Pescara!

Many thanks to my hairdresser Claire who advised me to fly out of Raleigh on Saturday instead of Sunday! Although my heart beating faster as I sat in her chair, knowing I'd have a whole 24 hours less to get ready to go, I'm grateful for her suggestion. And thanks to my patient husband who waited for over two hours on the phone to talk to someone later that night, who changed my flight to go from Raleigh to Charlotte instead of Raleigh to Philidelphia. It was raining and windy when we arrived at the Raleigh airport on Saturday afternoon. It was eerily void of people and the flight schedules displayed many "canceled" cities. Hours later as I tried to sleep on the airplane, I remember there was a period of heavy turbulence. Aaron told me later that as he tracked my flight it appeared as if we flew right through the hurricane. Interesting...
I arrived 11 short but long hours later in Rome at 9:30 in the morning. Pasquale's brother and sister-in-law picked me up, and I was grateful for Efi's limited English ability during the two hour drive to Pescara. I swear we should've made it in one hour because of Maurizio's speed!
This is what Liliana looked like when I first met her, and what she does almost all day and night long -




Understandable, because she is only one week old. But also at one week old, she is an incredibly patient, calm and sweet girl. Pasquale says she will be "tranquillo" like her cousin Halli! I don't know if I'd venture to say that yet, but Megan has reminded me how Pete was when he was a week old, and I think she has been blessed with a little angel this time.
Yesterday when I told Pasquale about my previous trips to Italy and the places I've visited here, he said "and this time in Pescara, you will experience relaxation - or real Italian life." And so far, he's right. I came to help Megan, but so far, or at least right now, she doesn't seem to need much help. I've held Liliana, and eaten, held Liliana and eaten, played with Pete for a minute, held Liliana and eaten again. So fun, and definitely relaxing!



Here is Pete in his characteristic playing pose. He still loves cars...I brought him Francesco from Cars 2. Since I've been here, Pasquale's parents have also been staying at their house in Pescara. Pete LOVES his grandparents and aunts and uncles. It's so fun to see him interact and talk to them in his little Italian voice.



The first meal I had was at Nonna's house. It was Efi's birthday and Nona made a delicious cake. It's Pasquale's favorite cake ("very simple - just cream, chocolate cream and cake", and Pete definitely enjoyed it too. He ate almost ALL the cookies around the side and then Megan helped him to eat a big piece of it. He gets more than his fair share of attention around his relatives. They adore him and take very good care of him at the same time.

Loving Liliana!

Megan cut Pete's hair yesterday. Those curls grow sooo fast and he prefers to be at home sitting on the toilet and watching his Little People DVD over a barber. I don't blame him and Megan does an excellent job!
Megan and Pasquale's home is perfectly sized, beautifully decorated and sparkling clean. My most favorite thing about every space are the windows - always open right now. It's summer in Italy and yes it's hot, but it seems like with every window open to the breeze, you can always find a refreshing spot. I love how it seems like you are outside when you're indoors. I ALMOST like it better than an air conditioned house! Here is the living room open to the deck in the backyard -



The kitchen opens onto a balcony where we have breakfast -



One of two nice bathrooms -



And the room I get to share with Pete -