Fall is upon us, and our special new baby passes are expiring at the end of November. So with the great weather we’ve been having, we are trying to get in some of the last lions, tigers, and polar bears for the season.
One of Chika’s bridesmaids was getting married, and amazingly the bride and groom had met through Chika’s at her London farewell party (2 more matches and straight into heaven right?).
It was a simple plan — a quick hop over from Berlin to Paris, which actually went according to plan for the first 28 hours until Chika amazingly caught a cold Saturday evening (we were joking how she got so sick the last time we went to Paris — is there a curse?!). But we pulled it together and got on the plane.
We didn’t get to do everything we would have like, but did manage to get in a few shopping, eating, and visits in the short time we were there.
1. Visiting Benoit, Giovanna, Stella, Luna, and Gaia
While Chika shopped, I took Kai to see his fellow NYC descendants (at least indirectly). I think Luna will be one of Kai’s favorite babysitters some day.
2. Bakery run.
I think I found a new favorite here in Paris, Du Pain et Des Idees. Just classic and awesome a the same time.
3. The main event — Remy and Mariko’s wedding.
So we got a little lost on the way to the location, which was Remy and Mariko’s new apartment. So when we finally arrived, we were a bit disoriented to begin with. But in the courtyard hidden on some average street near Republic, they had found the most amazing apartment (apparently designed by a gay couple who couldn’t resolve their differences and ended up selling the newly finished place). And it was a perfect affair with a great friend/chef preparing a wonderful eats and of course tasty French champagne.
I was busy in the kitchen today, and when I looked up there was Kai walking 3 steps to the table in his play area. Shock and awe came over me. I wish I could replay the original scene, but after a few trials (using bagel insides as bait) I was able to recreate a poor version of the original. Stay tuned: updates coming soon.
So we had a last minute change of heart to renew Chika’s US Greencard, which is not a big deal until you have to travel with 11-month Kai. Amidst all the anxiety of travelling, getting around, dealing with daily routines, etc., it turned out to be a really nice trip. We didn’t plan any major activities, so it was just Kai all day (which started at 1:30am the first night) for 5 days. I think we need to have these more often (but will be happy if the Greencard app goes through without needing to return for an interview).
Yes, it’s been a long time and a lot has happened, but we will come back to that later. Today Kai turned 9 months. And the changes are happening faster every day now. Lots of crawling, a few new syllables, and our little Magellan has left no stone (or anything else for that matter) of our apartment unturned. Thanks for a wonderful 9 months Kai.
Some scenes captured today from some of Kai’s local partners in crime.
I found myself going through all the photos, and in tribute made a collage of papa & Kai. So many adventures (Japan, France, Austria, Germany, USA) and so many moments, including some “b-sides” that didn’t make the cut the first time around, and some candid moments as well.
Kai is beginning to cross-over into the world of self-consumption. Bananas beware!