Venezia

The day after Calum's birthday my Mom and I took a short trip (2 nights, 3 days) to Venice. She's always wanted to go there and I figured if we didn't go now, I probably wouldn't have the chance to go without kids for a long time (can't really see Mark staying home alone with 3 babies for a weekend!). Was so nice to get away for a few days, this was actually the first time I have ever left Calum overnight although it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be knowing Mark was at home with him. It was also perfect timing in terms of my pregnacy, at 17 weeks I was able to walk around all day and master the hundreds of stairs you climb going over the canal bridges.

Loved Venice overall, it is exactly what you imagine it to be, however it was very touristy and kind of took away from the whole experience for me (there are only 60,000 residents but over 12 million tourists visit a year). I realise we were contributing to the tourism however I guess I just have fond memories of Ravello, etc. where you feel like you are the odd one out and loved just stumbling into an authentic Italian restaurant where no one spoke English or seeing the Italians in the squares living life as they do.

Instead we were walking around with packs of people speaking all sorts of different languages and most restaurants have picture menus and the menu is divided into sections based on the language you speak. The food also wasn't as good as other places I've been in Italy, apparently since the majority of clientele is not classified as potential repeat business, they don't feel the need to strive for as good of quality as you would hope. Everything was also super expensive-like 10 Euros for a cappuccino (that's about $14!).

But all of that said, the weather was amazing and it was nice for my Mom and I to spend a few days together just the two of us. I was also reminded how much I love Italy and can't wait to go back.... Someday!

Typical view down one of the many side canals

A church across from our hotel (called Santa Maria di Nazareth) on the Grand Canal which was built in 1705

View from the opposite side of the Grand Canal of our hotel, the Hotel Carlton-would definitely recommend

Inside St Mark's cathedral

Calum turns 2!

Doing a far better job with his cake this year (although I still didn't trust him enough to leave him fully clothed!)....

On April 24th Calum turned 2. This year his birthday happened to fall on Easter so we started the morning with his favourite breakfast (bacon and berries-the boy loves bacon!) followed by an Easter egg hunt and opening of some presents AND his Easter basket. Was lovely to have my Mom here to celebrate, especially for the Easter bit as here in the UK they don't do Easter egg hunts or baskets so it was perfect that she had come prepared.

Opening presents (which he definitely remembered having mastered the art at Xmas)
Reading a new book with Dad that morning
Finding his first Easter egg

We took Calum to the local farm since he's animal obsessed at the moment and he absolutely loved it, particularly seeing the horses which are his favourite (and pronounced in a very English accent as 'orse'). Afterwards we went to dinner at a local pub (much more civilised then in sounds) and sat out in the garden there as the weather was so lovely. Mark's family came over in the evening and we sang Happy Birthday (which was Calum's highlight as he knows some of the words and loves to sing) and he opened his favourite present, a big red Steve McQueen car which he currently loves driving around the house and even sits in to watch tv!

Looking like a true farmer (and yes, we did manage to get a new hat that fit his head in time for our CA vacation)
"Petting" the 3 week old bunnies on the farm (just before he poked it in the eye and pulled out a handful of fur)
Attempt at a family photo with me sitting out of arm's length from the bunny abuser
Singing Happy Birthday-look at that smile!

Still feeling a teeny bit guilty for not having a big party but as it was a 4 day weekend here most of Calum's friends and ours were out of town so next year I will definitely do something big for him when he can appreciate it a bit more.

I have to say, this year's birthday wasn't as bittersweet as lasts. I find that I love Calum more everyday and rather then wishing for him to be a baby, I look forward to seeing him grow and learn and become the little person (rather then baby) that he is. He's become a real companion, as Mark says we're like the 3 amigos and my life really and truly began the day he came into it. Happy 2nd birthday, Calum Xavier Verghese-we love you!

Hever Castle/Mom's Visit

My last post here was over 5 weeks ago so forgive me but the next few will be catching up on what has been one of the busiest times of my life. A quick run down:

My Mom came to visit on April 19th and stayed with us until April 30th when we joined her on a flight back to the US. Whilst my Mom was here we tried to get in some sightseeing around London as her next visit will be in October when the twins have arrived and sightseeing will be limited (if at all!).

Mom's visit came just as our summer weather did, it was in the 70s and 80s the whole time which was perfect weather to enjoy the sites. We headed to London to see what she hadn't yet seen (Kings Road the day after Kate Middleton's honeymoon shopping spree, Fortnum and Mason, Harrods to get her favourite macaroons from Laduree, etc.) which was lovely but a bit hot for a preggo like me.
We visited the gorgeous Hever Castle which is a short 30 minute drive from our house and where Anne Boleyn grew up. Another perfect day. We headed to Brighton so she could see the English seaside and we could hit up my favourite restaurant of the moment, Jamie Oliver's 'Jamie's Italian'.

Oh, and we squeezed in a 3 day trip to Venice (more on that later) and she came with us to a private scan that told us the gender of the twins. I also formally entered the Catholic church the night before Easter and we celebrated Easter and Calum's birthday (on the same day this year).

I'm exhausted just rehashing those couple of weeks and haven't even gotten to the part where we did a tour of Washington state from April 30-May 8th and then headed to Palm Springs until May 15th (for some much needed relaxation!).

I guess I'm kind of feeling like I better enjoy as much of my remaining "freedom" as possible before these babies come as I know recouping from the c-section and getting used to our new life is going to be challenging and it's pretty unlikely I will be getting out much this fall/winter (which is both a little depresssing and exciting at the same time). Hope you've all been well, have enjoyed my first day back at "work" catching up on everyone's blogs and etc. x