About a month ago, Pols called me and asked, "do you want to go to Rome to meet the Pope?" Off the bat it sounds unreal but she explained that Chris' uncle was an arch bishop in the Philippines and he was being promoted to cardinal by the Pope. So still thinking it seemed weird, Tom and I thought let's go and if we don't see the pope then at least we'll get to experience Rome with the girls. On top of that, my whole family was also going to go. A family vacation we haven't had since we were kids. I also agreed to go because we would have the help. Our first feat, getting the girls their passports. Thankfully, we applied for them in the library and came two weeks before our departure. I mentally prepared for this trip since it was going to be the longest for both girls and first time flight for Cameron.
It took me three days to pack because I didn't want to do it the night before and forget something. Of course, I wrote out my to do list, arranged all of our clothes by day so that we didn't overpack and extra clothes for the plane ride. One suitcase was for our clothes. The other for supplies: diapers (regular and overnight), bibs, breathing machine, formula, and cold weather gear just in case. Instead of using our regular diaper bag, I put all our essentials in a backpack: diapers, 7 bottles, pre measured formula, changing pad, wipes, Ania's water and juice bottles, aspirator, nail cutter, and benedryl and pedicare. Oh, and baggies for diapers. We had a carryon for toys (all new travel toys Ania has never seen), extra clothes and other basics and another backpack of extra formula and our liquids, ipad and books. Phew. We were set for our 13 hour journey overseas. The night before I downloaded movies and shows for Ania to watch.
Our departure - 2/18/2014
From Houston, there isn't a direct flight to Rome so rather than connecting overseas, our layover was in DC (a 3 hr flight). The first leg was pretty fast and we were delayed for about an hour due to maintenance issues. This gave us a short window to get to the next flight leaving us fast walking across the gate. Ania and Cameron were great! When we arrived in DC, I took Cameron in the bjorn, Alma carried Ania and Tom waited for thr stroller and ran to the next flight. Thankfully, there were 50 people from our flight transferring so they waited. This leg of the flight was 8 hrs to Rome. Our plan was after dinner service, we would give Ania a little benedryl so she could get enough sleep. She fell asleep about 2 hrs later and we were still able to do our night time routine (chunky milk and a show). Cameron slept with my mom so I could get some sleep. Both girls slept on this leg, thank goodness!! Tom and I on the other hand could not sleep. At that point, we didn't know what we were thinking and knew we were going to be in trouble when we got to Rome. At least the girls slept, mommy and daddy did not on the flight.
Day two - 2/19/2014
We arrive in Rome at 8am. Kids had about 4.5 hours of sleep. The easiest customs I ever been to. We get our luggage and I arranged a pick up service with the hotel for my family, parents, Rome, Janet and Alma. Best euro spent so far. We all took the shuttle to the hotel. Check in wasn't until 1pm but the service was awesome as the reception cleaned one room to be ready sooner. Ania was looking hungry so I asked if I could pay for breakfast and again they let us eat for free (breakfast was included but only starting the next day). We all felt like beggers but hey, my kid was hungry and I had no food to give her. After breakfast, we were surprised that all of our rooms were ready, so we went to our room to settle in. Ania was ready for a nap so we put a quick show on and she slept for about 3 hours. Cameron slept as well. We considered this a non sight seeing day since we were shot from traveling. Our room was aa one bedroom apt with living room and kitchen so while the kids slept, Tom went out for supplies. When the kids woke up, we walked to the Vatican (15 min walk) to get fresh air. Not every day we can say that. On the way back, we stopped to buy wine where an older lady stopped and was asking about Cameron. Then back to our hotel for dinner and bedtime. Kids slept well, Ania woke up 3 times, Cameron twice and Tom and I pretty much on no sleep. I had to take benedryl to fall asleep at 3am...
Day three - 2/20/2014
Pols and my aunt arrived today. We got breakfast at the reception which had really good cappuccino. It was a cloudy/rainy day so decided to do the Vatican Museum. It stopped raining but Ania had a rain jacket. We met up with Paul at the vatican. He found a student to do a tour so we could skip the line. Essentially, he was our Manny for the day. All of us got inside and were getting ansy so we decided to remove our stickers and walk on our own. With kids, it's a daunting task as there are many stairs and when your two year old doesn't want to ride in her stroller and be carried the whole way. We saw two options: one to go through 4 more galleries and the other to go straight to the sistene chapel. We picked the latter. Paul used our stroller to take photos because no photography allowed, Tom's sweating carrying Ania the whole way through and I'm carry Cameron and I'm smelling something gross. She pooped. We make our way to the exit which takes another 20 mins. I was able to buy some rosaries and by this time we're all hungry. We find a place to eat and hopefully change Cameron's diaper. We get to the restaurant and their bathroom is NY style. In the basement and no changing table. I was so happy there was a lid to the toilet so I put that down and wiped it. My germ phobia went out the window when I had no choice but to put the backpack on the floor. I put the changing pad on the toilet seat and proceeded to balance Cameron by holding her down so she wouldn't roll onto the floor. Finally, clean diaper and mommy out of breath. Back at the table, Paul and Tom ordered a stein of beer each. I needed some of that! Ania ate pizza finished with blue gelato. Cameron ate and we shared pasta and pizza. Successful sight seeing trip. We went back to the apartment to rest and meet up with my aunt as she traveled with Pols but stayed with us. My aunt (moms sister) is like a second mom to us so we played catch up. My aunt lost her husband (my uncle) last year. Being a tough year and the opportunity to see the pope, her daughters thought it was a great idea to send her and get her stayed in for the night. Cameron slept well. Ania still woke up a couple times. Daddy and Mommy did not.
Day four - 2/21/2014
Pols Birthday and a beautiful day with no cloud in the sky. We went to the colosseum by bus and decided before hand that we didn't want to go inside with kids being unpredictable so a family photo outside was enough. Ania enjoyed the horses and counting the birds. We were walking to a hill until a group of chinese tourists stopped Tom and Ania. They were in love with Ania and wanted to take pictures with her...and Tom! It was the funniest thing because these girls one at a time would pose next to Tom and Ania as if celebrities and take photos. Finally, a top the hill, took photos then walked back to the bus stop to grab lunch. A nun stopped us, speaking Italian commenting on Ania and Cameron. Hopped back on the bus to go to La Caletta for lunch. Great food, not child friendly. Ania fell asleep on the bus and through out most of lunch. Cameron decided she wanted to poop and I changed her diaper on the restaurant bench. There bathroom had no changing table or toilet cover so I was NOT going to change her on the floor. I had to draw the line somewhere. We went back to the apt to rest. We were meeting Pols and the kids for dinner. Unfortunately, Chris couldn't make it since he started a new job and traveling. We all went to a pizzeria to eat for Pols birthday. Great dinner, company and wine. We didn't get back til late and Ania and Cameron went to bed at by 11. I woke up at 2am and stayed awake. The next morning was the consistory of the new cardinals. We were suppose to meet at 7am to stand in line to for the 11am ceremony. Pols and I decided with kids we'd go later at 930am and seats were going to be saved for us....
Day five - 2/22/2014
The consistory. We got ready to meet Pols at her hotel at 9am. Ania wasn't sleeping to well but I wanted to take them to this event. We get there and the shuttle was bringing us to the vatican to get in line. Our driver told us to just go up to the gaurd with thw kids and they'll bring us to the front. Wrong. We went to 3 gaurds telling us the same thing. Back of the line. Thankfully, the line went pretty fast, however, they wouldn't let us in the basilica because they were at full capacity. We actually begged telling the gaurds there's seats saved for us. No luck. We sat outside in a reserved seating area. Probably the best situation for a 2 hour ceremony. It was still an awesome feeling to see the pope live on screen and to get blessings from him. I was more thrilled that my parents and aunt we able to witness and be inside the basilica. We had the best view on the screens as the older pope benedict was there and was greeted by pope francesco. We left after an hour to grab lunch and to let the girls sleep. There was a private meeting with the cardinal from 4-6 so we tried to go to that. Same thing. Huge lines and I didnt want to shove the kids in the crowd. Honestly, we were the only ones that had small kids. We tried. Then left to go to the apt for dinner. The good thing is at least Ania had some normalcy that day and slept the whole night. Mommy slept good and so did Cameron and Tom.
Day six - 2/23/2014
Cameron is 4 months. There was a mass prociding by the pope unfortunately from the previous days events we decided to opt this one out. We were vatican city overload. So the whole family went sight seeing. We went to the pantheon, trevi fountain and ended with lunch at the piazza novana. This is why I love rome so much. The air, cobble streets, history and buildings. Ania, Polina and Christopher favorite thing was the trevi fountain. They threw there coins and ended with gelato. Can't beat that as a kid! Ania did so well sitting in her stroller walking from one sight to another. Great day and my most favorite because these are the memories I want to create and tell the kids when they're older. We skipped the Spanish steps which wasnt huge for us. We had a low key night since it was our last night in Rome. Packed and was ready to head home.
Day seven - 2/24/2014
Travel day back to the US. I'm actually here on the plane writing this. Ania is taking a nap with Tom and my parents are taking care of Cameron. Best situation possible. Rome to DC is 10 hrs and DC to Houston is another 3hrs. The decent into DC was a bit rough and Ania wasn't looking too good. We were going through customs and she threw up. Lovely. At least it didn't get on her clothes... she was fine afterward and we got her some fruit and she was back to herself. Both babies fell asleep on the last leg back home. Ania and Cameron did so well. I'm very proud of my munchkins
All in all, I think we did good and survived our first trip as a family of four in general. It was Cameron's first time on an airplane and Ania's first long flight. We go big or go home I guess. Haha. I wish we could do it more often. One day. Rome isn't really a kid friendly city but they seem to love children. We were stopped a lot by the locals telling us how cute our children were. Not going to lie, I felt proud. I missed the walking around and reminded me of the NY I miss. Cie la vie. We took a chance to experience a historical moment of Catholicism and I believe it paid off. A moment to remember and be able to tell my kids we saw the pope. And who knows, Cardinal Orlando Ferdanando, may be a pope one day. He knows Polina and Christopher by first name. When I asked my parents and aunt, "what was your best moment?" All of their response, "seeing the consistory. It was a speechless moment and we feel blessed we were able to witness and be in the same room as the pope." That is what makes me happy.
Also, I feel like Ania and Cameron grew a little before my eyes. Ania talking more and having great table manners. Wanting to drink out of cups the whole trip and feeding herself. Becoming more opinionated and still a daddy's girl. Cameron is smiling more, even to strangers and she falls asleep without being rocked which had me dumbfounded. I would lay her down, she would play and stretch her legs then the next minute, she's asleep. Im going to try that back home now.
