From Shaggy to Clean Cut

 

January 25^th we took Dominic to get his 1^st Big Boy hair cut at “Snip It’s”.  I had a feeling he would do well and he did. When we first got there, we put him in the Big Boy seat and the stylist Taylor turned cartoons on the T.V.  You would think Dominic would be just enamored and watch the cartoons, but no, he sat there just chilling.  When more kiddos came in to get their hair cut, he would turn to stare at them.  He is such a people watcher it is so funny.

 

 

The hair cut only took about 10 minutes and at the end he got a prize for being so good, a picture of his very 1st real haircut (like mom would not take any pictures) and a certificate. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               Lately Mark and I have been noticing Dominic saying more words every day, not that they are 100% clear but we know what he is trying to say which is so neat.  Dominic has always thought it was really funny when mommy fake sneezes in a high pitch noise.  Now he actually started to do his own fake sneeze last week. He looks at me and makes sure I am watching him and then goes “a-chew” and rocks his head like I do!  It’s very funny.  He is also now saying, shoe, apple juice, pepper’s name (our cat), ut-oh and Bye-Bye while waving.   Dominic now LOVES to gives kisses and hugs to mommy and daddy.  When you ask he scoots over and smacks a big one on you. Sometimes he keeps his mouth open and sometimes he shuts it…. Depends on how excited he gets.

Happy 1 Year to Me!!!

On January 3  ^rd Doming turned ONE… we just had a pretty bad snow storm that night so mommy and daddy were able to be home together.  We worked from home but were with him all day.  That was the day he just stood up and started to walk with the help of his push-cart and just talked and talked as he was moving and grooving.  Yes, I almost cried because it was just a perfect moment.  That day was literally filled with playing all day, eating and napping… a PERFECT day if I could say so myself. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             The next day on January 4^th we celebrated Dominic turning One with family and friends who were not snow-bound.  We made sure our drive way was shoveled and made as many snow free spots as possible.  We had a gathering of friends that have watched Dominic grow these past 12 months which included Dominic’s Great Grandparent, Nana and Cracker Rogers.  We missed my family but they were there in sprit.   I will be sending many videos and pictures. 

The next day on January 4^th we celebrated Dominic turning One with family and friends who were not snow-bound.  We made sure our drive way was shoveled and made as many snow free spots as possible.  We had a gathering of friends that have watched Dominic grow these past 12 months which included Dominic’s Great Grandparent, Nana and Cracker Rogers.  We missed my family but they were there in sprit.   I will be sending many videos and pictures. 

       Dominic woke from his nap around 12 and then the party started.  Dominic’s only girlfriend Cayleigh (Wille and Jessica Hanlon’s little girl came), who is 6 months old, came to party and they LOVED playing with toys and each other. Dominic was showing her how to play with the toys and crawl but she stuck to just the playing and standing.  She was such a sweet little thing giving Dominic open mouth kisses and pulling his shirt… quite funny.

   Several of our friends came out to celebrate with Dominic and he loved showing off his new move of walking with his cart.  We first started with presents and Dominic did such a great job opening everything from the bag gifts to ones that were wrapped.  Christmas defiantly helped prep for this moment.  He had several helpers and his 1^st one was his cousin Kayleigh. Dominic loved having her help out as they presents together. Then Daddy and Cousin Brendan were taking pics and selfies too… silly boys. One of our dear friends Becky loves to take pictures and she was right in the heart of the action. She took so many cute pics and captures many precious moments of Dominic’s day. 

                 

   Dominic’s favorite person of the day was Bampa, not his mommy or daddy which was sad but it’s a phase right…haha.  When it was time for cake, Bampa went to put Dominic in his high chair and he was NOT having it.  That is why Mr. Dominic has his baby blue pacifier in his mouth in a few pics with his Birthday cake.  Dominic absolutely loved his icing from the cake, just like his mommy.  He didn’t each much of the cake for the pictures but snacked on it later that night.  He was not as messy as we anticipated but I have a feeling the next go-round will not be so clean.

      

      After cake, Dominic ate some lunch.  Yes we did desert before the meal, that’s okay for the birthday boy.  He LOVED his nanners which are bananas and then ate some pasta, and we cut up more birthday cake for him so he could really taste how yummy the cake is his mommy made.

       As we were nearing the end of the afternoon and Dominic woke from his afternoon nap, Auntie Stacey, Uncle Freddy, Frederick and their newest addition Alexander were able to make it down and we loved the visit.  Dominic and Frederick are one year and 2 months apart in age but Frederick plays really well with him.  Dominic still gets really excited with certain toys and Frederick tries to help Dominic settle down.  He is such a great cousin and we were so happy they were able to spend time together on this special day, playing and hanging out.

                       

Thank you for the love this week from all of our family and friends all over.  We love you so much!!

Ho – Ho – Ho Smiles and Love

         These past few weeks Dominic has been such a sweet boy.  He loves to share his toys, not just with mommy but his friends at school.  One of his favorite things to do is to take toys in and out of boxes and play with the horeshoe rings where you put the rings on the pole in the proper size.  He hasn’t figured out the sizes yet but still loves to play.  His daycare girlfriend Avianna is just as sweet as Dom but she likes to crawl on him as he just sits there.  Lately at daycare the kids have been creating crafts made from their toes and hands.  For Christmas Dominic made mommy and daddy an ornament with his name, the year and they used his finger tips for the snow men… too cute.

Dominic is like the speed of light crawling now and loves to get into everything, but in good fun.  We are working on “No” when he tries to open doors and climb on things he should not be climbing on.  He is starting to listen now and knows mom and dad mean business so were making progress. 

      We officially have Dominic weaned from his mommy and he is doing really really well.  It has been a work in progress but as we know he loves his food so that was the easy part.  The whole milk now is very yummy to him and he drinks it like water.  It took us some time to find him a Sippy cup he liked so we switched and now he has caught on how to use the other cup. We are just happy he can use the cup on his own.  

      

 

Dominic’s first Christmas was a success and it was so much fun to watch him as we picked out the Christmas tree and when we put the tree up. Dominic did not want to touch the tree and just turned towards mommy.  After a few days, I tried again and chose an ornament that was shiny and blue and then started to touch the tree branches.

On Christmas Eve we attended the Annual Christmas Party at Aunt Kim’s and Dominic was dressed to the nines in his red tie and sneakers…. he choose the kicks.  He was so busy watching everyone and was non stop passed around to all his aunts and uncles.  I am so happy that we are able to be with family and friends to create these wonderful memories with Dominic.  On Christmas Day, we woke up early, made coffee and sat around the tree opening presents. Dominic needed some assistance with the wrapping paper but then got the hang of it.  Santa brought Dominic trucks with toy rocks, legos, puzzles and of course stocking stuffers that mommy really wanted such as big boy spoons and bibs.  For Christmas Day dinner we attend Dominic’s  Ambrose Grandparent’s house to celebrate with family and Dominic got his 1^st sled.  He LOVED it so much we played with it inside and he had his cousins and Bampa push him around.  It was too much fun.

       

A month ago we were supposed to travel to GA to see my Poppi Sanner’s family and Dominic’s Great Grandparents as a surprise.  Dominic was severely under the weather and we had to postpone our trip.  We were able to re schedule our trip for right after Christmas.  We woke at 4:30 am to catch a flight to GA and Dominic did a fabulous job traveling with mommy and daddy.  We got into GA in the morning and then our 1^st stop was to Great Grandma and Granddad Sanner’s house.  We were able to spend a few hours with them and play around which really means crawl around and play with Grandmas Snow Men toys that sing and move which Dominic loved. He bobbed his head as the toys played music.  We stayed with my cousin Megan and we are so grateful for her hosting us and to our sweet surprise when we got there Alice had set everything up from the pack and play to diapers, wipes and much more.  It was the sweetest thing and very appreciative of all their help making it easier to fly with Dominic. We were in GA for the weekend and we also were able to celebrate Dominic’s great Aunt Bunnies birthday.  We had the whole family there which consisted of 4 second cousins, my Cousin Alice her husband Jonathon and Megan, Aunt Marjorie, Uncle Norm, Aunt Bunny, Uncle Richard and the great grandparents.  We are very thankful and appreciative to Megan for hosting us for the weekend, to Alice for giving us baby supplies (including her awesome vehicle when we needed to get around!) and Aunt Marjorie for shuttling us from place to place!

       Now we are home and ready to celebrate Dominics 1^st Birthday and I cannot believe my baby boy will be one year old.  As you know, when you have children your life changes in ways you cannot even explain.  All the joys and worries that come with being a parent are overwhelming. We are still learning and excited for the next fun-filled year in 2014.  HAPPY NEW YEARS!