Home, Sweet Home

Wednesday morning at around 10:30, we checked out of our hotel in Villefranche and boarded the train into Nice. We then hopped on a bus to the Nice airport, where we caught a plane to London's Heathrow Airport. From there, we hopped on another bus that took us to Gatwick Airport, where we caught a shuttle that put us at our hotel around 8pm. Phew! We grabbed a quick dinner and went to bed.

The next morning (yesterday) we woke up early to catch the 7am shuttle back to Gatwick, so we could catch a 8.5 hour flight to Charlotte, NC, where we had a long 4 hour layover! Yuck! After we finally boarded our plane for Seattle, they informed us that the runway was closed due to an incoming storm. So we sat on the plane, at the gate, for another 45 minutes before takeoff. We arrived in Seattle, after a 5.5 hour flight from Charlotte, just after 9pm (which I think is 6am Nice time).

Our luggage took forever to come out - but finally did, thank goodness. Liz picked us up at the airport in Seattle. Thanks, Liz! We said goodbye to our travel companions. Thanks, Tanya, Troy, and Jada! And we curled up in our very own bed sometime around midnight.

We have tons of stories and photos, which I will share soon - when I can muster up the energy. In the meantime, here's an adorable Marley picture to tide you over:)

And we're off! (Almost)

Our bags are packed (mostly), the house is tidied (somewhat), our travel arrangements have been made (for the most part), and we're ready to go! (more or less). Bright and early tomorrow morning we get on a plane bound for London. Okay, technically we get on a plane bound for Philadelphia first. We're looking forward to this, most likely our last, flight with Mars as a free "lap baby". Actually, I'm not exactly looking forward to the whole flying part of it (read: dreading), but I'm very excited to be going on vacation.

I may or may not be able to update the blog while we are away. So, here's our itinerary for those who would like to imagine where we are on any given day.

July 6: Leave home at 6am courtesy of our good friend, Liz (Thanks, Liz!); Depart SeaTac Airport at 8:40 am
July 7: Arrive at London Gatwick Airport at 6:55am; Hop on a train to Reading, UK to stay at Kristina and Adam's house
July 8: Hop on a train to Bodmin, Cornwall, UK; Pick up our rental car and drive to Wadebridge, Cornwall, UK to stay at the charming Brooksdale B&B
July 9: Enjoy a day at the beach with Kristina and friends; stay at the Brooksdale
July 10: Attend a garden party at Adam's parents' house; stay at the Brooksdale
July 11: Kristina and Adam's Wedding at the Rose-in-Vale hotel in St. Agnes, Cornwall, UK; stay at the Rose-in-Vale
July 12: Return the rental car and hop on a train to London; Meet up with Tanya, Troy, and Jada; stay at the Ramada
July 13: See London; Stay at the Ramada
July 14: Take the Chunnel to Paris; Stay at the Hotel de Seine
July 15: See Paris; Hotel de Seine
July 16: More Paris; Hotel de Seine
July 17: Take the train to Nice; stay at the Hotel Provencal in Villefranche (where Jeff and I stayed on our honeymoon)
July 17 - 21: Sit on the beach; stay at the Hotel Provencal
July 22: Fly to London; Stay at the Holiday Inn near the airport
July 23: Fly back to Seattle, arriving at 9pm (Liz?)

Whew! Wish us luck!

Proud Mommy

Here are the stats:

Weight (fully clothed): 27lbs 6oz (68th Percentile)
Height: 33.5" (78th Percentile)
Head Circumference: 18.5" (26th Percentile)

He only had one shot (Hep A) and was very brave - only a few tears. Here's the part where I brag:) His doctor said he should be saying at least 10 words by now. He is saying so many (well over 100) that I've lost count. He said over 10 words just while he was at the doctor's office. Including: Up, down, hi, bye, helmet, pen, light, hot, owie, teeth, fish, water, and yeah.

I've stopped trying to keep track of ALL of Marley's words, but I had an idea while talking to Kristie and Cecily the other day. I think I'll try to do several word lists grouped by location or circumstances. So, here are all the words (that I can think of) that Mars uses independently while playing in our backyard:

Down, help, kitty, meow, rock, stick, moss, hose, water, pretty, gnome, baby (frequently in reference to the gnome), bird (sign), yuck, caw (as in - the sound a crow makes), pine cone, owie, tree, and dirt.

Well-Baby Guessing Game

Marley has his 18 month well-baby check up on Tuesday. Any one care to guess his current weight and height? Do you think he's continued to climb the growth carts since his 15 month appointment?

Good Hair Day

Before


During

After

It was worth the $20 ($25 with tip) to take Mars to West Seattle Kids Salon for his very first haircut. He was excited from the moment we walked through the door and saw how many toys (and kids) there were to play with while we waited. He hardly realized he was getting a haircut between driving the tractor, watching the other kids, and playing with various toys. At one point, when he noticed the hair really starting to fall, he picked some up and said, "Uh-oh", but then it was back to driving the tractor. Our stylist, Janet, was amazing - and fast. She even gave us a lock of hair in a little keepsake card to take home at the end. Of course, for Marley, the best moment was when he got to have his very own lollipop - another first.

Thanks, Auntie Sarah!

Marley got a "just because" package in the mail today from Sarah. The first thing he pulled out of the box was a lion costume that Sarah got on clearance. Notice how he goes right past it to get to the books. He LOVED the pop up book, and was actually quite gentle with it (read: hasn't torn it to shreds yet). He had me read him all the books several times (once he got past the book cover confusion). Later, I tried to put the lion costume on him, but he was afraid of it. Luckily we have a while until Halloween!

Is it a baby or a hat?

Well, we all survived our time apart. In fact, Mars seemed kind of surprised to see me again. I think he was getting used to his new life at Nai Nai's house. Things went so well, in fact, that Jeff and I decided that we need to do an overnight where we actually sleep in the same room (and where we aren't responsible for 75 5th graders!).

Marley is 18 months old today! He is becoming so grown up and developing quite an imagination. He will pick up a stuffed animal and hug it and rock it and say, "Baby". The funny thing is that he does not limit this behavior to stuffed animals. Today, for example, his babies included Jeff's shoe, his sippy cup, a block, a pair of shorts, and the shampoo bottle.

He also likes to pretend various things are hats. He will pick up an item and say "Hat" and put it on my head or on his own head. He finds this quite hilarious. It's so cute!