Two Worlds

Antonio grabs Francesca's rear for a laugh. © Photo by Regina Di Meglio

Well, the hubby — miracle of miracles — is back in Ischia, Italy, despite the volcanic ash from Iceland that has disrupted air travel to Europe. We’re not sure how he made it home because virtually no one else has been able to leave. But if anyone could find a route back to Italy in a pinch, it would be my husband.

Since he’s been gone, I’ve been remembering our date nights (which I wrote about in yesterday’s blog on the About.com Newlyweds site) and the quiet moments we shared enjoying the spring, which until today had been unusually nice and warm, in New Jersey. You can join in on the fun with the following photo albums –

Overpeck Park

Flat Rock Brook

Our American Garden (We took these photos moments before taking Antonio to the airport on Thursday)

Although I miss my husband something terrible, I know we’ll be reunited soon. I just have to decide when I’m going to get a ticket to Italy — and pray the volcanic ash clears out.

Rosaria is the center of a Bella (l.) and Shilo (r.) sandwich. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

Bella is part beagle and part basset hound and all love. Shilo is pure beagle and pure joy. They are the dogs of my brother and sister respectively — and they are great additions to our family. After spending the weekend with them in Florida, I miss having a dog around the house. That’s why today I focused on the benefits of adopting a pet on the Newlyweds blog that I write for About.com. Check it out and leave a comment. Don’t those cute faces make you want a pet yesterday? (For more photos of Bella and Shilo, visit the “Family Dogs” photo album.)

Maria gets her little feet licked when she meets her big sister Bella. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

Our whirlwind weekend in Florida, when we welcomed my niece Maria Regina, might have come to an end on Monday morning. But the impression she made is everlasting. As a result of my visit, I’ve already been quite a busy bee. Her mom Jaci gave me an idea for Monday’s Newlyweds blog on the judgment of pregnant women when they don’t wear their wedding rings. On the plane from Orlando to New York, I read a copy of Ladies’ Home Journal, which had me waxing nostalgic about the “Can This Marriage Be Saved?” column, for which I once worked, in today’s Newlyweds blog. Obviously, I’m going to have to visit Maria even more. (For pictures of her return home from the hospital, visit the “Maria Goes Home” photo album.)

Maria Regina is sticking her tongue out at you. © Photo by Nonna Regina

Yesterday was a long and wonderful day. Finally, after months and months of waiting, Maria Regina joined our family. The daughter of my brother John and his wife Jaci, Maria was born at 7 lbs. 10 oz. and 21 in. long. I haven’t met her in person yet. (Antonio, papa’, and I just arrived in Florida last night and spent two hours driving around trying to find the hospital only to keep ending up back at the airport. We cursed like sailors at each other until we just went to our home in Kissimmee and gave up. We’ll meet Maria in just a little while.) I did, however, speak with my new niece on the phone last night, and she yelled at me, too. Apparently, she was hoping we would get to the hospital, but she proved that she already fits right into the family. Seriously, she’s a bundle of joy — and she’ll be a great addition to our crew. To see more pictures, visit, “Maria Regina” photo album.

These guys can't believe we're watching them at the Bronx Zoo. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

The heat wave in New York had me itching for summers gone by. I decided to relive some of my childhood — and share it with my husband Antonio — and one of my first stops was the Bronx Zoo. (Visit the “Bronx Zoo” photo album.) It was a magical day when the gophers were communicating with us in the Children’s Zoo (see the photo above), the baboons raced each other, the lion awoke just so we could photograph him, and the giraffes frolicked for us. Although $27 for the total experience is more than I remember paying as a kid, it was well worth it. The only downside was my sunburned face, which is still looking a bit tomato-ish.

Easter desserts were sweet and delicious. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

With the exception of my mom being away in Florida with my brother, his wife, who is expecting a baby (who is now seven days late and doesn’t seem to want out) and my sister, Easter 2010 was perfect. It was the first holiday, besides Thanksgiving (which I don’t count because my Italian husband never celebrated it until he met me in 2004), that my husband and I have spent together in the six years we’ve known each other. Crazy, right? You can join in on the fun — including our lobster dinner and egg game antics — by visiting the “Easter 2010” photo album.