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)

Alsace Region, France 15-18 May

Philippe's Aunt Anne-Marie & Uncle Guy showed us a nesting place for storks - it will be a long flight across the ocean to bring our baby.


We visited Strasbourg, capital of Alsace, and took a tour on the Ill Canal. There are thousands of years of history represented in this city. The term "Alsacian" refers to the region's unique cultural heritage. The dialect is a Germanic/Franco mix. It's geographically in the center of Western Europe. It's placement and history were significant determinants in choosing it as a site for the European Parliament.



Philippe's Uncle François hosted us while we stayed in the Alsace region. We visited several sites significant to both parent's history. The above photo is of his Grandmother's birthplace. When we visited the graveyard in Leimbach where his great-grandparents were buried, I was astonished to see so many markers with the name Lemble. (In Montreal, Philippe's immediate family is the only listing in the phone book.)



Thann, France where Philippe's Father went to school.

Toulouse, France 12 -15 May 2008

Basilica Saint Sernin - began in the 5th Century, 13 May 2008


Dinner with Philippe's childhood friend Jerome. 12 May 2008


We visited the AirBus plant in Toulouse. In production is their largest aircraft ever - the A380. It's two full stories and requires special airport adaptations to land and load. Pictures of the actual plane were considered a security breech. 12 May 2008.

European Vacation - Barcelona, Spain - 9 May 2008

At the Picasso Museum.


This picture was taken while waiting to enter the Picasso Museum. The rain in Spain fell mainly in torrents. (It ultimately flooded Nelly's car!)

The museum was fascinating. We enjoyed seeing a fuller representation of Picasso's works. The museum included early traditional studies as well as the later works with which he is more popularly associated.





"La Sagrada Familia" Cathedral Facade by Gaudi. This modern cathedral (1882) is under perpetual construction. 10 May 2008


"Tapas" in Barcelona, Spain with Nelly & Hubert. 9 May 2008

Family Dinner in Sparks, Nevada - 19 April 2008

The top photo includes siblings, in-laws and adult nephews and nieces. Thomas and his family were unable to make the commute from Idaho. John is in the Navy. Brian was recovering from eye-surgery. Philippe is missing me in Montreal.

The bottom photo includes nephews & nieces posed on the staircase at Mom's house.

My newest old piano - 14 April 2008

Valentine's Dinner - 15 Feb 2008

We ate "raclette" a Swiss specialty for Valentine's dinner. You can't go wrong with melted swiss cheese.

Carriage Ride with Dad in Downtown Montreal - 5 Jan 2008

My 35th Birthday - 7 Jan 2008

Home for Christmas

Our new home. The brick wall and overhead lighting are warm in winter.