Your Third Month

Oh my goodness how time is flying! I know I say that each time I put an update here, but it just seems to keep speeding up much too fast. You are my little angel and I just love you so much I can't help it.

You are still in three month clothing, which I'm grateful for so we can get more use out of them. But not for long I don't think. We just moved you into size two diapers but that hasn't seemed to help your blowouts. You've already had two this week, both times when poor grandma has been watching you! You've gotten baths those days as well it was so bad. You no longer scrunch up your face and act like you're going to scream when I put you in the bath, but you still seem unsure.

You love to gnaw on your hands and you love sucking on the corners of your blankets so I know that soon we'll have a favorite blanket that must go everywhere with us. You basically still dislike binkies except for when mommy can convince you to take one (but that's really hard and rare). You love talking and gabbing with mommy when she gets home from work before bed, and you have found yourself in the mirror on your playmat and are curious about who that person is and if you can talk to them. You still haven't rolled over, but I think it may happen soon. You've begun to actually like tummy time, and are getting super close to propping yourself up on your elbows and try to scoot yourself a couple inches. You hate to be held like a baby unless you're being fed. Only sitting up assisted or standing assisted for this boy! You want to be aware of what is happening around you and are very curious about the puppies and intrigued by the world around you.

 Your sweet little personality is still so strong and prevelant. However you've started to get frustrated more quickly if we don't know what you want right away so I feel like you are definitely wanting to communicate and trying to figure out what you need. I love and hate when you wake up for the morning because you often start cooing when you wake up because you're wanting to know whats going on, but I also wish you'd sleep longer for mom's sake. You only wake up around seven but on mom's days off it would be nice to sleep a bit longer. It's clear you love your grandma's and grandpa's, they can always get you to smile and you love being sung to by them. I really hope they have a strong influence in your life.

Daddy loves that you love watching Man vs. Wild with you. You love the sound of Bear Grylls voice and literally calm down almost instantly when you hear it. I think you'll be an outdoorsmen like daddy.

Mommy loves your sweet smile and squeaks when she makes faces with you and carries on a gabbing conversation. You love to be tickled and have raspberries blown on your belly. Anything to get you to smile your sweet smile mommy loves.

Hilton loves his food. Eating still only 3.5 oz or so. If you get over hungry you get so worked up that it takes a lot to get you to take the bottle even though you're mad because you're hungry.

The puppies love that the days have been getting warmer so mommy takes a blanket outside and lays underneath it with Hilton and throws the chuck-it for the puppies to run after. We're all so glad spring is here!

I love you so much little Hilton, and I whisper how much I love you each night when I put you to bed and every morning before I leave for work. I hope you remember the sweet things I've told you as you get older. We love you so much and would do anything for you!

Your First Month

You my precious baby are already one month old. How is this possible? It's been a month since they laid you on my chest wide awake and calmly breathing. You barely even let out a cry when the doctor helped you enter into the world. This is how you have been the majority of your life so far. Calm, happy and inquisitive. And you were perfect. I'm reminded of this each day I look at you. You're perfect nose, ears, fingers, and toes. And you are all mine.

You've been very patient with your dad and I as we've figured out what you want and need from us. You have started being more and more active each day for longer. Sometimes too long, you just really want to be aware of whats going on around you and so you get overtired. You resist falling asleep at times, and moms' tricks of walking the floor, rubbing your back, and in times of extreme desperation-car rides-don't always work. But you're definitely starting to figure out day and night time and are only waking up maybe two times each night.

You are such a happy baby. You smile on a daily basis much to the surprise of grandparents and friends. We love it. It makes me happy thinking of all the wonderful experiences that are soon to be yours. Keep on smiling little one.

You're also an incredibly healthy baby. So far dad has had a cold for the last week of your first month and you haven't gotten sick, which we are SO grateful for. You've gained half of your birth weight already, putting you past the 70th percentile in weight for your age. You've already started to grow out of your newborn clothes which makes mom really sad and weepy when she looks at your little clothes, especially your 'coming home from the hospital' outfit which you outgrew a week ago. But it's all good and just the beginning of you outgrowing your clothes I know. 

We're so happy to call you ours and I know you love us as well. I can't believe its already been a month, but I'm sure I'll be thinking the same thing when you turn one year old. Here's to many more memories to be made! I love you my baby, and you'll always be my sweet little baby.

Birth: 7 lbs. 15 oz.
1 month: 11 lbs. 14 oz.

31 Weeks

Week:31

Weeks Left: 9

Stretch Marks: nada, which I'm very grateful for

Sleep: getting harder and harder. I wake up each time I turn over because it takes so much effort, I wake up if I'm laying on my back, and I wake up to go pee at least once during the night. But so far that's been my only real negative in this pregnancy and I'm grateful for it!

Heartburn: has definitely started to get worse, but can be controlled with a glass of milk in the AM and one in the PM, which is why I'm going through a gallon of milk a week-by myself. The funny thing is that spicy things don't irritate it as much as things that are cheesy and high in carbs. Like pizza. 

Cravings: my cravings have gotten incredibly unhealthy. Only fast food sounds good (Artic Circle in particular) which is really irregular because I normally HATE fast food places. Corn dogs, chicken fingers, pizza, and good thick fries along with fry sauce are incredibly tempting to me, which isn't what I want because I only want to gain so much weight during this pregnancy. So I'm trying to find alternative options that are more healthy.

Weight Gain: I'm up 20 lbs. which I'm sure my OB will be happy for but I'm not particularly. Another reason why I've starting watching what I'm eating more carefully because I don't want to gain more than 30lbs. total.

Clothing: I am beginning to be unable to fit into ANY of my pants or jeans (little man is laying really low). My every single day pants are leggings which I'm sorry, I know they're not technically pants but they comfy and dang it I'll wear what I want. I only have two pair and so I am currently washing them every week and definitely need to get a couple more pair.

Daddy: is probably more emotionally ready for this than mommy. But that's also because daddy works graveyards and won't be getting up with baby except on weekends. Mommy likes her sleep and is worried about loosing so much of it. However we are both very excited to welcome little one when he's ready! Only six more weeks until he's free to come anytime!!!

Love our little family!

Largest Pet Peeve EVER

I apologize for this angry, mud throwing post but I just feel I should state where I stand with this.

You have been warned.

You see in Utah especially I feel like dog parks or parks that even allow dogs on leash at all are incredibly rare. There are really only two in the greater Salt Lake area the first approximately on 9600 S. and the other is Tanner Dog park at 2100 S. That's a difference of 75 blocks equivalent to 20 miles! It's clear that Utah's non-dog owners have a monopoly on the parks in the area and that they feel dogs are NOT welcome.

Well apposed to what most people think the majority of dogs are sweet, well-tempered, people friendly animals, who don't jump/bark/chase/be aggressive; but there are those few dogs who ruin it for everyone else. Actually let's not blame them: it's clearly the OWNERS that are at fault. They let their dogs get in scuffles with other dogs, let them jump on others/harass others (I've had a number of dogs sniffing my butt to close for my comfort and the owners do nothing), and today of all days I had a dog steal Aspen's tennis ball, snarl at Aspen when she tried to take it away, then run up the hill and promptly bury it and the owner's reaction? 'Sorry, dog's will be dogs.' No you fickle minded ass wipe the correct saying is 'Irresponsible owners should be shot at first sight.

On more than one occasion at the Sandy dog park there were majorly aggressive dogs-one in particular was a pit-bull-and the owner's didn't have muzzles on them and never tried to correct their behavior. I shouldn't stereotype pit-bull's as the only aggressive type: but it always seems that its a type of hunting dog that is the one initiating aggressive behavior. I mean seriously, when was the last time you saw a Golden Retriever, or even tempered Collie being aggressive?

Oh and also, if your dog snarls or tries to nip at my dog and you do nothing, you'd better bet your brass bottom covered ass I will smack your dog. This is my right if your dog is being aggressive to mine and you don't do anything. If mine growls at another dog I correct instantly. And if I don't you have full permission to smack mine as well because that is your right. That is part of being a responsible dog owner, you have to correct incorrect behaviors and encourage good ones. Dog's become well rounded in this aspect if you can communicate with them what is inappropriate behavior and what is acceptable.

All in all I feel like I am a great dog owner, I love them as if they really were my children and I'm equally as protective over them, but I definitely yell if they get up on the table and they get punished if they snarl at anybody. I will not own an aggressive dog and I don't make this so by getting rid of dogs that disobey or act out, I bend their will to mine until they yield because at the end of the day: they are a dog and you are their master.

End of story: Don't let your dog be your master and don't let your dogs go willy-nilly at dogs parks like that idiot did today or someday the city may take away our two dog parks because of complaints.

Rant over.

Aspen became an adult today

I dropped her off bright and early at Orem Spay and Neuter Clinic to have her fixed. Hope she doesn't hate me when I pick her up. I honestly felt so guilty leaving her, she looked so scared. And she's my little baby, even though she was 'Jared's' she's really become mine.

Loving on her rawhide bone...she's possessive of that like I am of food and that's saying something

We were a little late to the game getting her fixed. I waited and waited after she turned six months old to make the appointment because I was hoping that could wait until she was a year. But after sitting a friends male dog who kept (innocently) humping Aspen even though he was smaller, I decided it was time.

'Good morning mom...WHAT do you want?'

So here's to caring for a loopy puppy, and here's to Adi probably harassing Aspen when she's not going to be too groggy or in pain to move. And here's to her having accidents the next couple of days...oh joy!

Such a curious little buddy

p.s. any tips or tricks to helping them relax and recover?

Smith's Christmas 2012

We had a lovely Christmas, and hopefully you did too. We got up early and helped the dog's open their stockings and then opened up ours. My gifts were all picked out by myself, Jared just wrapped them so I wasn't expecting any surprises but he never fails to do a surprise gift on Christmas morning.

Aspens angry bird toy

an SR22 to be my concealed carry once I take the class 

After we finished our own little family Christmas gift opening, we went up to my parents for our traditional Christmas morning luncheon of egg's Benedict and Wassail and exchanged gifts. I got not only a new Dyson vacuum but also a wonderful jewelry box. Afterwards went to see Les Miserables. Honestly I was only semi impressed by the movie but maybe that's because I wasn't comfortable and I had to go to the bathroom twice. There were some wonderful moments but a lot of watch checking dullness as well.

 

 

 

Afterwards we hurried to the Smith's house and had Christmas dinner. I made my amazing Cherry Pie and we exchanged our white elephant gifts then watched Brave. I forgot to bring my camera to the Smith's, so I have no pictures of the Smith side darn it.

  Delicious looking huh?

Overall a wonderful day, and I surprised Jared with quite a few things we was not expecting at all including Black Ops 2 and some blue suede shoes. He's going to be the best looking date ever!

P.S. it's totally crazy to believe that this is Jared and I's FOURTH Christmas together! Where has time gone?

Adi's tricks: it's nice to meet you

Maybe, if you bring me treats I'll be courteous enough to shake paws with you after I stop jumping up trying to lick your face. Maybe. Better be some good dog jerky. 

Adi does tricks

and she does them dang well. I figured it was time to show off my dog training skills again (Let's just say I could be renamed the dog whisperer, or something to that effect). Adi actually learned this trick almost a year ago, and it brings a smile to everyone's face. Mainly because she looks so innocent while doing it :)

Enjoy

Adi and Aspen: you can teach old dog's new tricks

Mom taught me how to do this a while ago, I just really wanted to show grandma and grandpa what a good girl I am and that I can be calm...even if its never at their house. I can't help myself, those chucker birds are so fun to chase!

Maybe if you bring a good enough treat when you see me next I'll do my play dead trick. Maybe.

The snow has come

and I am so glad. This means I am can comfortably wear sweaters all day long, comfy shoes and boots. One of the few downfalls is the possible ice and therefore...falling on my behind. But since that hasn't happened yet, I am glad for the snow.

Since Aspen was born in April, this is her first snow! And boy did she like it. They played outside for hours. It was wonderful except for the dirty paw prints all over my newly cleaned kitchen floor.



And of course with all this snow all I needed was a nice steaming cup of hot cocoa. And only Stephens will do. Roasted Hazelnut is of course the best.

What did you do on this lovely snowy day? It wasn't quite enough for sledding or a snowman, but I look forward to that.

Love, Aspen

Dad, I'm sad you left me behind on your adventure that you took Adi on. Mom says its called camping. With scouts. Are those treats? Cause I really like it when you bring me treats. Bring me some scouts back to eat please.

While you were gone yesterday I found a nice necklace under the bed. It smelled a little musty but I think the spots blend well with me don't you? Mom didn't like that I started chewing on it, but it was so fun since it was stretchy. Plus its great to play toss with and shake it like I was killing it. Until mom took it away that is. She always spoils my fun.

Mom has let me have all the toys out I want since you're gone, and she feeds me first since Adi is not here. But I get really bored playing with myself. And there's too much room on the bed. 

Come home soon Daddy. I guess you should also bring back Adi, cause I need someone to harass other than mom.

Love, Adi and Aspen

Daddy, we miss cuddling with you in the mornings. Can't you stay longer?

Plus you never take us to the park to play anymore. Mom says it's because you're busy working. Whatever that is. We know you're doing it to pay for our two meals a day-at least mom says so-and all the good treats, plus the pupperoni; but we're missing out on all the good schtick's that we need need NEED to chew on. Mom doesn't think we need more bark on the living room floor, but we don't agree.

Come home so we can go 'sploring and find some good bark making schticks. Schticks are more necessary than pupperoni AND squeaker toys. Much more important. 

 
Love Adi and Aspen.

P.S. daddy, we need to go soon. Our schticks supply is running low.

Puppy Size

One of the things I had forgotten about having a little puppy - amongst the frequent toileting issues and the teething - is their incessant desire to tunnel and explore every little space. She loves to find her own little play spaces under the bed and couch. Of course she's growing at an alarming pace and won't be able to fit much longer. But its still cute to watch her play. Can you imagine how the world looks through their eyes, everything is bigger then they and everything is new and different. No wonder they get into so much trouble! But we still love and adore her, she's going to be a wonderful dog when she's all grown up.

 Tunneling under the couch. She normally naps down there.

 Cleaning the floors for the local Petco. No kibble left under the shelves after our visit.

 

inspecting my empty chip bag-but it got stuck on her head

 

Sisterly love

P.S. I had forgotten how much puppies slept, it really is like having a baby-parenting practice for sure.

And then there were two...

This is probably the best (and only) successful secret/surprise that I have done for Jared. And it was soooo hard to keep my mouth shut and not just spill the beans. About a week into our trip to Hawaii I found a perfect match for a second puppy, and it just all worked out perfectly like it was meant to be.

 
The afternoon after our red eye back to the mainland, Jared laid down with Adi for a nap and I hightailed it to Utah County for some 'errands'. Instead two hours later I came back with this little bundle of joy.

And surprised Jared with her. He was more than tickeled, even though he was probably the only one initially. Adi was not quite as excited about our new little Aspen. But she's warmed up since then.

Some people may think we're crazy, even slightly irresponsible for getting a second puppy when we live in an apartment and we still have yet to have children. But if you always listen to the critics you'll never aspire to do what you dream. And we dream of having dogs (not a dog) all of our lives. We are completely and totally dog lovers and always will be.

Plus who could say no to that face?! She is soft like cashmere, green eyed, and has the cutest little tail. We love this munchkin.

We have a 7 year old in the house now

After a great day yesterday, full of a long walk, lots of sniffing, cuddling in bed, getting a hamburger for lunch, a trip to Petsmart for some new toys, and a yummy peanut butter carrot cake complete with candles, Adi officially turned one year old, seven in dog years. We're big on birthdays around here. Don't judge.

Sorry, you may have to turn your head sideways. Who knows how to rotate movies when they import horizontal?

She was such an adorable little pup on her first birthday and only one with us so far...obviously. The only thing missing was our birthday hat, but I knew she wasn't going to wear it so we bypassed that trouble.

Happy birthday Adeline! We love you!

Peanut Butter Carrot Cake for Dogs

1 cup white or whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup honey
1 egg

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) Mix together flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into a ring mold sprayed with a nonstick spray for 40 minutes. Frost this cake with low fat cottage cheese and decorate with carrot pieces. Store in refrigerator.

This house's least favorite chore

As I said before, Jared and me both LOATHE doing this dishes. But I relented and did them last night since it was my turn...but can you tell from this photo what I hate doing the most?

Cups and glasses! I dislike them so much because since we hand wash all our dishes because of not having a dish washer, I have to put quite a bit of elbow grease behind cleaning the insides. Its a pain! I can't help but think as I do the dishes that this generation is so spoiled. I mean, how did the pioneer women and all women before the 20th century get everything done, laundry, dishes, cleaning house, raising children? How did they have time for it all!?

Anyways, side note our little baby is one year old today! I am making her a cake and everything. Pictures and details to come! Happy week hump day!

Desolation Peak to SLC Overlook

Jared and I played on monday instead of being responsible adults and going to class. We decided it was high time to take Adeline on an extended hike, and boy did she enjoy it! We are planning on making hiking a more frequent activity for our family.

Four hours of hiking in ankle deep snow left my feet frozen, and both of us very worn out, but Adi had a total blast. If you didn't know any better you'd think we white-washed her, but now she kept chasing the little bunching of snow balls from our footsteps. She's a crazy little stinker but we love her! Any good hikes you love that allow dogs?

PP: puppy problems

We've spent this evening weekend trying to contact various family veterinarians and furiously scanning the web for an possible ideas or solutions to an unending problem that has occurred to sweet Adi post spay operation.

There's no way to describe it, other than she frustratingly, unnoticeably (until moved), and unawaredly....leaks. It seems to come in spouts. No pun intended. She'll be fine for weeks and then one day BAM! wherever she sits or lays expect a puddle (or on our furniture a wet spot) to be left behind. And then she'll be fine again for weeks.

Other than being unaware of it and being very afraid that we'll get mad at her once she sees the wet spot, she gives us no warning or indication of what could be causing it. Its really like she just goes incontinent for a day. A lot of the info on the web states that she could have a) kidney stones b) a UTI-Urinary Tract Infection c) allergies or d) damaged nerves to her bladder after her spay surgery...?

And the suggested remedies are anything from cranberry pills (to clear up any possible UTI or kidney stones), doggy diapers (to merely control the tide), to hormone treatments? Possible diet changes include anything from cutting out all grains (i.e. allergy to gluten?) to going strictly vegetarian (I can barely afford to feed myself regular food let alone expensive vegetarian food for my dog).

Ah! Where is the voice of reason?! I don't know what needs to be done except that we don't like dealing with the clean up afterwards, Adi feels guilty and miserable that she is having accidents, and I'm concerned there's some underlying serious issue going on that we're not aware of.

Does anyone have any suggestions to get my puppy back to her healthy-loving-spunky self?!

Any first hand experience with this?

Seriously anyone???

non malicious sprain

So tomorrow I get to take this bad boy off,

after wearing it ALL weekend, and today at school.

Trust me, it was an absolute joy to walk in around campus. Especially since my classes are on opposite sides of campus. And I didn't draw to much attention to myself thank goodness. (can you sense my sarcasim?)

Except at a family dinner/bday party Sunday night where everyone got a good laugh out of how I sprained two toes Friday night. 

And I know everyone wants to laugh today, so here goes. 

Friday night when I got home from work at ten thirty, Jer and I took Adi out to run around and burn off some energy. So we commenced in baiting her to come to one of us then the other would run, and she would turn and chase. It actually was a genius idea because she was WORN OUT afterwards. Except for that last run down of me where she literally, ran me down. 

Well specifically she jumped at me as I was trying to make a turn, knocking my feet out from underneath me; which I then landed rather badly on. 

After a day of contemplating and a great deal of whining (on my part) about the pain, Jer finally suggested insisted I head to the local Instacare Saturday night. An hour later I walked out with the foot brace on, a diagnosis of only sprained toes, and a badly bruised ego.

The woeful foot. It's the left one if you can't tell. See how its all swollen on the inside of my foot?

Ok, well it isn't super obvious via this picture. But it was. I promise. 

The doctor got quite a kick out of my trying to make the whole experience seem like it was all my fault and that my dog wasn't malicious. She just suggested I try to not have my dog chase me. Or teach her not to jump. Which we're working on. It's just not really sinking in quite yet.

So, did I learn my lesson? No, not really.

Just today I ran and had Adi chase me in my boot and all. I'm sure it was quite a sight.

Happy Monday

-M

My brain fart day this week

My sweetheart came done to p-town today to bring sweet Adi to see the vet (she licked the stitches to much to where her insicion was starting to open). In addition to being worried about that, today has been an interesting and cynical (on my part) day.


The awkward:

I discovered this morning one of my favorite perfumes smells like it's rotten. Sad.
I forgot to shave my legs this weekend. Sorry to the guy in modern dance who had to support my nasty hairy leg today.
As I was sneaking my shorts down to cover my unders while walking to my first class, I outright ripped my pocket seam...oops. So now I have a gapping hole in my pantalones.
Lipgloss exploded onto the kid next to me in my religion class as I was trying to apply it...how do you possibly clean that up with only one tissue?
Sorry to the guy who gave me car advice and then I called my dad to ask the exact same question. It's not that I don't trust your opinion...its just that a girl needs to call her dad first.

And the epitome of awkward today, I had an awful time balancing while changing for dance in the bathroom stall and therefore was banging quite a bit on the walls...and someone banged back from the other side of the stall. What do you say after that, hello or sorry?


The awesome:

On a whim I suggested we watch an episode of 24 last night since I'd heard it was good...and now we're addicted. Already six episodes down, only 196 left.
I listened to Sara Bareilles the entire drive down to school this morning. I love her. She makes me happy.
My english professor completed her email today in ergophobically yours. How freaking awesome is that? I love english professors.
I found this drink called Muscle Milk in Macey's grocery and LOVE it! Plus it gives you 25% of every vitamin or mineral for your daily need.

And finally, I got another pair of TOMS today. They are so comfy! I think they kind of look like elf shoes, but they are so stinking comfy. When will my obsession end you ask? I don't know.

Overall, a great and awful day all at the same time. I just have felt...off. Oh well.

Happy Wednesday!

-M

p.s. I LOVE it when everyone updates their blogs. 

...so update!