The Present

Wow...it's been WAY too long since I've been able to get back to this space!  A quick techy update...after living in Italy for about 60 days, we finally have Internet at home!  It's amazing how our lives become very accustomed to "logging on" and "signing in" -- so when we are forced to live Internet-free, it's a big deal!!  But, we're up and running now...thank goodness!

There's a lot to say about the last 60 days, but I'm going to start with the present and then back peddle through the past.  So, the present...

Much to my surprise, I feel like we are all adjusting better than I imagined.  Don't get me wrong, it has been hard - very hard.  But, there have not been as many "valley moments" as I thought there would be...much more "somewhere on the mountain" (ok, not necessarily the peak, but on the mountain is still good!) than wandering around the valley.

As of today, Zoey is going to the International School 3.5 - 4 days per week and is enrolled in an Italian gymnastics class on Wednesdays.  She has made a great friend, Kaitlyn, who she adores and gets along with quite well.  (Kaitlyn has a British accent which Zoey picks up every time they are together!)  She occasionally says "Ciao" to people without being prompted to use Italian and definitely recognizes the difference between speaking Italian and speaking English.  I didn't really consider how just hearing another language would be an adjustment - much less trying to survive in a world that she mostly can't understand.  At almost four years old, she was unaware that other languages existed outside of Dora the Explorer and had zero comprehension of other parts of the world.  Now, she frequently comments "they're speaking Italian" as she observes her world around her.  She knows she can't understand their words, but doesn't completely shy away from it anymore.  Heck, she's in an Italian gymnastics class with all Italian-speaking children!

School has been a huge adjustment for her and I still hear "I don't want to go" a couple times per week.  But, her teacher says she does wonderfully while she is there and has begun participating and engaging with other children as opposed to her demeanor at the beginning of the school year.  She hugs Ms. Young at the drop-off gate each morning and a little smile creeps over her face.  Yes, she excitedly runs to me at the end of each day - its not like she's begging to stay! - but I think she's happy while she is there.  Ms. Christina has been very patient with us as we settle into this new lifestyle and for that I am very grateful!  Zoey often sings songs that she learned at school at home and tells me each day what parts of the school lunch were yummy and which parts were yucky.  Every day, as soon as we get in the car at 3:30, Zoey says "Tell me about your day" and I must run through a list of things I did without her before she'll tell me anything about her own day.  Usually, "Tell me about Kaia's day" follows close behind.

Art of any kind is Zoey's passion these days and she colors and creates every chance she gets.  Ms. Christina laughs about how much paper Zoey can go through in a day at school and says she always knows where to find Zoey during free play time.  At home, she wants to have crayons or markers with her at all times so that she can color while watching tv, while riding in the car, while eating at a restaurant, and so on!  "Can I glitter?  Will you color with me?  Can we do water paint?" are questions I hear over and over and over!

Although Zoey frequently ends up in bed with Kevin and I in the night, she has only had one night terror since being here...knock on wood.  I was convinced we would be plagued with weekly terrors while we settled in to new routines, but, surprisingly, that hasn't happened.  Maybe its the diffused lavender oil...maybe its knowing she can crawl in our bed...maybe its having her sister in her room with her...maybe its the fact that the "moving to Italy" part of the transition is over...who knows.  But, she's doing well.

Kaia celebrated her first birthday in Italy and is adored by waiters, waitresses, customers, and passersby.  Her toes are frequently tickled by strangers and old Italian ladies don't shy away from rubbing her head or pinching her cheeks.  Of course, they ramble off Italian all the while, and I just smile and nod.  No use saying "Non parlo Italiano"...they just keep speaking Italian anyway.

As with every other gross motor skill so far, Kaia is on her own schedule, so she hasn't entered the world of the walkers yet.  She loves to crawl around and chasing Zoey on all fours is the newest and most fun game (Zoey loves it too!).  She pulls herself up and likes to stand, but hasn't really let go or tried out her balance just yet.  All in due time...I'm in no hurry!  Zoey is definitely loving the more active Kaia, so crawling together has been something fun for Kevin and I to watch.  Zoey's interest in Kaia has blossomed as she now wants to hold her, feed her a bedtime bottle, and play "follow the leader" in any open space.

Kaia babbles up a storm and says "hi" constantly.  She says Mama, but we're still waiting for Dada.  She raises her arms when you ask "How big is Kaia" and even sing-songs "ah...ah" as if to say "sooo big".  The world is a happy place for Kaia and she has maintained her easy going nature (despite the recent slip back into middle of the night wake ups!).  She loves Italian food...she's easy to please at any restaurant we go to!  And, gelato...man, this girl knows when you have it and gets grumpy quickly if you take too long to share!

Kevin and I are also doing well - even considering the "this is hard" and "I miss home" moments.  Its funny how much you learn in 60 days when you are in a foreign place.  I have been pushed outside my comfort zone, but there isn't a choice of "should I do this?" or "can I do that?"  You just have to do it.  I can't stay home and never drive somewhere unfamiliar.  I have to make phone calls.  I have to try speaking Italian - or at the very least explain that I can't speak Italian and ask if anyone speaks English.  I've learned to do my best, even when I am completely uncomfortable.  I try not to show Zoey how nervous I am to do something and we just fake it as we go!  For someone who doesn't like change, this has been a major aspect of growth in a mere 60 days.

Our Italian home feels like home...for now.  It feels comfortable and familiar, but tucked in the back of my mind is always "its only 2 years".  I think that might be my saving grace.  I had a conversation with another mom recently about whether it is better to know your length of stay or not.  For me, its better.  In fact, its critical.  I don't know if I could live this life indefinitely like she is.  Knowing an end date helps keep me sane and reminds me that, no matter how hard it is at times, I will be back to our "real home" in the summer of 2016.  Perhaps its bad to never fully "live" here, but its how I'm making it through.  I've decided to stop trying to experience this as other people think I should...I'm experiencing it how it works for me.

And so, I wear yoga pants to the grocery store.  I wear jeans and a sweatshirt - without make up - when dropping Zoey off at school.  More on that in a future post...

I'm sure there is much more to say about The Present, but this post is already pretty long!  It feels good to be writing again...I have several posts that are simmering and are ready to be written as soon as I get some more kid-free time.  Thanks for hanging in there as we've lived Internet-free...thank god that phase is over!  And I promise to work on adding some photos soon, too!  Until next time...