Gimpy

Wow, what a morning! Today started off as an innocent play date with some friends from church. Since the weatherman was wrong and no rain was coming we decided to head to a "nearby" park. Well, actually that park wasn't so nearby. On the other side of the community, to be exact. And we brought little boys who had to walk/ride bike...you do the math. Enough said.

Anyways, I decided to bring along Charlie Bear, feeling guilty that he would be crying at the back window as he watched us walk on down the bike path. He's a lazy dog anyways,he'd probably just sleep under the slide in some shade at the park...or so I thought.

Okay, on with the story. So we arrive, at the park finally, and I realize the park is gated, so I decided to let my sweet goldie off his leash to run around a bit. When you live in a townhome you take advantage of moments like this to let your pup run free.
We get there and one of the little guys says "Mommy, I need to go potty." Mind you we are 2 miles away from home. I know you totally saw that coming, didn't you? Let's just say the bushes were fertilized. Meanwhile, Charlie decides he isn't a dog but a playful child and runs up to the top of the playground and jumps off the top of the slide. From there he jumps up onto the picnic table where I then see blood. Lots of blood.
My crazy dog gets a little too excited when he's at the park with his little friends. I realize whatever he did to his paw it was bad. I poured water on it and it continued to bleed. The other boy by this point had peed his pants. I tied C-man up and leave Anya at the park with my friends so that I can run back to the house and get the van to take him to the vet-Blessing #1. I start to run away and realize I don't have my car keys. I remember thinking how relieved I was that I noticed that before I got home. Then I start running while calling the vet. Or I should say trying to call the vet. I got a new phone yesterday...figured out how to use it in an emergency is so much fun!!!;-)

So I run home, cutting through yards to make the 2 mile walk faster. All the while picturing hyper Charlie bleeding all of the park. Not cool. I get home only to see that my friend's cars are parked in the driveway blocking my van inside the garage. How was I to get it out? Run all the way back to the park and get their keys, and then run back again? So I decide to go to my AMAZING neighbors house who seriously deserves a trophy or something. She gives me her keys and tells me without hesistation to use her car- Blessing #2. I grab some bags and paper towels to wrap up Charlie's foot and head off to the park.

By the time I got there his bleeding was starting to clot...thank God because I didn't know how I would get him to the vet fast enough if it wasn't- Blessing #3. I go to wrap up Charlie's foot...darn foot wouldn't stay in those bags no matter how tightly I tied the knot. I didn't want to get blood on the seat of my friend's car but we made it work so that wouldn't happen...thank goodness for rubber floor mats. We get home where I am able to wash off his paw with the hose, drop Anya off at my amazing neighbors house, and head for the vet.

Turns out he broke off two of his nails...no wonder it was a huge bleeder! But he didn't need stitches and no broken bones- blessing #4. He is now wrapped up in a bandage and taking it easy, gimping around the house. The dr and I laughed afterwards. She said she felt like a pediatrician! Now I can tell everyone my pooch hurt himself on the playground. Ha! Blessing #5 is that the bill was under $100...you never know how much those visits will cost! Blessing #6 was that God protected our babies at the park!
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Oh gimpy Charlie, no more slides for you!

Welcome Spring!

It's only March and I can say that Spring has arrived here in Chicagoland. Mid-70s for the week...I'll take that any day! Some say the cold will come back in April, I like to be optimistic and say the cold winter days are gone and only warm days are ahead. My crocuses are blooming and tulips and daffodils are taking off! They sure do love this weather too. Every evening we've gone for walks as a family (that's how we end each day in the summer...so it's nice to know that is just around the corner).
Today Anya had her first encounter with grass. She didn't like it too much!

This age makes playing outside difficult. She's still a crawler which makes everything in the grass that much more tempting to put in her mouth. But she's much too active to be restrained to a small area like I tried today. She's going to be an adventurous monkey like Daddy!

I broke out my gardening tools to do some much needed work on our garden. I can't wait to plant our tomatoes and herbs!

Happy Spring!

Dear Anya, Happy TEN Months!

Dear Anya,

You turned 10 months old yesterday! We're talking double-digits now. The reason for my late posting is because we were in Ohio because your Great Grandpa passed away. We stayed with our relatives for the entire week and you did wonderful, even though you are getting four new teeth on the top...OUCH! You enjoyed seeing tons of new faces and playing with cousin Luke. Auntie Cindy and Uncle Tony were thrilled as always to see you and kiss your chubby cheeks!

This month you have become Mommy's little chimp, as you love to cling to my hip. You are becoming a lot better at standing and sitting on your own and are crusing along furniture at times. It won't be long until you are walking on your own! In the beginning of the month you had your first terrible cold that lasted nearly two weeks, but you were such a trooper like always! You have to be the happiest, most adaptable baby ever (7 hour car ride both ways to Ohio and new environment for a week, plus teething proved this point!)

This month you have started to become a little chatter box! You say "Momma" in context now. I love it! We have also heard you say "Hi", "all done", "more", "uh-oh", and most recently "Dadda". It's about time with that one! I feel like I say it to you all the time, but you just look at me most of the time and say "Momma". When we were in Ohio I heard you say "Dadda" a few times, but since Daddy wasn't with us he missed it!

You are so social Anya...especially with your little baby friends! It's so adorable to watch you literally light up when you see another baby or toddler! Daddy and I are praying that God will provide us with siblings for you.

You have also really started to fill out this month, probably from all of the food you eat! You wear size 12-18 months. You love everything from spaghetti to pesto chicken and everything in between. I would say with you when food has more flavor you enjoy it more. I don't blame you one bit! By the end of this month you will be completely weaned...so sad but what a blessing I was able to nurse you for 11 months! You were such a fussy nurser in the beginning but we kept at it because I new it was best for you. I am so glad I did!

I am starting to plan your first year birthday party which is going to be a very girlie party filled with vintage pieces and hints of giraffe (I had to include your famous Giraffy photos somehow!) I can't believe I am already talking first birthday with you. It went so fast, but at the same time it's hard to remember life before you. You are such a blessing and a joy to spend everyday at home with.

I love you!
Love,
Mommy