Welcome to harmony's Roundeo.

Last night I had the thought, a year ago I went to sleep for the first time with a brand new sweet little baby named Genève beside me. How she has filled our hearts and home with joy from the first moment we saw her until now is hard to express! What an angel and sweetheart and joy she is! How grateful I am that despite my wishes, I was granted the blessing of having a third child when we did. I am glad I did not get what "I wanted" which was to remain third-child-less until we were back in the States. Oh how I love her! And how she is loved by every one who knows her.

I would like to tell you all about Geneve at 1 year. I recently gave a bit of an update about Geneve, here: http://roundeo.com/harmony/albums/view/2f37d6c66e2a31e7ccf674f2aebedd02/4aae2fe5-439c-4d34-83a3-1789d861e4a8/photoLayout:filmstrip, (also go here for her year week by week in photos). And Spencer put this on his site: http://roundeo.com/spencer/microblogs/view/4ab620e4-6e0c-450c-b56c-78b8d861e4a8.  On my last update I forgot to say that she began to push things over recently. She discovered that she could push over little chairs, the kid table. She actually turned the table all the way upside down and then stood on it and danced it it with triumphant glee! Then she went for a larger object, the kid's art easel, knocked it down, and it broke! she had probably her first time out after that, a short break in her crib. Since this desire to knock down and turn over has subsided! But before she would also turn the little green stools over and then get inside the legs somehow and inevitably get stuck. It was quite funny.

So Geneve loves shoes, water bottles (she is obsessed! she loves to pour out the water on the floor), phones, baby dolls, stairs, walking/climbing/dancing, fake laughing, scrunching up her adorable face with a really exaggerated "aren't I cute?" smile, teasing and being chased by daddy, playing with Cado and Paisley, books, pens (removing and replacing the cap), brushing her teeth (with a tiny bit of toothpaste which she insists be put on), breastfeeding, drinking in general out of any type of cup (she recently figured out how to drink out of a sippy cup by tipping her head back and holding it up), bathtime, talking on skype to her grandparents (she is so cute with it and will be very attentive and interactive), saying bye-bye with an open and closed fist, shaking and nodding her head (and she uses them correctly, when you say no she shakes, and when she really wants something she often throws in a nod), waking up every day at exactly 6 a.m. and being AWAKE, wandering the house all alone at 6 a.m., going out in her stroller, riding in the bucket bike...

Things she doesn't love, when things are taken from her or she is being bothered by siblings, or doesn't get what she wants whether from refusal or not being understood. She has gotten somewhat better (it seems to go in phases) about going down for sleep times. She doesn't like when doors are closed. For example if she gets into the bathroom with me before I get a chance to close the door, she will not let me close it, if i do she will freak out, and if i just close it partially she will deliberately make a very obvious statement of her disapproval by opening it as much as she possibly can!

Foods she likes: peas, kiwi, pasta, cheese, juice, eggs, yogurt. She likes feeding herself and not being fed. She likes to try and use utensils also. She doesn't like lots of things, or at least she doesn't think she does, in which case most of the time you have to force, as in stuff it in, food into her mouth upon which she will often realize, hey that actually is good and then eat it. Much of her food ends up all over her and the floor. I can't say that I love feeding a baby this age!

She really is a sweetie. I wouldn't necessarily call her super snuggly or cuddly, but when she is in the mood, and it can be quite often, she will readily give "bisous" (kisses) on command. And often gives them wihout command. right now sitting on my lap, I nuzzled her head and she turned her face up toward me very sweetly and slightly opened her mouth and waited for kisses, which she was obviously more than willingly given. In fact she has given me lots and lots of kisses right now sitting here without the slightest urging on my part! She keeps turning and kssing me! 

She says "Da" in reference to Dadda, and I think I can be fairly sure in saying that she now says "mama". She says "na na" and "ninih" a lot, I would say that is her most repetetive sound. She also dances when the mood takes her. And she has a very set way of asking for what she wants with an outstretched arm and open and closed fist with noises and grunts.

So we celebrated yesterday with a crepe lunch party (Becky&Brian and Tara&kids joined us) and then dinner with the Hiatt's. We always have crepes on Sunday for lunch, and she loves them. We had crepes, opened gifts, had cake, and blew up a party bomb! And she got to talk to her grandparents on both sides and be sung to. She got a fun toy and her favorite thing about it is that it plays a little song and she dances to it. She also really enjoyed putting her fingers in the frosting on her cupcake and licking them off.

She enjoyed her party yesterday, though of course it took her awhile to even have any sense at all that it was about and for her. I think her comprehension was eventually, this is a special day and I think it has something to do with me!

Nevie, tu est TROP chou, adorable, et tu nous emmene la joie chaque jour! Je t'aime beaucoup ma petite moq*!

*(my little monster, moq is actually the way Cado said the french word "monstre" for monster when he was little, and for awhile Geneve was growling and roaring like a monster)

It's my brother's birthday today. He's turning 24.

I've been inspired by the video I posted below, so how about some validating on your birthday?

Josh, you are a thinker. You are very smart and are full of good ideas. You have such a great capacity to think and reason and you have a lot of wisdom, and are also quite good at expressing your thoughts. You are kind hearted and a good friend. You are passionate. You care. You were such an adorable baby, and have turned into a handsome adult and you  kept those awesome clear blue eyes. You are a really fun, awesome, playful uncle. You are funny and can be so silly and random. I love that about you. I always loved how you make up words and do funny voices. You're a trendsetter like that. You can make me feel like I really matter, with a simple hug or a few simple words, you let those you love really know it. You are so talented and have so many interests. You keep discovering new things about yourself and are brave enough to try new things and follow your dreams. I loved hearing you sing and that you have formed a band. I loved watching you care for the tomatoes and plants and take in a lost toad. You really have a big heart and a lot of big ideas and I believe you can acheive anything.  You also chose a really great wife! I look forward to seeing you continue to become all that you can become. You're great! I love you!

Have a Wonderful Birthday! 

Twice this week begging has paid off for me. The other day we went to the Circus Zoo with a friend, and we waited til we were about to leave to go on the pony ride, and as we arrived to do it the man said it was too late. But I begged and whined and was not going to give up and finally he let the kids go! I was so grateful, I did not want to end up the mom who broke her promise about getting a pony ride! Then as I was coming home from taking Cado BACK to school for the afternoon, I saw the parking regulators, and a second later realized we had parked illegally the night before (a common necessity as there are usually no available spots after 6 pm.) The man was ahead 50 meters right next to our car, so I shouted, "Non, Monsieur! C'est ma voiture! J'arrive!" He placed the ticket and moved to the next car. Then I proceeded to whine, plead and beg (in french, which probably helped my situation because he felt sorry for my terrible language skills) but he wasn't budging, so I said "fine, I guess if you're not going to take it off, I'll go take my girls inside and then come back out" and then suddenly he got a little smirk and took it off. I said "Merci beaucoup monsieur" and he said, "de rien." (it's nothing) Funny how it was now no big deal when originally he said it wasn't possible to take an already given ticket away. Anyway, I guess I should be ashamed of using a means to an end, but I'm quite relieved at this moment, as I was with the ponies.

So up until June of this year, since living here, we've had two visitors My mom (twice! ) and my Uncle John! Now, we have also had the pleasure of hosting Spencer's parents who came to Europe in June/July. They arrived in London, spent a few days there, then came to us, spent a week here, and then went to Paris for a few days. Yeah, they did the speed tour! They wanted to watch the kids while they were here and give Spencer and I a break, so we went to Venice for three days, (which I wrote about previously). Basically that meant that Spencer and I were with them for only 3 full days (and part of two other days).  But we wanted to show them some of our favorite Swiss places anyway, so we had a very tiring, busy and fun week! 

Monday we did a Geneva tour and familiarized them with the city and stuff they could do/needed to know while we'd be gone. We started with a bridge dive into the river near our apartment, then ate kebabs, saw the jet d'eau, went to old town, and across the lake,  and walked a lot! It was fun, but exhausting! So by the second day in Venice I was feeling all the walking (and river swimming).

We were in Venice Tues-Thurs, then on Friday morning we went on a two day trip to see: 

Friday: Avenches & Murten, The Berner Oberland/Alps (stayed here, it was awesome, thanks trip planner Spencer!)

Saturday: Bern & Gruyeres

I can't believe what we packed in to such a short time! 

We really enjoyed having visitors and once again extend the invite to all our family and friends!  Including those who have already come! 

So Spencer and I had the lovely treat of being able to go to Venice just the two of us! Spencer's parents planned a trip to Europe and asked us if we wanted to do a trip for a few days while they watched the kids. We said WOW, OK! And decided on Venice and then Spencer made it all happen. And it was wonderful! It was really so nice. And it was win-win. The grandparents and grandkids got one on one time, and we got some really rare and precious one on one time!

Spencer's parents arrived (after visiting London) on Sunday night June 28th and we left Tuesday morning June 30th. We traveled by train, about 7 hours. Among the first people we saw were a bunch of missionaries, on their pday! I love that. It's so cool to see them everywhere!  We got on the vapeur (bus boat) and got to see a lot of the grand canal on our way to our hotel. After checking in we went exploring the city. Venice is shaped like a fish, it's pretty cool, and is surrounded by a bunch of small islands.  I don't think I'd really want to do this city with kids, so much walking, and so not stroller friendly with stairs and cobblestone, etc. We walked a ton. It's just a really cool place. It's great because as we read in our travel book, you don't have to do anything to be rewarded by the city. Other places you have to see this and do that, but Venice you just take in. It's beautiful and fascinating with how old it is and all the canals and tons of amazing cathedrals everywhere.  We enjoyed lots of gelato, and some other treats, and the pizza and other yummy Italian specialities you can get everywhere. We went to the Basilica of St. Marco (Mark) first, and WOW WOW WOW. That place is unbelievable. From about 30 feet up the entire walls and ceiling are covered in ornate, gold and jewel encrusted mosaics. And below that the walls are entirely made up of marble slabs cut and mounted in a very artistic way, and below that the ground is completely mosaic tiled floors as well. And then there's of course amazing paintings too. Really a sight to behold. It's overwhelming to think that human beings created all of it, and so so long ago before they had so many of the modern helps in building and creating that we have now! No pictures allowed though, sorry. We ended the day wtih a free concert in the big square, which was really fun.

We were really exhausted by day's end. And the next day we slept in, which we could do since Venice is such a chill place and we had 3 days, which is plenty of time to do it in. I said, let's try to cut down on the walking if possible today. (We had swam in the river in Geneva the day before and sadly enough this meant that I was seriously exhausted and hurting). We did take it easier this day, but exploring Venice is basically a by-foot experience. We went to an art museum, featuring art from really famous establishment Italian painters like Titian, and Giorgioni. Then we went to the lido, a famous beach, which I guess had its heyday a long time ago, and it's definitely past. The island/town reminded me a lot of Southern California, with a less impressive beach, though it was nevertheless nice to chill on the provided beach chairs and eat gelato under an umbrella, and go on a walk along the shore and gather shells, of which there were many. We ended our evening with a gondola ride! If I had ever made a "bucket list" I'm sure gondola ride with my sweetheart would have been on there, so-- CHECK! It was really cool. Gondolas are just cool! I mean its one guy with one oar on the back of a really long boat going down skinny canals and under low bridges. The way it works is that a gondola is made off balance so that when the gondolier is on it, he's able to stand on one side and be stable.

 The next day we started with the fish and produce markets and then went off to San Murano, the glass making island and got to watch a demo and go through the shop, and I actually bought a couple souvenirs. We finished off with another visit inside the Basilica, and this time we paid for a little tour around the walkways at the top and got to have a closer look at the amazing and detailed mosaics, and go out on the roof.  I think that's it. We talked to the kids and their babysitters every day and they sounded like they were having a wonderful time, but 3 days was the perfect amount of time and we were ready to go back. (I'm still breastfeeding Geneve, so I pumped the whole time so I didn't have to stop). 

So Venice is: amazing cathedrals everywhere, gondolas, canals, bridges, boats, skinny alleyways and close, crumbling buildings, often with laundry lines hanging between them, art and art museums and galleries, really cool old buildings and architecture and lots of tall bell towers, gelato and pizza and calzones, crazy cool shops of masks and costumes and puppets, glass, and other fun stuff; and warm and relaxing and romantic and beautiful!

THANKS HONEY!! You made a dream come true. Venice was amazing!

(And Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Roundy for making it possible.)