Ciao!!!

We're home again!!! Bella Italia no more for us this year (at least). The trip was fantastic, even if the weather wasn't all that fantastic. Who would have guessed that Tuscany in June means several rainy days in a row (very frustrating when it is mainly the sun you came to see in Tuscany). But but, I have been complaining about the weather for 2 weeks now, back at home here in Sweden the weather isn't any better either, so what. Stella didn't care one bit about the weather and had the time of her life. She didn't mind the traveling part (2 hours flight and some shorter to-and-from-the-airport drives). Stella looooved Italy and all the Italians who each fell into oooooohhhhhh's and ahhhhhh's when we told them that the little bambina is called Stella. Bella Stella they exclaimed, which kind of stuck and is vividly used by us as well now.

Of course Stella enjoyed spending so much time with Pappa and Oma and Opa. She developed a lot during the last two weeks, tried lot's of new foods - Zucchini, Strawberry, Raspberry, Italian Hipp solids, cucumber, icecream (:S). In fact Stella opens her mouth in anticipation whenever food comes close to her. We have a really good eater. By now I am only nursing mornings and evenings, which I think is still going quite ok, but I can't shake this feeling that my supply is really decreasing and will run out shortly. I will miss nursing a lot, it is such a bonding experience with so much baby-love involved. Stella really loves the boobs and she can throw herself at my breast and start nursing making grunting sounds as if she hadn't eaten in days :S.

Stella also rolls around a lot now, and in addition tries to push up her little tush but doesn't succeed yet. Within the next weeks I think she'll be on her knees and arms. Also, I think a tooth might be making its great entrance shortly, destroying her perfect gummy smile.

Stella sits in her highchair like King Louie enjoying the view and awaiting food. We give her a huge piece of cucumber to play with. If that turns boring, Bodo (the plastic bear-sailor) keeps her company. Besides Püppi, whom Stella passionately loves and has lot's of conversations with, Bodo is her favorite toy at the moment. Whenever he emerges from her toybag, her face lights up in a huge smile. Too cute.

I am amazed by Stellas development, her capabilities, and her coolness. She is indeed a very cool child. Not much brings her out of her mojo. Cinque Terre squeezed into her BabyBjörn all day long, not a problem for Bella Stella, and while Jonatan and I were frustrated with the 4 hour delay yesterday at Florence airport, Stella just took the chance to have yet more fun. I learned some valuable lessons though - bring at least a days supply of baby food and diapers on any plane trip, even if the flight is supposed to be only 2 hours. At Florence airport one can't buy diapers or baby food, so that I had to ask fellow stranded Scandinavian travelers for a diaper and encourage the boobs to to give their all for our hungry little girl. Though hungry, Stella was in one of her best baby moods, flirting with the Italians. Oh la la.

It's good to be home again. Right now I am watching the Italians play football (Euro 2008) and I do get a bit nostalgic, if only the sun had shown her beauty a bit more. Bella Italia. Forza Azzuri.

Here we lived (the view)



poolside nursing...loved it!!!







Moi and the babe in her stroller in Lucca.



In Cinque Terre

Baby-cuteness



More pictures here.

How have you been?