Jerome Mania :

An exclusive look inside the life of a baby celebrity

We know what you have been craving, and we are ready to dish it up hot! Follow along with Preemie Magazine for a one of a kind sampling of la dolce vita in its most tempting flavor, Jerome Andre. The daily routine of the 5 month old icon is both demanding and complicated, but some babies just know how to make it all look easy. But before we get into the plot, we must first set the stage and introduce the other main playaz in his life.

Enter Duchess, Jerome's lovely agent and primary caretaker. She is the best in the biz, and our Jeromeo knows it. On the other end of the totem pole we find Punjab, the overpaid bodyguard and manservant with a serious superiority complex. The last regular in Jerome's entourage is Coco, the eager president of his fan club and primary paparazzi...person. But enough of the appetizers. Lets get on with the main course!

It seems that all the stress of stardom finally caught up to J-Lam, and in early January he had to pay a visit to his German homeopathic doctor to try and kick the bug. An employee at the clinic, who would like to remain anonymous, told us that Jerome weighed in at a healthy 10.23 pounds and measured 17 inches long, er, tall. Much due to the overtime hours that Duchess put in, he recovered in plenty of time to stay on track with his Star-In-Training development program.

Jerome welcomed a few important guests from the US into his crib mid-month, the first being a real mensch, Punjab's uncle, Fr. Tom Showalter. The Padre is no stranger to Italy himself, having studied for years in Rome at the Gregoriana. In fact, he is the one who convinced Jerome's father to study in Rome, hence leading to the Bello Baby's birth here. Jerome cancelled a few photo shoots to hang with his great uncle for the first time. Can you feel the love?
J-Junior also met another big fan for the first time, Molly "Moon Unit" Anala, a good friend of Coco's from their days together on tour with the Grateful Dead. There wasn't time for playing right away though, as Moon Unit & Coco rushed off immediately on a foreign aid mission to ease the suffering of the children in Ireland who did not yet have a Fan Club chapter! No need to panic, the children were saved and the gals returned safely.

Above:Jerome practices his trademark look,"Momma Slayer"
Below: J and Lambchops get cute at a photo shoot


Fr. Tom then drove in from Rome to take J-Rock and his entourage out for a night on the town. Unfortunately, the events were closed to the press, so we don't have all the juicy details. But we learned that they went to an Agritourissmo restaurant out in the hills where they grow, raise and hunt all of the food that they serve. The waitstaff, who were left starstruck even a day later, said that they went "all out" and sampled every dish that was available, including an incredible lasagna, ravioli, fungi porcini, wild boar, rabbit, deer, steak and oven-cooked cheeses, not to mention the appetisers and dessert! Baby got to try it all a few hours later in Momma's milk ;)

That milk must have been super nutrient packed, because very soon thereafter the little man made a shocking new discovery; he found his hand. We can't remember what that was like, but it must be something similar to that feeling you have when you are looking absolutely everywhere for your chap stick, only to find it hours later right there in your own pocket. The little tyrant had to eat some humble pie after blaming Punjab and Duchess for misplacing his hand somewhere in the hospital. Now if only he could find his feet...

Above: Eureka!
Below: Baby Fingers

Punjab's job has gotten a bit more difficult since the end of January signals the beginning of exams for the first semester. He has already taken four, and has only two to go until Jerome can have his bodyguard back full time. We at Preemie Magazine can't quite explain why, but it seems that Punjab's silly preoccupation with exams is somehow connected with the recent lack of publications covering the life and times of the Bello family. Strano, no?

Jerome has had a few other "firsts" and developments in January that we need to make note of. Although not a first, he has been working hard on lifting his head high and pushing up off the bed when on his stomach. When on his back, he twists and rocks as hard as he can to turn over, and he certainly would if he didn't always get his little arm stuck beneath him. After discovering that hand of his, Jerome has made full use of it grabbing and squeezing the tarnation out of his stuffed toys, not to mention Mommy's hair and face.


But the "first" that trumps all the others, by sheer force of the impact it has on the Bello household nights, is his first tooth!!! Like the Loch Ness Monster and the Yettie, we have no proof of its existence, but we know it's there! We swear! We felt it poking through his gums in the back-left corner of his mouth, but only when there is a full moon. You don't have to believe us; just lend your finger to the little bugger to gnaw on for a while and you will either become a believer or a werewolf.













Above: Boy Blues
Below: A Lively Discussion







Jerome wants to send a special Birthday shout out to his cousin Buddy, who has recently given him the nickname of "Jello".

Happy Birthday Buddy!











For those of you who are truly die hard Jeromeo fans, he is organizing a charity event. He will be auctioning off one-of-a-kind items that he actually used! An outgrown onesie could be had for as little as $5000, and for used diapers bidding will start at $1,500 apiece, with the "heavily used" ones expected to go for much more! Good luck to all bidders, and God Bless! :)

Above: Baby working out with his personal trainer
Below: Pushing up like a big boy

Above: So fresh and so clean, clean!
Below: Well, what more can I possibly add to this picture?