Happy 4th of July!!

"Happy 4th" to all our American friends and family near and far. Hope you were able to mark the occasion yesterday by doing something festive.

I celebrated by having my cervix felt-up, whereas Alexandre opted for a needle in his thigh. While I can't think of a better recipe for excitement, and I can't speak on Alex's behalf, I can't say that my experience had me seeing any fireworks.

I can, however, happily report that my cervix is still nicely closed, all is well with Cornbread and me, and Alex is caught up on his vaccinations. Yet somehow all of that good news still couldn't take away my craving for hot dogs, watermelon, and homemade ice cream. Maybe next year...

It was a bit strange not being in the States this year for the 4th. The only other time that has happened was in 1989, when, ironically, I was in France! I was spending a few weeks with a French family in the Alsace area (a growth-inducing experience for this then-16-year-old, especially considering that we couldn't speak each other's languages!), and was able to mark the holiday that year in a moving way. I was taken around to view some of the WWII battle sites and to a huge cemetery of American soldiers who didn't have the means or family to be taken home for burial. Who'd have ever dreamed that I'd later find myself living in that country!!

In other "news," I am soon to be the proud new owner of an E3 Phil & Teds stroller that I just bought on ebay!! I never thought I'd get so worked up about a stroller, but this thing rocks. It only takes up the same space as a "single" stroller, but can convert to a double to accomodate a second child as a newborn and later a toddler. It turns on a dime, and manuevers easily in and out of buses and small elevators -- a MUST for living in Paris without a car. I skimped on the first stroller I bought, thinking "what difference could it possibly make to get a fancy one," but have learned my lesson the hard way. Some investments are simply good sense. If you have (or are thinking of having) two little ones at your home, check them out. I know that bugaboo strollers are all the rage in the U.S. right now, but can't imagine anything being better than this, especially for a two-child family. I discovered it thanks to a super-nice family that Alex & I befriended on our last plane trip to Texas, who couldn't stop raving about theirs.

I'll close with some various pics of Alexandre from over the past month or so. Most were taken by either Noel or Amy, who each visited us last month. We had a great time with each of them, enjoyed getting to meet Noel's girlfriend, Terri, and Alex had a blast playing with Amy's little girl, Claire.