It All Happens So Fast

Two weeks ago today, Matt comes home from work and Jason and I show Matt Jason's new trick! Any guesses? Ok so this isn't super suspenseful buuuuut... Jason started to walk! For a month or so baby Spartacus has been taking a step or two from one item to the next. He has been doing awesome at skirting the couches, but this day was so much more than a step here or there. Jason started out walking a few feet back and forth between Matt and I, next thing you know he is crossing the entire living room, walking the full length of the hallway, all over the kitchen. I honestly didn't expect him to pick it up so quickly. In a matter of one day he had walking down pat. He would stumble a bit but he already prefers walking over crawling.


Currently our living room has three rugs on the floor to protect his falls from standing, and all thee are different pile shag. It's so awesome to see him walk from one rug onto another and another without difficulty. For the first week and a half Jason was walking with his hands in the air like he is a some big mean monSTAR. Two weeks into it and he still has his hands out to his sides but they aren't way up in the air. He loves to carry things in his hands as he walks. A box in his right hand and a ball in the other. Back in forth all over the front room. He hasn't grasped the concept of standing up on his own, he still pulls himself up into the standing position but he will get it soon.


When I went home last month, Jason and I were at his Aunt Jenny's house, Jen and I in the back room talking up a storm when my nephew yelled out that Jason was crawling up the stairs! Brendyn grabs him and brings him down, and closes the hallway gate behind him to keep my escape artist from finding the stairs again. I brushed it off as a fluke, but Brendyn told me he had made it halfway up the stairs (not just up the first or second step!) I was amazed and sad I didn't witness it, thankful he didn't get hurt, and now nervous about him being interested in stairs. After we get back to Naples, I start letting him have a bit more freedom with his mobility. I let him go through our pantry, and he has a box of Rubber Maid containers he can play with, and he crawls (and now walks) from the kitchen to the hallway. With this new freedom Jason has managed to move the curtain that blocks our stairwell (the curtain helps the cool or hot air stay downstairs- Italy has heating and cooling issues) and next thing I know I hear little hands slapping on the marble floor in the stairwell. Instead of picking him up and putting him in the kitchen with me, I decide to follow him and see how far he makes it. I am literally every step behind him because God forbid my baby boy falls down these marble stairs and I'm not close by to stop the momentum. This boy was so excited to crawl the stairs, his giggle sounded like he was getting away with doing something he shouldn't be doing. It was a very cute moment.


Other news on baby Spartacus, on Feb 4th Jason's third tooth poked through on the bottom, still waiting for the tooth on the other side to balance it out. He had a different plan though, instead of getting a bottom tooth in, he got a top tooth on March 31. His grin is going to look super goofy with the asymmetry of his teeth. He is starting to grind his teeth- we have got to stop that! The sound drives Matt bonkers, and gives him the heebie jeebies. It's not pleasant. Another accomplishment is that Jason has learned to clap his hands yesterday while singing BINGO, and couple other songs. He is starting to bounce to music (especially the tv show Little Einsteins- he LOVES the theme song!) Jason also gives kisses now. I have to ask him for a kiss a few times, but once he starts giving them he will give a few in a row. Mommy Nirvana!


Tonight Jason and I are picking Matt up from work and going straight to the airport. We are flying to Verona and then heading to Venice to finish the weekend. We have friends who are going to Venice this weekend and we are going to meet up with them. Should be a nice vacation. Hope to get a lot of pictures!

Kirsten Tackles Italy with Spartacus

Just 3 short days after returning to Italy with Jason from Virginia, my girlfriend from high school, Kirsten, flew across the globe to spend time with us. She flew into Rome on Saturday morning, and since Matt was off work all weekend I went to Rome alone and left Jason with his daddy for the weekend. This mama had her first night without baby, and I must admit, I did surprisingly well!

Once I picked up Kirsten in Rome, we took the train to Venice, checked into our hotel and made our way to the Rialto Bridge to watch the sun set on the Grand Canal. It was stunning! We walked around and found a restaurant to dine at, Kirsten got her first taste of Italian pasta and she loved it. We walked the streets of Venice, browsing through the many stores selling beautiful hand made Venetian masks, handmade lace cloth, and so many other beautiful items displayed in these tiny storefronts. Walking through Venice had me in such a happy place. Stopped here and there for a cappuccino, sitting along the canal taking in the beauty of this city and purchasing beautiful Murano glass pieces and masks. We were in no hurry and starting off Kirsten's vacation in Venice was just the best start.

 

We made our way back to Naples, where I was able to cover Jason in kisses (I did miss my baby boy!) The next trip on our agenda was to go to the Amalfi Coast. We drove to the town of Vietri and shopped for all sorts of ceramics. Kirsten bought a gorgeous vase that makes me wish I bought one! After spending two hours walking in and out of shops we make our way to our last shop in Vietri. The store owner asked me if I was cold and put Jason's hood up on his head. It was a nice Spring day but to the Italians it is still cold and are still wearing heavy winter jackets. Speaking my very lose Italian I tell her that it is nice weather to us, and she some how asks if I'm breastfeeding. She takes one look at Kirsten and make comments about her low cut shirt to her friend (both women are probably in their 70's) and the next thing we know Kirsten has these women poking at her boobs. It was hilarious. Italian women, especially grandmothers, are all about feeding you, making sure you are warm, and covering up! Jason definitely got some love from them before we left that store.

Driving along the coast we stop in the town of Amalfi. We grab a pizza for lunch, and I tear pieces off for Jason to eat. He gobbled up my pizza! I tried to give him some baby finger foods after a few pieces of pizza and he was not having it. Give me back my pizza! By the time we had gotten to the town of Amalfi, shops were starting to close up for riposa (1-4pm "nap" time). We did manage to find a store open who let us sample different types of cellos. We tried Watermeloncello, Limoncello Cream, and he was offering us a third cello, but we declined. As much as I love free samples, I feel guilty if I don't buy from them. Back to the car we went and finished our drive down the coast.

The next couple days we shopped the local market, and explored Downtown. I had intentions to stop for lunch at Da Michelle Pizza (where Julia Roberts ate pizza in the movie Eat Pray Love) but by the time we managed to get Downtown the placed was packed with no less than 30 people waiting outside trying to find a seat. The pizza is good, I mean delicious, but I couldn't even find a parking spot let alone the patience to deal with the mob at the front door. So we kept on driving trying to find a local pizza place to go to, of which we found many but no where to park within a short walking distance.  It was starting to get late and we had to go pick Matt up from work soon so we reluctantly went to base to get lunch.

 

Kirsten did get the chance to try pizza at a favorite among the military crowd at a restaurant called Savaris after Jason and I took her to Capua. Capua is a town that houses and awesome amphitheater that is the second largest in Europe (I believe) after the Coliseum in Rome. On our way there we drive past farm land and the road is lined with old bottles waiting for pick up. As I look out the window I see something out of the corner of my eye, slam on my brakes and put the car in park. Kirsten is caught completely off guard she thought I had hit something. Nope! Just picking up a small demijohn off the side of the road. Demijohns are glass containers that Italians use to make wine. There is an abundance of demijohns in Italy, but in the States they can be puchased from Pottery Barn for around $200. I happily put my piece of treasure in the back of the Rav4 and continue on to the arena. I personally love going to this amphitheater because it is cheap and you can walk freely through it, and under it in the underground tunnels. We were bummed to find out that the underground was blocked off for some reason- flooding? But we had the place pretty much to ourselves (you won't ever get the Coliseum to yourself) so it was like we owned the place. This amphitheater is the home of the gladiator Spartacus, so it is only fitting that Jason has pictures taken in "his arena." I just snapped a few pictures with my iPhone and I love how they turned out.

 

I couldn't let Kirsten come all the way to Naples, Italy without taking her to Pompeii. I have been to Pompeii quite a few times in the past two and a half years I have been here, so I was pleasantly surprised to see so much newly opened areas of the archeological site. It was a slow day and a tour guide had approached us and started telling us fascinating information about certain areas, like this is where they would make wine, where they would eat dinner, he picked up a piece of rock and said that it is a pebble of pumice from the explosion in 79 AD which the entire city was covered by. He also pointed out a phallic symbol which are located all throughout the city (I've always looked but never seen them before). By the end of the day Kirsten and I found 3 phallic symbols. Here is an interesting link about the brothels in Pompeii. The tour guide after showing us around for a few minutes asked for money, I wasn't sure if he was a tour guide or a bored employee, but we didn't have any coins on us to buy him a café which made us feel bad. He understood, I guess that is what happens when you give unsolicited information and we try to tell you that you don't have to show us around. Again, great information, glad he did give unsolicited knowledge.

 

 

 After a few hours browsing Pompeii, we headed off to Vietri to comb the beach for sea glass. I love the beach, and I was excited to take Kirsten to my little beach where I just feel happy and content. We snagged a bag of sea glass, that hopefully I will make a mosaic of some kind out of. I can tell Kirsten was feeling what I feel when everything in life just feels right. Surrounded by beautiful landscape, listening to the water rush up onto the beach, and picking up pieces of smooth saltwater polished sea glass. Heaven on Earth.

 

For her last full day in Naples, Kirsten went on a wine tour in Benevento. Jason, Matt and I had a birthday party to attend while she was gone sampling wine and dining on fresh Italian cuisine. This girl, let me tell you, came back with 6 bottles of wine and a can of fresh olive oil! She is definitely going to need a larger suit case! Which she did! That night she packed all of her clothes and souvenirs because the next day we were driving to Rome!

 

Due to my lack of research (and common sense) we arrive in Rome on Sunday, head to the Vatican Museum and are excited to see that there is no line, only to find out that it is closed on Sundays. Major bummer! With the museum closed this meant she couldn't see the Sistine Chapel which I know she really wanted to see. We walk over to St. Peters Square and observe the long line that wraps around the Vatican to enter St. Peter's Basilica. It was starting to rain and the line was just too long. We head over to see the Trevi Fountain which we know is being restored by Fendi, but you can still see the fountain and even walk up to it, but for some reason (maybe because it is Sunday?) the walk way was blocked off and you couldn't get close enough to toss a coin into the waterless fountain. How do we make this day better? We start making our way back to my car which is parked by the Coliseum. Yet another long line in the rain to get in, and we are both starving. So we make way to Matt and I's favorite restaurant down the street. There is a shop that I really wanted to take Kirsten to because it makes me think of here every time I pass it. Guess what? It's closed. I feel like this couldn't have been any worse for a last day in Italy, the trip started out so good! We get to our restaurant, get some yummy yummy food in our bellies and call it a day. I drive Kirsten out to a hotel near the airport, help her with her bags and give her a big hug. Jason and I loved being able to spend time with her and showing her our town. We just wished it had been a better day (any day but Sunday!) to spend with her in Rome. We did have a fantastic time with her here though! Can't wait to see you again Kirsten. Thanks for visiting with us!

Baby Boy Needs Airline Miles

Jason has flown across the Atlantic Ocean 6 times now (3 round trips). At ages 3 months, 5 months and again at 9 months, Jason has gotten on 10+ hour long flights, some with layover and others as a straight shot. This last trip wasn't one we had been planning on, but the timing worked out just great. Matt had a big project he was working on and needed to spend more time at work, and my brother in law had a very important career milestone at the same time that I wanted to attend.

 

The weather was not in our favor, my flight was delayed 36 hours because there was snow in Norfolk the day my plane was suppose to take off and head over to Europe. Jason and I had to be checked in by noon on Saturday, but our flight wasn't until 7PM. We arrive early hoping to get checked in early, unfortunately we weren't called to get our tickets and drop off our baggage until 1:30 PM. The joys of flying Space A on a military flight is that you don't know if you have a seat on the plane until hours before the flight. Already antsy and hungry, I ask what time is boarding because I was going to leave base to get lunch. The agent told me that they want to send the plane off early so be back by 330 for a 5 PM departure. That was exciting news! Matt and I go get lunch, snag a box of Girl Scout cookies and head back. We see our plane land but the refueling tank is turned around. Matt knows something is up, and a few guys he knows on the tarmac tell him there is engine troubles. Long story short I send Matt home around 6:30 PM to go enjoy his guys night out, and we finally take off at 8:30 to head to Spain to pick up more people before going home to Norfolk. Being at the airport for 7 hours (plus two hours for lunch) was exhausting. There is nothing entertaining about the Naples Terminal on base.

 

I was just happy to have my ticket in hand, Jason had his own seat, and we were making our way to Va. We should be there around midnight. We land in Rota, get off the plane for refueling and are expected to take off in 2 hours. One thirty in the morning comes, our two hours is up and no one has heard any announcements about getting back on. I ask an agent about when we will be boarding and the response was, "Oh, no one is boarding for another 2 hours." that's 3:30 in the morning! The crew on board announced that we would only be on the ground for 2 hours and then to hear that we will be grounded for 4 hours was heart wrenching. We've been at the airport all day prior to this stop. The flight to Spain from Italy is only 2 1/2 hours, we just want to go home. A couple reasons why we couldn't take off sooner is because the original delay, followed by the engine delay had us coming in when the Norfolk terminal wasn't open (midnight to 4 am), we also had pilots change out that we were waiting on. Finally we took off at 3:30 am, Jason slept through the trip and we landed in Va. just in time for breakfast.  

 

 

 

Vacation days go by so fast, next thing you know it is the end of the week and we are at the Seal Center watching Liam go from an Enlisted Chief to becoming an Officer! My sister, niece and nephews put on his new shoulder boards, my grandfather placed his new Office cover on Liam's head, and my cousin Monica, who is also an officer in the Navy, read his oath to him. The ceremony brought tears to everyone's eyes. We are all proud of Liam and his accomplishments. Matt wishes he could have been there to show support for such a special occasion.

 

Liam's Commissioning brought family from across the world (literally, Mom was in Hong Kong!) together. My side of the family got together for dinner and Jason got to be the star of the show. Everyone was taking pictures with him and playing pass the baby. He was loving every minute of it! During the time in Virginia Jason was able to meet some cousins he hadn't yet met, and a very special Great Grandpa for the first time. Needless to say, Jason is very much loved. Not to mention, Matt's best friend Aaron and Rachel drove all the way to Va. from Illinois to see Liam get commissioned and spend time with us for the weekend.

 

 

 

 

As quick as our week came, it also went. The airport gave us our tickets and took our luggage fairly early in the night, I had time to go back to dads house to pick up an item I had left behind and still made it back before boarding. Unfortunately once Jason and I had boarded the plane I went to make a bottle for take off and I could not find his formula!! My gut just got in a very tight knot, and I went into mommy panic mode. I politely informed a stewardess of my situation, and asked if I could pull out a checked bag because I KNEW I had extra packed under the belly of the plane. For whatever reason, they would not pull out my luggage or let me point out which bag is mine. They asked the USO if they happened to have any formula, to which they did not. In a last attempt the flight attendant made an announcement over the plane asking if anyone had extra formula. Jason currently is happy and doesn't need any but it was a 12 hour flight with a layover ahead of us. He was GOING to NEED some. I had bottles of water and snacks, but I could not find his Ziplock of formula. Did I take it out at dads house? Did I leave it on the kitchen table? How could I have missed this? I felt like the biggest failure and worse mom ever. If no one had formula they could part with, I wasn't going to make this flight. They could send my bags to Italy, but I would be making my way to Walmart to feed my hungry kid.

 

No one responded to the first announcement, or the second announcement. "Great," I thought. "This will that flight where every mom onboard breastfeeds, and Jason can't wet nurse." After the third announcement asking for spare formula, a lovely couple with twin toddlers and a newborn brought up 4 single serve packets- enough to last me. THANK YOU LORD! I ran back to my seat, made Jason a bottle for take off and called Dad to double check I didn't leave the bag of formula behind. He didn't see any. Hmmmm. After take off, Jason was sleeping and I went through his entire diaper bag. Lo and behold, his bag of formula was hiding underneath everything at the bottom. A rush of relief overcame me. I felt like the Angels were looking over me, and that guilt of being a horrible mommy faded away. I returned the extra packets of single serve to the couple who donated them, thanked them immensely and was able to catch a few hours of sleep.

 

During our time in Virginia, Jason went through a very, very, cranky phase. We weren't sure if it was teething, or if he was just sick. A few days back home and back on a schedule and he was back to normal. But just a few shorts days after returning from Virginia, we had a visitor. Jason was a trooper for the duration of her stay and all of the traveling we did while she was in town.

Savage side of the family out to dinner

Jason hanging with mommy while she gets her hair cut and colored.