We flew to Boston to visit Anya, who is now 6 weeks old, for her Christening on Sunday December 14, 2008. Maybe she will wear the Christening dress that John, her Dad worn some 33 years ago and her Grandpa Stan wore 68 years ago. It is old silk, yellowed with age and the hint of musk from ages past. We gave it to Rachel and John when we visited Boston in May for John’s graduation from Tuffs. It was scooted under their bed for review months later when the baby arrives.
Now the baby has arrived November 1st and her things have pretty much taken over the house and time of her parents. She is the sweetest little thing and is alert to all sounds and movements around her.
Jamela, her aunt saw her for the first time. Jamela used big sweeping sign language movements in a singing type voice that Anya watched with delight.
Anya sleeps sweetly in your arms and responds quicky to let you know if she is unhappy about something.
It rained a lot for a couple of days. Not that drizzley kind of thing that you can walk in, but the pouring down rain that is not much fun. The first evening we had dinner at a quiet neighborhood restaurant called the Paddock. Food was good and inexpensive. The place was quiet as we were about their only customers. It gave a chance to get to know the family now that Anya is here.
The next night we went East Boston to Santarpio’s. We waiting outside in the chilly, brisk evening breeze for a table. Anya was wrapped tightly in her car seat tucked in with a blanket and car seat cover. It wasn’t long in the line until we were ushered into the back room to crowd around a table. Anya had a place on one of the benches. She ate first while we all waited for our garlic and cheese pizza along with wood-fired sausage and another pepperone pizza. The place was a delight. The people made the place. Filled with many Italians from the community, laughing and having fun. One family of seven next to us ordered 7 pizzas. The waiter, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, brought them out all stacked one on top of each other. They finished off most of the food as did we. Pretty good, pretty fun.
We are staying near-by Anya’s home at LaQuinta. The place is filling up as many people from the north and west moved to hotels as an ice storm drove out the power with all the downed tree Friday, John went into work but was sent back home out the power was out. His work in Chelmsford is just a half an hours drive from his home in Somerville.
The sun is out this Saturday with sky as clear and calm as a summer’s day.