Dominic's First Swim

We have had gorgeous weather in Portland for the last week, and so our pool opened up for the summer. Dom and I decided to take Dominic swimming for his first time.



He seemed a little unsure at first, but we kept playing and talking to him and he really seemed to enjoy it by the end. We had so much fun with him in the pool! I can't lay out and tan anymore, but this is soo much better! Watching our son and playing with him in the water is the best! I took a series of pictures of him that I included because I love his expressions!


We have a couple fountains in our pool. Dom got creative and wanted me to take this last picutre. Silly daddy!

Our funny little munchkin

Dominic is developing more of a personality every day. Yesterday when Dom got home from work, I met him at the door with Dominic in my arms. Dominic then proceeded to lean over and reach for his daddy. Dom held and snuggled with him for a few minutes and then Dominic turned and reached for me. It was my turn to snuggle with him and then a minute later Dominic turned around to reach for Dom. He went back and forth between the two of us 4 times. It was really sweet!

Dominic leaning over and reaching for his mommy

Dominic has also become interested in the remote control. We don't typically have the tv on when he is awake, but whenever he sees the remote (or my cell phone) he reaches for them. He is fascinated with them!

Dominic is also playing with his toys a lot more when he is awake and tries to put anything he can in his mouth.

He also loves his bath time and just this week was reaching for his little yellow duckie and holding it with his two hands. It was really cute to see him become so much more aware of his surroundings and interested in everything!

Dom is constantly singing, telling silly stories, playing and laughing with Dominic, and he just finds his daddy fascinating. They love spending time together when Dom comes home from work.

I love the expression Dominic has on his face
when he is looking at his daddy.

Memorial Day Weekend

Dom and I were asked to house sit for a couple in our care group over memorial day weekend. They have an 8 year old lab and a big backyard for the dogs to play around in, so we were very excited to have a place for Ramsey to run around in.

Their sweet, calm dog Shasta in the backyard. We love their dog!!

Ramsey (on the right) looking around for mischief! I think
Shasta was tired of Ramsey by the end of the weekend!

The weekend was beautiful, high 70's, and we spent a lot of time in the backyard. We are so happy that summer is almost here!

Daddy and Dominic relaxing in the hammock

Dominic had his very first time in the swing. He wasn't sure what to think of it at first, but gradually started smiling! Dom and I were talking about how different he looks this weekend. He is starting to look like an older baby, you can see it especially in the first two pictures. He also loves to smile with his tongue sticking out. You can see that in the second two pictures. He is such a happy baby!



Dominic has started scooting around on his back this weekend. He has done this a few times in the past, like when he wakes up from a nap, he will scoot to the end of his crib. But on Sunday, he scooted 6 feet! He arches his back and kicks his feet on the ground and it moves him forward! It is pretty funny to see. He is only 5 months and already plays and moves non stop! He is a busy boy!!

Dominic started out in the middle of the mat and scooted
around past his daddy and to the spot he is at here!

Sunday after Church we had my parents over for a barbque. We had ribs, corn on the cob, potatoe salad and home made strawberry shortcake for dessert. It really felt like summer!

Our first outdoor meal of the year! We LOVE the sun!

Dominic is so relaxed in Dom's arms

My first attempt at this dessert was a success!

And after an afternoon of fun and food, it was time for a nap!

Dominic is now 5 months old!!

Time continues to fly by. I feel like I blink and it is the end of the week. Dom and I talk about how it seems like Dominic gets bigger overnight and it seems to be so true. I get a weight check on him every month because we are so amazed at his growth (weight wise!) and so it is fun to guess how much he will weigh whenever I go in. He is now...18 pounds!!! It's crazy!!! No wonder my arms are getting big! Dom calls his arms a skin shirt because there is so much fat that his wrists have disappeared! :)

Look at the rolls on his arm!! Can you find his wrist??

We are very thankful and blessed that he is so healthy and big considering his small beginnings (5 lb 14 oz at birth). And he is now in the 90th percentile for weight, which is amazing considering he was born premature at 36 weeks 3 days (almost a month early).
Dominic loves books and loves to look at the pictures and hear us read to him. I also read, sing and speak to him in French. This is one of his many french books he has.

The seat he is in, as well as the book are gifts from Diana from France. Dominic loves this chair!

Dominic is spending more time on his tummy. He still loves to play in his exersaucer, as well as on his play mat. He is now talking a lot and blowing raspberries all the time. It is so neat to see how strong he is!

We still take him to care group (our Bible study group from church) and he is getting a little noisy :). The group is very child friendly and I can take Dominic with me as long as I want. There are 10 couples and a total of 18 children with 2 more on the way! We meet twice a month, every other Thursday, and love it! I have only left Dominic a few times with Dom or my mom and only when he is sleeping. I'm just not ready yet and he doesn't take a bottle or pacifier so it makes it a little difficult to do. But I don't mind, because he is only a baby for so long! I want to cherish every minute!!

Dominic sleeps for 12 hours at night, with one stretch of 5-7 hours. He wakes up a total of 2 -3 times. I am thankful to be getting more rest now, although I still don't know what it feels like to sleep more than 5 hours at a time. Even when he sleeps longer I still wake up to check up on him! During the day he will take a 30 min nap 3 or 4 times a day. It's not very long, but he will sleep anywhere! Carseat, frontpack, crib, or his favorite, in my arms! When I am really tired I will nap with him, and he will sleep longer (up to 2 hours!) when I am next to him!

I love watching him sleep

Having a baby has been the biggest change in our lives, but the best ever! We love him so much!!

Family picture taken on Mother's Day

Seattle

I love Seattle, especially on a sunny day (which are few)...my parents are both from there, my grandparents still live there, and it I spent 3 years there while I attended Seattle Pacific University. It feels like home to me, and we go up there to visit my grandparents as often as we can.

Dominic with his great grandparents

My mom and I headed up to Seattle for 5 days because my friend Diana, who I lived with ('02-'03) while I was in France, came to visit.

Diana, Dominic and I on the ferry to Bremerton, WA.

One tired little boy!

Mom and I had a great time showing Diana around Seattle. The beautiful views (even in the fog!), ferry rides, Experience Music Project, Underground Seattle tour, the Pier, Pike Place Market, Golden Gardens, Microsoft, and of course, the first Starbucks!

Clam chowder in bread bowls on the pier

The first Starbucks with my favorite singers out front!

A beautiful view of Mt. Rainer

Seattle from Kerry Park

I had to take a picture of this!

Our last dinner in Seattle at Anthony's on Puget Sound

We had a great time and it was so fun to see Diana again! She was such a blessing to me when I lived with her in France, so helpful with understanding the French culture and a great support through the year. It was fun to take her around and show her where I lived. I will miss her!!

Syttende Mai (17th or May)

My heritage is Norwegian. Both my mom and dad are Norwegian and our ancestors immigrated to the States from Norway in the early 1900's. I spent 3 weeks in Norway in 2003, visiting relatives all over the country and my maiden name (Pugerude) is a tiny village in Norway.
Every year in Seattle they have a parade celebrating Norway's independence from Denmark on the 17th of May. In college at Seattle Pacific University our Norwegian club would march in the Parade. It is a really big deal in Seattle, and it is packed!

Mom, Dominic and I headed up to Seattle for 5 days this week and we made it just in time for the parade. We had a great time!

Dominic's first parade

Traditional Norwegian wear.

Mother/daughter time

For Kathy's birthday, Julia, Kathy, Mom and I splurged on a pedicure. It was the first one I have had since my wedding almost 2 years ago and it was fabulous! It was a Mother's day present from Dom to me as well. :) I took baby Dominic with me and he slept through most of it. I was really able to relax and enjoy our time together!

Eating chocolate covered strawberries and un petit glass of chardonnay

Dominic awake at the very end. He is such a happy baby!

After our pedicures, we came back to our house for crêpes, kirs and gâteau au chocolat! Yummy!

Happy Birthday Kathy!!