Car Sick

Sofia

 

Yesterday we decided to take a drive and explore the local area, heading in the opposite direction that we normally take from Villa Trotta. The road wound around the Cilento National Park, through quiet mountain villages where even the local cafes where closed. The views were amazing and we stopped to capture the vista, local churches and passing scenery regularly.

 

Unfortunately, you didn't enjoy the trip as much. By the time we had descended the mountain and reached the sea side you'd been car sick on five occasions. So often in fact that you'd ruined all of your clothes and we had nothing for you to wear but your swimming bottoms and a hoodie. After an unsuccessful stop at a village shop to see if they had anything for your to wear I decided that you could travel in just your swimming bottoms to avoid vomiting down the front of your hoodie.

 

As the seaside we found a shop that sold swimming gear and accessories. Daddy bought an overpriced shirt in a size 8 that fit you like a dress and a pair of princess thongs after your repeated requests to buy some clothes.

 

We had a swim and some time in the sun, skipping lunch and ignoring your request for a drink before winding along the coast road to go home. With your tummy empty you vomited just two more times, holding earnestly onto the princess bucket that Nonna gave you as part of a beach play kit.

 

I know you'll grow out of the car sickness, but in the meantime it's awful watching your pallor change and you whisper from your seat that you need the bucket.

 

Piedini

Sofia

 

Our week at Villa Trotta, Perdifumo in the Cilento National Park is coming to a close. You have been using my camera almost every day to take photos. Last night I was downloading some photos from the cameras and discovered the photos below.

 

As well as being unbelievably sweet they remind me that your perspective of the world is often quite different from mine. Sofia's view of the world involves details that most adults no longer notice. It fascinates me and while many of your photos are of the people around you, beautifully centred and focused, it is the other details that you capture that are often more interesting.

 

I hope your eye continues to see the world through the unique lens that is yours.

Fiori

Sofia

It's one thing for a girl of three to pick wild flowers from the fields as we walked around Aunt Marina's home, a red poppy, something yellow, another white and a smattering of something blue.

It's another thing for a little girl to present her Aunt, her grey hair still growing back after the chemotherapy, with those flowers exclaiming 'Marina, these flowers are for you!'

Sometimes I think you are a gift brought to heal some of the illness and pain within our family. It's not just your lovely face that melts hearts but more your innocence, generosity, childish charm and kindness.

I will work hard to ensure that you retain these qualities. For now, you should know that your Aunt has pressed those same wild flowers between the pages of her favourite book.

Cousin Marianna

Sofia

 

The first time I met Marianna she was still in nappies and about 18 months old. I remember a photo I took on that first trip to visit Daddy's family at Lavariano, near Udine, of Marianna sitting in a shopping trolley in just her nappy and a singlet, cute ringlets framing her face.

 

Marianna is now 20. Daddy and I were very happy that she could take some time out from her studies and exam preparation to spend some time with us. Her open hearted, genuine personality immediately connected with you and I watched as you started to engage with her, not quite understanding that she was in face Marina's baby girl, just as you are my baby girl.

 

She is in fact, at least in the English language, your second cousin. Regardless, she is a special girl and we one day soon hope to welcome her to our home in Australia.

C'e Sole

Sofia

 

We spent a lovely few intimate days with your great aunt Marina at her home in Pozzuolo di Friuli. Marina has been sick with breast cancer. The surgery and chemotherapy are now behind her but she is still very much in a phase of recovery. With periods of energy and warmth contrasting with phases of fatigue and fragility all I want to do is wrap her up in your hugs and sweetness.

 

One morning we prepared to leave the house to go into town. Coming down the stairs into the entrance foyer the light from upstairs disappears and without the lights on it is a dark, cool space. With our sunglasses at the ready we exited and stepped out into the sunshine. Your face in this photo perfectly sums up the delight we all felt as we embraced with warmth and light of the day.

 

Tula

Sofia

Aunty Kim gave us a Baby Bjorn carrier when you were born. We both used it a lot. It was great for shopping, doing housework and settling you. You grew out of that carrier some time ago and we've relied on your stroller. 

I was inspired by another blog to investigate the Tula toddler carrier and we bought the skeleton design. I wasn't sure how much we'd use it on this trip but having left the stroller at home (on purpose) daddy and I are both enjoying having you strapped on and close when your legs get weary or its safer to have you up on our backs. 

After less than a week of travelling it's already paid for itself. I especially love seeing you sleep strapped to daddy's back. I guess it also allows you a different perspective. Something other than knees and the world view when you are but 1 metre in height. 

We will no doubt take many photos of the Tula in action during the trip. This photo taken in Udine  sums up how happy you seem to again be "worn". 

 

Hyatt

Sofia

 

We enjoyed a layover stay at the Hyatt Regency Incheon courtesy of Korean Air on our way from Brisbane to Milan. It's a perfect way to break the trip up.

 

We arrived at our room and you explored the space.

 

Your critique of the room was summed up on one sentence. "There's no kitchen!"

 

"That's right, we eat downstairs at the restaurant."

 

We swam the next morning, and then you discovered the joys of a detachable shower head.

 

"I clean the shower mummy", you told me.

 

It may not have had a kitchen Sofia, but it certainly had a clean shower by the time we checked out.

Rainbow

Sofia

During the flight to Seoul you checked in a few times about the status of the trip with a simple "Are we up in the rainbow?"

 

"Yes, we're up in the rainbow" I assured you, before you turned back to the entertainment at hand.

 

I think we flew through lots of rainbows.

 

Several days later, we got soaked transferring your sleeping smudginess from the car to the Marina's house with an afternoon thunderstorm sending bucket loads of rain down from the sky. After a warming shower you insisted on putting on your rainbow fairy dress and I just know that behind the grey skies above there are more children flying through the rainbows.

 

Traveller

Sofia

After months of planning and saving we caught a taxi to the Brisbane International Airport for the two day journey to Italy. This is your third trip to Italy but last time you were only 20 months.

 

You are now a very different girl, old enough to pull your own hand luggage around and voice your opinions. Old enough to understand most of what we tell you and certainly ready for the plane trip after days of asking 'Can we go on the plane to see Nonna and Marina today?'

 

With your pink Trunki called Toby full of snacks and entertainment we set off, ready to embrace the process of taking you on two ten-hour flights with a layover in Seoul courtesy of Korean Air.  

 

In Seoul we caught up with friends Harry and Shawn, English teachers that mum and dad had befriended in Naples about 6 years ago. You particularly enjoyed the swimming pool at the Hyatt Regency and Daddy enjoyed the traditional Korean style baths.