How's she sleeping, you ask?

 I am either going to pass out, get terribly sick, or possibly die. Sleeping? Yeah, not so much. 

But before I complain, let me just say Evangeline has been a rock star! Seriously, so good and so happy! And, on hardly any sleep!

Let me give you the run down. Sleeping on the travel day: I just cant do it. Doesn't happen for me. What can I say, I am a delicate sleeper. I need to be exhausted, laying flat in MY bed, pitch black with no sound. It is the most annoying thing ever but I've tried and tried and without those circumstances, it just ain't happening. Oh and I couldn't watch TV either because Evangeline was sleeping on me in the plane...killer. 

Night #1: Evangeline woke up ever 30 minutes, I think exhausted from our travel day and maybe confused why everything smelt like French toast and French fries. Ok, that last part isn't true. But, she really did wake up ever 30 minutes wanting yo nurse or be rocked. Longest.night.ever.

Night #2: Kev and I were each trying to convince, bribe and even threaten the other into rocking Evangeline all night so the other one of us could get some sleep. This went on from 10pm to about 1am switching off the rocking.  Then we decided to stop trying to force something that wouldn't happen and instead taught Evangeline new baby tricks. She successfully drank out of my camelback water bottle (which later resulted in a very full diaper) and army crawled across the bed. A very productive night if you ask me. Kev and I were both so delusional we don't remember who finally got Evangeline to sleep or how she ended up in our bed but before we knew it, it was 10:30am.  

Naps: Pretty good. But, mostly because when she naps at 12:00pm here, it is 3:00am at home. Nonetheless, long naps always make me feel good. 

Tonight: She started getting tired at 10:00pm. It is 11:00pm and I've already checked to make sure she's breathing because she was soooo easy to put to bed. I guess I should stop blogging and actually sleep when I get the chance. 

The weeks leading up to this trip I prayed over and over for one of two things. Either Evangeline sleeps or Kev and I have the energy to survive. Thank you, Lord for answered prayers. Kev and I are having a blast. 

You can't tell but there is a baby under the polkadot fabric. 

Naps on the go in Amsterdam

Middle of the night, night one. Evangeline decided to poop up the biggest poop ever. It got on Kev's arm. So gross. 

Night #2. I kept asking Kev if I could take pictures at 2am. He said no. But I was naught and did anyways. Good blogging material. 

In the above picture, Evangeline is arming crawling and screaming(good, happy screams). Kev didn't want her to wake Lulu or Rob and Karen. 

Oh- on a side note. This whole experience has brought new light to Kev and I and Rob and Karen about our kid's sleeping habits. They are WAY heavier sleepers then we give them credit. I don't think either of us will be worried about creaky floors or flushing toilets anymore. Both girls have slept through the others screaming and crying. 

Sweet sleeping Lulu. She's exhausted because she has so much enthusiasm and excitement for life she has to rest and recharge! She's a GREAT sleeper! Hopefully she will teach Evangeline her tricks! 

Day One!

After spending the whole day inside waiting for Evangeline to catch up on sleep we ventured out to Carquefu to explore the cute little village that Rob, Karen and Lucy live in. 

The town was adorable and made me want to run, skip and song "Small Provincial Life" off Beauty and the Beast. It felt so quaint and European. Cobblestone streets, stone buildings, shutters and all. I loved it all! Kev and I hope to sneak out one of these nights and take a walk hand in hand through the romantic streets. We will let you know of it happens. 

Rob and Karen love behind this beautiful church in the city center. 

Carquefou!

Me and my Lulu!

Playing in the fountain!

Lulu observing the fountain

I want this! I wonder what the key looks like?!

Nantes

10 hours on a plane, 6 hours running through Amsterdam, 1.5 hour flight to Nantes and three Kimmons!

We made it! We are sleep deprived and hopped up on adrenaline and having a great time! 

We made a whirlwind run around Amsterdam before we boarded our flight to Nantes. With about 4 total hours of sleep Evangeline was a trooper as we trumped through the streets of Amsterdam. We decided to take a canal cruise to see more of the city which sounded like a good idea but was probably one of the worst ideas Kev and I had ever had. One hour in basically a green house boat (all glass with few windows). The boat was like a million degrees and I had on tight jean pants and carrying an equally hot baby made for a very long boat ride, I could not wait for it to end. This boat ride rivaled the deep sea fishing boat ride Kev and I took where we discovered I get sea sick. Can't decide which was worse. 

OK, enough complaining. All in all it was so fun to see the city and all the unique house boats along the canals. It is a beautiful city! I kept dreaming what it would be like to live in the cute little buildings in the city center. We grabbed a quick local bite and headed back to the airport. 

After a quick flight (it was especially quick because we all knocked out) we were greeted by Rob and sweet Lulu at the airport. 

Evangeline and Lulu have become quick friends. Being with Lulu is good practice for a toddler for Kev and I and having a baby around is good practice for Rob and Karen as baby Kimmons is due in November. I have a feeling this is going to be a really fun week!

PS- why does traveling make you feel sooooo dirty?! 

Train ride. Hot baby and hot mama (literally like hot and sweaty and stuck together)

Amsterdam- I love European streets. 

Family picture

Trying to air out the baby. 

Rob and Lulu sighting

Best buddies

1am hang out session

We made it!

We made it! We are in Amsterdam and waiting to board the plane for Nantes. We have had quite the adventure already. Did you know you have to PAY to fly an infant internationally? Us either, we found that out when we had to pay $1,000 to fly Evangeline on my lap...that one was a hard to swallow especially because we paid for our tickets with credit card points. Since Evangeline isn't old enough to stay at home by herself we choked up the cash and boarded the plane.

Haven't we said before we have the most perfect baby? Well this trip has confined it. 10 hours on a plane and probably a totally of 30 seconds of crying the entire flight. Evangeline did a lot of playing, a ton of talking and a little sleeping. I haven't had a chance to sleep yet. Kev and Evangeline have each gotten a few hours but none of us have had enough. 

On the plane they had this cool bassinet. I worked on rocking, nursing and bouncing Evangeline for an hour so she was tired enough to fall asleep in the bassinet. When I finally laid her down and stared at her for a good 20 minutes to make sure she was actually out, I grabbed my blanket and pillow, reclined my chair and snuggled in. LITERALLY 20 seconds later, the man behind us sneezed the loudest man sneeze to ever exist and the bouncing, nursing and rocking started all over again. 

But all in all Evangeline is one professional traveler! We couldn't have been more pleased!   

Long line at the airport

Happy camper in first class

Playing

Trying to sleep

More playing

Our cold

Play date

Us moms met in Marriage study, then all joined mom's group and now we have play dates. 

So fun to have these kiddos grow up together. 

Whose that Baby in the Window?

Evangeline is very social with other babies.  When passing by another baby, Evangeline will often shout, squeal or grunt at her peer.  Many times the other babies gives Evangeline a blank stare.  Those babies, obviously, don't have the same intellect.

Evangeline was delighted when she found another baby to talk and wave at in the mirror.

Those cheeks

Kev bought Evangeline this hat ages ago. It finally fits and it accentuates her cheeks.