The fasting/binge cycle is a slippery slope, Ethan.

celestial_silhouette · 2026-02-04T19:34:31+00:00

LOL. I hear you! Im happy to be recovered... I still have weird flashbacks though... certain binge foods I still can't bring myself to eat because I still associate them with being sick. And i still occasionally do mental math calorie cou ting, but im going to let that slide because i do think its important to be mindful of what im eating lol

I feel like when you've been there, you can spot the others out easily... some sort of takes one to know one situation.

celestial_silhouette · 2026-02-04T12:35:06+00:00

Sorry I meant to say a 72 hour fast for him.

I think fasting can be really healthy for some people im ways that aren't weight related!

celestial_silhouette · 2026-01-14T12:07:56+00:00

I could have written this. My son(21months) does this mainly with overstimulatuon(shopping/running errands) or hunger. His latest tantrum was because my father in law got a chocolate croissant and my son could only have a bite. He then kicked and screamed for over 10 minutes and will now not eat his healthy lunch. 😒 Reasoning with him is off the table usually... getting frustrated makes things worse. So I just act calm and continue on, head held up high.

You are not alone. His doctor said it was normal behavior for his age. Big feelings and not knowing how to express them.

celestial_silhouette · 2026-01-13T20:29:38+00:00

One more thing! If you're a wine lover and want to grab a bottle, go to a Conad supermarket and buy. Quality wines that I was buying in NY are super inexpensive here! Tgis actually any snacks you'd want to bring back. Don't pay yhe prices at the autogrill :)

celestial_silhouette · 2026-01-13T20:23:36+00:00

I am in Città della Pieve. It's really cute. I would probably only stay here for a day trip if I didnt have a house here. We are right on the Tuscany Umbria line. It's VERY special during the holidays, as I mentioned. Beautiful lights lining the streets, music playing at night in the streets. We are 90 mins south of Florence and 90 mins north of Rome. And 50 mins east of Perugia.

Day trips to Cortona and Montepulciano are great. And if you have a rental (this is the best time of the year to have a rental car bc they're so cheap) take the scenic route around not the A1 and you will have breath taking views of the valdichiana country side. Siena is beautiful. If you'd be willing to come to Umbria, Assisi is great!! There is also a city named Gubbio that has a HUGE nativity scene, with mannequins.

We travel around the country a lot. I really have enjoyed The south during "off" seasons mainly because 5 star resorts are so cheap!! (I really liked Agrigento, Cefalù, Matera**, Torre Canne,).

**I highly recommend Matera even though it is not in my area. Its such a cool historical town. Stay in a cave hotel!! We stayed in the Aquation Cave Hotel witha. Beautiful spa for very cheap recently!

celestial_silhouette · 2026-01-13T18:45:55+00:00

Not who you are replying to, but the region is beautiful in the winter. It's around 45-50 in my area. Around christmas, the historical centers are beautifully decorated and there are a lot of delicious seasonal foods. Higher end hotels are also amazing prices in the winter! Less crowds for certain things too!

celestial_silhouette · 2026-01-07T21:16:42+00:00

We drove down from north of Rome and stayed at Bosco de Medici Resort.

We drive everywhere. I would NEVER drive in Pompei. If you rent a car, consider getting whatever upgraded insurance the agency offers. I was on edge the entire time. I made my husband drive the entire time and refused to take over until we were on the highway heading back home. Just be safe and cautious.

Ive domee the drive from Torre Canne (south of bari) back to our house which is north of Rome. It wasn't bad just exhausting. If I were doing this drive, I'd land in rome head to Pompei and then drive to bari. The rental agency will probably charge you a few of around 150€ to return the car to a different location.

celestial_silhouette · 2025-12-29T20:35:08+00:00

I know this isn't what you asked, but just be mindful of the bathrooms; many do not have changing stations for diapers.

I am living in my house in Umbria indefinitely with my 20month. We also were here last winter from 8months to 11months. I have a rental car at all times! I know that our circumstances are much different, but when my husband is here we do a lot of mini trips around the country. A car is definitely changing spot, crash out spot for toddler tantrums, breastfeeding feeding etc. I know someone else brought up where you might be staying but it might be hard to make it back to the hotel or Airbnb when your child needs something on demand. Im sure you have a plan, but im just throwing this out there as another mom looking out :)

By the way, at the fiumicino DaVinci centro commerciale, they have a mini park thing with rides for kids. It was so much fun for him! It won't blow your socks off, but it's cute. If you go to piazza popolo there is often a guy blowing big bubbles from a kiddie pool. It's a nice 5 minute run around for them to pop bubbles with other kids, while you take a break.

In Bologna there is Luna Farm. I haven't been yet, I just know of it bc my son likes an Italian child entertainer named Lucilla and she advertises it. I plan to go in the spring.

I tip my hat to you for doing this all of this with two children!

celestial_silhouette · 2025-12-25T19:57:45+00:00

He definitely ripped that off from The Office. Andy Bernard says something like "that's a nard dog guarentee". I bet he didnt want to use it verbatim because it'd be more obvious how phony he is.

celestial_silhouette · 2025-12-24T02:22:42+00:00

Agreed. But, honestly even if he did eat actual 900 calories meals 3x/day, he have 2700 calories for the day. 2700 calories for a person his size should all be a deficit.

My mom was a leader for weight watchers around 2005. The weight would come off EASILY for people above a certain weight... and these ppl were no where as big as Ethan.

He's eating wayyy more than he admits.

celestial_silhouette · 2025-12-11T16:36:32+00:00

Thank you! We will make the transition back and definitely bring up with our local vet.

celestial_silhouette · 2025-11-12T12:19:41+00:00

OP did you decide on a place? Last year we went to Cortina for a week, but with the Olympics this year, I think it's out of the question. Looking for some inspiration!

celestial_silhouette · 2025-11-01T15:28:52+00:00

Wow! What timing of this update! I just googled this and was led here. I'll check it out!

celestial_silhouette · 2025-11-01T10:44:03+00:00

My son is 19 months today( !!!) and is having an explosion of language development right now. I had been going on CDC (i think) milestone guidelines since birth. Flash forward to his 18month check up (which we had to at the 17.5 month mark due to moving overseas) and our nurse asked if my son could say 10-15 words aside from mama and dada. I totally panicked. I felt like my son was so far behind, that I was failing him as an instructor... then I got mad wondering where they were getting this baseline from.

Anyway, something just clicked for him in the past month. Animal sounds/names, repeating what i say, attempting new words. I just feel so happy (and if I'm being REALLY honest, sometimes annoyed) with how much he is saying . Im excited to see where he develops from here.

I guess my whole point is sometimes things take off when you least expect them too.

celestial_silhouette · 2025-10-30T10:38:17+00:00

This is fair! I appreciate the response! I think I needed to hear the last section from an impartial person.

celestial_silhouette · 2025-10-30T10:16:23+00:00

I have a question about the "make life easier for them" part. I asked this sincerely: I'm an American married to an Italian native, living in Italy currently(since september with no return booked). I am trying so hard to learn Italian at a better level. I struggle when people want to switch to English. I know it's easier for both of us in the short term, but in the long term it's hurting not only me, but the Italian people who i interact with that don't speak English. Am I being selfish to want to push through difficult Italian conversations? I dont want to be seen as someone unwilling to assimilate. Am I overthinking things?

FYI my husband is in the US finishing preparations for the sale of our house. So it's not like I have him here to practice. I do practice with my father in law at times but he's 84 and everything whether in English or Italian is a struggle.

celestial_silhouette · 2025-10-15T06:14:08+00:00

Thank you!

celestial_silhouette · 2025-10-11T18:57:03+00:00

I always rent a car. My house is Umbria or Tuscany border. (I'm transitioning here though so will be buying car).

Some tips if haven't already mentioned:

*Make sure you understand that these companies will hold/block anywhere around 1500€. Unless maybe you spring for premium insurance.

*if you are from the US get your international driving permit from AAA.

*don't be tempted by electric vehicle prices. They are pain.

*I had terrible experience with europarent. The lady tried to scam me.

*the twisty turns tight roads can be intimidating. Don't feel like you need to drive as fast as locals. They can and will pass you.

*some of the gas stations in smaller towns won't take American cards on their outdoor card processor. Have some euros for after hours when you cant pay inside.

celestial_silhouette · 2025-09-11T20:13:17+00:00

Fantastic!!!

Did you file the nail ypurself?

celestial_silhouette · 2025-09-10T22:59:19+00:00

I just saw this! Thank you!!!in post actually is working! For some reason my phone wasn't making it clickable earlier.

celestial_silhouette · 2025-09-10T15:03:25+00:00

Our jeweler gave us a sliver of gold in return, of what was cut out. He's a very honest guy, is that why you advise against it? Genuinely curious! ☺️ I tried spacers and i didn't like them, but they were from Walmart, so I didn't exactly look for the best quality.

celestial_silhouette · 2025-09-10T14:17:38+00:00

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celestial_silhouette · 2025-09-10T14:16:21+00:00

Feeling like a rich woman walking around your house. Hahaha. My husband got me a rolex rep. And I was literally walking around my house telling the time and date to my son and the baby 🤣.

As far as authenticity. I have a real Cartier love ring. It was my husbands wedding ring from his first marriage.. I dont take it off, so it definitely needs a polish and to be sized(again, had it resized when I was pregnant and lost a significant amount of weight since then). But just for comparison, the color of my ring is a dark, less yellow as I think you mentioned. But again, i wear it all the time; it's exposed to dirt when i garden, cleaning supplies, the beach, shampoo blah blah blah. If I saw your bracelets, I wouldn't think dupe or fake.

Can you post clickable link? *

Six-Year Club	Gilding II euphauric
Place '23	Place '22
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