Eloise gets so excited playing in the exersaucer that afterwards she just has to chill out on the couch. I have to mention, the book lying next to her is one I received from Garrett for Christmas. It's an English book called, 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.' I'm almost finished and think it's fantastic! The main character/narrator is a 15 year old boy with Asperger's Syndrome who is being a detective for a neighborhood dog murder. The story reads just like the mind of a person with this disorder and from my previous work experience, seems fairly accurate.

Baby yoga

While I was on the floor attempting yoga, I had to run for the camera when I looked over at her doing what looked like some yoga positions too. I also had to show off her adorable sweater from Great Aunt Laurie. It reminds me of something I wore as a child?

Please Pray

Alan and I have a dear friend, David Usrey, who is the Area Director for Young Life here in Paris. On Monday, he was acting strange and had been having headaches. His wife, Kathy, and daughter, Tiffany (also both on YL staff in Paris) took him to the hospital to find out he has a brain tumor. The family decided it was best to be transferred to Atlanta for surgery and treatment. They arrived at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta late last night and the new round of scans show that the tumor is growing rapidly and he was put in the ICU. Surgery is scheduled for Monday. Please pray healing for David, skill for the neurosurgeon, Dr. James Robinson, and peace for the rest of his family (high school aged son, David Jr. too).
www.caringbridge.org/visit/davidusrey
Thanks, Beth and Alan

Musée Marmottan

Eloise and I had a couple of really long days alone while Alan was at school. So, yesterday we headed to the Musée Marmottan, an impressionist museum that's off the beaten path as far as tourist itineraries go. It was incredible!! I think it's my new favorite Parisian musem (replacing Musée Rodin...however, Musée Rodin gives free admission to 1 person if accompanied by a child - and it has a garden, so it might still be my favorite). Here are a few pictures that I took before I was reprimanded.

I honestly didn't not see any signs prohibiting photos!

There are tons of Monet's works (including lots of waterlilles and Japanese bridges, but also the famous Gare Saint Lazare and the Houses of Parliament in London) and a couple of his actual painting palettes, along with other works by Renoir, Degas, Manet, and Rodin. There was also a room of works by Berthe Morisot, a painter that I had never heard of before but was very impressed with. I wish I had gotten a few photos of those.

The Illuminations are a donated collection that include works from the English, French, Italian and Flemish schools, from the 13th to 16th century. The parchment was removed from the books they originally appeared in.

Just Hanging Around

Eloise was just sitting on the couch being goofy while watching the dogs play (we're house sitting for another yellow lab).

4x4 chain letter-blog style

This post is in response to a chain letter from Emily Wells. You're supposed to post and explain your 4th picture from your 4th album on facebook. This is Alan and I in Bath, England, Auguast 2007. We were visiting his parents for two weeks en route to moving to Paris. Bath was one of my favorite towns that we visited while in England. It's also where I ate my first real "english breakfast." That was definitely not my favorite.

So, now it's your turn rigel and the belles, pence to cents, p-roc's mom, barricklows, swiss miss, miller madness and peseys (if you have facebook?)

Happy Valentine's Day

Alan and I were able to celebrate the 3rd anniversary from our first date. We dropped the babe off at some friends' and went out to dinner and Starbucks (the locale of our 1st date). I would have never believed Alan if he has said that in 3 years we'd be married, with a kid and living in Paris!

sittin' pretty

eloise started sitting about a week ago. She's getting better everyday, but as you can see, bites the dust eventually.

How could we forget this one?

Have red lobster suit...will nap anywhere.

Hotlanta

We spent our last week in Atlanta with my family. I wish we could have just paused time while we were there, it was so great to all be together. Grandma and Pops also hosted a little get together for our Atlanta friends to meet Eloise. Unfortunately, I don't have many pictures from the event. We love you and miss y'all a whole lot!

the grandkids

We had so much fun visiting Madeline and Davis! We even got to eat lunch with them at school one day.

Shopping with Grandma at one of her favorites, TJ Maxx

Emma showing Eloise how to cook

My oldest friend, Mandi. We met in dance class when we were 3.

Pops and his little french fry

Eloise hanging out with Uncle Jeff

whirlwind tour

We had a wonderful time catching up with so many family and friends!! Unfortunately, we didn't get to visit with everyone that we care about back at home, but here are some shots of our road trip while in the States.

Kyle, Rachel, and the three of us enjoying delicious Char-Grill on a sunny Sunday afternoon....YUM!!!

Super Bowl party at the Barricklows with Josh, Kyle and Rachel

and Coco and Becka too

Mark and Inger hosted a fun birthday celebration for me

the next morning Alan, Eloise and I went hiking through Schenk Forest with the VanOsdell family. It was wonderful to get some fresh air and to move a bit!

Paige and Eloise conked out by the end of the walk

Here is Alan and Eloise with Becka and baby Dean. He's 3 1/2 weeks younger than Eloise. Becka, my old triathlon training partner, and I had fun enduring this next chapter in our lives (pregnancy and childbirth) simultaneously too.

Once Alan and Tom (who just happened to be in ATL for work) met Eloise and I in Charlotte we made a trip down to New Bern to visit with Eloise's great grandparents for a few days.

Enjoying a cup of coffee at Books a Million while Alan studied

4 Generations of Seelingers

The Seelinger ladies, minus Lisa

While Alan was still in Paris finishing up exams, Eloise and I got to visit with some friends in Ohio, the Cassedys (see below), and also attend my 11th annual MLK Girls' Weekend in Charlotte. God's incredible goodness is demonstrated to me daily in my friendships with these women!

Peter, Amy's youngest, was obsessed with giving Eloise kisses. We're working on arranging the marriage. We also made more stops along the way, but don't have any pictures. It was great to see you too Elmores, Wolffs, Gilliams and Wades!

Christmas in February

We're back home in Paris and recovering from jet lag. We had a wonderful trip and have tons of pictures to share, but I thought I'd start with playing catch-up. While in the States, we bought a new laptop and were able to recover our Christmas pictures that crashed our previous laptop.

We're all bundled up for a walk around the block.

Chrismas Eve after the traditional taco dinner.

Eloise is very very interested in the TV....no matter what is on! Although, watching football conked them both out.

Reading with GraMoM

Alan's favorite Moroccan tagine!

Still in our pjs on Christmas morning

Grandpa and Alan seem more interested in her new Noah's ark toy than Eloise does. Thanks!