Adventures with Mommy

Dear Vinny,

On Tuesday after I got home from work, Daddy was so tired that he went upstairs and crashed into bed. You and I were left to our own devices. There was a rather large shopping list, some of which was important to get soon for you, so you and I went out on a shopping expidition.

I'd never taken you out by myself before. But it proved to be fun. We zoomed through the store, you in your baby carrier down in the basket of the shopping cart, me making funny faces at you when I wasn't occupied with looking for items or trying not to hit anything. At the checkout, an older, construction-worker type was in front of us. He seemed kind of tough and gruff until he turned around and took a look at you. Your big smile melted yet another heart!

On Thursday night, I decided to try feeding you rice cereal. I mixed the rice cereal and formula to the consistency that they said on the box was suitable for baby's first feeding. It turned out to be not much thicker than normal formula. But I fed it to you using a spoon anyhow. At first you didn't know what to make of eating off a spoon, but soon you and I both got the hang of it. I haven't had a chance to feed you solid food since then, but I think we might do it again tonight.

On Friday night, we went over to Tia and Uncle's house for dinner. You were the center of attention. Tia can't get enough of her nephew, and she is so excited about you that even her colleague Jennifer (who was also there for dinner) was entranced by you. She had seen all the pictures that Daddy takes of you, and she was really excited to meet you in person.

I had considered trying to put you in your crib in the other room to sleep. But, truthfully, I felt like that might be too sudden and scary right now. So you are still sleeping with Mommy and Daddy. The past two nights you have slept through very well. I have gotten pretty good, restful nights. For a few nights before that, you were hard to get to fall asleep. At your Aunt Rachel's suggestion, we have started a nighttime routine, in which you and I read a few books, then we rock in the rocking chair as I sing to you, and then we go to bed. You really like to be held all night, but I discovered last night that just making sure that our bodies touched all night long worked just fine. So my arm is not as sore as it was yesterday.

Some people think that co-sleeping is a bad idea, but I think it is wonderful for the whole family. Someday you will outgrow the need to sleep with Mommy and Daddy, and that is just fine. In the meantime, we are enjoying it while we can.

Love,
Mommy