How much do these two look alike?

Now look at them...

Ahh. My boys.

More Xmas pics

Christmas around our house

Here are some Christmassy pics around our house. I'm in a total festive mood these days; music, tree, fire, toy trains. I can't wait for a sleigh ride and some snow!

Playschool pics and some other left-overs

Havne't posted in a while which means that nothing too exciting has happened to us. The same old cozy routine. Some of the funny things that Dario is doing lately: spins round and round to get dizy and fall laughing histerically; launches himself off his chair onto the tiled floor (crazy kid!); always wants the big fork and spoon to eat with as well as the biggest piece of bread or cheese on the table (which usually means switching with Marco who gets the baby sized piece!); loves hearing twikle twinkle little star; will show you where the cow/baby/ shoe etc is in a book with his finger; loves eating and cleaning chestnuts; and is absolutely obsessed with teletubbies!
So there you have it- enjoy!

Weekend in Parma

Well, we finally got to see Peggy Sue this weekend after weeks of trying to make plans. And I must say we had a fabulous time shown in true Peggy Sue style. The highlights and the events: her apartment, wandering about the crowded streets, playing in the park, a late night crepe, my short lived fever, watching Dario have so much fun, and lunch at the artsy, classic-y cafè. Thanks! Hope we do it again sometime!!

Pizza making...

and other fun stuff.

October pictures

The Chestnut festival (and other tid-bits)

Well, here we are now with only a few more days left in my parents' vacation, and our last weekend was quite action packed with food and fun! Friday night Marco and I actually went to the movies; I haven't done that here in years! Had to get the ceremonial popcorn and m&ms to go along with! Saturday was market day, and Rosa actually purchased a few things so quite a successful day in itself. Then onto meet Marco and Dario at the park across from the pool where Dario had his very first swim class. Played and then had yummy soy cupuccino in the cafè which is all organic! So many things I never knew! Lunch was a fab bbq sitting in the back enjoying the fall weather and temperatures (which have now settled into the 20s). Saturday night was dining at our fav place, il Melograno for yummy pasta, then with a walk in Cattolica for ice cream. And today, Sunday, in Montefiore to enjoy some chestnuts and a festival celebrating the fall and the harvest it brings. Although there is no Thanksgiving here, I am thankful. Very much so.

Picture and long awaited video update

Last two weeks in pictures...

The last 2 weeks have been filled with going to the park, for walks, the supermarket, eating (lots!), and today a fun trip to Assisi. Enjoy!

Summer is over

Too bad. I was liking the idea of going to the beach to watch Dario play with Nonna and Nonno while I could get in a little relax time. The season has definitely shifted and with it, the rain has come to take away all our fun outside time. Hopefully it won't last too long.

He's changing and growing so much every single day. It's amazing and flabergasting to witness really. This person who can learn and absorb so much of everything that is around him. From pretending to blow his nose since he sees his daddy doing it all the time (so cute, but more like he just blows with his mouth), to all other sorts of things. And today when he awoke from his afternoon nap and saw that it was Nonna and not Mama who came to him, he decided to lay down and go back to sleep! He didn't want anyone but his Mama! He's so funny-makes me wonder what in the world goes through his mind. I guess I'll never really know. Here is a glimpse of some of the things that he may just be thinking:

Some pics and video

Here is a short video of some more beach fun (probably the last we'll have this season). Sorry for the brevity: ran out of video tape!

What we've been up to for the past few days...

Last days of summer

or at least that's how it feels. The shift in the wind. Sleeping with the window open. Wearing pants. All indications that summer is slowly slipping away. And we've had a pretty good one at that, although there are always things that you wanted to do but never quite had the time or chance to do. And there are always the things that you did do which you didn't quite expect, or expect to turn out so well. So here are some more last days of summer beach pics, although with the coming guests I'm sure we'll be able to make it out a few more times.

A quick trip to the park

Some pics from a park we like for a cool contraption they have: first steps to climb, crawl through a tunnel, and go down the slide. Pretty fun stuff.

A long awaited video

My 34th Birthday

Birthdays can sometimes be filled with such surprises that just can't be planned. On mine, a day which started out being negative (didn't want anything, didn't want to do anything) turned out to be one of the most memorable days that I can remember spending with Marco in a long time, old school syle. First, made a cake which turned out, which never happens to me! Then, had a fab boat ride up the coast. Spent a spontaneous evening out. An orange eclipse. Fireworks. A calm sea ride on the way back. How often does that happen all in one night? I needed this to re-fuel my spirit.

And, one of the most special of all gifts, my best friend's baby was born. Welcome Isaac David Hanzel. I can't wait to see you!

Some more pics

Another weekend's pictorial update

Here are some more pics of some of the weekend's events. I am adding more pics now since I think, why the heck not? That's what digital is for right?

Pics from another day at the beach...

On Saturday we went to eat piadina at our fav summer eatery, la Tribu, which is like eating in a sort of jungle. Very cool.

And on Sunday we spent the day at our fav beach, Fiorenzuola. So amazing there. Not like being at the beach as we know it at all. Feels more like the North Sea when we were in Holland.

Update

Here's a video of Sunday's fun:


and this is what we did Friday:

First time finger painting! At first he wasn't quite sure exactly what to do or what it was, and I don't think he does still. You can tell by the perplexed look on his face, which quickly turned into being pissed off and wanting out!

And the latest news: We have another tooth! After long anticipation since April, we have another addition to this happy mouth at the bottom. He doesn't seem to be bothered by the new ones coming in, but I could tell something was about to happen as there has been more drool lately than usual. And viola!

Some videos from our holidays

Back from the mountains!

We had an amazing, amazing time in the mountains. Dario really is one kid you can take ANYWHERE. He loved it of course, as did we.

Top 5 highlights: apple strudel, the first hike we did on Sunday afternoon after getting rained on in the morning, going up on the chair lift to 2700m and eating my first mountain meal, breakfast with my boys, the last hike we did on Saturday-our longest to date.

"The hills are alive..."

Tomorrow morning we make our way to the mountains for a week of hopefully nice weather and some good hikes for Dario's first taste of mountains, hikes and big sky. You'll have to wait a week for the next update with pics of all the fun. Bye and have a good week everyone!

Some pics

Video clips

by request, one of Dario monkeying around at home:


and here he is in the tub:

Some more pics

Here are a few more pics we took at the park. I try to remember to bring along my small camera in my purse because it's actually pretty handy to have in moments where I would have otherwise said "I wish I brought my camera" (like I did numerous times at the beach). So there you go. A good tip.

Here is a short clip I took of Dario going down (and up) the slide. Excuse the lack of audio (was using my small point and shoot camera) and all the motion. Pretty hard to take a decent video and keep a baby from falling off the slide at the same time!

This is what we did today...

And this is what Marco did on Saturday:



And here is what Dario got up to at dinner:

More pics

Here are some more pics of the lil' tot. They are from last week but here's the same cute little face! Promise to have more this weekend.

Saturday Morning

Here we are eating (or at least trying to) our cereal. He loves trying to get that spoon into his mouth, but boy do we ever make a mess! We have to change about twice a day as his clothes seem to be velcro for all the bits that fall. Who knew bits of food could get under your bum, while sitting! Dario is a good little eater, although he doesn't eat any veggies when I try to give them alone, but doesn't seem to mind as long as everything is mushed all togtether. Any ideas on how to get this kid eat more veg?

Here is the breakfast video:

Morning fun

Here's a video of what we sometimes get up to in the morning:


and part 2 where Dario discovers how to turn the water on:

Another Sunday

We are very lucky to have so many animals right around where we live. A short walk away and we can visit a local farm with chickens, goats, and pigs. And today we got to see our very first horse at a nearby stable. Maybe someday we will even ride one?
And here is a video of Dario mastering his walking skills:

Weekend Update

Well this weekend was chock-a-block filled with stuff to do. First there was the long walk I had with Mommy on Friday around our house. In the afternoon I went to Riccione to play with Mommy's friend Suzanne and we went for a nice walk along the beach. Then I played with my new xylophone that Mommy bought (Daddy knows how to play really well; he played You Are My Sunshine and Old Macdonald. He is a musician you know). Then there was chasing around my new green ball; it's so much fun! I also had fun eating spaghetti! Half of it doesn't make it to my mouth, but boy it sure is fun to wing it around and see where it lands!! AND I had my first ride on a merry-go-round, on the ducky. At first I wasn't sure where I was or what I was doing, but the lights and music were nice. Here are some pictures and video! Bye Bye,

Dario

Eating spaghetti:


Chasing my ball:


Here's one more video that needs to be seen. Daddy's rock video:

More pictures

I don't take as many pictures as I used to, but now that I have a new camera I find that I take pics using both cameras: the old one when I'm out at the beach etc, and the new one at home. Which means that all the better quality pics will be taken inside. Not so great.

He's walking!

So basically after a month from when he took his real first steps on his own, he is now walking! He seems to be better at it at night for some reason; this is when he does his across the room marathon runs. He just keeps getting better every day. Kids are amazing. Especially this one (if I do say so myself):

Beach Fun

We went to the beach today for some relief from the heat, as well as a little break from routine. There was no stopping this one as soon as he saw the water, he went for it wholeheartedly. No holding back. Some were aghast that such a small child was playing in the water so early in the season, I mean, it's still May! Everyone knows that people, especially babies, don't go in the water until June!! A break in convention too. That's my boy.

Some more videos:

Here's one of our little evil kenevil:


and one of him taking his first steps, which will one day soon become walking (he's been at it for about a week now and this is how much he's improved!):


Marco's band the Miles Apart had their last show Saturday in Milan. Here's one of their last songs from the show:

Video updates!

Here's one of the little bugger standing on his own for lengths at a time. This is what he does now, just stands in the middle of a room, til he goes back to crawling again:



And one of him eating bananas and following instructions:

After B-day come down

So here we are the next day. It was really warm so I thought perfect for the beach. He had his first mouthful of sand but didn't seem to mind. Me, the queen of picture taking, actually forgot to assign someone else to take some for me, hence no bday cake cutting pic, or me and Marco squishing his face with kisses pic. We do have video, and I think I can actually freeze a frame of it but don't know if that will actually produce a pic. We shall see. Yet one more thing on the growing list of "to dos" when it comes to electronics and cameras.

Birthday Video

Part 1

Part 2

Happy Birthday baby

One year has passed. As everyone says, it really does go so fast. We try to record all of his achievements: first smile, first laugh, first babbles, steps, words, funny noises. The list goes on. I remember all of his firsts, although they are becoming hazy, they will remain forever ingrained in my mind and my heart. I can't believe he's now 1; no longer a baby, becoming everyday more a boy. I couldn't have ever imagined it, but here I am, now a mother, remembering all the lessons that my mother taught me. So if I am who I am it is because she is who she is. Thank you.

One year ago, May 15 2007:

Today, May 15, 2008:
We missed you all so very much today. Video is on the way in a few days. For now here are some pics.

Under the Tuscan Sun

Had a fabulous time in Tuscany for 4 days. The advantage of living here is that places such as these are a mere hours away, the time it takes to get to Calgary. Seriously. The weather was great and the baby had fun too. Can't get better than that.

Another update....

I can'r believe he's 11 months now, and before I can bat an eye, he'll be 1. He's still up tp the same chananagans as he was a month ago; opening cupboards, taking stuff out of drawers, climbing onto furniture. His balance has gotten alot better (although we do still have falls...) although I don't think he'll be walking on his own quite yet.

I realise from looking at pics from a month ago that his hair has grown alot, and he seems to have put on alot of weight too.

Here are some pics from the new, fancypants camera I can't wait to learn how to use (right).

Into week number 3

I can't believe that we've been back for over 2 weeks now, it seems like a long time ago somehow, and somehow not...make sense? We are back into our "normal" life, which consists of waking up, taking baths, eating, changing diapers, and doing new-ish things like going for walks and watching Dario's face light up as he touches an olive tree, or point out different plants and birds to him. Don't know how much of it he's actually taking in, but it's good for me at the same time. Spring is here; sunny days, flowers blooming, and Marco's grass that he worked so hard at getting ready is sprouting.

Haven't taken many pics of Dario, but here are a few which I have managed to take. And as for achievements, he put a play phone to his ear for the first time on Sunday which was pretty cool. He's walking around a lot using an Ikea storage bin as a walker (works great!) and pushing himself into a standing position using the wall and any type of cupboard. And tooth #5 has made its way through (on top next to two front ones). He just keeps getting cuter and cuter!!

Back home....

Well, here we are. I think I'm over the jet lag, but with insomnia I don't think I can exactly decipher between the two. The flight went exceptionally well; on time, connections great with just enough time in between, bags all back safe and sound, and Dario being a sport as always. I don't know if anything phases this kid, such a great traveller and happy too. He must get that from Marco...

So now I've fully unpacked, put the heaps of new Dario clothes away until he can fit into them (which won't be long). And now back to normal life once again. Can you feel the sadness in those words? I want to thank everyone for being so hospitable and generous (as always) but I guess it just means a whole lot more now. You know who you are (that would be ALL of you!).

So here are some pictures of our great stay. Enjoy!!!

March 11, 2008

Pics on Dario's big party and his two top teeth!

9.5 month update

One more tooth on top through and another on its way just marks one of many changes in Dario's busy little life.  No pics as of yet but soon on their way...here's some more instead.

Happy March 1st!

Back in Edmonton, the season seems to have changed into spring bringing with it change and growth. Some new things that Dario is doing:

-sticking his tongue out

-climbs on furniture and releases to see how long he can stand on his own (which is only for a few seconds)

-eating a lot more

and as for me, well so far I've had an apple fritter, and fab sushi with my girls. 

More pics

Pictures

It's futile to even try and limit how many pictures can be taken of this kid because I just take more and more...so enjoy them

Here at last!

After a long day of airports, connecting flights and baby wrapping we finally made it. Dario was the best little traveller imaginable, although the lack of sleep made him especially grumpy when he finally saw his Nonni again. We are now over the jet lag(although I'm writing this in the middle of the night so who knows). All is well in general: the weather, food, company, plan making with friends, and general sense of things. Although 2 people in particular really miss someone special....for pics 

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Eating crackers:


Here's how I found him this morning:

Another achievement!

His favourite toy:

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