I miss my family

Well today was the last full day in the Montreal area. I am both happy and sad to be leaving. I am happy, as I absolutely, positively understand a lot more the importance of routine for toddlers after spending the past week without a routine. I kind of knew the importance of these routines but did not realize how throwing off a toddler`s routine would affect ME so much.
Catherine has been very fresh and challenging in the past few days. From refusing to take her naps, to just demanding stuff and being very disrespectful to me and my wife, it has been tough...and of course it does not help that we are the only ones setting limits.
Catherine charms the pants off of everyone she meets. "So cute", "She is so big", "How adorable", and that`s just when she wants to poop! Seriously, she had everyone`s attention and that really served our little ham well! But now, it`s become difficult to parent, as she can turn to others with her charm skills...well thse have worn off for us! We need to get home just to get back in the groove with her.
I will miss my family and friends terribly. I finally saw my other best friend and his wife today and it was great. It is always fun to start talking to someone like you just talk to them yesterday, when in fact, it`s been over 2 months. I already wrote about my friends but will probably do so again in a future blog. I really want to concentrate on my family.
First off, I cannot be grateful enough for my mom and dad. They have been awesome grandparents (a little overindulgent but, as I understand "That`s their job") but they love their grand-daughters so much. I have never seen my dad so proud or happy. My mom has a grin everytime she holds them. I feel fortunate to have them.
I got to see every one of my aunts, a few cousins, and I go to tell you, I miss having my family around. They are so supportive but also, they are not afraid to tell you the truth and do not sugar coat anything (wonder where I got it?). They also hold something that few others hold : they have known you most of your life.
They tell you the funny things you have done, the embarasing things you also have said, or how you were when you were a kid. My aunt today told me something I did not even know about my history that made me feel so good: I took forever to speak clearly in French and English.
Why I say this is that I have all this guilt about teaching my daughters French, especially with Catherine. I do slip to English first, to make sure she understands. And then, when I talk in French, Catherine seems to not want to do it or understand it. She even gets angry and rejects me when I speak to much French (typical American! lol). But, during this past week, I noticed she understands the French and pays attention. She is shy to speak it...which brings me back to my aunt saying I did not speak much at first...and I consider myslef fully bilingual...so what I am doing may have a happy ending after all.
And for those of you who do not understand why speaking French is so important, just remember, most people look at their roots and want to learn from them. I will NEVER FORGET MY ROOTS! I am a proud Quebecer, and French is my first language. In Quebec on, every license plate it says: "Je me souviens...". Use translate on Google and you`ll understand that my daughters will live by that motto...God knows I follow that rule...Ask my wife how much of a pain it is!