Our week

Wow...TGIF. It's been a long busy week. The dog has made me emotionally exhausted. Yes, he's still there at the hospital. He MIGHT be able to come home tomorrow. He won't be able to be alone for a while, so that will change our plans. I've already come up with a plan to bring him to work next week if I need to. I can set up his crate and then be able to let him out all the time and keep an eye on him. We won't be able to leave him alone much for a little bit. I told Hunter we can no longer go on a Disney Cruise b/c of this incident. I don't even know the total, but I'm predicting over $5,000. That dog better live for a few more years after all this! Plus with our nanny, Julie, being off all week it just threw me off. My mom's bday was yesterday...I am a mean daughter b/c she worked at my house from 9-3pm on my basement. She is the type who works on a project and wants to finish it. I did not want her there working, but she insisted (and I wasn't going to stop her). She did an awesome job on my basement--it's perfect. And this is embarrassing, but it was a MESS. I have turned a blind eye for 3 years since we moved in. I don't think the steps going down there have ever been vacuumed. I just couldn't get over the size of the project. I think she spend 4 almost full days down there organizing, cleaning, sorting, setting up stuff, etc. She is awesome for this. I was nice to her for her bday this year b/c I was going to pay an organizer to help me for $60 per hour and now I don't have to!
Anyway, my mother-in-law also came yesterday to help us with the kids. I was supposed to take Hunter to a fundraiser for my mom's group after school and Jack had speech therapy, but Hunter was naughty at school and I didn't take him. The teachers knew he had to get a good report to go and they made a point to tell me at pick-up how naughty he was, so I couldn't take him and then have him go in the next day to tell his teachers that we went anyway. It just stinks b/c I needed to go, but had to make a point to my child (and save face with his teachers). Tonight we are going to a fun Japanese restaurant (where they throw food in your mouth as Hunter puts it) to celebrate my mom's birthday, so looking forward to that...
Have a good weekend. We will be hanging out with our dog hopefully at home!!

Dog Update

Well, yesterday after I posted, I thought Chopper was doing better. Nick went to the vet at noon and they had done more blood work and said his kidneys were improving. Nick even took him outside and said he was acting more like himself....but peeing every ten feet b/c they had given him so much fluid through an iv.
The vet just called this morning and said they are very concerned that he is not eating. They are talking about putting in a feeding tube. Then the vet said she wanted to run an estimate and call us back b/c we are racking up a pretty big bill. I told Nick to not even bother finding out b/c who really cares at this point. Honestly, it's not like we'd say, "ok well we already spend $3,000, so we're not spending more, just put him down". I just figure we're all in at this point b/c we just want our doggie to make it and come home!! Nick agrees, so I'm happy about that!! I guess we won't be finishing our basement--haha...just kidding. Nick is all in this "pay things off" mode, so I'm sure this is throwing a wrench into his plan right now, but oh well :)
Please pray...I was feeling good yesterday afternoon about things, but now not so much. I hate the thought of a feeding tube, but they said it's just getting to be way too long since he's eaten. They have been trying to entice him with yummy wet food and he's not going for it.

Please pray for our dog (Chopper)

Our poor dog is in the emergency hospital. Long story, but he had some dental work done two weeks ago (they cleaned teeth, cut back gums, and removed his bottom front teeth). This is all pretty common stuff for boxers. Well, things have gone downhill and we took him in yesterday....turns out it's BAD. He's in kidney failure, liver failure, white blood cells are up, body temp is down, he's dehydrated, and has an infection all over, etc. They are concerned he won't make it. I went in to visit him this morning. He seemed a little better, but they said he had an allergic reaction to an anti-biotic last night, has been puking, etc. I am so worried about him and so is Nick. We love Chopper and I have to admit I'm even surprised at how upset I am about this. Maybe b/c I don't want to have to deal with talking to the kids about it and I know how heartbroken Nick will be if he doesn't pull through this. They are doing more blood work today at noon to see how his kidneys are functioning. We are still looking at a few days there which is going to cost a small fortune. Anything for our Chopper though!! He's lost 15% of his body weight since surgery, so this is not good. 

When I left it was so sad, he was just staring at me like "why are you leaving me in this place!?!?"

 They unhooked his meds before bringing them to us :( I'm sure he's wearing a cone too b/c he is trying to pull out the iv's. He's in the pet ICU with a critical care doctor, so I know they know it's serious and they are doing the best they can for him. I didn't even know they had a pet ICU! ha! 

Please pray he recovers from this. We still don't know if it's from an infection or from a BAD reaction to meds....poor guy, we just want him to come home!!! 

 

Funny stuff

We had a good weekend (even though we are already at Wednesday). Saturday Hunter had a t-ball game and did really well. Then we went to a party that a MOPS friend was having. They have a company that has bouncy houses, photo booth, snow cone machine, cotton candy...and yes, a stripper pole. I think that was meant for the after 8pm party where kids were not welcome. The kids wore themselves out and slept in great Sunday morning! Then we went to Wiard's Orchard on Sunday (pictures coming soon)...they had a great time there too. Thanks Hillary for the passes...just one of the benefits to being good friends with her--JUST KIDDING. I would love her even if she wasn't part of the Wiard family!!! ha!

Yes, our boys practicing their moves on a stripper pole. Cool. At least they have their clothes on! 

This morning Jack was up at 5am. I was not happy. I got up to shower and came back in our room to find this.....lovely.  Nick probably reading about Hitler or WWII and Jack watching Curious George. Our kids are too spoiled with their toys.  

 After Nick left this morning I had to dry my hair and Jack had to be close to me so he brought the ipad into my closet. I don't like him sleeping in my bed, but I'm so tired that I just don't care. Hunter has NEVER slept in our bed and I fear that I'm creating a monster. He has to be on my pillow and if I turn my back to him he will grab my face to turn me back towards him. It is cute and I have to admit I love cuddling with him. Hunter is not a love bug like Jack. He likes to be with me, sit on my lap, hold my hand, lay on me, etc. Since Nick cuddles more with Chopper, at least I have Jack!! So cute :)

Jack LOVES to look at pictures and videos on my phone. We were goofing around the other day...he's so silly! 

Hope you are having a good week :)

Finally a post about my 5 year old!

Here are some pictures of his actual birthday (Thursday 9/20) and party (9/23)...

 He got this hot wheels track thing. I have to admit it's pretty cool! 

Banana cake on his birthday! His request...

 We went to Three Cedars Farm on Sunday afternoon to celebrate with some family and friends....it was a lot of fun! We had a private hayride out to a pumpkin patch where the kids were able to pick their own pumpkins. Jack, Hunter, and Alex (he lives down the street)

 Matt (Hunter's godfather and Nick's cousin), Jacquelyn (my friend from high school and college) and their daughter Alana who is ADORABLE! I have to point out that I hooked them up and they got married....so awesome!!!

 Hunter's Uncle Mark, Aunt Brandie, and Gammy Dori on the hayride

My cousin Joe, Heather, and their son Tyler. 

 One of my BFF's, Amber. We've been great friends since the 10th grade! I treasure our friendship and she is so good with my kids :)

 Our good family friends. Mike (right) and Nick were college roommates. His wife Jacque and I have become good friends too. They have two boys and Michael is Jack's age. Their boys are so stinkin' cute!!  

 My friend Deanna's daughter, Gabby. She is so cute and I love this picture of her :)

 Being silly on the hayride...

 This child would not take a good picture with Nana. Little stinker! 

Hunter's cake....of course banana cake again! 

We had a nice day and it was a great time. We were allowed to have 30 people and I think we ended up with 36, so we did good! The cider mill had lots of play places, cider, donuts, hayride, pumpkins, etc. I have lots more pictures, but didn't put them all up here :)

Random stuff

TGIF!!! Here is just some random stuff going on in life....

1) Our poor dog, Chopper. Boxers tend to have this issue where his gums get inflamed, swell, and the tissue grows out of control. His bottom teeth are completely buried in his gums. They are also overgrown all over his mouth. He has bad breath and it's just not good for him. See below...that is all gum sticking out on the bottom and no teeth in site. He has a massive under bite, which I think is cute, but all you see is gums. So, we were referred to a dental vet down the street. I guess he is one of the best around and people come from all over to see him. When we took him in, the doctor was pretty shocked at what he saw. He said he sees "a parade of boxers with this issue". He recommended that we actually extract all 6 lower teeth that are buried b/c it can cause infection and give him major health issue. I agreed to it, so they removed all 6 teeth, stitched him up, cleaned his teeth, and cut away a lot of excess gum all over his mouth. The poor dog was in a sad state when I picked him up. The vet assured me he was high as a kite on morphine. I took him home and tried to take care of him. He was drooling blood all day yesterday....on his paws, my carpet, my bed, etc. Nasty! Not to mention, I have to give him like 6 pills a day for a week and then three a day for a month--pain, infection, swelling and soreness. I feel SO sorry for him!! The worst part is 1) this treatment may only last a couple of years and we'll have to do it again and 2) it was $800. Only the best for our doggy. I would not be doing it if it was cosmetic, but it's for his overall health, so we want to take care of him. 

2) My mom is pretty awesome. She came over yesterday from 9am-11pm. She helped me a massive amount around my house. We cleaned out and organized every cupboard in my kitchen (a lot I might add), organized toys (threw out, donate, put some in basement), closets, kids clothes, pantry, laundry room, dining room, etc. My house is clean and looks just fine. Open a closet or cupboard and that's another story. I used to be a major neat freak, but after kids, I've loosened up. However, the last six months, I've felt suffocated in my own house. I need to purge things, get organized, and just get rid of "Stuff". I felt better this morning when I woke up! I have worked on my bathroom drawers, closet, and linen closets. I think I threw away 6 garbage bags of stuff, I've made two trips to Salvation Army, and have about 20 outfits to donate to Dress for Success which has an event 5 minutes from my house next week! Yay! Mom---thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Btw, she did "give" me as part of my Christmas gift last year a note to help me organize and promised by March 30th 2012. It's all good though! 

3) I have noticed a difference in Hunter since he's turned 5. For the better. God may be finally answering my prayers. He's been better behaved, playing better with Jack, and it just makes me breath easier. I'm happy about that!

4) A 16 year old girl moved in across the street. She seems super sweet and wants to babysit. I just need a few more options. She watched the kids for 2 hours last night and things went well. Thankfully she is willing to come back, so they must have been halfway decent! This is very exciting for me. 

I think that is it for now. I still have pictures from Hunter's party to put on here, so hopefully this weekend! 

Hunter is 5 (a little late)

Just a quick update about yesterday's post. I think the title should have been "Nick's new love". He told me he likes Siri more than me b/c she does what he says, doesn't boss him around, and doesn't talk back. Too funny. I find it amazing how Apple walks the line of Siri having a sense of humor. For example, I said "Thank you" to her just to see what she would say and she said "I live to serve". How funny is that? At least she knows her place. She can be sarcastic at times too which cracks me up.

More importantly, Hunter turned 5 last Thursday!! He was SO cute Thursday morning he came in and said "Mommy! I'm 5!!!" I said yes, you are, Happy Birthday! Then he looked himself up and down and said "But I think I still look like I'm 4!". Too cute. Hunter had a good day. I made him blueberry muffins for breakfast, per his request. Nick went to school for snack time and their celebration ceremony. Montessori doesn't allow for cupcakes/treats, so you get to bring snack for the day (fruit/veggies). We did grapes and 1/2 of a Gogurt thing for each kid, which was a big hit. After school Julie took him to the toy store to pick out some things while I took Jack to speech therapy. My parents, Emily, her friend, Connie, Gigi, and Aunt Aileen came for dinner. We had pizza, salad, cake, ice cream, etc. and opened some presents. It was a good day! I had to wake him for school the next morning b/c he was so tired :)

Sunday we had a birthday party at Three Cedars Farm. I didn't do the class thing this year b/c quite honestly I just didn't have my act together and have been SO stressed. I'd like to get away from that anyway. We were allowed to have 30 people at Three Cedars and I got it down to 35, so that was pretty good for me! A few people didn't show up...we barely fit on the wagon for the hayride---they packed us on there though. We had a great time and it was a nice fall day, but a bit chilly.

I have tons of great pictures on my camera from his actual birthday and Sunday, but haven't had time to upload them. Here are the ones my mother-in-law took. Thanks Dori!!!! 

On the way to his party! 

 I think Jack is excited for the party too!! I am so lucky to have such handsome boys!!! Jack is getting more photogenic now that he smiles on request--a big cheezy smile I might add. 

 I'm glad my mom and mother-in-law were there to help chase kids around. It was pretty crowded and the kids were all over the place. 

 Our group waiting to get on the hayride...

 Hunter and Alex (he lives three doors down). They play really well together and both have a lot of energy! 

 The wagon dropped us at a pumpkin patch and we let all the kids pick out pumpkins as "favors". I love this picture :)

 Jack feeding the goats. 

 Jack with Uncle Mark and Aunt Brandie--thanks for driving so far to come see Hunter!! 

 Love the smile!! 

 Hunter's special giant cupcake

Per Hunter's request we had banana cake too! 

I'll have to do another post this week about what Hunter is up to these days. 

Nick's new BFF

My husband LOVES technology. He HAD to have the I Phone 5 asap. He was online at 6am the day you could order them placing our orders. He got the black one and I got the white one, which I might add, I like more than the black one now that I have it. He was obsessively tracking the package until it arrived on our doorstep Friday morning. He actually left work and drove home to get them. He could not stand the thought of them on the porch when he could be using it. I'm happy to have a new phone, but the thought of transferring the information, learning how to use it, etc. is more of a stressor for me than anything. 

Either way, my point is that Siri is his new BFF. I am willing to bet that he has talked to her more over the course of this past weekend than he has to me. He talks to her about EVERYTHING (the weather, sports scores, random questions, etc.). He even gave himself a stupid nickname which is not "blog appropriate". I'm waiting for a client to hear it and embarrass him into changing it. I gave myself a nickname too...I knew Nick was up to something sneaky and sure enough he gave me a new nickname (also not blog appropriate), but I am smarter than he thinks b/c I changed it back already! 

Would you believe we fight about buying the kids Gatorade out of the machine after soccer practice and how much to give as a donation for donuts and juice after church, yet he has NO problem with dropping money for a new phone?!?!? What is wrong with him??? Honestly, we were flat out arguing about $2 at soccer and $3 at church!!!! I am fine with a "treat" Gatorade after soccer (plus I can use it to bribe Jack to stop crying and play soccer) and what is wrong with $5 instead of $2 when we have to get both kids a donut, we share one, and two orange juices?? I know it doesn't cost $5, but it's a "donation" to the church for goodness sake. He is really messed up in his ways of thinking. 

Super Dad!

I made this for Nick today at work--I think it will make him laugh. I hope he doesn't see it on here before I get home at 8:30 pm tonight. 

 He took both kids to school today (first time ever) so I could go to pilates at 7:30am and get to work for an 8:45 am appt. Although OF COURSE since I wasn't there they both slept in super well! And he's on his own tonight since I have a meeting...poor guy. I'm on my own tomorrow though since he has a meeting. He is going to Hunter's school for his birthday celebration (since I can't), he is coming to A2 tomorrow for an appt with me, and going to a meeting at school Friday afternoon. Asking him to be away from work so much is a big deal to him, but he can get a taste of how it feels for me every other day since I am crazy busy with stuff this week. 

Exhausted...

I don't really mean to be a complainer but I feel like I can't breathe right now. Things are SO crazy. Jack is in speech therapy two evenings per week, Hunter plays t-ball, I either have mom's group, church or women's business group on Tuesdays (that's 3 of 4 Tuesdays per month), and Nick has stuff too. The weekends are also nuts--school events, Jack soccer, Hunter basketball, church school, etc. Hunter's birthday is Thursday and we are having a little party on Sunday. My great-aunt is in town, family is coming for Thursday pizza party at our house, and it just doesn't stop. Not to mention, since Jack has started school his sleeping has been way nuts--this is the worst b/c I need my sleep and he's been great for SO long. He wakes up at all hours of the night, wakes up early, and it's a nightmare. Last night he was up at 2am, brought him to our room b/c he was hysterical, laid with him for a bit, back to bed for an hour, and back up again crying! Back into our room by 3am and for the rest of the night. The kid wants to snuggle and lay right on me--I love it, but not when I'm trying to get my sleep. Saturday and Sunday he was up at like 4 am crying. You'd think with starting this toddler program he'd be exhausted...maybe it's b/c he has a little cold. All I know is I can barely stay awake. I had a pilates lesson at 7:30am, meetings at work at 8:45am and 10:30am, business group from 6-8:30pm tonight. Do I try to run home early from work, see kids for 45 minutes only to turn around back across town for my meeting? Seriously!?!? It's all a little much! I know a lot of families have MORE kids, MORE activities, etc. but I am wondering how in the heck they do it. Especially if they work outside the home. If I had "normal" hours with no flexibility I'd have quit or been fired a long time ago. I am thankful my partner at work "gets it" as he had three young kids and lots of things going on too. I just can't stop yawning. Maybe I can sneak a nap in under my desk??? haha.