Busy as a Bee in Paris

Having a baby in France, chapter 4

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Tue, 29 May 2012 12:35:00 +0000

A friend of mine posted the following graph on Facebook a few days ago and I found the facts fascinating albeit shocking with respect to certain countries. Those of you who come from these respective countries will have to step up to the plate and tell us if the facts are true or false. And since this graph goes right in line with what I had planned for chapter 4 - the first administrative "stuff" to deal with during a pregnancy in France and a little about maternity leave, I thought it would be interesting to include it!

For starters, when I was pregnant with my first baby Alex I was a grad student at BYU and teaching part-time on-campus. I worked straight up to the day I went into labor (I even remember staying up until 3 am grading homework the night my water broke!). And then exactly one week after Alex's birth, I was back to school and work! Now, granted this was a special situation (I was a university student and student instructor) so I don't really know how it goes in the real work world. My sister-in-law who is a nurse in California just gave birth to her second child and will take several months off, but she has to apply for disability in order to do so! Fellow Americans, please enlighten us because this graph really doesn't make the United States look good!

Official pregnancy statement

When you become pregnant in France, you must declare your pregnancy to two possibly three entities:

the CPAM or Assurance Maladie (the government funded health insurance) before the 14th week of pregnancy
the CAF or Allocations Familiales (the government funds for social assistance for families) before the 14th week of pregnancy
if you are a working mom, your employer before the 16th week of pregnancy

If you're wondering why all the paperwork, it's simple. The CPAM funds your maternity leave, the CAF funds your monthly allotment of family social assistance following the birth of the baby as well as in the case of a prolonged maternity leave. The statement to your employer is for the simple purpose of allowing for the organization during your absence; you are guaranteed your same position when you are finished with your maternity leave. P.S. No worries, your doctor helps you fill out all the paperwork.

Maternity leave in France

With respect to maternity leave, the facts in the above chart are accurate and this is the way it goes in France: 16 weeks for a first or second child, 26 weeks for a third child and beyond, and 34 to 46 weeks for multiple birhts.

In my case, I will continue to receive my full salary minus indemnities for meals. A far cry from the benefits I had in the United States! I must admit we mothers are very well taken care of here in France!

Extended maternity leave in France
It's called a "congé parental" and allows you to take another 1-3 years off to stay home with your child. You no longer continue to receive your salary, but the CAF pays you a monthly allotment. The calculation of benefits is a little complicated depending on your family and professional situation before and after the birth of the baby, but the allotment can vary between 143€ and 566€. If you take only one year off, the amount is a bit more: 626€ to 809€. Interesting note: Maman or Papa can take a congé parental!

I will personally take an additional year following my maternity leave. So my baby will be about a year and a half old when I return to work and since I work for a municipal daycare from the comforts of my own home, my baby will benefit from the daycare services and activities and be with me all day long! Joy of all joys!

Other financial family benefits
The CAF allots families monthly benefits depending on the number of children they have:

127€ for 2 children
289€ for 3 children
plus 162€ for each additional child

In addition, large families (three or more children here in France) who earn less than a set amount receive an additional 165€ monthly. Families also receive modest benefits for back-to-school, extra-curricular activities and vacation. A one-time allotment of 912€ is awarded to the proud parents not long before the birth of the baby.

And there again, I must admit that families are also well taken care of here in France!

Additional leave during pregnancy
Today is my first day back at work following seven weeks of sick leave... I was feeling miserable with severe nausea, vomiting and low blood pressure and went to see my family doctor. He immediately gave me several weeks of sick leave that was renewed twice. (Just a note: During my sick leave just like during maternity leave, my salary remains the same minus the indemnities for meals.) He told me that it was more than likely I wouldn't work at all during my pregnancy. (My doctor claims my 39 years and multiple previous pregnancies are the source of my weakened state during this pregnancy.) But as I began to feel better, I felt I needed to push myself a bit and get back into a more normal rhythm. It was hard! But I really didn't want to spend my entire pregnancy on sick leave! Now of course, the doctor's orders are to rest as much as I can and the second I feel that the fatigue is too much I must go back on sick leave.

My daycare director has been understanding and supportive since the beginning. She has arranged for my co-workers to take care of my two daycare children in my absence. She has been concerned about my health and refused twice to let me come back to work, sensing it was too early. She was right. She remains vigilant and knows that the moment I become too fatigued that will probably be it for the rest of my pregnancy.

So I need to hang in there for two more months. Then I'm on vacation most of August and September marks the beginning of my maternity leave. And then.... I will have nearly 18 months to turn my full attention to my three beautiful children and the arrival of my number 4! Isn't life delicious? Although the cost of living in the Paris area is expensive and has required me to be a working mom, I am grateful that the social benefits provided to families here in France will allow me to (for at least this short period) enjoy the beauties of being a stay-at-home mom!

Clip art source: http://crayondhumeur.blogspot.fr/2012/03/et-commence-alors-lattente.html

Having a baby in France, chapter 1 All about what to do once you find out you're pregnant...
Having a baby in France, chapter 2 All about choosing your practitioner and hospital and what that first prenatal visit is like...
Having a baby in France, chapter 3 All about the three official ultra-sounds in France and one infamous blood test...

16 weeks and now I'm smiling!

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Our weekend trip to Bordeaux

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:54:00 +0000

Last weekend we got to spend a few happy, relaxing days with my sister-in-law Stéphanie and her husband and children. They live near Bordeaux, so it was the perfect excuse for a little stroll into town... Our trip was short and sweet. No worries though, we'll be back this summer...

If you'd like to see the photos in full version, just click on them.

Your browser should open a slide-show.

I loved the color of the stone and the architecture style.

Have you noticed there's a tooth missing?

Just a note on the tram:
You can pick it up at several destinations
just outside of Bordeaux.
You pay 3€ per car for the underground parking
plus one round-trip tram pass per passenger.
You can make several stops
as long as you don't let more than an hour go by in-between.
3€ for the whole car load! That's it!
Oh, how we wish that there was something like this in Paris!
It sure beats driving in circles in traffic looking for parking
or paying an arm and a leg for Paris underground parking!

Pit stop at one of my favoritest stores in all of France: Comptoir de Famille.

Can't believe how our little family is growing!

Do you see my middle section is starting to swell?

Cousins Alexandre and Clément.

Pretty scenes in spite of the gray weather.

This is at the Palais de la Bourse.

Elena and Fiona.

Mists of happiness.

The plaza goes through a cylce:

a few centimeters of water...

then it drains...

then a fine mist of water comes up from every square...

then the plaza fills with water again...

We'll definitely take the kiddos back this summer.

You choose two flavors and then they put it through a machine to make it Italian style in a cone.

Nutella.

Banana.

Chocolate.

Coconut.

Caramel.

Strawberry.

The possibilities are endless....

Yep. We'll definitely go back this summer.

I've got this thing for red geraniums.

Later, back at Stéphanie's home...

Too loud or just not good music?

Is Alex picking his nose?

From left to right: Cousins Alex, Gabi, Clément, Corentin, Elena.

Hope you enjoyed.

We sured did!

Have a wonderful sun-shiny weekend!

xoxox

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...a sunshiny Instagram day in the life of the Babins...

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:09:00 +0000

To be fair, I must report that after nearly two months of gray and dismal rainy days, the sun is finally shining here in our neck of the woods!!! Yesterday, started cold and rainy, but by noon the sun was in full force and the kiddos begging me to picnic outside. And so we did. Sunshine, welcome to Paris, France!

We scrambled to find sunglasses and hats....

And ice cream for dessert was an absolute must!

Mom, it's so bright out!

Later in the day, jeans and sweaters were abandonned and replaced by shorts and tanks! The girls played all afternoon in the shade (because can you believe it was actually too hot {ahem: for us}!) while I sat in a lounge chair (also in the shade) and promptly fell asleep... When it cooled down a bit we took a trip to the park where the shoes came off! I love seeing their little bare feet!

The boy on the other hand was a different story... We managed to pull him out of his bedroom and away from his books, but the jeans and tennis shoes we just couldn't get rid of! Here he is, happy as a monkey in a tree!

Sunshine = happiness!

P.S. I'm happy to report that I am feeling so much better and will be going back to work next Tuesday after having been on sick leave for nearly two months! My doctor was hesitant but I'm going to give it a try... Wish me luck!

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It sure rains a lot in Paris

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:28:00 +0000

The rain in Paris.... {sigh.... } This is the time of the year when I get very jealous of my state-side friends. Facebook statuses abound: "Summer is here!" What???? Excuse me??? Summer in May??? Did I miss something? While their kiddos are out of school, running through sprinklers, eating popsicles and enjoying bbq's with fresh items from their gardens, my children have another 5 weeks of school, while it rains and rains and rains some more, without a hint of sun on the horizon. Gray. Dismal. Spring in Paris hasn't made up her mind yet and my state-side friends are rejoicing in summer?! But rather than wallow in the woes of despair, allow me this personal indulgence as I revel in the more romantic notions of the rain in Paris... Because living in Paris has got to have its perks even if you do need an umbrella! So... ~~eat your heart out, all my state-side friends!~~ Of course, I mean, enjoy!

http://champagnemacarons.blogspot.fr/2010/04/grey-skies.html

http://lucem.deviantart.com/art/rain-in-Paris-114271961

http://500px.com/photo/1791967

http://gatheringmosswhilewandering.com/2012/03/14/atmospheric-cities/

http://champagnemacarons.blogspot.fr/2010/04/grey-skies.html

http://thestylebar.wordpress.com/2011/10/21/the-rain-in-spain/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theblackstar/5468511562/

http://missexpatria.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/paris-pictures-made-for-the-rain/

http://champagnemacarons.blogspot.fr/2010/04/grey-skies.html

http://somethingsighted.blogspot.fr/2011/09/ile-saint-louis-sous-la-pluie.html

http://unebricoleuse.blogspot.fr/2009/05/shelter-in-black-white.html

P.S. I feel like I need a pretty umbrella now. That would make it all better, wouldn't it?

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Having a baby in France, chapter 3

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:46:00 +0000

So if you've been following my blog, you know I started this series about having a baby in France to satiate the curious mind (my American friends)... and hoping it will be a help to any first-time mothers living in France. Today I'll talk about the first trimester obstetrical ultra-sound. Sound scary? It's not - I was grinning ear to ear the entire time!

In chapter 1, I talked about what to do when you find out you're pregnant and in chapter 2, I talked about choosing a practitioner and hospital and what happens on that first prenatal visit. Now, this series is not all-inclusive, it's just about my personal experience. But since I'm an American living in France, there are cultural differences to understand and that just makes it all the more fun, doesn't it?

So without further ado, let's first see a photo of my growing belly! Today was a semi-good day, nausea and vomiting are mostly gone, but the fatigue, oh the fatigue! And then once in a while the nausea and vomiting continue to haunt me. And the mood swings!! I'm offically in my second trimester now, but still waiting for the glowing health and oodles of energy to come along!

The official obstetrical ultrasounds
Anyhow, as I was saying, in France, you get a general ultra-sound at every pre-natal visit to make sure baby is healthy and growing. There are however 3 obstetrical ultra-sounds at every trimester: at around 12 weeks, 22 weeks and 32 weeks.

This is done by your ob-gyn if you go to a private hospital. When I went to a public hospital during my last pregnancy, I would go see an ultra-sound technician during a separate appointment.

What your ob-gyn or technician will check for

The age of the fetus and if it's a singleton or a multiple birth.
Vitality of the fetus - beating heart and movement.
Measurements of the head, abdomen and neck thickness ("clarté nucale") - this last measurement is important for detecting Down Syndrome ) - more on this later...
The proper morphology of certain organs like the heart and stomach and the presence of two little hands with five fingers and two little feet.
The amniotic fluid.
The state of the uterus and ovaries.
If you're lucky they'll tell you the sex of the baby.

I wasn't so lucky. Apparently baby was not in the right position and so I will have to wait until my next prenatal visit in one month to know if we are having a boy or a girl! Bummer! Anyways, he or she is a cutie, don't you think?

Blood test or no blood test?
There are plenty of blood tests, but this is not just any blood test.

After having performed the ultra-sound, my doctor proposed a blood test to detect any chromosomal abnormalities. I told her that we had chosen not to do it. She responded, "You don't want the test? If your baby has any chromosomal abnormalities it won't change anything for you? It's your baby and you would not choose to abort if there were any chromosomal abnormalities?" I nodded my head and quietly responded that it wouldn't change anything.

We already went through this during my last pregnancy. I could tell you all about how scary it was the day I got a phone calll from my doctor to announce that my baby perhaps had Down Syndrome. No one had asked my opinion about whether or not I wanted the blood test, and this news sent me reeling. I had never had anything of the sort in the United States. I was walking on unknown ground. Later I would learn that using a formula combining my blood test results, my age and the fetus' neck thickness (borderline at 2,3 cm. for Gabriela), our risk was calculated at 1/113. For this pregnancy, the fetus' neck measured 1,52 cm, out of the danger zone - see the CN ("Clarté Nucale" - neck thickness) on the ultra-sound image above. Ironically a baby with a normal neck thickness can still be born with Down Syndrome and vice versa. It's just one of several tell-tale signs.

During my last pregnancy, when the amniocentesis was proposed, I was torn, but I suddenly felt in my heart that I did not need to know because it would not make a difference in the love I would have for my child and from that point on I had an overwhelming feeling of peace and calm and love come over me that lasted my entire pregnancy. I was prepared to accept a Down Syndrom baby into my heart and life and family, but I was forever grateful when Gabriela was born healthy and whole. (Because at this point we were told we were expecting a girl and that's when I fell head over heels in love with my Gabi.)

And this is why this time we decided that for Baby #4 we would turn down the infamous blood test (which in our opinion is an arbitrary indicator that causes needless fear) unless we are notified of some type of abnormality during an ultra-sound. In that case, I believe I would opt for the amniocentesis so that we as a family can prepare psychologically and physically for the challenges ahead. Even though I would still accept a Down Syndrome baby into my heart and life and family, I am perhaps not as romantic and naive as I was at 33 and would need to know in order to be better prepared.

~~Administrative paperwork at this stage in the pregnancy~~
I think I'll save this for chapter 4! I'm exhausted and feeling kind of weepy and blue today (darn pregnancy hormones!). I think I'll call it quits for the day!

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So clever!

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:50:00 +0000

This is one of the reasons I love Pinterest! So many clever ideas! I have 5 maybe 6 things I know how to draw for kiddos. That's it. But even that handful of things has worked magic to calm tots who've become overwhelmed with emotions (boredom tears, temper tantrums, hyperactivity, etc.). Now I have at least a dozen more. Long live Pinterest! If you want to print this, right click on the image and open it in a new window, then print! Happy drawing!

Source: Uploaded by user via Erin on Pinterest

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Play with your food!

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Fri, 11 May 2012 08:12:00 +0000

If it weren't for the sweet song of the birds that sing in the trees around my house, I might sometimes forget it's spring for all the rain and gloom! That said, yesterday I spent hours gardening and actually sweating under a hot sun! Sunshine and gardening are the ONLY effective cure for my nausea (which has significantly diminished although it sometimes tends to lovingly linger a little longer). Hopefully the second trimester will bring sunnier days and oodles more energy and a rounder belly! I will return to work on the 21st and I'm going to have to kick my butt to get in gear!

Until then, here's one way to invite spring into your days even when it's rainy and gloomy outside! Cookie cutters to make flower sandwiches, chives for the stems, baby carrots and radishes growing in the corn lettuce!

For more "Play with your Food" ideas click here: Oh, Happy Day! Kids Plates DIY

I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

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anticipation

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:24:00 +0000

looking forward, ever forward,

tickled with delight at first growth!

but a watched clock never tells time and a watched pot never boils!

and so it does go with strawberries and babes!

strawberry blossoms in abundance grace my humble garden;

one tiny human blossom graces my motherly womb.

a gracious heart has mine own become,

tenderly, lovingly nourishing life!

but, alas, the gardener's patience is tried!

droplets of moments last an eternity when ill weather and mood swings strike!

nevertheless, the petals bloom and the flowers are full-blown and radiant,

then white petals drift down to earth to reveal a tiny green strawberry.

the sun must shine, the rain must pour, the earth must be enriched,

the strawberry will plumpen, color and sweeten to fulfill it's lifetime fate!

the gardener must lovingly tend and patience be lovingly tried,

in anticipation of delicious delight in the delicate months to come!

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Having a baby in France, chapter 2

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:03:00 +0000

This is chapter 2 of a series I started for my friends who've asked me what it's like to have a baby in France. In the first chapter I talked about pregnancy tests, lab-work and ultra-sounds. This is an honest look at what happens next.

Source: luxuryforthehome.com via Angie on Pinterest

Choosing your practitioner and hospital
When I was pregnant with Gabriela, we had just arrived in France and I didn't have health coverage (the "Assurance Maladie") nor any supplemental health coverage (a "mutuelle") to cover fees not covered by the Assurance Maladie. I was given an emergency government health coverage and therefore forced to go to a public hospital (an "hôpital") as opposed to a private hospital (a "clinique"). I could go on and on about the rude, unfortunate things that happened during my visits, but I won't. I will tell you that I was very apprehensive about being delivered by a random mid-wife (whom I wouldn't meet until D-day) and not by my own ob-gyn. This was so frustrating to me! But the second I met Marie-Claude, just hours before Gabriela was born, I knew everything would be okay. She was energetic, bright, competent and professional and I had a great birthing experience.

Look at how pink and precious my Gabriela was! A little butterball (my largest baby at 9lbs. 4oz.) whom I just happened to deliver epidural free! My amazing mid-wife Marie-Claude expertly unwrapped the doubly entwined umbilical cord from around Gabriela's neck before I pushed her out. She never let on to what was happening so I wouldn't panic. I was so grateful for the way she handled a potentially dangerous situation.

Making an appointment
Now you may recall from chapter 1 that when I called to make an appointment for my first prenatal visit, the receptionist somewhat abruptly refused an appointment then told me I'd have to see my family doctor first in order to do labwork and an ultra-sound that would confirm and date the pregnancy. That was when I thought I was going back to the public hospital. Since this time I am covered by the Assurance Maladie and we do have a good mutuelle, I thought I'd try a private hospital. I asked my good friend Bérengère, who recommended her own ob-gyn Dr. Josserand who had followed her pregnancies for the birth of her two children. When I called to make an appointment at the Clinique des Franciscaines, the receptionist was patient and friendly (I was pleasantly surprised!!!) and gave me an appointment with Dr. Josserand with no hassle. Dr. Josserand later told me that the public hospitals are so over-booked that they have to screen out their maternity patients rather than waste time on appointments with women who are not really pregnant. The harsh reality. This is not the case at private hospitals.

First prenatal visit
I was very nervous because I've had two miscarriages in the past and both times it was during my first prenatal visit that I learned there was no heartbeat. My in-laws came over to stay with my three cuties and I drove 20 minutes to Versailles. The Clinique des Franciscaines has underground parking, which I was thrilled about as I recalled looking for street parking at the bottom of a steep hill everytime I went to the hospital in Orsay. I arrived early and wandered around like a lost puppy until I finally got up the nerve to ask someone where the ob-gyn's offices were located. The hospital is large and very nice. I finally found Dr. Josserand's office and went in and sat down. I wondered if I needed to stand in line to check into the hospital like I had to during every prenatal visit in Orsay. Apparently not. Once again, no hassle. Dr. Josserand was over an hour late because she was delivering a baby, but I was okay with that. So O.K. because someday it will be me!

Dr. Josserand is dynamic, professional and yet very kind and gentle. Her office is spacious with a large desk against the windows at the end of the room and to the left an examination area sectioned-off with glass partitions. We first sat down at her desk where she asked me some questions about my previous pregnancies, my health and my current pregnancy. She then asked me to set myself up on the examination table. Here in France, you undress from the bottom down and there is no little sheet to modestly cover yourself up. I'm used to it now. But boy was it culture shock the first time!

She did an ultra-sound where she kept joyfully telling me how "joli" my little embryo was. She tried to look at him or her in 3-D but it's still too soon. She had me listen to the heartbeat. She measured him or her and dated my pregnancy at 10 weeks, 1 day. I am due November 24. She printed some photos of my my "joli" little wonder.

This is the photo I instagrammed to Sam the second I left Dr. Josserand's office.

She looked at my lab work and prescribed vitamins accordingly. She offered me a late evening appointment so that my husband might be able to come next time. I was overjoyed. The visit was pleasant, my little embryo growing and I feel I am in good hands. And this just makes me so happy.

The moral of the story?
When possible, choose a private hospital! In chapter 3, I'll talk a little bit about how a working mother deals with pregnancy and her employer and what options are available when a working mother is unable to work due to her pregnancy or wants to take some time off after the birth of the baby. Stay tuned...

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Rustic garden dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:53:00 +0000

I am dreaming of gardens and gardening.... but it has been raining non-stop here in France for the last two weeks... That's a lie. The sun peaks at will through the clouds at random intervals of once every few days or once every few minutes and then quickly disappears behind more gray clouds that often give way to more rain. A very fickle sun! And so here's some of my Pinterest dreaming I've been doing about the rustic garden I'll one day cultivate.... Enjoy!

Source: goldentulips.tumblr.com via Maria on Pinterest

Source: gardenviewcottage.tumblr.com via Maria on Pinterest

Source: theenchantedhome.blogspot.com via Maria on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Maria on Pinterest

Source: greigedesign.blogspot.com via Maria on Pinterest

Source: bit.ly via Maria on Pinterest

Source: vintagehome.tumblr.com via Maria on Pinterest

Source: mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com via Maria on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Maria on Pinterest

Source: greenwellies.tumblr.com via Maria on Pinterest

Source: myshabbysoul.blogspot.com via Maria on Pinterest

Source: con-encanto.blogspot.com.es via Maria on Pinterest

Source: atelierdecampagneantiques.blogspot.com via Maria on Pinterest

Do you like rustic gardens? or do you prefer something a little more cultivated? or exotic? what's your favorite kind of garden?

The sun has sort of peeked out and since I'm also feeling pretty okay today, I think I'm going to go start digging for a new wildflower bed!

Happy gardening!

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What our kids did when we left for the weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:30:00 +0000

They were in good hands and had a fabulous Easter weekend with their aunt Lolo and her family and spent some time with their Grand-mère and Grand-père as well.

We came home to three

rosy-cheeked,
bubbling-over-with-excitement,
lots-of-stories-to-tell,
happy kiddos!

Spending time with cousins,
decorating eggs,
baking cookies,
exciting Easter egg hunts,
yummy picnics,
the zoo
and lots and lots of love!

Merci Lolo et famille!

Feeling better & 40 before 40 update

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:59:00 +0000

Just beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel... Not spending my time lying on the couch and feeling deathly ill anymore! Eating better and enjoying more energy. Two more days of sick leave to finish recuperating my strength. And next week I have a full week of vacation. Life is starting to feel good again! Do you remember my 40 before 40 list? Here's an update....

Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Leila on Pinterest

Take my son Alex to the Pompidou center in Paris.
Drive by myself in the heart of Paris. Not. I'm not that crazy. But if I did, it would have to be without Sam. No offense, mon amour. Drove all the way to Nanterre. Twice. Okay, it's not even Paris yet, but it's getting close.
Lose the extra pounds I've been lovingly carrying around since I started bearing children. Just 2.5 kilos, that's not too much to ask, is it? What? It means I need to cut down on bread, butter, cream and chocolate??? I've lost 2 kilos due to morning sickness. Does that count? Does it matter anymore? I'm going to be gaining a lot of weight this year...
Assume my womanhood and femininity and hold my head tall, my shoulders square and my back straight, if you know what I mean. In other words, quit hiding the ladies between a rounded back and shoulders. ooohhhh... this one is hard to remember! especially now that those pregnancy hormones have pumped up the ladies!
Get dolled up every. single. day. Make-up, even if it's just lipstick. Hair not just brushed, but styled. Body not just clothed, but dressed with care. Not necessarily the latest style, but classy. Now that I'm feeling better, I'm styling my hair again. Yay! No make-up yet, it still makes me nauseous!
Get rid of every pile and stack in my house. One by one, if necessary, but no more clutter! Living room: check! And now that I'm feeling better, the kitchen is well on its way!
Make to-do lists and prioritze every single day.
Be part of something intellectually creative that will profoundly change my professional life. In progress...
Buy myself sexy lingerie. Check!
Make my own foie gras.
Learn to make macarons.
If there is another baby meant to come to our family, this would have to be the year. It's meant to be!!! We'll welcome our baby #4 this coming November, just two months shy of my 40th birthday!
Take an online photography class and decided what kind of camera I dream of having.
Start making enough money from my blog to donate to a noble and worthy cause.
Double my readership by the end of the year.
Get Alex and Elena's paperwork done so they can officially have their French citizenship.
Learn to use the public transportation in Paris. Just saying it gives me anxiety.
Wax my legs. Without screaming.
Start my family history and geneaology. Meaning, dig into the archives of Peru and Mexico.
Go to the top of the Eiffel tower with Sam. And kiss him there. I can't kiss Sam when I have morning sickness. :(
Spend a little more time in Paris. With Sam.
Go on a 30-day no sugar diet. Just to prove that I can.
Do a strictly natural 10-day cleansing diet.
Finish unpacking the boxes in the garage attic that never got unpacked since our move to Paris 6 years ago!
Become more politically savvy and internationally aware.
Laugh every single day. I don't laugh very much at all when I have morning sickness...
Finally decorate the inside of the lovely shutters that I picked up for 20€ at a flea market in town that have been hanging (undecorated) on my living room wall for several months now.
Finish paying for our sofa. Done!
Finish paying for our computer. Done!
Remodel our three bathrooms. Bathroom #1 nearly done. Functional, but lacking finishing touches. Actually, the hubby takes care of all this...
Learn to make food that's not only delicious and nutritious, but aesthetically pleasing and a veritable feast of colors to the eyes.
Learn to play one song on the piano.
Become French. Oh! I don't know if I'm ready for that one yet!
Take voice lessons.
Help Elena make a homemade purse out of a sweater.
Teach Gabriela how to make a tomato salad.
Start saving money to go back to the United States in 2013!
Re-do damaged driveway, old porch, missing doors closet entry, paint deplorable stairs and add a hand-rail and finish the unfinished wall in our master bedroom.
Develop true spirituality: “True spirituality makes you loving and grateful, and forgiving, and patient, and gentle, and long-suffering. True spirituality breathes reverence into every act and deed.” ― Marjorie Pay Hinckley, Small and Simple Things
Learn to be happy today. Every. Single. Day. “The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead. The grand and the simple. They are equally wonderful.” ― Marjorie Pay Hinckley oooohhhh.... this one was so hard when I was so sick!

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Welkom bij Holland

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:13:00 +0000

Travelling distances by car when 9 weeks pregnant is not the best idea, but Sam planned this surprise trip to take me to see the tulips in Holland more than a month ago... I knew we needed to go for it and so go for it we did! *Warning: loads of photos, but I managed to reduce them to about 24. If you'd like to just flip through the photos, just click on the first one and you should be able to view an enlarged version of all of them.

After some scary dry heaves in the car while leaving Paris, I took some anti-nausea medicine, downed a Coke (yes, me) and had a miraculous respite from Friday to Saturday late afternoon. After that, it was icky, but I hung in there like a trooper, knowing this was the sweetest gift from my Sam.
This is how it went.

Saturday morning we checked into our hotel in Haarlem, then headed straight to Keukenhof in Lisse. We were greeted at the entrance by Dutch maidens and began our journey through the tulip park.

We started by visiting the big greenhouse that was packed to the brim with tulips and people! It was overwhelming, I just didn't even know where to start taking photos. Here are a few of my favorites.

The red velvet amaryllis was my absolute favorite flower!

A visit to the flower bulb shop was an absolute must!
I came away, of course, with a gigantic bulb that will give me my very own red velvet amaryllis!

We visited the rest of the park over the next several hours, getting lost, retracing our steps, taking photos and more photos... and breathing in the sheer beauty of this place.

At a certain point we walked past these babies below that smelled beyond wonderful (heavenly, actually) and then Sam was not at peace until we found a cash machine (think: walking all over the park and trying to read Dutch maps to find a cash machine and then to find that one little stand again) until my pregnant belly was finally appeased. And to think it's just a ham sandwich with mustard sauce, but oh I had to have one.

There was one greenhouse that was filled with nothing but orchids and you know how I love orchids. I may or may not have spent a really long time taking a lot of photos in this greenhouse. Sorry Sam!

After our visit to Keukenhof, we drove around the environs to take pictures of the flower fields. There were not just tulips, but daffodils and hyacinths as well.

They really are bedazzling!

Saturday evening took us on a relaxing cruise through the canals of Amsterdam. I tried to take some photos, but this is the only one worth showing! The seven canals! (or bridges), I don't remember what they said!

I did, however, love looking at all the canal houses!

Especially the ones with big open windows where I could peek in and see the subperb vaulted ceilings and immaculate decorating. So posh!

http://patz.org/images/amsterdam%20canal.jpg.html

Sunday morning took us to a quaint little town called Delft.

It was lovely.

And yes, some of the edifices really are leaning!

This one below on the left is like the leaning bell tower of Delft!

Sam actually agreed to pose for a photo in front of this fun little cheese shop, where they sell Dutch flavored cheeses. All the employees are dressed up in traditional costumes and shave up thin slices of all the cheeses for you to sample. I fell in love with the smoked baby goat cheese, but today just the sight of it reminds me of how it smells and it makes me want to puke! Ah... such is life as a pregnant lady!

Next on our itinerary was the town of Gouda (you know, as in Gouda cheese???).

We were less impressed with this town, which was quaint nonetheless, but it was Easter morning and everything was closed.

Didn't even find any Gouda cheese!

Next on the itinerary was Kinderdijk, where all the windmills are!

Did you know that much of Holland lies below sea level and that wind mills are used to irrigate sea water to prevent flooding?

Holland literally means the low land!

I just couldn't resist taking this photo of neatly lined up Dutch clogs right in front of a charming little home in Kinderdijk.

Next on the itinerary was Amsterdam. The most startling thing as you enter Amsterdam are the number of bikes lined up on every road! Piles of bikes, bikes and more bikes! These photos don't even begin to describe the piles and piles of bikes but they were the only decent shots I could get from the car!

We had a bit of a walk around to see the main plaza and church.

However, my heart was totally set on seeing the Anne Frank house. I hadn't even ever read her diary yet, but it's just something that really intrigued me.

...and so we stood in line for 45 minutes in the icy cold wind (and I wasn't even cold) while we waited our turn to take a tour through "The Hiding Place". Definitely worth the visit.

http://www.paranormalknowledge.com/articles/the-anne-frank-house.html

Sam of course, bought me the book at the gift shop on our way out and now I can say I have read her precocious and brilliant account of a Jewish family in hiding in Holland during WWII. If you haven't read it, it's a definite must-read!

And thus ended our little lovers' weekend to Holland. This is an accordion player who charmed our ears and hearts as we waited in the icy cold wind to visit the Anne Frank house. How his exposed fingers could survive the bitter cold was beyond us, but he played with such cheerfulness that it's just a happy reminder of Holland!

Toht ziens! Until next time!

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Patience

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:25:00 +0000

Patience. I am fine-tuning my patience as I wait for time to pass.... nausea, dry heaves, vomiting, fatigue, insomnia, hyper-sensitivity to all odors, just plain feeling miserable and waiting for the minutes and the hours and the days to pass. Being at the computer makes me nauseous, so does reading. Talking on the phone usually ends up with me bent over the toilet, throwing up everything I ate or didn't eat. Standing up makes me feel faint. Showers make me feel like I'm going to die and my husband's odor and touch make me sick! I'm a mess. But I just keep telling myself that it's for the sake of teaching me to be patient. I lie still all day long and let my body do what it needs to do to make my beautiful baby. My children are angels and my husband is a saint. I couldn't do this without their incredible help. Patience.

Having a baby in France, chapter 1

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:11:00 +0000

Here's a new series for all my friends who've asked me what it's like to have a baby in France! This is not my first time, but I didn't document it last time and I thought it would be fun to have a blog series to talk about what it's like for one Paris-suburbian American expat to be pregnant and have a baby in France. So besides having the best-dressed, best-smelling baby, what's it like? Let me tell you....

http://www.mabylone.com/marques/jacadi.html

Finding out you're pregnant
Home pregnancy tests are available in pharmacies and much to my pleasant surprise, I didn't have to ask for one at the counter for all ears to hear. I simply wandered around the pharmacy until I found one and then paid for it at the counter. It's still a little embarassing, but it's usually the quickest way to find out if those two little lines are really going to appear! I love French pharmacies, by the way. Everything is so neatly packaged, it smells good and the pharmacists are generally very kind and professional and will help you find the right product for whatever ailments happen to be bothering you. You generally cannot find these types of products in the grocery stores like you do in the United States.

http://www.anod.fr/pageeclairage/eclairage_pharmacie.php

My test was positive, by the way!

http://howtoknowifyouarepregnant.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/positive-pregnancy-test.jpg

Preliminary prenatal visits
When I called to make an appointment with my ob/gyn for my pregnancy, I was told that I needed to first see my family doctor who would give me two prescriptions: one to have a series of blood work done, including measuring your levels of pregnancy hormones, and one for a first ultra-sound to determine the actual age of the embryo. In other words, doctors are so overbooked here in France, that they want to make sure that you are really pregnant before you make an appointment to go in to see the ob/gyn.

#1. Family doctor
Dr. Sow-Ouakara did not examine me, but simply printed out two prescriptions. I then made two separate appointments, one at the lab and the other at the medical imaging facility (two entirely separate entities).

#2. Blood work
The blood work checks your blood type, for diabetes, for cholesterol, your iron levels and a few other things. The technician was warm and friendly and asked me what was wrong. I told him nothing, that I was just pregnant! You pick up the results the following evening.

#3. Ultra-sound
The ultrasound is done by a technician, who in my case was very kind and professional, but just whipped through the ultra-sound pointing out different parts of my anatomy along the way, but with no change in emotion once we arrived to the embryo and listened to the beating heart. My knees were shaking and my eyes were watering, but we had already moved on to the ovaries and I would have to savor my precious moment in private at a later time! The technician prepared the photos of the ultra-sound and the receptionist neatly stapled them into a folder, while I waited in the reception area.

As of today I am 8 weeks, 2 days pregnant. There is just one embryo and his heart beats like a little horse. It's my fourth time, but this miracle never ceases to amaze me! My heart is filled with gratitude! Here's my little baby pictured below!

#4. My pregnancy medical file
My lab results and my ultrasound images, I will need to guard preciously as they constitute my medical file that I will need to take with me to every pre-natal appointment. And with my pregnant lady memory I have already misplaced my lab results!

Nausea in France
It feels exactly the same as in the USA! Depending on the day, I either feel just average or so very sick because the nausea lasts day and night and even prevents me from sleeping because it is so intense. I try to hold back the vomit because I hate vomiting, but that wears me out! And then I end up with other digestive problems! I don't know what's worse!!! I am anxious for the first trimester to be finished! I've told all my friends "no more bises" (the traditional greeting with two kisses on the cheeks) because when I'm feeling sick the proximity to skin and odors makes me want to vomit!!! Yep, I can't even kiss my husband and children and even fancy Parisian baby perfume is repulsive right now!

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Healthier crêpes

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 10:30:00 +0000

Ingredients:
3 eggs
200 grams flour (about 1 1/2 cups)
50 grams melted butter (about 3 1/2 Tablespoons)
50 grams oat bran (about 1/2 cup)
50 cl. milk (about 2 cups)
a pinch of salt

Prepare your batter:
Mix all ingredients together and let rest for at least 20 minutes before cooking crêpes. This is important for the oat bran to blend well with the mixture, otherwise you'll end up with lumps. Continually mix the batter even after you've started making your crêpes.

Make your crêpes:
Pour a thin layer of batter onto flat pan, swirling the pan if necessary for the batter to spread or smoothing out with a wooden crêpe batter tool (as shown below, click on the link to buy one from Amazon). Flip once until barely golden and stack on plate.

http://www.amazon.com/Le-Creuset-Enameled-Cast-Iron-3-Inch/dp/B000N4Y8VK

Garnish your crêpes:
You can use jam or Nutella or whatever floats your boat. Fold the crêpe in half, then roll. Stack them together like sardines in a can, and they are ready for a healthy snack! My kids love it when I come meet them at school with a box of crêpes all ready to eat and they all disappear by the time we're finished walking home! (The crêpes disappear, not my kids!)

Why they're healthier:
The actual crêpes have no sugar added and the oat bran gives them a slightly nutty texture that my kids are nuts about. They like this recipe better than my regular crêpes (these are just simply smooth, stretchy and delicious, the perfect texture and flavor!) and the oat bran is good for the heart, good for the transit. Everybody's happy!

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April Fool's weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:17:00 +0000

How was your weekend? I spent most of mine curled up in a ball on my sofa, sick as can be. The good thing was that we can finally get General Conference on our TV at home, live and in high definition! So while I spent most of time feeling miserable on the couch, at least I was spiritually fed and rejoiced in hearing the words of the prophets! I wish I had taken a photo or two of the children playing quietly while we watched General Conference, it was so sweet. I did however, take a few photos of the children during our April Fool's brunch! Enjoy!

Of course, the biggest surprise came as we were watching the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference on Sunday morning. My brother-in-law Gérald Caussé was called to the Presiding Bishopric! He's the one on the left! Bittersweet news as he and his family will be leaving Europe to go live in Utah.

Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

If you don't know what General Conference is,

click here: About General Conference

or click on the image below.

Have a fantastic week! I'm feeling a bit better today and the weather is absolutely gorgeous! Can't complain! But for now, my daycare babes are sleeping, I'm off to take a nap!

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Getting ready for April Fool's!

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:40:00 +0000

What are your favorite pranks? I'm looking for ideas. Here are a few that I've found to play on my children throughout April Fool's Day.

For breakfast, lots of eggy surprises!

Source: ohhappyday.com via Maria on Pinterest

Green eggs and ham!

Source: marthastewart.com via Maria on Pinterest

Sunny side up! A canned peach half and some yogurt!

Source: meetthedubiens.com via Maria on Pinterest

For lunch, some colored pasta and a puffy fish for "poisson d'avril"!

Source: meetthedubiens.com via Maria on Pinterest

*Poisson d'avril is what they call April Fool's here in France.

Source: meetthedubiens.com via Maria on Pinterest

At snacktime some cookies with some blue milk????

Source: marthastewart.com via Maria on Pinterest

And orange slices filled with jello?

Source: meetthedubiens.blogspot.com via Maria on Pinterest

And for dinner, I'll probably try a variation of one of these! Meatloaf, meatballs or shepherd's pie with colored mashed potatoes and/or gravy!

Source: familyfun.go.com via Maria on Pinterest

Source: holidaysparkle.blogspot.com via Maria on Pinterest

Source: bit.ly via Maria on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Maria on Pinterest

Source: meetthedubiens.com via Maria on Pinterest

Thirsty? Good luck getting it up through the straw, it's jello!

Source: meetthedubiens.blogspot.com via Maria on Pinterest

And for dessert? Spaghetti and meatballs, green peas and carrots and corn on the cob! Nah!!!! They're cupcakes decorated with candies!

Source: ourbestbites.com via Maria on Pinterest

Voilà! This should be fun!

P.S. To get the "know-how" on each of these ideas, just follow the link at the bottom of each image. It will first take you to Pinterest, then the website each idea came from!

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Come and listen!

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 06:34:00 +0000

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/invite-others?lang=eng

Our Sunday in the French countryside

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:11:00 +0000

Gardening to cure morning sickness

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:32:00 +0000

My next door neighbor gave me a bucket full of poppy seedlings that he pulled out of his backyard. So whilst my daycare babes slumber, in order to curb the unending waves of nausea, I think I'm going out in the sunshine to replant those poppy seedlings. I'm thinking it's going to be a long first trimester... May the sunshine continue to pour down!

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Happy Weekend and March 2012 Blogging Carnival on Bilingualism

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:34:00 +0000

It's going to be a gorgeous one here in Paris. I'll be hanging out outside as much as I can, but just in case it's raining in your neck of the woods (and even if it's not!), here's some good reads for all you polyglots out there: the March 2012 Blogging Carnival on Bilingualism over at Pebblemeddle.

Have a happy one!

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5 ways to combat morning sickness

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:48:00 +0000

1. Blue skies, warm sun and a cool breeze cut right through the nausea for at least a few moments, as do:
2. The strongest possible mint chewing gum (Ice Blue Mentos).
3. Icy cold and very bubbly sparkling Perrier.
4. Cute kids to remind you what it's all about.
5. A darling husband who teases you because you're grumpy. (The hugs and kisses I could do without because they make me queasy!)

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Celebrating life and the first day of Spring!

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:30:00 +0000

A video I made to celebrate Spring... and new life...
It's one-minute long and there's a surprise at the end!

Alex is back from Sainte Enimie!

noreply@blogger.com (Busy as a Bee in Paris) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:50:00 +0000

This photo, aside from being a tear-jerker, makes me laugh (nervously perhaps!) because Alex looks like he's as tall as his dad! (Would that boy please quit growing?!) What you don't see is that Sam had swooped him up off the ground the moment he walked through the door. What a reunion! Alex admitted that he missed his Papa more than anybody else (sniff, sniff) and seeing the way Sam embraced his son, I know that this Papa missed his boy more than I had imagined!

Alex spent a full week by the Tarn river and near one of France's most beautiful villages - Sainte Enimie.

Image source.

The school kept us informed by posting signs on the doors at school and photos on their blog. They went spelunking, mountain biking and hiking.

He came back looking older and a little strange with writing on his face! (One of the adult monitors wrote on his face while he was sleeping on the bus!) We're not quite sure whether or not he used a hairbrush while he was gone, but we're mostly just overjoyed to have him back!

We love you, cute boy!

P.S. His Mama and sisters also attacked him upon arrival with gigantic hugs and kisses!

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