three years

Three years ago today, my best friend Marc asked me to marry him. I said yes. He knew I would, as we’d been talking about it for the past five days. I don’t often take life-changing decisions after only five days’ thought, and in general I wouldn’t recommend it to others, but it turns out to have been one of the best decisions of my life!

Merci, mon amour, pour ces trois merveilleuses années à tes côtés!

water baby

Simon had his first experience of the swimming pool this morning! We went to the round pool at Nancy Thermal, which is warmer than the other pools and full of old people. According to the rules, even babies have to wear swimming caps, but when I was asking about it the other day I’d been assured that I could borrow one for Simon. However, they didn’t mention that it would be an adult one! I tied a sort of knot at the side, but it did look rather odd! He still charmed the old ladies, even with his funny hat and lack of smiles.

In fact, he alternated between being freaked out and crying – but because of the noise not the water – and looking round him attentively while splashing his hands in the water. For a baby who really doesn’t like a lot of noise, he did really well. We only stayed in for about ten minutes, then he was getting cold – the old ladies told me it was colder than usual today – and so we went under the shower (another first!). He was ready to dislike the shower, but then realised how warm it was and just looked perplexed.

So overall it was fun, and I think we’ll try to go fairly regularly. I’d like him to be as happy in the water as I am!

St George, Sarko and Ségo...

Happy St George's Day!

Despite it being England's National Holiday, I felt I should say something about France's Presidential Elections yesterday. But I'm no expert, so I haven't exactly got much to say! For those who don't know, in two weeks time there will be another election, this time between the top two candidates from yesterday's election, Nicolas Sarkozy and Ségolène Royal.

So what has Nicolas Sarkozy got going for him? Well, he did come to the 2004 FEF (Fédération des Evangéliques de France) AGM and gave a good speech. And shook my hand (my claim to fame!). But he does say some scary things.

Ségolène Royal is a woman. And won't let anyone forget that. And if anyone says anything against her, she says it's just because she's a woman. Hmm. In the small excerpt of her speech I heard yesterday evening, she just attacked Sarkozy, which didn't seem particularly constructive.

So it's probably a good thing I can't vote and don't have to choose between them.

And something tells me I won't be getting any calls asking me to take a job as a political commentator!

intrepid explorer

Simon sleeps a lot, but (or perhaps because) the rest of the time he’s a little bundle of energy. It’s dangerous to hold him against you because his flailing arms are likely to hit you in the face (and knock your glasses off, if you wear them!). He will often sit up if laid back against the person he’s sitting on, but he isn’t very good at staying sitting up, as he’ll generally see something that interests him and will throw his weight in that direction in an attempt to get to it.

If, however, there is something going on, like church last night or youth group this evening, he will sit quite happily on a lap, looking around at everyone and “listening” to what is being said. He will even add his own comments from time to time!

Today he saw one of his godfathers, Adou, again. Adou has been working in the States, and had just seen Simon once, two days after he was born. At least Simon didn’t cry in his arms this time!

Visits from godmother and aunty!

Simon really doesn't much like smiling for posed photos!!

incongruency

Today it was 25°C (77°F), probably the hottest day we'd had this year.

I went to the chemist's to get Simon's vaccine for tomorrow, and said, "Oh yes, and do you have any hot water bottles?" The chemist gave me a slightly odd look, and I realised that they probably aren't selling like hot cakes (boom boom!) this week! I assured her that I was serious, and had been meaning for ages to replace my current water bottle, whose rubber is rapidly deteriorating.

So I now have a snazzy gel-filled hot water bottle ... which I doubt I'll be trying out any time soon!

delight

I heard Simon laugh for the first time last night! It may of course not have been the first time he'd laughed, but I'd certainly never heard it before. I was changing his vest as he'd got damp in the hot car, and I used a washable wipe to gently clean him with some water and then dap him dry. Perhaps the dabbing tickled him, because suddenly a gurgling giggle broke forth. I got all excited and said, "You laughed! You laughed!" ... which apparently wasn't very funny as he didn't grace me with another peal. I can understand why parents spend hours trying to make their little kids laugh - what a magic sound!