Sitting Up

Dominick started sitting up a couple weeks ago and it's getting better every day. He still needs some assistance. He's rolling over but not to get anywhere. He's pretty content with just staying put for now. Thank God. I'm not ready for a crawling baby.

He's still eating really well. He hasn't turned his nose up at anything I've fed him yet. Grandma gave him his first dill pickle. He was unsure, but I gave him one the other day again and he loved it. He cried when I took it away.

He loves to spend time on the floor with his daddy. The two were spotted watching the Braves the other night. This was not choreographed. I totally found them this way.

1 year already?

Today, it's been one year since Jason and I were married. While I was out to lunch with a friend, Jason left me a dozen roses and a beautiful card that made me cry. I would like to take a moment to give him some attention.

He is so chivalrous and such a gentleman. He opens doors and carries my bags without fail. He always kisses me good morning and good night. He makes me laugh every day. He loves to dance at home and in public. Just the other night, we slow danced in the living room to a commercial. I love him with all my heart and often feel he is too good to be true. I consider myself a very lucky woman and I'm grateful for each day we have together.

And now for some gratuitous pics..

Circa 2008/2009

Jason's first U of M football game vs Illinois 2008

My first trip to Boston. Jason made us personalized Red Sox jerseys

Showing off his excellent babysitting skills

One year ago today in Las Vegas!

Miscellaneous

I haven't updated in a while. Nothing major happening here. Dominick is doing well. He rolls regularly now, but not to get anywhere. He's not rolling consecutively yet. I'm trying to increase him to 3 meals a day of solid food. When I feel like it, I let him feed himself, but usually I just spoon feed him. I swear he says "mamma" all the time, but it's really just wishful thinking.

My sister Karmen is doing great with baby Karoline. She's loving every minute of it even though she doesn't sleep at night yet (shocker) and is difficult to get to sleep sometimes. I'm going to see her this weekend and see if she needs help using the wrap. Not that I'm an expert. I was never a big fan of it, but now I'm wishing I hadn't given mine away. I miss the little stinker when he's in the stroller and wish I could have him closer. I used my sling like crazy when he was an infant to put him to sleep and to get things done around the house, but now he's way too big to carry like that!

Tomomi is doing well with baby Abigail also. She asked me the other day if Dominick went through a stage where he wanted to be held all the time and would only sleep on me. Um yes, for about 2 months. Hearing my sisters going through this stage reminds me of those days. I'm so glad he's out of it, but it doesn't deter me from wanting another one!

Jason is about to go through a career change and it's scaring the hell out of me. He currently works days and I work eves. He has a pretty good job at the same hospital I work. He's finishing up his degree in Sports Marketing and needs to do an internship. He's applied at several places. Most of them being unpaid and part or full time internships. He currently carries our insurance, so I'm not sure what we're going to do when he quits his job. I hope some of our options pan out. I'm excited for him though. He's really excited and scared at the same time.

Here are some gratuitous photos...

Abigail

I FINALLY got to meet Miss Abigail today! Jason had a golf tournament close to Tomomi's house. While he was golfing, I got to spend the day with the baby. She is just gorgeous! She's 7.5 lbs which seems so tiny to me since Dominick was 2 lbs heavier when he was born. She's just a little peanut! I think she's going to be the perfect blend of Japanese and Italian.

Tomomi is doing a great job being a Mom. She looks great. I was a hot mess when Dominick was 2 weeks old and wanted nothing to do with any visitors. I don't know how she does it. Having her parents here from Japan helps!

Afterward, I met Jason at the golf course to show off Dominick to the boys. The only time they had seen him was when he was a week old and Jason Skyped me from South Carolina. He was playing at the National Tournament in Hilton Head. I dressed him in his Tigers gear along with the hat my mom got him for Easter. He was a hit!

Karmen will be induced or have a c-section this Friday. I will breathe a huge sigh of relief when that little lady enters the world. They have finally chosen her name. Karoline Emelia. She's carrying on the "K" names pattern my parents started and Emelia is an old family name from Germany.

5 days and counting...

Late to the game...about the title of this blog

My life so far has not happened the way I thought it would. I was supposed to go to college, find my husband, graduate, find jobs, get married and have children. In that order. Instead, I went to college...and that's where my life derailed from where I thought it should go.

I excelled in college softball for 4 years. It was the best time of my life at that point. I didn't graduate in 4 years and I didn't find my husband. Instead, I moved back home and continued to go to school with no idea what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I changed my major several times (Pre-Med, Biology, English, Art & Education). I had been doing graphic design as a hobby for several organizations and figured I might as well make money at it. I began designing yellow page ads and that led to managing a pre-press department for a small print shop. Then came the day I got a big break. My dream job opened up in a small pre-press firm in downtown Ann Arbor. Also, my Alma-mater called with a coaching position AND they had just added a Graphic Design program. I also found an affordable place to live (which is a miracle in that town). I jumped at the opportunity. The next 2 years were bliss. I rented a house on the West Side of town, walked to work, graduated from college, and even found a husband.

The next 6 years did not go as planned. The dream job disappeared, the marriage fell apart, and there were no kids of my own. There was however a huge silver lining. After the company I worked for went out of business, I began working as a medical assistant at an OB/GYN office. I loved it. I decided to go into nursing. After 3 1/2 years of prerequisites, and 12 months of nursing school, I was an RN. It took 14 years and $40,000, but I was finally done with college. WHEW!

In 2007 I began working at a local hospital. I loved my job, everything about it. I loved the hospital, the patients, and the paycheck :)  A year later, I met Jason. Talk about soul mates. He is the ying to my yang. He is truly the love of my life. We were engaged, married and had Dominick 2 years after we met. I love my life. I wouldn't change a thing.