And... We're back!

Z & I arrived back from our week-long European vacation last Saturday night. We had a great time visiting our good friends Maegan and Gabri, who live in Rome. Zach had never been there so it was so much fun showing him the sites (but let's be honest, as incredible as the historic sites are, the food kind of steals the thunder). We also cruised up to Tuscany to check out charming Florence for a bit.

The travel was surprisingly easy, although I was fortunate enough to catch a brutal cold just in time for the 23-hour travel day home. Let's just say that 15 hours of flight time + a 3-hour layover + 5 hours of traveling to and from airports and going through customs + being 7 months pregnant isn't as glamorous as it sounds. But we made it back safe and sound and I think little Mirando gained about 10 pounds while we were there. That boy seriously loves Italian food (notice how I'm blaming my gluttony on him--another pregnancy bonus).

Maegan and Zach were astonished at how big I got while I was there, although they did kindly try to help my ego by saying to me several times, "Your arms look really skinny because your belly is so big." Um, thanks.

Here are some highlights from the week-long trip:

Surprising my grandmother and great-aunt who were also in Rome, and enjoying their company at dinner and a visit to Trevi Fountain, where we tossed in a coin to ensure a return visit to the Eternal City one day

Grandma & me--dinner was fantastic and I ate all of it; Throwing in our coins

Having Maegan nearby to laugh at my lame jokes and having Gabri nearby to laugh at my lame attempts at speaking Italian

Maegan (through clenched teeth): "Her jokes really aren't that funny. I'm just laughing because she's my friend.
And she's huge. She could squish me."
Gabri: "You think those are bad, you should hear her Italian.
She just asked the waiter to bring us a side of automobile radiator."

Lots and lots of pizza

Even more gelato

Refreshing our history lessons by visiting classic sites like the Colosseum, the Forum and Palentine Hill

When we got here it was the center of civilization, but then I ate it.

Z at the creepy Colosseum

Zach getting busted photobombing some beautiful blonde girls' picture in a bustling piazza

Getting free gelato -- the workers said it's "for the baby"

Getting free desserts -- the waitress said it's "for the baby"

You KNOW that I ate my free desserts. I mean, the baby did.
(For the record, there are four kinds of dessert on this plate.
The waitress said I needed them when I told her I'm having a boy. Who am I to argue?)

Always getting a seat on the bus "for the baby"

Beautiful treats on every corner--a whole new meaning to "eye candy"

Playing rummy on the train back from Florence in front of an audience of elderly (English speaking) Italian ladies who thought Zach's trash talking to Maegan and me was hilarious

Did I mention gelato?

Getting to read UK versions of InStyle (And I found a typo! A secret, and admittedly nerdy, thrill of mine) and Elle Decoration

Italian grocery stores (where we scored heavenly chocolate bars for just 40 cents and a $60 Barolo wine for just 12 Euro! Don't worry, we're saving it for after the baby makes his grand arrival.)

Visiting enough churches that I think we're covered for at least 12 years of Sundays

Walking everywhere

Visiting Bernini's sculptures at Galleria Borghese--I could admire those all day long

Visiting my favorite Roman Holiday sites, the Mouth of Truth and the Spanish Steps, and pretending to be a much more uh, round, version of my idol Audrey

We're checking the Mouth of Truth to see if it is hiding any food in there that I can eat

Gregory Peck was here, but I ate him

Being tourists

On the bridge in front of Castel Sant' Angelo

Swapping out my open-toe heels for--brace yourself--Converse All Stars (These shoes are a genius invention! They have no heel but they do have some things called SHOELACES. Who would have thought?)

Doing some laundry and hanging it outside to dry just like a real Italian!

Those are our pants!

Finding out that Delta offers ice cream as a snack on the return flight home

Spending time with Zach

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