Show Us Your Life: Pet Edition

This week at Kelly's Korner it is all about the pets!

I love dogs!
When I went away to college my heart was so sad because I couldn't take my poodle, Buddy, with me.

Then I got married and DESPERATELY wanted a dog, but all the dumb apartments had a NO PETS ALLOWED rule. (I think it is dumb...I am sure it is proven that college kids are more responsible and do better in school if they have a pet! :) ).

Anyway, Chad promised me that when we moved back home we would get an apartment that DID allow pets...and we did!

I was then able to bring my beloved Buddy to come live with us. Those of you who know Buddy know he was a very mean and aggressive dog most days of the week. We tried so hard to break him of his aggressiveness, but after 7 years nothing was changing. Where was Cesar Milan when I needed him!! Sadly, we had to put him down. This was and still is a gut wrenching decision for me. I am tearing up just thinking about it. Matter of fact I hardly EVER think of Buddy because it can still bring on uncontrollable tears. The decision had to be made because we wanted to start having babies and Buddy and a small baby would not mix.

In Loving Memory
Buddy James
March 1999-April 2006

A few days later we got Tuck! Another poodle! He is loving (well towards balls) and a great companion. Tuck is under the impression he is part human and really wants nothing to do with other dogs per say. HA!
He was our baby forever. We had no idea it would take us so long to get pregnant. Then when we did we feared Tuck would be overcome with loneliness. (Stupid perhaps, but we truly believed it!)

Our 1st "family" photo

Tuck with his "Mini-Me"

So when I was 8 weeks pregnant we picked up another phantom poodle, Toby! (they are actually 1/2 brothers).

Toby is night and day different than Tuck. Toby is the dog I always wanted. He is my lap puppy and snuggle bunny! (Not even Lo let's me snuggle her...a mommy needs snuggles.) Toby is also THE BEST pup with Leighton, he lets her pull his ears and "pet" him all she wants and never "complains!"

Meeting Tobias he fell asleep on my shoulder and it was LOVE!

Toby LOVES the outside even when it is SNOWING!

While there are plenty of moments I question where my hormone levels were at when I made the choice to get another puppy, I have never ever regretted it! We are all one big happy family!

Tuck even secretly loves his baby brother!

Now if you are an animal lover then hop on over to Kelly's Korner and check out others pet stories!

65 in 365

I realize this is a bit early but in lieu of New Year's Resolutions (which I rarely ever do). I have seen this 65 tasks completed in 365 days.
So here goes nothing.

Starting Nov. 19th, 2009 through Nov. 18th, 2010 I have the highest aspirations to get this list completed. I need my blog to keep me accountable. Currently, my list is only 27 tasks...I can't come up with 65 but I will add to it as I think of things, but let's face it, I may be hard pressed to get these 27 things done. HA!

1. Finish Leighton's First Year Scrapbook/Photobook by Feb. 15th.
2. Submit RD portfolio
3. Do at least 30 continuing Eds
4. Get grocery budget to ~$150/mo.
5. Start exercising again...consistently!
6. Complete at least 4 personal Bible studies
7. Memorize at least 24 verses
8. Read at least 12 adult books. (ie not kid's books)
9. Finish decorating my basement
10. Start going on monthly dates w/ the hubs.
11. Get Meg's HS Grad "project" done (MAY)
12. Get my storage closet under control.
13. Try 1 new recipe a month
14. Volunteer at church
15. Research/Start own RD counseling career.
16. Get all loose photos organized in albums
17. Donate excess clothes and stuff (1x/ year).
18. Wipe clean my Mac computer and sell it.
19. Organize/consolidate office area.
20. Create and implement cleaning schedule.
21. Clean fridge 1x every 6mo.
22. Keep my photo site up to date
23. Host at least 2 family dinners
24. Start a vegetable garden
25. Paint the house trim
26. Clean out window wells.
27. Clean and organize garage.

Well there you have it...I am exhausted looking at the list. But it will feel good to have all of that behind me in a year!
I plan to update my progress every few months. I would encourage all my fellow procrastinators to try this out!

9 Months

I think I am coming to realize I don't have a little baby anymore. She is just growing up so fast and I don't particular care for it!

Here is what we have been up to this month:

* Leighton has become such a chill baby these last few months and it is GLORIOUS! After 18 weeks of straight colic (and only those of you who have had a colic baby can truly understand what I am talking about here) it has been such a wonderful reward!



*She has gotten two teeth back to back and other than seeing them poke through (and a horrible diaper rash) you would have no idea she was teething!

*Lo is just developmental growing leaps and bounds (not physically...more on that in a minute).
She is walking all over the place with her walker toys and around the furniture. If she would just trust herself I think she would be off, maybe next month?!

This is the walker that was part of the exersaucer!! (I heart 2-in-1 toys)!

While we are "chill" most of the time we do have our major melts when we are told "no."
I think it is funny when her face gets all puckery and sad, then she squeezes out the BIG crocodile tears (I know I shouldn't laugh but it is funny).

I just really am in awe of how we come into this world full of sin. Even our precious little ones. No one teaches them how to toe the line or manipulate it is just innate in us. So now parenting begins. Prayers welcome! :)

*Leighton has entered the clingy phase. Only mommy will do, not even daddy gets many hugs without complete meltdown. She will grasp my shirt, necklace or hair in a death grip to keep from leaving me. It is endearing to mean that much one person, but sometimes my back needs a break. HA! God bless the church nursery and my family who watches her when we are away!

Our 1st tractor ride w/ uncle Kreg.

*Lo is in my opinion saying Ma-ma when she wants me to come get her. This is the only constant sounds she makes. The rest is just weird raptor noises.

Let the baby proofing begin :)
See all those toys...and she wants my pictures! oy!

*She is so loving and affectionate. Sometimes I ask for a kiss and I get it! She even let me rock her in a rocking chair for the first time the other day!!

*Naps are just all over the place some days good (ie 1.5 hours) and other days not so good (ie 30 min. or not at all). Still sleeps through the night even when we had our first cold!

Our hair is finally getting a bit thicker! Yeah!!

*Nurses 3-4x/day and Eats cheerios at breakfast, fruits, veggies, and cereal for lunch and dinner. Can eat her weight in puffs and yogurt melts.

Visiting Great Great Grandma.

However, with all that eating she has lost weight.
Her current weight is 14# 9oz (1% wt/age) Down 1.5-2# from last time oops!
Height 25.75 in. (4% ht/age) We finally grew after 4 months!
Head circumference 16in (0%) Tiny head...which I am still glad about ;)

Here we getting ready to leave for the Drs. on this cold day!

Overall, she is appears healthy! I am not worried. We have been from one end of the spectrum coming in at 11# at 2 months to the other now 14# at 9 months. She is just a busy, active girl. But we will go back in a month to re-check.

Anyway, thanks for checking in with us on our 9 month update!

Happy 9 months baby girl!! We love you!!