From Naples with Love

Mike's mom, Nonna G, came up to spend a couple days with us early this week. She arrived Sunday and left on Tuesday night. Its always nice to have her up-- she always finds clever ways to make us each feel special when she visits. Its so much fun for Mike and I to watch Jack interact with other members in our family-- and these opportunities allow us to watch the relationships grow.

Earlier this summer, Nonna G was visiting her family in Naples. She brought back two amazing gifts for Jack. Calling them amazing may even be an understatement, because the meaning behind them is so special. They aren't items that can be purchased-- they're irreplacable. While she was spending time with her mother, she showed her pictures of Jack and talked about all of us a lot. Great Nonna (Mike's Grandmother and Jack's Great Grandmother) is getting older and sometimes her memory is not as clear as we all wished it would be. Sometimes she doesn't alway understand the happenings of our family in the US-- but that didn't stop her from making such a wonderful gift.

With Nonna G's help, she wrote a note to Jack and knit him the cutest little scarf. Not only is it soft, but its perfect in proportions. What's really amazing is that when Nonna G put the handmade scarf on Jack (who was playing in his exersaucer next to us), he just beamed and smiled and cooed. Its almost as if he knew how nice a gesture this gift is. He rubbed the scarf up against his face and looked at us with such a happy face. It was quite a moment. Mike reading the note she wrote to Jack was also remarkable. The whole thing was special. We'll treasure both of those gifts!

The rest of the visit was also fun-- I think both Nonna and Jack had a great time. In fact, the day after Nonna went home, when Jack was back at his school, he took 3 long naps! He never does that-- especially at school. He must have been a very busy boy having fun with Nonna!!!