Flyin' & Climbin'

(translation of Italian in video: "occhiali" = glasses, "dorme" = sleeps)

Some pictures...

Getting trained...

Catching up...

Luca went up a shoe size this week. Catching up to Daddy!

Chillin on his Wheely Bug

Luca pooped on the potty!

Today we had our first poop on the potty! Julie Rosenberg was the lucky witness of this exciting event as we were hanging in the kitchen and Luca came over to us, said "Poopin'!" and made the face. I grabbed him so fast, ran him to the bathroom, tore off the overalls and sat him with a book. Minutes later, there it was - luckily IN the potty since he did attempt to get up and run out naked a couple times! We flushed it down the toilet and that scared him a little, but he was still proud. Later tonight he went again and told me "poopin potty", but we were down in the lobby waiting for Gioel to arrive with the apt keys so I knew we wouldnt make it in time to the bathroom for 2/day.

For the past week we have been sitting Luca on the potty each night after dinner before the bath and he does a little "#1". I guess now I should start paying more attention and asking him during the day if he has to go...

Ahhh.... the excitement of the toddler days!

Much overdue Chanukah post

Here are a few pictures from Ronni's parents visit to NYC back in December:

See pictures - CLICK HERE!

Like Father Like Son

click on any of the collages to blow up full size:

Visit to the Bronx Zoo

Saturday we took Luca to the Bronx Zoo. It was a bit chilly, yet a clear and crisp day. All the leaves have changed so it was the perfect autumn scene. We also drove to Patsy's Pizzeria in East Harlem for lunch where we enjoyed some good food.

Photobucket Album

The Maddy Visit

Our friends, the Bonecks, came to town for a long weekend. They brought their precious little girl Maddy and Luca had a buddy for a few days while we enjoyed a few small adventures in the city. Saturday we walked from Tribeca to Soho to Chinatown and ate dim sum. Saturday night we went out to dinner and left the little ones home with sitters. Sunday we headed uptown for coal oven pizza and then to the Central Park Zoo.

Check out the cuties!

Photobucket Album

Luca's First Haircut

Luca had his first haircut yesterday. We went to a little boutique around the corner called Whipper Snippers, which is an adorable toy store with a kids hair salon in back. Luca sat in a Jeep Wrangler, watched Elmo and ate a lollipop while he got trimmed.



He didn't like wearing the apron very much since it was difficult to steer the truck and eat the candy with the cape in the way. So, it came off and hair was everywhere! We had an extra shirt handy so he went home fairly clean and not too itchy.



"Shave and a haircut! Shampoo!"
Thanks to Pop-Pop, we sing this song a lot. And now, anytime I mention to someone about Luca's new haircut, he chimes in "Shampoo!!!"



He looks like a neater, cuter version of himself now. His hair is pretty fair and still he doesn't have too much - so it wasnt a drastic change. It isnt so straggly anymore. The hair around his temples and over his ears still hasn't come in thick yet, so he is almost sporting a "fade" by default :)

Like-A-Bike

Today Uncle Steven (Funny!) surprised Luca with a cool new bike. Its awesome!!! Thanks Uncle Steven! XOXO





Ok, couldnt resist including this shot too....

Playing with Uncle Steven

Building forts!

Halloween

Today we went to the Museum of Natural History for a huge Halloween event. There was live entertainment, trick-or-treating stations where the kids could get candy and lots of characters roaming the museum. Luca had a blast! So many great animal and marine wildlife exhibits that he loved. He was so comfortable in his costume and we were surprised that he didnt try to rip off the hood. Dadda showed up after work and Luca gave him a tour of the dinosaur wing. Gioel managed to teach him some new Italian vocab words re:dinosaurs, dolphins and other animals. The whole event was lots of fun and LOTS of people. Exciting, yet very overwhelming (for me) pushing thru crowds and observing the many costumes - some adorable kids, some mothers dressed WAY too inappropriately (think stripper nurses and goth witches). Speaking of adorable - check out our buddy "the other Luca" who was a precious lion!

Photobucket Album

Halloween Trial Run

Today we did a test drive with our Halloween costume to ensure smooth sailing tomorrow before our planned events. Luca, fortunately, LOVES wearing the costume. We were suprised the hood didn't bother him. Maybe he was too distracted by the mittens?
(There is a video posted after the picture so scroll down and click on the black box if the image doesn't show)

Pizza Pizza

We took a trip over to Brooklyn to visit the aquarium and then visited the legendary pizzeria Di Fara. The institution has been there for over 40 years and one man does it all. His son works there too, but isnt allowed to touch the pizza. Interesting. Guess they dont believe in nepotism.

The pizza is thin crust with three types of fresh cheese: parmigiano, buffalo mozzarella and cows milk mozzarella. Also topped with fresh basil and drizzled with olive oil. He makes it at a glacial pace while a crowd of hungry spectators watch silently, entranced. The wait is always at least one, sometimes two or three hours!


As soon as we walked into the pizzeria, Luca sensed something special and started chanting "Pizza! Pizza!" He was so patient and waited with us for over an hour before we got our pie and he enjoyed every bite as much as we did!

"Pierce? Where are you?!!!"

Luca and Pierce playing before bath time
(Click on link to blog site to view video, it doesnt show up in email message)

Twins?

Today we watched Pierce for a few hours while his mommy went to a preschool tour. The boys played with all of Luca's toys, got pushed thru town in a loaned double stroller and then attended music class. As a mother, I have never felt so loved as I had TWO boys constantly hugging me, hugging each other, holding hands and having fun. (Ok, my Luca did resort to a little innocent hair pulling and light slapping then said "not nice!" about his own behavior - but must have been gentle aggression since Pierce just smiled and seemed to understand it was out of love...)

Final Days in Italy

Well, we are finally home in New York after a fantastic month enjoying everything Italian. Here are a few pictures from our final days. Click any picture to see it larger, full size in a separate window.

Riding the merry-go-round with Nonno


Roasting castagne at Nonno's friend's house. We just collected some of these fresh from the property!


Playing in the meadow


Standing with Nonna in a poplar grove




A day trip to Omegna for the chocolate festival


Di solito Luca e' in spalla!


Check out the lintel behind us - a little sketchy?


Bathtime in Gignese


Happy on airplane. Awake and VERY energetic for 8 out of 9 hours, but at least happy!

Il Menu

This past month in Italy has been a constant feast thanks to Nonno, il massimo esperto chef. Here is a list of the various dishes we sampled throughout our stay and a few images so we can look back and cry when we are eating take out and leftovers here in America.

Is he thinking: Do all babies get fed this good stuff?


scorpion fish


mussels
sardegnian pork chop
sardegnian roast

ragu al sardo


bruschetta


sauteed sole
ragu normale

pollo di bresse


bresaola
jamon iberico
salsiccie
tripe
filet of branzino

risotto con funghi (porcini mushrooms)


nice Piemontese bistecca
cosce di quaglie (little quail legs)
minestrone
pipa (my favorite simple "filini" noodle pasta cooked in broth)
rana - zucca e carciofi - con burro e salvia (ravioli with pumpkin or artichoke cooked in butter and sage)
spaghetti alla matricciana (with pancetta and tomatoes)
lamb roast
roasted castangne (chestnuts)
noccino (like lemoncello, but made from walnuts)
limoncello (homemade by Nonno)
strudel di rosa (apple strudel made by cousin rosa)
porchetta (young pig)
pesce persico (perch filets)

tons of fresh fruits and veggies!