In case you hadn't heard....

When I have a little more time, I'll be posting pictures and of course... I'll tell the tale of her delivery and the hospital experience.

Just wanted to let you know.....

More information to come!

Date Night

This past Saturday, Carlo and I took the opportunity to have one last date before becoming "mom & dad."  We decided to stay close to home just incase I went into labor so, we went to Le Due Torri.

Carlo had been here before and this was actually our 2nd time going to this Pizzeria.  Is this place delicious? Yes. Is it the best pizzeria in town? Not at all... but it's fast!

2 minutes after we sat down, the waitress took our order.  Literally 1 minute later, our drinks arrived.

5 minutes after we ordered, our meal was brought to our table!  Of course, the food is made to order so, it's not like they just have random Pizza sitting under a heat lamp.

I had been craving sausage & onions so, that's what I ordered..

while Carlo had sausage & olives.

Instead of taking a walk to the nearest Gelateria, we decided to have dessert at the restaurant.

Panna Cotta is what Carlo ordered...

while I chose the "usual" which is Profiteroles

I actually like this place since it's small and cozy and only takes us 15 minutes or less to get there.  Of course, since I'm waddling these days.. it took us a little longer than that.  The next time we go, we'll have our little bundle of joy with us!

Le Due Torri

C.so Peschiera, 309

Torino

A nice surprise!!

So, a couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post about service.  Janet at Fairly Happy.com was hosting a giveaway and guess what...... I won one of the prizes!!!

I am seriously surprised because I never win things... I also don't enter in contests but that's besides the point.

I am so excited because the prize I won was.....

 A FREE BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT DESIGN BY PRECIOUS DESIGNS!

It must have been tough for Janet to choose all of the winners because there were so many good stories of service and I look forward to reading more of them when she has them all posted!

To see the winners of the giveaway click here!

To read my entry, click here!

I've also added Precious Designs to my blog list on the right or you can click here.

Necessity vs Luxury

As the birth of the baby approaches, we've been very blessed to have a lot of friends and family let us borrow things that they are no longer using.  Unfortunately, we don't have the room to have everything that is being offered to us and are therefore having to pick and choose what we need to use and what can wait until later.  It is at this point that Carlo and I have this discussion regarding what is Necessary... and what is a Luxury.

It's funny how we both feel that there are somethings that really aren't worth buying and some that are just plain wasteful.  Of course quite of few items are a must and because we're still a one income family, we're having to save our pennies and therefore take what we can get from everyone else.  It's easy to say that a "baby needs ________" when really it's Mom who needs it more.  For example:

How important is it to actually have a changing table? I mean.. will my baby suffer? I think not!  We were offered one and I turned it down.  I was asked,"Where do you plan to change the diaper?" My response was... "uh.. the bed"  The look of shock on this lady's face was hilarious.  She looked at me in disbelief that I would actually change a diaper on something other than a changing table.  For me, having a changing table was nice but, I can probably count on both hands and feet how many times I've actually seen a baby changed on one.  I'm sorry but, I've always changed my nieces and nephews (all 6 of them) on the bed or on the floor.  Of course we had carpet in the house so changing a baby on the floor is no big deal.  I don't have carpet here so, there will be a lot of changing on the bed or laying down lots and lots of blankets to do it on the floor.

Next we have... the High Chair.  Same person as above offered us a High Chair which at this time is not necessary.  Again, Carlo and I discussed the actual need for a High Chair and while it will definitely be useful during feedings... Is it really necessary? What did our parents do? I know my parents had one but I don't know if Carlo's parents did.    I sometimes wonder who came up with things that these babies need.  I personally think it's completely necessary but, some of these people will buy anything for their baby and try to justify it.  So, lady from above said she has a High Chair that she keeps at home for feedings.  Great! I'm happy she has room in her 1 bedroom house with 2 kids.  But unless the following doesn't work out.. I think we'll be ok.

And here's why... We received this "table chair" for the baby.  Again, same person gave this to us.  Trying very hard to convince us that it's so important to have not only a High Chair... but also this travel chair so that the baby can sit at the table when she's at Nonna's (grandmother's) house or at a restaurant.  This chair basically has 2 clamps that you attach to the end of the table.  So, why would have I have this chair plus a high chair? Especially when we don't have a car to constantly take this where ever we go?  Again... necessary or not?  What happened to the days where the baby just sat in your lap and got you dirty with the food their eating?

Next up in the Chair category is this little rocking chair.  This is what the Italians refer to as a "seggiolino" or "little chair".  One of Carlo's aunts let us borrow one and I have to say that so far, this is probably the most useful chair we will use.  Ours does not look like the one in this picture but, it's quite similar.  It has 4 different positions to use at different stages.  It will be perfect for me to put the baby in when she's awake and doesn't need to be fed or held.  I can put her in it and gently rock her to sleep.  As she gets older, I can change positions and even feed her while she's sitting in it.  See what I mean by all of these things that are good but not useful? Some yes... and some.. not so much.

I think for me, the biggest problem that I have regarding baby things is that everything is expensive... but no matter how what you think about American items being expensive, they don't compare to prices in Italy.  The only thing we're waiting for is a Stroller and car seat that a friend of mine is giving to us.  After reviewing some online and seeing them in the stores, I am grateful to Allison for giving us one.  I was recently on Target.com and saw that most Stroller/Car seat combos were starting at $200.  What a deal!!!  Here in Italy, you can't find a stroller and car seat.  We have the Trio.  Which is the car seat, stroller and... the baby carriage.  Isn't the stroller and the carriage the same thing?  Nope... it's not.  You see... the car seat generally stays in the car while the baby is in the carriage.  It's the baby carriage that is used during the first months... then of course making the transition to stroller.  These Trios are nice.. if you have the money to spend.. and when I say money.. I mean they start at €350 ($470 US) and go up to €1.000 ($1,340 US). Sadly, when Carlo and I saw the stroller we really loved, we quickly faced reality when we saw the price.  It was a Stokke Xplory and they are awesome! Here's the link and check them out!

There are so many other things I have have listed such as a scale to weigh the baby to a blender that not blends the food but also homogenizes the food so, basically you make your own baby food.  Maybe another time... when I have more things being offered to me that I can turn down.

Adventures in Health Care: The Hospital

This past Tuesday, I had to make a quick trip to the hospital to pick up some test results.  Carlo had the day off from Easter vacation so, he came along with me to make sure I was ok.  (as in.. to make sure I was not alone incase I went into labor)  While we were there, Carlo spoke to a few nurses and we were able to get a tour of the Labor & Delivery area.

I want to warn you now... this is going to get really...... STRANGE & maybe SCARY!

First- I want to recap from the last post.  I know that I'm supposed to go to the Emergency Room when "the time has come*."  We have been told that from that moment, we'll then go to the 3rd floor which is the OB/GYN department and we'll wait.  Then when they have a bed, we'll be taken to the 2nd floor which is where all of the action takes place.  This information was easy to remember and put me at ease because at least I know what I'm supposed to do and where I'm supposed to be.  The nurse who gave us the tour started off with this piece of information so, I understood everything she said.  What came next was something a little .... disturbing to me. (only because I'm American and I am used to certain luxuries) 

As we are walking down the hall, she explains that on one side of the wing is the OB department and the other side is GYN.  If the rooms are full on the OB side, then we'll be located on the GYN side.  There are NO PRIVATE ROOMS.  There will be 2-4 people in each room.  Once your delivery is done, your baby will be in the room with you.  Because there are so many people in the room, during visiting hours, your guests can stay in the waiting room and you and your baby can come out and visit people there.  There are NO PRIVATE BATHROOMS/SHOWERS.  There are communal bathrooms and also shower rooms.  As I peek my head into the rooms, I know there's no television and who knows if there is even Wi-Fi... which means I'm going to have to bring a book or make friends with the other moms and compare stories.

Next, it was onto the 2nd floor which is where the Labor & Delivery rooms are located.  Due to the construction, they are currently sharing the floor with the Cardiology Department which is why it's on a different floor.  As we continue our tour, she shows us a few rooms with beds similar to the patient rooms.  These rooms are the "labor" rooms.  It's here that I will be in labor until it's time to push.  Of course, there's no harm if you deliver in this room but, this is just for the "labor" part.  Once you're ready to push, then it's off to the delivery room.. which looks pretty much like the picture on the left.  The nurse continues to say that only 1 person is allowed with us during delivery because there are already too many people in the room.  Besides the nurse and doctor, there is also the Pediatric Nurse and Pediatrician also present to IMMEDIATELY asses the baby and give it a bath.  

So the nurse basically concludes her tour and Carlo starts asking questions such as... 

How long is the hospital stay?  4 days. 

Can she be released sooner than that?  maybe a day earlier but she has to sign a release

What time is discharge?  Late morning/Early afternoon.  So if you're at work, you can come at lunch time to pick her up.

What happens if she doesn't delivery by her due date?  Come in on your due date at 9:30 with a prescription from your doctor. We'll place a heart monitor on the belly and check the amniotic fluid. If everything is ok, then come back at 41 weeks (if she hasn't delivered yet).  At 41 weeks, we'll repeat the exam. If everything is still ok come back 3 days later at 7:30am and we'll induce. 

My wife doesn't want an Epidural. Is there a problem with that???...................

This is the part where you freak out!  This is a "natural birth only" hospital.  We do not administer any pain medication for delivery.  If she needs to have a C-section, then we will give her an anesthetic otherwise, it's all natural.  You can be in any position you want. Standing, laying down, sitting, squatting.... whatever works for you.  Once you delivery, we'll move you back into a "labor" room for a few hours to recover and then we'll send you and your baby to the 3rd floor to your room.  I gotta say... at this point, I'm really excited about the delivery.  Yes, I don't want an Epidural for personal reasons (that totally freak me out**) but I had also thought that I could possibly get some other form of pain medication if needed, but now that's totally out the window.  Can I do it? YES... I CAN... AND YES.. I HAVE TO!!  To be honest, yes, I know it will hurt but like my mom said.. "God gave women the ability to handle natural child birth. If not, then we wouldn't be having babies."  My great-grandmother had a lot of her kids at home and my grandmother had my mom natural........ outside of the hospital....... on the sidewalk....... in the SNOW...... and my mom had my youngest brother naturally. (she said she didn't have time for pain meds and that maybe it's because she had 3 other kids but it didn't hurt) 

So, that's about it... I'm ready for this baby, I'm ready for the pain and I am looking forward to telling my story of giving birth naturally in an Italian hospital that looks like it's still stuck in the 50's!

*did you like my 'I Love Lucy' reference??

** ok, so I guess maybe I should tell you the reasons I don't want an Epidural. 

#3-Too many horror stories of complications, such as but not limited to: no feeling in lower body for 3 days after delivery, Doctor not performing it correctly.. therefore sending sharp shooting pains up and down the side of your body, nausea & vomiting, etc....

#2- I don't like/want anything near/in/around my spine.... period.

#1- Personal friend (My best friend's husband) was injured and is NOW somewhat paralyzed due to a "simple procedure" that .... yes.. you guessed it... involved having to be poked in his spine.  He went from perfectly normal to walking with a cane to wheelchair to bedridden on most days. (I should tell you that he's also under the age of 30 and has a daughter who is almost 20 months old that he can't really play with because of this injury)

so.... because of Reason #1- Carlo strongly agrees with my decision and therefore wanted to make sure my wishes were kept...... I love him so much for taking care of me!

Almost got my groove back!

I love to cook. I love to bake.  I haven't done much of either since the move.  To be honest, I haven't made much of an effort because I am still trying to get settled (yes.. even a year later) and I sometimes have a hard time finding things that I need.  However, since becoming pregnant, my domestic cooking skills have been coming back in full force.  Having the cravings for "something familiar" has gotten me out of my cooking rut and the apron is back on.

But... there was still something missing..... until now!

You see, having been married in Texas, Carlo's family wasn't able to come for the wedding.  So, when we moved here, and got settled, the wedding presents started to come in. Even after almost 3 years of marriage, the presents are still coming.  So a few months ago, we received a monetary gift from one of Carlo's aunts & uncle.  Carlo suggested we split the money BUT... my brilliant idea was even better.  Actually what I said was, "It's a wedding gift, therefore it needs to go toward something we both can enjoy or we get something for the house."  Well, it didn't take much of a discussion because there are lots of things we need that we don't have.

1-  A Grill

We love us some grilled food! We already have a grill pan we use for hamburgers and chicken but Carlo hates mixing flavors so, an indoor grill was a MUST!  We have been waiting for the perfect time to get one. Not only was this a perfect size to grill 2 portions at once, but it also opens completely to lay flat.  Sorry George Foreman... this grill is better than yours!... AND... I got it on SALE!!!  So now that we have a grill, we can finally go back to having fresh Salmon, or.... these fantastic looking shrimp! (which is what we ate last friday night for dinner)

Next up...

2- A blender & Food processor

How in the world am I supposed to make crust for Cheesecake without a food processor? OR even make a smoothie without a blender??  Problem solved with my Philips Spaces saver food processor! I love that I don't have 2 appliances when 1 motor can work for both!  It has everything I need for slicing, dicing, chopping & then... my blender!  I've already made a Strawberry Banana smoothie that was yummy!  AGAIN... I also got this on SALE!!!

but wait! there's more!!

3- A Standing mixer

Life just got SO much better!  The other 2 appliances we got a few months ago, but last week we picked up this bad boy.  No, it's not a Kitchen Aid which is the Grandaddy of all Standing mixers but... even with the money we got, there was NO WAY we could afford a Kitchen Aid (it costs so much more here than in the States)  So, when I was doing price comparisons, I was surprised this particular brand was actually at a good price.  Now, I can FINALLY make some cheesecakes, cake, brownies and all other sorts of yummy goodness.  OH... AND.... because of my growing belly making pizza dough sometimes gets a little difficult. (ok.. so I just got tired easier)  I used my mixer to mix my dough for me.  Not only was everything mixed well.. as an experiment, I only had it on for 10 minutes.  My dough came out great! Carlo said it was the best one yet!  Which means, the time it takes me to prepare dough just got cut in half!!!  We did NOT get this on sale.. but that's ok too.

because I got the other 2 items on sale, we actually had 6 euros left which enabled me to get these...

now, Carlo doesn't have to drink wine out of a nutella glass!

Don't be too surprised if you start seeing a lot more recipes or food posts.  

I have a lot of catching up to do!!

Status Update:  I am now at 38 weeks.. the belly is big and I would very much for this little girl to hurry up and pop out. I'm starting to feel slightly uncomfortable sitting on a sofa.

Vive La France!

I've always been a huge fan of the French.  French fries, french bread... not so much of french dressing.  Ok.. so, I'm kidding about the fries and bread BUT.. not kidding about French people.  Both times that I have been to Paris, I have been treated very nicely and contrary to what Americans think, the Parisians that I've encountered have been quite pleasant. (maybe because I'm brown.. who knows)

I studied French in High School for 3 years and participated in Foreign Language competitions where I've done quite well in whatever I competed in. (i can't remember that far back anymore)  I just really enjoy all things French.  Unfortunately, I don't remember much of it anymore except for greetings or "J'aime ________."

One thing I do know is how much I love me some Crepes!!  Especially when they're made by a REAL Frenchman!  So a few months ago, when we received an invitation by our friends Jill & Florent to come by their place one Sunday afternoon for Crepes, we happily accepted!

It's taking me a while to post about this because I had wanted to include the recipe for Crepes but, I couldn't wait anymore. (i had to post these fabulous pictures!!)  Especially since this is a 2 part post.  So, Florent who is french made these fabulous Crepes and I can't wait for him to teach me so I can make them too!

Our Crepes could have been filled with the our choice of items....

Nutella,  Raspberry marmalade, Maple Syrup, honey, & sugar & lemon.

One way that I NEVER KNEW the French eat Crepes is with sugar, then a squeeze of lemon

We asked Jill to show us how it's done..

and it was AWESOME!!

-Part 2-

(2 months later)

Last Friday, we invited Jill & Florent to our place for after dinner drinks and they were kind enough to bring a dessert.

I've heard quite a bit about Flo's Tarte Tatin and I was very excited to finally try it.

Since he is the master baker, I had Florent serve his famous dessert.

Let me just say that it was FANTASTIQUE!!

and now Florent has 2 recipes he needs to teach me!!

Pasqua 2010

Don't you just love Easter?!?!  I do! I would love it more this year if the weather wasn't so crummy! It was grey, rainy and COLD!! I don't know who turned the A/C on but I thought winter was OVER!!!  (good thing I hadn't done the Spring Cleaning in my closet yet!!)

Last year, was my first Easter in Italy and we celebrated by hiking Sacra di San Michele which you can read about here.  Obviously, that wasn't going to happen this year so, we stayed home and made some adjustments to our bedroom to make room for the baby. (which you can read here)

Easter is a HUGE deal here in Italy.  There are usually quite a few processions going on to mark The Way of The Cross.  Earlier this week, while we were having dinner, we heard a voice outside that was kinda loud but we really couldn't make out what there were saying.  It was some of the members from the church Carlo goes to and they were doing the procession.  (Carlo would have done Sacra di San Michele this year but didn't want to leave me alone!!)  So, I quickly grabbed my camera since one of the "stations" was below our building.

(unfortunately, this was the best picture I could get)

So today, on this wonderful Easter, Carlo and I went to have lunch with his mom and sister.  Traditionally Easter lunch would be just as big as Christmas... with 10 courses.. (ok.. maybe not 10 but a lot of food).  Since it's only the 4 of us, we kept things low key and basically ate as we would any Sunday lunch.

We started with our Pasta and had Tagliatelle w/ Bolognese sauce

then Roast

with Spinach

Spinach tastes even better when you sprinkle freshly grated Parmigiano

Even though I was stuffed.. I had to have Strawberries!

Then of course it's time for Dessert!!!

That big yellow egg shape thing... yes... that is our Chocolate Easter Egg!!

1 kilo (2.2 lbs) of hollow Chocolate goodness!!

There is always a surprise inside the egg so, you have to break it open with a knife...

and inside is your surprise.

Our egg had a toy motorcycle.  It even came with it's own screwdriver and wrench!

(at this time I would have posted a picture of it except, it's not finished!)

Of course, it's not Easter until you have your Colomba

(Colomba is dove in Italian)

It's hard to believe that this was a small meal and yet, we were completely stuffed that when we got home, Carlo and I both had to take naps.  Another thing about Easter that I love... is that this year... I'm allowed to eat more!  Ok.. so I shouldn't say "allowed" but, Carlo's mom gave us the left overs so that I could eat more later when I got hungry... after all.. I am eating for 2!

And just so you know... I did eat more! After my nap, I was hungry so I had the last of the pasta and then Carlo and I finished the Roast and Spinach.... and of course ate more Chocolate!!

I hope every one had a Buona Pasqua!

Ready and Waiting....

Dear Baby Girl....

It's now 2 weeks & 2 days until your due date.  I just wanted to let you know that you can come at any time now.  We're ready for you.... in fact, we're waiting and hoping you'll come early.  Papi has already been hard at work rearranging the bedroom to make room for your crib in our room.

He had a great idea of reorganizing the wardrobe in our room so that we could move the 2 bookcases down to the basement.....

before...

We emptied everything and while I was trying to find a new place for my shoes and purses, Papi carried 1 bookcase down 10 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS (because it didn't fit in the elevator).. then carried it down ANOTHER FLIGHT OF STAIRS into the basement only to realize that it wouldn't fit and he would have to disassemble the entire bookcase.  Therefore, before taking the 2nd bookcase, he disassembled it in the hallway, then took it to the basement where he spent over an hour putting it back together and reorganizing the basement.

after...

While taking the bookcase apart in the hallway, I emptied out a dresser so that Papi could move it next to the Wardrobe.

before...

Since we had so much more room, we moved the 2 dressers next to the Wardrobe and the room looks so much better. In fact, it was the perfect amount of space we needed so that we could move your crib in our room.  You will no longer have to sleep in the Computer/Guest room... or the kitchen!!

after...

Now the only thing missing is you!   I've made your crib and put the sheets & blanket that Abuelita (my mom) sent you.  When she gets here, we'll put the bedding that we had made special just for you.  Your Aunts (my dad's sisters) in Dallas love you so much that they're making your Winnie the Pooh bedding.

So, when you're ready..... feel free to go ahead and pop out of my belly!

Love you SO much..

xoxoxo

Mommy & Papi