1 Crazy Month!

Wow - It's been a while since I've written about my journey through life. My Mommy finally gave me some down time to get writing. Let me tell you that lady barely gives me a free moment - I mean do you expect me to blog in my sleep?!? She's constantly feeding me, changing me, teaching me how to hold on to my toys & hold my head up, etc... I don't know how she ever expects me to keep everyone updated when we're constantly moving & on the go. Ok so what have you all missed this past month? I'll go week by week & give you the highlights: Week of October 28th: I left off with preparing for Hurricane Sandy & sharing that Dad thought it was just going to be hype. Boy - was Daddy wrong about this storm. Hurricane Sandy was a crazy storm that caused unspeakable damage to Mommy's Jersey shore & parts of New York City. We were alright at our house. We only lost power for one hour. Philadelphia as a whole managed to escape a lot of the destruction, but many areas had lots of trees, telephone poles and wires down. SEPTA stayed closed for 2 days and Dad worked from home on Monday & Tuesday (crazy Comcast still holding meetings from home when the rest of the tri-state area was in a state of emergency). On Halloween our neighborhood encouraged everyone to get out & have a regular Halloween parade. Mom dressed me up in both of my Halloween costumes (during the day I was a froggy & at night I was a cute little pea in a pod). We joined the parade & met some new neighbors. During the week Mom & I brainstormed how we could help out with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. We decided to set up an online food drive using YouGiveGoods.com. Our drive ran from November 1st through November & we raised 1,846 pounds of food ($3591 worth of food & for every $1 raised the Food Banks of Monmouth & Ocean Counties can feed 5 people). Grandma & Grandpa Smeriglio lost power for a week, but Pop brought a generator home so they could keep warm & have some electricity at night. New Jersey rationed gas & many grocery stores were sold out of food and water. On Friday, Mom & I brought Grandma Escarole & Bean soup, groceries & more candles. We also gathered up clothes to donate to the pop up shelters. I think Grandma appreciated my homemade fudge brownies the most!! Uncle Mario gave me a really cool present when I visited - a Woody onesie (too bad I didn't have it for Halloween). I love my Woody outfit, but got upset that he forgot to get me the matching cowboy boots. Saturday night was the first night I stayed home while Mom & Dad went out. Uncle Jon & Ann Marie babysat, while Mom & Dad went to a dinner ball at the Philadelphia Club. Mommy was a little huffy getting ready & kept complaining that none of her formal dresses fit anymore (Daddy reminded her that she just popped me out 7 weeks earlier & to give herself a break). I think she looked beautiful in her long, red dress & Dad looked very handsome in his tux. I was pretty good for Uncle Jon & Ann Marie, but they needed to change my diaper A LOT!! Here are some photos from the week: Hurricane Sandy photos

Halloween photos

My Woody outfit

My parents dressed up for their first night out

Week of November 4th: On Sunday we woke up at 6AM to do the Junior League of Philadelphia's Harvest Hustle (5k & 1 mile walk). Mom, Dad & I did the 1 mile walk because Mommy didn't think she could handle the run yet. Mom got a little competitive & made Dad smoke the other moms & their strollers. We won the 1 mile walk (but mostly because nobody else cared about winning the walk like the runners cared about winning). On Tuesday, Mom & I went to cast our vote for president. Don't ask who I voted for - I don't vote & tell!! Mommy got to bring me into the booth & the woman working the sign in books told Mom to make sure I didn't press the buttons Wednesday night Mom & Dad drove me to Grandma's in New Jersey - I was going to have my first sleep over while Mom & Dad went to Jamaica for Aunt Tatum's wedding. Wednesday was a pretty terrible storm - Winter Storm Athena!! On our drive to New Jersey the snow got worse and worse as we got further east on highway 195. We got their safely & Mom and Dad left to go pick up Nichole and get back to Philly so they could get a few hours of sleep before their early flight. On their way to pick Nichole up in Avon, Mom & Dad got in a mini accident on Route 18. A tree went down on Rt 18 & blocked all three lanes. Since it was a "white out" they didn't see the tree until they were practically on top of it. Dad swerved so they didn't hit it but went under a giant tree limb that scratched the top of the car. They made it back home safely & I had a great time at Grandma's. Mom & Dad had a blast in Jamaica, but we still got to do FaceTime daily. I missed them a lot & was a really good boy for Grandma & Grandpa - Pop even took me shopping because I was such a good boy. After the Dolphin game on Sunday, Grandma & Grandpa drove me home and we waited for Mom & Dad to get home from their trip. While Mom & Dad were away, Uncle Mario asked Arianna to marry him in Disney World. She said yes & I'm so excited for her to officially become my Aunt!! They were there for the Disney marathon & they both finished the race in pretty good time (Uncle Maz said he had to practically drag Ari across the finish line though - Mom was shocked because she thought Aunt Ari would smoke Uncle Mario in the race). Maybe Aunt Ari's beautiful ring was weighing her down during the run hehe. Here are some photos from the week: I voted

They're engaged!!

Hanging with Grandma during my 1st sleepover

Week of November 11th: I was so excited to see Mom & Dad on Sunday night. I got to show them all of the cute outfits Pop helped pick out at the mall. I'm ready for winter! Monday Mommy & I tried out a new Yoga Mama class at Belly Pilates. I was a little fussy, but Debbie the teacher rocked me while Mom got in her yoga. I didn't like that I was the only baby in class. All the other moms left their babies with sitters. I much prefer our Tuesday Mommy & Baby yoga where I get to socialize with 8 other babies. Monday night Dad & I hung out at Uncle Jon's while Mommy attended a seminar on Genomics & Autism at the Franklin Institute. Mom was pretty psyched to do something academic after all the baby cooing we do at home, but told Dad that the content wasn't all that interesting to her and it's relation to education. She did not like that the focus of the genomics research was to eventually create a pill for kids with Autism (Mommy doesn't like giving meds unless it's absolutely necessary). Tuesday we had a blast at yoga class. All the babies were cooing & Sophia started crawling around the room. Tuesday night I hung out with Daddy at home, while Mom went to her Junior League meeting in Philly. I love when I get to have Daddy time. On Wednesday, Mom & I met Liz & her baby Will (he's 2 weeks older than I am) at the King of Prussia mall for a brisk walk. Mom told me she's now a "mall walker," but she & Liz don't care. They can get in some exercise even though the weather is changing & getting too chilly to be outside. At night I went with Mom & Dad to a seminar on wills & trusts. We chatted on the way home about who my guardian would be if something terrible happened to Mom & Dad. I think I'd have a blast with my guardian & once Mom and Dad are ready to set up paperwork we will all have a serious conversation with my possible guardian. Thursday we hung out at the Audi dealer while Mommy's car was serviced. I was such a good boy for her. She was so nervous that I'd want to nurse while we were there. We were surrounded by men in a very small waiting room - thank goodness I waited to have my snack until we got home. On Friday night, Daddy's friends came over for dinner and we had take out from Iron Hill Brewery. I loved meeting Uncle Josh! He's a pretty cool guy. Bret, Caroline & Marlowe also came over. Marlowe was unimpressed with the lack of toys I have, but he did keep himself busy with Dad's Playstation. On Saturday we met Bret, Caroline, Marlowe, Uncle Jon & Ann Marie at White Dog for brunch, before we all headed to the Philadelphia Dog Show. I had a blast at the dog show & wonder if we'll be spotted on TV during the Thanksgiving airing. We got to see all types of dogs & Mommy was dying to adopt Daphne, a beautiful Siberian Husky. Mom claims we need another female in the house, since she's surrounded by all males. My favorite dogs were the giant Great Danes. They're like little ponies that I could ride when I get a little bigger. Maybe Mommy will get me one for Christmas (I've put puppy on my Christmas list & hope Santa brings one). Here are some photos from the week:

Week of November 18th: We went to New Jersey on Sunday. First we had brunch with Lindsay & Nichole at Toast. Man, the food there is delicious & is definitely going to put a little meat on Mom's hips (she's says it's oh so worth it). After brunch, we went to visit Great-Nanny & Great-Pop. Great-Pop got a kick out of me & I was a really good boy when he held me. Great-Pop is 92 & hard of hearing, but he heard my really, really loud "big boy" fart. Everyone thought it was hilarious that he could hear that. We went to dinner with Grandma, Pop, Aunt Shana, Uncle Mario, Aunt Ari & her family, to celebrate Uncle Mario & Aunt Ari's engagement. The bathroom at the restaurant didn't have a changing table, so Mom & Grandma had to change me on two chairs in the corner of the bathroom (with my changing pad spread out & Grandma making sure I wouldn't roll off). Mom said it should be mandatory that all restaurants in public places have a changing table - if they are required to have handicap bathrooms/stalls then they should accommodate families. Mommy laughed as she told me that these thoughts never crossed her mind before I was born, but now she's becoming aware of how facilities accommodate (or don't accommodate) for families. Twice on Sunday I had to be changed in the car, due to a lack of changing tables in public places. I much prefer the car, since it keeps me away from all the germs of the public bathrooms but it is very inconvenient to have to run to the car often. Mommy was very excited this week because we were going to be headed to New Jersey for Thanksgiving. Mom & I baked two cakes (a caramel apple cake & a pumpkin ganache cake). She also made a delicious cornbread stuffing & Dad made his famous brussel sprout hash. This week I started to notice many new things in my surroundings & have been craning my neck to check things out. I can see bold shapes & colors now & am so curious. I love staring at my mobiles & bright lights. I turned two months old on Wednesday & Mommy set up a photo shoot. Dad worked from home & I think he got a kick out of the set up Mommy created for my photos. She put me in a basket lined with blankets. I had such a blast posing for Mom. That afternoon we packed up and headed to Grandma's house. Mom & Dad planned to meet Lindsay & Nichole at Johnny Mac's for a couple of adult beverages on Thanksgiving Eve. Mom told Dad that this is the biggest night for people to go out, but Daddy doesn't really understand why. When we got to Grandma's, Grandma & Grandpa were out with Aunt Ari's parents, so Aunt Shana stepped up to the plate and babysat me so Mom could get the night off. Aunt Shana baked yummy cookies while I slept. When Uncle Mario came home, he opened the garage & almost let Bolt & Toshio run loose (he forgot Mommy told him to use the front door). Thanksgiving morning, we got to watch the Thanksgiving Day parade. Grandma was very excited that I got to watch my first Macy's parade. Mommy dressed me up in a cute Thanksgiving outfit with a cool bib (it said "Grandma's Little Gobbler" with a big turkey on it). Dinner & dessert were delicious & I was such a good boy most of he night. I got a little fussy at dinner time, but who wouldn't when everyone around you is eating delicious smelling food & you're just hanging out (Dad ended up feeding me a bottle at the table so I wouldn't be left out). I got to meet Vito (Mommy's cousin Rachel's son - he's 1), but I don't think he likes me because he smacked me in the face... twice! Maybe he just needs to get used to other babies hanging out around the house - I promised to share my toys so maybe next time we can play nicely. We headed back to Philadelphia at the end of the night, so that we could get our Christmas tree on Black Friday. Mommy wanted to avoid the crowds (although she did take advantage of some online deals), so we skipped the malls & hit Linvilla Orchard for our tree. We got to take a tractor ride out to the tree farm. Mom & Dad quickly spotted out a tall tree & Daddy got to work chopping it down. We dragged it to the trail & boarded the hayride back to the village. After a little shopping at the Christmas shop & farmer's market we headed home. Here are some photos from this week: Great-Pop & I

2 months old & checking out my surroundings (notice my big boy smile - all on my own)

Week of November 25th: On Sunday, we decorated the house & Christmas tree. Mom & Dad created a Christmas photo shoot for our annual Christmas card. They dressed me up in various outfits & posed me around the Christmas decorations. It was a lot of fun & I even got to borrow Santa's jacket. Monday Mommy & I tried to make the Stroller Stride exercise class, but we were a bit slow getting out of the house on time. We ended up getting there 15 minutes late & the class was already on the river trail. Mom decided to bundle me up anyway & go for her first jog. She kept me up on the "jog," as she groaned the whole time. I think Mom only jogged for 30 seconds on & 5 minutes off. She's pretty out of shape & kept complaining that her uterus was going to fall out (I think she got a little dramatic, but she claims she was going to die of a heart attack). On Tuesday it snowed & Mom and I were the only ones that showed up for yoga class. We got a private class with Randi & she had a blast playing with me while Mommy focused on strengthening her core. Wednesday we skipped our Belly Pilates class because I didn't sleep the night before. Mom & Dad ended up moving me to my crib from my bassinet in the middle of the night. I just got too big for my bassinet & kept waking myself up by bumping my head at the top. The switch to my big boy room took a little time to adjust for everyone. Mom told me in the morning that she stared at the baby monitor while I slept (we're both used to sleeping so close to each other & now we are on opposite sides of the house). I kept her up for 2 hours in the middle of the night, but finally fell back asleep until 4:30 when I made Dad get up and lull me back to sleep. The change in routine really put a crimp in our day on Wednesday. I only took one 30 minute nap all day & spent the rest of the day fussy & trying to tell Mom that I did not appreciate her kicking me out of her bedroom. I was really getting used to sleeping in close quarter with Mom & Dad (I even enjoyed being lulled to sleep by Dad's snores). On Thursday, we met up with Will & Finley at the King of Prussia mall. Mom, Liz & Alicia chatted away while we napped in our strollers, as they power walked through the mall. We all stopped for lunch at the food court before heading off in separate directions. Mom was really excited when the mail came because I got my first piece of mail. It was addressed to Winston Curtis Snyder. Inside was my Social Security Card. Mom said I am officially a real boy with a big boy social security number (what does she think - I was Pinocchio before) On Friday, Mom & I went to our first Stroller Strides exercise class. Mom was nervous for the class after her failed attempt at jogging on Monday. To our surprise the class was a blast. Mom got an awesome workout in (& even kept up with all the other mom's on the jogs and cardio blasts). We're signing ourselves up for the unlimited monthly membership & Mom is going to take on Carolyn's (the instructor) holiday challenge. 12 classes in the month of December from 12/1-12/22 - the mama's are getting their bodies in shape for the holidays. After class we headed to Dr. Berger's office for my 2 month check up. I'm growing like a champ. I weighed in at 12 pounds 8.4 ounces (I gained 2.75 pounds in a month) & was 23.25 inches (I grew over 3.5 inches). Dr. Berger gave me my 2 month vaccines (1 oral vaccine & 2 shots). I really enjoyed taking the oral vaccine - it tasted so yummy - and was shocked when the nurse jabbed a needle in my thigh. I screamed for about 30 seconds & then realized that the needle was gone. I looked up at the nurse & notice she was prepping my other thigh for the 2nd shot. I furrowed my brows at her & tried to convince her that this was a bad idea. She jabbed me anyway & said "this one's going to hurt." No kidding lady - it really, really hurt. I cried for a minute & Mommy calmed me down. Dr. Berger told Mom that I might be a little off from the vaccines & to be warned that I might have extra poopy diapers. Boy was he right - in the middle of the afternoon I let out a giant poop that sounded off for about a minute. Mom quickly attempted to change me, but there was more poop than ever before. It leaked out of my diaper, all over my undershirt & onto my brand new outfit (it even got inside my belly button). Mommy had to figure a way to get my clothes off of me without dragging poop all over my belly. I already had poop on my legs & even on my socks. We went straight to the bathtub so that she could clean me off. Thank goodness - I really didn't like all that mess on me - gross!! When Dad got home, I showed him what a big boy I was by sitting up nice & tall in my Super Seat. I love my big boy seat! I can sit & hold my neck up all by myself. Uncle Jon & Ann Marie came over Friday night & we all went to a special holiday event at the Morris Arboretum. We got to see the holiday railway. The little holiday village was set up to look like our neighborhood. We had hot chocolate and cookies & even got to listen to some carolers sing Christmas tunes. Afterwards, we all went to dinner at Avenida & I had a blast listening to grown up talk at the dinner table (Daddy gave me a bottle at the table so I wouldn't feel left out). I got to go to bed past my bedtime & fell right to sleep. Saturday Mommy & I had a tough day. I really didn't feel well - I think all those vaccines threw my body off. Mom gave me some children's Tylenol, but all I wanted to do was lay in her arms or on her belly. She nursed me all day long - I think it was my body's way of keeping hydrated. Dad was out running errands all day & Mom really wanted to get some Christmas present wrapped, but all I wanted to do was snuggle, so we basically spent the afternoon cuddling in bed. Here are some photos from this week: My Christmas card photo shoot

Look Mom I'm a real boy now!!

Big boy after his 2 month Dr. appointment (literally being taken as I let off the bomb that soiled my cute outfit - noticed the relaxed look on my face)

Big boy sitting in his Super Seat