Bonne 1st Fête

Let the 1st continue . . .

 Happy 1st birthday Monkey!

Thank you G & G Freeland for flying into Montreal for Max's birthday!  You made it a special day.

 Bring on the dairy free cake.  However, we now know our delicate flower isn't as delicate as originally thought.  After some testing we learned he is NOT allergic to diary . . . Hallelujah!  

 Thank you cousins for the cool WY gear!  We love and miss you lovely ladies!

 Thank you Liz for the adorable handmade Monkey for my Monkey!  The kisses haven't stopped.

 Playing it cool on his new Little Tikes bike

 1 years old - 90% for height and 50% for weight.  My long and lean Monkey.  Where did the time go?  

 Making friends on the flight to Minnesota.  It was 11 pm, no nap and he was ready to party.

 Auntie Shell wore off quickly.

 No longer a baby in a bar, rather a toddler.  Max was the BINGO hustler.  He won big at Mainstreets and paid for our dinner.  Grandpa Eck was thrilled.  

 Swimming (more like splashing) with (or at) Auntie Shell.  He loved it!  

 View from our new apartment in Quebec City.  St. Lawrence River is on the horizon.  Scott worked hard moving the show for the first time from Montreal to Quebec City while Max and I played hard in Minnesota.

Day time view from apartment balcony.

We loved having Grandma Eck fly back with us to Quebec for a visit.

 Lunch on a gorgeous farming island 20 minutes outside Quebec City called ile d'Orleans.  The people, fruit, chocolate and views were all first class!

Hands down, we all LOVE Quebec City.  It is one of the oldest European settlements in North America with a population around 765,000 metro wide.  The rich history shows everywhere in the castles, fortresses and churches throughout.  We live in the heart of the gorgeous tourist area on Saint Jean.  Picture is of our street.  It is lined with rod iron street lamps, colorful hanging flower baskets, brick sidewalks, wood benches, tasty restaurants, gelato shops and local butcher, baker and produce store.  It gives charm a new meaning.

 Stunning church in Saint Roch area 

 Ready to head out exploring . . .

 Parliament building built in 1877.  It is now a marvelous hotel.

 Found a great park only blocks from our new apartment.  It's appropriately located on Rue Scott (Scott Road).

My name is Max and I am addicted to banana Puffs. 

We're in trouble now . . .

10-11 months

Crawling 0 to 60 in seconds . . .

Happy 10 months Max!  Promise he was much happier than the picture leads you to believe.  

 Happy toothless dude at 10 months.  He finally got his 2 lower teeth a couple weeks later.

 Snuggle bug

 Max loves doing ANYTHING with Dada

 More Dada snuggles

 Don't worry ladies, there is more than enough to go round!

Still mama's angel

 Crawling to climbing in a matter of hours . . .

 Short version: Quebec is increasing the students tuition by 75% over the next 5 years to $1,250 total and they protest everyday over it.  Still making it the lowest in the world.  On March 22nd they had over 300,000 protestors.  They block the roads downtown, do night rally's with flares and drums, wear red square pins symbolizing "forever debt" and chant "Maple Spring" in French non-stop. It's been interesting (and slightly annoying during nap and errand time) to watch while living in the heart of downtown Montreal.   

 Enjoying Sunday brunch at Dada's work

He has a million and one toys but still goes for my dirty flip flops.

Busy boy

Swinging for the 1st time.  Thanks Grandma for the million and one pushes and billion more to go.

Mama's buddy

Thank you to everyone who donated and came out to support Dakota Communities!  The Gala was a huge success.

 Happy bachelorette party to Andrea!  We had a wonderful weekend in San Francisco celebrating.  

While I got to enjoy a wonderful trip to Minnesota and San Francisco, Scott fished his little heart away in the Florida Keys with his folks.  He caught bonefish (above), ladyfish, redfish, tarpon, bonnett head shark, jack's, grouper, snapper, catfish, sea trout and the list goes on . . .  

Scott and Bill enjoying the ocean views

 Max loved Auntie Shell's old stuffed animals, especial the panda bear named Lulu.  Lulu got drooly kisses every morning and evening.

 Thank you Grandpa for getting me such a smooth ride at the Dakota Communities live auction!  The little black book is ready to be filled ladies . . .

Thanks a ton Sara and Josh Schulman for watching my Monkey!  He loved hang in' with his buddies, Jonah and Charlie.

Trouble #1 and #2.  Mr. Speed Crawler loves chasing Stella around while in Minnesota.

 My handsome guys

 Thank you June and Bob for the adorable Vikings Bear!  Max is already a loyal fan like his Mama thanks to you.

 Watching his first movie, "Princess and the Frog."  He was glued to the TV for all of 10 mins then went about his usual Max business of drooling, crawling 100 miles per hour and banging toys around while giggling.

 Gorgeous cabin we rented an hour North of Montreal in Wentworth-Nord with friends Liz and Edwin to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary. 

Max LOVED the cabin and lake, Petit Lac Noir.  He was giggling and exploring all weekend.

 Chicks dig me

 Max has been pumping iron.  Check out those pecks!

 I still chase him down to get my daily kiss quota in.

 Fishing with Dada.  Scott caught a few perch and bass.

 Sleeping baby, bonfire, smores, cocktails, good friends, amazing husband and lake views at the cabin . . . life is good!

Happy 11 months Monkey!  He's getting harder and harder to catch but easier and easier to love!  Thanks for being you, Mr. Max.