Cugini da Roma!!!

Sunday night our family from Rome, Massimo, Laura + girls (Gio's brother and wife)as well as Milena (Laura's mom) and Amalia, who lives in Turin, came to visit us!
It was the first time for Charlotte to meet her cousins Gaia (3yrs) and Lea (9months). We had a nice dinner together and stayed up to talk and play.
All the girls got along really well!
Our apartment is not very big- and we had people sleeping EVERYWHERE! Max, Laura + girls in front room- Milena in the hallway and Amalia on our bedroom floor- only the kitchen was missing a bed!
We are looking forward to more fun times together with you cugini da Roma!!!
Our State- side travels begin on Thursday! Looking forward to it!
All tuckered out!

new things to share

So Sorry about the drought of news from us- I have just been learning to balance being a mommy with all the other things to do here around the house! All is going well here and we are not slowing down much- in fact next week we are headed state side!!! Charlotte's passport has arrived, she got her immunizations today and we are getting REALLY excited to show her off!!! April 2nd is the day for take off, we will be spending 5 days in NYC before heading to Utah, Gio will be with us a few days before heading back to Milan- while west side we will take advantage of Into the Woods (my dad and bro's business) to visit them in San Diego, CA and finally leave to come back home (Italy home) on April 28th.
Back to the days happenings: poor little Charlotte tensed up right before the needle went in and I am sure felt worse. I can see she does not feel well- who would after being injected with 2 needles full invisible pain!
It was sad to hold her pinned down with her teary eyes looking up at me- :(
On a happier note, Charlotte is growing and is a happy little girl. She LOVES her little kick gym (see the video in post below) and enjoys to smile and blow bubbles! She is progressing in holding her head up and we get many comments about how straight she holds herself! It is such a joy to watch her each day!
Here are a few pictures to share more of her with you, there are a few from Gio's 35th birthday a few weeks back and some of Charlotte meeting new friends!

moving around

A little something to show you she really does move!

Newest American Citizen

Today was a Great Day! You are looking at the newest American Citizen! This morning Giovanni and I had an appointment at the US Consulate here in Milan to report Charlotte's birth abroad, apply for Social Security Card as well as a US passport! All went well and we should have her passport here in about 2 weeks!!! (camera's were not allowed in the consulate, so we took pictures at home) We are planning a trip back to Utah the first part of April!! Hope you are all looking forward to meeting Charlotte- she is sure ready to show you her smile!
The photos above are the proof of the 9euro I spent trying to get a good picture for her passport and Italian ID card- not an easy task. We went to the local grocery store that has a machine, the first one is the last one we took (Gio came with me to make things MUCH easier) the other two believe it or not were the BEST of 6 pictures- but that is because I had to put in the money, hold her up and dodge the camera while pushing the button with my elbow- what an exercise! I think I will soon be able to add contortionist to my repertoire of things I can do! Seriously, when one becomes a MOM you learn to do so many things One handed- or learn to use other body parts to help out! I am happy Gio helped- you can see the difference- this is good team work!

Blood Oranges

When I first arrived in Italy as a missionary I had a glass of blood orange juice! I had never heard of blood oranges- but I really like- no LOVE them. Now that I am married to a Sicilian we often eat them while in season. One of our favorites is an EASY orange salad. Simply peel the orange cut or split the segments add some sliced onion or fennel- OR both with a bit of olive oil and a touch of Fresh red pepper (not too much)- simple easy and ohhh so GOOD!

So happy!!!

We are doing great- more to come soon!!!