Yes, Ukraine is descending into chaos right now. There is fighting in the streets, Molotov cocktails being hurled at police, protestors by the 1000s camping out in Independence Square, firebombs exploding throughout the night..... But this post is not about the war raging around us. Instead, I am just posting some fun photos of our "little" Maria. She is about to turn 6 months old. Hard to believe! We are having such fun with her these days. She is madly in love with her brother and bursts into hysterical laughter whenever he gets near. She is fascinated by Enzo and endures lots and lots of full face licks. She is taking regular naps now (yippee!) and sleeping quite well through the night with only one or two quick feeds needed (must keep those delicious thigh, wrist, neck and belly folds plump!).
In the seat of neglect (Exersaucer).
Paolo is quite convinced she is left-handed.
I just wish her hair would do this forever.
Favorite fingers again. (In the south of Italy this is a very bad hand gesture-something about your spouse betraying you!)
At least in the north of Italy it means to ward off bad luck (like knocking wood in the US).
Morning wake up- she is always eager for me to start her mobile.
Bath time!
Those yummy thigh folds (found a feather in one last week!)
Hanging out in a cozy sweater hand-made by my dear friend Jenny.
Waiting for the morning school bus. It is really really cold here in Kyiv. You wimps in DC complaining about your weather?? Here in Kyiv the high on Thursday will be 3F and the low -11F. At least Enzo is happy.
First hairdo.
Currently Maria is losing her hair. What is growing in is red and blonde. Will she look like Gio soon?
Okay, I could not help myself. Here is one photo of Kyiv during all of these protests. This is a view from near Gio's school of the smoke from the fires in the center (where we live!).
Some videos: 1st two are of Maria laughing at Gio's dancing (he is off camera)
We began solids with Maria this week. We are doing something called "Baby-led Weaning" which basically means not giving any purees but having her gnaw on food she can grasp in her hand. It is messy fun!
That is all for now. Hope all of you are finding something to smile about every day (even if you are living in a country teetering on the brink of disaster).
Enzo had a professional photo shoot this fall. Here are a few of the images. What a handsome guy! And in related news.... he is about to become a father! Puppies are due this week!!
December went by in a flash and now suddenly I have a 5 year old and a 5 month old! As always I did a poor job of documenting much of what happened over the last few weeks, but below are a few shots of Kyiv and Italy....
Once back from London we witnessed more of the protests going on in central Kyiv. Here are the riot police leaving the scene one morning without ever engaging the protesters. (This and next 3 photos courtesy of my friend Kirsten!)
A bus full of police leaving the scene- things remained peaceful on this morning.
A protesting babuska.
(Me again as photographer). Here is the Lenin statue after it had been toppled from its pedestal by protestors (and then beheaded).
Enzo came down with me on this day to take a look at the statue....
....he later peed on it to the delight of the crowd!
Gio and I joined a local pool to help get us through the long cold winter. Can you guess which boots are mine here in the locker room??
Some parents and I organized a holiday party for Gio's class. Even Santa made an appearance. Gio asked me on the drive home why Santa was wearing Mr. Mark's shoes.
Enzo was chosen as "Mr. July" for a Ukrainian calendar featuring Swiss dogs. Here on the cover he is the 3rd down on the left.
Mr. July page.
After nearly 5 months I finally got a manicure thanks to my sweet friends who treated me for my birthday.
"M" Week at school so Gio made a Mask!
Gio's class performed at a school concert.
This is the first time I have actually wished Gio would be louder!
We flew to Italy on Dec 21st. Sadly we could not drive and bring Enzo as the renewal of our Diplomatic plates on our car was delayed. Enzo stayed behind in Kyiv with his beloved dog walker. My brother "Uncle Andrew" arrived from San Francisco on Christmas Eve. Here is the scene on Christmas morning before Gio woke to destroy it all!
Our stockings. Uncle Andrew got Enzo's stocking!
Christmas morning in the dark waiting for Andrew and Paolo to wake.
Andrew brought this giant pirate ship all the way from California. It was the hit of Christmas.
We wake every morning to the coos of Maria. It is the sweetest sound in the world. She seems ready to speak in full sentences and it seems that she will also have Gio's gift for gab!
We spent the rest of Andrew's visit showing him all around our little corner of Italy. Here we are on a hike searching for dinosaurs.
Maria's big project over Christmas was exploring her fingers.
Trying to get them all in her mouth is a fun activity....
...but these are her favorites.
New Year's Eve- partying hard.
Another Maria project was attempting to roll over. She can roll from front to back but back to front remains elusive.
Uncle Andrew left on Jan 2. It was a tearful parting.
A popsicle helped but Gio still sobbed for nearly half an hour on the drive home from the airport....
...Maria was sad, too, but slept through Gio's cries.
Our time in Italy will soon come to an end. Paolo returns to Kyiv tomorrow (Sunday). I will take Maria and Gio back with me on Thursday. This will be my first time traveling with two children solo. Should be interesting....
Happy New Year to all!
xo. Clara
