Playin' with Maggie...

Kickin' the bell

As you probably know, Maggie is "bell trained." This means that she rings a bell when she needs to go outside to potty - of if she just wants to go outside to play on a nice day. The bell is attached to the bottom of the bakers rack and about a week ago Phin found said bell. He loves it. He loves to ring it and it really confuses Maggie.
The cat tried this as well in the past, but cat doesn't get a hall pass outside!
In this particular photo, phin is KICKING the bell.

I love my boy!

THANK YOU Uncle David!

Uncle David used one of his many talents to make a swing set for Phin. It was ready last fall but we didn't get a chance to get it up here from the farm before it got cold outside. When Grandma Susie came to visit on her birthday weekend, she brought the swing set along and we got it all set up!

Grandma Susie and I stained and sealed the bench swing while Phin was napping.





Daddy worked hard to get the swing set put together.


After fetching, Maggie decided to relax.


Phin got the FIRST try on the swing!

Maggie is a good dog!

This was our weekend to cook for church. We had tested and decided on "Ninja Sauce, red potato & asparagus, french garlic bread and a dessert of Angel food cake with fresh strawberries and also, lemon bars. For this particular event, we cook for about thirty people. SO, you can imagine the moving food from our home to the church. It requires lists, *MY* cooking tools, crates of food and SOME items I cook ahead of time as there is a time the food is to be served!

We had the list, the signs for the food, the serving dishes, the crates of food ready to be prepared as well as the food that was made earlier in the morning.

But, being a parent, you should expect GLITCHES. Usually, I am pretty good about expectations for these glitches and systems around the glitches... but this one... I didn't expect. Dan was at the stove finishing some Italian sausage for the meal and I was pulling a comb through my hair. Phin was laying in his crib, in only a diaper (he has been freshly showered) rolling around and playing.

All of a sudden, I hear blood curdling screaming from my baby. This is QUITE unusual so I walk into his room and find his chubby little leg stuck in between the slats of the crib. I tried to work his leg out, but his fat rolls and bare skin weren't helping the situation. Phin was, obviously, quite upset and I was unable to help him so I yelled to the kitchen to get help from Daddy. Dan came but he was also unable to get the leg out. I ran to the kitchen and got some spray olive oil and sprayed his leg up and out it slipped.

I think that was the worst thing that ever happened to that little boy and he was quite inconsolable. We didn't expect this leg thing - and it put us behind on the clock... so as we tried to rush everything to the car to make it to church on time, one soldier got left behind. That soldier was - the lemon bars - which I got left on the kitchen floor. (they had been lined up with the crates of food going to the car but since they were cold and food was hot and the crates were full, they were in line on the floor waiting to go to the car.) I thought Dan had them, he thought I had them and once we realized what happened, we were a round trip - 1 hour from home and we had to mourn the loss of the lemon bars. We both understood that Maggie would certainly have eaten them - or at least destroyed them with her face or feet or something. I mean, Montana had once dug through Mary Ann's luggage from London to pull out a HUGE special dark chocolate bar of which she devoured most of it. Who's to think Maggie would leave these lemon bars alone?



But for whatever reason, she did not touch the lemon bars at all! My guess is she was sleeping on our bed - on MY pillow (which is one of her favorite things).

Happy Baby

This picture is part of the "Faces of Ethan" - but it was also my favorite picture in the series. This is it - in color!

Phin's shorts set

I usually go to the discount outlet and buy things on clearance with coupons for Phin's clothing. The other stuff, I try to make for him. My plan is to try to make him shorts for summer because, really, how hard can shorts be?
The last time we went to the outlet mall, I did "splurge" and buy him something that was not on clearance - and instead only on "discount."
It was this shorts outfit and it WON because - - - you guessed it! The elephant on the front!

So, today it was over seventy degrees outside and Phin wore his shorts. The biggest reason is because Phin needs to be making vitamin D. Phin needs approx 20 min. of sunlight to make that vitamin D. So, instead of his wearing fleece footed jammies, we put on those cute shorts and T-shirt and went outside!

So, I took Phin's exer-saucer outside and grabbed Maggie's tennis ball thrower and Phin and I went outside to play. Phin was very excited about watching Maggie run away and come back again. As you can see below - I am unable to get his attention for the picture because he's watching Maggie.








After a bit of time outside (we didn't spend the whole twenty - I believe he has to "work up to it" as he seems to have my fair skin tone) we came in and he played on the floor. :)

The petz

Maggie loves her sleep - and we love her.
Phin has figured out that Maggie licks. He very much enjoys the licks on his hands... and his feet and he even seems to be happy with licks on his face. I, however, am NOT happy with the licks on his face.
It's really not that bad yet - but I fear it will get worse as Phiin starts to become mobile. It will be harder for me to micro manage Maggie. Fun times in Mommy-hood!


China has been a problem lately. A couple of weeks ago, she was in the kitty hospital for four days - as she had lost 1/4 of her body weight and a LOT of hair. They found that she had a tapeworm (from eating insects they believe) and constipation from hair in her bowels and she's been on daily laxatives since. (what fun for me who gets to administer said laxatives!)
Well, she's gained weight back. However, two days ago I found that she's had MORE HAIR LOSS! I was beside myself and since it was the weekend, I went into major research mode on the internet. She is too young to have Cushings disease. Upon further research, I found that WHAT I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM TO BE is: Asparagus Fern. You see, the asparagus fern is TOXIC to dogs, CATS and horses. I have had that fern for years but only this winter put it in a location that the cat had access to it. I did notice that she kept chewing the crap out of it - but didn't put it all together until this weekend. Said fern is now wayyy out of her reach (and will possibly go to the trash soon) and hopefully Kitty will be feeling much better soon!

I missed him more than words can describe.

Dan left Friday morning - early - to help those in South Missouri who had lost power due to the ice storm. Thursday, I had felt an "itch" in my throat and thought I must be coming down with what my mom had a week earlier. Well, I was right on one account...

With Daddy gone, Friday I felt worse and worse. I didn't venture out to the gym in the morning and really didn't feel like eating the whole day. I did have some dinner and before I knew it, not only was my whole respiratory system flipping out along with my sinuses. I shortly realized that not only did I have a cold, I also had a very nasty flu.

Something you may not know about me is that one of the things I hate most is - to throw up. Most of the times I have thrown up in the last, say, five years have been due to food poisoning. The first time since Dan and I have been together was while we were engaged. We had eaten at a pizza place in my home town (which soon thereafter went out of business) and had plans later that night to go to a 4th of July display near Columbia (Daddy Bill's). Dan tried to hold my hair back for me as I lost every bit of liquid from my body. Little did he know that I need to be alone with my vomit - so I yelled at him to leave the bathroom and I was miserable on my own.
Another time, we were at a movie. I believe it was a X-Men. The theater was spinning and I was trying to keep up with the story line. When I got home, it was vomit city and Dan knew to let me be.

So, this is how we ended up to a house full of a sick Mommy and a little baby boy. Daddy was off to help other people and this time, Mommy really needed help too. I spent Friday night sleeping on the bathroom floor and then moving to the kitchen to fill up my water glass. My body was reverberating in pain with each breath and simply drinking water was a chore that sometimes took half an hour to accomplish. Lucky for me, my little boy came through like a champ - sleeping the whole night through like everything is right with the world.

I knew, however, that I NEEDED help.

I thought through the list of people I could call. The family with a brand new baby of their own and one less adult in the house - no. Families who had older children - but most possibly not the equipment it would take to care for a 5 month old. Another lady I know who would probably watch him - but I didn't have her number and I didn't want to impose on her with her already full house of children. I prayed that my first (and perhaps only) choice was available. I did an Internet search (thank you facebook) for Mike's number and emailed him at something like 4am - seeing if they were in town and available to take Phin for me.

Now, you have got to understand. Phin has never actually be away from me for more than - maybe - two hours. I take that back. He's been alone with both Grandmas for hours before... but certainly no one outside of the family. So, for me to leave him with anyone tells us two things: A) I was certainly very ill & B) I trust Mike and Melissa in a way that I don't trust most people. I trust Mike and Melissa with the most precious gift I have ever been given.

Mike and Melissa kept Phin all day and until 1am this morning when Daddy got back from South Missouri and we drove over to get our boy. They said he was easy and happy and didn't eat much. He was a happy like super star and everyone did just fine. Well, everyone but me. While sweating with a fever and being dehydrated I missed my baby so much that I came to trusty ole hyphin and looked at pictures of his smiling face.




I missed him more than words can describe. Which "him" - both of them actually. I am glad that Daddy is so involved with helping those who need it right now. I am happy that Phin was able to stay a whole day (something like 17 hours) with trusted family friends and be okay. But man, I missed both of my guys!

I guess, at the end of the day, I am happy that my health is returning - but mostly, I am happy everyone is back, under the same roof. Superbowl Sunday? For me, it's Thanksgiving!


(and to add insult to injury, this is what Maggie was trying to do while I was so sick!)

Phin's night

The pediatrician told me I am no longer to wake the baby to feed him. I am to wait until he wakes up and is ready to eat. Seeing he's in the 75% for length and weight and the 90% for his head size, maybe the doctor is on to something. The baby is obviously not starving.
The thing is, I KNEW his schedule before. I could tell you if he was tired, hungry, ready to play or read a book - and now, now I don't know anything! He'll sleep 7 or 8 or even 9 hours at once and obviously when he wakes, he's hungry... but what about the rest of the day? How often should he sleep or how often should he be hungry? Dan and I are still working hard to figure all of this out.... But, this is what "time for bed" Phin looks like.


and, in moments, he's out!


Maggie was just cracking me up - guarding her ball as I put the baby to bed.

Sometimes you just have to wait

For the right moment to present itself.
This is an example. Dan and I had a broken down sofa. I had bought it when he was away for basic training the first time. When we would sit on it, there was a big metal rail that would dig into our legs. I waited around until there was a big sale at a sofa store and we became the proud owners of this sofa a couple of years ago.

Sofas are expensive, but we did get a good deal on this one. We have had it for over two years now and it's been a charm. In my opinion, it still looks new.

For over five years, I have wanted a head and foot board for our bed (the one I brought into our marriage). We have looked here and there - but they are VERY expensive. You see, my heart was set on a sleigh bed in cherry wood (that would match the rest of the existing furniture in the room.) Often a bed like that goes into the thousands of dollars. While they are beautiful, we are just not going to be spending that kind of money on ANY piece of furniture.

We have in the last year been talking about our upcoming need for a family dining table. You see, studies show that families that eat together (at a dining table) as a family have lower rates of obesity than those who eat - say, in front of a TV or not together. Phin will start to experiment with solids when he's six months old and so, it'll be time for us to sit together.

I saw a commercial for a furniture store that sells discontinued, factory over runs etc. I have seen the commercial for about two years now. They are only open on the weekends and I thought I wanted to check them out - but I didn't know how to get to the store. This weekend Dan and I decided to go see what all of the fuss is about. We were happy to see that there wasn't some *guy* chasing us around trying to do a hard sell as we looked at the showroom (which was nothing more than a huge "room" (warehouse).

As a bargain shopper and someone who is very sure of her sense of style, I was quite pleased with what I found! Dan and I got a bed AND a kitchen table (for four as that is all the more room we have for a table in our house) for less than what we paid for our sofa two years ago! Even more, our furniture was brand new in the box!

Now, sleeping in has a whole new level of extravagance for me. I wake up and feel like I am in a hotel. I come to bed and feel like a queen (except for the 55lb boxer stealing my place in the bed!)


As for the kitchen table, it looks great in our dining area. I still need to sew up the table cloth and seat covers (you can see the material on the side of the table), but Dan and I still had our first dinner together at the table tonight. I haven't got "the fancy" down yet, but the important part, (Phin) was there taking turns sitting on mama's and daddy's lap.



Turns out, the cat is super happy to have yet another place to hide and catch a nap. That settles it, the whole family is HAPPY!

Maggie's sleep

Maggie is a good citizen in the house.
She obeys the rules of the house and doesn't even try to steal Phin's toys (at this time).
There is ONE thing I would like for Maggie to "work on" for the new year.
That would be her SLEEPING IN MY BED - specifically on MY SIDE.... specifically using MY PILLOW for her head. This picture doesn't show her using my pillow - but it does show her hunkered down under the covers. Go Maggie GO!

Thursday

First thing first - Isn't Phin cute in his little bear outfit (70%OFF) YAY!



Moving on - Maggie is a BAD DOG.
Phin and I went to Wal-Mart for Listerine and heavy whipping cream (for my coffee).
We made another stop and left Maggie in the car with our purchases. Upon arrival back to the car, THIS is what we found. A punctured heavy whipped cream container and about 1/4 of the cream on Maggie's face and in her tummy! It was such a mess, I had to pour the rest of the cream out on the parking lot...
So now, I STILL don't have any cream for my coffee! $3.18 down the drain. I guess that was Maggie's Christmas present???

Daddy called today!

and asked if we could send one family picture for his room.
So, after church, Grandma Susie, Phin, Maggie and I tried our best to get a good one for Daddy.
The last picture won (but doesn't Grandma Susie look SO CUTE!!!)

Today is Oct 2, 2008

Today Phin looks like this:

One month ago, Phin looked like this:
Two months ago, Phin looked like this:



The last four weeks have been a whirlwind!
We got through the gas-gas-gas issue.
(The pediatrician told me it could be milk products and or cabbage/broccoli.)
Phin has gone on walks in the neighborhood, he's been present for his first birthday party (Daddy) and he's been FED in a Penny's dressing room (or two)!
Phin has continued to grow and in the last few days, he's started RECOGNIZING items.
He SEES his mobile in his crib. He SEES my face and smiles back at me.
Phin has, at times, decided to take his hand or finger instead of his Soother (pacifier).

There are still days where I only get 1.5 hours of sleep about three times through the night, but I am not even mad about it. Maggie is a little hooker who "keeps the bed warm for me"

(note that he HEAD is ON MY PILLOW!!!) Even with Maggie and a sometimes gassy baby, I am completely content and happy.
In the middle of this month, I was at the pharmacy to pick up a prescription. There was a woman and man there waiting for their prescription to be ready. Of course, they bent their heads into Phin's seat as he lay there sleeping. He was dressed in white and jeans so the lady asked me if I had a boy or girl. The conversation when on - at her insistence. You see, she had just had surgery on her arm. She does daycare for two toddler girls while her husband is a rancher. (There was also a 93year old man there who looked to be in the early 80's who was also a rancher...) The lady told me about how right now she keeps two girls and her heart is just breaking as she is unable to keep them for two weeks while her arm heals. She said that the last day she watched them, it was like the little girls knew she was going to be gone for awhile. She said they cuddled up to her and stroked her face and the whole story made her start to get a little weepy. I was a little surprised at her reaction - but more so - so very sorry for the mothers. The mothers who have to leave their babies with this day care lady - who obviously does a good job with their children - but also gets to have those special moments with THEIR children.
I can not imagine being away from Phin all day long. It would completely rip my heart from my chest. We had to travel about 1.5 hours to a doctor's appointment a couple weeks ago. Phin was in his car seat for the ride, and then in his daddy's arms while I was seeing the doctor. Then we visited Grandmother Allen and she held him and then, back to the car seat for the ride home. Phin was "with" me the whole time... but when we got home, I could hardly wait to get him into the house to hold him because I missed him so very badly from not holding him at all that day.
Before I had Phin, I really wanted a baby. I could not imagine my life without a baby... but now that I have him, I am really not sure how I lived without him.

Last, on the day of his birth, Phin's Grandpa Routier brought us a "It's a boy!" balloon. I liked having it in the hospital room - exclaiming our great blessing. Phin is two months old today, and HERE is the balloon! AMAZING.

Fun outfit for a day OUT!

Today Dan & Phin accompanied me to my doctor's appointment.
It was just a checkup that I am supposed to get every year.
My old doctor left the "system" so it was a new day with a new doctor.

We put Phin in his airplane outfit from Great grandpa Allen. It's super cute and it makes his eyes look really blue!

I really liked this doctor.
Her specialties were more in line with the type of medical issues I happen to have.
Also, she seemed really knowledgeable and tried to help me trouble shoot this *thing* that is happening in my hands. You see, my fingers and hands are tingling numb ever since I was in the hospital having Phin. Mrs New Doctor is checking my blood to see if it's that I need a reduction in one of my medications.
The thing is, Phin was so unbelievably cute that they medical staff forgot to have me sign a release of some of my medical records. They were just staring at him and talking about how beautiful he was (I had gone to the bathroom and Dan was with Phin at the checkout desk.) So now, I guess we will go back to the doctor on Thursday after Phin's checkup. :)





In other news, Maggie is still be uber guard!

Miss Maggie

Maggie is a great guard dog.
The whole time Grandma Susie was here, Maggie was on patrol 24/7.
Maggie would wake up with me to feed Phin in the wee hours of the morning and would check on Phin, go to Grandma Susie's room to check on her and then go back to bed in our room.
All of this really wore Maggie out. This is how I found Maggie the other day:



Additionally, here is an example of Maggie. I had just let her in from outdoors and her first stop was to go to the nursery to check on him. When she didn't find Phin there, he came back to the living room to check his baby jail. (Phin was, in fact, in the baby jail - sleeping.)