Dad can hardly believe it, but Alexandre has been with us three weeks already. It’s easy to forget what it’s like to live with a newborn, but luckily we have an internet record that lets us recall Juliette’s earliest moments. And the internet never lies: Juliette was a pretty easy baby, but little Alexandre is turning out to be even easier.

Of course, he needs to eat every 2-3 hours, like any newborn. So on that front, regular feedings through the night are part of the routine. But #2 is definitely easier on the parents than #1, at least in the sense that you know what to expect. (On the other hand, you never realize what luxury you had in only having to look after one child! With #2, as soon as one is asleep, the other wants attention!)

But apart from the obvious, Alexandre is a very quiet, calm, relaxed baby. In fact, he’s so quiet that we keep checking that he’s awake and breathing. (He is. Everything is fine.)

As parents, we’ve already learned not to take these calm moments for granted. Children change every day, and yesterday’s peaceful prince is today’s two-year-old tyrant. We’ll take it ask it comes, and say thanks for the small blessings along the way.

Guess who’s three weeks old already?!?

Today was a chance to enjoy a Sunday afternoon with friends and enjoy an early celebration of Dad’s birthday. We had Bao, Marjo and the whole clan over to check out the new house and enjoy lunch together, then a special celebration with cake to mark the last year Dad can legitimately claim to be “in his thirties…”

What a nice birthday present!

Dad gets some help blowing out the candles

What fun, bouncing on Aunt Marjo’s knees!

Juliette and Alexandre wanted to say a big thank you to Uncle Karl and Aunt Anke for their wonderful presents. What a treat it was to open them this afternoon — although, admittedly, Juliette got more excited about the event than Alexandre.

(Mom and Dad also wanted to say a big thank you for thinking of us — it was very kind.)

What could be inside?!

Presents are very exciting!

Juliette figured out how to build her tower right away!

The music worked a treat. Asleep within seconds.

After several months of living with an empty living room, the first pieces of our new furniture finally arrived. And guess who wanted to be the very first person to test them out? Juliette!

Juliette tests out the new furniture

It’s day ten, and our little fella is settling in nicely. He had a little baby acne when he was born, but that’s cleared up and he’s looking more handsome every day. Like his sister, Alexandre arrived with a good head of hair — and this time, very dark hair.

As babies go, Alex is a little star. He’s calm and quiet, and he took to feeding right away. With both of our kids, we’ve been very lucky parents.

“What are you doing up there?”

Checking out the world

Alex is a very relaxed little fella

Mami is here for a few weeks to lend a hand around the house while everyone gets settled in with the new baby. She’s also taking the opportunity to spend plenty of time with her grand-daughter. Today they went for a nice walk to both ponds, then up the hill to visit the deer in the pasture above the house.

After that, it was time for some indoor activities — like learning how to snap green beans! Tough work when you’ve only got tiny little fingers.

Someone is very smiley!

Learning how to snap green beans with Mami

Getting the hang of it…

Juliette is very pleased to announce the arrival of her little brother, Alexandre! We received a happy and healthy baby boy, weighing just under 3.1kg and measuring 48cm. Clearly a ‘made in Switzerland’ baby, he arrived two weeks early so as not to keep anyone waiting.

Hello world.

Mama and Alexandre

Proud Papa!

“I didn’t realize babies come with hats. You guys crack me up. You don’t have jobs. You can’t walk or speak the language. You don’t have a dollar in your pockets but you got yourselves a hat so everything’s fine. I don’t want to alarm you or anything, but I’m Dad. ” (This one is for the ‘West Wing’ fans)

A well-deserved nap after a busy morning!

Just chillin’

Salut!

Little fingers

You might be the daughter of a pharmacist if…

Nothing like snuggling in for a good night’s sleep with your friendly stuffed Hepatitis virus.