You're In

Congratulations for making it into the the new "protected" site. I apologize if you had to set up a google account... I'll wait until Sunday for an official weekly post, but here's a bonus picture just for putting up with the security hassle. Here's Vita sitting on her piano reading books.

Sorry I'm Late...

Well, I'm sorry to keep you waiting on an update... However, I've been working a lot of extra hours at work lately, and I just haven't had the time to update or to add the security features. I have all of your email addresses, and I'll add the security next week (hopefully). In the mean time, here's one more unsecured update. On Friday afternoon, as Vita was napping, Grandma Marianne and Grandpa Vito were heading over for a short visit. Vita was SO excited to see them! Grandma brought over a few gifts, including this (nearly life sized) Dora doll. It was a big hit. We played outdoors in the sun, kicked around a soccer ball, came inside for dinner, and then called it a night very early. The next morning, Vita was up early and was waiting and waiting for Grandma and Grandpa to come back over and play. (Sorry, Vita... not everyone wakes up at 4:45 am, so you're going to have to wait for a little while.) Here's Vita and Ernie waiting by the window. When Grandma and Grandpa got here the next morning, we all took lots of pictures. Vita is used to posing for pictures (although it's getting harder to keep her still even for a moment). Isn't that a pretty top and bow?

Then, Vita likes to look at the picture in the little screen in the camera.

Vita and Grandma and Dora had fun playing patty cake, singing nursery rhymes (especially the really dark and creepy ones), and reading books.

This book, which Vita's cousin Dan gave her a year ago (back when she was in the hospital) was a little advanced for her at the time but it has become a new favorite.

After a few more pictures, Vita ran around screaming in pure excitement for at least 30 minutes straight, until Grandma and Grandpa had to head out for San Jose (at which time Vita instantly crashed for a nice long nap).

Thanks for a fun visit!

Before I go, I also wanted to share some of what's new with Vita. Vita is obsessed with the alphabet. She loves the ABC song, and although she can't sing it all the way through, she knows the beginning (ABCDE) and the ending (WXYZ) and a few random letters in the middle like J M S and sometimes V. Vita has learned the manipulative power of saying "please" in her cutest sweetest voice. How could you possibly deny such a polite child of more grapes or blueberries? However, she thinks that if she says "please" she should get EXACTLY what she wants, right away, no matter what it is. Vita is also learning to count, and learning colors. Finally, Vita has been enjoying stacking blocks more than ever before. Last week, for the first time, she built a tower of blocks that was taller than she is! Of course I tried to capture it on film but by the time I got my camera on, she added that one last block and the whole thing came down.

Placeholder

No regular post this week, just a placeholder so you don't have to go two whole weeks without any new Vita pictures. :) If you haven't seen the post below, please note that next week I will be adding some security to the site. If you want to continue to be able to check in every now and then, send me your email address so I can add you. Next week before I post I'm going to enable the security features. If you don't send me your email, you will no longer be able to access Vita's blog. See you next week!

Changes are Coming

I have decided to add some security to the blog, so that only certain people (friends and family) can view it. I will need to specifically identify the email addresses of those who can view the site. If you would like to continue to have access to Bella Vita, please send your email address to me at jennypanetta@hotmail.com, and I will get you set up. Don't just assume that I already have your email. Thanks!

Weekend with Uncle Pat

This weekend we had a whirlwind visit with Vita's Uncle Pat. We started off at the park, kicking a ball around the field and playing in the swings. After Vita's nap, we bravely headed right into the crowds at the boardwalk. Uncle Pat always likes to visit the vintage Donkey Kong game at the arcade. This was Vita's first experience with Donkey Kong... but I have a feeling she will be returning to this location. While Pat spent some time in the arcade, we went out to the beach to kill some time. And Vita watched the taffy being made at the candy shop.

We had a great time together, but all too soon it was time to say goodbye.

Long July Weekend

We had a long and wonderful Dad's Birthday / Fourth of July weekend, with some friends, a BBQ, a meal out, some good ice cream and apricots right off the tree. Vita especially love the corn on the cob. Here's Vita helping me to check on the squash. Is it ripe yet? Standing in the flower bed modeling one of her lovely summer sundresses. And of course, sand and water never ever gets old. In other Vita news: Vita has discovered her rebellious streak, and she says "NO" and "MINE" as defiantly as any other toddler ever has. But her vocabulary continues to grow and amaze us. She learns new words every day; on Friday Vita learned "Bruce Lee" and "pizza". Awesome! To top it off, Vita is now climbing up and going down the big slide at the park all by herself (as long as someone spots her on the way up). Got 40 seconds? Check out what the static electricity does to Vita's hair when she gets to the bottom of the slide! Pause it at exactly 38 seconds. By the way, the screams you hear are happy screams. :)

Family BBQ

This weekend we went to LA for a family barbecue. My sister hosted the event in her home, and there was great food and great company and everything was fabulous... except poor little Vita. Vita had a rough day on Saturday, and was really in rare form. It was a perfect storm of lack of sleep, teething, a low fever, a new place and a lot of people, and it added up to a grumpy little girl. Although Vita was really not herself on Saturday, we did manage to get a couple of pictures of Vita with Aunt Mary. Vita finally had occasion to wear one of her new sundresses made by Mema. The picture below is a little blurry, but the smiles and laughter are great! Finally, Vita crashed and had a (much needed) Saturday afternoon nap with Ernie on the couch. The next morning, after a good night's sleep, Vita was back to her typical happy demeanor. Mary took us all to Griffith Park to take a walk through a bird sanctuary.

After the bird sanctuary we headed over to have a look at the ponies. Vita preferred to watch them from afar.

After checking out the ponies, we headed over to Griffith Park's little train ride. Here's Vita with her grandparents waiting for the train to arrive.

I'm not sure who had more fun on the train... Vita or her aunt and grandparents!

It got to be very sunny and warm at the park, and although we had hats and were slathered up with sunscreen, we headed back home to Mary's to spare Vita's delicate skin from temperatures we just don't see very often up in foggy Santa Cruz.

One of the highlights of the day was this pinwheel from grandma Marianne. Perhaps the best $2 ever spent. Vita still can't get enough of it, and she looks pretty darn cute toting it around everywhere!

Many thanks to Mary for planning and hosting this summer barbeque - we hope it becomes an annual event!