Eli Kate: Blessing Day

Before Elisabetta was born Carlo and I had already discussed what our wishes would be concerning Betta's big day. My dad blessed Valentina and this time around we thought we'd shake it up a bit and ask my brother Jose to do Betta's blessing. If we have a 3rd baby (which we plan on it), then I will ask my little brother to fly over the ocean just to make me happy.

A few weeks after Betta was born, we arranged everything with the bro. We had wanted the blessing to be done the 1st weekend in May so that we could also do Valentina's party as well. Turns out, Jose was going to be in the UK for work the weekend after Easter. So with permission from the Stake President, the Bishop said it would be no problem to have her blessing on another Sunday.

It had been raining all weekend which seems to be normal when the Minnesota couple comes to town. The only other time they came to visit, it was also raining. It was nice to have Jose & Lizzy see my ward and meet some of the people who have been so great to us. Besides my brother, I had asked our Bishop and my friend Nicola to participate in the blessing. Bishop Massano was called to be the bishop in January. Before then, he was just our friend Marco and now I have a hard time trying to figure out how to talk to him. Do I use the formal or informal**?.. I use both. Seems to work both ways too. I asked Nicola to participate a few weeks before as well. He was one of the first people I met when I moved and at the time was the Ward Mission Leader and Gospel Principles teacher. Now he has a Stake calling and I don't get to see him as much. So when I asked, he said he would make sure that he wouldn't be at another ward that day.

Jose gave a great blessing and the Sunday after, I had several people come up to me and tell me what a beautiful blessing it was. The exactly words were actually "veramente bellissima".  Carlo was also with us on Sunday but had to leave early. (which is why he's not in the pictures.

Unfortunately, their flight back to the UK was early and they couldn't stay longer so we rushed off after Sacrament to get lunch started before they left. We did manage some quick pictures before catching our bus.

Jose w/Elisabetta, Bishop Massano, and Nicola

Myself, Jose, and Bishop Massano

Lizzy, Valentina, Jose and Elisabetta

Of course no blessing would be the same without a blessing dress. I am very lucky that my mom saves EVERYTHING.. or at least almost everything. Elisabetta has now been included in the grand tradition of being blessed the in the same dress that I was blessed in. Valentina wore it as well as 2 of my nieces.

One of the many great things about my ward is our amazing Relief Society. Anytime a sister has a baby, they are presented with a big box of goodies. They generally do it on the day of the baby's blessing but since we had to leave quickly, I got it a few Sundays later.

I totally hit the jackpot with this package. I got 5 packages of wipes, along with baby oil, diaper rash cream and things like that.

Valentina saw me with the camera and had to have her picture taken as well.

We also got some cute bibs, sweater and socks!

Carlo and I are grateful that Pepe and Lizzy were able to come and be apart of a very special day and we thank them so very very much.

**Italian grammar rule:

When speaking to friends and family, you use the informal way of speaking.

When speaking to people you don't know OR people who are in a position of authority, you use the formal.

Eli Kate: Month Two

Not to be outdone by the Birthday Girl, Elisabetta turned 2 months on Valentina's birthday. This month has been much easier as we've taken back the breast pump and she's now only drinking formula. It's made my life much easier but I don't like having to spend 10.50 euros a box every few days.

There's not much to report as Elisabetta is still eating EVERY. 3. HOURS. You could set your watch by here. It doesn't matter if she's a sleep or awake, she's ready. Luckily she eats well and that makes it better for all of us. She also sleeps ALL NIGHT LONG! This is something I've been blessed with twice. Valentina was a great sleeper and Betta is too. A few times she's eaten at 9pm and then sleep until 6am. Now she'll wake up on her own around 1 or 2am. Since I always go to bed late, I've started to feed her before I get to bed (around midnight). That way, she'll sleep until 6am.

I love that she's such a smiley baby. Now that her eyesight can focus on object and people, she recognizes when people are around. As soon as she sees me, she gets a big gummy smile on her face and it totally melts my heart.

The Big 2!!

Dear Valentina,

You're now 2 years old.

2!

I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday that I was writing your 1st year post. This past year has been a fun one! You've traveled quite a bit and met some wonderful people. We went to Naples the week after your birthday. Then left for 5 weeks to visit your family in the States. You met your cousins for the first time, started to correctly feed yourself, stopped the bottle, went swimming, saw your first parade, and had a 2nd birthday party with a piñata on 4th of July! We went to Minnesota to visit your Uncle Pepe and Aunt Lizzy (whom you LOVE!) We visited the Mall of America, Lake Superior and ate until our pants popped open! We also made a quick trip across the state line.. just to say that we were in Wisconsin.

During that trip you went to your first wedding, got your ears pierced, visited some Abuelos at the cementary, had a play date, made new friends, and visited mommy's old job. We ended that trip by visiting your Aunts, meeting friends and ending it all playing outside with the water hose.  Perhaps the most exciting milestone is that you FINALLY started walking! A week shy of 15 months you realized that walking is fun! When we got back home, one of the first things daddy did was take you into the fountains at Piazza Castello.

You won't remember going to Scotland or Verona and that's ok.  One of the best things to happen to you is that you became a Big Sister! Everyone is always asking me if you're jealous of Elisabetta and thankfully you are not. I'm sure the fact that we've talked about her way before her arrival helped a lot. Every morning, you get out of bed, come into our room, get in bed with us and say hi to Betta. At every feeding, you are right next to me giving big hugs and kisses. You love it when I have to change her diaper because you get to hold her hand while she lays on the bed.

This past year you've gotten all of your teeth in; even the last set of molars. You're drinking 2% milk now and you've started potty training! We still have a long way to go but you are starting to tell me that you have to go potty.

Now that you're 2, your tongue has loosened up and you're talking like crazy!.. in both languages. I'm so impressed how easily it's coming to you. You speak English to me then turn and say the same thing to daddy in Italian. Everyday you tend to say more and quite often making us laugh.  I've been trying to get a video of you but you won't let me take one.

Oh... my sweet monkey. How we love you so very much. You keep me busy that our house is a mess, I forget simple things and I've neglected the blog, knitting and anything else that requires time. My eyebrows look crazy and I am in serious need of a facial... but you know what.. you love me the way I am and that all that matters.

Valentina Jade on her Birthday. 22/April/2012

Happy Birthday little monkey!

We love you!

xoxoxo

Mamma, Papa', & Betta