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We finally head back to our quiet home, and the first thing we do… is collapse on the couch, exhausted from the trip.

Especially me.

And after so long in Granite Falls, we need a bit of time to readjust to San Myshuno.

Hannah is starting to really understand what this growing belly entails — it helps that she can now feel her baby brother or sister moving around.

And she’s already really protective. Or jealous, I can’t tell.

Granite Falls Photoshoot

Telling Hannah

We’ve been in Granite Falls for some time now, and my belly has started to get rounder; so it’s time we tell Hannah about the sibling she’s about to have.

I’m not sure she fully understands — what kid does? —, but she seems excited, and she knows that it means I have a brother or sister in the tummy, and she’s more than willing to have a nice family cuddle time.

It’s extra special for Hugo and I; we couldn’t be happier, and more hopeful about the future, than we are right now.

Cozy Cabin

Night Cards

When the toddler and the cat are asleep, Hugo and I sneak on the balcony to have a game of cards, like the two elders we actually are.

Truth be told, I have something in mind, and finally getting some peace and quiet makes it much better.

Once Hugo has wiped the table with my poor cards skills, I take a deep breath…

And give him the big news.

Little Angler

Day two of our family trip to Granite Falls. Nounou is still scared of the trees, but he has Hannah to reassure him.

I go back to my first Granite Falls love: yoga under the cold sun, with the sound of wind through pine branches as my meditation soundtrack.

And Hugo… Hugo fishes.

An activity Hannah is starting to take an interest in.

And Hugo is more than happy to share this passion with her.

I doubt she will catch any fish…

But she’s adorable.

Fish for dinner again!

Breakfast

It’s the early morning; Hannah is wide awake, and in the cold morning, she patiently awaits her breakfast by playing with Nounou.

I have to admit I’m always impressed by how gentle she is with that kitten. She’s not a brute by any means, but she’s still a very young kid; yet when she picks the cat up, it’s clear he thinks safe.

And I love that she will systematically ignore all of her many toys to play with her little friend instead.

This is what Hugo and I comment on while we get our lazy brunch ready.

The Evening

The night alls over Granite Falls, and since Hanna shares our bedroom, Hugo and I have to get crafty.

There are some perfectly acceptable bushes around the lodge.

And at the end of the day, when we’re all properly exhausted, parents, toddler, and cat all drop in our respective beds for a full night’s sleep.

Horseshoe

Focus, Azalea. You’ve been training for this. You can do it.

PERFECT SHOT

Finally, my crowning achievement.

Faster than Mom

I somehow had the brilliant idea of buying and bringing with us a little moped for Hannah. I thought it would amuse her, and I was right — her little adventurous soul loves it with all of her heart.

I thought there wouldn’t be any safer place for her to play with it than the vast empty clearings of Granite Falls, and I was mostly right about this, too. I was just very wrong to think that this would stop me from being terrified down to my socks.

Hannah, you see, has no notion of what fear is at all.