2 and a half years...

...Kati hadn't been home! It was high time for a visit in Germany and so much fun to see family and friends. The grandparents had a blast with Ruby. It reminded Kati of how much she missed grandparents when she grew up. My aunt turned 60 (or 20 for the 3rd time, according to her). My oldest childhood friend had a beautiful little baby boy. Family is good. Period.

Have you been wondering...

...why Ruby looks neither like Guim nor Kati? Here's the answer. He jumped a generation and decided to look like his German grandpa. Proof:

(on the left: Kati's dad in 1942, imagine the blue eyes)

Turning 30...

...didn't prove to be so bad after all. Thanks to Guim's fabulous birthday surprise! He abducted me (blindfolded and all) to a vineyard near Bordeaux, home to the hotel & spa Caudalie: http://www.sources-caudalie.com/US.html. I had 2 days of "Vinotherapy": Red Vine Bath in a barrel, Merlot Wrap, Hot&Cold Stone Facial Treatment, Crushed Cabernet Scrub and Exhilarating Massage. All of this with came with a night in a 4*hotel and French culinary excellence in the most beautiful setting. I lost the last effects of pregnancy and five years of age! Thank you so much Guim! I love you!

Hello Sakai Family...

...Ruby had a chance to wear his cute Japanese baby outfit on vacation. Proof below. Thank you very much again. However, we are all dying to know what the Kanji means?!

Yes, we're alive...

...we just had a rough start into the new year. Rubens has been sick on and off since early January. Ahh, the pleasures of parenting. Between a hospital stay, doctor's visits, working, and not sleeping much at all, it was a little difficult to find the time to keep you updated. But here we are, happy and finally healthy. For Christmas and New Year's we had Kati's parents and spent a few days in the Pyrenees Mountains. First time in the snow for Ruby - though he slept through most of it.

2 weeks ago, Max came to visit and finally saw his godson for the first time (he accepted without knowing what he's getting into ;)).

We've just come back from a week at Centerparc Sologne in the center of France. Relaxed lots and enjoyed time as a little family. Ruby had a blast with us in the big swimming pool.

Other news in a nutshell: Kati started working again and has had nothing but trouble. Hurray for employers that pay their employees - Kati's doesn't, or only with 6 weeks delay! She started teaching German again, too. Forgot how much fun it can be. Ruby has met his nanny - the best nanny in the world, by the way - and stays with her 3 to 4 evenings a week. He's still growing very fast and discovers something new every day. He'll soon be sitting by himself. His vocabulary includes about 100 words by now - but the corresponding language will still have to be invented. He's a cutiepie and a lot of fun.

Guim's finally breathing after the rush at work. He's still looking for a new job though. It doesn't look good in Bordeaux, so we've set our eyes on Brussels. Big city, lots of jobs, closer to Max. Sounds like another year full of changes...

Merry Christmas...

... everybody. And a happy new year.

A reason to celebrate...

After almost 2 months of interrupted nights, baby Rubens slept through seven and a half hours last night - alleluia! Though this left Kati so worried that she still didn't get enough sleep ;) Cutiepie is eating and growing so fast, he's exploding his clothes and we get to buy new ones practically every week. Not that Kati has a problem with shopping for clothes! The best thing is that he started to smile which makes us go "awww" on a regular basis. While Kati's life is all about diapers, breast pumps and baby talk, poor Guim is trying to survive the crazy Christmas season at Toys R Us - with a smaller budget, less employees and hence more working hours. Our Chrismas wish: a new job for Guim! By the way, for those of you who wonder: you can really witness the reduction of purchasing power - if you overlook the caddies full of toys worth 2000 Euros people cart out of there - appalling!
Stay warm, happy and healthy everybody!

Thank you...

...everybody for congratulations and good wishes on baby Rubens birth. We're sorry if we haven't gotten back to some of you personally yet, but this tiny bundle of love kind of keeps us busy ;) Here come the promised pictures:

Hello little human being...

..Hello Rubens. This is your mommy writing. Today at 8:36 pm 4 weeks ago you were born and it is high time to welcome you officially on this blog. The French-German Reconciliation team needs your support.

Time is flying - you are almost one month old. I remember how my emotions came tumbling when the doctor put you on my belly. I was shaking, felt like crying and laughing, all at the same time. I couldn't comprehend that you were there. That everything went well, that you were breathing, moving your little fingers, trying to open your beautiful big eyes... And I felt so much awe, so much respect for you for going through these difficult hours with me. Now you are lying behind me on the bed - sleeping so peacefully - and I realize how much you have become my reason. How much life makes sense with you. I want to protect you - for the rest of my life. Yes, that's what I want. I love you. Your mommy.


Now that your mum told you how she feels about you, it is my turn to express my joy and pleasure. You came in our lives only about a month ago and already you brought so much happiness to us. I do remember that when you showed you cute little mug for the first time, I was lost because I did not want to hurt you. You looked so precious and fragile, and as you can see I am not your typical delicate ballet dancer. I remember thinking that you were the most beautiful thing that I ever laid eye on (you're right, your mother is a very pretty sight too). Now I cannot stop looking at you and I am constantly hoping to get a glimpse of that pretty smile you gratify us with from time to time. I also promised myself I would never use baby-talk with you, but you just trigger that and I cannot help myself but being overjoyed with love and tenderness. Thinking you are my son brings sometimes a tear of joy to my eye and I sure hope you will bring many more tears like these in the future.
With all my love,
Your daddy who loves you sooooooooo much.

3 weeks...

...were too long to wait for our little son - he decided to join us 19 days early. Rubens Guillaume Sarthou was born on Thursday October 9th at 8:36 pm. 3 seconds later Kati and Guim fell in love with this cute little guy. Having him with us is pure bliss. Here he is - 10 minutes after coming unto this world. More pictures to come soon!