and the diagnosis is...

Given her continued fever and malaise, we took Sophie to the village doctor this morning (got an appointment 2 1/2 hours later). she seems to have a slight ear infection and sore throat. While the doc subscribed anti-biotics, we want to wait it out a bit longer. BTW, she only weighs 8.25 kgs, which isn't so heavy at almost 9 1/2 months.

But the bigger news is that Seb has chickenpox! I had noticed something yesterday morning but thought it was a bug bite. Yesterday night, I noticed a spot on his inner thigh. But it wasn't a dreaded hive (symptom of allergic reaction) and we were busy with fussy Sophie and guests. This morning, however, the spots were in full view on his neck, back, legs, bum, edge of his face. A few have come on his scalp and I am sure he will get lots more (it averages at 200!) over the next week. He isn't itchy YET or fractious (except when told he can't go places and mix with other children).

Who knows where he got it (we suspect a bouncy castle 10 days ago) - but at least we will know where Sophie got it when her turn comes in 10-14 days...

K-I-T update 2

I forgot to mention that Seb was awarded stage 2 of his knight challenge - his costume. About 5 days ago, he managed to do 4 nights of falling asleep in his own room alone. So he was given his nifty knight's tunic. I realise now that I don't have a photo of it on him. It is a basic model that he can wear for years to come. He has been informed that he is expected to be a knight for Hallow'een!

so what have we been up to?

Well first off, we've had guests - the Crawleys, Katy, Babush & Ben and soon Ulrike. Mike's been doing some DIY. Seb has been entertaining us all by captaining a boat and learning to be a knight.

Sophie is mastering the art of going backwards. I've included some fashion shots as she sports her new autumn outfit from Great-aunt Colleen and auntie Jeet's giraffe sleeper via Sebastian.

Sadly though, she's been suffering a high fever for the last day and 1/2 or so. She's clingy, fussy and just won't settle in the daytime. We keep waiting for the illness to break out - vomiting, spots, diarrhea, something - but so far nothing.

I'll save our 3rd (and final) installment of Medieval Days for another time.

K-I-T update 1

Yesterday, Mike and I presented the KIT with the first step - for honesty, his jousting knight set. And he has loved it; it was the first toy he wanted to show his visiting grandparents and to carry around today.

But he should get his costume tomorrow for 4 nights of bravery by falling asleep alone - something that Soph needs to work on!

Medieval Days - Part II

While Issigeac's Medieval Day was lots of fun and right on our doorstep, I can now say that I am a huge fan of Cadouin's efforts. Cadouin is a tiny village about 25 minutes away (see earlier pics of Eardleys buying cheese at its market); it has a large abbey that is/was a stop on the Campostello "highway" as it claimed to have the turban of Christ (which turned out to be 12 century linen with an Arabic inscription...).

Anyway, we were motoring by with our Turino-based friends when we realised why the road was diverted. I wanted to go in to buy a costume for Seb (see knight-in-training post below). We ended up spending the afternoon and evening there; it was magical and fun for everyone. The strange and slightly sinister characters and acting were fantastic; again not a damsel in distress/Disney princess in sight. The village had organised a loan of costumes to locals so the crowd was well-dressed and motivated. The food was good and instead of a banquet, there were individual portions that you could buy, which suited us better (see Mike with his HUGE piece of ham). There also were many very high-level workshops which looked interesting - calligraphy, fresco painting, felt and paper-making, etc. Plus, there was some beautifully painted faces sprinkled around the crowd.

The best quote of the day of course came from Seb - after being mezmorised by the fire dancers he declared " When I am grown-up, I am going to swing fire", and I bet he will.

Today's news - besides Italian guests leaving and Crawleys arriving and rain forcasted for days...- is that it looks like Sophie is getting herself up into a sitting position. It's all systems go with mobile Sophie.

Stamp, stamp, stampin'

Our dear friend Maria was here last week en route from Dakar (her current home) to Montreal (her old home). While here, she shared her talent and passion for textile printing. She and her sweetheart have started a business together in Senegal - http://www.symbyoze.com/ . Seb was her star pupil. Here he is with (again a bit out of order) the palaver hut stamp, stamping wax onto a t-shirt, dying and the final products - one of which should be arriving in TO now as a birthday gift to a favourite 4 year old.

Medieval Days

The heyday of the Valley of the Dropt was the Medieval Ages and thus, there are a series of touring events every summer to celebrate. Issigeac's turn is the 2nd Sunday in August. What is lovely is that each village's event is different. It's definitely not Disney's version of the Middle Ages. There are certainly more serfs and raunchy peasants than chivalrous knights and damsels in distress - in fact, I didn't see any of the latter. It was a terrific day and highly recommended to anyone who can plan a summer visit. There was dancing, music, pony rides, facepainting, street theatre, and a fantastic open air supper with performances (only 20 Euros wine included) - but too late and too meaty for us. Seb wanted a costume so we made one from brown paper with pink washing up gloves as gauntlets! There are a few "Medieval Days" more this week, and we hope Seb will get to experience another one with George & Lorraine, when they visit next week.

We have been trying to dream up a way to reward and encourage Seb's good behaviour. He is very taken by the knights and so we have come up with a game over the next couple of weeks. He is a knight in training (k-i-t)! There are 4 stages:

1- Bravery : 4 nights of falling asleep on his own means he is BRAVE and can get a knight's costume

2-:Honesty - by telling the truth, playing fair, etc, a K-i-t can receive a set of jousters (not jesters) who always play by the rules.

3- Cooperation: showing cooperation means he will be rewarded a shield - with his own home-designed crest (we're voting for a maple leaf).

4 - Respect: the ultimate test. This is the final step where a (foam) sword is awarded when a k-i-t can demonstrate that he knows how to channel his anger positively.

He has the stages all written up and drawn out on the wall of his room, so he can remember. It's going really well (today he got mad at Mike and decided to block the door to the ruin with his ride-on toys, and then apologised). We gave him two Playmobil figurines to kick off the challenge and he loves to have hand-hand fighting, as well as cooperatively track dragons and build castles.We've also explained that the council of knights can always strip a knight of his sword and shield if he does not live up to a knights' code of conduct. We have to figure out some proactive female role modelling as all the figurines are male (unless a princess in distress or wedding dress) and some cooperation angle (I think the castle's ruler will be a council of elders instead of a monarch. Suggestions are welcome!

There will be loads more photos to share over the coming weeks, no doubt.

The girl is on a roll

Sophie Wedge finally hit a major milestone - she turned over and over and over. Obviously, she has been saving it all up for August 8. She also shuffles backwards in some attempt at crawling. Sooner or later, she will get it all together and be "on the move", and then there will be no stopping her! So she deserves a photo - taken on the 6th with Grandma and Grandad's camera. I think we have a shot of baby Sebby doing the same thing with the same - or similar - shirt.

Right now, she's stopped in her tracks - fast asleep in her cot and Mike is laying tile for our new patio. Go Mike, go. Meanwhile Seb agreed to go to PlayCentre as it is a major outing day - bouncy castles and sprinklers and things. We'll see how it all went when we pick him this afternoon.

The other photo is of the Issigeac crew admiring a gift of a Vancouver painting. Sophie just about squeezes into that lovely spring green romper.

one more for the recordbooks

It's official - Sophie has tooth number 4 (top left) and there may be one more coming in on the bottom. She's been working hard at it and taking us on her rollercoaster ride too. She woke 3 times to nurse last night... At least that provided us with the opportunity to take a diaperless Sebastian to the potty in the night; unfortunately, despite his desire "to go dry", his bladder isn't ready. How come "going dry" means so much wet laundry?!

Oh, and Sophie is trying her best to wave too. Very endearing.

Catching up with our far-flung friends

So it's been awhile since I lasted updated the site for all the devotees. That's because we have been extremely busy with visitors and my ever-extending contract (I'm now signed on for a total of 18 days...), plus the usual laundry, shopping, cooking, parenting, gardening, etc.




2 weeks ago, we finally hosted my schoolchum Emma and her family. Young Ava was a real hit with Sebby; Sophie was less impressed because whenever Ava would spy her seated on her mat, she would zoom over and give her a little shove. It was quite funny as no one ever got hurt and it was so perfectly what a 21 month old would do with younger competition. Ava also LOVED our low sink, and there were many dashes to it, to thwart her from pouring water everywhere or plunging her hand in to draw out a knife! But we did get out of the house. Emma and Ken love their markets and Seb loves his cheese, so there's a good snap of them doing what they do best in Cadouin. The Eardleys fell in love with the Issigeac lifestyle and have already booked to bring over Emma's parents next summer!


And then came the Vancouverites. We finally managed to lure Syd & Deb to our hectic and (mostly) happy home. They too were effusive about the Dordogne and we certainly hope that they will be back to savour it more, once Debbie retires in a few years. We managed to do the market and many picnics. They went to the plan d'eau with Seb, who decided to nap instead... We all ate at a night "market" (food stalls) and they went for a canoe ride on the river (with Seb). But mostly it was hanging out and mellowing out. They took the kids one evening when we dined out. I understand that the Sound of Music was viewed for Nth time. Debbie jousted and play-fought with Seb endless times, while Syd became the official referee. Seb was smitten with the loving attention and bestowed on each of them a handcrafted pottery necklace.


Despite my request, everyone seems to still be arriving with gifts for the kids. Debbie had bought some clothes (boring said Syd); however, Seb was thrilled by his big boy shirt and his "tights" (knee socks to you and me). He definitely is looking older and older what with lace up shoes, collared shirts, knee socks, a watch... In fact, he just became "almost 4".


The crummy thing was that 10 minutes before Syd & Deb arrived, I stubbed my left foot against Soph's crib and either tore or pulled a ligament. A week later I am still hobbling and it is violent shades of everything... I did manage to wear a pair of shoes yesterday but only for 20 minutes.


So it's back to work for me. Next up we have the Italians - Maria (Italian-canadian en route from Senegal) on Friday for 4 days - plans are to Bodega/street party, float in a lake, market, and joust at the annual Issigeac Medieval day; then it's Elena & Andras from Turino on the 15 or 16th for 4-5 days, followed by the paternal grandparents for a week, and then the Londoners! I think we will take a break from hosting after that, but there will be some "spots available" in September for any "latecomers".


We are discussing various options for a return to Canada but that's another post to the blog.