Post from Samuel

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-Samuel

Samuel's first blizzard

The three of us have just returned from a week(or less) of visiting my family in Denver.  The three of us left on Saturday the 21st.  Julia returned on Thursday the 26th with Samuel and I returning on Saturday(28th).

A good time was had by all involved.

I will never be invited to attend another Denver sporting event with my sister or brother-in-law.  The last two Denver sporting events I have attended the home team has lost by a combined score of 48-5.  The Broncos lost in football 41-3 and the Avalanche lost in hockey 7-2 on this latest visit.

Julia left Denver Wednesday morning.  Samuel and I were scheduled to depart Friday morning. Beginning on Tuesday the weather forecast for Thursday became ominous.  The forecast was for 6-18 inches of snow.  We spent Wednesday evening at Beth and Bob's.  Waking up Thursday morning Bob had a good idea that we should call a hotel near the airport and make a reservation so that if the weather did turn bad that we would be able to get to the hotel and then on Friday morning the hotel shuttle would transport us to the airport.  Thursday morning driving to my parents house, snow was falling but not sticking to the roads.  Suddenly at 1100 the snow increased, the wind began to blow and the streets became snow covered.  At this time I started to load the rental car but realized that it was not wise to try and leave at this time as I could literally not see the house across the street.  Especially since I was driving a rental car that I had no experience driving in the snow. The snow continued to fall heavily for the next few hours.  I spent most of the time on the Internet watching to see if my flights were cancelled.

Around 1500 the skies cleared a bit and the snow lessened.  I loaded the car again, tucked Samuel into the car seat and set off for the airport.

Note-for those of you not from Denver.  The Denver airport is located to the southeast of Denver.  It is in the middle of nowhere.  The road leading to the airport from the interstate is 7 miles long.  There is nothing to block the snow, so the road is very, very difficult to traverse during bad weather as the snow drifts due to the wind blowing across the open fields.

As we pulled out of my parents driveway the rental car spun in every direction.  We made it a few blocks before becoming stuck in traffic.  After not moving for about 10 minutes we made a u-turn and returned to my parents house.  Unfortunately Denver had made a mistake and most everything in town closed down at 1400.  Most businesses, government offices shut down and sent their employees home.  They did this all at the same time so the roads were near impassable and everyone was on the road at the same time. Needless, to say, this created gridlock and no one went anywhere for a few hours.  Samuel and I rode out the storm at my parents.  I called Bob, who owns a 4 wheel drive vehicle, and asked if the roads were still bad in the morning if he would be available to drive us to the airport.  

We woke up early on Friday morning to clean off the car and prepare to leave.  Our flight did not leave until 1045 but we decided to leave my parents at 0600.  After a slow but steady 90 minute drive to the airport we arrived a t the rental car agency with no damage to the car.  Samuel slept most of the way.  The most challenging part of the morning was actually unloading the rental car and taking everything to the shuttle.  I had to leave Samuel in the car and take all the luggage(we had 2 large bags as  we were bringing back diapers, wipes and Samuel clothes purchased in Denver).  due to the snow was unable to use the stroller so I was anxious as I was carrying Samuel in my arms while walking through 6-12 inches of snow from the rental car drop-off to the shuttle pick-up area.

The rest of the trip as posted earlier went very, very smoothly, thanks to Samuel sleeping for most of the trip.

-Dave

"Samuel is the best baby flyer ever"

That is the quote from a flight attendant on our Atlanta to Paris leg of our return trip.  Samuel slept almost all of the trip home.  

Our flight from Denver to Atlanta was delayed 90 minutes(There was a blizzard in Denver, more on that in a later update).  Luckily we had received an upgrade and were seated in business. Unfortunately the air was not circulating and Samuel was getting very hot and very fussy.  We were getting a few dirty looks asking what is a crying baby dong in business class? Luckily as soon as the plane took off Samuel fell asleep and he slept through the landing and even the debarking of the plane.

The Atlanta to Paris leg was delayed for an hour but Samuel was fine in the terminal.  We were not fortunate enough to get an upgrade this segment but we did receive a seat change to a bulkhead aisle seat.  Samuel fussed a little during the boarding and for a few minutes after take-off but he fell asleep soon after takeoff and slept for about 3 hours.  He then woke with a full diaper and an empty stomach.  Both problems were quickly remedied and we we returned to our seat where Samuel promptly went to sleep and slept for the remainder of the flight. Thought I had my dream seat mates when an elderly couple(grandparent types) sat next to me but one of the firs things the woman said was that they had no children but she would be willing to hold Samuel if I needed help.

When departing the plane many comments were overheard.  The best was a person seated behind me who said that she was not aware that there was even a baby on board.

The only negative with Samuel sleeping so much is that I was unable to eat as I did not wish to disturb him and was unable to pull out the tray without doing so.  But Julia had a traditional french lunch available for me upon my return, so all is good.

Next update-Blizzard, whiteout and 18 inches of snow with a rental car!!!

-Dave

Samuel pictures.....

 Samuel had a difficult time this morning.  It is difficult to see but both of Samuel's legs are in the left leg of his trousers.  Now, I will not tell you who did this to him.  I would not do that to his mother.
The three of us at the Neuilly pool.  Samuel greatly enjoys the balls at the pool.
Samuel helping us unpack after my last rip to Denver.

A US tradition....

Go Xavier!!!!!  Go Muskies!!!!

More life in Paris.....

 BNB NBNS The weather in Paris has been beautiful for the last week.  Looks as if winter may finally be ending.   To take advantage of the weather Julia and I decided to meet Tuesday evening for a drink at a cafe before getting pizza for dinner.  I picked Samuel up from the day care and went to few stores to look for a specific brand of baby food.  No joy in our search.  I then proceeded to the place du marche to wait for my lovely wife.  My french lessons are starting to pay dividea BH ZXZHd.

Samuel types:  c dg ic 45 Hhhhk v NDM  M M MGEDV eve B c C BC XCA  Svb s b

Samuel has learned to use the backspace and page up buttons.

As I was saying.  My french lessons are starting to pay dividends.  Qu'est-ce que vous avez comme biere pression?  Will come in very handy as we try to meet more for drinks on sunny evenings.

We have realized that even though we live in Paris we have not been living a Parisian lifestyle. Tuesday evening was only the 3rd time we have sat at a cafe and had a drink.  Have yet to have a cafe on a Sunday morning while reading the paper.  Unfortunately Tuesday evening as the sun was setting we noticed that the majority of the other patrons were leaving the outdoor seating. It does get quite cold in Paris this time of year after the sun sets.  It was my fault as I chose a table out of the way because we had Samuel with us but it was located at the cross section of two streets and a strong breeze was blowing up the street towards us.  Samuel was nice and comfy in his new thermal bundle me.

With respect to getting out more Samuel and I went to the Louvre on Wednesday.  Very, very crowded.  Though I did discover that the Palais Royal-Musee de Louvre metro station allows direct access to the musee without having to go outside.  Very convenient for wet, cold days when we need something to do but do not want to go outside.  Samuel saw the Venus de Milo for the first time.  The excursion also emphasized to me how out of shape I am as I had Samuel in the baby bjorn and I was exhausted after having stood or walked with him for just under 2 hours.  Our only respite came on the train trip home as we were able to find a seat.  Upon our return I crashed on the couch and Samuel and I watched his first Star Wars movie.

Something else we are trying to do more now that Samuel has changed his sleep schedule is that Samuel and I will walk Julia to the car in the morning, which is conveniently parked under the place du marche where our outdoor market is held on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday mornings.  We said goodbye to Julia and then we went to the butcher and the produce vendor and then walked home.

Life in Paris

Had a plumber visit on Monday morning to look into why our kitchen sink was out of hot water in the morning and not replenishing.  For 86 Euros he showed us an electrical panel where we must push up a switch every day if we want the hot water heater to heat during the day. Frustrating. We do wonder why our owner was not able to tell us this as they were living in the apartment before us.

At least now we can wash our dinner dishes in hot water.

-Dave