Oh my blog! I have been neglectful...

I know it has been awhile. I will try to give a rundown and hope I don't forget anything. Starting with the youngest:

America is now 6 and a half months old. She is sitting up (not for long) by herself, now eats solid foods (PU), and likes to gibber gabber a ton. She scoots herself backward but not forward yet. I guess I will have to find some child gates soon! When she says mamamamama Piero thinks she is talking to me! haha. She loves to laugh at her big brother and sister. She is still a tiny one. Finally wearing 3-6 month clothes. She got her first haircut this last week. :)

Piero is excited to start preschool. I just have to find the right one. His alopecia areata came back big time. Now we know more about what it is though! It's an autoimmune disorder where his immune system is attacking his hair follicles causeing spots of baldness. in about 80% of the cases the hair grows back on it's own. Otherwise we can treat it with steroid injections and menoxidil. I vote for waiting to see if it will grow back. Until then, I am keeping his hair VERY short. I have had enough jokes by friends and strangers about my hair cutting abilities because they think I made the bald spots. Grrrrr.... nice sensitivity. Piero is still a talking machine. His favorite things to say right now are "actually", "busted", "My bad", and "What the heck". He is the king of excuses. Usually it's "I'm too tired." or "I have a headache." but one time I asked him to pick something up and he balled his hands into fists and said, "I can't. I don't have any hands."

Sara is doing wonderfully! We had been concerned about some of her behaviour. She seemed to be getting very frustrated, overly emotional, clutsy, absent minded, impulsive, her performance in school was not showing her knowledge and abilities... I really knew we had to do something when she started coming home telling me that nobody liked her and that she hated herself. We got her tested and found that she has ADHD. There are things to do to help (diet, way of teaching, taking away distractions...) but right now, the thing that is making the world of difference is the medication she started to take. I hate medicines being used if we don't have to, but I have seen a HUGE difference in my daughter since she started taking metadate (very low dose of ritalin) We have not seen any negative side effects. She does not become lethargic at all. What has happened is that she is able to concentrate more. She can control herself better. She is not contrantly inturrupting. The medication doesn't last all day, but for the most important part when she needs to focus, at school! (and church. That's hard enough for a regular kid to focus during 3 hours). She is improving so much at school and feeling much better about herself. I am so happy that she has the teacher she has. Next year she will start 1st grade at a charter school that uses the Montessori method (google it to find out more). I really think it will help her. Sara is bubbly and helpful. Last Sunday she changed America's diaper, got herself & sister dressed for church, and cleaned her own bedroom without being asked! I am very blessed.

I am doing well. I feel very happy. If you don't know I found a townhouse in Cedar City for me and the kiddos (well, and G when he comes home). I love being able to have a little more control over my surroundings. I am so grateful for the time I was able to live with my family. Thier help was invaluable to me. I am glad that now they can go back to spoiling my kids instead of co-parenting. I was able to get myself a tax return present, the Nintendo Wii. *sigh* I love it. Sara is crazy about it. She's really good to! She kicks my butt in boxing! I think that ADHD helps with that one. Hahahaha. I am planning on going back to school as soon as I get my house in order from the move. I will be working toward a degree in graphic design! I can beat myself up thinking that it's taken me this long to end up with the same major I decided on when I graduated high school. Se la vie. I also am attempting something new. I am submitting some of my paintings to be displayed in a gallery. I will know in about a week if any of my pieces will be excepted. (fingers crossed). I know I'm no great artist, but I love it!

Giampiero is currently in the FOB Baylough which is deep into Afghanistan. He is now Private First Class. We don't know when he will be able to take leave. It is too remote to easily send people to and from. They expect that his tour in Afghanistan will be over in 6-8 months. He is being kept very busy. Most of the time that I talk to him, he is exausted. I do get to talk to him quite often. I think it's good for us, although I can see that if you have problems at home, it would be really hard for the soldiers to have that distraction. He is doing well, but I have to say, I don't get a lot of details. Letters and packages are welcome and appreciated, but PLEASE, keep them positive. The last thing he needs is to do is worry about are things he has no control over, or to get lectured, etc. He is on Facebook pretty frequently, so you are welcome to send him messages there. If you choose to send a package, you can call or e-mail me to know what he needs. He can always use little treats for the kids in Afghanistan. Something small he can carry in his pockets. Ball point pens are pretty popular. Last time I sent blue black and red... the red was well sought after.

That is all for now. I will honestly try to update more frequently.... and add pictures.

PV3 Giampiero M. Scattolon
ACO. 1-4 INF.
"Red Tank"
FOB Baylough
APO, AE 09355

May God bless my soldier.