Preparing for a Bambino o Bambina

Stella Stellina (lullabye) 

As some of you know, my husband and I are expecting a baby this June. I'm hoping to raise the baby bilingual, but I'm realizing that there are many baby-related words I don't know (yet.)

I'm starting by making some lists of new words to learn and reading about raising a baby bilingual. Meanwhile, I'm also finding Italian lullabies and songs to sing to the baby. I am particularly taken by Stella Stellina (listen above.) 

I'd love to know about any resources you might have.

That's Amore! Saying, "I love you" in Italian

That's Amore! 

Statue in La Pietra Gardens, Florence, Italy

There are many ways to say, "I love you," in Italian (and not just on San Valentino!)


The first thing to understand is the difference between two common verbs, amare and voglere. (Amore is the noun for love.) You don't want to mix up these verbs:

"Ti amo" means "I love you" in a romantic fashion. Say this to your partner.

"Ti volgio bene" means "I love you" in a platonic, family-way. Say this to your best friend or family members.


Of course, there are even more creative ways to declare your love:


Mi hai stregato / stregata. (You have bewitched me.)

Potrei guardarti tutto il giorno. (I could watch you all day.)

Se non ci fossi dovrei inventarti. (If you weren't, I'd invent you.)

Click through for more from about.com.



To try out your own romantic phrases, try Google Translate for some extra help.

Little Italy in Baltimore

Baltimore's Little Italy has a few streets filled with Italian restaurants. (See a full list of restaurants here.) Of course, that isn't to say that there aren't great Italian restaurants throughout the city. My husband and I recently dined at the Enoteca Cinghiale, a few blocks away from Little Italy.

We enjoyed two pasta dishes:

Hand Formed Tortellini Filled with Prosciutto, Mortadella, Ricotta, Rosemary Sauce
Squid Ink Farfalle with lobster

Everything was delicious and the atmosphere was very contemporary-Italian, with a beautiful, wooden bar and center work area where waitstaff were slicing cured meats and assembling bruschette.

Looking forward to returning to Baltimore for another meal! What's your favorite Italian restaurant there?