His first meal

It's official. He had his first solid food this week. He eats 1 TBSP once a day of Earth's Best Organic Whole Grain Rice Cereal mixed with breast milk. He did alright, it was more watery than solid, so it wasn't too foreign in his mouth. He liked the spoon and would grab it when he could and shove it in his mouth. It was pretty cute! I am sentiment and had him eat his first bite with my baby spoon! It was all metal though, so after the first two bites I switched to a Gerber one that has a plastic spoon.
Dominic will eat only Rice Cereal for the first two weeks (only 1 meal a day for the first week and then 2 a day the second, and still nursing 6 times a day) and then I will gradually introduce new foods. I was planning on making the rice cereal myself, but would have to give him iron supplements which would stain his future teeth yellow, so instead I settled on an organic whole grain rice cereal with iron. We are not an organic family, and usually buy what's chepeast, but when it comes to Dominic's food for the first few years of life, I feel that it is really important to know what exactly is going into his food, eliminating preservatives and other things by making it myself. And it's fun!! And thanks to my fabulous mother in law, I will be making Dominic's baby food with a Williams Sonoma Beaba Babycooker food processor which makes the process so much easier!!

Getting ready for the first bite.
Thanks for the bib, bowl and spoon uncle Damon!
The first bite with my baby spoon :)"This stuff tastes funny"

He tried feeding himself several times!

And here's the video we took of his first meal. Enjoy!

6 months

I have to post several of these pictures, they are just too cute! He is letting me take pictures of him again (the past month he was trying to reach for the camera instead of smiling!) I guess he is used to me putting the camera in his face!
The latest with Dominic is:
-passing a toy from one hand to another
-sitting and playing with his toys
-while on his tummy, he will turn around, completing 1/2 a circle
-reaching his arms out to be held
-when holding him, he will put his sweet little arms around my neck and put his hands on my shoulder
-he no longer likes to listen to the story, he is more interested in turning the pages!
-sleeping with mommy in bed whenever he can
-eating solids (more on this in a later post!!)
-laughing constantly
-flirting (he catches peoples eye and will smile at them in a store)
-laughing and smiling all the time!

I feel so blessed to stay at home with Dominic. I am selfish, I don't want to miss a minute of being with my little boy. I knew I always wanted to be a stay at home mom, but I didn't know how much work it was to take care of an active boy and a house! My mom reminded me of a cute poem she had framed in my baby room:

Cleaning and cooking can wait 'till tomorrow
for babies grow up, I've learned to my sorrow
so fly away cobwebs, dust go to sleep
for I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep!

I think of this often, because it can be easy to get caught up in housework. Tonight, I put Dominic to bed and started cleaning the kitchen. After an hour or so, he woke up crying (it breaks my heart when he does that). I stopped what I was doing and sat and rocked him for awhile until he fell back to sleep. It was so peaceful, rocking and comforting Dominic. I love that part of being a mommy, knowing that I can comfort and love my child. That's what it is about, not trying to get everything done on my list (my kitchen is still needing some attention), but taking care of the needs of my child, whatever they may be. I love that Dom told me that he would rather I spend my time at home playing with Dominic and taking care of his needs instead of busily trying to clean and get things done. When Dom comes home, he spends time with Dominic and then I can work on the house and cooking. And I am not stressed from trying to multitask with a baby and chores, etc. I can't thank you enough Dom, for all of your hard work in providing for our family. I am blessed beyond words.

2 years and counting!!

It's hard to believe that we have been married for two year! It's flown by and so much has taken place in that time...
We met on a blind date in August of 2006,
6 months later we were engaged,
4 months after that we were married and purchased a condo,
3 months after that I was hired to teach 1st grade for a year,
4 months later we came home with Ramsey,
in 2 months after that we were pregnant
3 months later we had paid off 15,000 in deb!!
5 months after that Dominic was born (he was a month early),
...and 6 months later here we are at 2 years! It's been an eventful time. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in the future. I am more in love with Dom with each passing day and my favorite thing to do is spend time with our little family.

On our Anniversary, Dominic and I went to visit Dom on his lunch hour with a picnic lunch! We went to a nearby nature park and ate and the went on a walk.


Dom and I went also went out on our first date alone together since Dominic was born. We went to PF Changs, where we met on our first date. We a fun time reliving our first date and talking, without interruption...although we missed Dominic the whole time we were gone!
While we were eating there, A girl in her 20's came up to our table and said that she was with a group of girls for a bachelorette party and they were asking all of the married couples in the restaurant to give her marriage advice. Dom and I looked at each other and knew exactly what we were each going to write on the pieces of paper we were given.
I wrote that the bride should read The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. I LOVE listening to Dr. Laura and reading her books. This book in particular has been incredible for our marriage. It has taught me the importance of respecting Dom and how important it is in a marriage that the wife respect the husband, and the husband, in turn love the wife. It is so important now more than ever, since in our society today it is not practiced (women respecting men), and the opposite seems to be more acceptable and practiced on tv, in movies, in the media, etc. This book has really shown me many areas and ways that I can respect Dom and that is how I show him that I love. It is an excellent book and every married couple should read it. It has changed our marriage!
Dom wrote on his card "Don't buy a house right away" and that all of your friends will say "You're married, you should buy a house". We did, and we have regretted it ever since. Thank God we are able to make our payments, and we have cut our lifestyle so that I can stay home with Dominic, God is so faithful to provide what we need and show us ways we can live more simply, cutting out things that we don't need. The most important thing a couple should do is make sure their finances are in order and then buy a house they can afford for 1/4 of your monthly take home pay. The book that has also blessed our marriage and brought us closer together as a couple is The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. This has helped us to change our lifestyle, live below our means (so we have money left at the end of the month!), pay off $15,000 of debt in 10 months, have an emergency savings, and a plan for the future and the goal of being financially free with no debt and no credit cards!! It has brought us closer together because we aren't fighting about money and where it is going, instead our goal is to pay off and live within our means. We are so content, and don't feel like we need to "keep up with the Jones'"! Life is so much more about quality time with people and relationships than it is about having the latest thing. I used to be a big shopper and wanting the latest fashion, etc. I still like clothes, but staying home with my son and taking care of the house, cooking and cleaning, and making it a home for Dom who works so hard to provide for us, this is what life is about. Everything else is fleeting, but our relationship with God, marriage, children, family and friends (in that order too!) is what life is about. These two books we would recommend to any couple. It has made a world of difference in our marriage.
We had a great time out on a date and can't wait to go out again! Dominic did great with his grandma and grandpa, and played and laughed the whole 2 hours. At the very end he started getting really tired and was crying, and mom had just gotten him to sleep when Dom and I came home. We walked in and were talking and Dominic heard my voice and started crying so hard! It was like he was mad that I was gone. It broke my heart. I nursed him to sleep and he was fine. :) We were glad we were able to go out and talked about Dominic the majority of the time we were away, and I kept thinking of excuses to call and check up on him, but Dom wouldn't let me. :)
We also opened the bottle of champagne that we were given from the hotel we stayed at on our wedding night. We were going to open it on our 1 year anniversary, but I was pregnant, so we had it this year instead! It was fabulous and went prefectly with the chocolate covered strawberries I made. :) Happy anniversary my love! It just keeps getting better!!!

Love this verse

I read this verse yesterday and love it!

"Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God has power to do what he had promised" Romans 4:20-21

This verse, referring to Abraham and God's promise to him of a son, was so encouraging to me today. This is the devotional that went along with it:

"Abraham never doubted that God would fulfill his promise. Abraham's life was marked by mistakes, sins, and failures as well as by wisdom and goodness, but he consistently trusted God. His faith was strengthened by the obstacles he faced, and his life was an example of faith in action. If he had looked only at his own resources for subduing Canaan and founding a nation, he would have given up in despair. But Abraham looked to God, obeyed him, and waited for God to fulfill his word."

Our God is so faithful in everything!

Saturday afternoon at the park

To celebrate her graduation, Julia had a barbecue at the park. Dom's dad's side of the family was there and we spent a relaxing day there together. Toward the end of the day, they were playing basketball and Dominic was sitting on his Auntie's lap and laughing so hard at his daddy. This is very typical when Dominic is with his daddy, they are ALWAYS laughing together. It is so sweet. And the sound of Dominic laughing is one of my favorite things! :)

Three genereations!

Uncle Kevin

The backwards scoot

Dominic is becoming more and more mobile. His favorite way to get around right now is on his back! It's hilarious!!

Family bike ride

One thing we love to do as a family is go for a bike ride. We have been looking for a bike trailer for Dominic, but they are so expensive ($400 brand new, and they run about $100-$200 on craigslist). Last week, Dom was able to pick up a used baby bike trailer at a garage sale for $30! Amazing deal, thank you God!!

Dominic is still to little to sit in it without his carseat. He loves going for a ride in this and usually falls alseep half way through our ride.

Ramsey always comes with us too. Dom has trained him so well on the bike, that he is an excellent companion when we go on our little trips.

Our future musician

Dom and I have talked about wanting our children (we want more!!) to learn a musical instrument. I played violin for 2 years and then gave that up so I could focus more on the piano. I am so thankful that my parents paid for and had me put in the hours and hours of practicing that I did. It was so worth it, and now I can teach it and play just about any song that I want!
I started piano lessons at 8 years old and took classical lessons 10 years. In Canada (I lived there from age 3-18) they have a program called The Royal Conservatory of Music which I went through 8 levels (of 10 total). At level 8 you have taken the necessary skills in theory and lessons to be qualified to teach. Every year (sometimes every other) I would test (going before an adjudicator) to qualify for the next level. It was scary, playing scales, arpeggios, sight reading, and playing memorized songs (3-5) before a judge. I always did fine, the hours of practicing paid off, but it was nerve wracking nonetheless!
In college I was just short a few credits from getting a music minor. I took 1st year music theory (one of the hardest classes I have ever taken...harder than french!), and one of the only things standing in the way of my minor was thousands of dollars (an extra semester!) and a mini recital! I didn't want to go in debt for it since I made it through undergraduate school without student loans (it was grad school that I had to take out loans for) :( . But I also didn't want to have to do a recital. I hated going to recitals growing up, and the last thing I wanted to have to do was give my own recital! I don't regret not getting the music minor (mainly because of the money) and I can still teach and play piano anytime I want to.

Sweet little stories

One of Dominic's favorite things is eating (it is obvious by his weight!!). He used to take 1 1/2 hours to nurse in the first month, then it was down to 30-45 minutes and now he can eat between 5-15 minutes! He is a fast eater now!! I have to admit that nursing him is one of the sweetest things in the world. Not only is it the best nutrients he can get, the right temperature, the best antibodies, is helpful in preventing ear infections (the list goes on and on), but the bonding is so sweet. Lately I like to play classical music and lullabies when he eats and we rock and I will hum with the music (or sing) if he isn't too distracted by it at the moment. Well, yesterday I was humming to him and he stopped eating, looked at me and started making little singing sounds back to me (yes, he was distracted again!). But it was the sweetest thing, rocking and singing to each other, I didn't mind at all. :) Sometimes he will stop eating and look at me and smile and then go back to nursing, but this singing to me was a first!

Dominic usually wakes up in the middle of the night to eat (sometimes 2 or 3 times), and if I am really tired I will bring him to bed with us and he nurses when he needs to and I get more rest that way (Dominic loves this!). Well, last night he woke up at 3 am, ate and then I changed him and he was wide awake when I put him in his crib. He was laughing and making babble sounds and kicking his legs and moving his arms like he was making snow angels! It was hilarious! Dom woke up because of it and came over to look and Dominic saw him and started laughing and continued to move around in his crib!! This was a first! Hopefully not a pattern either. After 10 minutes I picked him up and started rocking him in my arms and he gradually fell back to sleep (thankfully!).

Dominic is sitting!!!

There was lots of excitement in the Herrick household yesterday, June 2nd. Dominic sat by himself for the first time at 5 months, 2 weeks and 2 days old!!!!!! Here's how it began: Yesterday morning after I finished changing him, I pulled him up to a sitting position (although he usually goes straight to standing!). But this morning he was fascinated with a new toy (wait till you hear what it was!). He sat propped forward a little so he could reach for the crinkly wipes package (yes, his new favorite toy is a costco diaper wipes package...forget all the toys we bought him!). I let go for a second and he just sat there. I continued to let him sit, ready to catch him at the slightest moment he would fall but he didn't, he just sat there playing, fascinated with his "new toy"!! I was really excited, but thought it was because he was propped forward, so I decided to try it again on the floor in our living room. I got him set up again with the wipes and this is what happened: (Watch the progression in the next three pictures)

It was the real thing! He sat for a long time!! A couple times he started to fall back and he caught himslef (he's learning to balance!). The first time he balanced himself he got a big smile on his face as though he knew he accomplished something big! Here is a video of him sitting.



Well I was so excited that we went to visit daddy at work, and then to my parents house to show them Dominic's big accomplishment!

Sitting for daddy at work

Sitting for grandpa and grandma

He sat for an even longer time! I was so proud!

And look closely at what he discovered when he sat up this time:

His toes!!!

We are so very proud of our baby boy who is growing up so quickly!!!

Domininc on the phone

Dominic is fascinated with cell phones and remote controls. Anytime he sees one, he reaches for it and tries to put it in his mouth. Last night I was on the phone with my grandma, and as she does in every conversation, I put it on speaker phone so that she could talk to Dominic. I must add that prior to this Dominic was a little fussy and restless. As soon as he heard his great grandma's voice he was quiet and listening intently. He then started to laugh! It was sooo cute! Then he started reaching for the phone, he played with it, learned to press a button and then put it in his mouth!
I got part of it on video. If you listen carefully in the beginning, you can hear his little laugh (I was able to catch part of it. He laughed a lot before that. Too cute!). Then at the end of the video you can see the phone light up as he figured out how to press buttons!



Here are some more picture of him talking to great grandma!

"Where is that voice coming from?"

"Can I get this in my mouth?"

Dominic visits daddy at work

Dominic and I like to surprise Dom at work during his lunch hour when we are out running errands. It's fun to walk into his classroom and see his surprised face and then spend a 1/2 hour with him. When Dominic saw his daddy yesterday at lunch, he got a big smile on his face and leaned toward him! It was so cute!!

One of the perks Dom has at his school is his own big classroom and lots of technology that he doesn't have to share with 20 other teachers (like it was at his old high school). I took some pictures of his classroom so you could see it.

Looking toward the front of the room

The back of the classroom

His desk

Our future math whiz already at work!

More cute stories

Dominic is a busy boy! He is constantly reaching toward his toys, his dog(he is learning to pet Ramsey, who loves it and is so patient with Dominic), and his parents!
Well, last week Dominic discovered himself in the mirror. Grandma was over helping a tired mommy clean house (Dominic has been up a lot in the night lately...perhaps another growth spurt. This makes mommy VERY tired!). Grandma was playing with Dominic and brought him to the mirror in the bathroom. Dominic looked in the mirror and broke out into a huge smile! It was soo cute! He continued to watch the baby in the mirror and smile. This next picture is one of Dominic looking at himself in his toy mirror.

Dominic has also recently noticed babies and kids. Perhaps he has always noticed them, but he is responding and reacting to them. This is one of his little girlfriends, Abby (my friend AJ's little girl). A few seconds earlier, Abby leaned over and gave Dominic his first kiss! Later that day, Dominic leaned over and touched Abby's face. Soo cute!!


There is a fountain in our neighborhood where kids run around in and play. We went there one sunny morning and Dominic loved watching the kids playing. He was so happy sitting on my knee and kicking his little leg and making happy little noises (his favorite noise right now is a high pitched scream!) We had a great time!!

AJ, Abby and Dominic

Dominic also knows who he wants holding him. He leans toward me or Dom all the time with his arms out. It's really cute. Yesterday, I was visiting my parents and was holding Dominic and my mom reached over to take him. Dominic loves his grandma and recognizes her now when she comes over and whenever he sees her he gives her HUGE smiles. At this moment, Dominic must have wanted to be with his mommy because he turned toward me, put his arms around my neck and buried his head in my shoulders. I just held and cuddled him. It was so sweet. He loves his mommy!!

A cute story

Dominic has been coming with me to my hairdresser, thanks to Grandma who comes along to babysit. Dominic charms the customers and hairdressers and plays with grandma, and if we are lucky, will sleep for some of the 3 hour appointment. Today was a little difficult, as he was up frequently through the night and was a little fussy because of it. At one point he was crying and grandma was trying to comfort him, but to no avail. She brought him over to me and I took Dominic in my arms and the tears immediately stopped and he got the biggest smile on his face! It was pretty cute!