Seven Months Old Today... December 19th 2006

This was a big month for me— I got my first teeth, I started eating solids, and I mastered sitting up on my own. My new thing is sticking out my tongue constantly and the saliva has caused a rash on my chin and cheeks. I have to use a prescription cream to help with the irritation because keeping my tongue in my mouth just isn’t an option. I’m super psyched for my first Christmas. I hope Babbo Natale brings me that ipod I've been wanting!

Baby Gene Simmons

I want to
rock and roll
all night
and party
every day!

My First Teeth

Yes, I said teeth- plural. I had two teeth come in at the same time. I put my tongue back in my mouth for a second so that my mom could take a picture of my teeth. Can you see them on the bottom? Ouch!

Jumping for Joy

I went to the county fair. I saw Currier there.

Jumping, jumping, jumping, jumping everywhere.

He jumped to the left. He jumped to the right.

He was jumping, jumping, jumping.

He jumped right out of sight!

My Meeting with Santa

Santa (or Babbo Natale in Italian) came to Sigonella last night.

Dear Santa,
I would like world peace and an ipod for Christmas.
Your favorite, Currier

Christmas Crib

My parents thought it would be cool to decorate my crib with lights for Christmas and then they realized this is probably a fire hazard. Oh give them a break- They're learning!

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!".

My First Emergency Room Visit

Daddy and I were taking our regular Saturday afternoon nap on the couch and I somehow slid off the couch and hit my nose on the corner of the coffee table (Didn't I just post something about not leaving me unattended on the couch anymore!). My parents are absolute amateurs~ Dad had to lay down on the bathroom floor for a few minutes because he felt faint and Mom sobbed all the way to the hospital! I hate to tell them this but this will probably not be my last visit to the emergency room!

My First Injury

Once all the blood was cleaned off my face, my injury turned out to be just a small laceration on the tip of my nose and didn't require any stitches. I was sent home from the hospital with Tylenol and Bacitracin.

I mustered up a smile for my parents sake and the doctors and nurses all said that I am ONE TOUGH COOKIE!

Happy Halloween

I’m a lonely little sweet pea in a pumpkin patch and all I do is cry all day- Boo hoo!

Trunk-Or-Treat

Halloween is not a custom in Italy, so we celebrated Halloween Sigonella style. The Navy base kicked off Autumn Fest last night with Trunk-or-Treat. All the cars lined up on base and the children went trunk to trunk for goodies. I'm too little for candy so my job was to look adorable while my mom and dad handed out candy.

A Bat and a Sweet Pea Crawl into a Bar—

My good buddy Ethan and his mom Amy joined us for Trunk-or-Treat.

Candy Coma

Half way through the evening, I passed out in the trunk of the car amid all this candy. Being so adorable sure is exhausting!

Just When Bruco and Paolo Thought They Were Safe From the Crazy Lady—

Auntie Cheryl-Lee-Ski sends us all Gap outfits—
And so the tormenting continues…

Mommy's Little Devil

Get back ladies~ It's all about me!

Baby Hugh Hefner and The Playboy Bunnies

Living the good life at the Playboy Mansion

Born in 2006 Club

These are my girlfriends, Jadeyn (in pink) and Ella (in green).

Ella's 2006 bodysuit ended up in the trash can after a major blow out--- "_ _ IT HAPPENS!"

My Future Is So Bright...

I gotta wear shades!

Funny Faces

We are the Balents. The wacky wacky Balents!

Wine Tasting at Murgo

amo il vino!

Last night we had dinner and a wine tasting with some friends at the Murgo Winery.

Una Visita Con i Nostri Amici Italiani

Yesterday afternoon we went to our old neighborhood in Acireale to visit our good friends—Josie, Tony and Nora. They gave me this neat piano/telephone toy and taught me the Italian way to answer the telephone... "Pronto!".

Five Months Old Today... October 19, 2006

This month I've been rolling over more often so mom can no longer leave me on the couch or changing table unattended. My parents have established a 9 PM bedtime (my dad is in charge of this department!) and I try my best to fall asleep and let them think that they're in control- Ha! I'm getting bigger everyday. My mom's arms are sore (and hopefully getting toned) from holding me because I now weigh 16lbs 12oz.!

My New Toy—A Serious Piece of Equipment!

Learning to play the piano and sing!

Learning to walk!

I'm Teething!

My front teeth are for biting.
My bottom teeth are for munching.
My pointed teeth are for tearing.
My back teeth are for crunching.

Hooray for teeth!

I'll be on solid food in no time.

Burn Baby Burn Disco Inferno

No- It's not Halloween yet!

This is just some random Tuesday at my house.

Ahh Jeez—this is humiliating!

Somebody please rescue me from these lunatics!