Anon is not the most sentimental of people. I’ve been accused of having ice water running through my veins, and that was my children. I’m comfortable with that assessment because, if they knew how soft-hearted I am about them, they would probably get totally sappy: that’s when my heart does shrivel up a couple of sizes.

All that said, this morning I found myself looking at my youngest, the principessa, sleeping just as I used to when she was a baby. And, as when she was little, I stood there watching her chest rhythmically move up and down. I’m thinking that most parents have done this when their children were sleeping.

We have been through the worst of her health crisis and the HB and I are heading home. Fingers crossed, we will be able to celebrate a healthy Christmas. The picture is from the Christmas when the principessa was conceived. So, in a way it was her first Christmas.

Love is a funny thing and it shows itself in many and odd ways. It often seems so awkward. But, here’s one that works for me: Buon natale, principessa. Ti voglio bene.

Oh yeah, and I’m still waiting for the south-facing room in the palazzo.