Made it alive

I don't have any pictures to post since I haven't taken any yet. I promise there will be some soon.

We survived our 24 hour travel period in relatively good condition. Jordan only had a few melt'downs, and Aaron none. Isabel was an angel as always. Granted she's only 2 months old so I'll give her a little time to catch up to her brothers.

I'm wondering if my eyes will ever not be red. They're blood-shot from not sleeping, and were red from crying before I left. One day someone may see that I do have white in my eyes.

The kids are feeling the time difference and so are we. It still feels surreal to me that I live in Italy now. Both Paolo and I are having culture shock!

On a good note, I have two fun things. One is that I forgot about the mozzarella cheese, yum! Just bought some tonight.

The second, is that from the day my first child was born I've thought it would be funny if one of my boys innocent peed on my husband. My brother's oldest child was a fountain whenever he got his diaper changed. I thought it would be funny if the same thing happened to Paolo. Neither of the boys came through for me though- that is until tonight. Jet-lagged and exhausted Jordan fell asleep in Paolo's arms while talking to the neighbor. Paolo came in holding Jordan passed out on his shoulder. We were discussing what to do with him- try to put him to bed like that or change him into his PJ's. I was just expressing my concern that he might wet the bed and we better wake him up to go to the bathroom, when Jordan finally came through for me. He "wet the bed" while Paolo was holding him! I needed a good laugh after all the stress and tiredness we've had. Thank you Jordan for making mommy's dreams come true. :)

Terrorist Attack

I was having for one of those long wished for moments of your children "playing nice and quietly" down stairs (my kids haven't very many of those moments lately). So I ran upstairs to make a phone call to get ready to move and wash the dishes. As I'm finishing the dishes I turn around and see thread on my kitchen floor. Ominous sign since thread is found only in my sewing room downstairs.

Then I see innocent Jordan (aka terrorist #1) stroll by. I asked him where he got the thread from. He answered down stairs. So I asked him to show me. There is thread strung from the kitchen upstairs, all the way down both flights of stairs, and into my sewing room.

That's when we came upon Aaron (aka terrorist #2) in the sewing room. And this is what I found!

(Sorry about the sideways picture. I down loaded it from my camera and it didn't let me turn it the right way).
They had pulled off every single key from my keyboard on the laptop that we're taking with us to Italy. I was aghast and didn't know what to say. So I sent both boys to their rooms to re-group for a moment.
I then took them back down stairs and showed them what they had done. I explained to them that they had broken mommy's computer and how sad it made me. Aaron just looked at me and said "oh sorry mom" in a tone that clearly sounded like he was totally surprised that his little treat had made me sad (along with annoyed, frustrated....). It was clear to me that they didn't have a clue that they had done something wrong.

Punishment: TV ban for the day (not that they get much of it anyway)
I guess they can make up for it when they smile at you like this.

On a good note, a nice neighbor is coming by tonight to see if he can help reattach those keys. He informs me that I can buy a new keyboard and have it put on for relatively cheap if he's not successful.

Sold

Well, I sold my car Saturday! I'm very sad to part with it. I would highly recommend a Volkswagon to anyone.

Only 2 more weeks until we're on a plane to Italy. Exciting, scary, sad, happy... all in one. I had a friend ask me what I was looking forward to moving to Italy. I have to say that I didn't have a lot to say. I am, however, glad she asked me because I've started to think of a lot of things. I needed to be reminded that there is so much good in front of me that awaits. Sometimes I feel like all that is good and happy is what I have, and who I have with me right now. However there is a God, He knows me, and He has a plan for me. In front of me there are so many good things in store.

I'm looking forward to good food including: clementines, pizza, gelato, fresh fruits and vegetables, pecorino cheese, parmesan cheese, chocolate... I'm also looking forward to being near family- brother-in-law, aunts and uncles. I'm so excited to see our old friends, and all of our friends from church. I'm happy to be a Latter-day-Saint where I live. I'm looking forward to running on the awesome trails by my house. I'm looking forward to one day traveling a little bit around Europe. I want to see Prague and Budapest and Paris. I want to go to Ireland and see if I can blend in with the natives. I look forward to teaching English. I look forward to being a good influence and lifting up those around me. Being a foreigner makes me a bit unique and I am excused at being a little more bold, or to express my opinions and have them listened to. I am looking forward to the Rome Temple!

To all my friend's and family here: I love you! My heart breaks to leave you behind. But you're not really behind me. You'll always be in my heart. And besides, we'll see each other again. :)

4 generations

My mom came to visit (aka help me out like crazy after having Isabel). She was here almost a whole 2 weeks. We went up to see grandma Wilson - also affectionately called "crazy grandma" by my brother's kids. They call her crazy grandma because she's as much one of the kids as they are. And that's why we love her to death. So here's Carol, Colleen, Julie, and Isabel. Four generations of women!
Mom just before we took her to the airport. I cried a little bit after she got in the security line. I was so grateful for her help. I also thought about how blessed I am to have such a wonderful mom that taught me so well. This is one of the things that is hardest for me about moving to Italy- being so far away from my family (and friends).

The other day we eating at the table- this time around it was grapes. Aaron stuffed his cheeks full and said, "look mom!" My boy that I love to death!

Jordan trying to imitate Aaron, but not pulling it off as well.
Jordan is often heard to say "I'm the catcher." Second runner up is "I'm the pitcher."
Here's my little catcher. Notice he's looking at me through the space in the glove. You can see his little eye.
And this is Isabel at 4 weeks old right after her bath tonight. She was pushing her head up high. You can't tell as well here because between seeing her do it and getting the camera, it wasn't as high as before. I just can't believe how strong at 4 weeks old. Her brothers better not pick on her when she's a little older or they're going to end up getting a beating!
Go Isabel!

finished sewing projects

3 little monkies (can't not put them in a post). I've decided before moving back to Italy I'm going to finish up some of the many half-done projects I've got in my sewing closet. So here are a few...

I pieced this top when I was pregnant with Jordan. Two years later I finished it up. This a gift for my sister-in-law who is due at the end of November with their 4th girl.
This was from my quilting group that had a color challenge. We were given a Kona color wheel charm pack and told to make something from it. I decided on functionality- I made a changing cloth and small purse to hold a diaper, wipes, and changing cloth. I made the wonky stars, and this is a reversible carrier.

And here's the changing pad.

These are Christmas stockings that I quilted and threw together. Two out of three I did with a french seam, and the other I just added a border. I like the border less because I'm no good at the curves, and it didn't look so cute.
Aaron slipped these on while I was trying to do the photo shoot of my projects. He was so excited to where his "Christmas boots"!
This is an advent calender that I quilted, and I just need to finish up the hanging peaces to go on it.

These are hot pads I've made for some friends.

And a pin cushion... another challenge project from my quilting group a couple of months ago.

Isabel's First Bath

I still have to protect her from the over-loving of her brother's. These boys are going to get a beating though once she's able to hold her own. Isabel is very mild and quite a pleasant baby, but I sense she'll be spirited underneath and be able to hold her own quite well.
I love dressing her up like a girl! I kept a few gender neutral items from Aaron and Jordan, but have quickly given them away. I find that I like pink and frilly.
She is a lot more awake and quite strong. When she's awake she seems very aware. She has mild colic in the evening and goes to sleep kind of late because of that, but at least half the time will go back to sleep after night feedings. I am getting a little more sewing done due to sleeping a little less.
Isabel seemed to like her fast bath- or at least she didn't cry, scream, wriggle... She did stare at herself quite a lot in the mirror. She's gained almost a pound since birth, and grown 2 inches. She's still yellow, but the pediatrician said that's a phenomenon that can happen in breast fed babies- it takes them longer to break down the billirubin.
Tomorrow is 3 weeks. That's 21 times older than the day she was born! We love our little angel.

Party of 3

Almost 10 days into the transition and doing ok. Both of my kids are more whiny, most especially Jordan. But other than that, this transition is MUCH better than going from 1 to 2.

So far Isabel is quite a pleasant baby. Doesn't cry much unless really hungry. Getting on schedule has been a little harder than I remember. I'm a big believer in eating, staying awake, and then sleeping in order to get your baby on schedule. She's been going 4-6 hours between feedings and it's been freaking me out. Jordan was on a 2 hour cycle and ate a ton. I think it freaks me out mostly because she's so small. But as a friend reminded me yesterday, I guess I won't worry about as long as she's wetting diapers and growing.

I have a friend, Kati, that is the awesomest quilter! She's got me going to a quilting group that I love. She is so creative, and inspires me. Well, I was the very LUCKY recipient of one of her blankets, and I LOVE it!!! Thank you Kati.

Bed time wind down...