04.23.08
Because what else are you going to do on a hot day?
and don’t you just love Cole’s new kicks?
04.22.08
Up All Night
Remember that song by the Boomtown Rats? And the video with the big snake?
That song was going through my head last night as I stayed up with a sick Cole. Lots of tummy pain, lots of throwing up, very little sleep.
Not sure if it is a bug or a huge bag of cinnamon almonds he ate from Whole Foods. He kept having these waves of pain that made him cry and wiggle like crazy. At one point I started timing them, every 20 minutes. Then throw in some puking and let’s just call it a fun night.
So, since yesterday was Monday and we are on the topic of Boomtown Rats, lets just enjoy a little 80’s music. How can you not love Bob Geldof and his shoulder pads. Ahh the 80’s, such a great time to grow up.
04.08.08
Moments
A few minutes ago I was taking some pictures off of my card.
Just some backyard shots from yesterday on the trampoline.
I stared at this one for a while- trying to blink back the tears that were trying to make their way out.
2 months away from turning 5. How is that possible? My little guy, the crazy one, the one that wants to be a big kid.
Have I squeezed everything I can out of his first five years?
And that’s when I decided
forget school
forget work
forget the yard that needs to be cleaned more
forget the laundry
forget the dirt and dog hair that needs to be vacuumed
It’s 72 degrees outside and I am taking my baby to the zoo.
04.04.08
2 more months
I just realized that it is only 2 more months until Cousin Camp.
I am ready. The boys are ready. They don’t get to see their Texas cousins near enough, I miss my sister-in-laws.
Once a year isn’t enough.
So a few pictures from last year, which I am sure have been posted on here before but since it is raining here today we need a little sun, if only in pictures.
The first night is always my favorite- the sun is setting but the kids don’t care, they hit the beach anyway. The promise of a whole week of beach time ahead.
5 out of 8 of the kids
This guy will be brown as a berry by the end of the week, even with 40+ sunblock. He will also be decked out with a shell necklace, anklet, shorts only the whole time, and a general surfer dude mentality.
One of my favorite pictures of Cousin Joey
Going inside that first night is always hard
Ah, I am so ready.
04.02.08
Things I get tired of saying
Put your lacrosse stick away
Close the cabinet doors
Throw away your trash
the dogs are out of water
where are your shoes
pick up your socks
flush the toilet
shut the door
Gross!
why didn’t you do your homework after school (always asked at 9pm)
stop fighting
stop yelling
be nice to Cole
did you get in trouble at school today, Cole?
I’m sorry you don’t like your dinner, eat it anyway.
No, we are not ordering pizza for the third time this week.
please don’t fart in my face
stop burping the alphabet
aim for the toilet, not the floor
get off the dog
stop tracking mud through the house
when is the last time you washed your hair
go play outside
I am not your maid
where are your —— (insert cleats, shin guards, mouth guard, jersey, etc into this space)
you can’t wear that
please get your hand out of your ——- (pants, nose, etc)
because it’s good for you
because I’m a grown-up
because I said so
04.01.08
what’s lurking in your backseat?
a blurry picture taken on my blackberry-
off to lacrosse practice again
sometimes it is shocking to look in the rear view mirror and see a big kid where a little kid once sat
01.03.08
15 degrees
Baby it’s cold outside. So Cole and I are camped out by the fire, watching a little tv, playing computer games, taking pictures of pooches….such a change from the past few months when we had workers at the door at 8am every morning and we had to find a place to go. The only person that has come to the door today, besides the mailman, is a friend of mine that is now starting her own remodel and all the workers are now at HER house.
Pooch pictures
Hmmm I think Barley has the right idea.
10.18.07
Braces
Yesterday my oldest baby got braces.
I have been enjoying these (2 so far) ortho appointments. I pull Austin out of school and we always have to squeeze lunch out of the deal- even if it is only 10:30am. My mom used to be in such a rush to get me back to school when I had ortho appointments but I am bad with Austin, I cherish these little stolen moments and I hang on to him as long as I can.
After the braces were put on we went to Whole Foods for lunch. I got a nice fresh salad and Austin and Cole got yummy pizza. A nice change from the standard Wendy’s that they usually request. All good until he realized that eating with braces isn’t as easy as eating without. It’s getting better though.
Love this (big) kid. And a funny tidbit. When he was baby he refused to let us listen to music. He would yell “no song! no song!” every time we turned on the radio or put on a cd. The one exception? Beastie Boys. If we put Beastie Boys on he would actually shake his little groove thang.
Pet Therapy
I like to think that things happen for a reason, at least if we listen carefully and follow our gut.
Our oldest son Austin has been asking for a Beagle for a long time. He loves Snoopy and read all the Shiloh books. He quizzes everyone that has or has ever had a Beagle. I sat and listened to him talk to the guy who is remodeling our basement about dogs. Jim our basement guy has two Labs and a Beagle named Norm. Norm is his wifes favorite and when he goes to bed he often finds Norm snuggled up next to his wife sleeping. Jim says that Norm likes his singing and will howl along with him. Jim is a good guy, raised two of his own kids and then a handful of foster kids as well. He has a lot of patience with my boys and lets them watch and help where they can. Especially Cole. Cole likes tools. Jim is a dog guy, and dog people are usually good people.
So, recently our oldest son Austin was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder. A mild version, but one his doctor advised might be best if we nipped it now while he is young. His problems are mainly sleep issues. He can’t turn his mind off and his thoughts get extreme. He worries, he frets and he just can’t sleep.
Two days ago I was watching the news at noon while sewing. Every Wednesday they shoot live from the Humane Society. I glanced up when they mentioned they just got in a litter of Beagle pups. They held one up and I swear I got that feeling, the one that says “this is meant to be”. I’m not a beagle girl- I prefer my dogs BIG. But this little dog was fuzzy and as her face was in the camera I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I kept working, and kept thinking- it couldn’t hurt to look. So Cole and I got in the car and drove over there. When we got there we got to hold her and play with her. She was the most mellow of the litter- the only one Cole wanted to hold. I noticed then that she had already been claimed. We put her back, glanced at the rest of the pups and then went home. Cole cried all the way home and then fell asleep. When he woke up he cried again. I told the humane society to call me if things fell through.
The next day Cole had his 3 yr check-up. While we were there, their pediatrician (who is my dad’s age and has been practicing forever) asked about Austin and how he was doing. He then asked if we had considered getting him a dog. I reminded him that we have two dogs. A 14 year old mutt that only likes me and a 3 year old Golden that is pretty much my middle son Blake’s dog. I told him that Austin really wants a Beagle. He said that his wife came home with a Beagle from the Humane Society recently (dog number 4 for them) and they love it. He went on about the benefits of a dog that would belong to Austin and how they can reduce anxiety in kids and adults as well. He knows we are dog lovers, he knows that a dog for Austin would sleep in Austin’s bed- fall asleep with Austin, comfort Austin. Dogs are good like that. As I was leaving he said, “get that boy his dog”.
As Cole and I walked in the door at home the phone was ringing. It was the humane society. The adoption fell through. I asked them to hold her for me for a couple days while we figured out if this was the thing to do. Andy and I decided that if we got Austin his own dog, he would have to step up to the plate as far as taking care of her. He is already good about feeding the other dogs and taking them for walks, etc.
So here we are, Cole and I on the couch watching Spongebob with a new little girl sleeping beside us.
Meet Shiloh (of course)
She is small, and will be about 20-25 pounds. Our Golden was/is so excited (our older dog doesn’t really like to play). So far her adjustment to our house has been smooth. She slept with Austin last night- apparently waking him up a few times to play (so much for better sleep). I am trying to not step in- she is so darn cute I want to hold her all the time- but I want her to bond with Austin. To be Austin’s dog.
The thing I always dread most about getting a new dog is that there are always a lot of people out there that aren’t exactly happy for you. We don’t really ask them to be, nor do we expect that if you aren’t a dog lover that you really understand why we think it is so great to have them around. The good thing is that we can respect each others choices.
Oh and mom- looks like there is another little being that you will be taking care of next week while Andy and I are in Florida for two days. I know you are thrilled about that! 
Oh and Cole keeps calling her “Shaggy” which reminds me of Scooby and now I remember that my brother used to have a hampster named Snoopy and I had a dog named Spike (Snoopy’s Brother) We already have an Astro (Jetsons). We seem to like cartoon dog names.
edited to add
if you live in the Columbus area there was an amazing yellow lab there- I would have taken him home if it were up to me!
