Cabin fever sets in and Pho is the cure

Cody and I wanted to go out to dinner. I thought, "Well, Pho, is something my stomach could handle." So Momma and Cody went to Pho Huy for a bowl of hot meaty, noodle goodness. I usually eat the whole bowl but had to take home most of mine. Cody ate strawberries, cheerios, a little taste of my pho meat and noodles (what an adventurous boy), and to finish it off strawberry nutri-grain bar. I ordered a couple meatballs (pho style) in my soup thinking Cody could eat them. hmmmm Vietnamese meatballs were much different from the ones I make with Great Grandma Ucciardi. So I did not bother to pass them to Cody.

Fresh air at Azalea Park, Ladysmith Village

Mommy and Cody needed some fresh air. So we headed out to Azalea Park in Ladysmith Village. It was a bit windy there so I was glad I brought his hat and jacket. He went straight for the spring loaded "see-saw" and then the bowls that spin. They had some uber cool play equipment. Not like the splinter factories of my play day. We swang for a little while, climbed the kiddie playbooster, collected snow and mulch, threw the ball around, then headed home where we had a treat waiting.






Checking the mail after we got home and there were Cody's new shoes. I got a size too big, but aren't they super cute. I found a coupon code online for free shipping, awesome! They came in two days, GOOO USPS!

Cody and the great shoe find

I am about cross-eyed researching about shoes for Cody. I think I may just go with the Josh style below from Pediped. A respected brand and mid to upper price range. $23 for the pair pictured is a pretty good deal for the quality it is. Some sites say payless is good place to go for cheap shoes but for a little bit more I can get real leather. It just breaths better. It will be summer soon.

Cody got sick on the way to school (He's okay)

My e-mail from TJ this morning ... my phone was having connecting issues ...

I was about 2 minutes away from school when the explosion occurred. He puked out all his milk from this morning. He was playing and goofing next thing I know I saw white chunky puke coming out. It was Lovely. He was upset a little like what the heck was that. But he was fine. I got to school. I stripped him down to his diaper wrapped him in a blanket and gave him to Donna. I had some clean clothes in the diaper bag so she was good. I wiped up the puke in the car as best as possible. I rinsed his clothes dismantled his car seat and now have his clothes in the washer here.

He is totally fine and was goofing for Donna when he saw her. She will let me know how he does during the day. I just chalk it up to getting the bottle late in the morning and me driving. It was scary as hell as it was my first puke witness. I grabbed a baby wipe and was like what can i do to all that mess. Pretty funny.

Talk to you later

TJ (Mr. Mom)

Madelyn Brooke

My friends just brought their darling Madelyn Brooke home from the hospital. She is their second girl. She is super precious! Congratulations Chris, Emily and Sophia!

handprint on my heart

hand prints: I am so going to do this with Cody. Each year maybe we'll add to it and by the time he moves out he will have a cool piece of art to take with him or leave for mommy to fill her empty nest.




clips: I have the birthday banner parts and I can set him up with his own clothes line art display.


These came from land of nod. A cool website for all thing$ children.

Cody's 1st Birthday

BIRTHDAY DINNER - our first of many kid friendly venues.


"Look Mommy, I am sitting so nicely, now where is my burger?!"


Hamburger, buttery bun, and apple slices, AWESOME!


"Milk! My favorite!"


"Dinner and a RIDE! ---- hmmm not sure if I like this."

Valentine's Day

We took a walk today with Cody's ATW Radio Flyer Wagon. He and neighbor Hunter will have lots of adventures with Cody's birthday present from Grandpere and Memere.




Mommy put a couple luv ads in the local paper for us to find ...

Cody's F1rst Birthday Party

We are so tired right now but we are super thankful for all the family and friends who traveled to spend time with us and Cody. Cake, lots of icing, gummy worms, ATW Radio Flyer Wagon, thoughtful gifts and milestone cards. BBQ pulled pork, kick-ass coleslaw, mmmmmmmmac'N'cheese, froggy cupcakes. All those little details that make it fun and memorable.

Custom homemade paper party banner: [Happy 1st Birthday Cody]



Cody and Memere sharing giggles.


This one says it all!



Me and 1 month old Tyler. So precious. I could not wait to meet him. I am so proud of Shana and Tom. They were troopers coming out all this way to visit. We were honored to have them here to celebrate. She already ordered her cupcake cake for Tyler's first birthday. :)



Cody and Aunt Trish loving up the camera!


Cody and his buddy Matthew rockin' it. Matthew is only a month old than Cody. He celebrated his


Cody and Grandpere in a staring contest or just admiring each other you decide.


Birthday loot. Plus the puppy dog rocker Cody's Great-Grandbum made (his signature on the bottom). Thank you Osborns for passing it down. Cody loves it.


One last shot of the icing frenzy.


A pile of Wheeler sisters and kids.



Thank you for sharing this special event with us. Cody went to bed with no fuss and smelling of icing. Sweet dreams dear prince.

Things are hopping right along ...

We are getting all the preparations ready for Cody's FIRST birthday party. I know he will not remember it but we will and we don't ever seem to do anything small. We have family and friends coming into town on Saturday to help celebrate Cody's first full year in this world. We plan to have a bon fire going outside to ward off the cold but inside will be toasty with lots of pork BBQ, yummy sides and of course cake and ice cream. We'll post pictures of Cody enjoying his first cake and all the festivities.

watch out Oscar — I can direct, film, and edit too!

Here is my first attempt at writing a script, shooting, directing, and editing a commercial for our future online video production at my day job. ***The Rubber Duck Emporium is a fictitious company*** Since Cody loves the classic rubber duck I used that for my company theme. They offered a Video Production 101 class taught by the multimedia guru. AWESOME opportunity and costs the company zilch. Part of the class was to come up with a fake company and create the video to promote it. Wow I have respect for all those talented folks in the motion picture arena, whether it be TV, video, commercial, or wedding. I can really understand why there are so many BAD wedding videographers out there. Most of the time is in the editing process. Seeing/hearing the same clip over and over and over and over again. James Cameron must be a little out there to handle that for years. Okay so with that all said please enjoy my commercial.

Enjoy ... quack quack ...

The little chickadee will soon fly once more

I thought that I would check the site to see if there is any chance Gwenfrostic.com would be open for business soon ...

+++++ Here is what was posted. Yea! Warms my heart on this cold snowy February morning. +++++
GOOD NEWS!

Gwen Frostic Prints will be opening soon for business.
We are hoping to re-open the website and start shipping orders by next week.
Please check back soon to place your order.
If you have an order pending, you will be notified via email.
We apologize for any inconvenience you may have encountered regarding your order.
Thank you for your patience, loyalty, and continued support.


If you look up at the stars
and have a wondrous feeling - - - -

If your heart delights
at the antics of a chickadee - - -
If a little toad winks
as you pass by - - -

- - - - or you wish he would - - - -

Then Gwen Frostic Prints
are created for you ...
++++++++++++++

On a family note. Cody has his first official snough (snotty+cough=snough) He has a cough and a water fall of snot running down his upper lip. Not a happy camper especially with a tooth coming in to top it all off. Usually such a sound sleeper we were up most of last night comforting him. We are in the 3rd day of this. He has a slight fever but it comes and goes. We are doing our best to keep fluids and nourishment in him. Usually such a happy baby (oops, toddler), it just wrenches us to see him in such discomfort. We take heart in the fact that this will pass and he will be well soon. Yup this is the start of the germ battle and all children must pass through this. We are armed with lots of love, warm fluids, soothing baths, tylenol, baby chest rub and the dreaded nose wipe with ointment (gosh you think I was wiping his nose clear off his face the way he fusses). Anyway, there have been so many firsts and lasts these past two weeks; walking, sickness, understanding and responding, no more formula, using up the last of the baby food. But I can not express how blessed we are with such a wonderful little boy.