July 25th, 2013

What a week! I feel like I say that every week, but it's true!

Last Wednesday Christian (who was here if you recall for a week long conference) got off at noon and she, William and I went shopping at Lakeline Mall. We had fun although we got caught in the rain on the way back and came home to two very wet and very upset puppies. That evening William and Christian had a BLAST! So much so, that when I came to join after cleaning up a bit William took one look at me and said with a huge smile, "Get out! Go! Bye bye!" and pointed to the door. What did I do? I let Christian babysit and got out. Francis picked me up and we went to dinner to celebrate 10 years of being together. We had steak and it was delicious. Christian and William had fun while we were gone. Win win!

Thursday William and I did The Little Gym and story time at the library and I spent the rest of the day pack, pack, PACKING! We all headed to bed early to prepare for our early morning.

3:45 Friday morning rolls around and Francis's alarm goes off. I get up, finish packing for myself and William and then help load the dog kennels in Christian's car (she took the dogs back to Dallas with her) before we load William in the car and head for the airport at about 4:30. When we arrived, the airport was packed and the airport staff seemed unprepared for the crowd. We waited in line to get checked in (we had to as William was a lap infant traveling internationally) and then waited more than 45 minutes in line for security (which is super long for Austin, usually takes 10 minutes max), and walked straight on the plane as they closed the jet bridge after the people that boarded right behind us. It was a close call! We landed early in Chicago with enough time to have a meal and then finally made it to Montreal where Francis's Uncle Jim picked us up. We made it to Nana's house around 2:30 or 3 and were greeted warmly. William lit up when he saw Nana Phillips, and after a short period of acting shy, he quickly warmed up. William got a new quilt from her and we got to pick out Robert's baby quilt. William's is made of scraps and is super cute, while Robert's has monkey's on it and matches the nursery. Anyway, a short time after we arrived, a sound as loud as a cannon went off and all the power went out. A transformer had blown. Francis's Aunt Melo, Uncle Vic and his cousins Sarah and Matthew (who live in the house that is joined to Nana's) arrived a short time later and all of us had a BBQ dinner and played games by candle light for the rest of the evening. It was very fun and certainly an adventure!

We got up bright and early Saturday morning and visited Francis's other grandmother. After taking a Ferry across the rivier, we arrived about 10:30. We chatted the morning away (in French) with her, her husband, Francis's Aunt Johanne and her daughter Valarie. They all thought William was very cute. I am so glad he made a good impression! After having poutine at one of Francis's favorite restraunts, we headed over to Francis's grandfather's house and were met with quite a surprise. When we arrived, only his grandfather, his girlfriend, and her brother were there. We talked for a moment (also in French) and they mentioned we got there just before everyone else was due to arrive. For what, we wondered. Then we headed downstairs. Everything was decorated with "Bonne Fete" (Happy Birthday). Apparently we had arrived just in time for his grandfather's 80th birthday party! Some of his siblings came as well as Francis's Uncle Michelle, Aunt Linda and cousin Sebastian. William got to meet them all. I will admit I felt a little lost in all the French, especially with multiple people asking me questions simultaneously while Francis was otherwise occupied, but I survived. We spent the rest of the afternoon in downtown Montreal taking in the sights. We walked along the water and boat pier, wandered through a street fair, and took pictures outside some important buildings. William got a good taste of Montreal's culture.  He even got to eat a Beaver Tail (cinnamon sugar bread). I'm so glad! That evening we headed back, had dinner and went to bed early. It was a long and productive day.

Sunday was equally enjoyable. We went to church with Nana and once again I was surrounded by the beautiful French language. Thankfully many of these people spoke slower and more clearly, so I was better able to answer what they asked. Everyone said Francis looks just like his dad and also commented on how cute William is. Nana was positively beaming as she got to show William off. Made my heart so happy that we came. We had lunch with Nana, Aunt Melo, Uncle Vic, Matthew, Sarah, and Francis's cousin Tim.It was fun, and William even got to pretend to drive Tim's new car (which he LOVED). We then took a tour of Francis's old houses nearby including one in Ile D'Bizard and one in Pierrefonds. We also got to see the old hockey rink where he played. We stopped in the parking lot and took a picture. We drove near his old elementary school and Francis pointed that it was on the other side of a hill. He didn't even bother to drive by. Lol, I know what his priorities are! We finished off the day with swimming in the backyard, smoked meat Pizza from Bravo's, and more card games. It was so fun, and I wish it could have lasted longer.

We headed back the following morning to the airport and after two flights and some driving, we made it home about 9 pm. It was a long day, but totally worth the trip.

William has had a persistent cough, and by Tuesday it changed to sound much wetter than it had. I took him to the Dr. and she sent him in for a chest X-ray. He was a trooper and did so well! They discovered he was at the beginning of bacterial pneumonia, and put him on a bunch of medication. I am so glad we caught it early and he is already doing 100 times better than he was. He's playing normally and hasn't let it slow him down. Dr. said he should be nearly healed in the next couple of days.

Robert has been growing! His movements are now slower and much larger across my stomach. A casual observer can see him move. Only 7 1/2 more weeks before he is due. It's coming up so quick!

This coming Saturday we will be heading to Dallas to pick up our dogs from my parents' house and celebrating Christian's birthday. It should be great, and it is my last trip before the baby comes. I am just praying my back and body will hold up and that William will be fully healed! Keep us in your prayers!