According to GG

Just wanted to give you a sneak peek of According to GG!

A couple of her first posts are about how to make a rocket, and how to make cereal.  Coming soon: why does the sun rise and set, and all about "love bugs".

G is Bloggin!

Check out my G's new blog, According to GG.

We thought that you all out there might be interested in reading how things are done according to G, like how to make a rocket, or what makes a princess.  She will also be sharing her other ideas about the world, and will hopefully answer any of your questions about what makes it go 'round. 

Please visit the blog and ask GG how, why or what.  She would love to help you out!

A Milano. Dove, se no?

{{  Well my stinking laptop is on the fritz.  No, this isn't my excuse for poor blogging, but is surely a contributing factor.  }}

What's Up

It's official.  I've got a thumb-sucker on my hands! And poor CCs got the callused thumbs to prove it.  Between her thumbs and rosy chin I suspect we are going to see a tooth soon.  She's been trying to sit up on her own....almost there!...and is army crawling all over the place.  Good motivation to keep the floors clean :-/ My blood pressure has gone up a bit due to the fact that CCs favorite new sounds is "Mamamamamama" and my heart flips every time I hear it.  It's nice but I'm not ready yet! (j/k about the blood pressure.  Mine is just fine thank you.)

G. is still skeptical about school.  Two steps forward one step back.  Last night, in our tradition, we were telling each other what we were going to dream about.  She told me she was going to dream about going to school.  Woohoo!  And then this morning when I got to the door she started crying because her undershirt made her feel funny and her tights were on her belly button.  Yeah, so.....getting there.  Piano, piano.

A. has been busy with the Waldorf, and now taking on a couple of new projects.  He is looking forward to a trip to Milan in April.  He is presenting at the Salone Internazionale Del Mobile 2012 for a solar house he designed.  Such an honor as it is considered "the global benchmark for the home furnishing sector." He has attended the event a few times as a spectator, so it is going to be a new experience to have the tables turned.  Wish we could join him but it is just too much right now with baby, and G. in school.  In due time...

City Living

It's been a lovely few weeks living in Manhattan.  Though A. has been so busy, I just remember how often I would have seen him on the Island --> not much.  Winter was practically non-existent here.  I am going to say we had no snow.  NYC did see snow late 2011 but we weren't here yet.  At best we've had some very chilly, windy days.  Despite the chill in the air, spring is all around...daffodils are peeking out of the flower beds, cherry tree buds are ready to burst, and the days are getting longer.  

A few times a week I pick G. up from school and we walk to John Jay Park so that she can burn off some energy and so we can all get little more sunshine.  On the way home we go to Mercato di Agata e Valentina for the evening's supper ingredients.  I love that last part the most.  Not only does it remind me of living in Italy and actually being able to get fresh groceries everyday, but I don't have to have it all planned out.  There is rarely a need for takeout (though that is so much easier here, too, thank you grubhub :D) because I can walk around the corner to grab some fish and spinach, for example, and dinner is ready in 15 minutes.  Faster than delivery!

Last weekend we visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art with As aunt and young cousins who are around Gs age.  The children's program they attended was led by a docent who helped them understand the models that were found in Egyptian burials, as well as the Samuel Hart Room in the American Wing showing what a home in the 17th century might look like .  G looks forward to returning to see Degas' dancer paintings, some of my favorites.

Check It Out

One of my instagram buddies, @SallyLouWho, just started a new blog! Check out Sally Whitaker's Forward From the Heart, where she will be writing about all the things that make her tick including fitness (aw, yeah!), cooking healthy, and being a momma.  I am stoked to find out more about Sally! Here is a little sneak peak from her latest post, Workout Wednesday:

Name:  Sally Whitaker
Age: 32
Occupation:  Manager of a fitness studio and Pilates trainer/personal trainer
How many days a week do you work out?  4-7...but usually 5
What is your most favorite form of exercise?  I have so many!  But if forced to pick I choose running.  And Pilates.
Favorite healthy food:  It's a tie between celery and those little Cutie mandarin oranges
Favorite treat:  FroYo or anything chocolate-coconut

Talk About Ribollita!: 500 Touring Club

Do you remember me posting about the 500 Touring Club closing their garage doors? Well it turns out the doors are back open! Sophie and Alex have handed off the reigns to friends Andrea and Beppe who sound eager to keep the winding Tuscan roads stylin' via Fiat 500s.

There is no better way to see the countryside than by visiting http://www.500touringclub.com/ and booking your tour today!

I know can't wait to drive in Florence again...

My New Every Day

Finding dried up red Skittles slobber on the white bathroom tile leading the way to an un-flushed commode in which there is no used toilet paper...yeah you know what that means.

I know I can be pretty sentimental when talking about my kids. But there is if course a flip side. Throwing tantrums when I will not go out and buy a pet unicorn. Being wide awake and ready for the day at 4:30am. But I try to be good humored. I can usually find a happy or funny side to most of the chaos!

What's happened the last few weeks? Celia was baptized in a lovely simple ceremony.  It was nice to visit the island and celebrate this special moment with friends and family.  My parents, older brother (godfather), and nephew came up from Louisiana and we had a great time playing "tourist" with them! My mom stayed for a couple of weeks to help me settle in more.  Which allowed for A. and I to go out for Valentine's Day.  Not the greatest meal since most places were packed, but it was nice to get out of the house nonetheless!

I celebrated my 31st birthday earlier this week.  G. planned a great birthday party complete with skittles (read skittles slobber) and homemade party hats.  My mom made my "old school" favorite birthday meal of meatloaf...mmmm.  

In case my last post wasn't crystal clear (it wasn't) I made a very last minute decision not to return to work at this time.  Like a day before kind of decision.  There is a good chance I at the very least singed a bridge, but my gut was literally screaming at me to reconsider and I could not ignore it.  I know that it seems like I may have lost my mind a little.  I mean, I love the people, the office, the position.  It is just not the right time.  But the only people that have to feel right about this is me and A., and we do. 

I also feel right about something I am working on with my lovely sister-in-law "Fizz" and my mother.  We are really excited about it! More on that later. 

Sorry to be so illusive, but this is as good as it gets right now.  I am just happy to still be home with my peanut and peanut butter.  G is off from school this week and we are having a great time together.  Hope your winter is as blessed as mine has been!

I Swear I'm Not Crazy

I am a sucker for this little ball of chub. The way she nuzzles into my shoulder and tastes the seam of my blouse. The extra chin that forms when she can't help but smile at a silly sound. The slimy kisses she gives my chin at 5:30am. Her sweet breath, her stinky toots (that's right). The growing number of dimples on her tushie. The way it sounds like "muhmuhmuh" now when she cries.

I wasn't ready. I thought I was, or at least would be by now. But I'm not and I hope those affected by my decisions will understand that sometimes you have to go with your gut.

After 5 Months of Nonsense, Celia Speaks...

...more nonsense :).

And I look pretty scary.  All for the cause!

Ps- where did all this hair go???