The Dude's 7th Birthday!

Well a lot has happened over the past month. Maggie (Joel's mom) came out for Gianluca's birthday and to help out. We had a great time with her. Gianluca was especially happy to have his own personal masseuse in town. She'd give him a foot massage almost every night before bed. He was in Heaven! I'm excited to also show you pictures of this toothless monster! He lost his two front teeth (one of which was knocked out while wrestling with Abu Maggie) and it is so freaking adorable that I love to see that enormous gap! You could parallel park your car in there I swear! But that space is quickly filling up with two big teeth. I can't believe that only seven years ago I had Gianluca on Superbowl Sunday and watched Justin Timberlake reveal Janet Jackson's boob the day the Patriots won. I was sitting there thinking, Did I just see that???? Yes, yes I did. What a great memory for his birth day!

Fast forward seven years and probably 6 moves later, we have this crazy passionate, wild child who is way more like his Dad every day. Apparently all of those people who cursed Joel to "have a child just like he was" got there wish! But I wouldn't have it any other way. He loves life, and he feels and loves and gets angry, but that is what makes him so special! It's amazing we've not had any problems with him at school (knock on wood!!!) and his teacher is always telling me how well behaved he is in class. I can't believe it because when he comes home, it's like opening the gates of animal kingdom! Oh well, he's our boy and we love the dude! For his b-day Allegra and I had lunch with him and took his class cupcakes and for dinner he wanted to go to Benihana's, his favorite restaurant. We had a blast and he loved talking trash to the cook and making jokes. We had a great time. He loves eating dumplings and shrimp there. Then we had a party at Chuck E Cheese for him with some neighborhood kids. He had a blast and got more presents than he had for Christmas. It was crazy! He wanted a giant cookie cake for his birthday, and because I'm a cheap skate and didn't want to by the $38 one from the mall, I made one for him. It wasn't pretty, but it sure tasted good!

Maggie helped refinish my rocking chair and finish some curtains. And of course made pajamas for Allegra and her doll. I always call her my little Juanita because she is always working non-stop while she is here. We can barely get her to relax! We really appreciate all she does for us!

That pretty much sums it up! Oh we got new granite and it looks amazing! I'll put pics up later. I'm still huge and uncomfortable. I have less than 7 weeks to go! AAAAAHHHHH!!! Scary! We still haven't got a name picked out. She might be nameless for awhile! Maybe I'll do a poll and see what names you guys like. Or maybe I don't want all of your opinions! :) I don't know!


Toothless Grin


Allegra loves bath time


Gianluca holding up his tooth fairy money and letter


Allegra's new jammies Abu Maggie sewed. Don't look at me, I look like a cow!

Dinner at Bennihannas with our funny and awesome cook Scott.


GL and Abu Maggie


His new found obsession, Mario Brothers. He and Joel play almost every night!


B-day money from Grandma and Grandpa Decker. He still hasn't spent it because he loves counting all of those ones!


The birthday boy and his sis