My Last Trimester in Rome

Week 3 In Roma

I would have come home the day after tomorrow...if my two week vacation had stayed a 2 week vacation. But just to let you know...Nicolas has gained his birthweight back so he is just over 3 lbs again and gaining...as they say no news is good news. I talk to the doctor tomorrow about his latest ultrasound of his brain...but they are all optimistic...and told me to be the same.

as for nicolas...if they put him on his tummy to sleep they have to center him on a high pillow because he will get to his knees and "skooch" himself all around the incubator and go from one end to the other and knock his line off of his foot showing his vitals. It drives the nurses nuts because he won't stay still. My dad who is Italian woudl love to know that cute 25 year old Italian nurses are changing his diapers and talking to him in Italian...calling him "mi amore."

He can lift his head and does it often when he hears talking in the room...everyone says these are all good signs that he is healthy.I have changed his diaper once and held him once so far.

I found an apartment today in a better area near the Vatican in a great building just two stops away from the hospital on the train. I was quoted a price and when i got there the landlord told me he would take 600 euro (almost $800 dollars) off the price for me. I wanted to kiss him...His name is Andreo.

Also a friend of a relative back hom gave my name to a group she belongs to called the "American Council of Women in Rome"...a group of english speaking women. She told them my story and I now have 25 women who want to help me with everything and one is from the American Embassy and is going to expedite Nic's passport so I won't have to deal with red Italian tape that I know I will not understand...I was so happy I wanted to cry...It was so amazing to come back from visiting hours and find 35 emials from these women who are all really interesting women from the US living here...most are other lawyers and doctors and software people.

I have been overhwlemed with how nice they have been and will keep me company during the month of January when I am by myself.

I will be at the Vatican on Christmas Eve for midnight mass...giving thanks for all that has worked out so far...if you are watching tv at that time...look for me I will be in there somewhere...I will be the only one you can hear praying in english...merry christmas...

posted by Tonto @ 12:55 PM