Dogs and Babies

A lot of people have asked us how it's been having two dogs and a new baby. I waited quite a while before writing this post, because in all honesty there were times when I really hated having dogs. In the beginning Calli and Rocky didn't get much attention from me. I loved them and would still love on them, but not nearly as much as pre-baby. I know they felt the "neglect" at times, but I still know they loved me through my imperfections and that they really appreciated the time that I would spend with them.

Now that Dominick is almost 7 months old I am so glad we have them. I know that he loves them and they are really coming around to him. Rocky HAS growled at Dominick one time, but he got in a lot of trouble and was scolded. Since then he lets Dominick come and take a bone right out of his mouth, climb on him, squeeze his face and much more. I give him a lot of credit since from the very beginning Rocky has been the one who hasn't showed him much attention or interest. Sometimes we wondered if he'll ever begin to like him, but now we secretly think he loves him...a LOT! Rocky used to sleep with Ryan. He has a spot for him and he knows where it is on the bed. Every night he starts out there, but always ends up by Dominick's pack n play or his crib. I think that says a lot. During his naps, he's always the first to run to the door (before we can even hear him) when he's crying and if Rocky is outside and we put Dominick down, when he comes in he runs through the house looking for him until we show him where he's at. Today our neighbor was holding Dominick on the other side of the fence. Rocky kept jumping up on the fence and coming back to check on him. He hates when Dominick is crying and he is just a great protector. I love that...even though when he barks it still scares Dom to tears. I know that as he keeps getting bigger the love they have for each other will continue to grow.

Calli on the other hand will definitely tolerate Dominick. She is such a lover and she is so patient. She lets me sit him up on her and has ever since he's been an infant. She always comes and checks on him and when she hears him when he wakes up in the mornings she wants to come in and say "good morning" to him. When he was a newborn, she would always run to his cries. Now she does silly things and he laughs and laughs. When she's laying down, he crawls over to her. She gives him kisses and is SO gentle when doing so.

Right now, I don't have many if any pictures of Rocky and Dom together, because Rocky will just not tolerate him that long like Calli. Rocky has always been a little standoffish towards him, but like I said he's really coming around. We watch them carefully and for the most part he's very tolerable. With that being said, we don't leave them alone (especially now that Dominick is crawling) because just like human's we know dogs have a breaking point too. We also try to redirect Dom to something else after we can see the dogs are getting annoyed or we just feel like it may be too much. With that being said, most of time if they're annoyed they just get up and leave and continue doing so. We trust them whole heartily  ..probably too much, but we are careful and it's a learning process for all of us.

Calli and Dominick one morning

he was way more thrilled than she was

I came back into the bedroom to check on Dominick. Rocky must have wanted him to play. We know that when Dominick learns how to throw Rocky's toys that they'll be BEST friends and instead of Dom annoying Rock, it'll be the other way around. 

This was over the weekend. Dominick crawled up to her and Calli kissed him. He was trying to touch her tongue.

So like I said, at first it wasn't easy and it was definitely a transition. I feel horrible that they didn't get all the same attention in the beginning, but I think we make up for it now. We love Calli and Rocky so much and we love that Dominick loves dogs so much because of them. He thinks all dogs are so funny. I know that Dom, Calli and Rocky are going to be the best of friends.

Friday's Letters

Dominick LOVES when Daddy gets home

Dear Dominick, you are officially a crawler now. You are so much happier now that you can get to your toys. You have a new found confidence and I love that. You are so tired at night time though so it's been an adjustment. Dear Ryan, I really hope all of your studying and staying late at works pays off. You deserve it and I would like my husband back. Dear Dominick (again), when did you learn to sit up by yourself from laying down? And why are you already learning how to pull yourself up in your crib and toys? Also, I'd really appreciate if you slow down. You are only 6.5 months and I'm just not ready for you to be a big boy yet! p.s. I love you! Dear Ryan, you are without a doubt my best friend. I love that I can rely on you so much. p.s. I love you! Dear Carters, OshKosh and Gap, thank you for having amazing sales. I mean 50% off EVERYTHING and 30% off your entire order (gap). Seriously, I love you! Dear Antelope Valley, can you get your act together? This wind is out of control...you blew our front door right open not once, but twice last night; not to mention the pizza box that you blew up to our door. Dear Amazon, I love you! I love that I have a whole year to return something. We have returned a monitor that we never used, the snuza that only got used a handful of times and now our car seat that I thought I would love, but my son just doesn't seem to fit into it properly. I also love that I get free two day shipping. Best thing EVER! Dear Grey's Anatomy, You are my absolute favorite. You are a close second to Friends and I don't think I've EVER said that before.

Sometimes he gets lazy and will still army crawl, but he's pretty much always crawling! :)

Six Years

Today Ryan and I have been together for six years! Six years seems like a lifetime. We were completely different people and have grown so much since then. I never would have thought that our lives would have turned out this way, that he would be my best friend and the person I grew old with. I love our life.

Anxiety

I think I've always been a little bit of a worrier, but nothing that was unusual. Mostly, I'm carefree, laid back and will go with the flow. That was until I became pregnant. In the beginning of my pregnancy I worried about a miscarriage, but I knew whatever happened was supposed to happen. So I was mostly at peace (aside from the fact that it was quite a surprise and that if you ask some of my friends I was in denial).

Anyways, when we were flying home to Michigan in May I was 6 months pregnant and as we sat down on the plane I didn't know if I could go. I remember sitting in the airport asking Ryan if he thought it was a good idea and if he thought we would be okay. He said, yes and just chalked it up to me being a little weird sometimes. As we sat in our seats I kept talking myself down. I kept saying that we'll be okay and to just breathe. My hands were sweaty and I was really uneasy, but I was able to talk myself down and somewhat relax after we got in the air. I prayed the entire take off. I normally sleep a lot on planes and I've never felt that way, but in my mind at the time I just kept thinking, "what if I never get to meet the little person living inside of me?" Once we landed we had a great vacation, but as we were headed back to California the same situation occurred.

After I had Dominick there were the new parent worries and that was basically all they were. For the most part (aside from hormones) we were okay and we were adjusting well. Recently, there are times that I get scared to walk outside my door or take Dominick for a walk because what if there is a coyote who wants to eat us? Ridiculous, right? (In my defense coyotes have been on our neighbors doorstep and they're always in the yards). Sometimes I get nervous when we're driving because we could get into an accident or someone could shoot us or anything. I can always talk myself down and I always have a good time when we are out, but it's getting out that I sometimes have trouble with.

I was talking to a few of my friends and they said they went through that same situation, but it eventually lessened with time. I hope that's the case for me. I always ask Ryan if he thinks I'm okay or if I need to see a doctor. Right now, he doesn't think it's necessary and honestly, I don't think it is either. At first he would joke with me, but now he really has started taking me more seriously. He tells me I worry about the silliest things and he will let me know when he thinks I need to take a deep breath and a minute to myself.

I know these feelings are hard, but I am at least able to acknowledge them. Some people may think it is taboo to talk about these things, but I just want to remind myself that it's okay. I know that God will take care of us, me...my family...the people I love. In the end what's meant to be will always be.

Spring

The weather here has been so unpredictable. One day it's in the 70s, the next it's in the 40s and this week it's going to be in the 80s! One of the nice days a few weeks ago I thought it would be fun to take Dominick outside to enjoy the weather. Ryan was studying and it was the perfect way to get some good vitamin D, play with loud toys together and not disturb Ryan, who eventually came out to join us for some fun. 

While we were outside I took a few pictures of Dominick and I happen to find him extremely handsome. I didn't edit any of these pictures, they're raw out of my camera. They're a far shot from perfect, but I love those sweet cheeks, chubby feet and {almost always} slobbery hands.

 

 

 

 

 

Catching Up

Our days have been pretty repetitive over here lately, which means I don't have much to blog about. Since I normally only come back when we have gone on some sort of adventure or with an update on Dominick I figured I could update on some things that have been happening in our house.

+Ryan tests for SSgt the very beginning of May. If you think about it, say a prayer for him. He is taking about 2.5 weeks off in April. We are very excited for him and I hope he makes it. Currently, he's somewhat deciding on if he wants to cross train to another job or if he will do a special duty to break up his time. As of right now he is planning on making this a career and surprisingly I'm 100% for it. To be honest, it's kind of an uneasy feeling whenever he "jokes" about getting out. And most of the time it's just a joke (thankfully). 

He has less than 5 classes to go before he gets his Bachelors and at that point he's pretty confident he would like to commission. Again, that would be a huge blessing. Unfortunately, right now the AF (, Army and Navy) have all suspended tuition assistance which is kind of a huge kick to the you know what. I think it's really disappointing and quite sad, but nothing can be done at this point. Ryan WILL still complete his degree and we will just pay out of pocket. In the end his education IS worth it.

His days are busy at work and his evenings are busy with studying for Staff or homework. Last summer his friend and him started doing routine and final outs for yards and they were quite busy with that so I think that will start picking up again soon too. He didn't mind and he enjoyed the extra money; unfortunately, his friend who he was doing it with just had surgery and is going to be recovering for a little over a month (I think) so I don't know how many he will do alone...if at all.

+I am busy with work and being a momma. Some days I feel so guilty for leaving Dominick at day care for 5 days, but I know it's best for our family right now. More on this later. In the middle of February I started working on base again, still with the same company that contracts with NASA. I really enjoy coming to work and my coworkers are all so nice which makes it much easier to come in every day. My commute went from 45 minutes to 10 minutes. I now wake up AFTER I was supposed to be leaving and am home around the same time as before...even though I would be getting out an hour earlier. It's nice. I love my evenings with Dominick and they're mostly filled with being a momma and wife...two of my favorite "jobs"

I live for the weekends when I can spend more time with Dominick and to rest and recoop from the weeks, although most weekends are spent with friends, running errands and catching up on housework from our busy weeks. We make it work and we are FINALLY (after 6 months) getting a good schedule down. 

+Dominick is still growing like a weed. He is an army crawling pro and has even made progress with crawling on his knees and hands. He LOVES his purees and will yell at us if we don't get the spoon to his mouth quick enough. We've also given him avacado, bananas and small pieces of chicken.Even though he is still eating GREAT, he has finally slowed down on the growing. He goes for his well baby check tomorrow and I'm pretty sure he's only grown about an inch and gained around 1 lb. He is very health and a very happy baby most days. 

Dominick with his Easter Basket

 With that said, he has been having a rough time at day care, but I think he is beginning to adjust. We are both trying to help him, but honestly there's only so much either of us can do in the situation we are given (meaning me and the day care provider). She is a friend and someone I trust, so I feel confident in leaving him there it just pulls on the heart strings when he has a rough day.

Last night he also slept in his crib for the first time. We originally didn't buy a regular monitor thinking we (read I) would be okay with out it. Well when he finally came I realized I just couldn't imagine having him in his room not knowing if he was okay and being so little so we left him in our room. Well over the weekend we decided to purchase a video monitor in hopes of moving him to his room yet still being comfortable hearing/seeing him. He's been sleeping in his pack n play and while I think he's comfortable in there, I also think between the dogs jumping up and off of the bed, my constantly adding or removing covers or (Ryan) snoring during the night he wakes up. So last night was his first night in his own room, in his crib. I watched the monitor the majority of the night and woke up to every sound I heard. He did pretty good, but I had to give him his pacifier once and by 5 this morning he was awake. I brought him to bed and he fell back asleep again. I'm not sure how long he slept after I left for work (I had to work early this morning), but when I left at 6:20 he was still sleeping for his dad. I consider that a win considering he was sleeping at 7:15 last night. 

This summer we have high hopes of going camping to Yosemite and a trip to Hawaii on Space A this fall is also being discussed, but will take a little more work considering it is Space A and our leave requests are always unpredictable (mostly Ryan's). In addition we are planning a trip home to Michigan in the summer time, which we are most excited about. Dominick is also going to be turning 1 and I'm starting to think about his big party! For any of our Michigan family we would LOVE to have you and California would be a nice vacation. :) Just a thought. 

If you made it this far you deserve a pat on the back! As you can see not too many exciting things happening in the Boutwell household. 

Liebster Award

Brittany at Aviation of Love nominated ME for the Liebster award. Here is how it works:

1. Write 11 interesting facts about myself
2. Answer the 11 questions Brittany posted for me
3. Nominate 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers for the Liebster Award
4. Provide 11 questions for them

1. The majority of my wardrobe is black. I think it's versatile, classic and you just can't go wrong.
2. I drive an Equinox
3. I used to be a nail biter, but I FINALLY broke the habit when I was pregnant with Dominick. It was a goal of mine in 2012.
4. I always envisioned myself as a boy mom and I LOVE being a boy mom.

5. I never thought I would have a husband in the military...boy was I wrong. AND I never thought I'd WANT him to stay in.

6. I'm a contractor with NASA

7. Country concerts are my favorite.
8. I love the MSU Spartans, LA Lakers, Detroit Tigers and I'm indifferent when it comes to football
9. I cried when I found out Dominick was a boy. Ryan thought it was because he was a boy, but it was really because he didn't have a name. I imagined everyone calling him Baby Boy Boutwell for his whole life. We picked his name that day at lunch.
10. I used to hate cooking and baking, but thanks to Pinterest I love making new recipes.
11. I make Ryan clean the bathrooms because it makes me gag. He's the best!

Brittany asked me:
1. Growing up who did you look up to the most? My momma! She is seriously the BEST mom that I could ever imagine. She is caring, loyal, fun to be around, a great friend, a great wife, a role model and she has dignity and grace along with a woman of faith. I love her tons!

2. What is one thing that you wish you were good at or better at? Spanish! I took 4 years in high school and could carry on a good conversation in Spanish.

3. If you could live anywhere, money not an issue where would it be? I'm not really sure. I would love for us to get orders to Europe, but I'd also love to be within driving distance of Michigan.

4. What's your favorite summer activity? Tanning! HA! I'm honestly not sure. I just love being able to be with friends, BBQs, beach trips, baseball, cool nights and warm days.

5. If you could go on a date with any male celebrity dead or alive who would it be? Kobe Bryant! Ridiculous, right? OR George Clooney

6. What is your weakness when it comes to spending money? Well if you know me well you know I'm kind of a cheap-o! I hate spending money, but I always overbuy when it comes to Dominick! So anything baby related.

7. You're home alone, what is the one thing you do around the house that you wouldn't want the people you live with to know? Oh jeez, I'm not sure there is anything.

8. What's your current jam song? I don't know? Honestly, I'm still kind of in love with Ho Hey by the Lumineers and Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men and One Of Those Nights by Tim McGraw. And I always listen to lots of Brooks and Dunn.

9. Your favorite vacation spot? Puerto Plata or Pentwater!!!!

10. What's your favorite holiday? The 4th of July! I think because I have so many great memories from the 4th of July that it's an easy decision for me.

11. If you could only shop at one clothing store what would it be? Probably Macy's

I nominate:
Jessica @ Adventures of an Airman's Wife
Elizabeth @ Est. 14.06.2012
Molly @ Married My Airman
Kristy @ A Happy Heart
Priscilla @ The Teague's
(I'll look for more another time)

My Questions:
1. What is your favorite meal?
2. How did your husband propose?
3. What is/was your favorite thing about being a military spouse/significant other?
4. Your favorite date?
5.What is your go to outfit?
6. What is your most embarrassing moment?
7. Your background screen on your phone?
8. When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?
9. Would you rather have the ability to see into the future (but not be able to change the outcome) or fly?
10. Your favorite DIY?
11. If you could have any job, what would it be?

My Little Bible

I really wanted to get Dominick a little bible for him to have. I was searching high and low and reading tons of reviews, but I just didn't know which one to pick until it dawned on me that I should ask my Aunt. She is so good with things like that and she used to work in her church's little store. I figured she probably knew of a good one. When I e-mailed her she said she would look into it for me and then let me know.

She ended up ordering two, one that we can read now (and for a few years to come) and one that will be perfect for him in his preschool years. They are both filled with pictures and lots of colors and I think they will be easy for him to understand. They are interactive and I really like them. We read it quite often and Dominick looks at the pictures on each pages. Along with the bibles she also ordered a little DVD that has songs and music on it. I played it one day and it had so many songs that I remembered hearing when I was little or that my mom would sing with us. It was fun to hear and I hope that Dominick will love them as much as I do.

Thank you, Aunt Loretta for doing the research and sending these to Dominick! It means so much to us.

Dominick-6 Months

 Weight

Birth: 7 lbs 13 oz

1 month: 12 lbs 10 oz
2 months: 14 lbs 6 oz
3 months: 16.4 lbs

4 months:  18.11 (late well baby check)

5 months: 19.3 lbs

6 months:  (will update after you appointment on the 13th)

 Length

Birth: 22 in

1 month: 22.5 in
2 months: 23 in
3 months: 24.5 in

4 months: 26.36 (late well back check)

5 months: 26.5 in

6 months: 

Diapers

Size 3 Honest

Clothes

You are wearing mostly 9 months and a few 12 months

Eating

You are still exclusively breastfed and eat every 3-4 hours. You take 2-3 bottles at the baby sitter's (4.5-5 oz) and you get 2 small "meals" a day.

Sleep

You slept much better this month, but still wake once sometimes twice to eat

 Likes

Bath time - I think it's your favorite time of the day

 Tummy time

Your jumperoo

Your sit and push toy

 Watching TV
Music
Riding in the car or the stroller for walks
Laying on your back and stretching out
Cooing and mimicking noises with momma and daddy

Getting lovin's
Standing up (with help of course)

Sitting up

Sophie

Dislikes
Being overly tired
Being hungry
Getting in your car seat
Getting dressed 

Being in the car too much 

Not getting your way  

Not being able to crawl and get where you want

Being at the baby sitters

Dominick,

This month it seems like you've had lots of milestones! Your first tooth popped through on the 4th and your second one was right behind it. You had a couple of not so good days due to teething, but you were at the baby sitters so I didn't have to witness that (I'm not sure if that is a good or bad thing).

You have the sweetest little personality. You will wrap your arms around my neck and give me big open mouth "kisses". When I rock you to sleep you put your hand on my face and "rub" it. You love getting kisses and just smile and smile. You giggle so much when we blow raspberries on your sides. We love to make you giggle and probably are pretty silly most of the time.

On your 5 month birthday you had rice cereal for the first time and it bound you up quite badly so I decided to skip it and on the 7th you had your first food. I gave you pureed carrotts and you didn't love them. After that you have been getting something ever since. I know they say to only do one food for a week to see if you have any allergies, but I haven't really been following that "rule". So far, so good so I hope I don't regret that. So far your favorite foods are pears, green beans and squash. You've also ate, avacados, bananas and cucumbers. For the avacados we've just given you small bites, bananas we've given to you in the mesh bags and cucumbers we just give you slices and you chew on them. You love all food. When we aren't feeding you fast enough you yell at us and you're constantly opening and closing your mouth until we get the spoon to your mouth. You're such a silly boy! You still eat 2 5 oz bottles during the day and nurse when we are together. You still only drink breast milk and I'm so proud we've made it 6 months. Our goal is still for a year. We haven't cut out a feeding yet and are taking the "solid" food slow as I'm not ready for you to cut out a feeding just yet.

On the 9th I realized you can now "scoot" to get where you need to go. I don't know how long you've been doing this, but it was the first time I really noticed. How did that even happen? You are much better at going backwards than frontwards. I think this month you will begin crawling as on the 15th you started getting up on all fours and rocking back and forth. You put one hand out and then belly flop. {edit: as of the 4th you are now army crawling. You start out up and then you do a little flop and army crawl}

I started working on base again on the 11th and our routine and days are so much better. You are able to wake up on your own (normally around 6:20-6:30) and are always so happy. I get you dressed, feed you and then take you to daycare. When I pick you up you are so happy and it's one of my favorite times of the day. With that said, you haven't had a good day care month. You have given her a really hard time and I feel horrible, but don't know what else to do for you. You haven't been napping well and you rarely drink a bottle. It makes me sad that you have lots of rough days, but I don't know how to help you.

Your bedtime is 8:00 and you are ready by then. It's nice to have some sort of routine because your nights aren't always that great, but they're better than what they were. This month I've tried letting you cry it out a little more and left you in your pack n play more. I've noticed most nights if I just give you your binky you'll go back to sleep. Near the end of the month you started sleeping longer more and more. Maybe this next month you'll start sleeping all night and then we will move you into your big boy crib. 

You love playing in your jumperoo and are so good at sitting up. You will even go from laying down to a sit/lean. You really, really love your dogs and have started noticing them more. They still don't pay much attention to you, but I can't wait until they do. I think you'll be the best of friends (or at least I hope). When they run through the house or get excited it makes you laugh and laugh and laugh. It's the sweetest sound.
You love when we laugh or smile and you will too to see if we will keep laughing or smiling...most of the time we do because yours are contagious. You love your play table, but aren't strong enough to stand up for a long period of time. I am confident it will eventually be one of your favorite toys.

You also celebrated your 1st Valentine's Day. While your daddy and I don't celebrate it, we will celebrate it with you. I made you two no sew blankets as you didn't have any of your own and were using some that were given to your daddy and I. I think you love them considering you smiled when I showed them to you and then you grabbed them, burried your face in them and squealed with delight. It was THE sweetest thing ever.

You went on your first hiking adventure to the Hollywood sign. You loved being outside and just talked and took in all of your surroundings. You also went to church for the first time and stayed in the nursery. They said you were so good and had them laughing the entire hour and a half. I loved that.

This next month your Grandma will be coming back out to see you and spend a whole week with you while she's on her spring break. We are really looking forward to that. She will even get to spend your 7 month birthday with you.

You've been able to do lots of fun things this month.

Baby boy, I love you more than you'll ever know and more than I ever thought possible. I loved you yesterday, I love you more today and I'll love you even more tomorrow. You are the greatest gift I'll ever have and are the most precious little boy. I hope you never doubt how much you are loved and are always confident in who you are. I pray that I can be the momma you need to help you grow into the most amazing man. I pray for your future friends and that your future wife is a Godly woman and your perfect match. I pray that your heartache is minimal and you succeed in every way possible. I pray that you make the most of your life. I pray that you remain healthy. I pray your days are happy. I pray for you, over you and with you. You make me so proud to be your momma. You make our days happier and more fun than ever! We honestly couldn't imagine life without you and wonder what our days were like or how we filled our time before you. I love you sweet, sweet boy; you amaze me each and every day.
Love you to the moon and back,
Momma

Handsome guy

teething boy

best friends

those eyes...I die!

learning how to sit

smiley boy

Your 1st Valentines Day

Valentines Day with Daddy

"mom, stop with the pictures!"

"okay, one more and that's it!"

"momma, please!"

love him

"say what?"

Momma, I am DONE!