Spring is in the air!

We got back last week from my 4 weeks away from the Belgian winter. Winter is now gone and spring is in full swing. The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining and the temperature is in the 50's......finally!

Here's a brief re-cap the 4 weeks I was away.

Week 1:

Remember Shannon flew out for "Operation Visit America." We had planned on it being such an ordeal getting from Europe to America with a 9 month old that we thought we'd need a little pre-vaca to start our journey. The day after Shannon got in we flew to Nice, France (the South of France)

The Cote de Azure (The Blue Coast)

Sean Connery's House in Nice.

The Fruit, Flower and Herb Market in Nice.

We spent 3 days there touring around Nice and Monaco and enjoying the warm weather of southern France. I REALLY like the south of France. I can see why all of the Hollywood stars visit there during the summer. It was like you weren't even in France. I recently read an article that describes the South of France more like an Italian sea-side city and that's exactly right. Very relaxed, very friendly and very good food. Again I rarely say this about places I visit but, I would go back in a second.

Monaco

The Church where Princess Grace Kelly was married and then buried.

The tomb of Princess Grace.

The flag was up so the Prince was in the castle.

The famed Monaco Casino.

In the city of Eze

The Gardens of Eze

After finishing vacationing in the South of France (hee hee, I always wanted to say that) we flew back to Brussels where we met up with Scott for Valentine's Day. Alexis spent her first Valentine's Day touring around Brussels and then with a big Slumber Party with Momma, Daddy and Aunt Shannon. Alexis now refers to Shannon as Nannon. It's very cute to hear her say it in reference to Shannon. I'll take this moment to Thank Shannon for helping with Alexis and reading the Touch and Feel Farm book along with making animal sounds (sometimes in public) approximately 1000 times, each time with great energy. Alexis truly adores you!

I brought tons of teethers/toys on the plane with us and she ended up only playing with her favorite book.

Nannon and Alexis reading.

You know Shannon and I can't have an adventure without something funny happening.

True Story: We bought bathing suits so that we could take Alexis swimming in the indoor pool. We decided on something cheap...a tankini and skirt. We didn't try them on...we just bought them and went on our merry way. So, when I put mine on in the bathroom right before we went swimming, I let out a shriek and then a laugh. Shannon said "surely it doesn't look that bad" and I came out to show her. I showed off the bathing suit a little then I turned around, lifted up the skirt.....and flashed her! Yep, European bathing suits don't have built in bottoms in the skirts. *lol* Much laughter insued!!! Also, skirts billow up in the water...why are there no built in bottoms?

Getting ready for the pool!

Yes, the match!

Alexis' 1st time in the pool.

Splash, Splash

Camera timer!

Thank goodness we were the only ones in the pool that day because they would have got an eye full. Oh what we do for little Alexis.

The next day we left on our 10 hour flight. It was very uneventful! That's a good thing. We were able to get a seat for Alexis so she was happy in between both of us in her car seat. We had rude duds for flight attendants so Alexis had to smile and wave at the people near-by us. She was excellent as she always is on flights. Josh and Jookie met us at the airport in ATL and we all headed back to Albany.

WEEK 2 and WEEK 3

Just hanging out with the parents. My parents had a great time getting to know Alexis. It was nice to have a few days "off." I had date night with Shannon, Josh and Jookie one night. That was my big outing. We saw the movie TAKEN. I really liked it. Considering that this is the first movie I've seen at a movie theater in a year...it was excellent....the popcorn too! The last movie I saw was a year ago April in Amsterdam. Scott had a work trip and I tagged along (because I was 8 months preggo) so there I was 8 months preggo and sitting in the movie theater alone. Laugh!

Photo Shoot!

High-five

Alexis loved propping her feet up on my parents table.

Shannon's sister Adrianne is having a baby in April and I attended the baby shower. It was great to see old friends and have some "mommy only" time.

Me, Ashley, and Jookie

BFF's

Alexis got her first tooth while we were in Albany. We made it through the first tooth very smoothly. No fusing, no fever, no anything really. It just appeared. She a tough little cookie. I'm assuming the rest won't be as easy.

Anyhoo, it was great to be home and be spoiled. Thanks Mom and Dad. Alexis had fun too!

WEEK 4

I was meeting Scott in the airport to head out to Denver so Shannon drove us to ATL. We decided to overnight there to break the trip up for Alexis. We got our eye-brows waxed and took Alexis to the GA Aquarium. It was great watching her watch the fish. Her favorite was the alligator though. We have great pics from that but, Shannon has them and she's on a family vacation now so we'll get those next week.

I successfully made it through security by myself at the airport. They actually complimented me on my speed. We met up with Scott and headed off to Denver. Scott was upgraded to First Class so by "house rules" he got to take Alexis up there with him. There's much more room in first class than coach for Alexis. She slept the entire flight in Scott's arms and I read a book back in coach.

We continued on for our Anniversary Trip to Estes Park, Colorado. We'd been there before so it was great to just relax and forget about all of the touring stuff.

Our cabin

Alexis playing with her cousins - Chelsea and Hannah

Taking a walk.

Alexis got her 2nd tooth the first day we were in Estes Park. Back to back...wow! This is the best picture I could get!

I got sick on the back end of the trip. I must have been allergic to some tree or something b/c I was miserable. Luckily, I was better before the flight back to Belgium. Alexis got a seat for that flight too and again was an angel.

It only took her 3 days to get through her jet-lag and now she's back to normal enjoying all of her toys and exploring around the house. I tried to put up a baby gate that we borrowed but I quit after I discovered it had to be screwed into the walls instead of pressure mounted. I guess I'll just chase her around the house when she crawls out of the room.

I think that gets us caught up. Scott's Mom is coming out on Friday for 3 weeks. We're going to Amsterdam to pick her up and to see the tulips! Until then....