For Those About to Rock... We Salute You!

For those about to walk... We salute you!

For those about to read... We salute you!

A Whole Lotta Ricotta

This morning, Bina took me and several other children she babysits to a farm near her house to see the sheep and watch how ricotta cheese is made. We spent too much time looking at the sheep (baa baa) and missed the ricotta making process that was going on inside the barn. Bina still explained the process to us.

The fresh sheep’s milk is added to the “caglio”, a substance produced from the lining of a sheep's stomach (Those are sheep stomachs hanging behind Bina and I), which causes the milk to thicken. The cheese maker continuously stirs the pot until the top layer begins to clot. After skimming a little off the top, the steaming, chunky ricotta is ready to eat.

We all sat down outside and ate the ricotta the Sicilian way- by the spoonful with bread. It was thick, salty, and strong in a sweet sort of way. It was tasty and the experience was fun!

Jadeyn's Birthday

On Saturday, we missed Jadeyn's 1st birthday party due to my parent's bad time management and a minor car accident (we're all okay!), but we still stopped by after her party to play with Jadeyn and wish her a Happy Birthday!

Murgo Winery

Over the weekend, we went to the Murgo winery in Santa Venerina on Mt. Etna. We had a typical Sicilian lunch and wine tasting with our friends Lindy, Maria and Josie.

Then we took turns drinking wine right out of the tap!

After lunch we went back to Josie's house in Acireale for some Amaro with her family.

Is That Britney Spears & Baby Sean?

Nope! That's Coleen Balent and Baby Currier!

Antonio & Bina

Antonio and Bina are helping me master this walking thing. I love spending time at their house. They take me for walks, they feed me fresh pasta, they let me watch Italian cartoons, and they play with me in their garden. Antonio and Bina can't pronounce my name "Currier" so they just call me "Curioso", which means curious in Italian.

Just Wait!

My mom thinks it's funny to sneak into my room and take photos of me napping in funny poses. What she doesn't know is that when she is old and feeble I will take photos of her while she is napping and I can guarantee the pictures of her won't be as cute as mine!

Do You Think It's Time For A New Car Seat?!

There are two stipulations before changing an infant from a rear-facing car seat to a forward-facing car seat—1. The child must weigh more than 20lbs= CHECK! 2. The child must be at least one year of age= ONLY 25 DAYS UNTIL I GET A BIG BOY CAR SEAT!

Can you believe this is me in the same car seat on the day my parents brought me home from the hospital?

Funny Story

Last night my Mom was hugging and kissing me and she asked, "Who in this world do you love more than your Mama?" Before she could demand, "No one!" I said, "Dada"! I don't know what I said that was so funny, but my Dad almost fell out of his chair laughing.

Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay

In the afternoons when I'm supposed to be napping, my mom checks in to find me lounging with my legs hanging out of my crib. I'm practicing my relaxing poolside poses for the summer!

Eleven Months Old Today... April 19th 2007

This month was monumental! I learned how to walk and then I learned how to crawl in the traditional way rather than on my belly. I know! I did things a little backwards. Now that I’m fully mobile, my parents are on 24 hour alert. I move lickety split and I am attracted to all things that are dangerous or fragile. Our guest room is quickly filling up with all those “things”, so if you plan to visit we hope you can find the bed! My babysitter, Bina, says that I am molto l'independent and my parents can’t argue with that. I do not like to be spoon fed baby food, so Mom and Dad chop big people food into tiny bite size pieces and I am happy feeding myself (and the dogs!). I tap my feet or bounce up and down when I hear music. I clap when I’m excited. I squeal in delight when I see kids. I smile at strangers. I flirt with pretty women. I crack up laughing over the most random things… sneezes, the word “zoom”, and dogs howling. I’m growing up so fast that my mom keeps asking, “Where did my little baby go?!”

My Television Debut

Dad and I were interviewed at the Easter Egg Hunt and it made the AFN (Armed Forces Network) News...

I Scream. Dawson Screams. We All Scream For Gelato!

There is a Tavola Calda (literally translates "hot table") at the end of my street that serves all sorts of warm yummies such as panini (sandwiches) and arancini (fried rice balls filled with meat sauce, mozzarella and peas). This particular Tavola Calda also serves biscotti (cookies) and gelato (like ice cream only better!).

After a long walk up and down the hills of Motta Sant'Anastasia, Dawson and I stopped at the Tavola Calda to cool off from the warm Sicilian afternoon by sharing a gelato and eating biscotti.

Life is good!

Easter Hike

After playing with my new toys from the Easter bunny, we went on a hike in the countryside of Motta Sant’Anastasia with our friends Meagan and Jack to try out our new Kelty Adventure Kid Carrier. This piece of equipment is the bomb and my dad highly recommends it.

Easter Morning

Paolo, Bruco and I woke up this morning to find Easter baskets filled with goodies from the Easter bunny. My Mimi and Papi also sent me a special monkey basket filled with summer attire... Grazie per tutti!

Sicilian Easter Egg Cookie

My babysitter, Bina, made me this cookie for Easter. She said that this is a traditional Sicilian Easter cookie. Bina taught me that "Buona Pasqua" means "Happy Easter" in Italian. BUONA PASQUA!

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!