Matt and his "Uncle Angelo Starter Kit"

My little guy has been through the ringer this week. On Saturday, he had a fever which continued (despite all my nursing tricks) until Monday morning when we decided to take him to the pediatrician. She evaulated him and said he had a urinary tract infection (which was causing the 103 fever) and an upper respiratory infection. She started him on antibiotics, which caused diarrhea, which caused a diaper rash, which caused one cranky little dude! Plus he had a stuffy, runny nose and I had to suction him frequently which only added to his discomfort. She told me all kinds of things to do which finally are working! He had a decent day today. One more day of school, then he's off for the weekend. Poor thing...

So, let me explain the title of this post and the picture. My Uncle Angelo is the family hypochondriac (love ya Uncle Ang!). Everytime he comes to Pittsburgh to visit the family, he brings a lunch box full of medications. You name it, he's got it. Zocor? Check. Vicodin? Check. Shark Fin Capsules? Check. Matt told me today he wanted a nice big lunch bag to put his medications in so he could be just like his Uncle!

Cara & Bob's Wedding

Lighting the Unity Candle
The New Mr. and Mrs.!
Congratulations!
Three beautiful bridemaids
Cousins Mark and Katie
Smashing, er cutting the cake!
Jess and Dad
This guy looks like he had a little too much!


This past weekend my cousin Cara married the love of her life Bob in a beautiful church ceremony. The unique and elegant reception took place at the Pittsburgh Zoo in the Aquarium where we all had a great time celebrating with family and friends. We all wish Cara and Bob a beautiful and loving marriage!

Our Trip to Pittsburgh

Matt hanging out in his new swing his Grandma LuLu bought him- I think he likes it!
Who is that cute baby in the mirror?
Matt and his Pap Pap Petie spending some fun time together
Matt checks out the new toy his Pappy Bruce bought him
Grammy PJ gives the little stinker a bath
Cousin Marchelle (AKA 'Weezie') with Gram Gerbo and the munchkin
Matt with his Gramma Sharon (This is one lucky kiddo with all these Grandmas that love him so much!)
My cousin Angela's son Nate turned 2! He is such a sweet boy and he is a fan of the best football team in the NFL!
College Friends Jen and Kimmy with their little ones, Mikey and Abigail (Lily is still in Jen's belly- can't wait to meet her!)
High School Friends Jess, Chris and Lisa with Matt and Cameron
Chris' daughter Cameron wanted to hold Matt (check out the cool Doo-rag his Pap put on him!)
Matt visited his cousin Katie at her school at lunchtime- she was so tickled!
Uncle Gordon and Matty at lunch

Cousins Chuck and Matty

Matty and I had a great (if not tiring!) time visiting our family and friends back at home. Matt got to spend a lot of time with his grandparents and other family. My cousin Cara got married and my dad had an awesome pig roast at his house which was a great opportunity to get to see a lot of our friends and family at once. We had so much fun, but it was nice to come home to see Foti- we really missed him!

To the Passengers of Flight 1081

" Sorry for the continuous crying and screaming on the way back to Miami. You see, I have a head and chest cold and I didn't feel too well. My mom didn't feel so well either but she tried her best to make me more comfortable but I just wanted to get out of that seat and go home to see my Daddy. Mom and I missed him a whole bunch and he is taking good care of us now that we're home."

P.S. Mom said she'll post some of the cool pics she took in Pittsburgh in a day or two. Stay tuned...

Later Gators...

The funkadelic Phat Matt and his Momma are leaving tomorrow for the 'burgh. We are leavin' Dad behind since he is a Cowboys fan and has no business heading to the Steel City. Just kidding- we are going home for a wedding and to visit lots of our family and friends. We'll be back in a week with tons of pics. Matt told me today he is getting ready to roll over soon so I better get my camera ready for his new trick. See you all next week!

Little Steelers Fan

Matty went to school yesterday proudly sporting his Steeler gear! The Steelers beat the Miami Dolphins 28-17 Thursday night so Matty was all prepared to go to school and show his team spirit. There was another little boy there with a "Big Ben" Roethlisberger (Steeler's quarterback for all you non- Pittsburgh fans) jersey and the two of them had to beat up a few kids who, sadly, are Dolphins fans. The ladies at the day care were laughing, saying, "You are treading on thin ice bringing your baby here in a Pittsburgh get- up!" Foti said Matty told him he would rather wear a Dallas Cowboys shirt- he is one crazy baby- what is he thinking?!?

HAS ANYONE SEEN MY BABY?

My baby is missing and in his place is a big boy who is starting to sit up and drink out of a cup which he holds himself. He is so much more active during the day which means he sleeps better at night. Thank God for that! I think school is doing wonders for him!

School Days!

Yesterday was Matty Cakes' first day of school! Can you believe he's in school aready? He did very well, no crying or fussing! He didn't eat or sleep as much as he usually does, but they say that's normal-he'll adjust. He already has a cute friend named Logan who is the same age and there is another Greek boy named Vasili , so he'll have someone to chat with now that he's fluent in Greek, thanks to his Yia Yia. I am doing fine with the whole day-care business. I thought I woud feel guilty, but I am very comfortable with the center and the ladies who take care of the kids are awesome! Now, all I am waiting for are the colds, ear infections, and sniffles!

More Pics From Pap & Gram's Visit

Here are a few more of Pap Pap Petie and Gramma LuLu.

Back In Black

Check out out my two tough guys all ready for a motorcycle ride! All Matty needs is an "I HEART Mom" tatoo...

P.S. My baby is 5 months old today!

Whaddya mean- Yia Yia Went Back to Greece?!?

"What am I going to do without my Yia Yia? Who is gonna sing me crazy Greek songs and entertain me all day and kiss my face off? I guess I'll have to make due with Mom and Dad. Next thing I know, they'll probably be sending me to one of those schools for babies. Whatever, folks. I want my Yia Yia back..."

Hurricane Drink Specials

MANDATORY EVACUATION 1 1/2 oz. Absolute Ruby Red vodka 1/2 oz. vermouth Clamato Prune juice Combine vodka and vermouth in cocktail glass. Fill remainder of glass with equal parts Clamato and prune juice. Stir. Drink. Ask next-door neighbor whose ficus tree blew over and crashed onto your roof - even though you'd warned him for months to uproot it - if you can use his bathroom. Repeat.

BEACH EROSION 1 1/2 oz. Goldschläger 1 1/2 oz. apple brandy 1 pack Sugar in the Raw Combine Goldschläger, apple brandy and sugar in cocktail glass. As you drink, seriously contemplate moving your Yankee ass back to Pennsylvania where it belongs.

DOWNED POWER LINE 1 1/2 oz. rum 5 oz. Jolt Cola Combine ingredients in a cocktail glass. Drink while trying to figure out how the heck you're supposed to go two freakin' weeks without television and AC.

THE CHAIN SAW 1 oz. Goldschläger 1 oz. Rumplemintz 3 oz. Jim Beam Splash of vermouth Combine Goldschläger, Rumplemintz and Jim Beam in an empty soup can. Add splash of vermouth. Drink. Remove chain saw from garage and attempt to cut up fallen tree limbs in yard. Ask neighbor to drive you to hospital when it all goes horribly wrong.

BLUE TARP 1 1/2 oz. Curacao 2 oz. pineapple juice Splash of lime Combine ingredients in a leaky paper cup and serve. Wait six to eight months for someone to repair the cup. If you're impatient, hire an unlicensed, out-of-state contractor to do the job for an exorbitant sum and pray he doesn't hurt himself in the process.

FEMA FIZZLE 1 oz. Southern Comfort 2 oz. sloe gin Tonic water One week after the storm has passed and your neighborhood is still in ruins with no sign of help on the way, combine Southern Comfort and gin in a cocktail glass. Fill remainder with tonic and add a dash of Angostura bitters. Serve with a nut brownie. Before drinking, raise the glass and say the toast, "Doing a helluva job Brownie"