How much is that doggie in the window?

Rob and I are both animal lovers. That love is especially strong with dogs. After losing both Cleo and Luci, we decided to take a break from having a pup because it's a lot of work, time, energy and money. We had our hands full with our Cub, work, life. And truth be told, I think we both were really hurting from the loss of our two furry kids that the thought of having another was too unbearable to consider.

The subject of getting another dog has come up here and there, but we usually decide that it's not the right time and maybe when Dom is 4 or 5 we will consider it.

Dom is about to turn 1 (in 3 DAYS!) so we are far from him being 4 or 5. But suddenly Rob and I are having a serious conversation about getting another dog. It really started with a trip to Main Place Mall, more specifically "Puppy Palace." I wanted to go look at and hold doggies (which I need to do from time to time to get my fix) so instead of our usual Fashion Island trip, Rob suggested this place. Of course I made him call first and make sure they had plenty of pups for me to play with, not just one that isn't allowed to be picked up.

Once we got there, we both zeroed in on this gorgeous Olde English Bulldog. He's only 2 months old, and so so so sweet. We got to play with him and hold him and he really was such a precious little guy. Dom wasn't 100% sure about him but was definitely intrigued. He'd climb off my lap to get a little closer and then when the doggy would lick his hand or try to nuzzle with him, he was outta there. He'd throw his hands in the air and bury his face in my lap. The more time we hung out, the more comfortable he got. And the more I fell in love.

(Dom yelling) "Hey Mommmmm! Can we get him?"

Are we ready for another dog? Probably not Rob works a lot and I have my hands full with Dominic. A doggie needs lots of love and attention, someone to potty train him and take him to obedience classes. If it was just Rob and I there would be no question. We would get an Olde English Bulldog and a Pug. Done. But, it's not just us. We have our sweet Dom who needs love and attention, not to mention a watchful eye since he's taking his first steps now. It might just be too much to handle. So maybe we wait a little bit longer before we take the plunge? I'm sorry Frankie Knuckles, I guess it's just not our time. What?..yea, I named the bulldog.....I know, I know...I couldn't help it though. Can't you just picture him with a fedora and a cigar?

Snip Snip Sunday

Something amazing happened today...after seven weeks at daycare, today was the first time I dropped Dominic off and he didn't cry! Up until now, as soon as we would get out of the car, he'd tighten his grip on me, bury his little head into my shoulder and start to whimper. As we got closer to the door, the whining gets a little more panicked. When I would hand him over to Nonnie, he starts really crying, bottom lip stuck out, big brown eyes pleading for me to not leave him there. It's heart breaking every single time. We considered changing daycare because it just seemed like it he wasn't adjusting. But we stuck it out, and today was pay day. He did it! I can't tell you how relieved, and PROUD I was when I went to Nonnie without any fuss. My big boy.

We took him to get his haircut on Sunday, and now he really looks like such a big boy. Gone is his trademark floppy locks, but they will grow back fast as usual. This kid can really pull off any hairstyle, and the buzzed look suits really him. I just can't get over that face! Every time he gets up from a nap or in the morning when I go get him out of his crib, I am just overwhelmed by him. I fall in love all over again. His little smiling face, the cuddles he gives me when I lift him out of his bed, every inch of him just makes me so happy. There is at least one time a day when I look at him and tell myself "this is your baby, you get to keep him!" I feel like the luckiest person alive that he's my son and I'm his Momma. I feel grateful. I feel honored. And most of all, I feel complete.

Almost One

I can't believe I'm planning Dominic's first birthday party. How is this possible? Wasn't I pregnant just a few months ago? My baby boy has been blessing our lives for almost 12 months now and it went by so fast. Our lives have changed in so many ways, more than I ever thought possible. If you would have told me a couple years ago that I'd be getting up at 6:00 am every morning, 7 days a week, I would have laughed in your face. If you would have told me it's because I am tending to my baby, I would have laughed even harder. If you told me I would be cooking dinner every night, doing laundry, picking up toys and being all around "domestic" I would have told you that you're crazy.


But here I am. This is my life. Everyday, all day. And even though it's a huge departure from what I have been used to my whole life, I love it. I love waking up every morning to see my sweet little Cub nudging me to open my eyes. I love seeing him grow and change. I love being a Mom and a "wife" and being a family with Rob and Dom. Even though it was something that wasn't planned, it just feels like this was always our fate.


Things aren't easy breezy every single day...there are challenges I face all the time, but that's just part of life. Everyone has days that are tougher than others, times when you feel frazzled or just in a funk. But nothing can pick up my mood like Dominic. He's such a happy and loving kid and he has a way of making you feel like no matter what's going on at that moment, nothing can be all that bad. His big brown eyes can melt my heart in one second. When he rests his head on my shoulder and puts his little arms around me, I feel like there is just nothing better in the world than that.

His birthday party will be fun. I ordered the invitations today and I'm stoked on them. They came out really cute!!! We're having it at the park and the guest list is kind of out of control. I wanted to invite everybody, but the park doesn't allow more than 50 guests. No big deal, right? I mean, it's a first birthday, how many people could there be? Well, how about 60. yes, 60. I've never even had that many people at one of my birthday parties! But I have a huge family, and there are lots of kids. I'm bummed because i wasn't able to invite everyone that I wanted to so if you don't get an invitation, I'M SORRY! I had no idea the guest list would look like this, and it's kind of crazy to think of that many people crammed under a gazebo at the park eating cake. But what can I say? Dominic is a popular kid:)

Steppin Out

Holy Crap! My baby took his first steps today!!!!! I can't believe it! We were playing in the living room and he had been cruising the couches all day...holding on to them and walking sideways from one to the other. but he never let go. Then all of a sudden, he grabbed the remote off the couch, turned towards the TV and took four steps! I was in shock! I'm SO happy this happened while I was with him and not when I was at work.

My new favorite thing

I haven't forgot about my promise to you to "step it up" in the style department, so here is my outfit today. It's actually very toned down for me...not one single pattern as far as the eye can see. But I think it still makes a statement. Contrary to my expression in this photo, I actually love this outfit and will be wearing it more than once (which is what I sometimes tend to do.)

My favorite part has to be the boots. I have never been able to wear boots like these because they would never fit over my calves and it would always bum me out so bad! I have always dreamed of slipping one on, having it slide right over and fit....but it just never happened. Until now:) I scored these on the Wet Seal "40%" off table for $10! Yep, you read that correctly! So not only am I stoked to finally fulfill my dream of wearing boots, but I got them for a killer price. Sweet victory!

Double Whammy

This is the face of a child who is in pain. He was killing time in the waiting room at the doctors office with a little light reading. His eyes are so expressive for a baby....full of laughter, happiness and love.

Dom had a rough couple night with crying and waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to find his way back to dreeamville. Instead, there were heavy doses of crying, screaming, whimpering, agitation. I hoped maybe it was teething, but my fear, and what my gut was telling me, was that it was another ear infection. The doctor confirmed my fears this afternoon and told me it's a double whammy...in both ears. So he's back on meds and drops and ready to fight the good fight. My poor baby:( I hate to see him in pain and I wish I could take it all away from him and take it on myself. I remember my Mom telling me that many times when I was a kid (and to be honest, as an adult too) and I finally know exactly what she meant. Hopefully the meds will kick in right away and he'll get some much needed rest tonight.


I don't know how you couldn't want to just squeeze this little face. Look at him! He's so happy and is having so much fun. My Mom got him this tunnel from Ikea and he loves it! The cute thing is that he has just as much fun with it all folded up as he does when it's stretched out. Dom is totally into climbing. He loves going up and down anything he can get his little chubby knees up onto. Fun for him, sometimes panic for Momma. he gets so excited and just kind of jumps into it without making sure he has clearance for his body and sometimes there's a bonk to the head. Luckily he's quite tolerant of the bumps and knocks he takes.


Check out his new shoes! Yia Yia and Bapou got them for him and he loves them. They are the first pair that he actually leaves on, and thank goodness because he needs the support right now. He's standing up a lot, although not without holding on to something. He isn't too interested in taking actual steps quite yet, he much prefers jamming around via crawling. He's pretty quick on his knees and can get to where he's going quick.


With Dominic getting older, his toys are becoming more advanced. Instead of just blocks, books and hand held rattles, he's really into big boy stuff. We got his this awesome puppy see saw and he totally loves it! It's so cute to see him giggle with glee when he gets on and rocks back and forth. It's kind of crazy to sit back and watch him....my little baby is becoming a big boy right before my very eyes.

His absolute obsession right now is the curtains. He loves to crawl over to them, bury himself underneath the fabric and whirl around the floor playing peek a boo. he gets so amped up and just laughs and laughs the whole time. The only problem is that he gets so into it that sometimes he pulls the curtains down. It's amazing what can be so amusing to a baby. He's got a toy box full of goodies but all he wants to do is make a fort in the curtains. And can we talk about this photo above for a second? Check out that toe point, the arm extension, the little romper. It's all too much for me to handle. Cutest kid ever.