Readers, friends – I have been absent recently and I’ve missed you all a great deal. I’ve tried to drop by on you all from time to time so you don’t think I’ve disappeared completely. I hope you have been enjoying the guest posts done by my wonderfully kind blogging friends while I’ve been away, but I do apologise. I’ve missed a lot of your wonderful posts.
This blog and the wonderful blogging community has been my hobby for almost two years now and believe me, being away is a very strange feeling, but I hope that when you read the reason why you will understand my absence.
I’d like to announce to you all today the happiest news of my life – news which we found out a day before our trip to Sweden back in December 2011. So what is this, you may be wondering? Well… 1 month ago yesterday I became a father to a beautiful, big, bouncing baby boy!
I’d like to introduce you to my son, William Smith, born 19th August, 2012 at 3pm French time, measuring 51cm and weighing in at a hefty 4.35kg. Words can’t begin to describe the joy, the happiness and the love I feel and I still sometimes can’t quite believe that “I’m a dad”.
Mother and baby (and father) are all doing well, and while I can’t promise that I’ll be back to “regular programming” on FiveEuroFood in the next week, or even the next two, things will eventually calm down and I can start to work my hobby in around my new family. I’ll be back in five days with another guest post and then I’ll be posting a few of the things I’ve been up to in the kitchen here during my paternity leave. I can’t wait to share more photos and stories with you all!
Have a wonderful day everyone – I know I will! 🙂
So happy for you all) hope you are having a wonderful time there) and take lots of photos! And send me some!)
Thanks Marianna 🙂 Going to take more photos this weekend… he’s growing so fast already!
Aww, look at that — my two favourite handsome guys! One with slightly more hair than the other though… 😉
<3
Look at you! You look happy and your baby is beautiful! Big congratulations!
Thanks so much Chami 🙂
congratulation.. god bless u all… william is very very very sweet.. love that pic where he is smiling… 🙂
Thank you so much Renu! It’s a whole new world, being a father! Such an adventure 🙂
Félicitations à vous deux. Vous êtes magnifiques ! Quel beau bébé
Merci Ludivine 🙂 Il est déja trop grand pour ses vêtement de 0-1 mois!! Ces jours là il porte des vêtements pour 3 mois!! Grand comme papa! 😀
Wow..congratulations..While you already became a father of a boy I just started my 4th month, expecting a boy…My blog is silent and waiting for me to come back when some disturbing symtoms stop…
Very nice picture! God bless!
Thanks so much Nada! I’m so glad things are going well for you too! I read your post at 8 weeks but I didn’t like to congratulate you then, because people normally wait until the end of the 1st trimester since risk of complications are much lower after 12 weeks, and then you didn’t update your site at all so I was worried, but now I can say congratulations! 🙂 I hope you’re feeling ok and that everything is good with you 🙂
Oh Charles… this post has me smiling ear to ear :).
CONGRATULATIONS to you and your wife on the safe arrival of dashing William!! May you enjoy every single moment… he is a healthy, full-figured lovely isn’t he? ;-). My boys weighed 9.6 lbs and 10 lbs (on the nose) respectively!! All there for sure. Have a beautiful day Charles.
Thanks so much Kelly… 9.6 and 10 lb?? Wow, 10lb is even more than the 4.35kg William was – we’re the team of big, happy, baby boys 😀
Oh would you look at the two of you!!!!! How handsome of a picture is that?! William is just beautiful and the look on your face says it all Charles. You are positively beaming. Congratulations!!!!! I couldn’t be happier for you. I know you and your wife will make amazing parents. Enjoy each day of this parenthood journey. There’s truly nothing better. 🙂 Hugs to all of you!!!!!!
Thanks Kristy – I think actually the reason he was smiling so much is because he just filled up his diaper, LOL – it’s so weird to watch though. As time passes he starts to become more reactive to things happening around him, and you feel like his “reflex” smiles start to become more “real”, where he seems to be smiling with contentment, and not just because he dropped some biohazards in his diaper 😀
Congratulations!! William is absolutely gorgeous! Enjoy this time, they grow up too fast!
Nazneen
Thanks so much Nazneen! I can’t believe he’s already growing out of his first clothes he had! Changing so fast!
Congratulations! Glad to hear you and mom and baby are doing well. This is such a beautiful time in your life, take this time to bond with your son and your beautiful wife! Life is so precious enjoy every moment you have with your new beautiful little family! Looking forward to the little in the kitchen with you! 🙂
Thank you Lisa! It’s such a strange feeling isn’t it? “Suddenly” having a whole, brand new human being in your arms? So innocent, and I mean – his whole life is ahead of him… he could do anything!!
Dear Charles and The Wife! My congratulations to you! I am so-so happy for you two, well, three now! On August 19th your life has changed forever as you’ve entered a parenting stage. This journey, with all it’s road blocks and detours, is a huge bundle of joy.
Charles, your son looks so much like you: both are very handsome! 🙂 Thank you for sharing with us this great news. Please, do share with us more about William!
I also want to send a big warm hug to your wife, she is a true hero delivering 4,35 kg baby boy (I know the feeling, my son was born 4,6 kg)! Enjoy your new life, my dear friends! 🙂
Thank you Marina – I think he looks a LOT like me too! We were sleeping this morning and my wife said she was looking at us and we both had the same face and expression. Everything the same except his little nose 😀
4.6kg – wow, that’s a LOT! How old is he now? I’m curious as to whether there’s a correlation between how fast (and how much) they grow in the end!
He is a teenager now, and is much taller than both of us. And very skinny too. Yes, they do grow very fast: it seems it was yesterday then he was a little boy building this huge pirate ship out of Lego blocks, and now he is all in football (each time we buy him a new cleats, he literally sleeps with it!), cars (not the toy, the real one) and girls (not too much yet) 🙂
Enjoy every precious moment! And good luck! 🙂
How wonderful!!! Congratulations, Charles, and I’m so happy to hear this incredibly good news…the best news! I was afraid you’d had some health issue, so this is such a happy surprise. And he is such a beautiful baby boy, my goodness! I know everyone says things like that, but he really is…and such a head of hair! Congrats, congrats, congrats all around to you, your wife and Mr. William, and a big welcome to the world to him. He’s got a great dad, that’s for sure. Enjoy! 🙂
Thanks so much Betsy – no no, only good news! Sorry if my disappearance sounded “sinister”! He has so much hair, it’s true… I can’t believe it. Sometimes babies are born almost bald, and I know there’s a chance that this hair will fall out and grow again, maybe in a completely different colour. It’s fun to test out different hair-styles on him after I give him a bath, haha 😀
OH Charles!
He is so beautiful! I think he may look like his Daddy :~D
Cherish every second because when it is over, it is gone forever.
My heart is bursting with your joy.
You are all in my prayers!
Have a Joyful Day :~D
Charlie
Thanks so much Charlie :). I’m so glad I can share the news with my readers! I’ve wanted to talk about it for so long!!
Hope you’re having a great day 🙂
Congratulations to yourself and your lovely wife, Charles. William looks like a cute little guy and of course, you couldn’t choose a better name, which, coincidentally, he shares with my own nephew. 🙂 He seems to be smiling in his shots … getting ready to be a celebrity.
I hope you’re getting all the rest you can, whenever you can. You’re going to need it. 🙂
Thanks so much A_ – It’s my father’s name as well actually – and the reason why we chose it 😀 I’ve been hearing “Fresh Prince of Paris” jokes non-stop, but I hope people think that I didn’t call him after a celebrity 😀
William is the prince of ‘your’ family. 🙂 Actually, the nickname is pretty witty. (cringes)
OMG Charles! I’m having a happy cry right now!! I can’t tell you how happy I am for your and your wife! He’s beautiful and you are obviously a very proud daddy!!!! Can’t wait to watch him grow up because I’m sure (and I hope) that these won’t be the last pictures we see of him. Congratulations Darlin!
Thanks so much MJ – he’s already growing up so fast… I can’t believe he was so much smaller just 5 weeks ago. Now he’s already too big for so many clothes!!! These definitely won’t be the last photos you see… in fact after a while you might probably be fed up of them as I do the whole “proud parent” thing 😀
Congratulations to both you and your wife, Charles. Such a wonderful announcement…I know the two of you must be so thrilled and happy. I have to say that William looks just like you. May the three of you have only happy times together.
Thank you Karen – he does look a lot like me I think – especially when we’re both asleep. My wife studies both of us and has decided that we’re the spitting image of each other 😀
Congrats again Charles and The Wife! The picture of William made me smile big time. Aww I miss having a baby around…(but not sure if I can wake up at night anymore!). Cherish every moment with him because kids grow up WAY too fast. I know you two will make great parents! Please continue to share William’s cute pictures time to time? He’ll make our day! 😉
Thank you Nami – he’s actually lying against my chest right now as I’m replying to you <3. I can't believe how big he's getting already. Grown out of so many of his clothes which were a perfect fit just 4 weeks ago!!
Omg congratulations to you and your wife!!!! He is so adorable! Spend as much time with him as possible and have fun! 🙂
Thanks Stefanie 🙂
Congratulations Charles!
Such wonderful news and a cute baby!
Your life will never be the same again (I think you already know that) but kids are the most magical gift in the world and soon enough he will be able to melt your heart with just a look and a smile
Cherish every minute of it 🙂
Thank you Sawsan – it’s so strange, how much it can change your life. The range of emotions you can experience just by a little noise or facial expression the child makes… so incredible!
What fantastic news!!! Congratulations! William is just beautiful…and he’s lucky to be born into such an amazing family. You have your priorities in the right order…I’m just thrilled for you!
Thank you Liz – I won’t lie and say it’s not hard work, and I’m sure it will get harder, in different ways, as the little guy grows more, but I just have to look at his little face to feel so happy 😀
Congratulations – it’s so lovely to hear such good news especially when it’s told with so much happiness.
Thank you so much Phil – and thank you for stopping by 🙂
I have tears of joy looking at the photos. You will make a perfect father, Charles, I just know it. Little William is a very lucky little boy. I’m not one bit surprised that you have put him way ahead of your successful food blog – that’s just who you are.
Congratulations to you both!
Thank you Maureen – we planned well ahead. We cooked up 30 meals and put them in the freezer before the birth, so we could really relax as much as possible and not worry too much about “eating right” after he was born 🙂
It’s a bummer that I’m back at work now… I wish paternity leave lasted 10x as long, lol, but I have weekends and evenings to enjoy his company 🙂
Wow! You kept that under wraps. Congrats to you and ‘The Wife’. That’s such exciting news and I’m so happy for you. What a gorgeous little boy he is. Although he wasn’t so slight, was he! I had one like that – 4.563 seven years ago and I’m still talking about it. We left hospital a few days after he was born and he looked like he was eight weeks old. Best wishes to you during this time of adjustment as you expand your household from two to three xx
Thank you Charlie 🙂 Indeed – not so slight, haha. Growing fast as well – already into 3 months clothes, and it’s only just passed 1 month! We met a couple yesterday whose boy is 3 months old and I think our son looked just as old as theirs!
Congratulations on the birth of your son, Charles — it’s nice to see him here. While you have been becoming a Dad, I have been falling in love (happy, requited sort). Life is good. See you around periodically.
Hi Sharyn – thank you so much, and I’m so happy for you too! Hooray for love and happiness 🙂
Precious, beautiful baby!!
Congrats to you, wife and the entire family! So fun 🙂
Thank you Kiran 🙂
Oh my goodness, congratulations Charles! I was wondering where you had disappeared to – what a perfect way to make the announcement! 🙂
Thanks Laura – indeed, I did kind of disappear somewhat, although I’m trying to get back into the swing of things now, although it’s not easy!
Oh wow, wow, wow – am smiling a huge smile here for you and your beautiful family! Congratulations, health and happiness to you all 🙂
Thank you so much Chica – it’s an amazing feeling. Naturally it’s so tiring at times, but you just need to glance at his face and you feel all warm and fuzzy inside 😀
Aaawww! William is gorgeous! I don’t blame you for taking paternity leave from your blog. Here I was excited to tell you I’d gone French for this week’s post, and then you tell us this! Nothing can compete with William, I’m afraid!
Hi Jean – thank you so much! I’m trying to get back into the swing of things. I’ve felt like I’ve hardly cooked anything so I’m really looking forward to when things settle down into a nice rhythm!
Oh wow Charles! Such a happy news!!!! Congratulations on your bonny boy. He looks so cute, cuddly, and well, much like his dad. A well deserved break my friend. There is nothing like being a parent. Enjoy your time, it flies by quickly. We are here, and will be when you are back.
Thank you Minnie! It’s a bummer I’m back at work now, but my paternity leave was so wonderful. I’m slowly getting back to blogging, although it will take some time I think to find the best “schedule” 🙂
Awww …. you kept that secret real well! … unless I’ve missed something somewhere. Look at that cutey mini-you! Congratulations on your little bundle of joy (and sleepless nights … all worth it) and being a dad!
Thank you Ping – indeed, I didn’t mention it at all on my blog, haha. Wanted it to be a complete surprise! 😀
Congratulation you 2!
He is so cute, and what a lovely natural hair color.
Respect, that u 2 took the step to become parents. I know I am not in for that so soon. 😉
Thanks Helene! If/when you decide that you want to become a mother… I can’t describe how good it feels to be a parent, so if one day in the future you decided to, I know you would never regret it! And think about all the amazing food your child could be eating as it grows up!!
OOOOOooOOooOoo!
Welcome to daddyhood ;)He’s sooo gorgeous that one! 😀 Can’t wait to hear about all your exciting adventures with him, but you should’ve shared the joy earlier, tut tut! 😉
Thank you Fati – it’s a wonderful feeling! I’m sorry I didn’t mention anything until now… but I wanted it to be a big surprise!
Sure was!
Congratulations once more, Charles! Great photos and, wow!, what a lot of gorgeous blond hair! By the way,are you considering a new blog with baby food? 😉
Thank you Sissi! The blog had actually crossed my mind, and been suggested by some colleagues! I think I wouldn’t have the time to create a new, separate blog, but I’m going to posting them here I think. Keep everything under one roof, so to speak 🙂
OMGGGGGGGGGG!!! I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU! I was starting to really miss you and am glad just to see you back, but now you’ve even got a little one with you to say hi! Congrats you two !!
Thank you Shuhan!! Don’t worry, I wouldn’t vanish entirely, haha! It’s such a wonderful feeling, being a parent – makes me feel so happy… even at 3am when he keeps screaming, or shooting poop across the floor!
Were these photos taken on one of your many great walks Charles? I hope that you are enjoying every last minute of your time together!
Hi Barb – the photos were taken at the museum of Port Royal. I wrote about it in an early post… I’ll be posting more photos in a later post. It’s a really beautiful place 🙂
Congratulations! He looks like you 🙂 I wondered about your absence….all is now forgiven.
Veronica
Thanks so much Veronica 🙂
Congratulations! WWhat a He looks like you 🙂 I wondered about your absence….all is now forgiven.
Veronica
oh yeah charles! How absolutely wonderful! You enjoy your time and don’t worry about us- we will be here always for you! Can’t wait to see more pics
Thanks KB 🙂
Congratulations Charles! That’s such wonderful news. Baby is absolutely adorable. Have fun!
Thanks so much Asmita – it’s a big learning experience! Every day, something new 🙂
Hi Charles,
What fantastic news-many, many congratulation to you and your wife-he looks gorgeous!! No wonder you had to have a big tidy up in your apartment the other month-he will accumulate so much ‘stuff’ very quickly…
Thanks GD! Yeah… having a little baby around makes everything pretty messy by default, so we really wanted to make it as tidy as possible before he arrived!
So sorry I missed this momentous announcement as we’ve been traveling through Europe, and as luck would have it, our last place had no free wifi! They did have wifi for 7€ for 30 minutes! We did get to a Starbucks a couple of times but just to check email for our reservations. We are very much looking forward to meeting you in Paris, and wish all the best for your new family.
Hi Eva – no worries! It was so nice to meet up with you and JT in Paris! Hope we can meet again some day!
Oh my goodness! Congratulations to you and your wife! What a cute baby! 🙂 I’m so happy for you!
xo,
Melissa
Thanks Melissa 🙂 Being a parent is a wonderful feeling isn’t it? 🙂
CONGRATULATIONS to The Wife, Charles and Baby William. Baby is so adorable, he looks so much like his Dad.
They do grow up really, really fast, so have your camera at the ready at all time.
Don’t know what happened but I did not receive the announcement nor your recent post via e-mail.
I had a check of the email subscriber list and couldn’t find your email address in there… not sure how you got unsubscribed 🙁
Thanks so much Norma – I really can’t believe how much he looks like me to be honest! Couldn’t agree more too – need to have the camera available… you never know when they’re going to do something crazy which you want to remember! 😀
My, what a handsome boy!!! You can just see that he’ll be a heart breaker!!!! Best reason ever to be away from the blogging world–this is spectacular…Congratulations, my friend, I’m very happy for you ^.~
Thanks so much Angie 🙂
CONGRATS CHARLES!!!! He is absolutely gorgeous. So, so happy for you!
Thanks Caroline! It’s a wonderful feeling 🙂
I’m just here catching up and you’ve totally taken me by surprise!! I’m so glad I didn’t miss this fantastic news. Nothing could be more rewarding or bring more love and joy into one’s life than a beautiful baby.. He just perfect!! And beautiful!! Congratulations to you all.. I hope by now you’ve settled into some sort of routine.. I know it took me months:D xx
Thanks Barb – routine? What’s that, haha… no no, we’re eventually getting into one now! 😀
CONGRATULATIONS! It is lovely to see you with your son. I am happy for you all three. 😀
Thank you so much Debra 🙂
Dear Charles,
Congrats to you and family. The little one looks adorable, especially when he is smiling even with his eyes closed!! Spend some quality time with the family and I’m sure all of us will understand 🙂
Hi Chopinand – I’m ashamed to say that if he’s smiling while asleep it’s usually because he’s in the middle of… er… “making a deposit” in the “National Bank of Diaperville”, but it’s still an adorable smile 😀
Oh my goodness – what a handsome little blessing you are holding! Congratulations to you and your wife – he’s adorable and looks quite happy too! Glad to know your absence was for such a great reason. Enjoy!
Thank you Linda! It’s a real life changer, that’s for sure, but so much fun!
Congratulations Daddy and to mom too! William is beautiful. I know if won’t be long you will be making your own homemade baby food. Take care, BAM
Thank you Bam – you can bet I’ll be making baby food. FiveEuroBabyFood, haha 😀
Congratulations to you and your wife and welcome to this world, little William. What a bouncy little baby he looks in your arms, and yes, they do grow up sooooo fast, by the hour it seemed sometimes! Health, happiness and lots of love to the 3 of you.
Ciao, Carina
Thank you so much Carina – I can’t believe how much he’s growing already, and how much he’s changed since the day he was born! Thank you for your visit 🙂
Congratulations to you and your wife! Such wonderful news and such adorable baby! 🙂
Thanks so much Gourmantine 🙂