Sunday, July 27, 2014

Airplanes, The Boob and The Bean


After way to long of our arrival in the land of the free, I will share with you some updates!
First off I want to give a big hurrah to the Bean for being such a rockstar and A+ traveller. He slept for the first 3 hours and than played with some "new" toys I had picked up without him knowing from the toy store. I had downloaded some toddler apps and cartoons (desperate times calls for desperate measures) but his attention span is that of a puppy, so he preferred dropping crumbs on the head of the passenger in front of us (again, desperate times calls for desperate measures) Anyway long story short the 9+ hour flight and trip with my toddler Bean was uneventful, which is so much more than I could have ever asked for. Than the 2 hour car ride from Philly to Bmore he acted like a ham for his Gram and Pops, than basically passed out the rest of the way. When he arrived at my parents house, he was literally so happy he did not know what to touch and where to go first. His options where off the wall.  he also immediately fell in love with "Nuna" aka Luna the sweet patient cat that never fails to make Luca smile, if I didn't know any better, I'd say he has a big ol crush on the furball. 
It has already been such beautiful days here, with dear friends and family, coming "home" only twice a year truly makes me cherish my family and friends even more. Luca and I are so blessed to be able to spend the summer here. We are missing Marco but know he's in his element and in good hands:) Almost in Greece! Everytime the phone rings (and in the household of my mother it rings A LOT) Luca looks at y with his hands in the air and says, "Papa''? Poor confused Little Bean.
Right before we left for the States I weaned Luca from night time boob. It was becoming more and more evident that it was high time. LB was getting into a habit of waking up nursing and falling asleep about 5 times at night. That was 5 times too many, for the both of us, we were both not getting a good night sleep. I had in my OCD mind that I would nurse him until a year, Clearly Luca had other ideas. So I compromised with him, and let him have the boob only before bedtime. Not DURING bedtime. The first night he cried like there was no tomorrow which almost killed the both of us, but I cuddled him to sleep, and thats how t is to this day, I mean without the hysterical crying. Thank God. That is unless he falls off the bed.
At home in Venice he sleeps in his own crib, here he sleeps in a pack and play next to my bed. The Bean does not sleep in pack and plays, I mean why, if he can sleep in Mamma's bed. That little turd was on a roll, but as soon as we got to Baltimore, he wants Mamma. I mean duh. And I have gotten to the point where I just don't care anymore. He still does not get the boob, but when he cries I just put him next to me on my bed and after kicking me in the face 10 times and punching me on my pack 5 times, and sometimes even falling off the bed, he eventually falls asleep. If I don't fall asleep, I put him back in the pack and play (hey, I need sleep too) if I do fall asleep, well than I wake up to a bum on my head in the morning. At least he wakes up around 8:30. I would too if I did karate at night.
Sorry. I had to rant. My mother has no sympathy for me, I hope you all do! I'm just kidding, I wake up in the morning even more in love with LB than I was when I fell asleep (even though there might be a moment when he shoves his feet in my stomach when I think, WHYYYYYYYYYYY???)
I guess its all "normal", and I should't make a fuss over it, but I am definitely putting my foot down when we get back to Venice. No more kung fu passed 9 pm for this Mamma and he Little Bean.
I will let you all in on updates during our time Stateside, meanwhile I hope you all have fun spitting watermelon seeds, husking corn, and making smores, cause I know we have, and we're looking forward to more summer time fun, which does not involve eating ants, licking cars, and pooping on the deck. Cough cough. Luca, you are a CONSTANT source of entertainment, and therapist to your OCD Mamma.
exploring his new domain 

LB and his Pops

such a proud eater

shakespeare in the park. LB was totally hooked. for as long as it took me to take this picture

Luca and his first french fry

Lucky boy

he has decided that the staircase is his toothbrushing station. Everytime.

Brave

this boy and his CONSTANT need to move

Luca and his "waddle" walk. Too bad pictures can't capture how ridiculous and hilarious he looks

everyone needs a naked helper… follow them all over

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Luca's 13 Month Update and Summer has Officially Started

So the bittersweet summer has officially started in the Ceccarello household. Don't get my wrong I adore summer, everything about it (besides the mosquitos) and the anticipation that LB and I will soon (two more weeks kiddos!) be in the States with my family and friends. But Summer in this family also means Marco is across the Adriatic. Or working from 7am to 7pm. Basically it is a huge treat to have him at home. I am not complaining. first off, Marco loves his job,  and is damn good at it too, but works his bum off as well. He is fortunate though to work for splendid people, and has the advantage of having very mild winters (his off season). As you all know he is a skipper aka a motor yacht captain, a unique but fascinating job. That is why, my dear friends that it is a bit bitter. Before Luca was born I could go with Marco when he was away for long periods, but now that Luca is here, well lets just say, Luca doesn't sit still for more than half a second. Imagine him living on a boat. He would be in 7th heaven, but Mamma would be in hell. I will be going to the States to stay with my family for two month, yes two month. Two month because a dear friend of mine is getting married in the middle of September and I am part of the wedding. It will be hard for both Marco and I, but we will both be in situations where we are very well distracted:)
So on a different topic, lets talk about the Bean for a change:)
He has now officially entered into his 13th month (whaaaaaaaat?) and is thriving more than ever ( or is it just because I am his mother) It is so incredible how much he understands. I can tell him to go get his shoes because we are going byebye and he runs to get them. You can say the same sentence in Italian and he understands just the same. When I say its bathtime he runs into the bathroom and tries to attempt to take off his clothes than gets frustrated because he cannot. (omg EVERY NIGHT he is too cute) When I call him to tell him dinner is ready he runs to the kitchen saying "numnumnum". He is a fireball and a curious monkey, oh and a young Evil Kenevil. I swear you that boy does not know danger. Actual he does, he goes for it! I don't know if it's a boy thing or just a Little Bean thing. He also adores his Nonna and Nonno, and cars, oh and of course water!
From a Mamma's point of view it is so incredible watching him everyday, learning, and interacting with others and objects, he seriously makes progress everyday and it makes my heart literally burst with pride and joy. 
Luca, Luca's Nonna and I went to Switzerland for 10 days to visit my aunt and cousins and her kids, Madita and little not even two months old Linda. I swear that baby NEVER cries and is the most content little girl  have ever met. OH so different than what Luca was!
We had a truly wonderful time on vacation with them. I am so grateful to have family so close to Italy. My mother in law also had a great time, and she was so helpful, especially when our flight was cancelled and we had to venture back to my aunts and redo everything the next day, BUT you know what as much as it sucked, I was and am so grateful that nothing worse happened and I was not alone:)
Oh dear lawd I can't WAIT to travel with the bean in a week! Wish us luck!!!


rabbit lovin

Right before it started pouring. Oh Switzerland how I love you


buggy rides


After Dinner chats