Tooth and a Roll, what a month!

So its January 24th, one day past Cody's 7 month birthday and he had quite the weekend. Saturday, while Dada (that's what Cody says) was on a Gilead ski trip to Tahoe, Mama (that what Cody cries) hosted a mother's club get together with 6 other babies. That night I noticed a tooth had sprouted up from his bottom gum. Yesterday we celebrated his birthday weekend by going for an awesome bike stroll along the Bay Trail. He had to go back to the doctor today because last week he had been wheezing and put on medication. So Greg brought him in, I was supposed have Zumba class, but it was canceled. Doc said he was all better and Greg said while they were waiting he almost rolled. So we took the standard month gorilla picture today via Greg's phone because ours is in the shop and he rolled for us on camera! Hmmm let's see what else happened this month. Where did it go? Cody's been eating lots of yummy foods that we've made. I think his favorite is avocado. We all were kindof sick in the beginning of the month and didn't end up going to Tahoe. That was a bummer but better for us to rest and get better. Then last weekend we climbed Monterra near Half Moon Bay and then sat outside for lunch at the brewery. The weather has been awesome. It was so sunny and nice, just like today. Beautiful. What else. Work has been busy. Time has gone fast. We're early risers these days since Cody is now sleeping through the night. We're excited for Denver next weekend!

Cody's First Christmas

Ok, here it goes. I hope I can remember it all. So much fun, food, drink, laughter, presents, and food. Did I say food twice, let me add it again, there was food. So it was pretty essential that I had Monday and Tuesday off before we flew home because packing was an all day process. We traveled with 7 bags and came home with 8. As you know, previously Greg and I could get on a plane with carry ons only. Oh, times have changed. Cody was a star flying home. He ate, slept, played, flirted and we landed early due to an awesome jet stream. First in PA, we got to go out in Philly for Jon's birthday with his friends as Grammy and Pops watched the little guy. Then it was several relaxing days: we got his picture with Santa, went to Gymboree, and hung out. On Christmas Eve we had the traditional meats and cheeses feast from the Italian Market section of South Philly. On Christmas we went over to Aunt Theresa's and saw Jen's family, Maria, and David. It was awesome watching little Hayley and Jimmy open presents with such zest and speed. When we came home Oma and Uncle Steve came over early which ended up being a great thing because Sunday's Notte family get together got canceled because of the impending coastal blizzard. So we left PA early and got to NY snow free (which is amazing that Utica didn't get this at all) Greg, Paige and I went out in Utica to see some live music at Tiny's while Nana and Papa watched the little guy. I should comment about some pictures before I forget. The one of Barb rocking Cody to sleep is a classic, I think its her new favorite hobby. Also, Papa wasn't auditioning for a zombie flick, he had 20 something stitches in his forehead due to a intense ping pong game the previous week. Okay, back to Utica. Monday the Gaetanos and Fergusons came over and the "Reverend" Uncle Bob performed a very nice informal baptism at the house. He recently became ordained on the Internet to marry a family friend this summer so he was highly qualified to conduct this sweet ceremony about raising Cody with good morals. It was great to talk to Kate about babies, we both like organization and schedules so I learned from her experiences with super cute baby Ben. Greg and I got to go out for a third date night (I know, pretty wild!) in Utica. After having dinner with Ted and Freida we saw True Grit. Very good, it reminded me of Pepe because he loved the John Wayne westerns. Then on Thursday we drove back to PA stopping in Allentown. Mike McNevin met us at a local diner. It was awesome to see him and catch up. I hope him and Cindy take us up on our offer to come to Cali sometime. Friday, before our flight, we hung out with Oma, Uncle Steve, and Jon in Philly then flew home. Again, Cody was great. It was a longer flight but he's a rock star. We got so many wonderful presents. I'm still not done unpacking. But we've got time. I think we're going to go up to Tahoe this weekend, then in two more weeks fly to Denver for Brooke and Mike's baby shower. Oh, for a fun and festive New Year's Eve Greg got a bottle of champagne, I made tater tots and we watched a very scary celebration in NY's Time Square on TV that sadly featured boy bands from my middle school days doing the same song and dance. Yikes, maybe next week we'll go out. Happy New Year everyone. Thank you so much to family and friends we saw while we were back home. Everything was awesome. We love you very much!

Food and Sleep

Based on the title, you'd think this was the Christmas post, but we'll get to that next. I wanted to quickly blog about food and sleep before I got hungry and tired :). So we started Cody a little early on food. On December 3, so he was able 5 1/2 months old we started him on organic brown single grain rice cereal with breast milk. We started him because he was super interested in us eating and based on all the signs in books and websites he fit the criteria. And he loved it. About each week, usually on a Saturday morning in the beginning, we introduced a new food. Super Baby Food is the bible as far as books go. It was everything, (sometimes too much.) We've made our own sweet potatoes. Then we added bananas to the rice cereal. Then on 12/30 we made our own organic carrots, he didn't like that very much. Once we got back to Cali we gave him avocado, which he loves! And today I added Earth's Best organic pears which he was into. At first we just did once a day, then over Christmas break we did a breakfast and dinner with Grammy and Nana's help. Now that we're home we're going for it: breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a little water during and after, plus all the nursings except for the middle of the night.... because we started the Ferber Method Sunday night. The book, How to Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems is the go to on this one. Greg and I didn't want to start this until after he was 6 months and after we came home from back east. So Sunday Greg followed the Progressive wait time and there was a bit of waking/crying but eventually he fell asleep on his own. He is also un woombied (sad to see that go, it was the best, but it's time :)) Then last night was my turn and because Cody loves mommy so much, he only woke once at 2AM and within 4 minutes went back to sleep on his own and I never had to go into his room to reassure him. I'm sure there will be bumps along the way but he was ready to sleep through the night, he had done it 4+ times before, he didn't need to eat and Greg and I were into us sleeping through the night as well. We've started and are committed. He did wake up earlier in the morning around 615 AM instead of 7 the last two days but it's all good. And to show him how much I love him, I took today off. Greg had yesterday off. It was good for us to be here to monitor his now three meals a day and two naps in his crib at 930 and 2. (Though right now he's sleeping outside with him in his stroller because we went for a walk, then work out, then just wanted some fresh air.) Well I'm sure this isn't the most interested post but I wanted to document this transition for me and other newbie moms. Its so not complicated but totally is. At the end of the day, we have the best baby and are super lucky. Now onto fun Christmas post.