Even though our blog makes it look like we are out exploring everyday, since Brian started rehearsals this week we have pretty much settled into normal life. Brian is a real commuter and has up to an hour train ride each way to and from rehearsals, which are all over Paris. (He is getting to know the train system very well.) Colin and I hang out and play, go to the park, take walks with George, go in the "sleepy stroller", as he is refusing to take naps at home but will gladly climb into the stroller at nap time and in 20 minutes he is out cold. We also eat a lot of yogurt, play with cars, watch trains from the park, and watch "A Bug's Life" multiple times every day. He has been fixated with bugs for a while, partly because I was making him paranoid about them. In Louisville I learned I could get his attention by pointing out any spot on the floor, telling him it was a bug and then we would step on it. Colin's enjoyment of stepping on bugs started last summer in Chicago with the cicadas. Anyway, my tactic backfired as he started to see "bugs" everywhere and they seemed to be tormenting him. The bugs especially seemed to infiltrate the bath bubbles for a time. So we had to say bye bye bugs and make friends with the bugs and he is doing much better. I will try not to give Colin more phobias or mental problems (I hope.)

My brother Pat was curious to see some of our baby-proofing that involved tableware. Since most of the hotel and other doors have this kind of non-baby proof handle (see below) we have to take measures to keep our child in the house. Colin has been able to open these doors pretty much since he could stand up since he is so tall.


So most places have a chain or a bolt that takes care to keep Colin inside. However, the doors where we are staying have gone electronic recently and although they have a big bolt, we were not given a key to operate it. The first night we were here we barricaded the door with the kitchen table and the stroller but Colin managed to get under the table and open the door in the middle of the night. This is a big nightmare for me and luckily I heard him and he was a bit disoriented due to the table, etc. but we had to figure something out. So Brian rigged the following. I think it is quite brilliant and secure:
We also travel with bungee cords for the fridge and stove which at times creates quite a little web of scary stretchy cords. This is not ideal always since the bungee cords could really hurt someone (Alisa taught me that). But usually he loses interest, usually.