Difference of Two Weeks

The difference of two weeks is great. Two weeks ago Dominic could sit only when supported by pillows, today he not only sits on his own, but is now stabilizing himself and puts his hands out to catch himself from falling.

The downside of today's news is that he is cutting two new teeth. He is out of sorts with the pain from his yet to be discovered teeth. The new ones are directly to the sides of the existing bottom teeth. This said, I have been spending a lot of time at night and at nap times just cuddling or rocking him till he falls asleep. When he is up and playing he seems to be a bit more distracted (because he can chew on everything in sight).

Tomorrow brings his six month follow up with a new Dr. I am excited to find out how much he has grown, but not to excited about him getting shots as they make him cranky. This is not something to look forward to when he is already out of sorts from teething. My poor little man. I feel so bad for him.

Dominic Enjoying Camp

Even with all the rain, it was a wonderful day at camp. We got to visit family, enjoy the rain, have a few laughs, and enjoy a wonderful dinner that grandpa Chris cooked on the grill, and grandma Becky completed with the sides. Dominic really enjoyed exploring, visiting, and feeling the dog's fur. :-)


Grandpa Chris & Domninic

Grandma Becky & Dominic

Uncle Jon and Dominic

Dominic (24 weeks)Uncle Jon, & Kim

And More Rain!!!

On Tuesday we headed out to camp. It was an extrememly rainy day!! We spent it indoors with a few opportunities to go out on the porch, only to watch everyone put blocks on the neighboring docks. Well, that and to watch my brother and his grilfriend Kim, along with the dog chase after the ball. :-) Actually, they were enjoying the water as they were already soaked.

There has been so much rain that the lake at camp is rising to the highest levels in over 200 years. These photo's were taken on June 27th, by June 29th the water was over 2 feet higher.

Rain,Rain,Rain

It has been raining here, which has limited our activities to errands and inside tasks. Dominic has been spending a lot of time on his belly, preparing him for crawling. We all know he really wants to walk, but I am hoping that he will crawl first. At least crawling will prepare me for him walking. I know he will be a quick one!

Yesterday was grandpa Ronald's birthday, he is 72. So, we all went up to Aunt Mandy's house to celebrate. Dominic did not enjoy the excess noise and stimulation. He did enjoy playing with uncle Chris and cousin Chris. Even Aunt Mandy got to hold Dominic for a while with no fussing. (Normally when we go to her house Dominic is usually grouchy due to lack of a nap.) I think one of the most memorable moments of the evening with Dominic was this.....

Harley had a green bouncy ball that he was dropping on the pavement and then catching. I was holding Dominic so that he was facing out to watch what was going on. Every time that ball was dropped all of Dominic's exterminates would go wiggling all around. When I actually caught on to the fact that it was the bouncy ball that was attracting him, I asked Harley to drop it again. This time when he dropped it Dominic not only did the wiggles, but laughed out loud as well. It was adorable!

The other thing I most remember about last night was Dominic playing with Uncle Chris. Uncle Chris did many playful things that got Dominic laughing over and over. He also took him walking, which Dominic absolutely loves.

As for today, well, it was a rainy day. So, we read many books, had belly time, played with our toys, played on the xylophone, ate and took naps.(Daddy thought it was mommy playing, that is how good Dominic played!) Then I went to the library for more books and Dominic took a walk with daddy and grandma Mo and then had a bath. (One book from this last trip to the library that I liked was Old Black Fly, it rhymes, has repetition, ABC's and has a story. It ends like you would expect any black fly's life to end with a giant SWAT! It is wonderfully illustrated and really enjoyed the book. I included this as I check out 10+ books each time I visit the library (usually 3-4 times a week) and like to keep track of the ones I really like.

Tomorrow we will travel to camp to visit with uncle Jon. Hopefully, I will get some photo's to post then.

Dominic's News

Ok....so I have been so busy telling you all the news of other people in our lives, but not Dominic. Here's Dominic's turn!

Dominic is now 24 weeks old. He has two wonderful teeth on the bottom that are now nearly half up. He appears to me, to have grown taller as he has slimmed down a bit. (He goes through stages of plumping up and then slimming down.) Dominic now is able to sit up primarily on his own for extended periods of time. Still, he will fall over if he is reaching for something, but he is mastering the act of balancing.

When he is on his belly, he can now turn himself all the way around in a circle, push up so that his hips are off the ground and get one leg under himself.

Aside from all of this, his favorite thing to do is walk. He holds my finger (as I hold his arms) for a bit of balance and off he goes. He knows what to do with his feet and aside from a little bit of support for balance, he does the rest himself.

We have just introduced the sippy cup yesterday. Right now he chews on the top more then using it for it's purpose, but that is most likely because he is teething. Also, today is the first day that he got three meals. We will see how it goes. Right now, the little man still wakes up every two to three hours at night to eat.
It is nice to know that he is doing well, but hard to know when and what he should be eating.

It is also frustrating when so many people say that he should be sleeping through the night and he is still getting up often. (Sometimes I think it is because he is big for his age and maybe he needs the extra.)One thing I know for certain, he is on the downside for nursing and will eventually be weaned off of the night feedings. So, worst case, that will end his nightly ritual. For now, I am happy to know that he is thriving and anything I can do to make sure that he gets the best is well worth it. Next Friday he will go for his 6th month follow up with the pediatrician. We will have lots of questions and hopefully just as many answers, along with the wonderful news of how big the little man has gotten.

Day for Celebration

Today was a day of celebration for Becky. She and Joe got engaged yesterday. I was actually driving the car when I got the news via cell phone. I had to pull over for the news. I think I was so excited that I actually made Dominic a bit nervous and he cried. So, Dominic and I took a detour up to Kayuta Lake to congratulate the newly engaged couple. What a beautiful ring Becky has, and a glowing spirit as well. I couldn't be more happy or excited for the two of them. As far back as high school, there isn't a funny, important, or tragic event that I have not shared with Becky. For my wedding she gave me a time capsule with memories/events that we have encountered and shared together.

It is my hope that her new time capsule with her husband to be, be wonderful and get filled with fantastic memories. We all wish her the best with her new milestone in life, may it be glorious.

Congratulations Kayla and the class of 2006

Today was graduation day for many. One of those graduates was a prior student of mine, Kayla. My first year of teaching she was in my 6th grade art class. Today she is no longer a student at HP. It is funny how life has a way of wisking away the time before we know it. When I first started teaching I was only four years out of high school, and now Kayla is a high school graduate. Congratulations on your accomplishments!!

We wish you the best in all that you do Kayla!!! May you go forth and do great things with your life.

Best wishes to the class of 2006!!

Sunny Days

It has been bright and sunny for the last few days, beautiful weather. Dominic enjoys spending his time in the hammock and outside. While I hang out his diapers on the line he swings in the hammock. His face is wide with a big toothy grin as he swings.

This picture was taken after he got out of the hammock. He is sitting on top of the diaper covers in the laundry basket. I was trying to get him to smile big so you all could see his new little teeth, but as luck would have it, when he did smile showing his teeth my camera battery went dead! So, I guess that is for next time.

Today we went apartment hunting with no such luck. Dominic fell asleep in our travels. Later today we are going to grandma Cindy's house and daddy will go fishing.

On Father's Day

On Father's Day, Dominic, Matt, grandma Mo, and I went out to camp. (Poor Pupo had to fly out, but we really missed him!)It was a surprise visit for grandpa Chris. We all had a wonderful time, except Dominic, he had a bit of a rough time. He was a bit cranky as he is cutting teeth, was over-tired and over stimulated. He got in a short cat nap as Grandma Mo rocked him till he fell asleep, but he woke up as we tried to lay him down. He did however, really, really enjoy the boat ride. Thank you grandpa Chris for taking us all on a wonderful boat ride around the lake. First, slow to see all the camps and enjoy the lake and sunset, then fast to enjoy a bit of the speed. Matt had to go up front with Grandma Mo to balance out the weight of the boat. Dominic enjoyed walking on grandpa Chris's feet. He also enjoyed the bubbles from the back of the boat and getting grandma Becky's shorts wet from his jammy feet. :-)

It was a wonderful day and we will be returning next week as uncle Jon will be coming up and so Dominic can spend some quality time with grandpa Chris and grandma Becky. (We need some more photo's!)

Happy Father's Day!!!

Well, yesterday was Matt's first father's day. It was a day he can look back on in memory, along with so many other important events in life. Hopefully in future years he too can reflect on his job as father, and will too, be extremely proud of Dominic. It was also a day for many other father's as well.

To Pupo, Grandpa Chris, Grandpa Caswell and Grandpa Ronald we all thank you for everything. We are who we are because of you. You are our first teachers. You taught us our first steps, how to swim, plant a garden, how to drive, and you still continue to educate us today. We are eternally grateful for each and every one of you. Each of you has played a different role in each our lives, but all are important to us! You influence us, inspire us, desire for us to succeed, all in the hopes that we may be the best we can be. Hopefully, we make you proud of the job you have done in shaping and molding us. We love and thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

What a beautiful day

Matt and Dominic in the hammock










Dominic and his diapers!!!




















Today was a beautiful day to enjoy the outdoors. So, Dominic, Matt and I did just that. Matt mowed the lawn, while Dominic enjoyed the grass and I went crazy with the camera. Along with playing in the grass, Dominic played in the flowers, on the hammock, and in the laundry basket.

After a wonderful afternoon outside and pleasant nap we took a trip to Holland Patent to visit some prior colleagues in the art department. It was Dominic's first time meeting them. (Kayla, I'm sorry we missed you! We will catch up with you soon!!) It was a real nice visit. I didn't realized how grown up my prior students have become. I also realized that I can only remember 33% of the names. Part of this low percentage is that they look so unbelievably different. They have grown so much and so quickly. It makes me think of how fast Dominic will be growing. :-(

When we got home we ran some errands with Matt. One of our stops was to Toys-r-us to get Dominic a walking toy. We got him this mail cart push toy. Once we got home, I put the toy together and Matt went with Mo to get her car. By the time I got the push cart ready Dominic was screaming for his dinner. Needless to say he didn't really get much time with it, so that will be something for tomorrow.

All in all, it was a beautiful day in NY. These are only a few of the many photos I took today.

Daddy is back!!!

Now that boards are over, we have daddy back! Last night we enjoyed a cook out. Dominic got to spend some time with Aunt JoMarie, Uncle Hank, Grandma Cindy, Grandpa Ronald and the rest of us. He got tired really early and ended up in bed by 6:45pm. It was a big day for the little man.


Grandpa Ronald and Dominic











Grandma Cindy spending some time with Dominic last night. (22 weeks)

Two Peas in a Pod

Is it a kiss???

Christopher looks like he is leaning in to kiss Dominic, but I do believe he is actually rubbing his nose on his head. (Eskimo kisses :-) )

Daddy and Dominic before boards.....

This is a photo taken today of Matt and Dominic, the day before Matt takes his boards. Good luck daddy!!!

My First Tooth!

Yesterday, as Dominic was chewing on my finger (as has been the habit for the past few weeks) I felt his first tooth. I was a bit shocked at the sharp thing inside his mouth as he has been all gums. Soon his million dollar smile will change appearance.

The other highlight of yesterday-It was the first time that Dominic raised his arms for me to pick him up. He will lean toward people he wants to go to now as well.

Missing

While Mandy was getting ready to deliver her baby, I was packing Dominic up to take to Daddy to watch for a while so I could be with Mandy. I put all his stuff from the waiting room into the diaper bag and left. The next day I realized that my sling was missing. I was nearly devastated at the thought of never having it again. I also did not realize how dependent I was on it until I started to port Dominic around without anything at all and suddenly his weight seemed like so much more. This coupled along with the fact that he is like a constant wiggle worm made my errands feel like an eternity.

So, I called the hospital to talk with security to see if they found it. (NO) However, I can only imagine what the guy on the other end of the line must have thought. To him it was probably something stupid I was looking for and to me it was like a diamond ring . When I had little luck I asked my mom to just do a walk though, tracing my steps and asking each floor if anyone had seen it. She ended up at the switch board and the lady told her she had not seen anything like it. Then my mom looked up and saw a green thing folded on a shelf and said "I think that is it". Sure enough it was. When she called to tell me it was found I was ecstatic!!!

This sling is my #1baby item. It is invaluable to me. Dominic and I are glad to have it back. You can also be sure it will make it's way to the bottom of the diaper bag, so it will have no opportunities to fall out again.



Aside from the missing sling and Mandy and Chris's new baby Imagin our days have still been busy. Dominic and I have been trying to keep a consistent schedule in the midst of all the visiting and traveling. In the past week we have been to camp, visited the Giruzzi's (haven't done that in over 3 years!), visited grandpa and grandma Caswell, grandma Cindy, gone on a wonderful walk with Becky, got two new books to read, practiced walking on the stone ledge at grandma Mo & Pupo's house, felt leaves and grass and much, much, more.

Milestones-Dominic can sit up on his own for brief periods(he still has a tendency to fall over after a bit). He now knows that the pages in a book come from the right and instead of waiting (for me to slightly lift the page to make room for his little fingers to turn the page) he reaches for the individual pages on his own. He eats increased amounts (now eats....carrots, peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, prunes) and sleeps for increased amounts (now up to 3.5 hours!!!! Doesn't sound like much, but I really enjoy the increased length of time I can sleep). He also likes to control the spoon when he eats. However, he hasn't learned that you need to fill the spoon each time. Right now he just expects that it is always full of food (because I fill it when he is busy looking at other things). He rolls over when he is sick of belly time and reaches to people he wants to go to.

Oh.........and I believe he will be getting a few teeth soon. His bottom gums are slightly raised where the bottom teeth are and he is chewing on everything including his favorite story.

Sorry, no new photo's today. I will post some next time!

New Arrival 10:37am

Mom looking at her new babe.
Baby Imagin (Imogen) looks just like her nana Westhall and a lot like her mom too!


























The Aiken Family welcomes baby Imagin (Imogen)







Dominic and Daddy


Dominic and his family welcome baby Imogen. The spelling of her name is yet to be determined. Both mom and dad were discussing it today just 1/2 hour prior to pushing her out and decided that bringing her into the world was first priority and they have a few days to determine how to spell her name.

Today Dominic spent the morning with his daddy(while daddy studied for his boards), while mommy went to the hospital for the birth of baby Imogen.

Baby Imogen weighs in at (estimated, as the nursery doesn't believe that labor and delivery will do a good job) 8.5oz. The birth was not nearly as complicated as expected, which is very good for both baby and mom. She was estimated 9.13oz on Friday. Dr. really wanted to do c-section, but Mandy was persistent that would not be the case and good for her, as it turned out to be in her favor and the c-section would not have been necessary. Thank all you for your prayers!

Both mom and baby are doing well, resting, and getting to know each other. Congratulations Mandy and Chris!!!!!!! What a beautiful little girl you have!!!!!

The tractor ride

Pupo took Dominic for a tractor ride, which he loved! He even looks like he is driving.

Camp 2

Uncle Jon with some serious reading material!!!



Chris and little Chris asleep.


The camp family picture minus uncle Erin. We miss you Uncle Erin!



Grandpa Chris with Dominic. 21 weeks


Chris and little Chris being dunked.
So here are the rest of the photos taken on Memorial Day at camp that I didn't get a chance to post prior to this. And for all you still waiting Aunt Mandy has STILL NOT HAD HER BABY!!!!!

Aunt Angie

Dominic and Angie-21 weeks
Dominc and Aunt Angie hit it off great! He got to spend a weekend with aunt Angie during Memorial Day weekend.