Hi all! We thought we'd show some shots from Duvan's travels over Europe. We're so thankful for the time that we had with each other while traveling. Duvan is a true traveler. He was so easy to travel with, and a real pleasure wherever we went. He enjoyed all the interesting views from his stroller or the Snugli, and we were able to also get a lot of good bonding time with him! The last couple of weeks in the US were really busy, so we really appreciated the extra measure of time together.
Praise the Lord for such an amazing time in Europe. God's grace abounded in our travels! We were protected in health and safety, all round! We were blessed going in and going out!
We've decided to dedicate an entry to some of the shots from our travels in Europe and the UK. The more we think of this time, the fonder we grow of the memories we have from this trip. It is right up there with the rest of the BIG vacations we've had!
Meet Duvan in typical traveling gear! Ready to take on the Old World, he's sitting in his tourmobile, dressed for the cool weather, toy in hand for when the sites get rather adult-like and boring.
In Trier, Germany on the 5th Duvan started blowing bubbles with renewed interest. He was very vocal about it as well. It was the cutest, he would have this expression of concentration in his eyes (which he has most of the time he's "talking"), while making loud "Ah-boooo"'s, but with a closed mouth! So it came out more like a vigorous "Ah-bbbrrbrbrbrbbrbr"!
Bathing is always fun, no matter where we are! Here Duvan is exploring the water streaming from the shower head. He kept wanting to take a hold of it. It was so cool to share this new sensation with him! He's started learning to explore with his fingers, but could not understand why this warm fluid kept evading his grip!
Well, we should have mentioned "upper body control" as a milestone above ;), Duvan is really starting to get the hang of sitting by himself. Here he is the chairman of our morning family meeting in Luxembourg City, directing the planning of the day's itinerary...
Duvan must think that all of Europe is a very bouncy place, for wherever he went in his stroller, the world was bouncing up and down! The rough cobblestone in all the streets made for a bumpy ride in the stroller, which he quite enjoyed! Luxembourg City was the first time we experienced cold weather, which meant extra bundling for Duvan. Those attentive, bright eyes kept popping over the top of the blanket as he bobbed down the street, head bouncing up and down and the semblance of a smile on his lips.
In Reims, France later that evening, we hung out in the hotel room. Duvan was very talkative, and did some more of his closed mouth "Ah-booo's".
We were amazed at Duvan's ability to sit up that evening. All the time in the stroller has really strengthened his back! This shot is the photo finish of a new personal best for Duvan of 4 seconds unassisted sitting.
Mid morning in Paris, while Mom and Dad had breakfast, Duvan worked in his first nap of the day.
Later that day during lunch, Duvan was the hit with some of the local kids at this cafe in the mall at the Louvre. Imagine 2 excited little toddlers around your baby, happily talking away at him in French... We just smiled sheepishly at them. :) Duvan (and his Mom) perfected the skill of discreetly nursing in public places. Here we hung out for a while around the table, enjoying each other's company.
Duvan awoke from his afternoon nap in the Notre Dame in Paris, and very interested in what his Mom had to say.
We celebrated our anniversary (a month later) with dinner in a restaurant on Painters' Square in Mont-Martre. Duvan had some laughs left, even though it was drawing toward the end of a long long day.
This stretch is now so characteristic of what Duvan does most of the time. He finds almost anything interesting enough to warrant exploring it with his hands and mouth. Everytime Marésa would take a sip of water, he would give it his everything to get a hold of her glass.
Our last morning in Europe was in Baden Baden, Germany. We had a very relaxed and slow morning, and got to hang out a lot in the hotel room. Duvan took up talking again during our trip, and was making the cutest baby noises while lying on his back. It was all "Ah-bah-bah-bah, Ah-boo, ah-bbrbrbrbrb, [shreek] ah-bah-bah-bah".
After nursing for lunch, we checked out of the hotel, and Duvan had the most content look on his face. This is the good life, being filled with Mommy's Best.
Duvan spent a lot of time in this carseat this vacation. The moment he got into the seat, he started chewing on the belts, which really alarmed us. We soon realized though that we were not going to be able to keep the belts out of his mouth for the whole week, and he proceeded to thorougly claim the ends of the belts as his own.
Back in the UK we spent a day in London with our dear friend Jana (Schalk could not make it due to work commitments :(). Duvan enjoyed a lot of Snugli-time that day. Here he's posing with Mom in front of London Bridge.
Close to Mommy is a great place to be friendly to everyone around!
...and a great place to catch a well-deserved nap.
On our way home in the Underground, Duvan was babbling away in the cutest manner. This expression really captures the essence of his concentration while talking away. These beautiful sounds are passing by so quickly, we wish we could record it for you, but unfortunately did not have the video camera handy!
Well, watch this space for some updates on Duvan's milestones, coming soon! He's doing so many new things now, we stand amazed at him every day.
love seeing the new pics....keep em coming!!
miss you guys...
d,m,m.
Posted by: Dan, Missy, and Michaela Elliott | March 1, 2004 01:52 PM
I loved the pictures and your narration. It makes you seem so close at hand! Keep up the great work. Blessings and love to all. Keep us posted on your progress now that you are "home." Love to all, Barbara and John
Posted by: Barbara Waldron | March 10, 2004 08:30 AM
Beautiful pictures and great detailed captions! Looking forward to the S.Afr. segment :)
Love, Eric, Lis, Maddie, and Baby Schubie
Posted by: Eric, Lis, and Madeleine | March 17, 2004 07:32 PM
