Not AT ALL how I had planned

I had a nice prodcutive, yet relaxing night planned.

The Husband was going to a hockey game.  Me and The Boy were on our own.  I was going to run to get some fabric and tanks to start working on the dresses from the Barn Sale, I was going to look for some new shoes to go with my new Birthday Dress and be home in time for an easy dinner, bath and bedtime.

But, such is life.  We got a curve ball.  Maybe 3. 

We got home from school, had Kirby outside with us, The Boy playing.  I was trying to convice L that I needed an hour to get my stuff done before he left for the hockey game.

It didn't work.  Me time was not going to happen tonight.  At least not during normal waking hours. 

We noticed Kirby limping so I took her inside and gave her a full inspection. I got that sick feeling in my stomach that it was her back again.  Easton, with his fudge-sicle hands and face decide to come in and help. 

After catching the 765 drips that were falling from that melted chocolate goodness, and washing his hands and face and holding an injured dog, I was about at the end of my rope.  Oh, and I shouldn't forget Kirby throwing up too.  Yeah.  That. 

A call the the vet suggested that we come in, just not yet, because the doctor was in surgery.  C-Section to be exact.  So, we'd have to wait. 

We kept monitoring Kirby, trying to get her to walk, all the while she was holding her right back leg close to her in pain.  She'd lick and bite at her foot every time she sat down.  Instead of being her back as we'd suspected, it was her foot.

She didn't want you to touch it. At all.  But, I held her little 9 pound self down while Lance felt around.  That's when he found it.  She had been stung by a bee.  And he found and pulled out the stinger.  

How he felt that thing, I'll never know because it was tiny, but he did.

After about 5 more calls to the vet and searching the world wide web, we decided to treat her at home.  A mix of baking soda with water and a toddler's ankle sock rubber banded to her foot would do the trick. A dose of Benadryl  (1mg per lb) would also aid with the allergic reaction and the vomiting.

A quick trip to the grocery, toddler in tow, because why would he want to stay home with Daddy and make it easier, we were back at home.

Now, for the conversion of mg to ml so I didn't kill the dog with an overdose of Benadryl.  My mind was going a million miles an hour.  The Husband was getting ready to leave, The Boy wanted me to hold him, The Dog was in her kennel whining about her bee sting, and this momma was about to flip.  I text my dear friend and used her nurses brain for a quick conversion.  Half a teaspoon would do the trick.   

Within 30 minutes, maybe less Kirby was demanding to get out of her kennel.  Once out, she limped a few times but then decided that it was safe to walk on.  Already improving.  Praise the Lord.

A dinner of peanut butter and jelly with strawberries and chips would round out our evening. 

As I sat there and watched my boy laugh and smile and inhale his later than normal dinner, I had to stop and think.  No, this night wasn't as I planned, but there was still a lot to be thankful for. 

First, it was not Kirby's back.  After paying for two back surgeries 2 months apart 6 years ago, this is not a cheap surgery. But the money I had spent in my head for that surgery, would not be happening.  Second, my boy was happy as a lark eating PB&J, even while I'm beating myself up because there wasn't veggies on his plate.  Third, there was still time to get that quick bath and in bed before 8. 

And that we did.  We finished our supper, had a quick bath and I had The Boy in bed by 8. 

Oh, and...Kirby...well, she got the sock off her foot...but the rubberband couldn't be located.  As I was about give her peroxide to induce vomiting I decided to make one final sweep of the bedroom for the rubberband...and I found it. Lucky dog.   Lucky me. 

See, it's not all bad afterall.  Things happen.  Situations come up.  Things don't always go as planned.  But, the more you roll with the punches, the better off you are.  I could sit here and be welled up with irritation (don't get me wrong, there was an hour of real tension 'round here), but really, what good is that going to do? 

Roll with it.  Take what life hands you.  Make lemonade out of lemons. 

Happy Thursday!

xoxo



Yes, Kirby still exists...

I thought it would be nice to show some pictures of my first love...other than Lance, that is.

She's still got it  made in the shade...or sun.  She likes to find her a sunny spot and park it.

All sister wants is a little peace every now and then.

Please Kirbs, don't let us disturb you!

She IS quite a saint!  Even is she is needy every now and then!

Bless her!



2 1\2 weeks left

I'm having a serious problem thinking about my return to work.  I've had a few breakdowns this week when thinking about leaving my little lovie.  I keep thinking about leaving him with "strangers" and I wonder what he's going to think.  Does he have the capability to "think" yet?  Will he know that I'm not there?  Will he wonder where his mommy is?  Will he take a bottle from said strangers?  Will he still smile at me when he looks at me?  Will they smile at him and talk to him like I do?  Just a few of the thoughts running around in this head of mine.  I laid in the bed last night for at least an hour thinking about these things.  I just can't imagine how I'm going to feel getting into my truck with no car seat in the back and no face looking back at me in the mirror...

I keep telling myself every mother that returns to work goes through these same feelings but that doesn't seem to help my heart.  This is ME and this is MY BABY and I just don't know if I can do it. 

I'm trying not to dwell on these thoughts for my last 16 or so days...and enjoy every minute with my baby boy. 

In other news...naps...well, they are still a challenge.  I've not made him cry it out anymore- simply because I have realized my time left at home with him is so short and I don't want to spend it stressing over his crib.  So...we nap where we can- swing, bouncy seat, on the couch together.  I know that's not what I'm supposed to do but I can't help it.  I have attempted the crib almost every day but no longer than 30 minutes.  He'll lay in there all afternoon without going to sleep.  I've thought about resetting his mobile every 18 minutes in hopes that he will eventually fall asleep watching it but I haven't gotten to that point yet.  My fear is that at daycare they won't have these options so he's going to have to start from scratch anyways.  Naptimes have proved to be my biggest challenge thus far.  As for night time, he has only been getting up 1 time- the past 4 nights he's gotten up about 3:30 or 4am so that's nice.  He'll nurse and lay right back down...but daytimes are another story.  Perhaps he's that baby who doesn't nap, just cat naps here and there.  If that's the case, I can handle it- I just wish I knew that was the case.  He's happy when he's awake so maybe he just doesn't want to nap, he's afraid he might miss something. 

Here's a few of my favorite pictures from the past week or so...I'm going to have to clean off my memory card-it's jam packed with this little cutie...

Yes...Kirby still lives here...though I'm sure she wishes she had her old life back. 

She doesn't get quite the attention that she used to. 

 I'm trying to make a conscious effort to do better at that.

Happy Thursday!

Annie

Hold that head up high!

BIG NEWS- Easton is now holding his head up very well. 

He and Daddy have their own version of tummy time!

In other news:

• He eats every 2 1\2 hours most days- we were at 3 hours but we must be going through a growth spurt
• He's a good sleeper- does get up 2- 3 times a night depending on his last feeding but generally goes right back to sleep- with a little grunting and rooting around- meaning mommy gets roughly 6-7 hours of sleep a night (not consecutive but I'll take what I can get right now)
• He likes his swing
• He enjoys his mobile in his crib
• He's doing better with his passi- we got a new one thats smaller- it doesn't fall out as much
• Nap times are still a work in progress
• His breathing is getting better- still breathes fast, but not as often- another check up at his 1 month check up on the 20th
• He loves to go for walks in his jogging stroller and be outside- this may seem small but it's huge to me- I prayed that he would love the outdoors and it seems that he does.  We LIVE outside when the weather's nice so I'm glad he likes the sunshine too!
• He smiles at random times- yesterday I pinched his cheeks and said "cheeky cheeky cheeky" and he smiled in response to that 2 times- we couldn't duplicate it for daddy though...yet!
• Nursing is still a work in progress
• Kirby is a very protective Big Sister.  If he cries, he runs to his room to check on him.  She loves to sit on the couch while he nurses- I think she just likes to be involved- OH---and she loves his bouncy seat.  She has taken it over.  It's the perfect little seat for her little self and she hangs out there most all day when she's not on the deck in the sun.

                                   

• He took a bottle for the first time yesterday! 

That's pretty much what's going on day in and day out at our house for now.  We're enjoying every minute of Easton and looking forward to more milestones in the days to come.

Happy Spring,

Annie

Eventful Wednesday

What should have been just any routine Wednesday night, turned out to be quite eventful... 

I had been away all night setting up for the Craft Fair at church and then to Chilli's with the in-laws.  Lance had come home after work played Madden, did some laundry, and ironed some clothes.  When I got home Kirby was a wild indian- she loves her momma, what can I say!  Anyways, I was in the bathroom when Lance brings in a half eaten Ziploc baggie with a bottle of pills in it.  My stomach sunk.  I knew what that meant.  Kirby had somehow found Lance's travel bag left over from his fishing trip that contained a few prescription meds, some loose tums and who knows what else- tylenol, ibuprofin...  After calling the Emergency Vet we determined she needed to be taken in immediately IN CASE she had gotten something other than the Tums.  So, at 9:30pm, we head to the local Emergency Vet.  They gave her an injection to induce vomiting to see what they could find.  No pills were found- only kibble and a white foamy substance- which we assume was the Tums.  They suggested that they keep her, give her an IV, check her blood work, monitor her overnight and us pick her up in the morning to go to her regular vet for follow up.  After the $900 quote for above treatment, we opted to take Kirby home with us.  That take home treatment consisted of a subcutaneous injection of fluids as well as a charcoal drink to soak up anything that could have been left in her stomach.  Basically the same treatment except under our watch than theirs---which we thought more beneficial to her.  We got back home at about 11:30 and Kirby slept like a baby.  I'm pretty sure she moved once all night, from her left side to her right.  I, on the other hand, slept with one eye open.

Thursday morning, we called the vet- who by the way is the best vet I've ever been to.  These people love Kirby and dote over her just like she's the only dog that's ever walked through their doors.  After 1 full panel of blood work, her doctor said her blood work was beautiful.  We opted to still flush her with IV fluids for the rest of the day for safe measures.  Lance picked her up around 7 and she was out like a light all the way home. 

She assumed the following position upon arrival:

(Notice her stomach under Lance's hand- that's excess fluid from Wednesday night's SQ injection)

Kirby didn't sleep to great considering she had the cast on her arm and couldn't get comfy- so, neither did I.  I love how this morning Lance said "Kirby must have been tired..."  I informed him that I'm certain she was but she, nor I, got a lot of sleep!  He sleeps right through.  He did get up around midnight to take her out in the cold to potty...so, I'll give him that.  Must be a mother thing to half-sleep.  Looks like I'm getting my practice.

Dr. Harris wanted to see Kirby again today.  She's got that little cast on her right arm because the IV port was still in.  I took her in this morning and she will get fluids all day today as well.  They will re-test her blood this afternoon.  Apparently IF she did get Tylenol or something else, it would show up in her panel between 0-36 hours.  This afternoon will be after the time limit so we'll see what the results are.  They are pretty sure that we are doing all these fluids for safe measures but want to be certain with the follow up blood work.  We will pick her up around 5 and hopefully she'll be good as new!  Bless my baby.  She's been through a lot!

Here's the little lovie this morning before heading to the dr.  She's quite pitiful with her little cast on! 

The Million Dollar Dog

Meet Kirby!

Kirby is our 6 year old toy dachshund.  She is our "firstborn".  I love this dog with ever fiber in my being. She is my shadow.  She is my lap dog.  She is my 4 legged child.  Lance would tell you the same.  Kirby was a Christmas gift to me our first Christmas that we were married.  Lance drove about an hour and a half to a breeder, picked her out, put a little pink finger nail polish on her belly to mark his selection and the rest is history! He took me back a few weeks later to pick her up when she was about 6 weeks old.  We have been wrapped around her kinked tail ever since! 

Kirby has had a rough life, medicaly speaking.  She had 2 back surgeries for treatment of Intervertebral Disk Disease in 2006.  Her back limbs were paralyzed before both surgeries.  After surgery 1- it took about 6 weeks to recover but after surgery 2, she walked out of the doctors office, wagging her tail!  She received treatment from one of the best surgeons in our area.  We owe our deepest heartfelt thanks to Dr. Oshin.  He's one of a kind! 

Recently she developed a lump on her back so we had it biopseyed last week while she was under anesthesia for her teeth cleaning and "pedicure".  The lump came back as negative for any sort of cancer.  Apparently, sometimes when  a shot is administered, a lump can form around the injection site.  Kirby is now lump free and recovering from her minor surgery. 

(This is Kirby on the way home from the vet last Wednesday- she slept all the way home- lets just say the anesthesia had not quite worn off!)

It's been 1 week and 2 days since her surgery and she's back to her frisky self. 

I'm not sure how Kirby's going to handle a new baby and having to share the attention with someone else.  I think she senses that somethings going on. She is slowly moving towards Lance and snuggling with him on the couch instead of constantly being at my side.  I'm fairly certain that she'll always be my baby so hopefully instead of having to split my love with her and a new baby my love will just double for both my babies!