Baby Boys, the Lotto, and Iron Disappointment

The first of the baby boys has arrived. Mom and baby are healthy and thriving. A neighbor told me that the belief is that perhaps the 4th of July fireworks the night before pushed along this labor. I think that she was 39 weeks.

Northern Italians in this area cover the outsides of their houses in ribbons and usually include a sweet decorative piece (don't know the Italian word for this) to let everyone know that the baby has arrived. When Maddy was born four years ago we even had a simple pink do-dad on our door.
























When we gathered with the Lumignano possee for the recent birthday parties, Moffered to include us in a group purchase of Lotto tickets. It seems that the local bar has had a run of luck with big winners. Here we are (past 10 pm, again) scratching, hoping, believing. . . . kids included. I think that the final winnings totaled about 130 Euro, of course 300 Euro was pooled to purchase the tickets. But hey, they're not stopping yet -- these winnings, along with a little more cash, will be invested in more tickets. Dream Big.















The stair railings are installed. I just do not like them at all. Maybe I'll change my mind over time. Maybe we can just change them. Maybe I'll just live with it.