Maria is taking her own sweet time on physical milestones. I would probably be a nervous wreck about it if Gio had not been the exact same way. So here, quite a few months behind most other babies, is her new roll.....
*Note my favorite part: When the dog and cat hair in the carpet interfere with her finger sucking!
(Apologies for doing the old iphone vertical camera thing- it was super early in the morning!)
Grump grump grump. Normally I love this time of year. It is warm, the flowers are blooming, Ukrainians are finally smiling and summer is fast approaching. However this year I am not feeling it so much. This is a uniquely ex-pat complaint but right now it feels like every one of my friends is leaving this summer. Yes, there is a bigger exodus this year than most thanks to the political situation here, and with most families moving on after being in a place 3-4 years, many of the families who arrived with us here are packing up. Yet we remain. Sigh. I know our time will come when we are filling out packing lists and arranging for flights for our pets but for now we have no idea when we will leave or where we will go. I am getting antsy and eager to start a new adventure and hearing about everyone else's plans does make the jealous monster rear its ugly head. Where are my friends heading in the next few months? The list is so varied: Saudi Arabia, Korea, Dominican Republic, Belgium, Zambia, Rome, China, San Francisco, India.
I am sorry about the whining and also to the many dear friends who are staying here along with us. I am not forgetting you- just goodbyes are hard for me and with so many this year my head is spinning.
Anyway, I do have two blissful months in Italy to look forward to so I really should not be feeling too sorry for myself. Hard to believe we will celebrate Maria's 1st birthday during that time! WoW!
And, so, as always, some glimpses of our lives over the last few weeks.....
Maria's favorite food? Spinach tortelli!
Here is a video of Maria "mastering" cup drinking.
How to make Maria laugh hysterically? Have Gio undress in front of her....
Or play peek-a-boo in the tub with her!
Best way to wake Gio these days? Stick his sister in bed with him. They both love it!
And, as always, some shots of Maria eating!
First time with a brussel sprout (my favorite food!)
and the verdict is....
Fabulous! Yes, she is definitely MY daughter!
Video of Gio dancing to some Russian folk music....
Sandbox time at Shevchenko Park!
Just like her brother, Maria is very attached to her "Big Tom" stuffed dog. Luckily Gio had quite a few and very generously gave her one.
Yesterday Enzo visited Gio's class.
They are studying animals right now and each family was invited to bring in a pet if they wished.
Enzo was very patient with all of the kid-love!
And spent the remainder of the day passed out near the A/C vent!
20 minutes with preschoolers is quite enough for our lazy beast!
April began rather badly for us. Maria ended up in the hospital with another UTI, Gio and Enzo had surgery and then the stomach flu hit. Luckily we had an April 19th trip to Italy planned so the end of the month is going much better than the beginning did! We are here in Italy until May 3rd and enjoying every minute! Here are some photos from the last month....
Once in a great while I attempt to tame Maria's hair.
She does not object....
....as long as hair accessories do not get in the way of her meals!
Some new fruits arrived this month to Maria'a great delight, including watermelon.
Back in the hospital on IV antibiotics. No fun for anyone.
Maria was a real trooper but has a full blown case of stranger anxiety now (actually, she has had it since her first hospitalization at 6 weeks old). I can understand since when we are the hospital nurses are often coming at her to take blood, replace IV lines, etc. Poor thing.
Sleeping is very tough in the hospital. Every time she nodded off someone would come to take her temperature, etc. I often resorted to camping outside of our door and not allowing anyone in. It was a constant battle.
She hated when the IV was in her right hand- no finger sucking for days. Torture.
Despite the IV and the sleep deprivation this little girl managed to smile through a lot of our 5 days there.
I am not sure which of us was happier when we were finally released!
The very next day we returned to the hospital with Gio for surgery to remove his adenoids and part of a tonsil. He was excited about the remote control bed and Cartoon Network on TV!
The surgery went perfectly and we noticed a difference in his breathing, sleeping and energy level within a few weeks!
Gio even took his "booger maker" to school to show his classmates. (It was actually part of a chicken wing but he only agreed to go to the hospital if the doctor agreed to let him keep what she removed. She kindly played along!)
Two weekends ago we went to see Enzo's 6 puppies, now two months old.
It was very hard not to leave with one!
We did end up neutering Enzo this month so this will be his one and only litter.
Maria continues her culinary journey, delighting in all new foods, though broccoli remains top of the list. Not to be outdone, Gio even eats it now eagerly!
Banana muffins
Teething biscuits (She is working on teeth # 3 & 4 now!)
The bigger the piece of broccoli, the better!
meatballs!
And, of course, a bath is necessary after these "full body"meals!
Plums were a huge hit!
Pepper in his throne.
More hairstyling.
This is often how I find Maria in the morning. She adores the "Big Tom" Gio gave to her. Is it weird that they both have the same lovies now?
And then the stomach flu hit. Gio brought it home from school and was sick for 2 days. Maria had it for one day and never lost her appetite (here we are waiting at the doctor as we have to take her in every time she spikes a fever to be sure it is not another UTI).
Hard to believe she has the stomach flu here, but she does!
I was the hardest hit by the bug- 6 days of misery. Paolo somehow escaped it entirely. So unfair!
And then we got to Italy just in time for an Easter Lunch at a table set for 18!
The homemade pasta was a huge hit with Maria!
Maria has eaten spinach tortellini every day since we have arrived. She can easily put away 6 pieces of it!
Some post-pasta swinging
Sarah, Mark & Grace arrive in two days along with Mark's parents. We are so excited to host them and Gio is beside himself that his best friend is coming to visit. Many things are planned including a delayed Easter Egg hunt, a visit to the cheese factory, trampoline jumping and general mayhem. Bring it on!
