Trip to Belgium

We've been home a full week. Last night was the first night in that week that everyone slept all night through, in their own beds. And for me, it was Heaven! ...it also helped fight this throat virus that Aria and Frederic picked up in Belgium and so lovingly handed over to me.

Belgium was fun, this time, again. We were there for 10 days, slept at 3 different houses, 1 hotel room, and 1 beach apartment. So it's no wonder we come home and the kids can't sleep. We were always in the same room together, and Aria spent the entire trip sleeping in the bed with Frederic and me. (And Luc going through the "I'm lonely sleeping in my room at night" stage isn't helping either).

We arrived at Brussels airport on Friday Sept 16th morning. The kids slept maybe 2.5-3 hours on the overnight flight. We slept about zero. Marine greeted us at the airport and after awhile of collaborating with TonTon Guy, we got our rental car, drove outside the airport to the gas station, and picked up the borrowed kids' car seats. Installed- we drove off. Straight to Liege we went.

About 15 minutes from TonTon Jean-Luc and Taty Corrine's house, the car starts to shake a little like it's going to stall out. Frederic pushes on. It happened a few more times. But there's nowhere to stop on these country roads that whiz around. We made it to the house and chilled out for awhile. We needed to go get diapers and some kid-friendly food, so we all packed into the car. Frederic starts the car (which is all electronic). Chug Chug, shake shake. Nothing. Again and again 50 times. Nothing. An hour later the dealership mechanic comes out to look at the car. I asked Frederic how many times the rental car guy told him it was a Diesel car. Once, maybe twice. I ask, could it be possible the previous people filled the half tank with gas instead. Sure enough- yup. Frederic hitches a ride with the tow truck to a town 45 minutes to get another car. 3 hours later, we have a new rental (never been driven off the lot). We go to the store. Happy to say this is the only trouble we had the whole time (except medical troubles...).

Steph and Johnny's wedding was wonderful! She looked like a princess, the castle for the reception was beautiful. I went to bed in the rented room with the kids at about 10pm, Frederic partied with everyone until 3am.

Aria walking into her castle.

Aria on a chocolate high

The next few days we spent in Liege with family. We went to Galler chocolatier to stock up (and eat our lunch with all the free samples) and went to the city center where Luc had his first Liege waffle (which was his most favorite thing about the whole trip to Belgium).

I also got to visit my favorite place in all of Liege- La Maison de Peket!

We visited Frederic's grandmother and great uncle's graves and ate out for dinner at a Chinese Buffet- but not really buffet, where Phillipe ended up with plates and plates of smoked salmon he didn't order...or did he? We still don't know.

I also got a free back massage from Phillipe while the others were in the hot tub (after the kids finally passed out).

We said our weepy goodbyes on Tuesday morning and headed to Brussels to pick up Marine. We and the cousins (Phillipe, Marine, Steph and Johnny) headed to De Haan- the Belgian beach. First stop on the way there was in Brugges. I love this city. I think it's my favorite place in all of Belgium (not including the places where we have family and friends first). It's so old, and beautiful. It's clean, and most of all it's calm. There's no bustling around, no car horns blaring. You can get lost on little streets and feel like you're in a Charles Dickens Christmas movie. The architecture is so different from anything in the US, and I love that! The cobblestone streets are super charming (not with a stroller though). And who can not love all the little canals? The first time we came here (before Luc) we took a boat tour. I think Aria was a little too young to do that this time around- I was afraid of her jumping into the water. So maybe next time we can show them the city by boat.

Frederic and I were determined to find this little fritterie where we had eaten awesome food 6 years ago. We found it! The food was a little different from what I remember, but yummy nonetheless.

After we ate, we walked around the city for awhile and came across this street performer making lots of huge bubbles. We all had a blast watching that!

Next, we got to the beach and just in time to see the sunset and eat mussels at a restaurant on the boardwalk. The next day we went back to the beach where Luc couldn't help but go swimming. Aria and I shell-searched.

Back in the Brussels that night, we went over to TonTon Guy and Taty Carine's house where we would stay for a few days. The next days were filled with visiting friends, family bbq, shopping trip in the city, and Luc having his asthma attack. Two nights of using an inhaler instead of the nebulizer machine (we borrowed that used to be Phillipe's) meant Luc did not get enough medicine. Something triggered an asthma attack while visiting Iris. He spent the time on the terrace breathing cool air- because I'm a horrible mother and left his emergency inhaler back at the house!
By the time we got back to Guy & Carine's, Luc was hysterical crying that he couldn't breathe. I had to hold him down on my lap to get him to do his treatments, then he crashed on the couch. I broke down crying all over poor Carine's shoulder. I was extremely worried, stressed, pissed off at myself for not having the emergency inhaler in my bag, mad it took us so long to get back to Guy and Carine's house to give him his treatment, and scared to think about what could've happened. But also THANKFUL we had the nebulizer machine.

Me trying to cheer Luc up a little during his attack. He was not amused...because he couldn't do the faces for the camera with the mask on. Oops again!

Luc was down for about 2 days. The day after all he ate was a roll. He was tired and we upped his treatments and inhalers. Plus in the middle of the night he was still wheezing and coughing, and I got up every 4 hours to give him his medicine. Thank God by the time we left Belgium, he was a lot better.

The last two days in Belgium were spent at Frederic's best friend's, Caroline, house. We get along so well with Caroline and Matt and their two kids. Our lives are so similar- with work, kids, house, everything, it's like looking in the mirror. They asked us what we wanted to do- we said chill. They hosted a BBQ Saturday night for Caroline's brother and cousin (who are also Frederic's friends) to come over. All the kids played together in the backyard.

 Sunday, we sat around the house. The kids played, painted, and went for a walk. We hung out, did nothing, drank wine and beer, ate, talked, and mentally prepared ourselves for going home on Monday.

Monday I woke at 5:40am to start packing up, get the kids up and dressed, do one last nebulizer treatment for Luc, and get Frederic conscious enough to drive to the airport. Since the attacks at the Brussels airport there was a chance for traffic check points on the highway, security checks before entering the departures area, on top of the regular security line. Lucky for us, returning the rental was smooth, there were no extra checks- they were randomly picking people before entering the airport. I'm sure 2 huge luggage's, 5 carry-on bags, a stroller, and 2 kids was not something they wanted to pull aside and check. Although, Frederic was called up and checked behind a curtain at the gate. We arrived with plenty of time and no stress.
We got on the plane and since it wasn't full we were able to stretch across 4 seats. It was nice getting a break from Aria sitting on my lap this time. She slept about 5 hours, Luc slept about 2-3.
We had really awesome weather in Belgium, again. Hardly any rain, mild temperatures, and lots of sun. We arrive home to clouds, overcast, mist, and a week of nonstop pouring rain. The world seemed upside down.

When asked, Luc said his favorite things about Belgium were first, the waffles, and chocolate croissants for breakfast. Then he said the beach. I know he also loved spending time with Marine and Phillipe, especially in the car rides.

Liege Waffle- Approved.

Overall it was an awesome trip. Luc had fun. Aria was full of life and making friends. We spent lots of good time with our family and friends. It was of course very sad to say goodbye to everyone. But- There's No Place Like Home.
sigh

Aria so jet-lagged she almost fell asleep on the kitchen floor, using kitchen towels for her bedding.