Baby's First Steps (some of them)

2nd Anniversary

Sloane's rents celebrated their second anniversary today. (oh, that's right, it's the cotton 'versary, baby!) Look what the baby daddy wrote: So sweet!

Stat update

I decided I would take this long weekend as an opportunity to post a blog about Sloane's stats. Then I realized that her last doctor's appointment, which was right before we left for Italy, was almost a month ago already! How time flies. So, take these stats with a 3-weeks-ago-grain-of-salt, but here they are: weight: 22 lbs., 1.5 oz.; length: 29 inches and head circumference: 18.75 inches. If I remember correctly, this puts her in the 90th, 75th and 99th percentiles, respectively.

This is also a nice opportunity to show off one of the cute dresses that Grannie Frannie got for Sloane during the trip to Italy. You can also see that she's all about pulling herself up to standing now. She can crawl around and now can "walk" 'round her "pen" (a few feet at least) by holding on and scooting one way or the other.
And, if you've seen her in the past few weeks, you may have noticed the horrible rash on her face. I think we found the cure! Acquaphor -- it's a vaseline-like skin treatment for babies' dry skin. We had tried so many things, and this worked in one day! My dermatologiest - who has a toddler who experienced similar binky-related issues -- recommended it. Yay!! And, the prunes have solved the other issue we've had lately. :) So, all in all, Sloane's a happy, healthy little toddler!

O Sloaneo Mio

We introduced Sloane to the world of cheesy tourist photography. Also to the world of ugly Americanism. "Nice tower, Luigi. Ever see the Washington Monument? That thing is hella straight." They let you climb this thing, but screw that--despite all of the nimrods pretending to hold it up, it could topple at any minute. Also, I don't care for stairs.

Not pictured: the Leaning Tower of Pizazz, which can be held up only by jazz hands.

While we were away . . .

Some may have thought to themselves, but what happened to the Diz while you guys were in Italy? Don't feel bad for that kid. He's been busy with his part-time job: supermodel. These shots represent his current portfolio, and will be appearing in a book on dogs soon. (seriously, no joke.)

But, can our neighborhood take two supermodels? Will Dizzy's new found fame cause a rift between the McKenzie-Mendelsohns and the Dickensons a few doors down? Tune in next week to America's next top supermodel dog! Oh, the drama!
Also, Dizzy got to stay with one of his many girlfriends (he is such a player!) during the week we were away. We got periodic updates on his adventures such as this one: "Today, he's been on an all day trip to a kite festival in Sylmar. I'm just waiting for him to return so I can take him to Runyon." Kite Festivals? hiking Runyon Canyon? Oh, his wild adventures! my handsome, crazy, sweet, first born baby boy.
I missed him!

Our sweet babe

All in all, the whole family had a wondeful trip. Sloane was great. She loved playing with her cousins. It was wonderful to see everyone and Italy was beautiful. The gelato wasn't half bad either!
Now we'll just have to start planning the next trip . . .

Three little monkeys

These were the best shots we could get. I don't think it was possible to get them all to look at the camera at the same time.

They are probably wary of the camera, seeing as they are clearly in some sort of organized crime operation. (What else would explain the matching black outfits with skulls and crossbones?)

My Italian Rose

Mendelsohns in Tuscany

The first two shots are the Mendelsohns (and those related by marriage!) in San Gimignano.

Dan, Sloane and the rents at our lovely villa in Barberino Val d'Elsa

Three bros in front of the Torre del Mangia in the Piazza del Campo, Siena

Bros and their hos in the Piazza del Campo (Francie's gonna kill me for that one!) :)

Baby's First Flight to Paris

Sloane did REALLY great on her first trip to Europe. She cried a bit on the way there, but that was to be expected. She was able to sleep some on the first 10-hr. flight (to Paris). Air France has basinettes that attach to the wall in front of the first economy wall for babies weighing up to 10 kg or 22 lbs. (don't tell 'em she weighs 22 lbs. and 1.5 oz.s!) But, there was another baby in our row; she was French and 22 months old, but looked like she just made the weight limit too. She cried a bit more and got Sloane riled when she woke her up a few times.




The worst part of travelling was Charles De Gaulle Airport (though Dan might say it was all the driving since I didn't do any of that). According to Air France, CDG Airport doesn't allow baby carriages up to the gate like every other airport we've been to (but maybe it's just Air France because we saw a few other baby strollers during our long trail of tears through the airport during our return flight). So, they wouldn't let us use it at Milan airport either! But, we used the luggage carts and improvised a solution for the long haul through the terminals -- it worked really well!



Sloane was really a trooper. She did great!

Polka Dots

Sloane went to an early mothers' day lunch with her mom and her mom's mom. Sloane's mom will be celebrating her first mothers' day in Italy -- and she can't wait!