Working mum.

Last Sunday, on 10.10.10, I had to travel to Brussels for work. It was the first time since baby L. was born that I left him for more than 24hrs. My spirits were so low that weekend at the thought of leaving him; and for having to do it for the first time by obligation, not by choice. But in the end, the two and a half days away from him were not as hard as I imagined. In fact, I found my old self again and it felt good. Not that I had any time to catch up on things, but to simply have no obligations other than work for a couple of days was pleasant. Still, by the time my meeting ended, I was oh so ready to leave the business world behind and return home to my loving boys who were waiting for me. As I walked through the door, L. looked at me in disbelief and took half a second to grasp his mummy was back. When he realised it was me, he grinned from ear to ear and started energetically bouncing in his high chair with his arms wide open. I picked him up and he threw his arms around my neck, squeezed me tightly and 'kissed' me over and over. It was magically wonderful and I would go on that business trip again (by choice) just to relive that moment.

Learning to eat.

Last Thursday was a big day in the life of baby L. Not only was it his first time at the nanny's, it was also his first time eating non-milk food. And the spoon is always way more fun than the actual purée.

Métro, boulot, dodo.

métro



boulot



dodo

Baby L. is nannyless this week so we have been commuting to and fro Paris every day and it is ex-haus-ting. The alarm goes off at at 5:45 a.m. and then it is two hours of bus -> train -> walk -> métro -> walk -> change métro -> more walk before finally getting to work. I admire people who have the courage to do this every single day. I just couldn't. It had already crossed our minds to buy a house à la campagne but after experiencing the joys of a daily commuter, I realise I prefer living in my teeny weeny flat in Paris than doing this. Lucky enough, we are summer commuters so by the time we get home the days are not over. And I have to say, it is blissful to return from a hard day's work and be able to sit in the garden and enjoy the evening sunshine and tranquility.

Napping? Not really.

photo ©LaFranglaise

Pentecôte.

photos © LaFranglaise
What a fabulous bank holiday weekend it has been in Paris. My brother-in-law came to ours for the weekend and gave me a big helping hand with little baby L. (zeu papa still recovering from knee surgery) so I was finally able to have some "me time". I enjoyed a bubble bath, eating sushi, sun bathing in the park, reading magazines, going to the restaurant, and listening to live music. It felt amazing to rediscover these smallest things.

But one of the weekend highlights was probably Nature Capitale, the giant garden installed on the Champs Elysées to celebrate the International Day for Biodiversity. Traffic was diverted from the world's most famous avenue for three days as more than two million visitors explored over 150 varieties of plants covering les Champs. It was so charming to walk this green wonderland and the glorious weather made the event all the more pleasant. Ah, Paris...

Bon weekend.

It's gonna be a hot one... 29°C right now.

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Baby massage.

When I went to l'Espace Weleda a couple of weeks ago, my baby radar (which is way too efficient these days) detected a workshop on how to massage babies. Of course, it did not take long before I decided to sign up for it.

I went last Friday with my friend Aurélie whose son is just three days older than baby L. During one full hour, an experienced physiotherapist showed us several different techniques to effectively massage our wee(ing!) ones, including 10 min of baby exercises. Our bubs were so calm and relaxed after the workshop, they spent most of the afternoon sleeping. What better effect could you wish for?! If you are interested in viewing some of the techniques, Weleda has developed this useful online guide. All Weleda products are 100% natural, therefore unharmful for babies, as well as pregnant and nursing mothers. The workshop is a little clostly (EUR 50) but definitely worth it. Not only are you tought effective methods to massage your little one which are easy repeat at home but you come out with a happy and comforted baby.

Espace Weleda
10 avenue Franklin Roosevelt
Paris 8ème

My belated birthday present.

Just used my birthday gift voucher: a 1h15 massage at l'Espace Weleda. True BLISS!

Espace Weleda: 10 ave Franklin D. Roosevelt, 75008 Paris

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Oh, those eyes.