Buongiornio!

It's been a very busy week....
We departed on Friday afternoon from LAX. I was all prepared to it to be chaotic, especially since it was the Friday of the holiday weekend. We left our house at 3pm for a 7:30pm flight. First sign that things were out of the ordinary came when we hit almost zero traffic to the airport. Like when does that EVER happen? Then we get to the airport where we not only checked in with ease (and got those bags just under the max weight limit!) but breezed through security. We figured we'd wander throughout the terminal, get some food, etc. Wrong! Who knew that there are absolutely NO places to eat at the gates - all the dining establishments are found outside of security. So i ended up skipping back out to get us some food to bring back (a much better idea considering the ordeal it was to pull out all the toiletries and shoes and computer devices at security, scan the car seat and stroller, etc.....)


See what i'm talking about....empty!

So off we went on the first leg of our trip - 11 hours to Zurich. I was so impressed with Keegan - he did awsome. We had brought his car seat on board with us (which let me tell you, BARELY fit in the seat) and strapped him in. He slept a good portion of the flight and while he woke up disoriented a few times, he barely got fussy. I'm sure all the people sitting around me were very thankful for that!

We landed in Zurich after some sleep for Keegan and very little sleep for mom and I. But i've decided that this is my favorite airport of all time. They have this great family space where diapers can be changed, highchairs can be used and where there are tons of toys for the kids just to go nuts with. They even have a little room where baby and parents can take a nap! This place seriously rocks!

Of course, K was quick to find the trains to play with.


Eventually we had to leave this fun place (but hey, we have another layover on our way home, so we'll get to play there once again!) Then it was off to Florence. It was just a quick flight, only about an hour. But what a magical hour it was. The sights out the window of the plane was just awe-inspiring. Here's one that i snapped out of the plane window (leaning over K's seat)....

Seriously, this picture doesn't even begin to do it justice.







Here's Mr. K....just hanging out.

We arrived in Florence and took a taxi to our hotel where we would spend our first night. Driving in an Italian taxi is like having a conversation with God. Actually all of the drivers are crazy. They fit their cars down these tiny streets and they zip and zoom around people. I'm surprised more people don't die from car accidents in this town, because they are indeed crazy!

The next day we were moved into our apartment. The school is located near Santa Croce, so most of us are living in apartments in the historical center of the city, with a few students just across the Arno river. My apartment is just 2 blocks away from the Duomo - in fact, we can see the top of the cathedral from one of the bedroom windows. Our apartment is very nice and much bigger than i expected, so it is very comfy for us.

Here's the view from our living room:

We actually have three bedrooms and two bathrooms, which is very nice. But the showers in the bathroom are VERY tiny - it should be interesting when K and I try and shower in the am....


And a few pics of us..... Here's K and Grammy.....

And then one of my little man and me!









After my first day of school today (yes, much to my students dismay, we had class on Memorial Day, which i had to remind them is NOT a holiday in Italy - :) we decided to go for a walk in the city. Things go on much later here - to go out to dinner earlier than 7 or 8pm is out of the ordinary. We've already tried Italian pizza, pasta and of course, gelato (i'll let you guess which one is everyone's favorite!). Tonight we headed out to wander around the Duomo (where i saw Mike "The Situation" from the Jersey Shore filming a scene with his entourage. Of course my students are thrilled with the fact that they might "bump" into them (ok, the female students), but the locals are very OVER them being here and all their crazy partying obnoxious ways. I might have to pretend to be canadian. I tried to get a picture (only to prove to my students that i actually did see him), but the "entourage" wouldn't let me.

So you'll have to settle for a picture of the Duomo....which is a much more magnificent sight in my opinion.....

Reflecting

So for pretty much the majority of Keegan's life, i've been lamenting the part that he is "growing up". Of course, yes, i know that this is just a part of life, but there is a part of me that wishes that the baby days would last just a little bit longer. Some of my mommy friends might call me crazy, but it really has been one of my favorite stages so far. There's just something about those early days (viewed through the eyes of sleep deprivation, no less). It's funny, because i remember even at a very young age, Keegan always seemed like such an old soul to me, as if he had already seen so many things in his life. Perhaps i should believe in reincarnation or past lives or something. But i look at him and i think one of two things. 1) He's growing up way too fast....STOP!!!!! or 2) He's always looked the same way then as he does today. Well i can tell you that the answer to the first question is indeed yes. As for the second one, my mind forgets that once upon a time, he was indeed a squishy soft little baby. So i think back to all those digital photos that are stored somewhere on my computer, never to be seen again after they were uploaded. So i created a screen background on my computer at work where every few minutes or so, a new photo from the first year of K's life pops up. It is certainly a great way to procrastinate, but it also reminds me of the days that go by way too fast.

Here's some of my favorites that make me ooh and ahh every day. And to think, the last (almost) two years have gone by in the blink of an eye. I'm sure i'll be saying the same thing when he turns 18 - oh where oh where did the time go......

Here's a few from the really early days. The first one i think was in the first couple of weeks and the second one was probably when he was less than a day old!

No he's not really sitting up here, just propped up against the couch, probably 3 or 4 months old. This was about as chubby as his legs ever got - no rolls for me to pinch! Sometimes i look at pictures from the early days, and while i recognize him, he looks so different

This one was part of the first set of family photos that we had done in November 2009 when K was 5 months old

Both of these photos were taken when K was around 10 months old. These types of pictures probably add to my belief that he's always looked the same - as these aren't a far cry from some of his more recent pictures.

Just don't grow up too fast my little man :)

Johnathan's Third Birthday

The other week, my dear friend of over thirty years and her family came down to visit in honor of her son's third birthday. What else does one do for such a memorable event? Go to Disneyland of course!

We spent time at both parks, but found that Mickey's House was the most fun for the kids. Though we did get in some fun shots with the characters over at California Adventure.

At first, Keegan was a bit timid, but by the time we got to Mickey, he caught on to the idea of it!

It was pretty crowded (i swear, it seems like "Spring Break" lasts 6 weeks long at Disneyland) but we were able to go on a few rides without too much of a wait. Keegan and Johnathan both loved the Dumbo and the Autotopia ride. I was so happy that Keegan survived Dumbo as he screamed on the first time we went on it.

(Hey Johnathan....the road is in front of you :) )

Then it was off to the carousel!

Oh yea, see that train in Keegan's hand. He wouldn't let it go all day...and even now he wakes up and the first thing in the morning, he says "choo choo". Good thing we live right across the street from a train station, because the kid is obsessed with all things related to trains (especially if it's "Thomas" the train)

But i digress from our Disney experience.......

Then it was off to "Mr Toad's Wild Ride" - now i have to admit that even i thought that it was a bit dark and fast and jerky (um, as in the whole "Wild Ride" part.....) Well K wasn't much of a fan. Johnathan on the other hand spent the rest of the trip uttering....."Mickey House.....no rides.....too dark"...... Apparently he still says that whenever anyone asks him about his visit to Mickey's House. It was actually really cute.

But at least we did get him on to It's a Small World......after all, how can you go to Disneyland and not go on the "Its a Small World" ride.

Apparently it's a Small World doesn't fall in the "no ride.....too dark" category :)

Yup....and K is still holding on to that train!

All in all, the boys had so much fun together. Can't wait until K's birthday party later this summer and they can have fun together again!!!! Too bad they live so far away :(

Trip to the Zoo!

A few weeks ago, we took Keegan for his first zoo experience. We decided to go to the Santa Ana Zoo and we brought Grandma Ann and Auntie Heidi along for the experience.

Keegan seemed to take it all in with the animals and such. One of the unique factors about the Santa Ana Zoo is that they have lots of different monkeys on display - all shapes and sizes!

They also have this really cute playarea with stone animals and an old jeep. Of course, Keegan was all about driving the car (as you can see in the picture). He just loves cars!

He also took a particularly liking to this turtle figure.....

And of course Auntie Heidi was there to show Keegan all the bugs!

All in all, it was a fun first day at the zoo!

Disneyland....part one

A few months ago, we decided to get Disneyland passes. Jeff and I had them a few years ago BK (before Keegan) and decided that we would get them again this year - after all, once you muster through the investment of the pass (and they seemed way more expensive this year than they were a few years ago), it's a pretty cheap night. Park in Downtown Disney for free, bring snacks and play for 2 1/2 hours, which is generally plenty for Keegan. Each time we go, we do a couple of new rides.

Who needs a stroller when you have Daddy's shoulders!


The first day, we headed straight for Dumbo. You would think that he would have loved it, given his fascination with airplanes, but he was a little freaked out by the whole flying idea. After that mini-meltdown, we headed off to the carousel and the Pinocchio ride. I thought he would be scared in the dark, but he did ok.

We ended the day at Toontown where he got to meet Goofy and Pluto. Keegan kept saying "puppy" but alas there were too many kids there for him to get any one on one time (which meant, no cool pictures for mommy). Still, he didn't seem too nervous about meeting a giant stuffed animal. But he sure loved playing on the playground there.




The next time, we headed off to Pirates of the Caribbean. Again, i was surprised that he wasn't afraid of the dark, though he did get a bit uneasy on those moments where the boat takes a little dip ala log ride style. We also did Autotopia, and Keegan got to drive his first car. Talk about his own little heaven - the video clips from that are priceless! (I haven't figured out yet how to post video onto this blog....)

That night we also got our first experience with It's a Small World. Wow, that song really does stick in your head for-EVER!!!!

This last time, we spent the day at what was once known as Tom Sawyer Island, which i think now is called Pirates Cove, or something like that. Probably capitalizing on that whole Pirates of the Caribbean movie gig. (Has anyone ever noticed that the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse is no longer called Swiss Family Robinson? Such a travesty, really. But i've noticed that they change the names of alot of the rides these days to whatever is the newest greatest trend. To me, it will always be the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. But i digress....). Of course Keegan had a blast climbing on all the rocks (saying up....up....up....as he climbed up the rocks. So freakin cute!) and posing with the skulls and gravestones.

I'm sure the year will be filled with many more trips to Disneyland.....in fact, we're headed back on Monday!

My Giggle Place

Today, Keegan and I headed off to My Giggle Place, a new kids playground that opened near our house. This was the 2nd time that we had been, but today we headed off with some of our friends, which made it all the more fun. Since today was a school holiday, it was crazy crowded.


This was one of the fun bouncy toys that they had to play on. They have so many different areas for kids to play in (and they are in the process of building another fun room!)



We got to play with the parachute - Keegan loves to either bounce balls on top of the parachute, or run under it!


They even have this little art area with all sorts of supplies. They have a different craft activity each day, but K decided that he just wanted to color.



They have an area where the kids can dress up and play. Princess dresses for the girls and K was having fun with this fireman hat. Given his love of trucks these days, we'll have to make a trip to a real fire station soon!







K's three favorite places at Giggle Place - the ball pit, the train table and the slide!








But K had a blast and did not want to leave. But he sure played himself out (2.5 hours worth!!!!) - so much so that he didn't even wait until we got home and he started naptime on the 5 minute drive home.

And time flies

So i started this blog with the best of intentions.....and then life got away from me. Work, sleep, yeah who has time for a blog. But then i was inspired by a few other mommies who have been blogging and i was like, it's such a great way to keep a running diary of K's life, and i'm sure that i've forgotten so much of the past year already - it really is amazing what sleep deprivation will do to one over the long haul. So with our upcoming trip to Italy, i've decided to revitalize my old blog - plus it's a great way to procrastinate from the things that are on my desk! So here goes nothing!

A few recent pics of Keegan - boy he is growing up so fast. I actually get really sad about it - he's not going to be my little boy forever....ok maybe he always will be, no matter how big he gets!


This one is one of my favorites - we did this for Father's Day last year. It's the classic big brother/little brother moment. Jeff actually got teary eyed when he opened the frame at the image of his two boys.

Even though this pic is from 6 months ago, it remains one of my favorites. Such a classic K look!

And this one is more recent - one of the mommies on Monday took it when we were playing at the park on Valentines Day.