Dashing off to the Dominican

Anthony, Sofia and I are leaving in just a few hours for a 1-week trip to the Dominican Republic! We are traveling with my in-laws who bought into a time share a year ago and invited us (pre-pregnancy #2) to go with them this year. We are very excited and are looking forward to some sun, warmth and relaxation.

This will mark Sofia's 3rd plane trip and I feel like I'm prepared to traveling with an almost 2-year-old. Plenty of coloring books, crayons, stickers, flip books and snacks galore packed away for her. Of course, she will probably be most excited about the 3.5 hours of Peep and the Big Wide World that her daddy downloaded for her specifically for the trip. Keep your fingers crossed for us that the 4 hour flight goes well and our little princess is entertained!

Adios Amigos!!!

Patiently waiting for daddy

Now that it's too cold to go and meet Anthony on his walk home from work, Sofia runs from the front window to the side door waiting until she spots him. If I'm in the other room, I know exactly when she sees him because she begins screeching "daddy, daddy, daddy" at the top of her lungs! When Anthony walks in, he usually doesn't even have time to take off his coat or put down his bag before has him chasing her around...definitely a daddy's girl!

American Idol Audition Season 25

Happy little 22-month-old!

Sofia celebrated 22 months today. She no longer walks anywhere, but rather runs and the sound of her little feet pattering across the floor is one of my favorites. She is saying a whole ton of new words each week and repeats EVERYTHING! We are preparing her big girl room to hopefully have her completely moved into in about 2-3 weeks. It should be very entertaining to see how she does in the transition from a crib to a bed.

We leave Saturday for a week-long trip to the Dominican Republic and it will be exciting to add another stamp to her passport. This will be her 3rd time flying and both mommy and daddy are keeping their fingers crossed that all goes well and she has a great time. She is slowly absorbing the fact that my belly is growing and that there is a baby in there that will be either her little brother or sister. Sometimes she's all for kissing my belly and saying hi to the baby and other times she wants nothing to do with it.

Our little girl is growing so fast right before our eyes and we're trying our best to take it all in and enjoy each experience with her. She has made our lives more complete than she will ever know and I thank God everyday for her!

Happy Love Thursday!

Formaggio Infatuation

I am not at all picky when it comes to cheeses and will try anything once and usually go on adding it to my list of favorites. The chances are pretty high that I was in fact a mouse in a former life, I love cheese that much.

While down in Maryland earlier this week, my mom made me one of my favorites: frittata di pecorino. It is a very simple recipe, but one that I love VERY much! Thanks Mom!

Ingredients:

Olive oil
1 egg
Grated pecorino cheese

Directions:

1. Add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil to skillet and allow to warm a bit.

2. In a small mixing bowl, beat egg and grated cheese together. Pour into pan.

3. Fritatta will need to cook for a few minutes on one side and then flip with spatula to cook on opposite side.

4. Finito!

Simple, but tasty!

Winter Wonderland

Sofia and I spent two days down in Maryland with my family earlier this week and enjoyed taking in the snowfall from INSIDE my parent's home. Aside from it being bitterly cold, ice was coming down as well and I didn't want to jeopardize either of us with the slipping and sliding that definitely would ensue.

Marveling at Mother Nature


Hugs for Nonno Nick as he leaves for work and braved the weather


My parent's backyard already covered with more snow and ice to come

Cheeeeeeese!

This is Sofia's "smile-for-the-camera" face...too cute!

Sofia & Simon

Saturday evening Sofia's cugino came over for a little play date. Well, as much of a play date as an almost 2-year-old and an almost 2-month-old can have anyway. Regardless, it was fun to see them together and envision all the play dates in store for these two little ones!

Checking on Simon


Reading him a book of one of her favorite things - ducks!


Teaching Simon how to "Batti le Manine" (Clap your hands)

A good book is hard to put down

Yummy Watermelon!

My mom found some very juicy watermelon and sent us home with it last weekend much to Sofia's excitement. She LOVES melon! Lately, we've been having her feed herself more often and she's doing a good job with both the fork and spoon. Of course, it's as if she has her own cheering squad when she's eating since we "Brava, Sofia" and "Good Job" each time she successfully pierces a piece of food and manages to get it in her mouth. We'll have to tone it down a notch in case she's still expecting since high compliments when she's 20.

Update on Sofia's big girl room

Just a little update on where we are with Sofia's new room...painting is complete and I am VERY happy to report that the pink we chose does not look like Pepto-Bismol (I was a little nervous about choosing the color pink for that possibility). We need to update the electrical outlets as they are 87 years old and then attach the headboard to the bed frame. I also need to set aside time to finish the two valances that I decided to make on my own after my great first effort at sewing. Afterwards, I should be all set to start hanging stuff on the walls and begin moving her things from the nursery into the room.

The plan is to get her in the room mid to end of February and keep our fingers crossed that she wants to sleep in there!








We think she's really going to love this new room!

Souvenir from Singapore

My brother, Scott, just recently returned from Singapore on a business trip and brought back a little souvenir for Sofia - honestly, how cute does she look? We took this picture of her in the dress last week at my parents and while she only stayed in the dress for a few minutes, I do think she loves it. I'm going to have to get it back on her again soon to take some more pictures, it is much too cute on her to not have plenty of photo ops in!

Happy Love Thursday!

Pinky Love


The day Sofia received Pinky from "Uncle" Paul




Not the traditional "pinkie" like we all have on either hand, but rather the little stuffed animal Sofia has slept with ever since she was a week old. The expression on her face in the first picture is beyond adorable, she truly loves this little blue triceratops.

Lost is back!

Anthony and I are completely ready for the premiere of Lost's Season 5 tonight. This past weekend we watched Season 4 to get us back on track from where we left off last season, which seems like eons ago. I can't wait to see where this new season will take us and how many more unanswered questions there will be. If you don't have access to past season's episodes, this is a great site to get caught up and ready for tonight!

Better luck next year Eagles, Way to go Steelers!

I am married to a huge Eagles fan and unfortunately, they didn't make it to the Super Bowl this year. Sorry Anthony - maybe next year! AND I'm related to a big Steelers fan, Antonio, and so congrats to his team for making it to the Super Bowl.

Anthony wasn't too happy about her running around with this balloon, but she's too young to know the difference


Congrats to your team Antonio!

Free Doughnuts!

In honor of Inauguration Day tomorrow, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. will be giving away a free doughnut to each customer. A new administration AND a free doughnut, just another reason to celebrate the momentous occasion!

Unfortunately, we do not live near a Krispy Kreme franchise so I will be unable to partake in the event. It's probably for the best since I wouldn't be able to stop at just one doughnut...even if I weren't pregnant it would be an issue with me. Hopefully others will be out there celebrating our new president and taking advantage of this delicious offer!

Sewing 101

I completed my very first sewing project and I must say, I am quite happy with the result. It was a lot more time-consuming than I initially anticipated, but well worth every minute.

My mom's friend is a master at sewing and she walked me through what I needed to do for the valance. Without her I doubt it would have come out nearly as beautiful as it did! She suggested I sew a piece of cheap fabric to the back to give it a more finished look and to add another piece of fabric to the top hem for a loophole for the rod. Two steps I hadn't even thought of but am very happy that I completed.

Cost of fabric: $6
Total prep/sewing time: 3 hours

I sewed a piece of sheer fabric to the backside and a strip along the top to act as a loophole for the rod

Finito!



My finished product...I am so proud!




Next on the agenda is to make two valances for Sofia's big girl room...here we go again!

Happy Love Thursday!

Growing with Love (lots of it)!

A year ago today, look at our little peanut:



I can't believe how fast the time is going and how quickly she went from a little baby to the little toddler she is today. At ten months she was mastering crawling and even beginning to pull herself up onto furniture and now she's off and running. Our little girl is getting so big!

Not finding what I want makes me motivated

During the fall, we got rid of our old blinds in the breakfast nook and purchased a cordless, pleated shade for the window and it has been curtain/valance-proof for a few months now. The only reason it has been bare is that I can't find the style I have in mind ANYWHERE and just last week decided that I would buy the fabric and make a valance myself. How hard can that be anyway?

Well, I almost went into shock upon walking into Jo-Ann Fabrics looking for the fabric for the window. There are literally thousands upon thousands to choose from! I brought a swatch of the colors we have in the room (cream, white and sage) and was able to find a fabric that I absolutely loved - to my surprise it only took 45 minutes.

SO, now I'm home with the fabric, the empty window and an idea of what I need to do. I can't wait to get started and place it on our naked curtain rod. Stayed tuned for what could be a disastrous effort at sewing...

Before picture of the bare window in the nook


This is the fabric I selected:

Bundled Up

We finally were able to get the last of the Christmas stuff organized and put away this past weekend. Sofia and I put as much away as we could during the course of the last week, but going up and down the steps with a toddler was a little much at times, so we waited until the weekend for Anthony to do the up and down. Thank goodness for him!

Despite the chilly weather over the weekend, we did spend some time outdoors for the fresh (but freezing) air and Sofia loved it. We had received a light dusting of "snow" and she enjoyed touching the white stuff and asking mommy to "clean" her hand. She loves to play with trains and cars, but get something on her hands and she's adamant about getting it off.

Cuddle time

Snuggling up to mommy (and baby belly)


Always a cuddle bunny with her daddy

Fun in the tub

Poor Sofia, she's not going to be happy with these pictures when she's older...she is pretty stinking cute though!

Just singing about the rain...

Big girl, big room

We have begun re-decorating our upstairs guest bedroom for Sofia's big girl room. Since we are not finding out the gender of baby Palumbi numero 2, there is no reason not to keep the nursery as is and just move Sofia into a new room. Truthfully, I am having the greatest time deciding on what to do with the room and just how to decorate it for her. The best part is that she's old enough to have a say in the preparations for her new room and it will be fun to see her picks incorporated in the mix. Our little girl is growing up!

Some before pictures of the bedroom:


The dresser and nightstand were mine as a child - I still love the set!


Obviously, the items in the alcove will be gone, maybe turn it into a nice little reading nook


Just a sampling of the colors I'm looking at:

Happy Love Thursday!

Some more "mia" love!

Mmmmm, mmmm Peanut Butter!

I don't want to speak too soon, but I do believe we are in the clear for any peanut butter allergy at this time. Woohoo! Most doctors say you can try with your little one at 1-year-old, but because Anthony has a slight nut allergy, we were told to hold off with Sofia. Thanks to the lousy weather we've been having this week and no outdoor activities scheduled, I bit the bullet and gave it a go. I tried both on Monday and again this morning with a thin layer of peanut butter on a slice of bread...she loves it AND no reaction so far!!!! Whew!

Her exact words during this picture: "Buono Peanut Butta"

Buon Viaggio!

Leandro and Alessandra left yesterday to go back home to Italy and we will miss them, but hope to see them this summer. We went out to La Locanda with my in-laws and Anthony's uncle Monday evening as a farewell dinner and it was nice to be able to spend some more quality time with them.

When I was downloading the pictures, Sofia saw the one of all of us and said "Zio Leandro" really loud! It was pretty cute and obviously they both made quite an impression on our little girl.