Mia Nonna

It is so bitter sweet to learn about my Nonna's passing. We knew she was really sick, we knew she could go at anytime, but you are never ready to get that phone call. Anna Pucci Filippeschi was a beautiful person and lived a wonderful exciting life. I am so happy my Mom and her Sister could both be with her while she passed away.
I always remember the excitement I felt every time I saw my Nonna waiting for us at the train station or at her apartment, and the excitement on her face as we arrived; it always made me feel so happy as a kid to know my Nonna was just as excited as we were. I have so many vivid memories and loved how she seemed to have a zest for life. Did I know her as well as I could have, no, but it's just a feeling you have and looks that we shared that I will take with me.

My sisters and I also feel like we are saying goodbye to a part of our childhood, so it has been a weird combination of feelings. We spent so many summers in Firenze in this great apartment right down the street from Boboli Gardens. Once my Mom and my Aunt leave Firenze at the end of June that will be the last time any of us will be in the apartment. I know how it makes me cry, so I desperately wish I could be there with them when they close the door for the final time.

Riposi in pace Nonna

"avers takems swingers"

OWWEE

I wasn't going to post about Ava's accident with my hair straightener, but these pictures capture how we all felt. The Doctor is having us put special cream and bandages for a week...I'm getting the feeling she kind of likes the attention. :-)

Motherhood Defined

Motherhood is when you sleep in the world's most uncomfortable position for two hours just so your child can breath from having such a bad cold!

On a lighter note...OMG, I sound like the Today Show...here's my girl enjoying raw grapefruit juice. She may not feel good, but she still loves a good piece of fruit. ha ha

Squirrel Nutkin Sighting

For those of you who read Beatrix Potter, you will know what I am talking about. Crazy Squirrel Nutkin has moved into the neighborhood and is causing all sorts of uproar. I was barely able to catch the next picture as he got done scolding Ava, myself, and Mila (our 11 year old cat) after also flipping his half tail and running away!

I believe Old Brown Owl is also making some noise in the other side of the yard in disgust!

P.S.

I'm with Ellen on this one, if you're not my blog 'follower' please sign in and become one so I don't look like such a loser!

ava turns one and other random thoughts...beware this is long!

may 5, 2009

May 5, 2009

Let's start at May 2, Ava's first birthday party! I'm tired of having regrets, so we just went all out for her party. Yes I know, she's only one and won't even remember, but I knew I wanted to make it great. I pulled it off almost as perfect as I imagined....I get the "almost" part from my mom, we always seem to find something not quite right. ha The weather was BEAUTIFUL, the only dry and sunny weekend out of around 6 previous ones, so that helped set the stage for a fabulous day. We totally missed my mom, she is in Italy taking care of her ill mother, and probably will not be back for some time. We took lots of pictures and will share a few...I want her to feel like she was there.

May 5 was Ava's actual 'cinco de mayo' birthday and I held off on the tears until late that night. I am so happy to have been able to watch Ava morph into this little person, and her turning one gets me excited. I love watching her learn things, make new faces, communicating with new sounds, watching her walk is funny and scary all balled up in one. I am tired in a totally different way now and some days I want to hire a nanny to do all my cooking, cleaning, and playing...I find myself screaming in my head, HELP!!! lol (all you stay at home moms know what I mean!) My house is no longer clean and orderly, and my hair and clothes are not what they used to be, but I wouldn't change any of it, EVER!

Happy One Year Ava!

One year has continued to bring out the quirkiness in her. She gave up on the socks and is now walking around holding her nose shut and gasping for air, eating kiwi and grapefruit is a daily ritual, she walks around caring my watering jug and talking nonsense to the air, and finally she HAS to have everyone’s napkin just so she can smell them heavily. It makes me sooooo HAPPY that she has a weird side like me!

I have to admit, I am missing my spring gardening. It's just way too hard with her. I do get a 2-2.5 hour break in the afternoon when she takes her nap, but most days I need a nap and then a shower, then facebook, then sit on the swing, then catch up on housework...who has time to dig in the dirt. Looks like the Farmer's Market will be our new Wednesday afternoon outing. I am optimistic and know we will do it next year.

In this past year I feel I have grown as a person and think having Ava has opened my eyes to good and bad things about me and my relationships with others. I have also always been independent and having a baby kind of puts a kink in that. I have ALMOST gotten over it! ha I know I have a lot to teach Ava and am hopeful I will lead her in the right direction to happiness, success, a belief in love, God, and that family and friends are what make life fun and meaningful.

With all that said....peace out! (see, I told you I was weird too)