"Jean-Bubba"

Away We Go...

2006-08-13T18:21:00.000+02:00

Wow, how time flies. We've been home doing an "extreme" Spring Cleaning these past couple of weeks to organize/make space for the baby's arrival in September. (Kind of important when living in small spaces!) Now it's already time to leave again, and I still haven't updated the blog and photos like I'd wanted to. Guess it'll have to wait til we get back, and I'll have even MORE vacation pics to share then! We're headed to the inlaws' for a couple weeks, and then for a week at the beach in Cannes at a vacation resort -- YAY!!!! CAN'T WAIT!! A bientot --

Home Again; Happy Birthday Grammy!

2006-07-28T23:20:00.000+02:00

Just recently back from 3 weeks visiting Manu's parents, where my internet access was limited (only ONCE the whole time - talk about withdrawal!), and thus this blog neglected. We've got lots of cute pics to share just as soon as I finish editing them, but wanted to get this post up now.

Alex pitched in today to help get this special message out:

Honest, he had fun making this! It was just an impossible feat to catch him holding it where it could be viewed AND smiling at the same time. Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM! Sorry we couldn't be there to celebrate with you all on this special day.

Most of the past few weeks was spent relaxing in the shade of the backyard and/or trying to keep cool at the pool (it's been HOT HOT HOT in France lately). However, I managed to squeeze in lots of hours in the evenings and during naptime to finish this craft project.

I left home with just the name and the hat done, and finished the rest while gone. I had that as a goal, because I know there won't be much time for any crafts for a while once Cornbread arrives. Next up will be his stocking, and then eventually ones for Manu and I. If I can just finish the kids' before Christmas I'll be pretty happy, though...

Walking -- Video Clip

2006-07-07T01:00:00.000+02:00

Alex took his time with starting to walk. He took his first steps with us behind him holding his hands on Nov 1, 2005 (13 months old), and wasn't interested in doing it too often. Little by little he did more, and eventually worked up to basically walking completely on his own yet insisting on someone holding his finger -- and it HAD to be the left hand! :) So, he'd have been "able" to walk alone, but somehow still needed that security. This was fine with us, because it kept life calm just a little bit longer. He did that for at least 3 months (I can't remember really when it started), and then finally one day realized and/or decided that he could do it alone. This started happening on May 21, 2006 (19 1/2 months old), and by the next day he was at it full-force. It was adorable to see how excited he was with this new skill. It was like he didn't want to stop, and he was thrilled to "show off" for Papa that night upon his return home from work. It didn't take long for this to lead to climbing up and getting into things that beforehand had been well out of reach. (He'd been climbing onto our bed and the sofa forever, but somehow never took it farther than that.)

My family still hasn't gotten to see Alex walk alone. Thanks to the good 'ol internet and a video that Noel & Terri took while visiting (filmed May 27th, less than a week into this new skill), now they (and you) can! Double-click the play button below:

Belly Love

2006-07-06T09:58:00.000+02:00

Family back home (especially my sister!) is always curious about how my growing belly is looking. In an effort to keep them happy, here's a peek. These were taken on June 10th (at 24 weeks pregnant) and so are already outdated, but I'll try to get some newer ones up before long.

While we're on the subject of "the belly," I have to share an Alexandre anecdote. We've been telling him about the baby coming, showing him my ever-expanding tummy, etc., but of course with his young age we're never quite sure how much he understands. Sometimes he gives hugs to my belly if we're cuddling up on the bed (how sweet!), but he's really tender/affectionate anyway, so I wasn't taking this as "proof" of comprehension. A few days ago, though, he did possibly the cutest thing ever: he lifted up my shirt to expose my bare stomach, and proceeded to try to pour the milk from his sippy cup into my belly button and then elsewhere around "the bulge." Maybe this kid's got all kinds of things figured out that we don't yet realize.....

FINALS-BOUND!

2006-07-05T23:24:00.000+02:00

France won again! So we advance to the finals on Sunday against Italy. Tonight's game wasn't as exciting as the one against Brazil (we won with a penalty shot), but I guess a win is a win...

There was a pre-game party in the courtyard of our building, and it was great hearing even the little kids cheering and getting into the upcoming match. Alex was up for the beginning of it, and as he's in the "repeats everything" stage right now, he was cracking us up as he kept mimicking Manu's loud bursts of "ooh la la" and "attention" (="careful/watch out"), with the same loud tone of voice, and then smiling proudly at himself for it.

Living in such close proximity to so many people means that even when watching the games from home, you get the "ambiance" of a stadium (or at least a sports bar or something). It's hot out so everybody's windows are open, and you can hear the game playing and everyone's responses as they're watching...

CACA

2006-07-05T18:58:00.000+02:00

Here are a few pics of Alex and his friend "Caca" Camille during recent playtime together.

She lives just across the hall from us, and although she's 3 yrs older than him, they play well together. Alex gets SO excited to have someone around to play with, and cries any time they have to part ways. Every time we pass by their door, he points and says "Caca."

Yes, he actually does call her Caca. (That's French for "poop.") Luckily she understands how he could derive "caca" from "Camille," and isn't offended by it. Nor is Erica, our superb babysitter and cleaning lady, whom he ALSO enthusiastically calls Caca. To his credit, this isn't the same word that he uses for poop; we call it "po po". That's another variation that the French use with kids, but which always kinda makes me laugh because I know some American little girls who use "po po" for their private parts. Anyway, today we wondered if he wasn't getting a few things mixed up, because when he pointed to the neighbors' door he called out "Pee Pee." Then it all became clear when we realized he was referring to Camille's father, Pierre-Marie. ("Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you to meet our lovely neighbors, Pee Pee and his daughter Caca.") Too funny!

Actually, his language has really been developing over the past month or so, both in French and English. He repeats a lot of what we say, but is showing that he's retaining lots of it, as well. Case in point: good 'ol "po po." Although he's by no means potty trained yet, he's starting "announcing" to us sometimes when he's going po po. Once while playing in his bed after a nap (which quite often he'll do quietly for OVER AN HOUR -- we're SO lucky!), I even heard him announcing "po po" to his stuffed animals. Sure enough, when I came to get him out of his bed, I found out that he'd meant business.

We have gotten a potty out and started having him sit on it occasionally to get used to the idea (although usually he's not interested), thanks to the inspiration of WonderChild Claire who visited last month. (At only 7 months old, she was already using the potty whenever placed on it, and had been for a couple of months. She was also already pulling to stand and crawled up several steps. Bravo, WonderMom Amy!) Here are a couple of pics from that first potty experience.

Happy 4th of July!!

2006-07-05T13:22:00.000+02:00

"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.

All in a Day's Work

2006-07-02T02:22:00.000+02:00

Alexandre, our budding little ...

wrestler?

cowboy?

shiatsu massage therapist?

teacher?

artist?

Ahhhhhhhh..... the possibilities are endless!

Game Update...

2006-07-02T00:33:00.000+02:00

FRANCE WON!! 1-0. It was a great game and a fair, solid win.

So, it looks like Zidane (the long-time French player and "superstar" of soccer pictured above) hasn't seen his last match just yet. He's announced his planned retirement after the World Cup, which will continue for him and the rest of France in the Semifinals this Wednesday against Portugal.

Manu has joined the crowds outside, horns have been blaring non-stop out the windows, and the Champs Elysées is reportedly filling up with revelers.

Allez les Bleus, et Vive les Vacances!!

2006-07-01T21:19:00.000+02:00

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!! (Go Blue!) It's a big night in France tonight: the French soccer team is playing against Brazil in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Brazil has been to the finals of this competition the last three times it was held ('94, '98, and '02), and came out as champions 2 of those 3 times, losing the other time to France in '98. After their championship in '98, France didn't even make it out of the first round in '02 (much less score a single goal). Brazil, on the other hand, hasn't lost a match in the past 8 years except for during those finals of '98 against France. All this is according to Manu, whose word I'm taking as the truth because I don't follow the sport enough to know otherwise. I probably would be oblivious to the World Cup even happening if I were still in the U.S., but Soccer is King in the rest of the world when it comes to sports, and it's impossible to be in Paris right now without knowing what's going on.

There was lots of celebrating in the streets Tuesday night after France earned their place in tonight's match by beating Spain. Manu went out and got this jersey, which he wore to work Wednesday and again today as a show of support. Nothing seems to get people as excited around here as soccer, and in Manu's words: "People are so happy -- they're even smiling at each other in the streets!" (Newsflash to those of you who have never been here: That's a Big Deal.) People are hopeful about tonight, but I think a little wary of the chances of a win given who they're up against.

A win would bring a second reason for Manu to celebrate tonight: It's VACATION TIME at our house! He worked his last day of work this evening, and is off on paid leave until - get this - September 4th!! Yes, over 2 months from now. He gets his standard FIVE weeks of vacation that all salaried employees in France are entitled to, plus has earned lots of comp time (as happens most years for him) by working extra hours when his boss has gone on vacation or away for the weekend. It's just the two of them that run the flower shop, and given that Manu's normal work week is only 35 hours (again, the French standard), it doesn't take long to rack up overtime when holding down the fort alone. (Three mornings a week of going to the flower market at 5 am, plus keeping the shop open til 8:30 six days a week and for 4 hours on Sunday.) The only downside in all of this for him is that he can't really break it up and take the time off when he wants it; it's kind of a given around here that people go on vacation in July and August, and the rest of the year is too busy at the shop for his boss to be there much alone. Oh well -- we'll take what we can get!

My teaching job ended with the closing of schools for summer last week, so I'm also on vacation. It was a small part-time job thus I don't feel so different being off, but it's still nice to get paid while not working! Right before the time that school starts back up, my 16-week maternity leave will kick in until January (again, a French standard, paid at 100% of salary by the government), and breastfeeding moms can often extend for another month or so at 80% pay after that. Manu also gets 2 weeks of paid paternity leave, which will fall not too long after he's just finally started back to work in September. Now, there may be a number of things that bug me about living here, but for the above-stated benefits I can't help but exclaim, "VIVE LA FRANCE!!" Of course, the situation would be much less favorable if Manu or I owned our own business, but that's a whole other discussion...

So what are we gonna do with all of this time off?? Good question. This will be the first time since living here that we won't be going to Texas for the summer, and it feels strange. It just seemed a little too risky in the third trimester of pregnancy. Of course there's good health care in the States if I were to encounter any problems, but I shudder to think of the costs of having a premature baby with no health insurance. (Gotta love this whole social medicine thing! Again, if you're not a doctor...) We'll spend a decent chunk of time with Manu's parents, and are also looking at doing some traveling elsewhere in France. It's a good time to take advantage of that opportunity, since otherwise we've always been in the U.S. during vacation and thus I haven't seen much at all of this country. We'll keep you posted on whatever we wind up deciding to do.

In the Beginning...

2006-06-30T12:53:00.000+02:00

Amongst many other possibilities, the writing on my tombstone could read: "Her perfectionism killed her good intentions." (That is, if I HAD a tombstone. I have other preferences, but that's another story...) :) I have so many good ideas, but so little follow-through. One reason is that I get too hung up in the details to ever finish.

This blog is a perfect example. For at least a couple of years, I've been wanting to do this. Partly as a way to keep in touch with family and friends back home in the States, and partly as a way to record the milestones and less monumental day-to-day events in the life of my child(ren). (When it's your child, even the mundane often seems monumental. And yes, we're expecting a second! But ahhhh, I'm getting ahead of myself...)

So, here's to finally starting!! Thanks to my other blogging friends for your inspiration, and to Amy for helping me get some order to my pictures so that I can better share them with you in the future. "Props" to Randy & Michele Fletcher for the inspiration for the title, "Jean-Bubba." Perhaps that needs a little explaining... While I was pregnant with Alexandre, they asked what names we were considering for the baby. We explained that we were having a hard time finding something that would work well in both countries/cultures. (My husband is French.) They jokingly suggested that in lieu of something like Jean-Claude we could go for Jean-Bubba, which would be a nice nod to the baby's French AND Texan heritage. (As we all know, Texas is basically its own country...) I got a kick out of it, and somehow thought of it again in naming this website, as a fitting way to honor our "dual-culture" family.

It was also the Fletchers that wound up nicknaming Alex before we'd chosen his name. We'd been referring to him as Baby Bread (our last name means "bread" in French). They took that a little further and suggested Biscuit, which stuck, and which is what he was called from then until his birth when we finally decided on Alexandre. Now I'm pregnant again, and no surprise that we're again having issues choosing the "real" name. My Dad suggested "Cornbread" in the meantime, in keeping with our Bread theme. (It even gives that nod to the South again.) It hasn't yet stuck as well, but that's what I'll be calling Little Boy Bread for the time being on this site.

Anyway..... I digress. So, here's to beginnings. The beginning of new life, and also of new love, which is how this family got started in the first place. By the Texan and Parisian who were brought together in Mexico in 2002. It is in that spirit that I'm posting this, our first picture taken together, as the first photo on our website: