Today is my last day. I'm sad to leave but anxious to get back to the States and Tom. Tonight Juliet was, of course, begging me to stay "just one more day". When I suggested she climb into my suitcase and come back with me, I think she seriously considered it. But then she said she could only stay a week, or no, maybe just a day; and when she heard that it takes a whole day just to get to the States, she was perfectly happy when I assured her that we would see each other this summer in Myrtle Beach.
Juliet and I have been reading the Ivy and Bean books. I got them for her because they were chapter books and looked to be about girls about her age. In reading them to her I've found the vocabulary is not only difficult, but very American. (How do you explain "pausing for station identification" to a four-year-old? How about the expression "tough cookies"?) But I enjoy the questions Juliet asks, and we have some good discussions about things like tough cookies. And sometimes she surprises me by understanding some concept that I consider difficult. Best of all, though, is the time we spend alone together, being silly, giggling, talking seriously, and creating memories for both of us.
James is already into reading, too. I brought him Sandra Boynton's Bath Time! and he loves it. At least he gets a big smile on his face when I start reading it to him. Of course he also gnaws on it immediately after I'm done reading; it's one of those soft plastic books. But no, I really think he likes the book for the content; he always giggles when I say, "Bring your ducky. Bring your boat."
I can't believe it will be four months before I get my next sweet, fierce hug, soft kiss or that squeal of recognition as you come into the vision of a five-month-old. I love to change a diaper, give a bottle or read a bedtime story, to have that chance to be one-on-one with a tiny person who loves you just because you're the Grandma. Wonderful little ones who make me wonder-full. I am blessed.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Random Thoughts
I usually try to come up with a "subject" for each blog post. Today all I have is a bunch of random thoughts that don't fit neatly into any one subject. So humor me, please!
Early last week Juliet came into my room when I was toweling off after a shower. Looking at my naked body, she said, "Ooh, so that is you." She didn't say anything else and I certainly didn't want to provoke any further comments. French kids are used to seeing their family members naked and they feel very comfortable with nudity, so hopefully I didn't scar her for life.
Last night we hit the trifecta: James spit up on Juliet's newly made up bed; while we were changing her linens James had what we call a "code brown" and needed an immediate diaper change; Juliet wet the bed in the middle of the night (another linen change), and at the same time James woke up and was howling to be fed. Matt is away on a business trip and I'm so glad I was here to help Jeanne.
Mondays are tough for James because he's used to being with Mom and Dad on the weekends. So he tends to be a little fussy on Mondays. This week I could not seem to make him happy; even a stroller ride didn't do the trick. He's a pretty strong little guy and he was like a bucking bronco in the baby carriage. I really thought he was going to flip himself out! What was interesting to me was that the only time he seemed happy was when I was taking his picture. Just pointing the camera at him brought a big smile to his face. Now a five-month-old can't realize that his picture is being taken, can he? Juliet is a huge ham, so maybe James is following in her footsteps.
Matthew and Jeanne definitely have their hands full with these two kids, as they're both very headstrong and stubborn. Just watching and listening to James as he falls asleep will convince you that he has a strong personality. He grunts and groans, clenches his fists and rages, rages against sleep. It's fascinating that kids are born with these personalities; as parents and grandparents we think we can shape them but a lot of who they are and who they will be is pre-determined. I always say 75% nature, 25% nurture, but I'm not sure the nurture part is even that much.
Enough random thoughts from a diaper changing, gum massaging, feeding and burping, grandmotherly addled brain. Ciao!
Early last week Juliet came into my room when I was toweling off after a shower. Looking at my naked body, she said, "Ooh, so that is you." She didn't say anything else and I certainly didn't want to provoke any further comments. French kids are used to seeing their family members naked and they feel very comfortable with nudity, so hopefully I didn't scar her for life.
Last night we hit the trifecta: James spit up on Juliet's newly made up bed; while we were changing her linens James had what we call a "code brown" and needed an immediate diaper change; Juliet wet the bed in the middle of the night (another linen change), and at the same time James woke up and was howling to be fed. Matt is away on a business trip and I'm so glad I was here to help Jeanne.
Mondays are tough for James because he's used to being with Mom and Dad on the weekends. So he tends to be a little fussy on Mondays. This week I could not seem to make him happy; even a stroller ride didn't do the trick. He's a pretty strong little guy and he was like a bucking bronco in the baby carriage. I really thought he was going to flip himself out! What was interesting to me was that the only time he seemed happy was when I was taking his picture. Just pointing the camera at him brought a big smile to his face. Now a five-month-old can't realize that his picture is being taken, can he? Juliet is a huge ham, so maybe James is following in her footsteps.
Matthew and Jeanne definitely have their hands full with these two kids, as they're both very headstrong and stubborn. Just watching and listening to James as he falls asleep will convince you that he has a strong personality. He grunts and groans, clenches his fists and rages, rages against sleep. It's fascinating that kids are born with these personalities; as parents and grandparents we think we can shape them but a lot of who they are and who they will be is pre-determined. I always say 75% nature, 25% nurture, but I'm not sure the nurture part is even that much.
Enough random thoughts from a diaper changing, gum massaging, feeding and burping, grandmotherly addled brain. Ciao!
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Picnic in the Park
Today was a fabulous day in Levallois, the kind of early spring day that helps you get through the rest of winter (although they haven't had much winter here). At 20 degrees Celsius, which is about 68 degrees Fahrenheit, it feels like a summer day; people go outside in short-sleeved tee shirts, everyone brings a blanket and some food and goes to a park, boats are on the Seine, the sun is shining and the sky is oh so blue. We left for the Bois de Boulogne at 12:30, which was about two hours too late, as the rest of Paris was already there, and parked.
Supremely lucky, we pulled over to let everyone but Matthew out of the car so he could go to find a parking place, and in just that minute a place opened up right behind us! We joined the throngs of families and friends spending a glorious Sunday in the park. I have never seen the Bois de Boulogne so crowded. It was just one of those days after a long winter, you simply must be outside. A few things we saw: some athletic young men walking a "tightrope" that, while not very far off the ground, was very narrow and challenging; lots of kids chasing balls, picking up pine cones, running, walking, sleeping, jumping, chasing and hugging; a few men with no shirts on, who should have known better; bicycles and scooters everywhere; a few children riding ponies; lots of people paddling canoes on the lakes; older people in their Sunday best, out for a stroll (they must have been so hot!); families and groups of all shapes, sizes and colors; some people in tank tops and shorts, others in winter coats. It was a feast for the eyes, and for the soul.
Juliet fell sound asleep in the car on the way home. Matthew and Jeanne were able to get James to sleep too, so the whole family had naps once we got home. Fresh air and sunshine is a good recipe for sleep! After nap time we Skyped with Grandpa, cooked dinner, had baths, ate dinner, had story time and went to bed (James, Juliet and Matthew). Jeanne and I stayed up and got ready for Monday. Tomorrow James and I will be here almost all day, by ourselves. The girls will go with Colleen to Noemi's apartment after dance class; James and I will pick Juliet up there at 6:30.
The days go by, and we don't do much, yet the time goes by quickly, the memories accumulate. You remember the squeal and the giggle when a little tummy is tickled. You can still feel the soft kiss on your cheek, and the skinny but strong hugging arms of a little girl. You are glad when asked, "Grandma, will you color with me?" You know you will forget the sensation of holding a five-month-old in your arms, but you will never forget the love, the heart-stopping, all-consuming, forever and ever love you feel for this child. I was afraid that I loved Juliet so much I could never love another child in that way, but it turns out that instead of halving my love, it has doubled. I cannot believe how blessed I am to have Juliet and James.
Supremely lucky, we pulled over to let everyone but Matthew out of the car so he could go to find a parking place, and in just that minute a place opened up right behind us! We joined the throngs of families and friends spending a glorious Sunday in the park. I have never seen the Bois de Boulogne so crowded. It was just one of those days after a long winter, you simply must be outside. A few things we saw: some athletic young men walking a "tightrope" that, while not very far off the ground, was very narrow and challenging; lots of kids chasing balls, picking up pine cones, running, walking, sleeping, jumping, chasing and hugging; a few men with no shirts on, who should have known better; bicycles and scooters everywhere; a few children riding ponies; lots of people paddling canoes on the lakes; older people in their Sunday best, out for a stroll (they must have been so hot!); families and groups of all shapes, sizes and colors; some people in tank tops and shorts, others in winter coats. It was a feast for the eyes, and for the soul.
Juliet fell sound asleep in the car on the way home. Matthew and Jeanne were able to get James to sleep too, so the whole family had naps once we got home. Fresh air and sunshine is a good recipe for sleep! After nap time we Skyped with Grandpa, cooked dinner, had baths, ate dinner, had story time and went to bed (James, Juliet and Matthew). Jeanne and I stayed up and got ready for Monday. Tomorrow James and I will be here almost all day, by ourselves. The girls will go with Colleen to Noemi's apartment after dance class; James and I will pick Juliet up there at 6:30.
The days go by, and we don't do much, yet the time goes by quickly, the memories accumulate. You remember the squeal and the giggle when a little tummy is tickled. You can still feel the soft kiss on your cheek, and the skinny but strong hugging arms of a little girl. You are glad when asked, "Grandma, will you color with me?" You know you will forget the sensation of holding a five-month-old in your arms, but you will never forget the love, the heart-stopping, all-consuming, forever and ever love you feel for this child. I was afraid that I loved Juliet so much I could never love another child in that way, but it turns out that instead of halving my love, it has doubled. I cannot believe how blessed I am to have Juliet and James.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Halfway
However did my visit get to be halfway over? A week from today I fly to Atlanta, where Tom will pick me up on our way to Florida. I am not halfway done being a grandmother for this visit; I guess I'd better get busy tomorrow. More coloring, cuddling and conversing are definitely in order!
I continue to be amazed at how well Juliet speaks English, how broad her vocabulary is, and how easily she switches from French to English, and back again. She's a very sweet and loving girl but she also loves to manipulate you into getting her own way. Sometimes you'll tell her to do something and she'll just stare at you, daring you to make her do it. At times Jeanne has to get really mad at her in order to get her to do what needs to be done (brush her teeth, go to the bathroom, put on pajamas, etc.), when it doesn't fit into Juliet's agenda. This is very, very difficult for Grandma. Grandma does not want to get mad, she does not want to yell and most of all she does not want to curry disfavor with Juliet. This means that Grandma is not a proper French grandma, she is a spoiling, inferior, coddling, weak-kneed, horrible, American grandma. Yes, she is, but she's trying to get better for Juliet's sake.
James, on the other hand, is guileless. He doesn't have an "agenda", unless you consider comfort an agenda. If he doesn't have a messy diaper, isn't overly tired or hungry, he's fine. So I can spoil and coddle him without feeling guilty. Of course this is starting to change in small ways. He's "pre-teething" right now; he doesn't have any actual teeth coming in but his gums are sore so he likes to be constantly gnawing on something: a toy, clothing, a blanket, your finger, etc. He's also "pre-crawling", so he's frustrated a lot of the time, because he's going backwards from the object he wants to get to. Jeanne says this is typical of babies learning to crawl: they go backwards first. James is busy mastering this first phase. Sometimes he gets so frustrated he makes little fists and his body just shakes. So I imagine it won't be long before he does have his own agenda that will include eating stuff he finds on the floor, getting into his sister's things and trying to go where he shouldn't. And then I suppose Grandma will have to practice being a disciplinarian again. Oh, bother!
I continue to be amazed at how well Juliet speaks English, how broad her vocabulary is, and how easily she switches from French to English, and back again. She's a very sweet and loving girl but she also loves to manipulate you into getting her own way. Sometimes you'll tell her to do something and she'll just stare at you, daring you to make her do it. At times Jeanne has to get really mad at her in order to get her to do what needs to be done (brush her teeth, go to the bathroom, put on pajamas, etc.), when it doesn't fit into Juliet's agenda. This is very, very difficult for Grandma. Grandma does not want to get mad, she does not want to yell and most of all she does not want to curry disfavor with Juliet. This means that Grandma is not a proper French grandma, she is a spoiling, inferior, coddling, weak-kneed, horrible, American grandma. Yes, she is, but she's trying to get better for Juliet's sake.
James, on the other hand, is guileless. He doesn't have an "agenda", unless you consider comfort an agenda. If he doesn't have a messy diaper, isn't overly tired or hungry, he's fine. So I can spoil and coddle him without feeling guilty. Of course this is starting to change in small ways. He's "pre-teething" right now; he doesn't have any actual teeth coming in but his gums are sore so he likes to be constantly gnawing on something: a toy, clothing, a blanket, your finger, etc. He's also "pre-crawling", so he's frustrated a lot of the time, because he's going backwards from the object he wants to get to. Jeanne says this is typical of babies learning to crawl: they go backwards first. James is busy mastering this first phase. Sometimes he gets so frustrated he makes little fists and his body just shakes. So I imagine it won't be long before he does have his own agenda that will include eating stuff he finds on the floor, getting into his sister's things and trying to go where he shouldn't. And then I suppose Grandma will have to practice being a disciplinarian again. Oh, bother!
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
J.J., James Sue, Jimmy Tom John and Me
I seem to be the only person who calls James "James". Jeanne calls him J.J., Juliet calls him James Sue, or Jamesue (I'm not sure which), and Matthew calls him Jimmy Tom John (he is officially James Thomas Jean; the middle names are the grandfathers' names). I love the name James; I think it suits him now and it will suit him when he's 70. Not ridiculous for a 5-month-old nor a grown man. A strong, solid name with character and gravitas, yet a name that doesn't take itself too seriously. James Madison, James Monroe, James Dean, James Brown, James Earl Jones...well, you get the idea. I don't want to go too far lest I run into a James I don't like.
I am getting to know the little guy, and starting to know the difference between a grunt that means "I'm sleepy and I'm cranky" and a grunt that means "I just made poops". He grunts a lot when he is frustrated, hungry, sleepy or, frankly, when he's just pooped. He also has a light-up-the-room smile with which he's generous. He is basically a very happy baby, and a very good baby.
Noemi and Juliet are coming to our apartment this week after school; I don't know what I'll do for entertainment next week when they're at Noemi's apartment. Today it was lovely outside so Colleen and her mother, who is visiting from Australia, and I took the girls and James to the park. It feels like spring here, and with the sunshine today people were shedding their winter coats and just breathing in the fresh air. I wish I could send some of this weather home to the midwest, where our winter has been long, cold and snowy.
Noemi and Juliet ran and jumped and climbed while James watched. He was really more interested in the pigeons, though. As were several children who were actually able to run at the pigeons and chase them away. I always think of French children as being so polite and refined. When you see them in a social situation or in a restaurant, they are marvelously well-mannered, but today on the playground they were vigorously attacking both the pigeons and the playground equipment, their faces set in grim determination, with big scowls and knitted eyebrows. Perhaps it was the sheer number of them, for there had to be several hundred children there, some chatting away, some shrieking, some quietly and fiercely going about the business of riding one particular piece of equipment so hard that it would disconnect from its moorings and sail off into the crowd. I have to say that I didn't hear any arguments or see any fights, just noticed some ferocity, some velocity (on in-line skates and scooters) some intensity I don't usually see. Maybe they were just letting off steam after a tough day at school, or maybe, like the grown-ups, they are ready for an end to winter. Today made me believe that spring just may be a possibility.
I am getting to know the little guy, and starting to know the difference between a grunt that means "I'm sleepy and I'm cranky" and a grunt that means "I just made poops". He grunts a lot when he is frustrated, hungry, sleepy or, frankly, when he's just pooped. He also has a light-up-the-room smile with which he's generous. He is basically a very happy baby, and a very good baby.
Noemi and Juliet are coming to our apartment this week after school; I don't know what I'll do for entertainment next week when they're at Noemi's apartment. Today it was lovely outside so Colleen and her mother, who is visiting from Australia, and I took the girls and James to the park. It feels like spring here, and with the sunshine today people were shedding their winter coats and just breathing in the fresh air. I wish I could send some of this weather home to the midwest, where our winter has been long, cold and snowy.
Noemi and Juliet ran and jumped and climbed while James watched. He was really more interested in the pigeons, though. As were several children who were actually able to run at the pigeons and chase them away. I always think of French children as being so polite and refined. When you see them in a social situation or in a restaurant, they are marvelously well-mannered, but today on the playground they were vigorously attacking both the pigeons and the playground equipment, their faces set in grim determination, with big scowls and knitted eyebrows. Perhaps it was the sheer number of them, for there had to be several hundred children there, some chatting away, some shrieking, some quietly and fiercely going about the business of riding one particular piece of equipment so hard that it would disconnect from its moorings and sail off into the crowd. I have to say that I didn't hear any arguments or see any fights, just noticed some ferocity, some velocity (on in-line skates and scooters) some intensity I don't usually see. Maybe they were just letting off steam after a tough day at school, or maybe, like the grown-ups, they are ready for an end to winter. Today made me believe that spring just may be a possibility.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Sleepy Sunday
After five hours sleep Friday night, and one hour last night on the plane, I arrived in Paris a little jet-lagged and sleepy but eager to see the grandchildren. When Matt opened the door to the apartment and Juliet leapt up to hug me, the whole long, crazy day of travel to get there was suddenly worth it. I'm not going to go into every little detail that made my travel day very long and frustrating, because we all have those stories.
Seeing James again after four months, was like seeing a totally different baby. For one thing, he's wearing size 12-months, as a 5-monther. He's a good eater but he's not fat; he's just very solid! I'm thinking linebacker if he stays in the 75th growth percentile. He's very aware of his surroundings and interacts with people around him. His sister is a huge attraction for him, as is anyone who will make him laugh, tickle him or play peek-a-boo.
When James is ready to stop eating, he stops. He doesn't get "fussy" but he grunts in such a way that you know he's done and he's ready for something else. If you don't get it, he keeps grunting until he's red in the face. Occasionally he has a dirty diaper, but usually he is ready for bed. The kid is a regular eating, sleeping and pooping machine. And having said that, he is one of the most cheerful babies I've ever seen; always ready to smile, he's also a terrific giggler. He seems to understand the idea of joking around because he'll keep doing something over and over and over again if you laugh with him.
Juliet is the same darling girl with definite ideas of what she'd like to do and what she'd like you to do. Tonight we played paper dolls for about an hour. We read one (two) chapter(s) of the new Ivy and Bean book I brought. The usual questions and last-minute "oh I forgot to..."s extend the good-night period by a half hour. But then Juliet goes pretty quickly to sleep. She, like Grandma, has had an exciting day, and starts back to school tomorrow after a two-week "vacation". I can already tell that the word "vacation" isn't really going to be descriptive of Grandma's time here...
Seeing James again after four months, was like seeing a totally different baby. For one thing, he's wearing size 12-months, as a 5-monther. He's a good eater but he's not fat; he's just very solid! I'm thinking linebacker if he stays in the 75th growth percentile. He's very aware of his surroundings and interacts with people around him. His sister is a huge attraction for him, as is anyone who will make him laugh, tickle him or play peek-a-boo.
When James is ready to stop eating, he stops. He doesn't get "fussy" but he grunts in such a way that you know he's done and he's ready for something else. If you don't get it, he keeps grunting until he's red in the face. Occasionally he has a dirty diaper, but usually he is ready for bed. The kid is a regular eating, sleeping and pooping machine. And having said that, he is one of the most cheerful babies I've ever seen; always ready to smile, he's also a terrific giggler. He seems to understand the idea of joking around because he'll keep doing something over and over and over again if you laugh with him.
Juliet is the same darling girl with definite ideas of what she'd like to do and what she'd like you to do. Tonight we played paper dolls for about an hour. We read one (two) chapter(s) of the new Ivy and Bean book I brought. The usual questions and last-minute "oh I forgot to..."s extend the good-night period by a half hour. But then Juliet goes pretty quickly to sleep. She, like Grandma, has had an exciting day, and starts back to school tomorrow after a two-week "vacation". I can already tell that the word "vacation" isn't really going to be descriptive of Grandma's time here...
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