This past weekend was jam packed with quite a bit of family time and travelling.
Friday morning we left for my cousin’s house, Valeria’s Godparents, for the night because the next day we were all heading to a cousins family reunion. We arrived at about noon in town, stopped at the grocery store for some lunch and I had to pick up a few things to make a pasta salad and than we headed to their house.
My cousin works from home on Fridays and her husband usually comes home early. We got there and spent lunch with her before she headed back up to her office to finish up her day. She was done at 3 PM, so it worked out. Valeria went down shortly after work and my husband napped with her, he needed it after the long drive. I just hung out outside on their newly finished back deck until my cousin was finished. She joined me outside and we chatted as she did her nails, her husband come home shortly after she joined me. The three of us chatted and checked out their very plentiful herb and vegetable garden, I was seriously astonished how much they had grown and still had in the garden.
I swear Valeria sensed the fun and woke up not long after. We changed her into her bathing suit and she got to get into their pool for a short time before the weather finally decided to rain. Short rain, but we went inside; dried and changed Valeria and than she got to play with her Zio and Zia and chasing after their cats. Once the rain eased up, the boys barbecued some burgers and hot-dogs while we got the rest ready and I prepared my pasta salad for tomorrow. The rest of the night was just fun, they were playing and walking with Valeria up until she went to sleep. Valeria is absolutely obsessed with them and I’m so glad. Anthony opted to stay with Valeria in bed (best husband ever), but he was definitely missed that night with us. We wouldn’t be doing that next time; guard rails and camera are coming with us so he can spend some time with us.
The three of us sat outside on the front porch, because we were covered from the rain, and talked into the night about everything and anything. Occasionally running up bottles for Anthony and making bottles so they were ready for the night. We all ended up going to bed around 11:30 PM – 12 AM.
The following morning, Valeria decided she wanted to wake up at 5:30 AM, and we tried getting her back to bed for about an hour but no luck. Eventually, she got fussy again and trying to keep her quiet while she is over tired is next to impossible. So again, my husband to the rescue and was about to put her back to bed for a little bit longer. I apologized to my cousin and her husband for waking them, but they were really understanding. I adore them. Once Anthony and Valeria came down, they started breakfast and than we had to get ready for the reunion.
We left the house around noon and driving in a downpour thunderstorm on the highway was terrifying. You couldn’t even really see in front of you at certain points, but we made it in one piece, thank God! We arrived at my zio & zia’s house and not everyone has arrived. The weather had delayed everyone, but we said hi to everyone who was there and Valeria was clinging to Anthony.
The reunion was…interesting. There were cousins I hadn’t seen in 15-20 years, but now I realize there is a reason for that. The cousins I do see often, it was great seeing them and we do need to make plans outside of this to spend some time together, but the rest….well frankly was a little bit awkward. We had asked that no one hug or kiss Valeria, she’s teething and it’s just personal space. This would be the most people she’d been around so far. Well, doesn’t one of my cousin’s wife come up and kiss her arm, even though I said not to….
I was not thrilled and neither was my husband. Like no offense, WHY!? Respect our boundaries and frankly, I don’t care if it offends you. Be respectful. *Huffs frustrated*
To say the least, my zio and zia hosting did a fantastic job, but I probably won’t go again. I would prefer to hang out with the cousins I normally see and well…like. We left around 4:30 since the weather had cleared and Valeria was a fuss pants. Fine by us to be honest.
The drive home was good, Valeria fell asleep almost instantly once she got in the car and had the bottle. There was a bit of traffic on the highway, but nothing major. We made it home in good time.
The rest of the evening was pretty uneventful so I’ll spare you the details, but that was it! Weekend over. Back to the daily parental grind.
Hope you had a wonderful weekend wherever you are in the world!
Ciao!!
Mama on the Move 