The Big Back East Trip

Whoa, the Big Back East trip isn't over yet, but there's been so much going on, I thought I should do the first installment. Let's see, it took me two full days to pack. I made a Google Spreadsheet to use in future trips (hopefully Japan!) The flight was great, Cody slept and we got the whole row. We arrived in Philly, had a great diner breakfast with Greg's dad then drove on to Utica to introduce Cody to my family. Friday festivities started for Paige's wedding at the nail salon, then rehearsal, then rehearsal dinner. Saturday was the big day. Paige took a gamble (get it, she was at the casino) and went for the outside wedding. She was totally calm and super psyched and it all worked out, the Hot and Steamy wedding went off without a hitch. Cody's tuxedo onesie was a huge hit. I was proud of partying (well, staying up) until 1AM, but Paige and Kyle kept the party going until 430. It was so great to see everyone, especially my family and Brooke and Mike! Sunday we all recouped and Paige and Kyle took off for their St. Lucia honeymoon. Monday we chilled in Utica was Mom and Dad who were babysitting Asa and Sabi. Its amazing to see 1 month, 1 year and 3 years in the same room, amazing and tiring :) We went to the Utica Zoo and Papa Charlie's where I used to work. Tuesday was the nice shower my mom hosted for Utica people and more walks around the neighborhood. Wednesday was a driving day. We drove through Oneonta and as you can see stopped at our famous rugby house at 17 Cedar Street. Oh, college daaazzzzzeeee. We got to Pottstown by dinner and enjoyed Philly Cheesesteaks (mine mushroom, of course.) Cody's been doing a good job sleeping 4 plus hours at night then another 3. We're lucky. Thursday we relaxed and ran some errands at the shops in Exon. At night we went to the Kimberton Fair which was AWESOME! Cody chilled in the Maya wrap while Barb won a giant pig, went on the ferris wheel and we all ate the most amazing doughnuts. Today we hiked around the creek in St. Peter's Village and enjoyed a nice lunch at the bakery with Aquila (Greg's family dog) Now we're chillin' its so nice today, no crazy hot humidity. Tomorrow is his last big event, the Notte meet and greet. It should be a good time. Cody is lucky to have so much loving family and friends.

Big Day Out in SF!

We had the best Sunday. We woke up early and had banana pancakes. Then went to an Italian deli that Barb and John scoped out while they were here and got awesome sandwiches for our picnic in the park. We went to Yerba Buena Vista park in San Francisco and there was a music festival there. So we enjoyed some wine and our sandwiches and listened to awesome live music. Then I left Cody with Greg to go to Bliss Spa. It was the best ever!!! I had the rookie mom rubdown which included a belly wrap, parafin on the feet and full body massage. It was 75 minutes of pure bliss! We came home and cooked a yummy pasta meal with fresh veggies from Saturday's farmer's market. Then gave Cody a bath and went to bed. Today, I started packing for our big trip home! We're so excited for Paige's wedding and to see everyone!

Three Weeks Old: Out and About, Gettin Big, and Getting Wet

Wow, days are flying by, its almost Paige's wedding! We fly home next Wednesday night! This week was a busy one on our own. Monday Greg took off and we chilled with Cody. Tuesday, Cody and I went to four different doc related appointments. He is back up to birth weight and I'm doing pretty well nursing him! Wednesday we chilled at home and went for a long walk. Thursday we went for two long walks and got together our packing list for going home. Then today, today we took Cal Train by ourselves to San Mateo and went to a nursing group, only I was the only one there! Oh well, I got lots of individual attention, then instead of taking the train back, we walked. It was almost 3 miles. Cody was great, he loves sleeping in the stroller while I walk and talk on the phone to Paige, Andrea, my mom, or Barb. At night we started a bedtime routine while includes a bath on the green sponge frog in the kitchen sink. He likes that too! It's been hot so its good to get the baby sweat wiped off and to relax him for a good night's sleep. Greg has been doing a great job at night changing him and then bringing him to me to feed. A good night is when Cody sleeps for 4 hours, then 3, 2, and 2. Then during the day I try to take a nap with him. Today we got in almost an hour. Well it's the weekend. Tomorrow we're going to walk to 25th street to check out the restaurants nearby and Sunday I have a Bliss Spa appointment. Whooohooo! Then I have to actually pack everything I've included on the list and get ready for the family, friends, and humidity of the east coast!!

On our own..just for a bit

Today is Sunday and Cody is two and a half weeks old. Barb left on Saturday and John on Thursday. Their help, love and support was amazing and critical to our new family's well being. Yesterday, Barb showed us how to give Cody his first real bath. I filmed it so I wouldn't forget anything. Overall he liked it and we are going to make it part of his bedtime routine. The week days and nights and weekends for that matter have definitely blurred together. I can't believe he'll be three weeks old Wednesday and we'll go back east one week after that. We got him the cutest tuxedo onesie and shoes for Paige's and Kyle's wedding. Paige just finished the Boilermaker this morning. We're waiting for our friends Shawn and Jessica to come over right now then we're having dinner with Megan Murphy tonight. He's already met Sabrina and this coming week he'll meet Susan. He's a popular dude.

Cody's two weeks old!

Wow, days are blurring together. Cody is two weeks old today. We've been both busy yet relaxing and resting. Let's backtrack...We came home from the hospital on Sunday, then Monday Barb (Greg's mom) arrived. Tuesday, Greg's dad, John, arrived. They have been so amazing: doing tons of laundry, cooking fabulous meals and giving oodles of love to Cody. One of the pics attached is the decal Greg and John put up in the nursery. Cody is already fascinated with his tree. He had a good pedi appointment last week and today, he is almost back at birth weight. Greg and I shared a great 4th anniversary on July 1st. We had a great meal complete with cake and champagne! For the 4th of July Greg and John bbq-ed using our grill and we sat outside. Its been so nice here, unlike the crazy heat of back east. Cody has had some great nights (where he sleeps in four hour chunks) and a couple cluster feeding nights (where he's up feeding every 1.5 to 2 hours, but Greg and I have gotten a good night time routine. Greg gets him when he cries, changes him and brings him to me in bed. Usually I'm a sweating mess (hopefully that will flush out soon, but I've already lost 15 lbs) I nurse the little man and put him back in bed. Today Cody and I went for our first solo walk for an hour. It felt great to be outside. I got his birth certificate today so he is official. I went to a lactation consultant yesterday which was really helpful, knowing exactly the right position to nurse is essential to feeling good about nursing. So far, so good. Well I'm starving, Greg biking home and we're going to give Cody a sponge bath. He lost the rest of his umbilical cord last night. So we'll clean him up, eat, and watch the World Cup.