Isabelle playing a few weeks ago.

so big!

Juliette is 11 months old!

I can hardly believe it...how is it possible she has gotten so big so fast!!!??????? We are all so in love with her, and she knows it! She isn't crawling yet...but she wants to be...and is getting closer every day. It isn't so surprising when I think about her 2 older sisters and how they weren't very interested either in achieving this early. But...considering that Juliette seeks out every piece of plastic, paper, piece of itty bitty toy and cheeks it, I am okay with her just rolling rolling rolling. And also realizing that she is turning 1 in a few weeks, I am in no hurry to have her grow up! She will get there. She will. And then she won't look back.

She loves to eat! No more baby food for this girl. She loves fruit, carbs and dessert. This is a child after my own heart. Her older sisters love to tickle her and Isabelle likes to carry her around and hold her too. (perhaps this is why she isn't crawling?) She likes the outdoors, walks and trips to Target. She also loves animals and squeals when she spots a dog. She can say mama, dada, I swear she said grampa in France, acts like she is conversing most of the time, nods yes and no to questions, waves bye-bye, and holds her hands up to "so big", gives high 5s, and pushes you out of the way if she doesn't want you. Books are her favorite toys in the moment. She will spend mornings opening, closing and turning pages. This is one of her favorites.

Favorite past-times include, hurling food off her tray if she hasn't popped off the tray itself and thrown it on the floor, making sure where mommy is at all times, attempting to lure the kitty close to pull off her ears, throwing toys, sitting and scooting on the outside blanket to be in reach of sticks, mulch, rocks, fists of grass to taste and chew and being so cute your heart flipflops.

Allie's last day of preschool

Is she ready for summer??? I think so!

Friday, May 13th.

Back in Indianapolis...off the plane, got the luggage, waiting for Jamie to bring the truck back from long-term parking.

Delirious from lack of sleep??? Isabelle grins before we board our plane from Detroit to Indy.

When you see those nervous, terrified faces...when you are schlepping 2 kids and a baby in a carseat down the narrow aisle...smacking an occasional traveler with an overpacked diaper-bag...and you know what they are thinking....that they are praying that they don't have to sit by me while cursing coach seating and Delta airlines.

All joking aside...the kids did great and Juliette really did sleep like this on the plane. I watched 2 movies on the flight back...well...when I wasn't constantly adjusting earphones, giving snacks and taking them for bathroom breaks...I was.

Au Revoir Paris!

Thursday, May 9th

Sainte Sulpice

Made famous by the novel, "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown. You may have heard of it. Of course tourists now come to see the "Rose Line". I admit...I came to see it too in 2008.


Night out! We put the kids to bed and Grandpa was able to "babysit".



Juliette can devour a croissant in a few minutes flat!


Explorer Fountain

Enjoying the sunshine!


Isabelle was infatuated by the French comic books on the bookshelf of our apartment.

The last day of our vacation was spent packing, laundry, a bit of shopping and walking around the neighborhood. When we asked Isabelle and Allie if they wanted to go home, we were met with a resounding, "NO!" It is always good to leave a vacation wanting more. We had a fantastic time and can't wait to go back! It definitely was much slower paced then previous European trips which was good considering the kids. Their favorite times were spent getting ice cream and playing in a park.

On Wednesday, May 8th

Jamie happened to go to the International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society this morning and we waited for him to come back before we ventured to the Left Bank and Notre Dame. We intended on seeing the Sainte-Chappelle again, but didn't feel like standing in line. The Notre Dame was nothing less then busy, we shuffled along the perimeter along with tour groups and visitors.

After, we found some snacks. Waffles for Isabelle and Allie

A delicious crepe with Nutella for me.

A few stain glass windows

A rose window.

Details on the outside.

The Notre Dame Cathedral


In the Luxembourg Gardens, looking toward the palace

Sorbonne

Near a fountain in front of the main campus.



The Sorbonne is one of the world's famous universities founded in 1253. It was once a theological college with a mere 16 students. It is in the Latin Quarter and the sidewalks, cafes and restaurants are full of students.

Rodin Museum

We actually visited the sculptures and gardens outside. Rodin has his residence here. He wasn't a struggling artist as you can see. Isabelle and Allie loved this place and Juliette was so adorable scrunching up her nose after smelling the roses. The flowers were amazing and all in bloom.





The thinker. I like this quote from a book from Rodin's own words, "thinks with every muscle of his arms, back, and legs, with his clenched fist and gripping toes."



detail. Rodin was a remarkable artist.

"The gate of hell" wasn't completed when Rodin died

You can see the Hotel des Invalides in the background



She is just so funny.