He's not just a dog...

he is a part of the family.  If you have ever loved a dog, you know that these domesticated animals quickly take on an important role in your family as well as a permanent place in your heart.  You know that the dog hair, smell, muddy feet, barking, whining... all of these things can be annoying.  And you also know that the second you open your front door you will be greeted by these wildly excited creatures.  You know that they will always be there to bring you joy.  Their playful, energetic beings brings you comfort, a smile, support.  They get up on the furniture, they get in to the trash (even if it's just once), and they chew something up that is not a toy.  They will protect you. 

After several rough days, today Jake passed away.  Matt rescued Jake eleven years ago and he became the mascot of his house in college.  Everyone loved Jake.  He was the dog that you could keep off a leash and he would always stay by your side (of course he did run off chasing a cat once or twice).  He was the dog where you could leave a bowl full of food out and he would eat at his leisure all day long.  He hated the rain and would refuse to go outside if it meant his precious paws would get wet.  He would gently place his paw on your knee to remind you to pet him.  He would nudge your arm up with his snout to remind you to pet him more.  He eventually was adopted by Matt's mom and they became great friends. Such good friends in fact that Jake did not like sharing Becky's attention and would do his best to remind her that he was waiting by her side. Jake got spoiled rotten with Becky and he deserved every bit of extra food and love he got from her.  His favorite treat was cheeseburgers and he would not look twice at a treat that did not meet his high class palate.  Even when he packed on a few pounds he could still run in circles so fast and his whine became similar to a pig oink.  If you ever asked him "where's kitty?" you would get one loud, strong bark.  He was persistent, he was smart, he was a very sweet dog.  We will miss Jake very much. 

Jakester, Jakey, Jakey boy.... Thank you for bringing such love to our families.  Thank you for loving us.  You are a very sweet, good boy.  I pray that dog heaven is the same place as people heaven.

You guys, it's happening....

it actually feels like spring out.  Today was gorgeous.  Sunny all day, cool in the morning followed by a beautiful day.  Brynn has been waiting to get outside and open one of the three bottles of bubbles we have and today we got to do just that.  She ran around our front yard, played on the slide, swung in moma and dada's arms and blew bubbles.  We then took a nice long walk this evening (slightly cool breeze and the smell of cookouts everywhere around us) and ate a yummy dinner.  I am ready to plant some herbs and veggies.  I want to be outside most of the time.  Open windows.  Running around with our daughter.  Happiness.

Big girl.

Our baby is more like a toddler every day... I feel like I've said that before.  Seriously though, her feet look bigger, her body is longer, her vocabulary is expanding... and she had her first for real big girl sleep over at Nana's house over the weekend.  We had an early birthday party for me where we went out to a yummy dinner with great friends then had a game night (we have not hosted one of those in two years) at our place and it was just plain fun.  All parents, all having a chance to unwind, have fun, and play pictionary together.  I mean, what more could ya ask for?  Catching up with good friends that we don't get to see often enough was wonderful and a great reminder of what good people we have in our lives.  Our big girl had a fantastic night at her Nana's house and it was a huge relief on our part, no stress, knowing that not only was she well taken care of, she was having a good time and she was/is so comfortable at her Nana and Grandpa's house.  So grateful.

It goes by so fast

I just finished putting together our girl's first home movies that quickly took me through the most amazing 16 months of our lives.  From the overwhelming amounts of JOY, exhaustion and laughter.  Thank goodness for this brilliant, brave, wild, beautiful baby... who is looking more like a toddler every single day.

time with Jax.

 Most of the time during the day, I keep the dogs and Brynn divided by a baby gate.  Why?  Because it's just easier.  Ellie, the smaller dog is a wild, anxiety filled crazy thing that rarely stops moving and she could care less about what any of us are doing unless it involves giving her food.  Ellie surprisingly does well around Brynn as she has had a few opportunities to crawl over her paws and pat her tail, Ellie has stood there all bug-eyed staring at me waiting for the free moment to move away, but still she handles herself well.  Jaxon, the bigger, older and recently injured dog is the sweet one and the one that would sleep under Brynn's swing as she slept as a baby.  Jax is the one who always wants to be near us and will move (even with two torn ACL's) four feet just to get closer to watch us.  He is the one who, I feel loves us as much as we love him.  Jaxon has even jumped over the baby gate just to get closer to us and today I just let him stay near us.  I am still cautious of Jaxon's rogue back paws that could possibly scratch Brynn, and I want to make sure Brynn is gentle or careful while petting Jax too (and she is!)  Every time I say "be gentle" she so sweetly pets Jaxon's head or points to his ears when she wants to identify a few body parts.

 Brynn proudly announces she found Jaxon's feet!

 A random sock is found in the hallway and Brynn would love to put it on Jaxon, however he is not interested.

So she chooses to put the sock on herself.  These two are friends and it warms my heart to see them interact so sweetly.

Photo update

 This is the view from Brynn's window at about 5:05 p.m.  Love it.

 Eating snacks in our stroller at the zoo.. so fun.

 Until moma tries to take too many photos... not cool.

 The start to our search of the perfect christmas tree.

 She liked walking around the lot, but we went to another place to find the best tree (and deal).

 Ahhh, the fresh smell of pine and my handsome hubby setting up the tree before dinner...

 The next morning Brynnie getting to see the lights and pick out her favorite ornaments.

 So precious.

Love. Love. Love.

Recap...

...of the last thirty days.

Election day!  Oh my my, oh hey hey.... Obama won and we are thrilled.  It was an interesting night and Matt made sure I didn't celebrate too soon, but once we knew for sure there was a sigh of relief and continued hope for the future of our country and this world.

The 15th!  Our daughter had her first BIG FALL.  She was playing with my brother's little dog and got wrapped up in it's leash and... face planted into the concrete.  It was a very scary 30 minutes.  To see blood coming from your baby's mouth and nose for the first and hopefully last time ever.. it's intense.  A quick trip to the doctor confirmed that her teeth, gums, and nose were all okay and she just had scrapes and bruises to heal from... the swelling went down in 24 hours too.

Thanksgiving!  Seeing my baby girl so comfortable at nana's house is just awesome.  She explores, she runs around as if she owns the place, she grabs everything glass and loves opening and shutting all the cabinets she doesn't get to play with at home.  I love seeing Brynn and her two favorite boy cousins play together and interact so well.  We had ping pong, soccer, LEGOS galore, turkey for the first time (Brynn is not that interested), sweet potatoes, homemade warm delicious rolls, what the HECK else do you need, I ask?!

On to Dogs.  Our Jaxon has torn both his ACL's, he has been in pain, he has been uncomfortable and he has been a challenge for our household the past few months.  Some days I get so annoyed because he has never whined, jumped over gates or stunk to high heaven until recently.  But other moments I feel bad because he is obviously uncomfortable and I want nothing more than to help him.  I want him to dash outside and chase the neighbor's dogs rather than having to go outside on a leash.  Matt went to my brother's concert tonight and it was one of those moments that reminded me how happy I am to have Jaxon and Ellie in our family.  I love those stinky, sometimes obnoxious but always loving family pets.  Thank goodness for these sweet beings.