Wednesday, December 12, 2012

I like this one, too


November2012 001, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

One more, but you couldn't see the "6 months" as well in this one!

6 months old!


November2012 012, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Name: Susannah
Also known as: Suzy Q and Susannah Banana and Susanna (said the Italian way). Not so much Princess Poo Poo because since I have started solid foods en force, I have had issues in that department.
Skills: I can grab toys pretty well with my right hand. My left hand is not so good, but it's catching up. I can sit up unassisted for a while but mommy always puts a Boppy behind me for when I give up.
I like: Taking baths, eating fruits and veggies, watching my big brother and sister play, and being held by anyone.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

3 loves


November2012 020, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Our 3 babies

The outside


November2012 008, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Here's the outside of our new place! :-)

Still has the mo'


November2012 017, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

James still had his moustache...but I still let him hang out with us!

Lake Como


November2012 013, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Lake Como has mountains coming right out of it--it's really beautiful!

Susannah's favorite


November2012 010, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Susannah lives to be held, so this Ergo baby carrier has really earned its keep. I wore it on the day we went to Como so we wouldn't have to have the double stroller on the train. She spent almost the whole day in here, and loved it!

Papparazzi


November2012 004, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

I used my zoom lens to capture a candid moment between Norah and Luca. We took a daytrip to Lake Como and walked to a beautiful villa along the lake. It was our first train ride in Italy, and all in all, it went well.

Dining and Living room


November2012 001, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Here's the Dining and Living room before we put our stuff in her! Those windows open up to the big balcony, which is also accessible from Susannah's and Norah and Luca's rooms.

Kitchen


November2012 004, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

The kitchen is all-new and a good size (there is a table out of view) for Italy. We are very happy with the way they renovated this apartment! When we first saw it, there were holes in the walls and no cupboards, stove, or anything! There is a small balcony off of this room where we put all our recycling, etc.

Suzy Q's room


November2012 009, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Here's Susannah's room on the first day we were there. We have since moved James' desk to our room (so he can work when she's taking naps) and we have added a red dresser for her clothes.

Our room


November2012 016, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Here's our room. We (Chiara) chose the room on the street side because those windows open up and there is a wire rail and then 3 stories down there is the sidewalk. I sleep better at night knowing that the kids aren't in this room unsupervised, but that is cancelled out by the very LOUD street sounds in the morning. There is a school right across the street and every morning, the noise starts at about 7:30 am.

Big Boy Bed


November2012 021, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

I kept telling Luca that when we got to our new house, he would have his own big boy bed. He was very excited. The first night he came out of bed 2 times, but we redirected him back to bed. Now, he comes out usually once a night to say "I want you to tuck me in" even though we tucked him in the first time. All in all, though, he has adjusted to his new-found freedom very well!

First Night in our NEW HOUSE!


November2012 023, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

After about 12 days in Varazze, our house was ready for us, and Zio Marco came to get us on a Sunday morning. Chiara's relatives had been in the apartment on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday setting it all up, so when we got there, our beds were made, linens washed, dishes were in the cupboards, and the home was ready to go! Here is Norah on our first night in her brand new bed.

James on the hill


November2012 002, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

James is debating whether we should continue or not...Norah was definitely NOT interested in continuing until we had a snack!

Remember that hill I mentioned?



November2012 010, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.
We decided to try to walk up to that church on the hill, and this is as far up as we got. The trail was easy, but with a stroller, and 2 heavy kids, it was too much--it was a bumpy trail with lots of rocks. We still had a nice view from where we gave up, though!

Just diggin'


November2012 002, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Luca brought his construction trucks to the beach with us and could have spend all day pretending they were building, digging, etc.

Warm days


November2012 005, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

It was so nice in Varazze that the kids could take their shoes and coats off. Norah loved to dip her feet in the sea.

Man and Moustache


November2012 002, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

James joined other coworkers and grew himself a moustache for the month of November (Movember). They were raising awareness and funds for men's health issues. I was so glad when November was over!

Beach Days


November2012 004, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Pretty much every day, I would take the kids down to the ocean so they could play in the sand and be outdoors. James joined us one day and we had a good time hangin' out on the seashore.

Cutie Pie 2


November2012 005, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Norah loved to sit on the rail of the stairway. In truth, she loved to sit there and tell Luca that he was too little to sit there.

Cutie Pie


November2012 006, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Luca on the steps at our place.

More Regata


November2012 001, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

I tried to zoom in on the boats. There were quite a few out there!

Varazze town


November2012 003, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

A view from out on the pier at Varazze. See that church way up there on the hill? We tried walking up there one day with the three kids and aforementioned double stroller. More on that later!

Regata


November2012 004, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

We were taking a walk one day and saw a Regata out on the ocean.

Yogurt Cake


November2012 001, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Zia Raffaella stayed at the house with us for the first week while James had to take a 3 day trip to Barcelona. She and Norah made 2 yogurt cakes. Norah loves to bake!

We made it to Italy


November2012 002, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

On November 5, we boarded a plane with our 10 suitcases, a double stroller, 2 carry-ons, 2 computer bags, 3 kids, a diaper bag, and our coats and flew to Italy! We made it! We were exhausted after the flight. We had an older plane that on our first visit, and the in-flight entertainment was lacking at best.

Chiara's Uncle Marco and Aunt Raffaella and a swiss driver with a big van for all our stuff met us at the airport. Since our house wasn't ready for us yet, we had the chance to spend some time at Varazze in the family's vacation home. Here's Luke checking out the cool floor (which was all tiled by hand) when we got there.

Grandpa and Oma


November2012 002, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

and the kiddos!

Girls' Day Out


November2012 001, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Chiara's mom got off work, Alessia's husband watched her kids, James watched our kids, and Jarrod watched Cecca's dog and cat so we could all go out to lunch together. It was a great time with my sisters and mom!

Monday, December 10, 2012

Lot's o' kids


November2012 009, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Here are all the kids that Nicholas and Sunny bravely invited over to their house for Halloween:
Ethan (in disguise), Luca, Ivana, Lolo, Freida, Lucia, Norah, and Susannah. It was (barely) controlled chaos.

Happy Halloween!


November2012 026, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

We have our Barca Soccer Player (Luca), our flower (Susannah) and our Purple Dragon (Norah) wishing you all a Happy Halloween!

Time Warp


November 2007071, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Here's Norah and Daddy back in 2007! Can you see the resemblance between Norah and Susannah?

A flower!


November2012 028, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Susannah looks surprised that someone caught her while she was dressed like a flower!

We left Reno on Halloween, and I had actually planned ahead enough to have the kids' costumes ready for us (and not packed away in the storage unit!) when we got there. Do you remember Norah in this costume? They look almost the same!

Aunt Judy and Susannah


November2012 001, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Just practicing standing up...

Alas, not many pictures


November2012 002, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

We took 2 days to go to Sacramento, CA to visit James' grandma (Ahpah) and his Aunt Judy and Uncle Art and cousins Morgan and Andrew. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of Ahpah and the kids (but I think Aunt Judy did!). I did get one of Chance the dog and Norah, though!

Hemsley Clan


November2012 004, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Here are Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Hemsley, Grandpa and Grandma Hemsley, and their three sons, spouses, and grandchildren all together!

We had a small dedication service for Susannah at James' parents' church. It was nice to have a lot of family there!

5 months old!


November2012 001, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Name: Susannah
a.k.a. Susannah banana, Suzy Q, and still Princess poo poo.
Skillz: I can sit up (assisted), reach out for things and get them most of the time, and I just started eating solid food!
I like: to watch my brother and sister play, be held, and go for walks.

Big Luke and Little Luke


November2012 033, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Taking time out of their busy schedule for a photo op.

Family


November2012 035, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Grandma H. and James' Aunt Laurie hangin' out.

Skipped a Generation


November2012 039, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

We have 3 generations of Hemsley's represented here: Super Grandma, James, and Susannah.

Super Grandma


November2012 044, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

"Super Grandma" (James' grandma Joan) loves to hang out with the kids when she is visiting. Here she is reading Luca his all-time favorite book, "Cars and Trucks and Things that Go" (which Luca calls, "Goldbug Book") by Richard Scarry.

Big Luke and Norah


November2012 045, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

We had some great visitors while in Reno. James' cousin Luke (a.k.a. "Big Luke" now that there is a "Little Luke") and his parents came to visit us, along with James' Aunt Janey, and his grandparents. It was great to see everyone. Big Luke was very patient with our kids, and almost seemed to enjoy himself while playing in the yard with Norah...

Yummy?


November2012 003, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

She's not so sure about this spoon and the mush on it...

First food


November2012 011, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

All of our chaos around moving made me push back Susannah's introduction to solid foods...so, while in Reno, we started her out on some cereal. She seems to be saying, "Help me..."

American Gothic revisited


November2012 025, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

While we were in Italy, Luca and Norah got to stay at Grandma and Grandpa H's house in Reno, NV. We flew back from Italy to get them and to say hi/see you later to all the relatives out West. The weather was really nice for late October. Here are the kids and their Uncle Adam doing some 'hard work' in the yard, as Luca would say.

So serious


November2012 002, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Susannah and Daddy look so serious!

Arianna and Lorenzo


November2012 010, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

And now, onto Chiara's cousin Arianna and her husband, Lorenzo. As you can see, Arianna was nearing the end of her pregnancy with her first child.

Alice and Danilo


November2012 012, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Here are Chiara's cousin Alice and her longtime beaux, Danilo. We will be seeing a lot more of them in the next couple years!

Al mare


November2012 001, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

James and Susannah taking a rest on the seashore. Varazze has a really neat walkway that used to be a train track. It runs along the ocean and is closed to automobiles. It's a really nice place to walk, and you can go down to the beach at several locations.

Not so unique anymore


November2012 007, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Now Chiara is in the land of Chiara's...notice the boat's name...