Begin Rome-ing...

Now that we are settling in, we are all either together or separately exploring Roma!

Little George is exploring not only Roma but everything now that he is primarily walking! Last Thursday, he walked from the kitchen to the bedroom all by himself. This was the first time he had taken more than a few steps alone. Ever since then he has been going! At nights when I try to put him to bed, all he wants to do is walk even when he is stumbling around clearly exhausted. He is just too excited to sleep!

Here is video of one of those evenings:

Last Friday, George went with his professor and fellow students outside of Rome to Hadrian's Villa and to Villa d'Este. They went in order to study the gardens of each places since their first project is to design a garden on the Palatine. George really enjoyed both places but his favorite with Villa d'Este.

(The last pictures were of Ville d'Este, the following are of Hadrian's Villa)

Georgie and I met up with Mercedes and visited two of my favorite churches; the Gesu and St. Ignatius Loyola. I love both because on the ceilings of each is a fresco of heaven and when you look up it really feels as if you are looking into heaven.

Sorry it is sideways- I cannot seem to turn it so you are just going to have to turn your head...

On Saturday, George, Giorgio and I went roaming and we ended up going so many places. To the Circus Maximus...

On the way around the Palatine Hill, we passed at stopped at an amazing pastry shop (will be visiting there again) and found an organic market were tasted some yummy cheeses!

Tarpeian Rock, what traitors where thrown off of in Ancient Rome.

We walked up and over the Palatine Hill and this was our view!

On Sunday, George had studio work to do. So we all stayed around the apartment doing work of some sort. You can see what little George was working hard on! Like father, like son.

On Monday, Mercedes, Georgie and I went to the Pantheon and listened to an audio tour of the place that we downloaded for free on to an ipod. It was great to learn more about this place!

Little George slept through the whole trip to the Pantheon. What a cutie pie!

After the Pantheon, we went to Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. This is where St. Catherine of Siena is buried. It also has a statue of Jesus done by Michelangelo (the above picture). I want to come back to this church and look at all of the side chapels again. Each one had such incredible art work but I could not appreciate it as much as I wanted because little George wanted to explore instead.

On Tuesday, Mercedes, Georgie and I wandered down a street that according to my tour book is the "mecca of secondhand clothing stores". We went into a few shops but soon realized that secondhand shops here are not a bargain and are really sell vintage clothing.

We then went to San Luigi dei Francesi, which is the French church here in Rome. Caravaggio painted three paintings in this church dedicated to St. Matthew. (I took photos but they came out really blurry. I will have to visit again to take better ones.) This church was also gorgeous except I did not really get to appreciate it as Georgie was throwing fits every few minutes because mean mommy would not let him go where ever he wanted.

We found a playground close to our apartment and visited it on Wednesday. Little George had a grand time on the slide, on the horse and trying to imitate what the big boys did. The cutest moment was when he got off the slide, which he loves, in order to follow this 4 year old boy around and try to imitate what he did. He wants so badly to do what the older kids do!

I am also starting to shop Italian style (going to the bakery, butcher, salami & cheese store and market instead of trying to go to grocery stores) and trying to cook more than just pasta. Hopefully I will have some updates in the food department soon!