Emotional Update

- By Scharman

So my sister-in-law, Amanda, asked for an update on the emotional state of each of us a week into our adventures.  

Here's our emotional state to this point:







Matt-  Is really doing quite well!  Calm, cool and collected except when the children are overly tired and need food or sleep.  He has mentioned once or twice that he would like to sample the local wine....  What does that mean?  He has shared that his anxiety is actually doing quite well....better than in the states and that's without his "drug of choice,"  WORK.  We are attributing less anxiety to more sleep, historical distraction and fewer work pressures.  He does love being able to make a few skype calls or emails to clients to keep things rolling.



Scharman-  Loving our days.  I still realize that feeding, dressing, sleeping and directing behaviors of the children dominate our energies no matter what country we are in.  My expectations were not high before I came because I didn't know what to expect of everyone;  but I am so pleasantly surprised with everyone's flexibility.  The boys most often take their naps in their strollers--especially George.  Anthon has a harder time falling asleep with the activity around him.  They are being pretty darn patient in castle after castle.  On Saturday Anthon hit the tired wall....and it was a mistake to not give him a nap on Saturday.  Up to Saturday he had only had one accident in a week.  Saturday it was 5.  :(  I am super pleased that the night time sleep schedules have transitioned flawlessly!  We attribute that to a red eye flight with semi good sleep on the plane (which we called a "nap,") and arriving in France at dinner time, then jumping into bed for a good night's sleep.



Emme-  We kept her up a bit too late Thursday and Friday nights, but she is good to rest or sleep in and we've tried to get the kids in bed by 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. this weekend so she's doing fabulously!  Even doing her violin exercises while on vacation!  Wow!  Who is this girl?  Emmeline has been a wonderful caretakers of her brothers, giving them snacks and covering them with little blankets in their strollers.  She loves having the family all together and is enjoying time with the Olsons.

Grace-  Is most fascinated with the history and the stories.  She is soaking up every historical fact she can and she enjoys documenting the trip with her new camera.  She is constantly making up games and still directing plays where ever she goes.  She does LOVE the independence of going to the patisserie by herself!!  We have to force her to take some down time to recharge, because she is our social girl!



George-  Is doing SO very well.  Last night he killed a fly with his bare hands and it was honestly one of the most joyful moments we've ever witnessed for him.  He was so thrilled with himself.  As for sleep, he just goes to sleep anywhere he is and it's all good!  He is holding together any tantrums--perhaps because we are with the Olson's or perhaps because we are in public.  Either way it works!  We are alone often enough that he gets to recharge, because public places wear him out.  

Anthon-  Is doing pretty darn good.  He did pick up a hitting game recently......not so great.  We are reminding him to use his words but honestly he does get a little bored.  He gets very physical when he is tired and he definately was more tired by the end of the first week.  We have worked on getting him more sleep before our Normandy trip on Monday-Wednesday this week.  I've got to focus on getting more sleep for him in the next few days or things could deterioate.

SO that's the scoop!  Thanks, Amanda, for asking because it's good to document.  Time has a way of erasing the facts. 



P.S.  Since I wrote this post Matt magnanimously stayed in the car with the napping boys for 2 hours or so while I took the girls to see Monet's home and water lilly gardens in Giverny AND then he whisked the boys away from a could-be disaterous sit down dinner at a restuarant.  He is my hero.  (Note to selves:  When you can't take your 3 year old to a nice sit down restuarant when at home don't expect to be able to do it while traveling in a forgein country, especially when it is after 7 p.m.  Poor buddy....we did not set him up for success!)