walking around with the remote already....

tired!

I. am. tired. I was up late late late last night - why? reading? nooo... thinking, no. Counting sheep - no. The only thing that may have caused my sleepless night is - maybe? - the coffee I drank at 4:00. Woops. I stuck to decaf today and just hope that I can get myself into bed at a decent hour and turn the book light off at a decent hour too. I returned my books to the lib in exchange for three newbies: Sarah's Key, What is the What, and Indignation. I finished Sarah's Key and liked it - oh there were sad parts, and I was ready to have separated-from-Hendrik nightmares but thankfully, I didn't. And now? I just finished making cookies (Mo-lasses), eating cookies and cleaning up. Steve's team is playing an Italian league game right at this very minute (and winning, yay) in Macerata, and soon I will lounge on the couch sans computer. Steve and I talked about having a computer-free week, and I like the idea but, after some amazing skype chats... I wonder why I'd give up that lifeline. Oh okay, for a week it would probably be nice. But if it weren't for skype or similar such programs I would feel so so far away. Okay, I should go and deal with these cookies (but not eat any more) and then get to bed. Early? Yeah, right.

January 28, 2011... 2 months old and sleeping. And today - 14 months old!

reading

books + volley

Aw, man a whole entire week has passed since the last real blog... wait, more. Ak. I had every intention of posting yesterday, but `rwcqqqqqqqqqqqqqx    ` W3Q (thanks for your first blog contribution there Hendrik) well let's just say that Hendrik came along and I was tired and dinner needed to be made etc etc. So finally - sigh - the little man is napping and I'll sneak a quick one in here before I lie down too. I stayed up until 2:00 last night - 2:00!!! reading. I couldn't put Zeitoun down, and even as thirty-minute chunks of time passed and I thought to myself yet again, Morning is going to come way waaaay too soon put down the book put the book down, I kept reading. Dave Eggers's book is the true story of the Zeitoun family and their first-hand experience of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath - not so much the rebuilding of homes and houses but more of family and individuals, after horrific and unbelievable treatment at the hands of "law enforcement." It was a great book and an incredible story; read it read it read it! The next time I'm at the library here I'll see what other Eggers books are there. And too, I'll look and see if the last - the last! - Mme Ramotswe book is there, because I finished The Double Comfort Safari Club the day before I started Zeitoun. Okay fine! so I've been reading instead of blogging. Next on the list (on the counter) is The Last Days of the Lacuna Cabal, another library pick. I was leafing through the New Acquisitions binder and found aforementioned books (minus Mme Ramotswe of course) - it might be my go-to move from now on. They were both on the shelves, waiting, ready for me.... yay.

And more on the books front: Hendrik's current favourites are I Want My Hat Back (Jon Klassen) and From Head to Toe (Eric Carle). I'll try to get a video of one of us reading the Eric Carle book because Hendrik can and does almost all of the motions, such as "I am a buffalo, and I raise my shoulders! Can you do it? I can do it!" ... it is THE CUTEST. I also love that he loves the hat back book because it was a gift from Aunty Sarah, and it's artsy and a little indie... I like, I like.

we are so so thankful for pass-ons! Hendrik has been sporting this amazing little lion shirt ... from Jayme or Jordynn? I don't remember... so so cute!

Okay, what news. Trentino Volley won last night and they are back on top - numero uno in the Italian league, yay! Hendrik and I were joined by Emelie, Per and Isa for game-watching and then pizza-eating back here, and it turned into a late night for all. Hendrik and Isa (20 months) played together (a little bit), they both ate pizza (his 2nd dinner) and were all smiles up until the kisses they exchanged at 10:15 when our Swedish friends went on their way. The kisses were SO so so cute, and the kidlets were so so so tired... but as usual, he was up this morning at 7:15! No sleeping in for anyone. Wait, that's a lie; Steve got up with Hendrik and I stayed in bed until 8:45... it was lovely. Ummm and the team leaves on Friday for an away game here in Italy (Macerata I think?) and then they go straight on to Belgium for next week's Champion's League game against Maaseik... they'll be gone for FIVE days! Boooooooo... I suppose that I'll either get lots of reading done OR post many many blogs... :) we'll see!

And it's been quiet around here sans guests. G-ma and G-pa B + Tante Sis went on their way early last week and we miss them! It is nice having the place to ourselves again, but I do wish they could just come over. I wish lots of people could just come over... grandparents, family, friends... hm. That, I suppose, is one of the down sides to moving to Europe or Asia or wherever every year - the far-apartness from those you/we want to be close to. But the upside, especially living in Italy, is culture and the food - the cheese! And bread. And tomatoes. Ouf, I should start exercising. And I need to nap. Six hours of sleep is not enough for this maman...

he loves his new set'o'wheels ... vrooom vrooooom. and NO BATTERIES REQUIRED - amazing!

lunch

winter flowers, cake + dirt

I've been meaning to ask Luciano and Antonella about this tree at the mouth of their garden - it smells so good and the flowers are so pretty... and in January? If I ever have a garden I would love such a tree - yellow and colourful when other trees are bare and brown.

We celebrated Steve's birthday on Thursday with the most delicious chocolate cake (Perhaps the best cake I've ever had, said Mr Birthday), and the perfect amount of inactivity. It just so happened that Thursday was also a day off for the volleyers and we didn't do too much. Napped, ate, and ooh! went out for dinner. Steve and I were treated (by the parentals) to a lovely dinner at Trento's only Mexican restaurant, and the food was good. I've been let down so many times by shoddy Mexican (like the time in Cannes when I was served drowned-in-cheese-whiz enchiladas - eww) that I was ready for it to be mediocre at best BUT it was yummy - a nice break from delicious but sometimes too-much-the-same Italian food.

I must have some Hendrik updates... He has more teeth - the canines are coming in up top, and two molars are making their way in down below, and I'm thinking that this must be the reason for his middle-of-the-night wake-ups. I don't think I've had an uninterrupted sleep for hmmm... two weeks? I know I know, I shouldn't complain - this kid is a nugget of gold. BUT when the 7:15 wake up call sounds ("mama mama mamma") every morning I can't help asking Hendrik if he's really absolutely sure that he doesn't want to sleep any longer - because I sure do. Afternoon naps are hit and miss too; they happen, but when he wakes up after an hour looking haggard and exhausted, I think the same thoughts... Why is it that kids, even when exhausted, resist sleep? Anyways, it's not so bad, and really, I should just nap when he naps (like right now)... I'll be on my way shortly.

I made Steve a calendar for his birthday, and here, voila, is January...

Other news: He has discovered DIRT and oh it is so fun. He climbs right into a corner of the garden and lies down... in the dirt. The wood pile is also a source of amusement, as is the whole garden really, and that includes the shed with the snow-blower (I think that's what it is), the ladders, the pipes, the fence, the chickens, windows and more. He's definitely becoming more independent - walking off into the yard solo - but then again, there are some days where I swear he asks (/whines) for mama mamma mamma five gazillion times and I wonder exactly when my head is going to explode. Sigh. This stage will end and then I'll look back with nostalgia, right?

Sarah and Jeff went on their way several days ago now, but not before giving a very official presentation of their winter camping in the mountains trip to a curious and attentive audience:

ooh! ahh! a map! excitement!

And like always, I could write more, but I'm tired and nap time is close to being over (or not - fingers crossed), so I'd better run. More soon!

better late than never

Before racing from behind to reclaim my Boggle title last night I worked on a whole thwack of tabs - most of which are still open in another window. I browsed books on Powell's (made a list of to-reads, and bought Alan Hollinghurst's The Stranger's Child on my kindle), looked into Pinterest and was yet again thoroughly intimidated (but yes indeed P-interested), and thought about resolving the messy murk-pond of thoughts that might (or might not) add up to a well-rounded and thorough post. Hmm, how about this: I'll start where I started and didn't finish Saturday night.

My mom sent me these pics a few months ago when Hendrik hit the one-year mark, and I've been meaning to share them ever since.Voila, Heather + family in 1979, one year old:

with Grandpa Larry and Grandma Edith in Ottawa

And in Toronto with parents and Grandparents Hamblin

What else have I got... We went out for an amazing sushi lunch this afternoon with our Swedish friends who we don't see enough... and we were baby-less! Hendrik made his way home with Grandma and Grandpa for nap time, and we had our first lunch out in a while... it was fab. I also had a nice solo walk into town this morning and stopped at the library and Centro Sportivo Life to inquire about swimming lessons for Hendrik. While there I had to maintain a face of calm while someone told me that it would cost 65 EUROS for four 40-minute swimming lessons for him... ridiculous! It would be super convenient seeing as how the two of us could walk or bus there in no time, but really? That's getting close to $100... pffffft. Sooooo, I'm going to look into things at another pool and just hope that it isn't so stinkin' expensive.

Hendrik spent a good part of the afternoon chasing a cat around the back yard and it may have been almost as fun as yesterday's merry-go-round ride in Bassano del Grappa... except for when, while peeking under the hedge to locate the tabby, face-planted right into the dirt and got a mouthful of it. Thankfully, he was unphased.

peeking, chasing, and asking for more

We stopped in Bassano on our way home from an awesome visit with Gretchen, John and Wesley, the newest addition to their lovely little family of three. They both seemed so relaxed and natural, and it made me wonder - were we like that? I don't think so, and I'm going to blame it on the feeding hurdles and the sleep challenges that fall/fell right behind. It was great to see them, great to eat some ridiculously good lasagna (white cheese chicken), and the brownies that came with the coffee weren't bad either.

Bassano, like so many other smaller Italian towns, was delightful. I'm pretty sure that you could visit hundreds of such places and have just as good of a time in this country as if you hit up Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice and Pisa (etc). Emelie and Per were talking about heading up to Merano some time this week - because it's a nice place - and because there's good shopping there, including an H&M. January is sale time here (yippee) and this mamma needs some new clothes. I've just doubled my reasons for heading north to see a new place... now I just need to find the time.

Bassano del Grappa

Tab-itis: Clone of a Cinnabon, Pinterest: 13 Tips and Tricks, Trento, Roman Roads, Chez Beeper Bee, Apartment Therapy, Amazon (Seasons - I want), Don Kenn gallery, New York Review Children's Collection, Amazon (The Man Who Lost His Head), New York Review books, mmmmcrafts, Lost World of Sea Life and Best iPad Apps for Babies, Toddlers and Sanity Loving Parents.... when oh when will I get to all of this?!

the good life - eating + sleeping

some of this some of that

It has been THE BEST having my sister around, and Steve's parents too, and after a few weeks of such great company I know I'll really miss her. But we do still have the B-ville Brinkmans around for another week and a half, and Bob's sister Margriet arrives Monday and Sarah and her boyfriend Jeff will be back through here next Tuesday - we will have one full house here in Vela... yay.

L: with Nao's sweater and book, and R: a Loony Tunes T from Elena and Diego

Okay, so the blogs have been few and far between lately, and I'll just attribute it to the company and Hendrik's irregular naptimes. There! I know I have things to write about, but I'm currently drawing a few blanks. Oh! Here's something... so the other day our mailman - came in for a glass of wine! He came whistling up the stairs to deliver a few Christmas packages that obviously got held up in customs (I hate customs), and so Steve asked him if he wanted something and then added in jest, beer? wine? Oh sure sure he said, whatever you have, beer or wine. My husband, who thought the dear man was kidding, stayed put at the table and we all chatted for a few minutes before I asked him if really, there was anything that he wanted. Oh sure sure beer or wine, whatever you have, he said, again. And so I poured him a glass of wine and he downed it and was out the door not three minutes later. Pah! Can you imagine a Canada Post worker doing that? Pffffft. Sarah is of the impression that Italians are rule breakers, and it sure helps having less stringent, rule-bound organizations... or more flexible, easy-going people? Anyways, it was refreshing. AND he brought us two amazing parcels! One from my mom and dad with the cutest green fleece vest (yes, for Hendrik) that fits and works and is uber soft and cozy, and one from Nao. The package from Nao was filled with goodies and surprises for the whole family, all perfectly wrapped:

Steve got a felt sushi set (loooove), and she sent me an Eric Carle 2012 planner (loooooove), and Hendrik was gifted the bluest blue fleece sweater and a picture book. They are/were perfect gifts for all of us, and it was so thoughtful of her that it almost made me cry just a little bit. Isn't that the best when you find the perfect gift for someone? Thank you Nao, thank you mom and dad, and really, thanks to everyone who spoiled us this Christmas. And finally, today, we can put away our Christmas tree; it's the Epiphany (or Three King's Day) and today's holiday rounds out the Christmas season here in Italy. 

A few other things that I could write about in length but will write about in short:

1. Marg and I attempted to make Antonella's lasagna, and it was more or less the same but really, not nearly as good. I bought thicker pasta sheets (resulting in a not-as-silky pie) and hm, well I'm just thinking that we, as novices, just aren't as good. Recipe coming with trial #2.

2. Another food blurb: on Wednesday Sarah made tortillas and the goods to go inside - it was delicious.

observing food preparations...

3. Sarah and Jeff set out to the northeast corner of South Tyrol yesterday morning, to trip and explore around Prettau, and in the course of their planning learned about mountain huts and malghe and rifugios. Now those may all be sort of the same thing (maybe not), but they look like amazing places to spend a few days and nights. This is on my list of things to look into (for when Steve has two consecutive days off - dream on?)... but the area that they're diving into looks beautiful.

4. I bought new boots! With some Christmas money, these things should finally be on their way to me and I hope they fit. I also (a while ago) bought three pairs of the same jeans, but in different colours (yellow, black, blue). Ooooh online shopping is a dangerous thing. I LOVE these jeans; they feel like leggings or sweatpants, but they're jeans.... it's the best!

That's all I've got for now. It's sounds like there's some big time hockey action going on downstairs so I'll post these last pics and join the fun!

lined up and listening to Sarah and Jeff's New Year's in Venice adventures

great presents!

just, you know, helping out in the kitchen

happy with his auntie Sarah

photos only...

at Lake Caldonazzo

 The last pics of 2011...

me and my gelato sniper

on our way down to Trento from Sardagna in the cable car :)

Leafs!

love love love this sweater!

out for a walk on day one with the B-ville Brinkmans

 And the first of 2012!

a New Years toast with Antonella and Luciano and their family

We had an amazing Jan 1 in Molveno... the scenery, weather, company, food... all good!

unbelievable mountain views and some yellllllllow pants :)

walking... and where will we be this time next year?