Today I'm two weeks old!

Hello there,

Jack's enjoying his afternoon nap and so I thought I'd write a wee message to say all is going well so far (phew). He's sleeping, eating, and pooing as he should.. and his parents are still in seventh heaven (though beginning to look in need of sleep..).

He really is a joy to be around, as he's normally very quiet and calm. The first ten days in particular were very peaceful as he was asleep most of the time. Now, he is beginning to spend more time awake.. looking around him, enjoying cuddles, wondering when he can eat again. And, this time awake is a lovely time to 'meet him' and to watch him as he encounters the world for the first time.

He can't yet appreciate the number of gifts and cards that are filling our letter box.. but I can and so I would like to say a hugs THANK YOU to all those who have sent their well wishes (and more). Knowing that so many people are thinking of us and are eager to meet 'the wee man' really is a comfort during this time of change. So, cheers!

This week is another big week for Jack, as his Scottish grandparents are coming to stay this Thursday. Mum's already made sure that we have whisky so Dad and Ben can 'wet Jack's head' and while they're busy with that business I'm sure mum and I will find our own ways to celebrate!!

Watch this space for news and more photos...
much love,
Robyn

Day 12: don't I have a cute hand!

Ten days old: just look at me!!

Day Six: am I really related to all these people?

And on the fifth day, Jack returned home!

My parents are proud because I'm now two days old!

Jack and his Dad

Jack's first day in the world!

What can I say?

Jack Cnockaert was born on Monday 6th November at 9.33am and we're completely chuffed!!

He measured 49cm and weighed 3kg and the birth was without complications.

I spent last week in hospital recovering, being spoilt, and generally smiling (a lot).

He came home on Friday afternoon and ever since we've all been getting to know one another and the new pace of our lives.

It's a delight!

I'll post photos as we go along.. but, meanwhile, know all is well and we're all as happy as can possibly be!!!

hugs,
Robyn

Mutzig

This is a photo of Mutzig taken during today's afternoon walk. Our apartment is just below the church in the centre of the picture. Mutzig is around 20 minutes drive from Strasbourg and lies, surrounded by vineyards, in one of the many valleys that lead into the Vosges hills.

Two weeks to go...

I always said that when the days grew colder and the leaves started changing colour then the 'birthday' of Jack would soon arrive. And now the days have grown colder and the leaves have started changing colour... and it's true that the final countdown has begun. Ben and I have had our last visit with the doctor, we've signed up with the hospital, and we've got all the 'stuff' we should need for the first wee while... In fact, after my final session with the 'wise woman' this Wednesday, we've nothing left to do but wait for the big day to arrive.

Award Winner!!!

Marion Agus An Banphrionsa (Marion And The Princess)Director: Melanie Clark Pullen Jury Statement Short film in Irish is a striving genre and Gael Linn is proud to recognise achievement through its award Gradam Gael Linn. This year’s recipient is Melanie Clark Pullen for the film Marion agus an Banprionsa.Gael Linn CEO Antoine O’ Coileain on behalf of the judging panel said“This is a delightful film which beautifully recaptures a little girl’s dream encounter with Princess Grace during an Irish visit. The film seamlessly weaves actuality, flashback and present day to great effect. Its two child actresses, Erin and Doireann Learmont are truly outstanding. A joy to behold was the judges summation.”

Now, let me explain!

About 3 years ago, Melanie and I were sitting in a café overlooking the Med. talking about the projects we wanted to realise. As she sipped on her hot chocolate, Melanie began to tell of an idea she'd been nurturing.. as someone who was Irish and who had studied the Irish language at university and as someone who was at the time living only a few miles from Monaco, she was interested in researching the time Princess Grace (Kelly) visited Dublin. Why? Because she wanted to write a short story or create a short film about the event, using research she could gather from the Princess Grace library in Monaco. More than that, though, she wanted to use a newspaper clip she'd found about how Grace visited a children's hospital ward. In that way, she could fashion the story around how Marion, a young Irish girl, might have experienced the wonder of meeting a 'real, live Princess.'

Well, you know how life is.. a few months later Melanie and her husband Simon left Antibes to return to Dublin (and Ben and I moved to Alsace). Once 'home' Melanie started to put her plan into action, and applied for a film grant from the Irish Language film board. Then, having won the grant, she summoned together a film crew and shot the film both in Ireland and in Monaco. Sound simple so far? Well, it wasn't - as she really had to invest herself and her everyday life in the details of generating people's interest and maintaining the professionalism of everyone's involvement.

But, life works its miracles because last week Melanie showed her film at the Cork Film Festival and won the award for best short film in the Irish Language.

Can you imagine ?

So, if you have a project hiding under your dream pillow why not pull it out, give it a shake, and see what you can do with it?

Afterall, Marion dreamed of meeting a Princess and she managed it!!!

cushion for hire!

Only days after leaving my job for maternity leave, I've found a new calling in life as a ... cushion.

Charlotte, at least, found me very comfortable and quite practical.

She was also quite taken by the idea that there was a baby in my tummy.. though she did keep checking that it 'was still there.' The reason for her inquietude? Quite logically, she was concerned the baby would get cold if it was born just now as it's all naked and the temperature has recently dropped to autumnal levels!

I'm with her, and so the 'wee one' has strict instructions to stay 'where it's warm' for at least another month :-)

So, if you know of anyone who needs a 'cushion' in the next month or so, you know where I can be found!!!

smiles,

Robyn

Five weeks (or so) to go..

We had our latest meeting with the doctor today and it was relaxed and easy going as ever as we followed our typical conversation.

doctor: How are you doing this month?
me: fine, thanks
doctor: okay, we'll do the usual tests and then schedule our next appointment
me: okay
ben: okay!

:-) What can you say? With only a few weeks left everything seems to be trundling along quite merrily!

I finished work yesterday - and so am officially on maternity leave (as I really enjoyed my work it feels a bit odd to have finished, but I'm sure I'll get used to it...).

Tomorrow, Ben and I are heading through to see Juliette (his sister) in Germany - and I'll stay on until Wednesday while he'll come back tomorrow evening. So, expect tales from deutschland on Thursday!

much love,
Robyn

and finally!

.. and a rather 'bumpy' photo of me in our bedroom (though, be warned, this photo is already a few weeks old!)

et voila! a rather quick and easy guided tour of our new apartment.

Of course, there are things we'd like to change - but then, hey, isn't that the joy of actually owning your own place? As you can make it 'your own' rather than just muttering about the landlord's lousy taste in home furnishings!!!

love n hugs,
Robynx

and the kitchen...

.. and the kitchen (though some of it is hidden behind the lens.. including the big window with looks out onto a lovely leafy tree).

baby's room

.. and if you think the baby's room looks 'a bit messy' - you should see it today as Ben's just stripped all the wallpaper off the walls!!! Hopefully, I'll be able to post another photo in a few weeks that looks a bit more like a real room (you know, with furniture and stuff :-)

not the most exciting photo but..

and the hall....

the living room part II

... and the second shot of our living room - and an inkling of just how green the hallway is for the moment!

Apartment Pictures

Hello,

This is just the first of a few photo blogs showing off our apartment (but not its paintwork!).

Rather obviously, this is the living room.. which has 3 windows that look out onto the stone entrance to Mutzig (see flood/July 14th photos).

So far, it seems pretty ideal as it's cool in summer and - with the fireplace - should be nice and cosy in winter.

(there's also plenty of room for a certain wee boy to spread his toys around!).

smiles,
Robyn