Our last stop on the Raphaël's US debut tour was the home of the black and yellow itself- Pittsburgh, PA! Mama wanted to give Raffa a taste of his Western PA roots and catch up with both the Merz family and one of mama's best friends and her family.

We started by visiting with the Merz family over some yummy Mexican and visiting their home (which mommy knew as Grandma Merz's house and visited 2-3 times a year as a kid). It was nice to catch up with the family and see all the house rennovations!

We then spent Friday and Saturday with Lauren, Natalie, and Ben. Mama and Lauren met at Sea Colony in Bethany Beach, Delaware when they were little kids and they were happy to talk about all the fun times there. While we were there, we were spoiled with some awesome home cooking and great company. We also got to check out the Science Museum. We also went to the Strip District so we could stock up on Steelers gear and go to Primantis!

We weren't the only ones wanting to have some of Pittsburgh's finest sandwiches, a bunch of the Redskins staff had tables in the other half of the restaurant. Sporting other football team gear is not the safest choice in the strip district, which is probably why they chose to come for lunch as opposed to after dark! Of course the Steelers reigned victorious Sunday.

"Wow mama! Look at all the awesome Pittsburgh sports stars all over the walls!"

Mommy is excited to be in Western PA again!

"Why are the Pirates staring at us daddy? Will they have a winning season in my lifetime?"

"I think I want....  EVERYTHING!"

"I got to eat while mama ate! Woo!"

"Mama says yum! Iron City cheers!"

"Ew! Girls have cooties! Even though Natalie is a cutie!"

"Daddy, why are mommy and Lauren staring at me? I am getting bored of all these photos!"

"Do we really have to go home?"

We hit the road back to Philadelphia airport to catch a plane to Paris early Sunday morning. We took off literally right before super storm Sandy hit. We were sad to leave all our friends and family in the US, but had a great time with lots of fabulous memories! Love and face eating kisses to everyone!

An American Citizen in Paris

The Raffamonster is now officially American! We went to the embassy to register his birth and sign him up for a passport in anticipation of our impending US trip. Unlike the French administration, even though our paperwork was not perfect (Raffa's photo background was not entirely white and my proof of living in the US for 5 consecutive years was not perfect) instead of making us come back, they just made Thomas and I solemnly swear to tell the truth and they submitted the forms. Little Godzilla got his very own American flag to celebrate his citizenship.

Raffa and I spent the rest of the morning walking in Paris. The Champs Elysees is dangerous, especially when there is a sale on at Baby Gap and Petit Bateau... needless to say the kiddo picked up a new outfit. :-) We then met Papa Bear for lunch in little Tokyo, where the three of us were able to enjoy a meal ensemble (including Raffa who nursed discretely in my new carrier). Good times. And of course I subjected him to a photo session in his new outfit (his first big people clothes!) with the fluffmonster supervising...

"I pledge allegiance to the flag... see mommy, I take this whole American citizenship seriously!"

"Fluffy here bears witness that I solemnly swear to adopt some American culture. For example, Sundays from September through February are reserved for watching the Pittsburgh Steelers!"

"My country tis of thee, mama give me some liberty! Can I go sit in the swing now?"

"See, Paddington? I still support daddy's sports too! Check out my Paris SG shoes! Paris SG, c'est magique!"

"Hah hah fluffmonster! I will use my kickass ninja moves on you! Check out my crouching snuggle bug, flying baby bear! Hah hah!"

And now, to attempt dinner without burning the house down... Love and face eating kisses!