Cio' Che Mangiano i Bambini Italiani

So now that I’m on solid foods, we decided to go check out the Italian grocery store and see what kind of baby food they eat. Apparently the Italians feed their infants pasta and olive oil! When in Rome…

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our first Thanksgiving as a family. My first meal.

My mom had her first meal from the same dish 33 years ago! I love sweet potatoes! Peas- Not so much!
Even the dogs got a Thanksgiving meal.

No, we didn't adopt another dog.

The white dog is Jack. We're babysitting him for a few days.

Doctor's Appointment

This morning I had my six month check up. I weigh 18lbs 14ozs and I'm 27.7 inches long. Dr Lyon said that I'm in the 75th percentile for weight and 80th percentile for height. What does that mean? It means I'm a big healthy boy!

I got some more immunizations and it made me cry a little, but it was worth it for the cool Snoopy band aids.

Six Months Old Today... November 19th 2006

This month I learned how to make funny fart noises by sticking out my tongue and blowing—I can do this for hours because the sound is so entertaining. I'm finally starting to grow some hair but you can't tell because it's blonde! I’m now an old pro at rolling over and I can almost sit up on my own. I’m drooling so much now that a bib has become a normal part of my outfit. I can’t stop putting my hands, my toys, my blankets, and my bibs in my mouth. Mom has been prepping me for my first meal by giving me a few teaspoons of rice cereal every morning. I can’t wait to start eating solids—Bring it on!

Hiking on Mt Etna

Mom and I took Bruco and Paolo hiking on Mt Etna this afternoon with our friend Meagan and her dog, Jack. As you can see in the background, the volcano is still erupting and a loud thunderous noise could be heard with each eruption.

A Big Transition

Last week I made the transition from co-sleeper (crib attached to mom & dad's bed) to my own crib in my room. I've been going to bed at 8PM and sleeping until 4AM before waking my mom for a feeding. Mom says, "Hallelujah to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep!"
What puts me to sleep? I like to listen to Baby Einstein Lullaby Classics and look at the cool Aquarium night light from my Mimi and Papi.

Mia Nonna Italiana

Every Friday I spend the day at Bina’s house so my Mom can get a break. Bina and her husband, Antonio, live in the country and care for a hand full of children. Bina and Antonio do not speak any English so I’m learning Italian. The first couple of times my mom dropped me off at their house she cried as she pulled out of the drive way, but now she high tails it out of there with a big smile on her face and spends her “day off” scrap booking, reading, or napping. Mom knows I’m in good hands because my face lights up when I see Bina’s beautiful face.
This is the road to Bina's house. I told you she lives in the country!

This is the view from Bina's house. È molto bello!

Cooking Stuffed Peppers

Last night I helped Mom make stuffed peppers. We decided on this big pot of comfort food for three reasons—First of all, our friend Arailya gave us a big bag of peppers from her garden so we needed to do something with them. Second, autumn decided to visit Sicily and the temperature dropped to 48° F and nothing warms the belly like a piping hot stuffed pepper. And finally, Dad is in Bahrain for three weeks so staying busy and making a mess of the kitchen helps to keep our minds off of missing him. This recipe is my Great-Great-Grandmother's. Aunt Patsy taught my mom how to make Gram McLaughlin’s stuffed peppers; last night my mom taught me and now I’m sharing the recipe with you.

Hmmm… Let’s see… the recipe calls for…

Gram McLaughlin’s Stuffed Peppers
Green bell peppers (about 2 per person)
Potatoes (about 2 per person)
2 15oz. cans tomato sauce
1 15oz. can tomato paste
1 lb ground beef
1 1b ground pork
1 egg
2 cups of bread crumbs
Salt & pepper

Cube potatoes and cover them with cold water in a large stock pot.
Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, and 2 cups of water.
In a large bowl, mix ground meat, egg, bread crumbs, 1 cup of water, and salt & pepper.
Cut tops off peppers and clean out the seeds before stuffing with meat.
Place the stuffed peppers on top of the potatoes.
Throw all the tops of the peppers in the pot for extra flavor.
You should have enough sauce to cover all the peppers, if not add some water.
Cover and cook on medium for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

My Pal Bruco

Bruco is here to make sure that I don't tumble off the couch again!

I Hate Halloween!

And I hate autumn leaves and pumpkins and stupid bibs that say, "Boo!".