Clap, Clap, Clap…(Here goes another milestone!)

Saturday afternoon we attended one of Luca’s little friend’s birthday party. Sofia (the little friend) was 1 year old and threw a lovely bash in Central Park.

This was the very first party (and I’m sure one of many) Luca ever attended and it was so cute to watch him play with other little ones.

He was the “baby” of the group since everybody else was very close in age to the birthday girl…but he definitely stood up for himself.

He watched them very carefully, trying to imitate every movement, including walking (and falling on his butt…of course!) and I was amazed when he started clapping away with a big smile on his face.

There he was…my little boy had conquered yet again another milestone and I was so proud of him.


He’s been clapping ever since...

Sweet Notes

Today while we were sitting in the park, Luca handed me a little blue piece of paper. It was something he had found on the grass while playing and it was a folded note with a poem written on it.

I was very fascinated by it and started wondering about it. Maybe these were the words of a young teenager in love, or maybe those of a loving spouse. Or maybe those of a famous poet.

This is what it says:

If ever a truth or love be told,
If ever was cherished of growing old,
If ever was warmed whenever was cold,
If ever's forever then everything is you...

If pure could be written or shivers sang,
Or touch could be spoken or looks exhaled,
If tingles and tears could be given through this,
Then I'd give you all that in one sweet kiss...

If nothing was all,
If ever had been
If nothing need be but the place nothing's in,
If you were just you and I me,
We'd be as happy as any could be...

(Keep digging for little treasures, my sweet little boy!).

Spin City

One of my favorite activities to do with my little one has always been walking.
I enjoy taking long strolls around the city with Luca happily observing the world around him (until he gets bored and starts screaming at the other pedestrians).

And boy, I love pushing that stroller! Sometimes I get so competitive (with myself) that I start speed walking around the city like a mad woman. I go uptown, downtown east or west…you name it and I want to go there. I just wish I had a little horn attached to the buggy to clear my way from all the clumsy New Yorkers.

Train? What train? If I just think about the hassle of going up and down the stairs with the stroller, waiting for it and having to deal with all the crazy people on it…no, thank you. I much rather walk.

Maybe the desire comes from the fact that this is really the only type of exercise I ever do and before I turn fifty and have the muscle tone of an anchovy, I better do something about it.

(Actually anchovies swim, so I’m pretty sure they need some muscles for that!)

Or maybe it has to do with the fact that my mom never had a driving license so she used to drag me around the city like a little donkey, until I actually started to enjoy it because of the gigantic ice-cream-reward-deal I used to get out of it.

My reward now is a protein bar...which probably has way more fat and calories then an ice cream anyway.

Oh, screw it!

Haagen-Dazs here I come!

DCP: If you want to keep it a little lighter and not constantly feel guilty for slurping down your usual pint of coffee-vanilla-Belgian-chocolate, try Pinkberry’s frozen yogurt. It is much lighter then a regular ice cream and they trick you down with the option of adding 3 fruit toppings of your choice…so you’re actually believing it’s good for you!
It’s really low calories though….just don’t eat a gallon a day (hmm…like I do!).

Little Man Talking

Nine months and one week:

"Mamamamamamama" (Nope, even if he says it...he still doesn't mean it!).

"Dadadadadadadadad" (Yes, daddy...he still doesn't mean yours either, so don't flatter yourself!).

"Babababababababa" (A very primitive bye-bye, usually accompanied by a little waving hand).

"Pffft....pffft...pffft" (Little mouth farts that inevitably shower my face with drools!).

Oh boy, we've got a loooong way to go (...and I've got to remember to switch back into grown up voice when not addressing or talking to the baby!).

Daddy's boy

"Don't know why I'm always stuck with these dry Cheerios -
Mom, pass me the bowl of chips and salsa...and a cold one please!"

Gated Community

My ferocious research in the past few days for the perfect baby gate…has finally paid off. I searched the net like a mad woman, reading each and every review about every possible playpen and baby gate ever invented…until I found it!

Why?

Have you ever tried to entertain a nutty 9 month old for 32 hours a day? (Yes, the days are very long when you have kids).

Well, I tried and honestly there is only so much peek-a-booing, funny faces and rolling of the eyes a mother can take before cracking under pressure and start shopping around for a cute doggy gate…er…I mean playpen.

The moment I clicked “Buy now” on the Target website I started daydreaming about my lost freedom. What does it feel like to actually go to the bathroom without being reminded that you only have 5 seconds to do your business?

Or getting dressed without the constant fear of actually leaving the house in your pj’s…because, yes you do remember taking it off, but you really don’t remember putting it back on?

I can’t even tell you when UPS rang my doorbell to deliver the goodies. I was in heaven.

It was assembled in the blink of an eye and baby Luca was happily cruising around like a show dog.



Bliss.

I just hope I didn’t end up compromising the whole living room space for what looks like a mini amusement park and end up again with a bored kid. It’s only being 3 days since we had it and so far no complaints.

I know at one point I will probably have to crawl in there and play with him to keep him busy…but until that day I’m gonna enjoy adulthood a little longer.

DCP: If your husband complains about the fact that you're buying waaay to many toys to keep your little one busy…remind him that it’s just for your own sanity. Happy baby = Happy wife = Happy husband!

Mean People

Today I was cruising around Old Navy, looking to buy some shorts for Luca and of course minding my own business…when I saw a cute little stripy dress. I immediately grabbed two different colors and went into the dressing room to try them on.

I couldn’t really see myself in the small mirror inside my cubicle and I didn’t really trust Luca’s funny facial expressions so I decided to use the big mirror outside.
While I was playing around with both dresses to see which color would suit me best…this heavy set lady came over to me and said:
“Oh, I saw that dress downstairs and I almost tried it on…it looks pretty on you!”…then she looked at my belly area, Luca and me again and said: “It’s not a maternity dress…is it?”

I almost ripped her eyes out and shouted: “Laaady, shut your big mouth. You are 350 pounds and I’m sure if I were you I would rather pretend I’m pregnant then just plain fat! And even if this dress WAS a maternity dress…what fucking difference does it make to you anyway?”

You know, I can totally take a comment like that from a tall skinny supermodel, because…yes, I still have those 5 pounds hanging over my shoulders and they just won’t go away. But from heeer?

(Sorry…today I woke up on the wrong side of the bed).

10 obvious signs that show you’re not really a grown up yet

1) Every time you take a trip or visit a new city, you bounce up and down on your hotel bed with excitement.

2) You feel and shake presents before opening them.

3) Planning a party or a vacation throws you in a complete state of excitement that you can’t sleep at night.

4) Getting ready with a friend is as good as going out. Often even better.

5) You respond to your mom’s questions by rolling your eyes.

6) You are always thrilled by being able to order anything you want from a menu.

7) Sometimes your lunch consists of dry cereal.

8) You are still shopping for clothes at Forever 21.

9) You can't resist licking the cake bowl.

10) Disneyworld is the best fun you have ever had.

Well...cheer up..you're not alone!

iBaby

The world has gone mad.

Yes, the world has gone mad about a phone. No doubts it is one of the greatest phones ever invented, I have to admit, being a HUGE Mac fan…but still.

It is one of the most talked about gadgets in the history of technology.

I remember the day I saw the TV commercial for the first time, I was like a little kid in a candy store. It looked like the coolest thing ever…and the music, the music was just so sweet. Everybody has being waiting for this little piece of perfection to finally come out and play. Well…it did, at a very sweet price too!

What amazes me the most is that even my son is totally in love with it (I guess even at the tender age of eight months he feels entitled to have one). Mostly with the TV commercial. You should see how is little face brightens up every time he hears that song. He could be wailing and kicking, but the moment that commercial is on he becomes the sweetest baby on the block, with a big smile on his face. He just stares at the TV screen in complete adoration. Sometimes I even rewind it and play it over and over (don’t’ you love DVR?).

I’m just waiting for the day he will open his mouth and say his first sentence and I will not be surprised if he says: “Mommy, I want an iPhone!”

After all, I want one too.

DCP: It is the perfect gadget for busy moms. The resolution is amazing and you can take so many beautiful pictures of you little ones. You just have to justify to yourself why are you spending $500/600 for a phone? For the price I was hooping it will come complete with a maid, a nanny and a personal chef!

Indipendence Day

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Enjoy this very special day dedicated to America’s most famous barbeques, to spectacular fire works and street parades, but most of all to the best excuse to boozing up all afternoon with your family and friends.

Today nothing bothers you. You’ve got a beer in one hand and a hot dog in the other. Shush the kids away or hand them over to total strangers who keep repeating how cute they are.

Show off your little 5” by 5” New York roof deck that can barely fit a grill, but hey, after all, you've got one and your guests can always take turns for a breath of fresh air..right?

Yes, enjoy this very special day dedicated to your country and it’s ok to feel a little patriotic…alcohol does play little tricks sometimes.

Remember: Do not operate heavy machinery under the influence. Yes, this does include a grill. And you will definitely know you had one too many when you start taking Bush’s side and feel sorry for Sanjaya because he didn’t make it to the final of American Idol.

Happy Birthday America!

Doggy Life

Besides being the proud parents of a very energetic, a bit neurotic and definitely adorable baby boy, my husband and I also have a little daughter. Not exactly a human being, but more in the form of a canine being. Her name is Dolce and she is a 3 and half pound teacup Maltese dog.

We got her about 4 years ago when she was barely 2 months old and resembled the size of a grapefruit.

Needless to say that she has always been the indisputable Queen of the house…until of course King Luca made his appearance.

She used to be the center of the attention pretty much 24 hours a day and subconsciously our very primitive parenting test. We used to joke around that if we ever killed the little dog…we would never even consider a baby.

So you can just imagine her disappointment when all of a sudden this little screaming sack of potatoes named Luca, took over the whole apartment.

She went from being the Queen Bee to Second Class Citizen.

From sleeping 21 hours a day, to barely taking a full nap without being pulled 25 times by the ears or tail.

Of course Luca has an admiration for this little white furry thing. Who wouldn’t. He stares at her, laughs at her and wants to bite a piece of her on a daily basis.

So it was with a sight of relief that while we were away, Dolce spent the last few days in a little doggy spa.

Yes. Go ahead, have a laugh. I would too. After all, we are the dummy ones stuck with the in-laws, while the bloody dog is having the time of her life. And she usually hates those places, giving me always the bad looks when I drop her off…like I’m actually abandoning her.

Not this time.

This time she was so happy to see the attendant that didn’t even bother to say goodbye.

When I picked her up today, she looked pampered, relaxed and without any dark circles under her eyes.



While of course I looked like a train wreck after spending an exhausting weekend on a 3 hours sleep per night because of a teething infant scared of a crappy hotel crib.

C’est la vie!

DCP: Dear husband, don’t even think that I spent the past weekend zombing around, loaded on caffeine and chocolate while trying to look pretty for your family for nothing.
I think I very well deserve a few hours of bliss…like, let’s say…(hint) a full body massage (minimum 180 minutes), a foot massage (at least 30 minutes) and a facial treatment. You can just drop off the gift certificate on my desk or place it under my pillow, if you prefer. Love ya!