NEWER "ITALY" BLOG!!!

hey if you are still wanting to hear more about what's going on with the "caffeine addict", or the "Caffeine Addict 2.0" go to my new(er) blog site here on blogger!

Ribollita Reboiled

I am talking all about my plans to return to Florence, some memories and tips about life in Italy, and all of the drama and nonsense of applying for dual-citizenship via marriage. I'd love for you to drop by and take a peek!

the new URL is

http://ribollitareboiled.blogspot.com

Ciao!

One minor setback

Adam and I went to the Consulate's office FINALLY last week to apply fror our visas. At first we were confused by the fact that I wouldn't be able to get mine or Giada's until he had lived there and gotten his PdiS, then that cleared up. But then something else...his paperwork didn't specify that he was going for a 4-year program, which again would mean that he could not get us family visas. SOOO the schooled has just mailed out the amended paperwork, and we should be good to go! However, that means that we've had to postpone our flight and we will not be arriving until July 11. It's very frustrating having had our hearts set on leaving so soon, but at the same time it is a relief to have a couple more weeks to tighten a few loose ends.

Good news? Adam's citizenship appointment went very well! The only hangup with that is that like many Italian-Americans, their names were "Americanized" when they arrived so much of the paperwork has two names like "Peter" or "Pietro" and "Cosima" or "May". We corrected all of his g-grandfather's inconsistancies, but figured that it wouldn't matter for his g-grandmothers' (since she was his blood line to Italy). But they do want it to be amended. No big deal, it's been done. SO all we do now is wait!

Giada is a handful...literally! She is now rolling over both ways and has managed to use this new talent to roll to whatever she isn't supposed to have. She was in the den yesterday lying on her blanket, and even though I can see her from the kitchen, a strange quiet came over the room and I ran in to find her grabbing up fists of carpet fibers and shoving them into her mouth! Though I would have expected her to cry b/c they tasted bad or whatever, she seemed content to have them in her mouth. When I snatched the latest fistful from her hand she looked stunned, and then once I began removing them from her mouth she cried and fussed. Parents are so PRACTICAL!


I am so eager to get to Italy, it's overwhelming. I hope that I am not working it up to the point I am surprised not the find it the way I have been imagining. But I know the one thing I am looking forward to will not fail me: that Adam will be home with us until school begins. I miss him so much, and even though I see him as much as I did before Giada was born, being HOME without him makes me miss him more. I am also eager to travel a little bit. We can 't afford to do much and I am hoping we can find some cheap lodging that's decent enough for baby too. I am desperate to at least go to the Amalfi Coast and to see Venice. I can put my other travels on hold (Paris, Germany, Finland, etc.) but I've GOT to see more of Italy!

The End of April

I look at the calendar today and realize that in 6 weeks we are leaving for Italy. I have been taking walks around the estate lately, letting Giada see what Spring looks like here. There are wildflowers so dense it looks like colored carpets spread in the glades. Tiny yellow finches hover over the pond catching lunch, as I watch Margot chasing fat squirrels into the wood. I stand facing the ocean, glacing over at Giada lulled to sleep by the waves and birds, wondering if we are crazy for leaving this place. It's so warm today that I open every window in the house and I swear the wind brings it to life. I haven't prayed in long time, and I've almost forgotten how to, yet in this moment I feel a great lump of "want" in my gut. Want for a sign that there is a right decision, and want for a sign that we've made it.


Meanwhile, Giada has started eating carrots. She likes them so much that she grunts for more. She uses her two favorite fingers to help her swallow: I suppose that the sucking helps the carrots go down? Today, after a two day wait, she finally pooped...and the carrots reappeared! I never would have imagined being excited about a poopy diaper, but I do like to live on the edge :)

hey...I'm right here!

wait, what's my name again? no joke...I was on the phone with the bank yesterday and I literally forgot my married name. I am finding it hard to tell if things are getting foggier or clearer these past weeks.

Giada has started to teeth, and 'lord almighty' can those gums bite hard! She's also started to roll over which means I can't abandon her on her changing table to catch a pee. I have to waddle, knees together pigeon-toed to her play-rug, bend over trying not to squeeze it out, then make a mad dash to the lady's before she's rolled herself out of her room and down the stairs.

Meanwhile, Adam has found a school that is affiliated with an American college, and has now enrolled there instead of the original school. What's great is it means we can get more money, BUT it also means complicated paperwork, and confusing Italian protocol. At the same time we are trying to wrap up the last of our dual citizenship paperwork in time for our 6 month in advance appointment at the Consulate. (inhale exhale inhale exhale....which leads me to...)


my ass is totally kicked. I have been training to train (yes I said that) to become certified in Pilates. I feel like overdone pasta and I still have to lift 13 pounds over and over everyday. I AM excited though and I am hoping that this is a good move for our move (yes I said that too).

Oh yes...Giada took the big plunge! She was Baptised on the 18th of March, so now she's going to be perfect forever, right? Really..she was so good...the only baby that didn't cry, and she slept during most of it. I cried a wee bit...can I still blame that on hormones? haha Laura flew in (the god-mama) and was delayed a day from snow, but she made it nonetheless...what a great girl! I just have to say...Laura is so freaking naturally beautiful and I wish I had curves like her! (don't mind the hair in this pic...I'm in transition for God's sake)


Okay so back to our move. We are SOOOO F-ing excited that the day is drawing near! Despite depleting our savings just a little, it's all coming together. We have plane tickets, passports, the visas are in the working, and our Apt is reserved. We'll soon be selling most of our furniture, and then we'll have an enormous garage sale. It feels good to be downsizing, but I am going to miss this life (4 BR house with 3 bathrooms [hey we don't own it so don't get any ideas...we're as broke as the next guy], the ocean a 10 minute walk, and in the middle of the woods). In about 2 1/2 months we'll be boarding a plane with 3 suitcases, 2 boxes, a dog crate, a carseat, and a stroller, and heading for Rome. From there we'll rent a van and drive our sorry asses to Florence, hoping we've taken the proper route to avoid $500 in fines, sleep, go to Ikea, and pray we remembered everything. More stuff will arrive in a few days, and then hopefully we'll be off to see more of Italy before classes begin!

Is this REALLY happening?

PS: anyone had any experience driving from Rome to Florence, or the reverse? any advice would help! our uncle did it last summer and got 4 tickets!

PASSPORT

so I FINALLY got my passport...yay! the school has mailed our visa paperwork, and then it's just a matter of heading over to the consulate. amazing!

pics of giada in her crazy smurf hat about to go for a ride, and then in her crib chewing on sock monkey. The last is with her "nanny" Laura, what we call our godmothers in Louisiana (Laura does NOT change her poopy diapers or give her a bottle...she just pretends that she has lots of good advice, and then parties when Giada's not looking).




Giada turns 3 months tomorrow!