Saturday 20 April 2013

See you in ten days!

Rob and I are going on holiday tomorrow and while we can't wait to go, explore new places, and relax, we know we will miss Emilia terribly.

However, we can leave happy as my mum and dad are in town and Emilia is enjoying some extra cuddles and an overdose of love. She is in great hands and I am sure the three of them will have a great time together here in London. See you all in ten days!



Wednesday 17 April 2013

WI at its best!

On Monday evening my girlfriends and I met at Steph's for our usual WI appointment. This month we learned how to crochet; Steph taught us a couple of basic stitches that should help us make wonderful blankets, scarves, and whatever else we will want to make in the future! We started with simple bows; the result was not as good as the original in the template, and definitely far from Steph's beautiful yellow bow, but it's a start! I love craft nights.

 

Monday 15 April 2013

Just Because...

I know you, especially the grandparents, are anxiously waiting to see more and more pictures of Emilia! 

Here are some that we took today. Enjoy!

 
 

Sunday 14 April 2013

Spring Day

Spring has finally arrived in London! After a long and soaring winter, today we finally had a lovely bright and sunny day with temperatures as high as 18-20 degrees. We had to go out and make the most of the weather. Needless to say, the capital was packed. We walked from our flat all the way to the shopping centre at One New Change, next to St. Paul's. We love the Southbank and it's in days like this that I really appreciate the area we live in. It is simply beautiful. 

We dressed Emilia in pastel colours for the occasion, put a summer hat on and out we went. We enjoyed strolling around, did some shopping and introduced Nando's to Emilia, which she loved (well, who doesn't??!). We had a great time and can't wait to spend more time outside in sunny London! 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday 12 April 2013

Blowing Strawberries

I mentioned all the noises Emilia was making in church during the baptism mass. Here, you can get an idea of what I am talking about. She can certainly blow some strawberries! 



Emilia and the blueberry rice-cake

Every time I have something in my hand, like a piece of bread or cake, and I then put it into my mouth, Emilia looks at me with fascination. It's no secret that she is a good eater, *una bella forchetta*, as we say in Italian and everything food related brightens up her day. So, I stocked up on snacks. Of course, Emilia is only seven months old, so we need to be extremely careful and watch her closely when she eats by herself, but we have started introducing more interesting solids, such as apple biscuits and blueberry rice-cakes, definitely a fave. These rice-cakes are smaller than the adult size ones, so cute...and so tasty! Mummy tried some too. 

Tuesday 9 April 2013

Christening Day

Oh, what a day this was!

The day started early at the Asciutti's house. Emilia woke up around 7.00am and had everyone on her toes. In the end, it was her special day, so we all felt to spoil her. Getting all ready and getting Emilia ready on time was a bit of a struggle. No matter how many people are around you to help you, time always shrinks when you have a baby. Not to mention the impossibility to plan anything. I tried to plan her feeds and naps but I know I am not the boss. Emilia decides when she wants to eat and nap. So, of course, she ended up drinking her milk right in the middle of the baptism. Out of five babies, she was the only one having her lunch! But if you know Emilia, you know she has no patience when it comes to food. She is hungry, she has got to eat. Straight away! 

When we arrived to the church she was surprisingly very calm. She was looking around, playing with her godparents. However, I should have known that she was not going to be like that for the whole time there. In fact, soon after the mass started, Emilia's show started too. 


Not one second went by without Emilia not making some sort of noise. I must confess, it was funny at times. Five babies were being baptised and four out of five were super calm, either sleeping or peacefully absorbing what was going on around them. Emilia, on the other hand, made sure that everyone could hear her voice. Da-da ta-da da-ta were being heard in every corner of the church. And if she wasn't *talking*, then she was complaining about something. In short, she didn't want to be sitting down; as usual, she wanted to be entertained. Our bench was the messiest one: we had Emilia's shoes (she kept taking them off!), different kinds of toys, two milk bottles, binkies, and a pouch of apple, just in case.

When the priest came for the first round of oil to be put on Emilia's neck, she was drinking her milk. Even the neighbouring baby's godfather found it funny (see his face?).

 
 And when we went to the altar to receive the holy water, she brought her toy with her. I tried to take it from her hand but clearly I didn't succeed!

 

The only moment of calm was when the priest took Emilia and lifted her to the sky to show her to the audience. Boy did she love all the attention and the clapping! An actress in the making? :)




 
 

All in all, it was a lovely morning and certainly a touching experience. This was Emilia's first big thing! But I must say, I was relieved when it was all over and it was time for the godparents to sign the big book. Baptism part 1: over. Now, it was time to move to the restaurant for a nice lunch with family and friends. 


The restaurant we chose, Osteria La Corte, is a lovely old villa/barn that has recently been restored. It still has some of the original features, among which the old bricks and the wood on the ceiling. I was really happy with the choice. The place is so beautiful in itself that I didn't really feel to do too much with the decor. I only bought some pink and white flowers and had them arranged in small baskets to which we then attached pink balloons. The theme of the party was the circus, hence the circus tents as favour boxes and the design on the invite, the menu, and the place-cards. Everyone seemed to like everything, and of course I was happy!

 
 

I was also happy because I got to open lots of gifts! In fact, many of the gifts that Emilia received are good for mummy now! Pearls, necklaces, earrings, you name it! 

 

We ate very well and the food was delicious. Everyone raved about the cake and how good and fresh the custard and whip cream were!


Overall, we had a beautiful day and even if Emilia was cranky at times, for a seven-month-old baby who had just flown in from London, she actually behaved herself!

 
 

Pescara Highlights

Traveling with a baby can be a bit stressful, I don't mind telling you, but it is all worth it when you travel to see family and friends. 

I always like going to Pescara. It's home. And every time I go I realise even more how much I love my family and friends. I am very lucky as I have the best family and the best friends I could have ever asked for. I know you are all reading this, so thank you for all your love! 

The weather was nice, certainly warmer than in London, and mostly sunny, and the sky was bright and blue. Rob and Emilia enjoyed walking around the house to get some fresh air, enjoy the view, and play with the cats. My parents' garden is really beautiful in Spring. 


Since we didn't spend Easter together this year, we also had a belated Easter celebration. Emilia received four eggs, and mummy and daddy enjoyed opening them and eating the chocolate! What don't you do for your kids! :)


And speaking of food, that must be Emilia's favourite pastime. Whether it is milk or solids, food is the only thing that will always put Emilia in a jolly mood!

 

Emilia also enjoyed playing the piano with grandad Walter. Who knows, perhaps she will be able to do what her mummy didn't? I started playing the piano when I was real little but, to my parents' disappointment, I didn't really show great interest in it. I practiced very little and at some point I switched to classical guitar. What a shame, now I certainly regret it. 

Up In the Air

Emilia's record of flights as of April 2013: Six flights in seven months. George Clooney, eat your heart out! (cfr. Up in the air).

On Thursday the 4th of April we took Emilia to Pescara. We had a short but intense stay, surrounded by the love that only family and good friends can give you. Details and pictures of the trip, especially the christening, to come! Stay tuned.


Tuesday 2 April 2013

7 months

I have said it before and I'll say it again: nine months of pregnancy felt like an eternity and now, seven months with Emilia have literally flown away. 

Here are some pictures of the birthday girl this morning.