What did I tell you about that nose?

iPod

Thank you GrandMaG for all the clothes you sent me, this one is my favourite, but the next present will be the real iPad for Sugar, so she/he will start to read very early.

Love Cristian

Yeah USA, Boo hoo Italy

This picture says it all: the excitement of the US winning their group and the sadness of getting booted out of the World Cup yesterday.

It was an emotional week for this Italian American Dog. That, or maybe the sadness has something to do with that empty food bowl next to her. It is impossible to know for sure.

GO TEAM USA!!!!

YOU ROCK! CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BIG WIN!!! Today we have our American and our Italian flags out.

No offense, Italy, but I would really like the USA to go on and kick some more tail.

Man oh man

I sure feel great. 

5 Month Check up A-OK

Weight: same. Doctor says this is fine and that I'll gain some this month and the belly will start to really pop out.
The Sugarbaby is kicking now. Even Cris got to feel a couple of penalty shots yesterday. She's active first thing in the morning (before I feel like getting up), when I'm checking my email in the morning, and then when I settle down to read before going to bed.

I'm not supposed to sleep on my back, and on the left side is best (I flip from right to left, though). Next visit is on July 19.

My blood tests are all fine, except the ole chicken pox one alternates from saying I'm protected from it to I'm not (I totally had chicken pox, so it's totally not fair, by the way!)...This month I seem to be safe from it (I'm what you call borderline...)

I feel great, got no complaints, don't feel belly heavy, so it's all good. I wear mostly maternity pants because they have an elastic waist band but a couple of my normal pants still fit me so when I have to dress up I'm not in big trouble yet (I only have jeans material maternity things, but beggars can't be choosers).

We saw our friends' 2 month-old yesterday, which made me think, HOT DAMN in 4 months we're gonna have one of those!

Crazy. Time flies.

We are also taking suggestions on strollers

Do you REALLY need all the gadgets? Do people REALLY use those trio things? Are the extra big wheels REALLY worth it?

I want the straight dope. Bring it on.

Where are the good boys' names?

There are tons of good girls' names. But for boys?? Slim pickins!! We're taking suggestions.

AMNIO RESULTS ARE OKAY!

We got the results today. Although I sure can't tell what the hell they mean, we asked and the doctors said that everything is fine. But if you don't believe me, here is what they say (scroll down for Google translation):

"Analisi del cariotipo su liquido amniotico
       Codice laboratorio: AC10-158
        Indicazione all'analisi: Età materna avanzata (HEY!!!!!!)
        Metodica: In situ
        Risultato: cariotipo normale
        Numero metafasi: 10 da 10 cloni di 4 colture indipendenti 
        Bandeggio: QFQ
        ISCN 2009 Limite di risoluzione 400-500 bande"

Here is what Google Translator has to say about it:

"Karyotype analysis in amniotic fluid
       Laboratory code: AC10-158
        Indication analysis: advanced maternal age (HEY !!!!!!)
        Method: In situ
        Result: normal karyotype
        Metaphases Number: 10 of 10 clones of four independent cultures
        Banding: QFQ
        2009 ISCN 400-500 band resolution limit "


Anyway, we're pleased. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATHAN!!!!

It's your 6th birthday!!! Have some cake for us! WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU!!! LOVE, AUNTIE KARI AND UNCLE CRISTIAN

Sugar has Daddy's Nose

The 5 month ultrasound went without a hitch, except when Sugar didn't feel like showing her backside and I had to leave and drink a Coke come back in a half hour. That did the trick. All measurements good. No danger of finding out the sex, could barely tell where the head was.

We did get two profile pics of the fetus (where it was clear where the head was). Amazingly, Cristian's ski-jump nose ("The nose copied by Michael Jackson") is quite prominent. I think the perfect-shaped head is mine, though. Will get those posted as soon as Cristian gets to it.

Amnio results not in yet. Will keep you posted. Probably Friday.

Food Dilemma

After our weekend Tai Chi workshop was over (fun, looks so peaceful but is all about violence and self-defence! Who knew??), Cristian and I went out with our friends Leo and Roberta (her birthday!!) for lunch and the big talk was about food in America. It was led by Leo, who did his PhD in San Diego. He explained that when he was there Polenta had become the Big Fashion, and that people bought JARS of Pesto (rather than just making it themselves), and, that in America there is a brand called "Chef Boyardee" which is "Pasta in a can".

Which made me think.

Will Sugar grow up WITHOUT Spaghettios? That would be a tragic thing indeed. And I don't care about the food snobs-- even if the sauce tasted like aluminum, those little meatballs were tastey! Poor Sugar.

At least Kraft M&C is light (weight-wise, of course). I'm sure mom can fit a box in her suitcase for when Sugar is old enough --but WHERE am I going to find I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT BUTTER?!

Speaking of not knowing if it's a he or a she

The fashion in Trieste is to know the sex of your baby as soon as possible, therefore it is also the assumption that people have (Do you know the sex yet?) and that the hospital has. So if you DON'T want to know, every time you go to the doctor for an ultrasound or test, you have to specify that you are not interested in knowing if it is a girl or a boy and hope that the person doesn't slip (more than one couple I know has had something like this happen: "Well, it looks like a very healthy baby boy from here!"). It even happened to our doctor. When we did the amnio, Cristian had to go to a special office to request it not be written on the results. 

Most people think we're crazy for not wanting to know. 

One or two people think it's kind of cool, especially when Cristian says "We're doing it like they did in the olden days" and "What better surprise can you have in your life?"

We have our next ultrasound on Monday-- let's see if the technician will be able to keep the sex a secret. 

Happy 20 Weeks!

We're halfway there!

Dear Sugar,

I know I know, I'm the meanest mom in the world, but there are a few things I just want to get out on the table while you're still a fetus, that way you know it's not personal. Also, this will give you a few years to get used to the ideas...

I was walking home from downtown and I passed Corsi Middle School where I saw a few unsavory things (that you will never do, of course, my little love) and I thought of a few things I ought to tell you.

1. I don't care how good your grades are, at 14 years old, you may not have a Vespa (or any other kind of motorized vehicle).
2. You can take the written scooter test if it makes you feel better, sure, but that's as far as it goes.
3. You can ask your father but you'll be wasting your time. He agrees with me. NO SCOOTER.
4. At 15 or above, please don't still be in Middle School.
5. At 18 you can take your driving test, just like everyone else here (you practice with your father in this case). If we're in the States, you can take it at 16 (I'll take you driving through the cemetaries in this case), fine.
5. Yes, you must go to college. I know it's expensive. Start saving now.
6. No, you may not live at home until you're 40. We're going to have to draw the line at 30.

Ok. That's all I can think of, Sugarcakes. See you in a few months.

Love,
K-Mom