Saturday

Today was fun. Swim lessons in the morning and community swim in the the afternoon. Lucy was pretty balanced mood wise so it made for an enjoyable day.

The ENT and The Boots

OH MY, today was such a trying day. I picked Lucy up early from school. I picked her up early so I could bring her home and spiff her up for her appointment with the ENT specialist. I spiffed her up becasue I wanted her dr to see how cute and adorable she was so that he kept that in mind when he had this most precious child under his knife. She was THE MOST ADORABLE child who ever passed through those doors, I am sure of that. Lucy fell asleep in the car on the way to the appointment. We arrived early and the dr was late so Lucy (who slept through getting out of the car, going through the parking lot, into the elevator, paying the co pay and moving into the exam room) slept almost an hour just waiting to see the doctor. She was groggy throughout the appointment so he didn't see her sassy side. The dr said I'd be crazy to not have Lucy's tonsils removed (along with the re-removal of the adenoids). They are huge even after 4 days of antibiotics and are obviously impacting her sleep as well as her health. I am scared to death of anesthesia (although less scared now that she's been through it once), the pain she'll be in and the possibility of bleeding. I also have a fear that she'll get some MRSI or something. shoot.

Well Lucy manage to distract me from my anxieties about her upcoming (not yet scheduled) surgery as she was such a super big "spirited" kid from the moment we got home until the moment I put her in bed (at 7). On top of fighting every single step of the way the one that threw me over the edge was that she decided to fill her boots up with WATER at the time the Zep and I were waiting for her to put her boots on so we could shovel. She said she was going to get a towel to dry them off and came back with them full of water, dripping every wehre and wet beyond repair. Needless to say she was in a place where I couldn't trust her inside while I shoveled so it had to wait until she went to bed. UGGGGHHHHH this was just one of many many things she did tonight. I feel beat up. At least we had a peaceful bedtime (it started an hour early but she didn't go to sleep until after 8). I just hope she sleeps so that tomorrow is an easier day for her.

In the car ...

Zep LOVES Lucy.

Hysterical

The boys were over tonight. I was trying to video Lucy and Jacob bouncing on the trampoline and got a bonus "funny man" instead! Nathan cracks me up ...

These days ...

My new header: The beautiful photo on my new header was taken by Julie (Mel's sister). Given the fact that my child was quite the opposite of compliant and still, I think Julie was able to capture her brilliantly.

Lucy's health: I have started to react quickly to Lucy getting a fever that involves her nose/throat. Lucy seemed fine on Sunday night, went to bed late but seemed in good health. I remember in the middle of the night, the dog barked (he rarely barks) and I woke up wondering what was happening. I thought about Lucy (and of course, being slightly paranoid but also having a baby who went through RSV, then asthma, plus multiple multiple respiratory issues) and wondered if the dog barked because something was wrong with her, and I couldn't hear her snoring from her room, I sat up, listened, listened and finally heard her breathing, although it sounded different (hard to explain). Monday morning she wakes up crying and crying, fever and drooling everywhere. I had her to the doctor by 9am. Normally, I'd think, wait and see, viruses have fevers and it is cold/flu season here.

I am so glad I did. I have never seen Lucy get over a fever/swollen throat as fast as she did this time. She started antibiotics right away on Monday morning. I kept on top of ibuprofen (for inflammation) as well. Tuesday morning she woke up as bright eyed as ever. Can't even tell the girl is sick tonight. Whilst she was screaming at me (tantrumming) tonight I had a VERY clear view of her tonsils which are already down to their normally large size. I hope for a good nights sleep tonight.

Zep the dog: Zep the pup had his first "well dog" check up today. He looks good. Weighs 26.6 pounds (5 pounds less then Lucy). He got some more vaccines, and is set for flea/tic season. He is also registered for puppy school late in March, get him some puppy socialization, my goal is to have him already doing the stay command by then. He's a smart boy, in two weeks he has learned "sit", "outside", "no", and "go potty zep". He also knows but refuses to acknowledge "kennel".

The quiet before the storm

Sunday Lucy fell asleep in the car. She slept through the transfer to the sofa and over an hour later I tried to wake her up, she fell back asleep in quite a precarious position. Come this morning I understood the reason for the tiredness, poor Lucy was getting sick again. She woke up with a fever and one quick glance at her throat had us heading to the pediatrician. Her tonsils were swollen so much they met in the middle and I couldn't see through them. She's on antibiotics and has a (previously scheduled) appointment with the ENT specialist on Thursday.

Saturday

We had a terrific day today. Lucy slept until 8:15, and I believe she would have slept longer but Zep and I had to go get her going for swim class. Zep woke her up with a kiss. Zep woke up at 6:45, seems like the pup likes his work-day potty schedule a lot. It worked out well though as we got some bonding time and I had lots of time for coffee before heading out for the day. After swim class Lucy helped me clean the living room (she REALLY helped!!). We also shoveled half the driveway. Played with Zep for awhile then put him in his kennel while we headed out for Lucy's first ice skating experience. It was cold and breezy outside but Lucy skated for about 1/2 hour. We went to a little park by the boy's house (borrowed Isaac's skates), and Lucy was so committed to the skate. She worked really hard and was quite proud of herself. After skating we headed home for dinner and relaxation. Lucy and Zep snuggled for a bit. After writing this, I have answered my own question as to why I am so tired.

anyone know???

how to change teh size of the font in the header, and stretch the margins???? I needed to update the photo but now the layout kinda stinks.

Cooking with Mama

so when I cook dinner Lucy often likes to join me creating her own concoction with ingredients. It's a great way to get rid of those very expired herbs and spices, and Lucy can be engaged in this project for as long as I need her to be (and longer). It is NEVER EVER a clean project, especially now that my vacuum is broken beyond repair and a new one won't be coming until that tax refund comes.

Tonight

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Tuesday

We had another peaceful day. Lucy was in good spirits most of the morning/evening. I really think getting outside more (with the dog) has helped a lot. Lucy at a man's sized serving of pizza. Her tummy is sooooo big tonight. She then sat still beside auntie Jen as American Idol started. After getting comfy, she quickly and abruptly drifted off into snoreland. Here's the scene. We didn't even get a chance to wash off the face painting from preschool.

Nice Day

We had a day off together. It was really nice and a necessary day to reconnect. Lucy was in a good mood and a good listener (most of the day), which was a real President's Day treat. We spent a lot of time playing outside with the puppy, it wasn't that warm out but the dog provided enough of a distraction to keep Lucy outside for awhile. All that outdoors play contributed to the speedy fall asleep tonight. I gave her a kiss goodnight, walked to the dining room and called my dat, byt the time he answered the phone I could hear her snoring in her room. THAT was a record!!!

Playing with shadows.

Playing American Idol!

This morning

Lucy: "momma, I'm just like American Idol!"

Another Saturday

The "other pups"

Lovely Lucy

We (Lucy and I) still have our ups and downs when it comes to behaviors. Some days I get scared that she has serious issues, other days it's just more annoying every day the clarity about who she is shifts.

There are days when I just want to cry, she can be so mean. There are day when she probably feels the same way about me.

She has however been consistently nice to our new dog. This gives me hope. She tears up in the morning when we leave because Zeppelin starts whining in the kennel and Lucy doesn't understand why we would leave him. She pets him, gives him attention, tries to play with him. This morning she fed him his food, bringing a few pieces to the dog at a time. It's the most Zep has eaten since he came home. Lucy also helped me bring the dog outside to go potty and held the leash while I cleaned up after Zep's successful mission. When I dropped her off at school today she said "I am excited to go home and see A Zep a lind". She gives me hope!

One night down ...

Last night went well for a household with a new pup. Zepellin started coming around about the time we were ready for bed so we stayed up and played awhile. I put him in his kennel and as soon as I went into my room he started whining/howling. I moved to the sofa next to his kennel and he settled right down for the whole night. My cat was pissed though. She wanted me in my room. She started snapping her paws on Lucy's door and woke Lucy up twice. She somehow found the tiniest spot next to me on the sofa and calmed down around 5 this morning. Around 6:30 Zep started barking which was somehow shocking to me as in my sleep I temporarily forgot there was a dog here. He's been potty outside and had his antibiotics. He still hasn't had anything to drink. He has discovered a love for his giraffe toy.

Introducing ....

Zepellin age 3 months. Part Blue Heeler part Huskie. So far just a sleeping boy. We've had two sucesses with house training and zero failures (so far). Lucy is excited about having a puppy dog. This is newer territory, my last dog was closer to one year old when I got her and Jen has never raised a dog. Wish us luck!!!

ps Carrie, I tried to suggest a twilight name but it was a no go ... we decided on a rock and roll name instead