Conversations

These videos are from Liam's 3 month mark. Although he's pretty good at clamping shut the moment he detects the camera on him we still managed to get a tiny bit of what was a rather long chat with his chair friends - Georgina the Giraffe, Tupac the bird and Elefante. At the time he seemed to be trying to draw out sound for as long as he had breath in him. It was rather amusing to hear!



Excuse the shaky hand - James managed to capture a little more of Liam's "conversations" on video. Here he is in his blanket basket talking to his sheep!

Jessi's Visit

This is our big month or so of visitors so shortly after James' parents left, a very old and dear friend from my high school days came to visit over Easter weekend.  Naturally this was also her first time meeting Liam, so introductions were made and before I knew it Jessi had shown Liam how to stick his tongue out at people.  Ah, the inappropriate things that people choose to teach your children!...

We had a gorgeous beginning to the weekend and so we were able to enjoy a bit of time downtown.

Here's evidence that Jessi managed to get Liam to actually fall asleep!

Unfortunately the rain starting coming in on our visit to Como on Saturday and didn't let up until Monday morning when we somehow managed to fit in a 1.5 hour walk up the percorsa Vita before she had to leave.

Wearing the Ergo for the first time - very comfortable I might add!

Just your average view on a Swiss hike

Jess is, to this day, the most successful guest we have had performing on the rings.  The percorsa Vita has a bunch of exercise stations along the way where you are supposed to perform certain tasks.  It is my goal to get all visitors up this path and onto these stations and of course photograph the events!

Lovely Tuscany - March 27-30th - part 2

In all this eating you're probably wondering what on earth we did with Liam on our little jaunt to Tuscany, and don't worry, he was with us the whole time!  He actually handled the trip really well, but also managed to grow very accustomed to dropping off to sleep as soon as we got into the van and started driving over all those bumpy winding roads.  It certainly hasn't helped with his sleeping since we've been home, but at the time it certainly made the 4 hours drive there and back a lot easier.

Liam out for a walk in the rolling Tuscan hills

Our outings were briefer and more low key than in the past so that it was as relaxed and easy as possible with Liam.  We only went into Florence one day for the afternoon, but made good use of the time with a visit to the Boboli Gardens, a good Italian gelato and then a supreme Ben and Jerry's milkshake.  (I will have to embarrass myself here by saying that we took a photo of us in front of Ben +Jerry's and did NOT take one in front of the Duomo.  To be fair, our last visit to Florence was filled with all the appropriate photos and sites, so I don't feel that guilty...)

Liam, Diego and I on the bus ride from Fiesole into Florence (Diego is Liam's wolfie friend and also happens to be my hand)

A view of the Duomo from Boboli gardens

Stylish "nonna" Cathy pushing Liam around the Boboli Gardens

On Ponte Vecchio just before his "you need to feed me now!" meltdown

I wasn't kidding about this photo - if you look carefully you can see the reflection of the Duomo in the window!

Not only was this Liam's feeding stop (the hysterics were put to rest here), but we also ended up changing him at the table while enjoying our carmel/brownie ice-cream milkshakes.  Yum!

Lovely Tuscany - March 27-30th

Our first little vacation with Liam came over spring break just a week and a half ago.  We decided to take 3 nights and stay at a favorite little bed and breakfast in the rolling Tuscan hills near a small town called Vicchio.  James' parents were visiting at the time so we were able to have a little family excursion which turned out to be quite restful and enjoyable.

Lemmons in Tuscany!  At the Bed and Breakfast

Out for a walk near the B+B at sunset

This was the funniest moment on the trip with three Lemmons laughing hysterically

Le Due Volpi is one of the sweetest little spots to stay and Heidi and Lorenzo - the owners - are really wonderful.  They have just 3 rooms so it really feels like you're on your own, and besides a lovely breakfast spread they also do a delicious dinner if requested, in their al fresco dining area.  We happily tucked into a tasty homemade meal the first night, and then took Heidi up on her recommendations for the rest of our meals.  These included a tasty pasta at Vivinandros in Fiesole on our way into Florence, a fine Florentine steak for 2 at a local place in Vicchio, and our final dinner was one with quite a view at Casa di Caccia where we all agreed the fresh pasta selection was the best of the trip with truffle flavors, walnut sauces and smoked cheese stuffed pasta.  They also have a delectable panna cotta with berry sauce.

Dinner at Le Due Volpi with Heidi (the owner) - Liam was there but just in his car seat on the floor

At lunch in Fiesole - father and son

Lunch in Fiesole - Grandpa and Liam

Downtown with the Boys

For Kat's birthday we managed to get all three moms and boys downtown for a little outing.  It wasn't anything dramatic but still, a few hours of casual wandering, sitting down for a bite to eat, and hanging out with the little guys turned out to be quite a lot of fun.  It also turned out to be an exceptionally beautiful and warm March day, so who can complain?

Liam enjoying facing outwards in his bjorn while munching on his muslin cloth

Charlene doing a fine job entertaining Liam while Otto slept peacefully in his stroller

Drake looking unhappy because he couldn't get to Kat's soda

My beautiful little guy after we got home! (March 23rd - 10 1/2 weeks old)

Bathtime

Here's a cute video of Liam having a bath at 10 and a half weeks old. He's definitely filling out his little tub now and we can't wait till he's able to hold himself upright so he can play more!

Too Young for Sushi?

For Naw Ruz to celebrate the coming of spring and all things fresh and good we went out to dinner for Sushi.  This was the first time in just about a year for me to have the actual raw fish part of things so I was definitely excited.  It turns it out was also a first time experience for James' parents as well as Liam.
At just 2 and a half months old I am amazed at how well Liam copes with us just dragging him around to places, especially in the evenings.  We were able to have a lovely evening despite what Liam thought of the food!  These pictures say it all:

Excited Moma and sceptical Liam

"For real dad?  You eat that stuff?"

"No way!  Don't make me!  I'm not ready for this!"