Dinner with the Jones and Rodriguez families - 26 Dec. 2008

Our friends Sarah, David & Olivia and Emilie, Sergio and Noemi came for dinner the day after Christmas. At one point, all the mothers were seated on the couch feeding their babies. We seem to be living parallel lives with our friends - just a few years ago we were all "swinging singles." Parenthood is even better!

Reading Grandma Jean's Christmas gift to William - 26 Dec. 2008

Grandma Jean sent Meekrat Mailby Emily Gravett - very fun book to further feed William's clearly manifest literary tendencies ;-).

Noël at Papa and Maman Lemblé - 24 & 25 December 2008

William's first Christmas was spent with Grandma and Grandpa Lemblé. He was sweetly spoiled. We were too. There was never a shortage of relatives to hold him, kiss him, and comment how extraordinarily adorable he is. (We can't refute the obvious truth...) Grandma Lemblé outdid herself with holiday feasts. A favorite was the chestnut stuffing.

William's First Christmas in our Home - 24 Dec. 2008

We were all dressed, clean and awake in this photo. After several attempts, we accepted that was enough and let William take an overdue nap.
This is the first time we've put up our own full size Christmas Tree. That's what "home for Christmas" means!

Already 2 months old! 3 Dec. 2008

All Smiles - 23 Nov. 2008

William has begun to smile more frequently. He melts us in winter!

Proud Papas - 22 Nov 2008

The Charles family came to visit on Saturday. Their infant son, Jahime, is 6 months. James and Philippe are proud Papas.

He's so handsome! 9 Nov. 2008

Our little man! He continues to grow and now weighs 13 lbs (6 kilos.)

Storytime with Opa 2 Nov. 2008

William loves to be read to. (Or is it that I love reading to William ;-) William took a break from 2nd dinner and listened as "Opa" read to him. He read with the same enthusiasm as he read when I was a child. We were both enthralled.

Grandparents 2 Nov. 2008

William received his baby's blessing in the Montreal Ward by Philippe. It was beautiful.
In the evening, we gathered for a family dinner. The grandparents and William posed for "historic" photos.

3 Generations

Philippe, William and Grandpa Lemble. 80+ years in the making.

Expectations Met - 31 Oct. 2008

William met Gideon Johnson on 31 Oct. 2008. Heather and I had waited a long time to introduce them!

Grandma Jean gives William a concert

Grandma Jean visited from 23 Oct. - 4 Nov. We were so spoiled. William loved hearing the piano and was instantly calmed.

Generous Friends

Also at the shower were Rose Dahlquist, Mandy Weston, Kat Williams and Michelle Alley. Not pictured are Pat Donaldson, Jennifer Lemieux, Joanna Dussault,(she was always checking that everything was just right)Kathy Gambler, and Claire Whitewick.

It's my party!

We held the baby shower after William's birth. He ate right before the party started and slept angelically with his grandmothers. Aunt Leah sent him the threads! (Everyone loves a well-dressed man.) We were completely spoiled by family and friends from my present and former wards. My friend Joanna organized the shower and we played games such as "Change the baby doll blind-folded," "Guess that baby food," (Universally, the squash/broccoli was denounced as inedible.) and "What baby item is inside the bag?" Fun!

Picture from left to right: Arlene May, Grandma Lemble, William, Me, Natalie Lahache, Grandma Jean, Veronique Jensen, & Melanie Raecke

Grandma Jean - 23 Oct. 2008

Grandma Jean came for a visit on 23 Oct. 2008. She brings lots of love and hand-made blankets from Nevada.

Father Son Time

Philippe suggested that he and William could start playing tennis soon. They ponder together.

Doctor Visit - 21 Oct. 2008

William had his first check-up on 21 Oct. 2008. He received an A++. He now weighs 10 1/2 lbs (4.8 kg) and measures 22 1/2" (57.5 cm) That's more than 2 lbs (1 kg) and 1" (3.5 cm) growth since birth. Clearly, advanced!

2 weeks old already- Oct. 17

First play date - Oct. 15

Family Portrait - 08 Oct. 2008

It's hard to get a picture with everyone's eyes open. ;-)

First Bath

The adorable factor is omnipresent. He's likewise cute when he eats, when we change him, when he sleeps...

2nd & 20th Grandchild

For Philippe's parents, this is their second grandchild. Their first was born 24 years before. Grandma Lemblé was one of his first visitors.

For my parents, this is the twentieth.

"Papa" - razzi

Philippe can't resist taking photos of William. It's clear why.

A bundle of 8 lbs, 7 oz (3,85 kg) of joy

William weighed 8 lbs, 7 ounces at birth. (3,85kg) He measured 21 1/4 inches (54 cm.)

Worth the Wait for William

We arrived at the LaSalle Hospital at 3:15 AM Thursday morning. The contractions were coming consistently about 4 minutes apart. All was progressing except dilation. The nursing staff suggested we walk for an hour. This was the first of three snail-paced hour-long walks. After 14+ hours at the Hospital, we were admitted into a room. The contractions were coming a minute apart. I accepted an epidural and oxytocin. The baby who had been exceptionally active throughout labor decided to relax. Even after the water was broken, he resisted his debut. I couldn't appreciate his coyness at the moment. They urged him to action. Philippe enthusiastically coached, "Just one more strong push." I held his hand in a less-than-gentle-bone-density-test-sort-of-way ;-) At 12:13 AM, 22 hours from our arrival, William Antoine Thomas Lemble arrived. The doctor performed artful needle work and introduced him to his immediately doting parents. We love him more than we knew how to love!

Due Date - 28 Sept. 2008

This picture was taken after church outside our home. The baby is due today.(To whom as a Librarian would I assess the fine for an "overdue"?)

Up, up and away in my beautiful Montgolfiere...

We went 30 miles southeast of Montreal to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu to see the "Montgolfieres." "Montgolfiere" is the French word for Hot Air Balloon. It is named after the Montgolfier brothers of France who are credited with having invented the first "airship" in the late 1700's. It is approximately 3,000 miles from Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno where the Great Reno Balloon Race is held. Regardless, I felt the same excitement at seeing the balloons inflate and launched. A favorite balloon was in the form of Darth Vader. It was launched to the theme of The Empire Strikes Back. Stirring like an anthem!

Storytime for 175 - 29 July 2008

The scheduled performer, Ishkabibble the Magician, cancelled 12 minutes before showtime. A teacher implored, "Isn't there a Librarian who could do a storytime?" I've waited a decade to hear the equivalent of "Is there a Librarian in the house?" I graciously accepted the invitation. I expected a crowd of 40. 175 ultimately gathered in the park. The picture is of me leading "Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes" en masse.

Expectant Ladies in Red - July 2008

At the time this picture was taken, I was 29 weeks pregnant. My friend Heather is 25 weeks pregnant. We didn't mean to match in so many ways.

It's a boy - c'est un garcon!

On 27 May (22 weeks) we had a sonogram. The obstetrician confirmed it was a boy. We are thrilled! Our baby is due the last week of September.

Paris, France - 19-21 May 2008

Notre Dame Cathedral (sans Hunchback)


Here are the gardens - in the foreground is the Hotel des invalides and the Eiffel Tower.


We visited the Rodin Museum. The grounds include a statuary in French style gardens. We photographed the original "Thinker" (Le Penseur)




The Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889. It was meant as a temporary monument and built to be taken apart. It was initially protested. Here's an excerpt:

"...in the name of the underestimated taste of the French, in the name of French art and history under threat, against the erection in the very heart of our capital, of the useless and monstrous Eiffel Tower..."
http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/documentation/dossiers/page/debats.html


Detail of sculpture on L'Arc de Triomphe.


L'Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon I to celebrate his military victories. To be able to see the whole monument, we took this photo about 1/2 kilometer away on the Champs Elysees.


The Marriage at Cana is in the same room as the Mona Lisa. The painting spans an entire wall. Conversely, the Mona Lisa is the size of standard poster.


Philippe outside the Louvre. This was formally the royal palace until Louis XIV decided it was not glorious enough. He subsequently built Chateau de Versailles.


We traveled by TGV (High Speed Train) while in France. It was an especially scenic way to travel. This is the station in Paris. (Gare de l'Est)