Things to do with a toddler or baby in Brussels: Stroll through the forest at the Rouge Cloitre

August 22, 2014June 7, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

You can feel it, can’t you. The air is a little cooler. The forest a little quieter. And somehow the light has more gold in it than before. I just can’t help but fall in love all over again. Fall is coming.

We are making the most of our last summer days. Out and about, long walks, picking berries. I just can’t believe that my little Bababoo is starting school in a matter of days. Where does it all go?

Enough musing and on to the topic of this post! If you find yourself taking a drive down Avenue Tervuren, look for a sign on the right side of the road for the Rouge Cloiture. Located in the Forêt de Soignes, the Rouge Cloiture is one of our favorite places to get away. When we say, let’s go for a walk in the forest, this is where we mean. But the Rouge Cloiture is much more than just a beautiful forest. After a while, you emerge to find the Abbey which was founded in 1367. Lots of beautiful buildings and an art gallery but more often we are there to pet the muscular working horses, to take coffee and cake on the weekends or to just walk around the grounds. A perfect step away from passing time. It is truly a wonderful way to spend the day. To get you in the mood, I wanted to share a few snaps from a recent wander.

In Bear & Dragon news, things are already getting very busy for the fall. It seems I am not the only one who loves Autumn colors! I am planning a series of mini photo session in a location soon to be finalized. On hand will be gorgeous portrait and family photo set ups, great light and of course brilliant red, gold and green fall trees. Drop me a note at bearanddragonphotography@gmail.com to get on an early list. October weekend spots are already getting scarce!

Welcome to the world my darling boy

November 24, 2013November 24, 2013 | lifeofbearanddragon

They say it flies by and this could not be more true. Almost three weeks have passed since the arrival of our darling little man. Weighing in at 4.2 kilos, 55 cm, two dimples and 100% mellow happy little man. We adore him!

Bababoo has been an absolute doll and I am slowly learning how to get two babies and a tired momma out of the house in under two hours. 🙂 Looking forward to this new adventure, happy days and whatever comes next. Hoorah!

Welcome to the World Clara!

October 20, 2013October 20, 2013 | lifeofbearanddragon

Fall is really on us now and I am loving every second of it. Just working through my last sessions before our new little one joins the family. I may have made a mental error in thinking that #2 would make an early appearance, similar to his big sister. This is proven to NOT be the case. Come on little guy!

I love newborn sessions. Tiny babies, so sweet and the new families enjoying the moment. I loved having this beautiful new family in the studio last week. I am happy to share these beautiful pictures with you to brighten your Sunday. Cheers!

First look: The shape of motherhood

October 12, 2013October 12, 2013 | lifeofbearanddragon

There must be something in the air. The gorgeous pregnant mommas are all dropping by for beautiful maternity sessions! The one I share today took an especially soulful approach. Drawing inspiration from antique photomatons that let you take four different pictures, just enough to capture the shapes that made up a whole. So we sought to capture some unconventional angles on the blooming relationship between a mother and her soon-to-be little one.

On the topic of mommas soon to be, it is just 18 days until my impending due date! Very excited, a little nervous, to welcome my little boy into the family. Wish us luck!

Happy birthday to my sweet Bear

October 5, 2013March 2, 2014 | lifeofbearanddragon

A moment to give love and congratulations to my faithful Bear. We had a fantastic boozy birthday brunch last Sunday complete with good friends, yummy food and plentiful mimosas. Happy 35 to the love of my life.

Baba’s favorite cake – made just once a year due to excessive sugar content.

Things to do with a baby in Brussels: Baby Yoga!

February 19, 2013February 4, 2015 | lifeofbearanddragon

With this post we travel back in time to before Bababoo was a champion speed crawler. To a gentler time when she was happy to gently roll around in front of the mirror and to be lifted, crunched with and generally used as exercise equipment. I am talking about Baby Yoga!

Back in September, I was turned on to several baby yoga options by the knower of all things wonderful, Katy Kefferpütz. She suggested two to try although in the end just one fit with our schedule (both are below). So I dug out the old yoga mat and away we went!

Housed in the Udi Malka dance studio, Sivananda Yoga is led by the ever smiling (even when several babies are screaming) Laia. The yoga room has one all mirror wall which is very fun and provides roughly an hour of entertainment for the babies, which is perfect since that is the length of the class. With your little one positioned next to you, you will stretch, go through classic but gentle yoga poses and if you are comfortable, you can incorporate your baby as well. If you are a yoga veteran then you will find the experience very gentle indeed, it is designed to help get the body moving again after birth, not necessarily to give you a super work out.

If your baby catches the zen mood then it makes for a delightful hour. Move, chat with other mommies, smile at babies and enjoy Laia’s patient instruction.

Open for little tiny babies up to crawlers. Once you baby clocks in at under 20 seconds to cross the room, your out. 🙂

Om shanti om.

Laia Puig Escandell – Sivananda yoga
Udi Malka dance studio, Rue des Francs 51
Tuesday 1015 – 1130
laiulipe@hotmail.com

Kristen Macpherson – Kundalini yoga (with songs etc. for babies too)
At Kristen’s apartment, Rue Major Pétillon (Pétillon metro)
Monday 1400 – 1515
Wednesday 0930 – 1045
yogakristen@me.com
http://web.me.com/yogakristen/Site/Welcome.html

Update: The Yoga Loft is a cozy space with pre and post natal yoga classes. They even have a babysitter on hand. Seriously.

http://www.yogainbrussels.com/

We’re back!

December 15, 2012December 15, 2012 | lifeofbearanddragon

Wow, what a month. After so much fun and adventure, it is hard to know where to pick back up on my story here. We journeyed to California to see family and have Zoe baptized. Had an amazing time visiting, relaxing, laughing and welding bonds. Too soon back and the loooong and arduous work of packing up, moving, excessive amounts of IKEA assembly, unpacking.

Guests and Lucia Day party. Good golly, Miss Molly. So I will let a small selection of pictures do the talking with some narration. I hope the holiday spirit holds you warm and safe in its grasp. The greatest gift of all is to love and be loved in return.

Things to do with a baby in Brussels: Domaine Solvay at La Hulpe

November 9, 2012March 2, 2014 | lifeofbearanddragon

On this grey morning, we take a trip all the way back to September. Fresh air, almost too bright sun and a lovely walk in one of my favorite parks, Domaine Solvay at La Hulpe. Located about 25 minutes southeast from the center of Brussels, La Hulpe is one of those special places that are so close in proximity and yet so far away in feeling. A short drive or bus ride and suddenly you are walking along and breathing in old forest among rolling hills. You know the type of forest where you could imagine a knight riding by on a horse, or Robin Hood swinging down out of a tree. Just close your eyes for a moment. Wait, not yet! Close them and take a deep breath through your nose. Smell the crispness in the air, the richness of the soil and the sweetness of the grass. Now you are almost there.

We had the pleasure of a deep September afternoon adventure with some friends. Bababoo was packed in her Ergobaby carrier and I was ready, camera in hand. Cruising around the lakes and hills had me drooling. Can you say perfect outdoor photo shoot location?! After our strolling (and drooling) was complete, we hiked up to Chateau Solvay. Seriously, what does this family NOT own around here? Behind the chateau is a charming little restaurant with lots of outdoor seating, a nice menu of sandwiches, salads and warmer fare. Also an interesting beer list (if you are into that sort of thing). 🙂

We finished up by sitting on the lawn and taking in the other fall revelers and nearby pastures. There is plenty of room for the kids to roam and play. Bababoo stuck to crawling practice but hopefully the next time we go, when spring blooms, she will be up and running. Enjoy!

First Frost

October 28, 2012October 28, 2012 | lifeofbearanddragon

Brrrr, the first frost is officially in the air! After a less than thrilling 6:30 am wake up call from Bababoo (on a Sunday?) imagine my excitement to see the roofs, trees and leaves covered with a glittering dew. Before you could say woolen mittens, I had Zoe all bundled up and ready to head out to capture the first delicious taste of winter.

What a lovely way to start the day. Now back inside and warming up with my coffee and gingerbread cake (YUM), I am happy to present an early morning taste so you can stay warm in your bed. 🙂

Life of Bear and Dragon

A beautiful adventure in Brussels

fall