Les Aventures du Petit Mathias

1st Birthday Party

2009-05-11T16:17:00.000-05:00

The pumpkin and apple cake I made...

...I swear it was good! We later found out Mathias had an ear infection, which explains why he did not want to eat anything, not even his cake!

Much happier with his gift...

...and with his huge lion balloon.

On his first birthday

2009-05-11T15:44:00.000-05:00

Thank you Trader Joe's for the balloon!

A Mexican Christmas (Continued)

2009-05-11T15:22:00.001-05:00

In a small fishing village near Puerto Vallarta

Playing peekaboo in Sayulita with the abuelo Pedro

Relaxing after a tasty lunch (the homemade vanilla ice cream was delicious!)

The only one not tired...the little guy!

A Mexican Christmas -- much better than a white Christmas!

2009-05-11T11:51:00.000-05:00

View from our balcony

Splish splash

Mathias did not like sand...no castle building this year!

Checking out our Christmas decorations

Long overdue...Thanksgiving fun!

2009-05-11T10:30:00.000-05:00

Better than toys...tupperware!

Playing with Ines' old Berchet kitchen -- he loved it so much we had to buy him one for our house.

Obama, Obama, Obama!

2009-01-20T14:00:00.006-06:00

It's a wonderful day! To a better future for all.

Moment de bonheur avec le Bele et la Nana (Nov.)

2009-01-16T10:51:00.000-06:00

Halloween

2009-01-16T10:32:00.000-06:00

No costume this year...just a red hat!

With Blythe the butterfly, Ines the cat, Miles the bear (very cute!), and Meg as Meg =)

Big brown eyes

2009-01-16T10:17:00.000-06:00

Marlene a Chicago (end of Oct.)

2009-01-16T10:11:00.000-06:00

Seance photos avec Marlene...

Mathias adore la camera!

At the farmers market on a chilly October day

Happy days with Marlene!

Future soccer player

2009-01-13T14:41:00.000-06:00

With Abuela Gilma (end of Oct.)

2009-01-13T14:22:00.000-06:00

We are fortunate to have Richard's mom, Gilma, in Chicago and she comes and babysit when we go out. Mathias is always happy to see her and it's nice for us to get a break from time to time!

Wiggleworms

2009-01-13T10:48:00.000-06:00

Wiggleworms is a music class for small children at the Old Town School of Folk, one of our favorite venues for world music concerts. Mathias started taking the class when he was 6 months old and he absolutely loves it -- he shakes maracas, interacts with other children, and best of all, he gets to play with the guitar after class. He is obsessed with the guitar and I spend most of the classes running after him to make sure he does not interrupt the teacher, Tisa, while she plays...she actually started playing standing up so that he could not get to it!

Another great thing: Tisa wears fun necklaces and lets Mathias touch them after class.

Playdate with Cesca (mid October)

2009-01-13T10:23:00.000-06:00

Mathias has known Cesca a very long time... even before being born! Cesca's mom, Kate, and I met at a prenatal yoga class and every week during our pregnancies, we sat side by side stretching and trying to keep comfortable as our bellies grew bigger and bigger. M and C are only a few days apart and are quite adorable together.

Cesca flirting with Mathias, who is not sure what to do at first.

Having fun with the ball...

...and flirting at last (ooh, that British accent)!

Trip to Florida in October

2009-01-13T10:04:00.000-06:00

With Mariana, who works at the aquarium in Tampa.

First time at an aquarium, Mathias was intrigued...

...but the best part was the fog/steam machine at the new exhibit!

Many firsts on this trip...first time in the pool in St. Pete.

Happy in the new place

2008-11-11T20:48:00.000-06:00

Enjoying breakfast in the morning sun

Check out the mohawk!

Watching football with dad

We're back!

2008-11-11T20:36:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the long absence...the past couple months have been quite busy. We moved late September and did not have internet for a month, and between the boxes to empty and Mathias "running" all around the apartment, I have not had a chance to sit down and write. There is much catching up to do and I'll try to update you as soon as possible on all the latest, including our trip to Florida, Mathias' wiggleworms classes, and how Mathias showed his support for Obama!

Debout!

2008-09-18T10:25:00.000-05:00

Since the end of August, Mathias can pull himself up on his own. He discovered this new skill in his crib and has been practicing ever since. Every chance he gets, he does it...on everything -- the rocking chair, his jumperoo, the garbage can, etc. Of course I stand behind him and catch him when he falls...most of the time! As you can see in these photos, he is very proud of his accomplishment.

Late August Brunch in Andersonville with Steve and Tina

2008-09-18T09:45:00.000-05:00

Steve and Tina were in town late August to celebrate Ines starting college. She is a freshman at Columbia College and it's been great having her in Chicago. Mathias especially enjoys having his aunt around -- the more attention he gets, the better!

Proud Colombian

2008-08-31T21:33:00.000-05:00

Wearing his dad's Colombian bracelet

Mathias n'aime pas la pomme

2008-08-31T21:11:00.000-05:00

Un long weekend a Saugatuck

2008-08-20T13:16:00.000-05:00

We went to Saugatuck a couple weekends ago with our friends Meg and Andy -- and their little Miles -- and Karen and Sebastian. We all rented a house and it was nice being able to spend time all together. After putting the babies to sleep at night, we prepared dinners, indulged in good wines, and relaxed in big comfy chairs on the patio...nice to share evenings with friends again as when we're home, we are (most of the time) stuck at home with baby! We're already talking about going again in the fall or winter...

At Oval beach, ranked one of the top beaches in the world by a famous publication (can't remember which one though!)

Our little sailor

Andy and Miles, Mathias' best friend...although they have not interacted much yet!

Sleepy Mathias in his kangaroo pouch

Black Star Farm

2008-08-13T09:45:00.000-05:00

Black Star is a wonderful place near Suttons Bay - winery, farm, a small market and cafe, and also where Leelanau Cheese is located. We went last month and Mathias got to see a few animals with his Nana.

He was especially fascinated by the pigs and all their loud noises.

Checking out the new baby pony.

A la playa! (a Leland, MI)

2008-08-12T17:58:00.000-05:00

First time at the beach - great spot to practice crawling!

Jumperoo!

2008-08-04T12:09:00.000-05:00

Mathias loves his jumperoo - it plays music, has flashing lights and fun toys, the chair swivels, and of course the best part...Mathias can jump! It also allows me to have a few minutes to myself, which is nice as Mathias is very active these days and needs constant attention, especially since he is almost crawling (only backwards for now). Vive le jumperoo!

Chez John et Anne...

2008-07-30T09:11:00.000-05:00

...on July 12: happy birthday Richard, happy birthday Ines!

Like father, like son

Anne's beautiful garden in Leelanau, Michigan

Checking out the flowers with Tina

La visite du tonton Christophe

2008-07-28T09:37:00.000-05:00

Christophe came to Chicago for July 4th weekend - that Sunday, we took him to Andersonville, a perfect neighborhood for him with plenty of good looking gay men! This is also the neighborhood where we might move to very soon, so I have a feeling we'll see a lot of Christophe in the near future.

It was a hot day...we were all thirsty!

Enjoying the fresh air

Mathias' angry face...he really looks like his great grandfather Coco in this photo, especially the "mean" eyebrows!

Handsome boys

Trip to Seattle

2008-07-27T20:36:00.000-05:00

A few pics from our trip to Seattle, where we went end of June to celebrate Richard's graduation from Kellogg (he is finally done with his MBA!) and to explore the Northwest. It was really nice to travel again and we loved the region - delicious seafood, great hiking and beautiful surroundings. Many firsts for Mathias: first plane ride, first hike and first trip out to sea!

Traverse City in May

2008-07-11T10:43:00.000-05:00

Celebrating Bele's 50th birthday and meeting the great grandparents!

M. Henry Brunch

2008-07-10T08:46:00.000-05:00

Sunday brunch has always been a kind of ritual for Richard and I...and Mathias seems to enjoy it as well! These photos were taken in April at M. Henry, one of our favorite brunch spots in Chicago.

Bienvenue! Welcome!

2008-07-09T22:11:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Les Aventures du Petit Mathias! I can't believe our little Mathias is already 5 1/2 months old and I have been meaning to share these special moments with all of you for quite some time now...as they say, better late than never! So I'll start at the very beginning - here he is just a few hours after birth.

I was debating whether to write this blog in French or in English, but since almost everyone we know speaks English - French relatives and friends included - and few speak French, I thought English would make the most sense. Enjoy, and I'll try to update often...well, maybe it'll become more difficult once Mathias starts crawling and walking and I'll have to chase him, but I'll try!

Geraldine