Santa......And a few other things

 The picture says it all!! This is a great "classic" picture that we will have to pull out as the years go by :)
After some loves and a little snack of mandrin oranges.....He was happy and running around the mall!!

Like most little boys, Gage has found that the bathroom is a fun place to play!

 Gage came down with a little cold and had to have an inhaler......Everytime he saw me get it out he would hit the floor as fast as he could so that I couldn't get to his mouth,

 He would wait for about 30 seconds and then peek up to see if I was still standing there :)

 His cold got better just in time for him and daddy to make Christmas Eve pizzas and for us to go see the Christmas lights on Candy Cane Lane

Of course the chef must taste while cooking to ensure a great pizza :)

He's feeling good and he knew that he would!

As you can see Gage is back to his silly, fun, charismatic self!!

Talking to Nonna on the phone

I have no words for this caption!! :)

Changes

On December 5th, 2011 I started a new job working as a Foster Care Placement Liaison for St.Aemilian-Lakeside, in conjunction with the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare. It was a tough decision to make and lots of prayers and thoughts went into taking the job. I am working full time now, which I don't love, heck, I don't even like working part time! I wish that I could stay at home with my precious little baby but at the time it is not possible for reasons beyond my control. I worked for 3 1/2 years as a Child and Family Service Specialist for Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Due to some internal changes I found that it was not an environment that I wanted to continue working at. I am hoping and planning that by taking on full time work, I will be able to quit working sooner. Gage is watched by two phenomenal ladies in our ward. On Mondays and Thursday he will go to Maralee's and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Friday's he will go to Sarah's. This change is going to be difficult --- figuring out a routine and a new job with increased responsibilities. I am nervous and scared; both for leaving Gage full time and for my new position, however, I feel at peace with my decision and know that it is the right place for me to be at this time. For those who know me, you know I hate change. But I have had a very good spiritual experience through this process and have been able to feel Heavenly Father guide me. I'm so grateful for the gospel and that it provides me with guidance and support during difficult times. Thank you to my family and friends for all the listening ears and advice. You are invaluable to me and I sincerely appreciate your support and kindness!

Rob and Gage have both gone through the rounds of the flu, pink eye, a sinus infection, a virus, and....Gage's first ear infection. It has been a rough couple of weeks for us as Rob and Gage try to get better and I begin a new job. The week I start a new job and luck would have it that Gage and Rob both get sick! Gage had to be taken to the doctor three times in one week!! Rob only went once......but he should have gone sooner then he did, he just isn't the "doctor type" he says. After two different antibiotics, two different eye medications, and two daily medicated breathing treatments (a total of four treatments a day with two different meds) Gage is on the mend. Rob was on the mend after one antibiotic and one eye medication. Our health care expenses...not so on the mend!

 Gage going to the doctor for the 1st time

Gage going to the doctor for the 3rd time--Yes, by now we have two teddies that have to go everywhere with us!!

Rob "sweating out" his virus. Grossest thing ever!!

Introducing.......The Cerniglia Boys Broadway Act

When Gage was little and would cry alot, Rob would grab a stick or a cane and do a little "act". Gage would forget about his pain for a little bit and stare at Rob moving around like a crazy man. Rob would always sing the same tune --Ta da ta da, tadada da da da and do the same moves. When Gage could walk he would randomly go get the cane or stick and hand it to Rob and then wait for Rob to dance. Now that Gage has turned into a character just like his daddy, the two have a routine they do together. As soon as they are done I start clapping and Gage throws his "cane"(which is usually his mini baseball bat) on the ground and gives a big cheesy smile as he claps for himself.

Celebrate Good Times

All three at one time.......Nonna, Aunt Shan, and Auntie Kay!! What a wonderful way to start out the month of November. My mom came out first and two days later Shanna and Kayla arrived together. The weather might be getting colder and darker but inside the Cerniglia household it is warm and bright. And it gets better........Clarke is coming the beginning of January. I think I need to plan a monthly visitor rotation calendar because having my dad here and then my mom and sisters was just what the doctor ordered. Gage adored the attention and was quick to bond with each of them. Family time included the non-negotiables --- shopping, eating out, games, movies, and lots of chillin' and talkin' time. I can't wait until we get to move out there and be closer to family. Countdown begins in June 2012!!

Eating a Tootsie Roll with Nonna

Surprising Aunt Shan and Auntie Kay at the airport

Gage LOVES to shares his food with other people.....with that comes his expectation though that people also share with him :)

What does a little guy do to stay entertained while shopping???? Gage has several suggestions for the man in need of ideas..........

1.Push around the stroller

2.Talk to your "peeps"

3.Check yourself out in the mirror (apparently Gage thinks he's looking pretty good because he is smiling right back at himself!) Shout out to Aunt Shan in the background :)

4.Dance, yes that's right fellas, dance! It doesn't matter the moves.....just shake it! Gage got lots of attention with his dance moves and once he realized the ladies were watching he kept on boogin'!

5.After all that there will be a line waiting to give you attention and the girls will forget about their shopping and focus on you!

We took the family to one of Gage's favorites --Organ Piper (or shall we say one of the few public restaurants we can take Gage to and enjoy a quiet meal at). Gage loves to listen to the music and watch the other kids dance. Since Gage got such a great reaction from grandma and the aunts dancing at the mall, he decided to keep the entertainment going by letting loose on the dance floor at the flashy Organ Piper! :)

The kid has major confidence.....hitting on an older girl

Dancing on the ceiling...No.....Dancing on the table....Heck Ya!!

Vacation Pictures Part 2

ZOO DAY!

It worked out perfectly that Milwaukee County Zoo had a free public zoo day while the fam was visiting. Fun was had by all ages at the zoo!

Shan and Kayla loved the penguins

Gage was so mesmorized by the fish that he couldn't take a break from looking at them (I probably looked like a zoo animal moving around and desperatley trying to make any noise I could to get him to turn around for a picture:)

Pushing--Of course Gage CAN'T let an opportunity go by without pushing anything with wheels

The Polar Bear stole the show and was a unanamous favorite. Gage even said "bear" while we were there.

Baby lion cubs were recently born so this area was packed! Gage and Shan are getting a peek as best as they can

Nonna really wanted to ride the train so Shan and Kayla went to get the car while Gage, Nonna, and I rode the train. Standing in line (or at least trying to stand in line) with Gage was tedious but well worth it as he loved the train ride!! When it came time to get off he cowered in the back corner of the train making it difficulty for me to get him out. Gage's removal was followed with Gage's best public meltdown thus far :(

The Bullet and her accomplice! Gage loves to clean, Aunt Shan loves to clean........I love a clean house! It works for us all :)

Winding down after a day of activities with Auntie Kay