Baby in the making
Evolution in action
Evolution in action
Addison my little love,
I can’t call you my baby anymore, you are 3 now, time flies and I have not updated your becoming addison site for a while (2 years). What a shame!!
I realized how difficult it is to see you growing up so fast.
Yesterday, you were breastfeeding, today, you eat sandwich, salad, french fries, fruits and popcorn.
I was warned you will become a little girl quickly and indeed you have.
During those last few months, due to a world pandemic ( we will explain), We had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with you and you have changed so much in front of our eyes, becoming stronger daily, faster, more talkative, more secure about who you are, more bossy and sassy.
I love that transformation in you, except when you correct my english (I will surely need to up my game now!!).
You are now a little girl, with authority and will.
Know that I will always be here for you.
Your hugs and kisses are priceless and I hope the fountain where they are from will not run dry too fast.
Sadly, you are 3 and you will have no memories of those moments shared together, we have a collection of pictures and videos of you. You have no idea how much we love you and how important you are.
I will see you for movie night.
Love you
Daddy.
Addison,
We have been guilty of neglecting this blog so please bear with me with this post. The easiest thing to say is that we’ve been busy with life but it’s been more than that. We are still (yes, 11 months later) obsessed with you. I’m talking total infatuation, captivation, complete obsession!
Taking it back to December….your first time out of NY, your first time on a plane and our first family vacation. And of course, your first Christmas – which was soo much fun! It’s a shame you will not remember but hopefully, you will go through the pictures and be able to get an idea of the love that surrounded you during this time. I should first, thank you and apologize up front. Thank you for putting up with my crazy mommy requests. I put you in a box numerous times and you didn’t make a fuss. I changed your outfit no less than seven times over a 24 hour period and you just smiled. I also put you under the tree naked with just a Santa hat on your head and you didn’t make a sound. Sorry about the cold floor 🙂
Although you had met your aunt Kristy and cousins, Dylan and Luke when you were about eight weeks old over the summer, Christmas was the first time you met uncle, Shane, and OMG, talk about love at first sight. He and Dylan picked up us at the airport and as soon as he laid eyes on you that was it. A lifelong bond was made.
Since the New Year began, the days, weeks, and months have just flown by. Every day you amaze us with your growth and development. You have been meeting every monthly milestone and even exceeding them at times.
Now, I know every baby is special, but you, my baby girl, are extraordinary. At 11 months you are walking (with a little help), clapping, waving hello and goodbye. You love music and dance. Red, Red Wine by UB40, Time of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warren and anything by Beyonce or Jay Z are some of your favorite songs and artists.
You love to read! And this makes us soo happy. Sometimes we catch you at the table just flipping through your books. It’s so sweet. French books, English books…they all bring you so much joy.
Back in February, you met your Grandpa Benoit and Grandma Nadine. It was again a case of love at first sight. We had a great weekend with them but Grandpa made it clear that he hated the name, Grandpa!
Fast forward to this moment. It’s April and I cannot believe you are going to be a year old in just a few weeks. We have big plans for you! We are going to France to visit your Vincent and Venon, families. You are going to see your Godfather Jerome and meet your Godmother, Valerie for the very first time.
Stay tuned for another post. I still need to tell you about the beginning of your modeling career!
Until the next post. I love you, I love you, I love you!
xx
My sweet girl Addison,
I have been very lax in updating your blog but it is my goal to be more consistent in this New Year. It’s been just about eight months since your arrival and I am so obsessed with you. I just stare at you while you are sleeping sometimes because I still cannot believe you came out of me. Starting out as just a few cells to the happy, smiley, beautiful little person you are today is truly a miracle and a blessing.
Thirty-three weeks old and by no means do I have this mom thing down to a science, but I have to say I am at times pretty impressed with my maternal instincts. I am sure there is so much more I will learn but for now, here is what I know:
1) MAT leave in the US sucks. Having only four months with you was just not long enough. I so envy my friends in other countries who had a year to spend with their babies. Having to go back to work and leave you in the hands of another woman was heartbreaking.
2) Breast milk is liquid gold. If you don’t believe me Google it.
3) It makes me so happy to know that you are meeting with your grandparents in your dreams. I know this to be true because of your smiles and laughs I see while you are sleeping.
4) Although this may not ring true for every baby, putting you on a schedule was the best thing we did for you. It’s not always perfect but so far it’s worked. Eating at 8, 12, 4 and 8 has added structure to all of our lives. It’s helped your father and I get better at our time management.
5) There are days I come home from work and just felt wiped. I then walk into the apartment and see your face. Your smile, laugh and hug just changes my mood in an instant. When you look up at me with those big brown eyes and arms open wide, I melt. And immediately, I’m reminded of what’s truly important.
6) Watching you grow and develop is an amazing sight to see. Every day you become more curious, get smarter, laugh more. Seeing you roll over, then sit up by yourself and now crawling….it’s all happening so quickly.
Ma petite fille,
Allison, my darling!!
Before I decided to write these few words, my little chip, I have to confess, i hesitated a lot. You know, the history of our family is a bit difficult. When we begin to evoke it, it is difficult to avoid certain memories buried for a long time to rise to the surface!! Yet, there is nothing dramatic to the point of concealing things, of course not!! It’s just what I, your grandmother, has experienced, felt, that’s all. It’s a part of my story so a little bit like your dad’s and therefore a little bit of yours. Basically, here …
About fifteen days after your birth, we landed at JFK. When I say we, it’s Jean Luc and I, we’re going to say, your second grandfather, my husband. Your daddy came to greet us at the airport after a good flight time. It was four years since I had taken him in my arms. You realize, 4 years. For a mom it’s unimaginable and yet !!! You can easily understand my joy, huge feeling, and also a little fear!!!
In fact, this new meeting went without any pitfalls!! It is true that we both stayed on our reserve, like shy people!! As well-behaved people can be too and who just show nothing. The modesty, the fear of showing our feelings, our weaknesses … It is stupid, it is true but, in any case, this is how this meeting happened.
Time spent, distance ….. 4 years is long ….
After conquering traffic jams, we finally reached your parents’ apartment in Manhattan. You were not there, you were already in Poughkeepsie with your mom, waiting for us. After a night of sleep, short because of the jet lag and an excellent coffee accompanied by hot croissants cooked by your dad, we left, Jean Luc and I to storm the shops in order to make purchases. It was beautiful, we were in NYC and we were feeling good, very good!! Two kids walking the street. Shopping, restaurants, the day was perfect, tiring but no matter … we were in New York!! We really loved that moment!!!
At the end of the day and after his work, as agreed, your dad got us back and we took the road to you two, to you Addison and to Tracy your mother. The road seemed to me long and during this journey, although fed by conversations, I kept thinking about the two of you, Tracy and you, that I was about to meet for the first time. I have made this journey ten thousand times in my head, which would lead me to you, but there it was at the end of this road, interminable. Finally, we arrived at your house. I was eager to discover you and your mother. We got off the car. It’s your mom that I saw first because she opened the door… Of course I recognized her!!! I saw her through Skype, but never in real life. She was there, the exact same, smiling, charming, a little embarrassed by the situation, like me as well. It’s normal, we wanted to make a good impression on each other. After the usual greetings, we took the stairs and I came closer to you. Now, it was you I was going to meet, for the first time!! This first time, I did not want to miss any details. I wanted to print it and never forget it. So it was very, very important. There will never be another opportunity to do a first time!!!
So, of course, the stress rose, rose … Finally, I was there. After a few minutes, I do not really remember who put you in my arms if it was your dad or your mom, but you were there ..,. I immediately fell under your spell. You, very small, so fragile in my arms!!! I lived intensely this moment of great happiness. I could touch you, kiss you. I had hoped so much and waited for that moment, I could not turn my gaze away from your face. As you looked like your dad at that age, this was disturbing. At that time, I was very much shocked. Indeed, you were the portrait of your dad at the same age. A great confusion has seized me. My past and not necessarily the best at the best moment, has returned to my face, like a boomerang!! Joy of course, obviously, many, before such a small being, and also a deep Sadness because 45 years earlier, the same gestures, the first contact with my baby, your dad had been so difficult for me. I dreamed again that moment. This moment was also accentuated by your incredible resemblance to your father, my son. At the birth of your papa, all things have not been simple, obvious, in the family, and I still have some sequels that the time gradually, smooth. Nevertheless, one forgets nothing and a face, a situation can make certain things reappear. That’s what happened there!!
Despite this episode of my life, let’s say it clearly, difficult, never forgot, You see Addison, I lived well, very well lived. I have traveled a part of the globe, I met many people, different, exciting, whom I loved and who loved me and today I am rich of all that. So I’m not gonna cry over the past, no, but I’ll tell you that I have not forgotten them and that I will never forget. You, by your coming into our family, made them reappeared as if by magic, but you also made sure to iron out the heavy, negative resentments that bring nothing. Since your birth, I also have the joy and the happiness to find your dad smiling, available. I was also lucky to have met your mom!! Your mother is for you, the most perfect of mothers. Watchful, loving, she watches every gesture and every moment of your life!! You could not have dream better and it reassures me. With me, she was generous, considerate. I have, since my return to France, a multitude of photos of you and videos she sends.
I am a very pleased grandmother. I can see you in beautiful little dresses and outfits in different moments of your life away from me. It delights me and at the same time it hurts to know you so far away from me. In conclusion, I would say that your birth has made exploded, in its best sense, the family bond for the happiness of all!! I am very happy and very proud to be your grandmother, you make me young again, Hush, I was told, and it is very pleasant and what a wonderful feeling. I hope that your life will be most rewarding, wonderful, sweet and that we will have the opportunity in the future to share many things.
To see each other very quickly my baby that I love !!
Your grandmother who thinks of you every day
Addison,
My little baby. You are 3.5 months old. Unbelievable. I still can’t make it, you are here. This is surreal.
I have to admit you are so cute, day after day, I am staring at you and the only thing that I am seeing is beauty, innocence and smiles.
Those smiles that I am craving for every morning, they make my day. You are an impressively happy baby in the morning and your positivity is contagious.
Every morning Tracy and I want to make sure that we are not missing anything, such an amazing sight.
Now, the downside of you (there is one) (a tiny one), your cries, those loud heavy screams, those unstoppable cries.
Like the other day, you were sleeping like a baby, peaceful and relaxed until you woke up at wholefood just prior the finish line and here you came. That was one efficient tantrum and quite loud I should say.
But baby girl, you have to relax, you are hurting yourselves in screaming like this.
Don’t forget, I am only the dad, meaning I am literally defenseless in front of you. So I will greatly appreciate if you could play fare with me.
Just saying!!!
I am so proud of you. You made it through the day care and you are doing great. Ignoring us as we are leaving as if we were not important.
I feel the French touch in you.
I love you anyway, more than you will ever know.
Your Dad
My sweet girl Addison,
It’s been just over two months since your arrival and I am so obsessed with you. I just stare at you while you are sleeping sometimes because I still cannot believe you came out of me. Starting out as just a few cells to the happy, smiley, beautiful little person you are today is truly a miracle and a blessing.
10 weeks old and by no means do I have all of the answers but what I do know is that the love I have for you is indescribable. Watching you up wake up in the morning makes my heart so full and seeing your smile brightens up my whole day. Everyday we are learning and growing together. I have already learned so many new things since becoming your mom and below are just a few things I now know:
1) MAT leave in the US sucks. I only have another few weeks with you and it’s making me so sad. You are just starting to get interesting and I’m scared I’m going to miss all of the good stuff to come in your development.
2) Breast milk is liquid gold. If you don’t believe me Goggle it. I have used it on your scratches, blocked tear duct, and baby acne.
3) I may have a problem. I am documenting almost everyday of your life. You have been alive for 75 days and I already have over 500 pictures of you. It amazes me just how many photos I have on my camera roll, I’m just always so desperate not to miss a single thing.
4) It makes me so happy to know that you are meeting with your grandparents in your dreams. I know this to be true because of your smiles and laughs I see while you are sleeping.
5) Your Papa. Best decision I have ever made. You’re welcome.
-Rookie Mom 2017
Dear Addison,
You are 2 months old already, still hard to pronounce and to think about it. But how beautiful the sound of it is. You are now more than ever the light in our life, the sunshine every morning and our full moon every night. Time goes by so fast, and you are growing so quickly.
Smiles, your smiles are surprising us all the time, a new one daily, a new expression, a new attitude. How many more do you have for us?? You are so charming, it is to die for.
Your sharpness is amazing for your age, already fighting to stand and walk. The strength in those arms and legs is mind blowing. The way you hold your head is fascinating and showing how determined you are to tackle that new life of yours in a fashion similar to your amazing mother.
As a Taurus, life to you will be like a game that you will play on your terms, you will succeed my love.
My baby, i am so proud to be your father.
Happy birthday
Dad
Addison,
Your grandmother, my mom, wrote me a beautiful email which showed me how much she misses me. This letter, email, was heartbreaking and painful to read as I understood how deep she was hurt.
The pain inflicted by the absence of her son was horrible, and still is. She assumed I left France to leave in a different country because of her, to be away from her. She has lived all those years without voicing her pain, and torn feelings.
What she never knew is to be able to live here was not without suffering on my part. Maybe and certainly a different type of pain but the hurtful feeling of missing her was constant, after all she is my mother, she is my first true love.
I have always admire my mom, what she did for us, for me. I never knew how to say thank you but I never cease to love her.
Today, thanks to you, the family is reunited and we will enjoy each other as much as possible. I will never forget the day my mom was staring at you and her love for you took the form of tears dropping on your chubby cheeks. Tears of Happiness.
The circle of Life brought us together with lots of love to offer and share between each other without limitations.
You don’t know that today but it is your doing which cleared those walls surrounding our hearts.
You are pure Love.
Dad