awwwwwww e' meraviglioso!!Im sorry u had a rough time with the delivery but it was worthed Sean is a little angel Give him a kiss from us and take care of yourself Congratulations!!!

Welcome Sean

He's a pisces so he'll be an handsome and smart boy...just like all other pisces...like me! ahahaha!

BTW: A&E my most sincere contratulations on your wonderful baby! He really looks so calm in the picture! I'm sorry about the delivery but I'm sure the joy of your son is the most effective painkiller you need.

Are you guys hanging the blue ribbon at the house door like we do here in Italy?!?!

OH SEAN, YOUR FINALLY HERE, AND YOUR SOOO BEAUTIFUL, MY EYES ARE WELLED UP WITH JOY FOR YOU THREE! SORRY THINGS WERE SO ROUGH FOR YOU ALEX, I WAS WORRIED ABOUT YOU, GLAD TO HEAR YOUR ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY. IF YOU NEED ANYTHING, HAVE ANY WORRIES, LET ME KNOW, I GOT CONNECTIONS OVER HERE, LOL. HOPE YOU HAVE SOMEONE THERE TO GIVE YOU TWO NEW PARENTS A HELPING HAND. SO HAPPY FOR YOU! A KISS FOR THE

Well, you won't believe this.

I called again the consulate and with my huge surprise I was transferred to the Visa office...I was even more surprised, but maybe better shocked, to hear that my interview and medical were scheduled for March 7/8 and that they've sent me a letter on Feb 22. Needless to say I never received such letter and indeed I requested them 3 times before to send me everything by email. I was rescheduled for April 3/4...

Thanx Bree for the phone # it helped a bit to get through the offices...I'm just very mad b/c I could have completed everything by now...

Again best wishes to Alex, Eric and wonderful Sean!

Alex congratulations on the new baby, and I hope you are able to establish a routine with him. Are any family members coming from Italy? If I'm not mistaken, this is the first baby for this group?

Dmencaroni, my husband's interview letter was also lost in the mail and he had to reschedule the interview. Good luck on your interview.

Kaalyx, I guess the groundhog was right this time because it is cold everywhere!!! It's nippy here in DC.

MY COMPUTER IS freaking out! I'm trying to post but can't!! UGG! You'll all hear from me soon as i can get a word in!

Wow, D. That's absurd. I'm sorry this mix-up had to happen. And to think how much longer you'd have have to wait had you NOT been calling regularly. Sheesh. There seems to be no oversight at the Embassy. Is someone stealing Embassy mail? ... In any case, now you have something to look forward to. Will your wife come for a visit? ... Just 2.5 more weeks and you can be done with this nonsense! Congratulations on getting this far

D- Goodness that's horrible, sorry about your setback. Your almost there though!

Ciao Paola!

noemij-Sorry it has taken me FORever to get to you, computer dosen't want to keep a connection...I've been having to send e-mails by word pad copy n pasting! Darn wireless junk!

Anyways, we live in Verona, and I LOVE ITALY! At the begining I did have a hard time adjusting, I didn't speak the language, no drivers licence, no independence, no self-confidence, blah blah. Quickly those things were over come, and I almost hate to leave! There are lots of things we are considering, there are pro's and con's about every place on this greenish Earth.

I could go on and on about why I prefer one place to the other. In our case, Italy is not an easy place for my husband to find work in his field, as an airline pilot. It is likley we will be forced to live somewhere else in Europe, and we would prefer to be in one country or the other, U.S. or Italy. This is one of the main reasons we are considering moving to the U.S. On the other hand, in my husbands case, pay is better here, more vcation days, etc. My only advise to you is this, have husbands citizenship in hand or close to it, before starting your life abroad. If things don't work out you won't be spending money and stress keeping his status.

I could go more in detail about why we are thinking about moving. I prefer Italy for a million reasons, when it all comes down to it, I like the people's way of being. No offense to any Americans now! And I, not having a college education, have advantages here, but in the U.S. I don't....but my husband does....ugg,it's a hard decision to make. I could go more in detail, if you'd like more ideas/pro/con's IMO, let me know! Good luck deciding what's best for your family!

Ciao a tutti!!Im finally goin back to Italy for a vacation,i leave monday. This is the first time that i leave my hubby after 8months togheter and its gonna be hard but I gotta go see my family!Does anyone know if i can renew my italian passport even if its not expired yet,or add my hubby name on it someway?

Congrats Alex! I am sure you are VERY busy. Post more pictures when you get time. What color are his eyes?

Guess what? Stefano and I are going to Italy for 3 weeks starting in the end of July through mid August I am so excited. So is his family. I am buying the tickets today.

Thanks Breezy...I certainly agree with you that the quality of life is better in Italy. I'll send you a PM...

Hello guys...
sorry I am not replying to PMs, cards etc. ... THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH THOUGH! Please bear with me! I truly do not have any time AT ALL, right now I have a minute because he just went to sleep, so before jumping in the shower (even that became hard to fit in my schedule!) and then catch a few moments of sleep myself I thought I'd post a pic of Sean's first smile on camera.

He is beautiful... Has he squirted you yet? Be sure to watch out for that one... How are you feeling? I hope all is well!

Hope you all are well, Good luck d on your upcoming interview! We taking off to see my family in like FIVE HOURS! I need to try to fight the excitement and sleep! TC all, baci, bree

D, I hope you're able to check VJ before your big medical (& possibly interview) tomorrow! Just wanted to send you some well-wishes before the actual day. Can't wait to read on here that you have the visa in hand

Breezy, hope you and your husband had a pleasant flight back to the States.

Enjoy the fine weather, all
~K

Ciao a tutti,

so I got back from Naples with a virus and high fever but at least I completed this nightmare of a journey. The two days at the consulate were the easiest part of the deal. I would like to thank all of you (esp K for her precious pm) for sharing your experiences and good advice. Anyway, here is my brief summary of what happened in Naples:

1st day medical

I had appointment at 8.15 so I thought of getting there a little earlier (I stayed at a B&B nearby the Consulate...not the cheapest, 90 euros, but very practical, clean and nice). I arrived there before 8 and found a line of people waiting to get in. Finally, after 30 min, we were allowed to get into the building to wait for the medical. Thank to Alex's advices I brought with me all my vaccinations records and a recent blood work showing the anticorps as well as HIV test....this saved me from shots but not from another blood work for HIV test...when I asked the doc why they relied on Italian blood work results for the anticorps but not for the HIV test he answered that that was a mandatory US test. All in all everything went by smoothly and I was able to leave before noon....needless to say people weren't called in for the medical exam with any order...

2nd day interview

Remembering what happened the first day I took it easy and walked to the Consulate at 8.20ish...I had to wait 3 or so hours for a 5 min interview...I was asked date of birth (mine and my wife's), job (mine and my wife's), how my wife became US citizen (she was born in Poland), if we had a big wedding or a small one and what I wanted to do in the US....that's it. I had to return to the Consulate in the afternoon to pick up passport and package.

That's all for the moment...now I'm going to grade the Consulate in the proper section and it won't be a good grade at all.

Yay!

It must be a strange feeling -- a little ill, but happy to be finished with immigration for a LONG time Congratulations on getting over this hurdle. You and your wife must be so happy that this has finally ended. ... I actually forgot to grade the embassy. Will do that soon. Isn't it amazing that it took so long for the "interview"? A more efficient system could have had that out of the way so early. My husband actually said that he was expecting an interrogation in a private room (I guess I didn't prep him so well for that). When he was called to the window, it took him a couple minutes to realize that this "post-office set-up" (his words) was the actual interview. It was a little absurd to have waited all this time for a mini-conversation. You'd think they could schedule 600 of those a day haha!

Glad that my PM helped you :-) and best of luck in NY! ... I'm excited to know that the last pending interview on the Italia board has been completed. Congratulations again

~K

Congrats D!!! Glad to see that this phase of the immigration process is over.

For those of you with spouses in the US, did they vote? My husband received his ballot and some brochures from the candidates. I was surprised to see that people who live overseas can run for office in Italy. What is also surprising is how much attention the Italian election is getting in our media....this week's Time magazine has an interesting article on the election and politics in Italy.

Thanks K and N!

I feel much better now...I can plan job hunting and future visits for interviews in the US now...that's so important for me and it was driving me crazy. I'm moving to the US on May 16...then me and Ula will have the church wedding on May 27...then honeymoon and reception in Florence with my Italian friends and family members (only a few of them will be able to afford a trip to NY in May).

Hey Alex!! Punch us a line and show us your beautiful son once again!!!

Wish all of you a wonderful w/e.
D

Congrats, D, on making it one more step--more like a giant leap forward in this process!

I want to wish everyone a Happy Holy Week and that this Easter is a special one. Alex, with her new beautiful baby boy...take lots of pictures!-they grow up fast, Breezy-either with her family or just finished with her trip...savor every moment together, D for a finished interview process so that normal life can begin-congratulations again, for Kaalyx, that AOS is painless and easy and quick! and for Paola, noemij and Angela--who are done with Immigration for awile--that whatever we are wishing and hoping for is what God wants in our lives and it comes true. I am not sure what that is in my life right now--I am just trying to get a since of organization and control--I am tired of a disorganized home and I am constantly working on it. Stefano and I would love a family, but we have to make sure we can function as a working team just the two of us first.

I love Easter time. This week is such a solumn time in the church until Easter Sunday. Palm Sunday is such a sad mass--they read how Peter denied Jesus and Judas betrayed him. Sorry for getting all religious on you! My sister-in-law is becoming a Catholic on Saturday. She married my brother 4 years ago and was baptized a Christian after birth, but has never been a member of a denomination. She chose to become Catholic so that she could share her faith with my brother and I think it is so touching. He is her sponsor and I have gone to a few masses during her process-and he the sweetest thing was when he had to bless her--I cryed because it was so sweet. He blessed her eyes so that she could see Jesus, her ears so that she would listen to Jesus, her mind so she would think of Jesus and her heart so that she would love Jesus. She will have her First Communion on Saturday and get Confirmed. Ok--I am all emotional. I'm done.

Have a HAPPY EASTER! May God Bless you and yours.

Anna

Amen........


Anna, did you by any chance see the National Geographic Channel special on the gospel of Judas...very interesting stuff.

Happy Easter to you too....

just a quick one to wish an happy Easter to all of you and your families!
D

Hi all. I wanted to stop in and say
Buona Pasqua!

I haven't been posting much because I have carpal tunnel syndrome (I work on a PC) and am trying to heal. The doctor hasn't let me return to work yet -- I've basically been at home all of '06. I think about you guys and am happy to know baby Sean is doing well

Take care,

Angela

Hello anyone there?Just checking in==seeing how everyone is, but it looks like we are all having too much fun enjoying the nice weather.

Ciao! Anna

Hello guys!
I see it is kinda slow in here, I try to at least read this thread but finding the time to actually sit in front of the computer and write something is often a luxury I can't afford at the moment...
Everything's fine though, my mom was just here visiting for 2 weeks, she left april 24th and we miss her already! Needless to say she totally fell in love with Sean
Here is a pic I took earlier today with an outfit my mom bought for him in front of the White House...
I will try to drop a line if/when I can, take care everyone!

Alex, He is sooo beautiful! And growing sooo fast! I remember the first picture you posted how tiny he looked and he looks so much stronger and bigger now. You must be feeding him well. That is great that your mom could come and visit. Any more visiters coming? I am sure you are emailing up a storm and keeping everyone informed--as much as you can. How much time do you have to take a break or do something for yourself or is your time all wrapped up in baby Sean's needs? Just curious. No babies yet here--just trying to prepare myself

Thank you Anna!
Yeah, he did grow A LOT...we weighed him earlier today and he is over 12 pounds already, he is quite long too. And yes, thank God I have plenty of milk for him who happens to be a very ferocious eater... About other visitors...my best friend really really wanted to come but she is pregnan t too, she is due in august (it's a girl --> Ginevra), my borther and his girlfriend might come in august for a couple of weeks but it is not sure yet, it depends ona few things. BTW we are planning to go back there around september, the baby has a doc's appointment on may, 8th and we'll talk to them and see how that would work out with his vaccination schedule etc., but it should be faisable.
I don't email much, just a few pics every now and then...this answers your other question as well...NO TIME for anything, there are days when I cannot get a shoiwer until late at night beofre going to sleep, just to mention one. Babies are a full time job, especially if you are breastfeeding (average they eat 8-10 times a day, sometimes more often and they decide when and how long) and they leave little to none time for anything else, but truth is it is so hard for us because we are alone, no family close by so no help from anyone and that makes everything harder. If you have grandmas or other relatives that can come over and help you with the house or maybe just hold the kid and play with him for a bit, that makes a big difference, I saw it while my mom was here. Those 2 weeks I could really really rest and recuperate from the nightmare delivery I had. Now that I re-gained most of my strength it is a lot easier to deal with everything. It is hard but it is also fun, plus I cant complain we happen to have a really good baby! Right now I actually have a minute to write because his other grandma from FL is here visiting, so she is cooking and the baby is sleeping...
Anywasy I'd better go and catch 10 minutes of sleep if I can before the piglet wakes up and wants to eat again
I'll leave another pic for you guys(while playing on my mom's shoulder), take care!

Hi guys im in italy again...My mom died 2days ago (the day before my bday ) so i had to come back. I didnt even make it for the funeral! I feel so guilty that i moved to the states and she was already sick...
I feel so bad

Paola, I'm so sorry for your loss

Dear Paola, As hard a time as this must be, at least you were able to go back to Italy for a visit earlier this year. I am so sorry for your loss , but I'm sure your mother knew (and knows!) just how much you loved her and that you would have liked to be with her in her last moments. ... Remember her with gratitude. You and your family are in my thoughts. ~K

Paola, I am so sorry for your loss... Hugs for you, try to stay strong...

I am sorry, too Paola. Your mom knows you wanted to be there, I'm sure.

Thanks guys!! Im doin a lot better now even if now my dad is saying every 5 minutes that i should move back to italy ! Italian burocracy when someone die is OUT OF CONTROL in italy,lots of paperwork,signatures,they block your bank accounts,ect The immigration journey was easy compared to this one!!Im sure im gonna make it

I am really glad to hear you are doing better, more hugs for you. And yes, Italian burocracy is indeed a nightmare

Sending sorries, prayers and love Paola.

Guess whaaat everybodyyyyyyy.....

We're moving.....to........

to............

are you ready..........

to...........

to Napoli....



Actually I'm thrilled. It's really a blessing from Heaven....

Really.....

Every aspect is soo positive for us. It was such a surprise. I've got verrry little time to pack....

Hope all is well with everyody, you'll hear more from me when we get settled...

A big hug for Paola.

And a kiss for that cutie Sean.

Tanti auguri, Alex, per la Festa della mamma! I hope everyone is enjoying the Sunday.

Daniel, how was your trip over to NY? I hope you're doing well

Breezy, your move sounds exciting. What made you decide on Napoli?

Well, I have to get ready: Antonio and I are driving to my mom's to meet my sister and have a small "gathering" of watching NBA and eating a mix of American and Italian foods

Ciao a tutti,
K

What made u move to Napoli?????????????

I guess the excitement got the best of me.....I'll quit being sarcastic..

My husband has been hired by a new airline, based in Napoli. There really are LOTS of positive aspects about the move...We will be living with his mom, saving us money on rent and bills, all kinds of other good things, also getting us closer to our move to the U.S. This job will give my husband the choice to stay in this new company or continue the perm res. process. Choices are always a great thing to have...

I'm blabbering on. I've never packed up three years of a life so fast. I need a bubble bath and a massage.

Plan to be in Napoli by Wed. You all take care 'till you hear more outta me....

Wish us luck!


Hello agatha! Don't know if your just passing through but, if you need anything just ask! Helpful bunch here!

What's wrong?

Ciao a tutti! Looks like this thread has died a bit. How is everyone? Stefano and I just returned from a trip out east to Massachusetts to the wedding of my cousin. We are busy this time of year because of work, but we are trying our best to enjoy the beautiful weather. May is so nice in Indianapolis. We are gearing up for the race-Indianapolis 500. There are always parties and BBQs to attend and we are going to the race on Sunday. It is supposed to be 85 and sunny Like summertime! It will give me a chance to work on my tan. I wish that suntanning wasn't bad for you because I love being tan-I feel so much better! Then after Race weekend is my mothers birthday then fathers day then my brothers birthday then the forth of july then then then...the summer just rushed by I love the warmth and the sun!! We leave for Italy on the 27th of July. Stefano is counting the days!! He updates me regularly...10 weeks to go. We haven't been back in almost 2 years!! It should be great. I am working on getting fit and in shape. I have lost 20 pounds and have more to go. I had really packed it on, unfortunately so I am trying my best to eat well and exercise at least 3 times a week but I try for 5. It is working. I have noticed that my measurements are getting better, but for example the last three weeks I have not lost a pound-just inches so I must be toning my muscles. I really want to look my best because I will be meeting quite a few new people for the first time and everyone else only sees me every 2 years so I'll try. Plus, Italian women are so beautiful and thin!! I always have felt larger than life when I am there, but feel thin her in the states. It is weird. I am still not smoking! Yeah! Stefano is still smoking. I really worry. But I know nothing I say workes--I've tried. Other than that, Stefano has made new friends around town. A few Italians older but still speak and he LOVES to see them. And then he is taking this free english class and has made a lot of friends in there, too. So I am happy for him. Alex, how is Sean? Did you have a happy Mother's day!! Ciao for now!
Anna

Anybody there?

WOW...it is indeed quiet in here...
I am sorry I don't stop by but I truly have NO time...Sean is a 24/7 job and he calls all the shots! Right now he's sleeping so I am dropping a line.
Yesterday it was my 30th birthday...I cannot believe my 20s are gone!!!!!!!! When did it happen that I am not 18 anymore????
Anyways...
Thanks for the Mother's day wishes, it was nice...I got roses and presents but most of all...MY BABY!!
He is growing so much and so fast...he is already 14 pounds, very long too, he now started to wear 6 month size outfits! I don't mind, I am very happy he is growing so well...I am still breastfeeding and even though it's hard at times I do hope I will be able to keep doing it as long as possible, it is just too good for babies and if you have the milk you should never deprive them of it.
Anyways...here's a couple of pics of us taken last weekend, we all went to Williamsburg,VA for the Memorial Day weekend since Eric was off (he's in the AF), Sean's first weekend away from home.
Hope all of you are well, take care!
P.S.
FORZA ITALIA!!!The World Cup is right around the corner... (still cant believe Italy and the US are in the same group )

awwwwww! He is so cute! You make me wanna have a baby



You are right about italian women...they are so thin!! I feel superthin when I am here but in italy they make me feel like a butter ball :lol:but enjoy your vacation and dont think too much about your weight!!! I was thinkin about goin to some free english class also,Is Stefano english got better? Im sure we will never get rid of our italian accent though
baci

Yes, Stefano's English is much better. I am amazed! He is working on reading and writting now that is still more difficult. Spelling drives him nuts!

It is good to see all of you, and Alex...ahh my heart just flutters when I see such beautiful babies. You both look great!

As far as thin Italians-I'm not sure if I am going to make it to my goal. I am getting there, but it is slow and steady. I think they just don't eat, is that it???

Oh, and I the accent. It is so endearing

Thank you so much!



First of all as Paola said, don't worry about your weight. Besides us women always tend to think it is worse than it actually is...I am sure you look great!
About Italian women being thin...it is true, generally speaking, that Italians are usually thinner than people here in the US, but I believe it is for 2 main reasons: better eating habits and more self consciousness when it comes to choose what to wear. You lived in Italy so you know we tend to eat A LOT but the stuff we eat is more natural and fresh rather than processed/low fat/ low this low that like it is here(your body was not designed to break down processed stuff, it is way easier for it to break down pure fat, you can ask any specialist about it). It is just a more healthy diet, just to mention one, if Americans cut down soda alone they'd be half the size they are! Then again GENERALLY SPEAKING. The part about what to wear...I kinda like the laid back vibe over here AT TIMES -mainly when I am tired and don't feel like putting on make-up, dress nice etc.- it is alot less pressure, but at the same time I realize it kills the image of many people...I am not sure I am making myself clear, but I will give an example: in Italy if you have a stomach you don't wear something tight or a short top that would show it all off, you try to find something that would kinda hide/mask it. Result: you look like you don't have a stomach! Here I often see people that are totally careless about these things: stomach or not, huge ### or not, they still wear tight, flashy stuff, with no care about matching colors etc. This has a disastrous result...it accentuates their flaws even more. So maybe an American girl and an Italian girl with the exact same body might look totally different just because maybe the first isn't dressing in a way that masks her flaws while the second is.
OK enough about blabbing...as I said don't worry about it...I am sure you look great, besides just remember Italians love foreigners and usually think the grass is always greener on the other side...the bare fact you are from the US makes you automatically exotic to their eyes...I am sure they will think you're gorgeous!
Gotta run now...Sean's calling!
Take care.

Hi all...we just got back from our vacations in Italy. We had a great time although the weather was not cooperating. It was great to see family and friends. For those of you travelling this summer, and doing so with Alitalia, a word of caution...the airline seems to be more disorganized than ever. It doesn't fly to Sardegna anymore and cancelled almost all of last week's flights from Rome-Ancona (we were lucky that our flight wasn't cancelled or overbooked). Also, for some reason they did not check us in to our Air France flight (even though they are part of the same alliance), and this caused us to miss our flight in Paris.



I agree with you and would add that people do more physical activity there....even if that means going to your local supermarket (if you do that every day it adds up).

I would also add that the availability of bigger sizes in department stores contributes to women being thinner in Italy....you know if you are over a certain size, you won't find your size in a regular store, but must resort to the plus size stores and not all of them have nice clothes. I went to a mall with my sister-in-law and one of the stores was named "Ciao Magre" she joked that she wouldn't go in there even if they paid her.

So you had a good trip? I am sooo excited to go back to Italy, too!! We leave in 6 weeks! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! I know that our time will fly by, but I can't wait. We are flying with US Airways-Direct from Philadelphia to Venice. I think it should be a good flight.