First of all, thank you all for the outpouring of support and encouragement about the blog! It means so much to me.

Second of all, introducing the first member of a very important family - The Gargione Family. Yes, it's all capitalized. Yesterday, Harper spent the first of many afternoons with Isabella, my sister in every sense of the word other than the fact that we do not share the same parents. Isa grew up next door in Pennington (at 11 Park Avenue, since 9 Park Avenue is a phantom and 11 and 7 are next to each other). For anyone who has ever visited my Instagram page, the Gargione kitchen is the one that screams to any stranger: "WELCOME!! COME HAVE A WARM (in every sense of the word), LOUD, HILARIOUS DINNER WITH US!! YOU'LL ARRIVE AT 7 AND LEAVE AT MIDNIGHT, AND WILL BE INVITED BACK FOR CHRISTMAS!" Said dinners involve food for thousands and three actual seatings - arrival seating, seconds, and 10 p.m. thirds. And that's before you get to your goodie bag: the five containers of Max's homemade-and-now-selling-big Camella sauces, named after the town where Italo grew up.

The Gargiones have been a huge part of our lives and Harper is so lucky to have this boisterous bunch of Italians and Italian-Americans in her corner. Isa is now at AU and has rightfully and immediately assumed the role of Aunt and babysitter numero uno (see how I did that? Have I mentioned they're Italian?).

Circa 1995 and 2015.  Please note my ultra-possessive grip on Isa's baby thigh.  She seems much more confident about her place in Harper's world. — Circa 1995 and 2015. Please note my ultra-possessive grip on Isa's baby thigh. She seems much more confident about her place in Harper's world.

Said Kitchen. Girls and boys photos at Christmas.