Ciao, Bella!

We have returned from our Italian adventure. We all survived and had lots of fun.

Rome was much busier than I remember. The streets are barely wide enough for one car much less a babystroller so I was constantly in fear that Charlotte would be run down. Luckily this did not come to pass.

Charlotte had her first gelato in Rome - cioccolato. She devoured it all, of course. We did the usual tourist things - Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Forum, Colosseum, Vatican, etc. I don't think Charlotte really appreciated all the culture. However she discovered a delicious drinkable Italian yogurt made with pineapple, she saw lots of cats, dogs and birds, and she discovered a new love for fountains.

In Venice Charlotte learned lots of new words including water, boat, pizza, pasta, and pigeon. She can even say ciao, Rome and Venice! We had a blast feeding the pigeons at San Marco. Britt was a little terrified (and as they dive bombed me for more feed I had some moments of terror myself). Charlotte couldn't decide if it was funny or if it was frightening. The bridges only posed minor difficulties. We took a new urban terrain stroller with us and it was big enough to handle most of the steps. When it wasn't, people were very nice, offering to help carry the stroller over bridges.

It was amazing how easily Charlotte adapted to Italian time. She slept in and stayed up late. She refused Italian milk (what a discerning palate she has!) but she enjoyed yogurt and cappuccino foam. She loves pasta and pizza and she tried new foods too: fried crab, stuffed olives, veal, and roast beef sandwiches.

All in all, it was a wonderful trip. Please check the video files for a few clips and look at our online photo album.

Ciao!