Taking BIG Steps

The month of June has been filled of many firsts, and not just for Madeline, but also her BIG brother too. Dominic just started "Little Kickers", a soccer league in Bedford NH.  It is every Saturday for 50 minutes.  His first practice was on the 11th of June and he had a blast.  His class consists of 3 boys (that attended that day) and their skill level was all over the place but that is to be expected with little kids who range from 3-5. The coaches had them start off with the importance of stretching.  From there, they ran around trying to catch the teacher.  After about 5 minutes, it was time to start drills.  The teachers had them start with dribbling down the field one at a time.  This for some boys was not so easy because they didn't want to wait OR they wanted chase other kids and get "their ball".  The kids also did dribbling practise with hula hoops and noddles.  Dominic LOVED this for it involved jumping and kicking.  This weekend, daddy was out of town so it was just Madeline and Mommy with him.  Mommy was very nervous for she thought Madeline might get scared with kids screaming and whistles blowing BUT she was on mommy's hip the WHOLE time watching her big brother.  Occasionally, she would get fussy for she wanted to get down and walk.  Well, at least she wanted to put her feet down and try to take a step or two.  I am very excited to see how the next 2 months go and see if he really enjoys this "soccer thing".

                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                       

For Madeline, she has been doing great on her medication for GERDS and much happier as she eats/drinks. The beginning of June, Nana introduced pears and then peaches to Madeline.  At first Madeline was not sure on how to eat from a spoon or how to handle this foreign object in her mouth.  But after several tries she learned to like and swallow from the spoon.  Between her bottles during the day with Nana and food.  We are very interested to see what her 6 month weigh in will be.  

The past few weekends, mommy has had both kids and its been a lot of fun.  One weekend, we decided to go walk mines fines and we had such a great time. This was a first for Dominic, to walk the path as I pushed Madeline.  I packed breakfast for us and had a check list of things to look for as we walked.   Dominic has such a great imagination and loves his dinosaurs.  As we walked Dominic would say, "Mommy stop... I see Dinosaur hair" (he then picked up the dead pine needles that fell from the tree above).  He also loves to say..."mommy I smell something, I trees".

We ALSO had a first for Madeline as Dominic and I went to Benson Park.  We packed a picnic lunch and geared up for a few hours of play and explore the park.  Madeline did great and it just happened to be that the park was having a "Bass Pro Tournament" for little kids at the lake.  As we found our spot for lunch, we watched kids fish, counted the turtles and enjoyed each others company.  It was hot and long afternoon but again Madeline did great and as long as her big brother was there, she was as happy as a clam.  One of Dominic's new adventures was scary for mommy BUT he did great.  As mommy was carrying Madeline she was not able to be crazy adventurous as she wanted to be. Event though Dominic is adventurous, he is carefully. He asked to cross the stream by himself but asked which rocks were good to walk on.  I was so proud and realized that he is a smart boy.  

Since Madeline turned 3 months she has been very eager to watch what her big brother is doing.  Madeline loves to roll over now and reach for things as she is on her belly.  She does this swimming move where she waves her arms and legs. Then all the sudden the past 2 weeks she has been not just reaching but grabbing and holding onto her rattle and shacking it.  So now as she is about 5 months she is physically armed with what her legs, arms and hands can do.  It is so exciting to watch. As for her feet, when I hold her up to stand.  I make it a point for her to have her feet on the ground and get comfortable with standing (hoping she wants to pick those feet up and move).  She has taken several movements with her feet, doing 180's.

          

         

My dad AKA Poppy has also been sending Dominic some cool airplanes, cars and fun treats. One of his first packages was airplanes and he had a blast playing in the backyard. We LOVE you Poppy.

A few years ago when Dominic turned 5 months, right around mommy's birthday.  Nana and Bampa gave her "glamore" pictures.  So this year for mommies birthdya she was surprised again and THIS time it was pictures of Madeline.  She is so beautiful and her hair is RED.

So this year we (mom and dad) are gearing up for Dominic to take "SWIM" and loose his swimmies. We shall see.

Nothing but love for his little sister

One weekend Josh & Becky to came and visit.  We can clearly see that she has a crush.

This was a pick from our walk at Mines Falls.  Going from running in the BOB to walking my by my side/running with your little sister.

Dominic Graduated from Toddler 3 to Pre-K.  

Looking back at his first day of class to now, hes such a big boy.