Easter Egg Hunt & The Easter Bunny

This morning I went to my first Easter egg hunt. And I met the Easter bunny.
It was egg-cellent!

Getting Ready for The Easter Bunny

Mom & Dad let me dye my own Easter eggs in the bathtub.... I had a blast making a mess...
Mom and Dad had a good laugh watching me!

We Were Wondering How Paolo Was Getting So Fat...

I love to feed the little meatball! A few weeks ago, we took Paolo to the vet and Dr. Pistorio asked, "Questo è un maiale o un cane?" "Is this a pig or a dog?"... Poor Paolo!

Egg Head

I learned how to walk on Saturday; this happened on Monday.

My First Steps

Lock up your daughters... I took my first steps over the weekend!

Some Inspiration...

Tuesdays & Thursdays

Every Tuesday and Thursday, Mom and I go to the Midtown Complex at Naval Air Station Sigonella... To meet my buddy Ethan, his mommy Amy, my girlfriend Ella, and her mommy Aja for a stroll around the indoor track...

After our walk, I play on the gym mats with Ethan and Ella...

We work up an appetite and head over to Applebee's for lunch (Yes! We finally have an American Restaurant on base and it's heaven to have a little taste of America twice a week!)...

Ten Months Old Today... March 19th 2007

This month I will not sit still—not even for a diaper change, which as you can imagine drives my parents crazy—CRAZY! I scream bloody murder while I’m being dressed. My parents are sure the upstairs neighbors must think I am being stabbed! I’m still not crawling in the traditional way, but I get around mighty quick on my belly doing the "army crawl". The second my mom turns her back, I head straight for the electrical outlets (now child proofed!), the basket of dog toys (now on top of the entertainment center!) and the dog food and water bowls (now locked behind the kitchen door!). I’m beginning to display aspects of my zodiac sign—Taurus, which is symbolized by the bull. I am stubborn. If I don’t like something, I will let you know. I recently became a picky eater and when my parents try to feed me something I don't like, I hit their hands away and the food goes flying everywhere—the dogs love this! I love being outside. I'm proud of myself when I stand all by myself. I smile and giggle often. I never complain when I’m in my stroller. I love to play with ping pong balls. And despite my shortcomings, I am charming as ever!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Paolo and Bruco aren't too thrilled but my Irish eyes are smiling.

Taking a Short Break From The Rain

It's been raining non-stop in Sicily for the past four days... So when the sun came out for a little while this afternoon...

Mom and I took a walk to the Motta Sant'Anastasia cemetary...

To get out of the house for some some fresh air...

And we discovered a very beautiful and peaceful place.

Jih-BOOT-ee Mask

My buddy Ethan's dad just got back from a six month deployment in Djibouti, Africa. Djibouti is located in eastern Africa and is pronounced jih-BOOT-ee... seriously!
Ethan's dad brought me back this cool African mask.
The dogs are afraid of it.

Say Ahhh!

Yesterday I had my 9-month-old check up. I'm big and healthy. I now weigh 22.9 pounds and I'm 28.9 inches long.

My Crib Rocks But...

I love to take weekend afternoon naps in the big bed with my daddy.

The Wrath of Dawson

Every Friday, I spend the day at Bina's house. Bina is a molto gentile Italian lady who cares for a few children in her home. This past Friday I pulled my buddy Dawson's pacifier out of his mouth and he whacked me in the forehead with his toy tractor. Lesson learned- Don't mess with Dawson's binky!

Let Me Out! I Have To Go Potty!

We have a bell that hangs from our door knob in an attempt to train the dogs to paw at it and let us know when they need to go outside to go potty.

The dogs won't have anything to do with the bell. I'm trained though.

Where The Wild Things Are

Dad and I sailed off through night and day and in and out of weeks and almost over a year to where the wild things are...

Nine Months Old Today... February 19th 2007

This month I spent visiting family in the USA—Mom’s family in Massachusetts and Dad’s family in Florida. During my month long adventure, I learned to crawl and stand on my own. I still haven’t mastered the crawling thing just yet. I can only crawl on my hands and knees for a short time before resorting to the “army crawl” on my belly. I’m a pro at standing though! I can even cruise around a little bit if I have furniture to hold on to. One of my big top teeth came in and another is starting to peek through. I celebrated my new teeth by trying solid food. I eat Cheerios, pieces of bread, baby biscuits, and bananas. This month I also got my first and hopefully last ear infection. I was surprisingly pleasant considering I was teething and jet lagged on top of the ear infection. I enjoyed meeting my grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and family friends. I’m a social butterfly and love to be around people. I look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Traveling Back to Sicily in Style

I got comfortable in the bulkhead bassinet and slept almost the entire flight home. It's good to be back home after my month long adventure in America!

Farewell Dinner

The whole Balent Family got together at Uncle Micheal and Aunt Tracy's (Dad's sister) house for a farewell dinner. It was good fun and wonderfully chaotic with Mimi & Papi, their five children with spouses and the seven grandchildren!

"Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family... in another city." ~ George Burns

My Mimi

I love my Mimi because she makes me laugh.

We are Balents... mighty, mighty Balents.

Hunter's Green Country Club

After picking up my Aunts at the airport, we met my Uncle Micheal and my cousins, Amanda & Kellie, for lunch and drinks at the Country Club by their house.

Aunt Hilde & Aunt Carrie

Today I went to the Tampa Airport to pick up my Aunts, Hilde and Carrie (Dad's sister), from Tennessee. They came down to Florida to see me and join the rest of the family for some family fun!

Papi and Lo

This is my Papi and his bird named Lolita. We have to be careful around Lolita because she sometimes bites. I love my Papi. Lolita... not so much.

The Cousins Keep Coming!

My cousins Kellie and Amanda came over to Mimi and Papi's house today to meet me. They took me for a walk to the lake to feed the ducks. I'm loving all the attention!

Uno!

This evening we had a pizza party and then my cousins Clayton and Nyah and my Uncle Robbie taught me and Dad how to play Uno.

Shopping and Lunch in Spanish Springs

Today I went shopping and had lunch in Spanish Springs with my Mom, Aunt Beth (Dad's sister) and my cousins Clayton and Nyah while Dad, Uncle Robbie and Papi played golf.

Saturday Morning Cartoons

My cousins, Nyah and Clayton, spent the night at Mimi and Papi's house and this morning we watched Saturday morning cartoons together.

Feeding the Ducks with Mimi

We made it to my Mimi and Papi's house in The Villages- a retirement community where everyone gets around by golf cart. My Mimi took Dad and I to the lake by her house to feed the ducks. This place is better than Disney World!

Central Florida Zoo

Today I spent the day at the Florida zoo with my cousins Jonathan and Austin.

We saw lots of animals. We especially liked the reptiles.

Sushi with The Rohes

Mommy, Daddy, Uncle Christopher, Austin, Jonathan, Me and Aunt Kathy (Daddy's sister) all went out to eat for sushi.

We ate a boat load of sushi- literally!

I Love Hooters

My cousin Austin and my Aunt Kathy picked us up at the Orlando Airport and took us to Hooters for wings and ice cold draft beer.

Austin asked his mommy why the waitress was wearing her underwear.

That Rosie O'Shea's

For our last lunch in Newburyport, we went to an Irish Pub with Papa and drank us some Guinness. Top O' the Mornin' to ya and the rest of the day to meself!

Sledding with Daddy

Dad and I went sledding in Grandpa's backyard.