Traveller's Rest

This is a time for travelling and for resting, in warmth of early summer sunshine.

Travelling because Benoit is on the go at the moment: two weeks ago he was in Finland, just now he's in Russia, and soon he'll be off to Estonia. Such travels are fantastic for him, as he's able to audit and thus visit forests and foresting companies.

Travelling because we bought our flight tickets last week.. to go to North Carolina for a dear friend's wedding in October. We'll be across 'there' (our old home' for two weeks travelling around the Carolinas and going down into Florida. I canna wait.

Travelling because Jack is also on the go at the moment. As we're currrently being blessed by daily sunshine, we're trying to go for a walk a day and often without the pushchair. Whenever he starts a walk, Jack immediately collects two stones. Then, during the walk, he replaces those stones with better ones. Even when he's in the pushchair, he's on the look out for 'worthy' stones. He also enjoys walking in tall grasses and giggles like mad when we lift him up so trees branches can tickle his face. It's all quite a delight.

Thankfully, though, we can always come home and rest - in our hammock or lounged out on the couch. And, Jack forces us to rest.. as he requires long daily naps to recover from all his walking, collecting, and exploring.

The apartment won't always be a quiet haven, though, as we're planning to renovate the place - knocking down the hall walls, bringing the kitchen into our giant living room, making a new room out of the old kitchen. You know, big stuff! All that should start in the next month and so I'll keep you posted...

love n hugs to y'all where ever you are,

Robynxx

Family Times

We've just returned from a week's holiday in the Vosges with my Mum and Dad. We rented a gite in Gerardmer, which is only an hour and a half's drive from here but really felt as though it was in another world.

Jack often left his pushchair to walk with us and to collect different souvenirs (sticks, stones, flower) along the way:




With him, we walked across a river of stones:





We walked around lakes...

..mostly in the rain:

We walked around waterfalls:

And we walked up snowy mountains (thanks to Benoit who pushed Jack's chair all the way to the top!):

And we were together, and that was good!

Wait, is this still Winter or already Spring?

As the snow fell today, distant memories of glorious sunshine only a week ago made me feel a bit confused!

That said, the weather inside the house is the same as ever: hilarious!

Here's Jack guarding 'his' baguette of bread!

love n hugs,

Robynx

Happy Easter!

I hope you had a lovely weekend - ours was very peaceful, as we sheltered from the snow outside by tucking up in front of the fire and eating lots of chocolates!

Marching Forward

Jack walking while talking in scribble

March has, so far, been quite a quiet month for us. We've spent a lot of time relaxing in front of the fire and taking Jack for short walks. It's all been very pleasant but it does mean that there's not much to report for the minute! So, I hope you are all well and that this month is bringing you the time that you need to do the things that you want to do!


Jack going for a walk by himself!

Kisses and Arnica

Hello there,

This is really a moment for kisses and arnica.

That is, Jack has learned how to give big wet sloppy kisses but receives as many as he gives away because of the many falls and bumps and bruises he accumulates in a day. One day, he had a red line running across his eye (a bump with the edge of a wall) and a blue mark behind his ear (after an incident with the stairs) and then hundreds of other little bobos!

I have to say, though, that he's getting much more adventurous as we go for 'proper walks,' as he feeds himself at the table (often with disasterous results), and as he gains more and more confidence at the pool (clambering out of the pool only to 'jump' straight back in again).

Here we are at Pierre Percée lake, where Jack had great fun getting his shoes wet and collecting slimy stones.

And so, when I remember this time, I'll remember days of winter sunshine, the gentle kisses of my son, and the sweet smell of arnica rubbed on bruised skin!

Robyn xxx

ps/

Flying into Space

Now Jack's 16 months old, we thought it was about time he learned to fly...into space.

So, here he is in his 'space mobile' at Planet Spoon, a local indoor play area for kids!!

A Busy Month!

The year has taken off running for its been a busy month for all of us!

Jack is gaining more and more confidence - and now when we go for a walk he can come out of the push chair and walk beside us. It's really funny because his perspective of the world is so different from ours. For him, everything that is coloured or formed unusually is of interest: license plates, gates, sign, cats, dogs, ducks are suddenly all of great importance in our lives! And, if Mr Jack now doesn't want to do something, we hear a very solemn little 'Nooo' echoing from his mouth and we see his little head shaking. He's not really 'speaking' yet but he echoes words that we say. Last night, I told him "You're gorgeous" and before I knew it he was muttering "URorgoeus" I couldn't help but smile!

Meanwhile, Benoit has been out and about in the world as he's just spent two weeks in Cameroon. The government have built a dam and are installing electricity lines and so Ben was there working on an environmental impact study, talking to the villagers, and taking GIS points. The photos he's brought back are of another world as he visited small hamlets of houses without electricity. The people showed him how they planted their fruit and vegetables in small clearings in the forest and explained a little about their lives. It seems to have been quite an experience for him!

I've been busy too, because, although both Jack and I were ill with 'gastro' during one week, I have had the time to take him swimming, to go to a spa, visit with friends, and generally hang out with the wee boy. Taking him swimming was a great laugh: he was a bit afraid to begin with but soon warmed up and started laughing and playing around. Great stuff!

And so, as January draws to an end, I'm left wondering just what February will hold in store for us!!!

"Hello?"

"Hello?" That's what Jack says as he holds his little plastic red phone to his ear, to Teddy's ear, or even to my own ear. "Helloooo?"

Yesterday, he was crying and so I walked out into the hall.

"Do you want to go to bed?"

He violently shook his head, "No."

"Do you want to go into the kitchen?"

He giggled and pointed his little chubby finger in the direction of, well, the fridge.

I think our little boy's beginning to figure out just how life works!

Stepping into the New Year!

Jack's decided to walk his way into the New Year.

Okay, so he often falls on his bum - splat - and sometimes onto his face - ouch - but, all the same, it's official: the boy can walk!

Happy New Year!

A bit of Matsuo Basho to end 2007:

Year's end,
all corners
of this floating world, swept.

Then a bit of Jack to bring in 2008:

May the year ahead bring you all the joy and happiness you deserve!

much love,

Robyn

Merry Christmas!

Here's a wee photo of our apartment in Mutzig - by some lovely coincidence the locals put up a decoration in English just outside our door!

We're not there at the moment, but down in Cagnes sur mer where the temperature is more 10*C than minus 10* - for at that temperature the trees freeze....

... and the flowers shiver!

We spent, then, Christmas in Cagnes and just had a grand grand time. Jack loved playing with his cousins, Antoine and Charlotte, and we loved being with everyone.

Here's a photo we took from Grasse, overlooking the sea.

So, where ever you are in the world -- America, China, Egypt, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Honduras -- know I'm wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!

Chocolate...

Hmm, and so it appears that Jack hasn't limited himself to only liking Chocolate Cake.. as he was quite quite happy to chomp into this gift from his Nanny. In Alsace, children celebrate 'St Nicolas' on Dec 6th but, be warned, St Nicolas is accompanied by "Père Fouettard", who arrives carrying a bunch of sticks with which naughty children are beaten.

Here's an old picture representing St Nicolas in Lorraine, a neighbouring department ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas ).

The good news for Jack? The arrival of St Nicolas on Dec 6th won't cancel out the arrival of Santa Claus on Dec 25th.

:-)

chocolate cake!

So, I guess it doesn't come as much of a surprise.. but our wee boy loves Chocolate Cake, especially the type which crumbles in his hands. He's lying now in bed, laughing to himself and tapping his 'sucette/dummy' against the rails of his bed. It's only 9.30pm....which means we might have another hour of listening to him talk to himself and Teddy before he falls asleep! He and Teddy, it's a real love story - but he's also in a cuddley mood just now and so the cuddles are shared around.
So, cuddles to you - where ever you are as you read this entry - and let's talk soon!
hugs,
Robynx

Starting to Walk!

It's official, if we hold onto one or both of his hands, Mr Jack now loves strutting his stuff about the apartment.

Before we had to kinda coax him forward, but now he all but begs to be 'walked' about the place :-)

Yeah, the changes just keep on coming!

Meet my new friend, Rody

Jack is slowly making acquaintances with his new friend, Rody. They've only known each other since Jack's birthday but it looks like they will be friends a long time. Jack pats Rody's face and gives him cuddles; Rody allows Jack to sit on his back and, only occasionally, bucks him off. Rody is also watching now as Jack gets closer and closer to walking: Jack enjoys walking as he holds onto our hands and keeps on parading by pushes objects like chairs around our living room. To commicate, he claps his hands with us and makes bubbling noises when we do! It's all completely daft but quite, quite fun!

Happy Birthday

Here are a couple of photos to celebrate Mr. Jack's very first birthday! He had great fun opening his presents and eating his birthday cake... and just generally seems very proud of himself for being just so old!

Rocks

Taking advantage of a day's holiday, Ben, Jack and I took a short drive to Dieffenthal and then a walk around the 'Circuit des Roches.'

This walk took us past 6 grantite rocks which are oddly located in the midst of vineyards, far from their cousins higher up the hillside. History has accorded them rich meaning and names, like Hansel & Gretel and Wolfskirche.

The rocks in the pictures are the 'Roches des Celtes' where, according to legend, women publically gave birth . All I can say? Rather them than me, as there's a chill wind that blows up from the plain!

The perspective is lovely, though, because with the Vosges as backdrop you have a grand view over the valley towards Colmar, Frieburg, and the Black Forest.

Changes

Mr Jack can now climb onto the couch by himself and is occasionally - when I have enough energy and can face the task of tidying up - given the chance to feed himself yoghurt! He also enjoys passing things to us and taking them back (and if he sees us with 'his' teddy he comes trundling over to reclaim 'his property!'). He's still pointing to everything and anything and talking as much scribble as possible!

Forest Walks

I felt like staying inside on Sunday but Benoit persuaded me that it was wrong to waste such a day. I'm glad now he convinced me as we really took a walk through Autumn, rustling our feet through the leaves and collecting chestnuts to roast later on the fire.

keeping warm as the fire grows cold

Unusually, Jack's having a morning sleep - so I have a little time to finish the last blog!

Last Saturday, my neighbour Martine and I went to the local spa in Soultz-Les-Bains and - ooh lala! It was my first time in a spa but it won't be my last! Spending time in the sauna, jet bath, and in the thermal pool felt so good that, even one week later, I feel refreshed: http://www.sulzbad.com/

And, if that wasn't enough, on Sunday, Ben and I visited a little island located on the Rhine river. The weather was a little grey and rainy but, bundled up nice and warm , we still had time to take a walk around the island and to admire the various birds (egrets, ducks, swans) adorning the river: http://alsace.nature.free.fr/reserves.htm

So, yep, all in all it was a weekend well spent even though the autumn winds are beginning to chill the land and turn flaming leaves to ashes.

Winter is coming

Winter is coming... my fingers have that chill to them as I write that encourages me to stop and to rub my hands together. It's not even that cold in here - the fire's on and it's old 9am so the place is comfortably cosy - but the idea that outside it's 0* and cold and damp makes me want to feel cosier that ever! We've had a lovely week because, although Ben and I are still busy with work, coming home to Jack is such a delight. He's learned to clamber onto the couch by pulling on our clothes and loves pointing at things (plants, pictures on the wall, things he knows we'll take him to touch). He also always talking in 'scribble' (thanks Melanie and Claire), telling us about his days and belingering the passing of the days!

We've also just had a great weekend - as I went to a spa and we all visited an island.. but more of that later.. as I have to go and give Jack his breakfast!

Eleven months old

Yep, our boy is fast becoming a year old and so his baby days are being left behind. And the changes just keep coming. He has, for instance, two new toys: Buzzy Bee and Teddy. Buzzy Bee is from Uncle Graham and was bought in New Zealand; Jack drags him everywhere. Teddy is from Alena and Vince in Ireland; Jack has chosen him as his new cuddle pal. Then there's Doudou, his comforter - and this is the cool part - when we ask Jack "Where is Doudou?" he goes and gets him! Cool, huh? And when all else fails? There's his socks.. which as you can see from the picture never stay in place for long. This is turn means his feet are always dirty.. as he's on his feet as much as possible, still holding onto things but now also 'walking' by pushing chairs in the direction he wants to go. Meanwhile, Ben and I? We're there at his side, and left wondering 'just what will he get upto next?' We're also both pretty busy with work at the moment which means we're all the more appreciative of how happy Jack remains at Mme Trapp's. It also means that Saturday mornings, like today, remain precious... this morning, for example, as the autumn lay its cold, misty blanket over the valley, Ben lit the fire and we all settled down to watch a movie to start the morning in peace. So, as the days become colder and as November 6th 2007 approaches, our lives continue to change with the seasons.

Mont Sainte Odile

Last Sunday, I went for a lovely walk with a friend up at Mont Sainte Odile and more specifically along the 'Pagan Wall' - an immensely old (Iron Age?) structure, measuring 1.5 metres in width and sometimes 2 metres in height, and testifying to the mystery of life as it stretches for 10 miles along the ridges that surround this beautiful monastery and ancient ceremonial site

.

A great wee holiday

The weekend before last, Ben and I took Jack on no less that 4 plane rides as we spent 2 days in Glasgow - for my cousin Penny's wedding and to visit with Shona and Mackie, Sam and Fraser (the photo shows us all walking along the side of the Clyde) - and then 2 days in Dublin - with Melanie and Simon, Alena and Vince.

We had a fantastic time visiting with friends and family... and Jack seems to have really thrived on all those new environments.

My dear husband...

.. bought me a hammock, which he then neatly installed in the living room. Trust me, there's no better place to have an afternoon kip that curled up inside a gently swaying (bright orange) hammock. I love it... and so do Ben and Jack as they get to play inside!

Jack continues to grow and change - this week he began using me, instead of the table or wall, to take little steps forward. It's really cool to watch as only uses me when he's really motivated to get to an object which is just out of his reach. And, you can bet, that makes the wicked side of me want to heap his toys into a big bundle just out of his reach....but I hold myself back because, you know, I just want to see the boy doing it for himself.

The weekend ahead should be fun, too ... as it's to be filled with travelling.

But more of that on Wednesday, when we return......

Ten Months Old

Things are busy, busy, busy at the moment but all is well.

Jack's busy, for example, growing his third tooth (upper right) and practicing taking little steps along the sides of and in between furniture.

We've had a couple of (possible) language moments. 1) Jack was crawling towards Ben when Ben said to him that he had 'forgotten his Doudou/comforter'. What did Jack do? Well, he just turned right around and went and got it, and that as naturally as can be! 2)Late one evening, Jack and I were looking for 'Doudou' when Jack started calling out 'Doudou' with me.

Of course (and I mean, of course) both of these wee moments could have only have been co-incidences but, even if they are, I don't care because its just magical to see him changing and to think that language is a step only just around the corner.

Imagine, just what will we all have to say to each other!

love n hugs,

Robyn

Two Front Teeth

It's official: Jack's two front teeth are here!

Okay, so they're still pretty tiny but they're there and we're proud of them :-)

Otherwise, things are still going well - Ben and I have both had a busy week and so are just as glad as ever that Jack's doing so great with his nanny, Mme Trapp. Back at the ranch, Jack's pulling himself to his feet as often as possible and then, from time to time, is edging forward with little steps to reach things.

We're generally having a pretty peaceful time of things just now and so hope you are too, where ever in the world you are reading this blog from :-)

Openings and Closings

Jack's all into discovering how things open and close at the moment.

Doors, cupboards, books - it's all the same to him. Here he is emptying one of the drawers in our bedroom. Needless to say, I was in the midst of puting things into the cupboard as he was busy taking things out!

The other big thing is that at the weekend, and for the first time, he started taking small steps to reach things. What do I mean? Well, yesterday he was standing by holding onto the table when he started crying because he wanted a toy that was at the other side of the table. As I played the mean mother and wouldn't give him the toy, he edged his way around the table to get to it. Okay, so he only took three or four wee unsteady steps but we celebrated for him. Another example? He was standing holding onto a chair and he turned, reached out, and took two little steps to reach my knees. Cool, huh? Looks like we'll soon be able to send him out in the morning to get out bread and croissants!

Back from our holidays

We're back home in Mutzig now after more than three weeks away. It's good to be home, though it was great to be away and to spend so much time with the Cnockaerts. Annette's still in Monaco hospital but her heart operation went well and she's hoping to move to a re-education centre by the end of this week. In many ways it was ideal that we were with her when it happened because Ben was able to go to the hospital and see her most days. Jack also really benefitted from being in new surroundings and being able to meet so many new people. In fact, returning home yesterday we saw some real changes in him. Now, not only is he sporting 1 bottom front tooth but he's also even more agile and determined in his explorations. It's great to see - but, hey, you have to keep up ;-)

Visions of home

Traveling as we have done in the last few months, I've realised how much the landscape dictates 'who I am' at that moment. So, I've collected pictures from each of the places I have the honour of calling home. You'll immediately see the similarities that bind all four: the open land and the wide skies, the potential to walk, and the need to be outdoors!


Here's the view from the veranda in Cagnes sur mer in the south of France. The planes are carrying firefights to a local forest fire. The photo was taken just two days ago:

This is a photo of Les Omergues, taken just last week from the hill above the village in Provence, France:

This photo was taken last December from the vineyards that lie above Mutzig in Alsace, France:

Then, here's a photo which was taken in May overlooking New Deer, the village where my parents live and where I grew up in the Northeast of Scotland:

And then there are all the parts of the world which are important to me - but there just isn't space for me to record them all here!

Nine months!

A good friend once told me that the nine month anniversary is an oddly important one because it's the point when they've spent as much time on the outside as on the inside (so to speak). I didn't really get it when she told me, but now I do because at this point Jack's becoming more and more independant of me. When he's sad or needs a cuddle or food, he crawls to me but otherwise 'he's off exploring the world.'

And he has had much to explore because after spending a great ten days in Provence we're now in Cagnes. We've come down to the coast to be with Mami Annette, who will have heart surgery this coming Monday. Jack's done well at adapting once more to a new environment and spends most of his time crawling from room to room and standing up against tables and chairs. He's even grown his first bit of a tooth, but not without some suffering (for him and for us!). The good news is that we've another week left here before we leave which should give us the time to introduce him to the sea and some old friends from the region...