day...

Monday
In the morning, Sarah came over to give us an update on dear Dan' situation; and he is paralysed chest down, therefore he will still be able to use his arms and his head is fine, so he will be able to have a reasonnably normal life, he'll be able to drive and work with computers (which is what he was doing), and zap TV channels and drink a beer, if his medicine allows him to. I thought that was pretty good news considering that he might have been paraplegic for life.

On Monday night, I met Alex in London in China Town for a quick spicy Nasi Lemak and off to watch Interpol at London Astoria; they were brilliant, I really enjoyed their new songs, the album is out tomorrow. But it was during Hands Away, that I expelled a 'I can't believe I'm hearing this live'. I was extatic. I can't wait to watch them again in Leeds in August and in Green Wood in November. Listen to Heinrich Maneuver from the new album 'Our Love to Admire'

Tuesday
I was travelling with Martin to meet a new customer, the meeting was very successful and I got along great with the client, a pretty girl about my age. In the evening we drove down to Leicester and were joined by Mats, our Swedish colleague and had a great dinner discussing global warming, facts and fiction, cause and consequence.

Wednesday
We had a meeting with our distributor, it was quite informal but productive. We finished late and I drove back down to London got stuck in traffic for 5 hours. Our neighbour had organised a farewell party for our South African neighbours moving to Australia, so I finally reached home, I scribbled a farewell message in a card and grabbed a bottle of champagne from the fridge. I really life the neighbours they are very nice and good fun, I look forward to spending more time with them.

Thursday
Work was hectic, I thought I would never see the end of the day, but at five o'clock I left to get myself pampered with a facial at my local beauty saloon. It was so wonderful refreshing that I felt dizzy by the end of the hour. I can't remember when was the last time I felt that relaxed. I cooked a lovely dinner for Alex and called Kitem, who says Hi! to all of you and is having a great time renovating the holiday home in Ardeche.

Friday
Had a nice chat with Ron about the new guy joining up, Russell, and how my job spec will change etc. Ron was very reassuring that my role will become even more important with this new addition, so it's cool.

Saturday
Shopping!!! At last we had a lovely summer's day, so Alex and I went to town where we had lunch at the market place, where the German fair is taking place throughout the month and had German grub. I bought a few blouse that will go great in the office or with jeans.

Sunday
It's that time of the week, where I need to clean up and scrub up but will be out of here in a minute to enjoy the sun.

All the things that made me smile TODAY

• I chatted for 10 minutes with Yen Ping from Malaysia before hitting the road.
• I had to drive through the countryside borded by fields of yellow flowers and green hills in the distance.
• A man said I looked pretty and that I'd make a more interesting photo than the display stand I was photographying for work.
• I chatted with Martin many times and had fun conversations, which suggests that he was not angry at me but was probably just having a bad week.
• I heard again that nice & groovy rap song that I like so much but still could not get the name of the band.
• I saw an old man struggling to climb up many stairs and felt shy to go and help him for a split second and told myself don't be silly, so I bounced up the few steps and helped him all the way, he was very pleased and we chatted for a while about the weather and the holidays and that he was born on Christmas day.
• Alex traded the tickets for James from Thursday to Friday next week, so I won't miss the gig when I'm in Dublin.
• When I stopped for lunch, I was surrounded by young families with toddlers and I watched as one kid started crying and 7 others started crying in harmony.


• I saw a pretty tree in bloom and the wind blow away the fine pink petals.


• I found a great pair of much needed black shoes for work and they were half price.


• I heard my latest favorite song 'dreaming of you' by the Corals
• I saw a yummy mommy with ginger hair goo-goo-gaga-ing her baby in his stroller
• I saw a good looking man check me out; and he blushed when he noticed I saw him
• I saw a grandpa seating on a bench across the river with 4 grand children playing around him.

• The car mechanic next street agreed to fix my car for half the price that I was originally quoted by a recommended garage.
• I am home early, kicked off my shoes, made a cup of tea and will now lounge in my pillows and resume playing Final Fantasy XII.