An Up and Down Day

No, the title isn't a play on words, with Juliet enjoying her first carousel ride today. She really had an up and down day...starting with down this morning. She just wasn't feeling well and was very fussy. I wonder if she's starting to teethe and getting some very real pains in her mouth. Or, it could be an illness, since her cough seems to be making a reappearance. She's such a trouper, though, that we ended up having a lovely day.

She was alternately fussy and napping this morning, so after she finished her lunch about 11:30, we decided to take off for the Cineaqua (Aquarium). We figured she could be fussy at the Aquarium just as easily as at home. Tom and I enjoyed the Aquarium much more than she did, although there were plenty of fish to be seen at kids' eye level, and plenty of kids there to see them. Truthfully, Juliet liked seeing the other kids more than she liked seeing the fish, sharks, corals, etc. We spent about an hour there, during which time Juliet probably slept a half hour. And sleep is good, whether your fussiness comes from teething or illness!

Back outside, we found that what was supposed to be a rainy day had turned brightly sunny and hot! After a quick visit to the carousel at Trocadero (Juliet loved her first carousel ride, but the pose on the horse is just that--a pose. She and Tom rode in a carriage.) we stopped at our hotel for some sunscreen and a change of clothes. Then we headed to the park in Levallois, Parc de la Planchette. It was another glorious afternoon amid flowers, happy kids running and screaming, couples stretched out on blankets in the shade, and lots of strollers parked with sleeping babies inside. Our stroller was no exception. Juliet had a lovely long nap in the shade, while Tom and I talked about moving to Levallois, permanently, to babysit.

After stopping at the market and the butcher shop, it was 5:00 before we were back at the apartment and Juliet could have her afternoon bottle. She was fussy again after that, and although obviously exhausted, she wouldn't sleep. When Jeanne got home, we gave Juliet a bath, and of course she fell asleep then, when she should have been eating dinner. Jeanne finally had to wake her for dinner as she was afraid Juliet might sleep half the night before getting hungry enough to wake up. Poor little thing really did have an up and down day, but as usual she smiled through most of it, even eating her spinach with a grin on her face. Tom and I hope Juliet feels better tomorrow; we always have big plans for her day!