life in our chalet

During our trip to France, just as wonderful as speeding down the slopes and just as sweet as the boulangerie was the time spent with family.  The little ski chalet was cozy yet accommodating and we spent many happy hours there cuddling Lena, making and eating meals, and playing games together in the evenings.

My mom and I traded “shifts” with Lena.  I often skied in the morning while my mom was with her and then we switched in the afternoon.  My sister Emily also enjoyed half days of skiing which meant Lena, Em, and I often had hours of quiet playing, reading, and napping time while the others blazed new trails on the slopes.  I loved those quiet hours with two of my favorite girls!

Of course, being in France, there was a lot of emphasis on eating.  We ate very well!  We dined on local specialties, like this goat cheese that Elliott bought for me.  (He knows goat cheese is my favorite food.)

And then there were the quiet moments when it was just Lena and me, spending time together as we do every day.  I never knew how much time a mother spends with her first-born child!  There is a bond there that I can hardly imagine will be the same with the second, third, or sixth (?) child.  I love these hours with my baby, whether we read books or explore pine cones, whether we cuddle each other or read/play side by side in our own separate worlds, whether we talk or not talk, for hours. 

And lastly, here’s a photo showing that Lena can stand up all by herself!  The week at the chalet you kind of had to trick her, like asking her to clap and she forgets to hold onto something, or helping her hold two toys in two separate hands and letting go of the chair or shelf.  This week at home, though, I can set Lena down and she’ll stand there on her own for up to 10 seconds!  Still hasn’t figured out the “taking steps” part, but we’re working on it.