You Can Take the Girl Out of the City but not the City Out of the Girl

It has been 15 months since I have been back to L.A. and I am feeling it! It's been such an experience, not only living in Italy, but in a small town in Italy. I have realized the good and bad about it... but no matter what, I am and will always be a city girl. Is there something wrong with me? Is there something wrong with me that I can't wait to land at LAX and take in the atmosphere as I step outside... aka... the smog. That I can't wait to sit in traffic, where it is really my only "alone" time and I get to rock out to my music. That I'm dying to be in crowds in the middle of the afternoon instead of deserted streets at 2pm. That I can eat at any time of day I want and the restaurant will be open. I will have lunch at 11am if I am hungry or dinner at 6pm if I want to instead of waiting till 9pm like all the so-called "normal" people here. I can go to the supermarket at night in some warm-ups and not have to worry about bumping into someone or being dressed inappropriately. Sigh... Italy is bellissima but I miss my big city and big city ways.

Of course, when I am back there, there will be things I miss about Italy... but I have never been away from LA for more than 6 months so it is just unacceptable. I hope to see you soon my big, crowded, expensive, smoggy, happening, fun, exciting city. A presto.

Giving Birth in Italia

So it's been almost 6 months since I have given birth and I have been meaning to write about my experience. As I have written before, I was really lucky to have a great OBGYN that I was comfortable with and to be giving birth in a private clinic 5 minutes from home but I wanted to fill you in on my actual hospital experience. So I was admitted and put into a room with 3 other females. I thought that was going to be bad, but given the fact that I was in the hospital for 6 days, it was really nice to have company, and I got along well with the girl next to me. The bad part about it was that when it came to visitors, it was like a madhouse in there and it would be impossible for you to get any rest. There is no control on how many visitors can come and even the visiting hours aren't really followed. So, there were times where there was like 20 people in the room. It was fine at first when I hadn't given birth yet and me and my family would just go downstairs to the lobby to get some air, but after I gave birth, it made it difficult for me or baby to get some peace and quiet.

One of the things that I found most unacceptable were the amenities and bathroom. The shower head was broken so water splattered everywhere, and to make it worse, there was no shower curtain or wall so you were pretty much washing down the entire bathroom. Moreover, they didn't supply toilet paper! We had to bring our own! On that note, we also had to bring our own water and drinks because beverages didn't come with the meal. We were to bring our own pjs or gowns because they don't wear hospital gowns there. And the machine to control baby's heart wasn't stationed next to each patient to control 24 hours, but you were brought to a room two times a day or a portable machine was brought to you to monitor for like 45 minutes. One of the worse things I remember the most, was that it was the middle of summer and beyond hot. The air conditioning wasn't that powerful and at night, the girls preferred to have the window open... which opening the window automatically turned off the air conditioning and also allowed all the mosquitoes come in! There was one morning I woke up with 7 bites... seriously unacceptable in a hospital. And beyond unacceptable to have bad A/C in the middle of summer with a pregnant woman!

Nonetheless, the one thing that bothered me the most is that everyone or almost everyone has C-sections. I think I was the only one who wanted to give birth naturally and there were women who were trying to talk me out of it. Saying it is so much easier with a c-section, this and that. To top it off, I have read articles that the majority of births in Italy are c-sections and doctors push for it so they can earn more money, and especially in the Campania Region where I am... shady right? Another thing that is corrupt with Italia...

So there was good and bad at the hospital I stayed at. Like I stated at the beginning, this was a private clinic, so I have no idea how bad the public hospitals are. Eeek... Of course in any where in the world, you will get the good and bad. The most important thing is that Antonio was born healthy and well.

An Italian NYE - Cenone di San Silvestro

Believe it or not... this will be my first year celebrating a true Italian NYE dinner, or as the Italians call it "Cenone di San Silvestro". Traditionally, everyone goes to have dinner with their families where they make Cotechino con Lenticchie (Cotechino with lentils). Cotechino is a fresh sausage made from pork, fat back, and pork rind which is flavorful and tender. Yummm... can't wait to try it. Most people have dinner with the family whether at home or reserving at a restaurant and ring in the new year there. Then, the youngins go out to the clubs afterwards. Talk about knowing how to party! Normally you ring in the new year and are already drunk and done with the night... or at least I always was. =) My husband and I always either spent it by ourselves or with friends. This will be nice to be with family with baby and all now.

Let's hope 2012 is a good year for everyone! This year was rough for my friends and family and all around the world with the economic crisis, thankfully we were able to welcome Antonio into the world which definitely sugar coated the bad.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! FELICE ANNO NUOVO!!!

Vaccinations in Italia

If you happen to be raising a family in Italy, then one of the most common questions or concerns you may have are vaccinations for your baby. They are quite similar to the U.S. You will have them at 2 months, then 4 months, then 11 months, etc. However, the one difference is that these vaccinations are mandatory and administered by the City Hall. If you do not get these vaccinations done for your baby, the carabinieri (police) will come to your house. Crazy right? In America, many parents are now deciding to do alternate vaccination schedules and delaying certain vaccinations with all the controversy that has been going on about side effects, autism, etc. Although these alternate vaccination schedules are controversial in itself, Americans do have the right to discuss it with their pediatricians. Not in Italy....

As for the experience I had in bringing my baby.... we had to take him to the City Hall where there is a room that the nurse goes to administer the vaccinations. One morning in the week is dedicated to giving babies vaccinations. Monday from 10:30 t0 12:30. It is unorganized and simply disappointing. I get there to be surrounded by about 15 other parents and babies waiting as well. We are stuck in this small hallway and outdoors where it was cold and rainy. Once it was our turn, we went in, to what seemed like a jury. A table with 4 women sat there and I was asked to be seated. They took my baby's medical records to fill out and asked me a couple questions like if I breastfeed. Then they put baby on the table and listen to his heartbeat and then give him the vaccination on his thigh. Then we are asked to go outside once again and wait 15 minutes before leaving to make sure there are no side effects.

I don't expect it to be a day at the spa but a proper waiting room, a list for the order we go in, and seats aren't much to ask for, right?

Wanting My American Christmas in Italy

I am all about the Italian Christmas and decorating my balcony with my Santa Claus climbing up the railing but I have been on the hunt for Christmas stockings and they are no where to be found! With baby having his first Christmas, I wanted to do the traditional American thing, and have a stocking with each of our names on them to hang at home. But, mission not accomplished. =( Every time I ask around, they say I have to wait for "Befana" on January 6th when they sell stockings... but those are stockings filled with candies for the kids. I guess our personalized stockings will have to wait another year until I can get them in America. =(

If you are in Italy, and have found someone who sells them, please let me know!

Being Thankful on Thanksgiving

Thank you God for my Piccolo Grande Miracolo

It's been a while since I have blogged with how crazy my life has been with work and baby. But, I had to take a minute to just write what I am greatful, which is a lot...

Thank you for my wonderful big family back home who can be a soap opera sometimes but always loving and never boring. I love how big we are and are still growing and there is never silence in the house when we are together. =)

Thank you for giving me a second family here in Italy who loves me like I have been in their lives forever.

Thank you for my husband who has given me an unconditional love that I have never imagined and constantly shows me how much he loves me every day.

Thank you for my precious little Antonio who has brought me a joy beyond words and is a true miracle.

Thank you for my friends who are there for me and make me laugh.

Thank you for giving me things to laugh about.

Thank you for giving me a job in such an awful time of crisis.

Thank you for the clothes on my back that keeps me warm.

Thank you for giving us a roof over our head.

Thank you for the food on the table every day.

Thank you for keeping my feet steady on the ground.

Thank you for my two feet...

Dear New, Expecting Mothers

This blog goes out to all the beautiful women out there who are expecting their first baby. From one mother to another, I hope this blog will give you some uplifting spirits. When I found out I was pregnant, I did everything possible to get ready for the big change in my life. I read all the books for how to prepare for baby - how to take care of my body while trying to get pregnant, then it was the books while pregnant and what to expect, and then the books on baby's first two years. I knew that I couldn't map out my birthing plan and expect it to go the way I expected but I surely wanted to be prepared for everything the best I could. The thing is, these books tell you what to prepare for with sicknesses and how to bathe baby and what not but not for the real emotions that come into play.

So you probably are hearing from everyone now, "Get as much sleep as possible", "Enjoy your alone time before baby", etc. And of course you know this and will take advantage of these things, but it will still not prepare you for what awaits.

The first month is hard, period. Unless you have a nanny and had an easy labor and are superwoman, the first month is hard. Not only is your body still recovering, especially from a c-section which I had to have (already the first thing that didn't go as planned), but you are exhausted, not feeling yourself, not able to do your normal chores, have lack of sleep, and possibly going through the trials and tribulations of breastfeeding like me. Nonetheless, it is no walk in the park.

So where is the bright side?

When your loved ones promise you "it will get better". Because it does. And although you still have to rough it out until baby finally latches on, sleeps through the night and stomach matures - all you can do is take it one day at a time and let your baby cheer you up and make your heart melt with their smile.

Each day baby changes but things have gotten much easier from the first two months. I thought falling in love was the best thing that has happened to me but there is also nothing like the love of a child. There is just so much to look forward to and so many milestones. Keep the faith.

My new, strong, beautiful, multi-tasking, invincible mothers, "It will get better," and then ... it just keeps getting better.