After France we ventured off to Rome by train which was a great way to travel with a kid. Rome is an awesome city. It is different from the manicured grooming of Paris, but I am not complaining. We didn’t get to see a huge amount and sadly we rarely dined out as it was a tad difficult with Max, such a shame, but it’s not like we haven’t done that before. It was such a pleasure to be speaking and hearing Italian again.
Max watching the Roman street life pass by from our apartment
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Danielle in the Pantheon |
Danielle and Max and a Roman fountain |
Danielle and Max
chasing pigeons |
David and Max at the Circus Maximus, or in Italian, the Circo Massimo |
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All this travelling is... |
...hard work! |
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For the last leg we were off to London for 5 days to catch up with Miki & Nonie and join in the Christening of Damon & Ceri’s son Jack. Miki & Nonie spent a lovely three days with us and helped us celebrate Max’s 1st birthday.
Max's first birthday...
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...in London with Miki |
Max enjoying the café
culture: complete with
cup and phone. |
Being in London again felt like home and we really enjoyed it. We caught up with as many people as we could including camping out in a restaurant for half a day to catch up with a whole bunch of people. But as always sadly there is never enough time. Maybe we’ll be back living in London again at some stage in our future. (Sorry grandparents!)
Tony, Maggie, James and David
at the London get-together
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Danielle with the Spink family |
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At work the year has been an interesting one for me as I watched the financial crisis unfold around me. It has been non-stop and one of the most exciting years of my working life. I certainly will remember this year. I try not to think its all doom and gloom, but things will still be difficult into next year.
The immediate family are all well on both sides. Other new family members besides Jack include Isadora. My sister Maria & her husband David had their first child together and she is absolutely beautiful. Most exciting was that I was there for the birth as a support person and I feel really privileged. What an amazing experience and how incredible the physiology of childbirth - a very different journey to my own.
David, Maria and Isadora
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Danielle and Isadora on Day 1
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Alaia, Max, Iban & Isadora
Dec 08 |
Well now you might be surprised that I waited so long to talk about Max. This is definitely a matter of saving the best until last and making you read all the way to the end!
David & I have enjoyed our journey of parenting immensely. We still never tire of the joy of being with Max. He is such an amazing child- as every parent’s children are. He has really grown into a little boy. Now 19 months, he walks and talks like crazy. He is still using babble talk, but he definitely feels he is having conversations.
Continued...
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