Still in England

Je ne sais pas trop où commencer. La vie chez Claire rentre dans une certaine routine. Bien sûr les moments de long sommeil ne correspondent pas encore à nos nuits, mais ils y approchent de plus en plus. Il suffirait de ramener le début deux heures en avant. Sinon, Aurélia prend gentiment du poids, et tout et tout. Elle est très belle -- de l'opinion de tous, et non l'opinion biaisée de sa grand-mère :-) ! Toujours pas de biais -- elle suit des objets colorés des yeux; elle suit des sons; elle sourit (non, pas des rictus, des sourires).
Le weekend dernier (du 18 au 20), nous sommes allés à Woking, chez les parents Husaunndee pour fêter l'anniversaire d'Alison! C'était un déplacement d'une heure et demi, mais pas trop fatigant pour Claire, qui se remet bien de l'opération. Si seulement elle avait le droit de conduire, je crois qu'elle pourrais se dispenser de mes services. (Elle n'est pas tout à fait d'accord avec cet avis.) C'était l'anniversaire d'Alison, mais Aurélia était aussi à la fête. Charlotte est une grande soeur modèle. Dans les photos, on la voit donnant la tété à sa poupée à côté de Claire qui nourrit Aurélia. Charlotte est à la grande école maintenant et porte l'uniforme. Noah s'intéresse un peu au bébé, mais pas trop. Il était plus préoccupé à chasser des bulles de savon.

There's really not a lot to report. We've gotten into some sort of routine here at Claire's. Aurelia seems to like eating very frequently during the day, but then she settles down for two long sleeps that are slowly approaching adult night-time hours. She just needs to start the first of the two periods a little earlier. She's only three weeks old, so it seems pretty normal. She's gaining weight well and all the rest. She's very pretty -- everyone says so, so it's not just a grandmother's biased opinion ;-) ! Still unbiased -- she follows colored objects with her eyes and she follows sounds; she smiles (not just the giddy rictus after eating, these are real smiles).
Last weekend (18-20 September) we went to Woking to Geoff's parents' for Alison's birthday party. It was a fairly long trip for Claire, not too tiring for Claire, who is recovering well from the operation. I think that if she could drive (locally) she wouldn't need me around any more, but for one, she's not allowed to drive and for another, she says she still needs me. Anyway, it was Alison's birthday, but Aurelia was co-star of the weekend. Charlotte and Noah were not far behind, but this was Aurelia's first visit. Charlotte is in primary school now and wears an adorable uniform. She's a perfect big sister (you can see her in one of the photos feeding her baby doll, sitting next to Claire feeding Aurelia). Noah is just mildly interested in the baby; he's happier chasing bubbles (and he now says "bubbles).

Aurelia Zuleika Husaunndee, in person

Here is Aurelia:

Aurelia Zuleka Husaunndee

Aurelia Zuleka was born on August 31 at 8:07 pm GMT + 1 (daylight savings in the UK), 9:07 pm in France

Aurelia Zuleka est née le 31 août à 20h07 heure d'été anglaise, 21h07 heure d'été française.
 3,265 kg., 56 cm (!)
 7 lbs. 2 oz., 22+ inches (!)

Haven't seen her in person, yet, but on Paul's tiny phone screen, we got a peek at her face. Crespo (that's the family's favorite brand of black olives) eyes and hair, so I'm thinking she looks very much like both Claire and Geoff (duh!). 56 cm. seems really long. Can't wait until tomorrow, when we can meet her! I will post a picture as soon as I have it! (I'm not familiar with the workings of Paul's phone in order to transfer the picture he has.)

Claire says she's very hungry, especially at night, falls asleep while nursing and seems to be acting very much like Claire did at the same ripe age of a day and a half. So, all is normal on that front. Claire is feeling fine and thinks they will be leaving the hospital today or tomorrow.

Paul, Louis, Emma and I are going up to Northampton by car tomorrow. We'll stay at Sedgebrook Hall, where we stayed for the wedding, until Sunday. They are giving us an even better price than then and for their "normal" price, they are still leagues above the nearby competition. Paul and the other two will drive back home on Sunday, but I'll stay behind to help out at the house. Anne will come on her own, later, when things have settled down a bit.

Today, I have to take care of a few things before going to England, since I don't know when I'll be getting back, exactly.