It's Rooney's fault.

If anyone is curious... yes.  Having a puppy is VERY time consuming.  But, it's worth it.  Rooney's absolutely wonderful.  Really.  And even when my eyes feel like sandpaper, I can't help but smile when he looks up at me with his big, sweet eyes.

So, it's his fault that I haven't been able to blog in over a week.

He's done great, really.  His first night home was WAY better than I expected.  He slept soundly without one whine or cry.  But, as most dog owners who have crate trained a puppy could have probably predicted, the second night was pure hell.  And I'd be lying if I said I didn't think, OH, WHAT HAVE I DONE!? several times throughout the night.

He cried all night long.  I took him out to pee, no good.  I gave him a shirt of mine that I had worn recently, no good.  He wanted to play or love, and anything else wasn't going to do.  So, I put his crate in our bathroom and shut the door.  But we could still hear him, loud and clear.  Then I put his crate next to my side of the bed and I put my fingers through to touch him.  That worked.  Ahhhh.....

He slept for maybe 30 minutes, max.  And was up crying again at 1:40am.  I took him outside for the 3rd time, and he promptly peed.  Oh, thank goodness!  I put him back in his crate, by my side of the bed and he was quiet.  Whew!  I closed my eyes and was so thankful.  And after 3 blissful seconds, Cooper's door opened and I heard, "MOMMY!"

Crap.  Someone kill me.

I pried my eyes opened and found Cooper wet - from a leaky diaper.  And of course the bed was wet, too.  So I had to change the bed and Cooper's pjs.  I thought I was going to cry.  All I could think about was don't wake the dog!!  It really was an awful night.

But, that was it.  Every night since then has gone really well, with him sleeping soundly and no crying at all.  He really is a very good dog, so far.  He plays hard and sleeps a lot.  And everyone in the family is bonding with him...

Yes, this pup gets lots of love!

Last Monday I took him to his first vet appointment.  Everyone who worked there had to love on him, too.  All went well for his first check up.  He didn't need shots that day because the breeder got him his first round before we got him.  Today we go back for his second round of shots.  The vet said that we could take him outside - just no dog parks or anything like that.  So, we've started house training (or breaking?) in full force.  I watch him like a hawk inside the house.  And 9 times out of 10, he goes outside.  It's always that one time I look away to put something in the dishwasher.  Crate training definitely helps with that.

I've got a lot more to write, but am going to sign off for now.  We're having a lazy day today I think, so hopefully I'll be able to write more later.

Thanks!
~Christy

Today is Puppy Day!!!

We are on our way to get our Pug puppy!!! It is about a two hour drive. I am so excited I can hardly stand it! Now I'm going to be even more backed up with blog posts because I have so much to tell you about!

Anyway just a quick update for now. Lots of photos to come soon!

Thanks!
-Christy

More Updates

All is well with Harlie's belly!  Woohoo!

Saturday afternoon, we took Harlie and Cooper for a walk to a playground nearby.  Murphy was playing with our neighbor so they didn't want to come.  That was a little weird.  Since when does he not want to go with us to the playground????

Anyway, that got Harlie up and walking a bit.  I think that really helped her belly get moving.

It's so nice when they play nice together.  You know, those rare moments!

Walking like a little old lady, but walking!

Good, quality time with the kids...

I forgot to mention in my last post that on Friday Harlie woke up with a very bloody mouth.  I have no idea what that was about.  At first I thought she lost a tooth.  But after I got her all cleaned up, I realized that wasn't it - there were no missing teeth.  Who knows?  Even though she's making so much progress in communication, it still kills me when I don't know what happened to her or if something hurts her.  I don't know why communicating her pain is still so difficult.

On Saturday night Tom and I went out on a date night.  I made him take me to Petsmart so I could start thinking about all the stuff I want to buy for our little guy that we get in TWO WEEKS!  I just can't wait!  More about that later.  And I mean my excitement about his arrival!  I know you can't wait for all the puppy photos!

Anyway, on Sunday, Harlie woke up and her belly was almost back to normal.  What a relief it is to not have to worry about that anymore.  I know it's crazy, but I'm always afraid that it's going to be something seemingly "little" in comparison to some of the bigger hurdles she's overcome, that will have a devastating impact.  As much as I tell myself to not think like that - fears aren't exactly rational.

Later that day the kids went outside.  Tom worked in the yard and made them a little fort with some clippings from a tree.  They loved it.

Finally - a smile!

She is definitely feeling better.  Still walking carefully and guarding her incision.  Unfortunately, her incision was bleeding, which I found odd.  We were five days post-op on Sunday.  I took a picture of it and sent it to Katie at the hospital.  She called me this morning to tell me that they need to see her and before our scheduled appointment on Friday.  So, we go back in the morning (Tuesday).  They are going to have to take off the steri-strips and clean it to see what's going on.  I really hope it's not infected.  And I totally dread the process of cleaning that incision!!!  I debated on whether I should post the photo, but I figured if I have to see it, so should you.  Hey, I said I was going to be more honest!

On Sunday night (going back and forth a little here, sorry) two things happened that I consider amazing forward progress with Harlie's oral feeding.  I think it's pretty crazy how she seems to do this (make jumps forward) after a hospitalization and/or surgery.  She's such a crazy kid!

Anyway, she asked to eat dinner with us.  I mean that she wanted to sit with us at the table AND eat with us.  This is something we've wanted for years, but just haven't been able to make it happen.  I've tried to feed her at the table with us, but it never goes well.  She always has a better feeding when I can focus on her.  By the time I got her food all ready, everyone was gone from the table and she no longer wanted to eat.  Next time I'll be ready.  We don't always get to sit down at the table, so we'll just have to see how things go over time.

The other thing she did was ask for ice cream!!!  On Sunday night, we took the kids across the street to Brusters for ice cream.  We all just got the baby cones.  Well, except for Harlie of course.  After a few minutes, Harlie signed ice cream.  I asked her if she wanted some and she nodded yes.  So I made her say, "I want ice cream" on the communication device and Tom got her a cone.  And for the first time EVER, she willingly licked ice cream.

We were so excited!  We were all, "Good job Harlie!" and "Tom, take her picture eating ice cream!" and I couldn't help but wonder what all the people around us were thinking.  They were probably thinking we were a bunch of freaks.  Oh well.  We were happy, so who cares.

Today (Monday) she did well, I think.  She had a good morning, but then seemed to feel bad in the afternoon.   I gave her some Tylenol.  I tried to get her to tell me that she hurt - but she would not confirm or deny.  But, she was holding her incision (which I covered with gauze and tape, by the way) and she just looked like she didn't feel good.  So, I figured she probably was hurting.

Tonight was a Daisy meeting.  I hate that she had to miss it, but I just didn't think she was up for it.  And I was afraid that she would hurt herself by being more active than she was ready for.

Well, I need to get to bed.  We have to leave the house before 6am to make it to the hospital on time.  Hopefully it will be a quick trip.  I'll let you know how it goes!

Thank you!
~Christy

Misc. Stuff

On Saturday, Murphy and his friend, C, went for a ride on their bikes.  Not very long into it, Murphy ran into C's back tire and took a tumble.  His face was a bloody mess.  And just in case you're wondering - he was wearing a helmet, thank you very much.  This is how he looked that night:

He's been so good about it and he hasn't used his injuries - or his pitiful looking face - to get anything.  I think school today was a little difficult.  He said everyone asked him what happened.  Even people he didn't know.  He said he got so tired of answering the question that he started telling them to ask someone else!  Yikes!  That's not exactly polite.  But, he's 6 and I get his point, too.  And speaking of polite - one girl in his class told classmates as they entered the class this morning to, "Look at Murphy's face!"  Nice.

And Murphy's school photos are next week!  Perfect!

I thought to myself that it's a good thing Harlie isn't at home with a body cast right now.  We would not be looking so good as parents if we went out in public with Murphy's face and Harlie in a body cast!  No one be alarmed!!!  All is good here and our children are safe and well loved!  

Just a side note, Harlie's surgery is one week from today.  Well, six days by the time most people read this.  Hard to believe that it is so close.  And weird to have the "last" whatever for the next 6-8 weeks.  Like this past Thursday was her last therapy day (we'll be in DC for pre-op this coming Thursday).  This Wednesday will be her last day of school.  Friday will be her last day of gymnastics.  Not sure when she'll be ready to return for any of those things.  We'll just have to see how her recovery goes, of course.

Oh, and Baby Sarah got her cast off this weekend.  Harlie spent some time in class today studying her and the cast that was cut apart.

Which reminds me, last Thursday between therapies, we went to Toys R Us to let Harlie pick out her own baby doll.  We are going to give it to the docs when she goes into surgery and have them cast the baby to match Harlie.  I was thinking if she picked it out herself, she might like it as much as she likes Baby Sarah.

Well, Harlie didn't get that she could pick something out and take it home with her.  Even though I think it is wonderful that I have a child that asks for NOTHING materialistic - it still seems sad to me.  It's just so ... unnatural!  Finally, Brandy and I picked a couple babies for her to choose from (and while we were looking in the baby aisle, she walked up carrying a FurReal cat.  Then she left and returned with a FurReal dog.  So, I added a dog to her choices.  I put them all in a row on the bottom shelf and asked her which one she wanted to take home.  And she chose THE DOG!!!

Seriously, people.  This child WANTS a darn dog (language edited since I don't know who's reading my blog - BUT - if you know me well, you know what I want to say).  The dog walks, barks and pants.  He's pretty cute - for a toy.  But, he is NOT the same as a real dog.

And to make things worse - I was talking with someone about my desire for a Pug puppy and she said that she knows someone who breeds them.  She called me today and gave me their info.  And they have one male puppy (8 weeks old) that's still available!  He is there right now, without a home!  And he is oh so cute!  Just see for yourself:

See?  The cutest thing ever, isn't he?  Wouldn't it be totally awesome if my great husband went and got him and surprised us???  Ha.  I wish.  Not going to happen.  But he looks like he would fit so great in my home!  I can just see him now... and I think he needs us!  I can tell.

Okay, it's late and I have to stop thinking of that adorable Pug puppy.  Who won't be mine.  Ours, I mean.  Ours.

Thanks,
Christy

Another Pre-Op Today

Today we head back up to Northern Virginia for our pre-op appointment with Harlie's surgeon.  I am so excited about this one because I am hoping that I'll be able to get a much better idea of what to expect.  I've got a whole list of questions for her, so I hope she's ready!  It's hard to believe her surgery is just four weeks from yesterday.

At the end of last week I got a call from her ENT's office with a date for her ear tubes and bronch - March 8th.  Yay!  But, unfortunately the team working on her case for her spinal fusion surgery said they were not comfortable with her having two procedures under anesthesia so close together.  So, they have coordinated her ENT doc to come in and do the ear tube and bronch right before her surgeon does the spinal fusion.

On the surface, that certainly makes more sense.  I just didn't intend for her to go this long with fluid/issues with her ear.  And her speech therapist said that if her ear is full of fluid than it sounds to her like she's underwater.  Which I suppose I already knew.  So, in the next several weeks we will start to try to explain what's going to happen - and I just wanted to give her the best opportunity to hear and be able to understand what we're saying.

But, the thought of having to do the IVs, anesthesia, recovery, etc. twice in 20 days isn't appealing, either.  And I'm thinking that it would only make things more traumatic for her.  So, we'll just have to make do with her hearing and hope that it doesn't become infected in the meantime.  Although now that I'm thinking about it, I guess I could take her to see her pediatrician for antibiotics if that happens.

Changing the subject...

Last night Tom and I went to a MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) event.  Normally we meet once per month - just the moms.  But every year around February, they have a MOPs and POPs event and the dads come, too.  There is a speaker and usually the topic has something to do with marriage.  Last night it was a couple who teaches communication tips for couples.

They had a hand-out and it showed a communication technique that we had to think of something that bothered us and use the format to see if it helped communicate what was the real problem.  They had some good tips - but I'm not sure about this one.  It's called the XYZ technique:

When you do X, in situation Y, I felt Z.

So, this was mine:

I changed "you're selfish" to:  When you only consider how you feel about a dog, when we discussed it last, I feel like you don't want me to be happy.

And this was his:

When you ask me for a dog, everyday (which, for the record isn't true!), I feel like you are trying to kill me.

So, it appears we haven't made any progress towards getting a dog.  And I have had two dreams that we got a puppy in the last week.  One day, we'll have a puppy.  I hope.

Okay, enough yapping, I have to get ready for our road trip.  More later!

Thanks,
Christy