We Have Puppies!

Two weeks ago we put deposits on two Anatolian Shepherd/Great Pyrenees puppies.  These breeds were developed as Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) and are meant to live with the animals they guard 24/7.  It will be difficult for us, to raise adorable puppies and not bring them in the house for cuddles but we’re up for the challenge!

After realizing we were getting the pups, a sister and brother, I started researching names.  I wanted good strong names that mean defender or protector or the like.  I fell in love with names like Titus (defender) and Argus (vigilant protector) for the boy but the girl name was harder.  I discovered that Trudy means “maiden of the spear” or “strong spear” but I wasn’t sure I loved the name.  The nickname “Tru” sounded kind of cool though.  Still I wasn’t sure.  We need to get to know them I guess.

Yesterday we got to go pick up our 9-week old pups (though one of them ended up NOT being one we chose, there was a mix up, but we’re keeping her and it seems a good fit so far) and bring them home.  Today after church we broke down the stock panels making the goat enclosure and moved them inside the new goat yard and put them back up to make a home for the pups.  The pups kept us company the whole time under Zion’s watchful eye.  We also got the goats’ new stall in the barn ready for them and now they get to sleep in the barn with direct access to their yard.  No more shuffling goats back and forth from the old goat run to the chicken yard and back again at night.  Yay! 

So at the end of the day we were all exhausted!  Evidence:

That’s Titus in the front.  We all loved that name.  The kids wanted to name the girl Leah though and I wasn’t in love with that one, so we compromised.  We’re calling her Trulea (like truly) a combination of the Trudy and Leah.

There will be many more pictures to come of this sweet duo, we’re smitten already!

It Is Done

I sat down with the kids over the weekend and we looked at Towzer’s puppy pictures and laughed about the funny things he would do. 

Monday night we brought him home from the vet where he’d been staying since the incident with Blue.  I didn’t want him around our other pets or our petsitters after that.  But we wanted the kids to have a chance to say goodbye and to get some last photos.  The only one I didn’t photograph with Towzer was Elias, who is so young he wouldn’t remember and is also so young and small that we didn’t want to risk him around Towz.  Mostly because he’s so active and moves so erratically and we don’t know what triggered Towzer to attack our kitten.  Perhaps it was the same thing?  Who knows.

Towzer seemed different. I think I was able to see him through fresh eyes and realize, yeah, he’s in pain and it’s obvious and the time is right for him even if just for that reason.  He had always been the most diligent of guard dogs, never relaxing for even a second lest his family come under an attack (from what, I don’t know).  He deserves his rest.

After the kids, Rob and I had a chance to say goodbye Rob and I drove Towz back to the vet while the kids stayed with a sitter.  And now’s he’s at peace.  And so are we.  Sad, but the house is more peaceful without his intensity and hyper-vigilant guarding of his family.  I do still feel badly that Blue paid for our delaying the inevitable with Towz and try to remind myself to be grateful it was not one of the kids.  Part of me thinks I should have known and part of me thinks there’s no way I could have known that Towz was capable of something so awful.  I don’t know the answer.  All we can do is move on and when I feel overwhelmed (often) I pray to The Comforter for peace beyond understanding.

And ultimately, Towzer WAS a good dog.  A good dog whose pain got to be too much and he just didn’t want his family to know.  We will remember him for the innumerable good things and not the one bad. Moving on…

 

Gobble, Gobble

I know, I know, I’m a bit late.  Thanksgiving was, like, so last month.  Still, I have the pictures so you’re getting’ ‘em.  Especially after wondering the whole week if we would even make it out of our house for Thanksgiving.  That was the week we got all the snow.

Each child go to pack their own bag of things to keep busy, Gideon chose trains and tracks.  Too bad Tantie Jamie won’t fit in the bag for taking back home.

Rob’s Great Uncle Duane didn’t have plans this year, he usually goes to a friend’s house, so he got to join us.  He is the only relative from Rob’s side of the family that lives out here.  I can’t recall exactly how long he has been out here but it’s decades now.  He was a mail carrier for years and it shows.  Every time we receive a letter that has been meticulously addressed, stamped and taped and taped and taped (goodness, what does he think is going to happen to it anyway) and taped, I think he must have taken his job very seriously.

What would Thanksgiving be without an overabundance of electronics.  Hmph.  It’s nice to think about anyway.

Every baby needs Tantie time.

Jamae and Joey, all tuckered out after Joey tried to catch his own Thanksgiving bird.

Not a turkey, Joey!  Not a turkey!!!  This poor guy (a variegated thrush I found out later) was “invited” to Thanksgiving by Joey.  By invited I mean batted multiple times to drop him from a thick bush, carried at top speed across the yard and then wrenched from Joey’s mouth by Carol, Jamie’s friend.  I didn’t hold out hope for this fellow, one leg seemed odd but there was no blood and his feathers were a mess which made it hard to tell if there were breaks so I put him in a box in a dark, quiet room for a while.  Carol and Zion went to check on him and we heard what seemed like feathers and little birdie nails scratching on the cardboard.  I think it was Carol who screamed a little and then Zion came walking out and breathlessly stated “I think he woked up.” 

He did seem more alert and upright so we put the box out in the front where Joey couldn’t get him and opened the flaps checking on him periodically.  Finally on one trip out the box was empty.  Fly away little bird (and stay out of THIS yard from now on). 

Just a little excitement to make this Thanksgiving memorable.

Catching Up

I know I've got a lot of catching up to do. Zion is sick this morning. Has been for weeks really but just in the last few days her fever has been worse so she's kind of homebound (gee, this seems to be a pattern when Rob gets to come home. Last time it was Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. Ugh!) The doctor that saw her on Friday tested her for Strep and Mono and ran a CBC. Strep and Mono came back negative, the CBC showed slight anemia. Her temp was 102.5 then. Since then it's been running around 100 to 101.5. She has a wicked cough. So the doctor's conclusion was that she may have a little pneumonia and if she isn't better after a few days to bring her back in for x-rays. A few days puts us right about the time we're supposed to leave for a few days on the coast. Naturally. So when she still had a temp this morning I went on her ped's website and schedule her an appointment for tomorrow. I'm hoping that she'll have a miraculous recovery and be fine tomorrow morning and we can cancel her appointment and pack for our trip.

Anyway, my point is that I'm stuck at home with Zion while Gideon naps and Rob and Gabe went to church. Might as well take the opportunity to update the ol' blog. Warning: this post is picture heavy!

The other morning I was nursing Gideon in the rocker in my room when Zion woke up and screaming her head off started calling for me. I asked Gabe if he would go in and talk to her while I finished with Gideon. Things got quiet but for the occasional giggle. When I finished I found them in a dark room watching the little projection on the ceiling from Zion's "birdy box". That's what we call the little Fisher Price soother that attaches to her crib and plays music and shows a light up scene on the ceiling. Gabe had managed to get Zion's ginormous pink Pegasus into her crib and they were both nestled in and watching the "movie". How sweet!

"Got pots and pans in my rock and roll band!" Some lyrics from one of our favorite Children's music CDs Dog Train by Sandra Boynton. Gideon was definitely gettin' his rock on this day. Bang! Bang! Bang! goes the pots and pans while he laughed and laughed.

Until, of course, it was time to taste them.

Speaking of tasting, guess who has FIVE teeth! Well, I guess technically we all have five teeth and more but Gideon has busted through three on the top to add to the two on the bottom and last I checked 3+2=5! What a little snaggletooth.

All the better to bite you with! Or at least annihilate the few pieces of brownie I let him try the other day.
And some banana, one of his favorite foods.

Zion kicks back after finishing a meal.

Gabe has been mastering scissoring and gluing lately. He loves to draw and then cut out of the pieces and glue them together. This little guy is a Bob-omb from, you guessed it, a Mario game.

Zion got washable markers for Christmas so I can stop making her cry by telling her she can't use Gabe's which are so not washable that I now have permanent colors on my nice dining room table. Lovely.

Gabe and Zion really enjoy the AquaDoodle mat. They get to color with the water pens and it just dries up in a little while and they can do it again. And Mama doesn't have to clean up a mess.

I suppose I should be honest and confess that Rob's being home isn't the only thing keeping me away from posting this last week. In November I took a knitting class but had a hard time picking it up outside of the class and had a harder time finding a sitter so I could get to class again. In December I was determined to keep it up but then forgot my knitting at my sister's at Christmas. Jamie got me a book called Stitch N' Bitch which is a title I can't even say in front of my children but is excellent and I've referenced it on many occasions. Now I want the other titles, Stitch N' Bitch Crochet: Happy Hooker (OK, I want this one the least but the naughty side of me likes to say the title so I included it), Stitch N' Bitch Nation and Son of a Stitch N' Bitch.

I also discovered Ravelry and Knitting Help. The last one has really great video clips for people like me who get home from and can't even remember how to 'knit' or 'purl' let alone fix a mistake or attempt something like cabling. But, you may recognize that the above photo of my very first project ever does indeed have a cable (that's the chunky twist up the middle of the scarf). And now I want to shout from the rooftops "I'm doing it! I'm doing it!" because I never thought that I could and look - it's working! Since I took that picture I've multiplied the length by about five times and I'd say it's about half way done (and it doesn't really flare at the bottom, it's just an odd picture). Yesterday I bought yarn and needles for my next project which will be a simple rib stitched neckwarmer only to add in a challenge it will have buttonholes and buttons. I'm trying not to think about that though. I haven't even bound off my first project yet. One thing at a time.

Zion my fashion diva. Had to sneak in this picture when she wasn't looking or I knew I wouldn't get one at all. When she out grew the hat I added it to her dress up collection so now she wears it with random outfits.

Gideon loves these little "pancake puffs" that I make. I freeze the extra and they make great teethers. One of these days I'll try them with whole wheat so they'll be a little more healthy but by the time I get around to that he'll probably have his driver's license - ha ha.

Look who joined our family!

For about 30 hours anyway. Gotcha for a second didn't I? We just got to puppy sit this cutie for a little while. Neither Zion or Gabe wanted him to go home. In fact, I don't think Towzer did either. Personally I was quite fine with him heading for home. His little visit cemented in my mind that I don't want a puppy any time soon. Not that he was bad or anything, just one more thing to take care of and I need that right now like I need a hole in the head.

But Champ the pup and Towzer had a blast playing in the yard sometimes running into each other like demolition cars.

Zion especially loved having Champ around. When he was in his kennel in the living room she would take her block puzzle over there and simply play in front of his door for an hour or more.


And she just stood in the yard laughing at the Champ and Towzer play until I drug her back in due to the cold.

Miss Me?

I didn't realize just how long it had been since I'd posted - yikes! What could possibly be keeping me so busy? Maybe this will give you a clue:

Yes. That's me and Rob. No, this is not an old picture. Tee hee. Rob is home on leave and we have been having a blast having him home. Tonight the two of us got to go out to dinner and do a little shopping, mostly for Gabe's birthday which is coming up.

But back to dinner. Our favorite restaurant is Mama Stortini's. I made the reservation weeks ago, before I was even sure that Rob's leave would bring him home on time. I couldn't take any chances with it being Valentine's Day. And it's a good thing. I overheard that if you didn't have a reservation the soonest you could be seated was 10PM, more than five hours after our reservation. Worth it if you're waiting for their Adriatic Chicken, my hands down favorite menu item. Tonight I ordered the filet mignon, prawns, rosemary mashed potatoes and asparagus. Rob had the cedar plank salmon.

Please stop drooling, it's getting all over your keyboard.

The kids have been getting their share of Daddy too. First, we got to pick Rob up at the airport on Tuesday afternoon. The gleeful shouts of "Daddy!" coming from the back seat brought a little joy to the load/unload zone at SeaTac. The next day we went out to lunch and the whole lot of us, even Towzer, went to the park. We were blessed with a sunny day. Unexpected since the day before it was snowing.

Whee!

Quite the look of mischief there, Gabe.

One of the best photos of the whole day.

Towzer got to try out the Gentle Leader that the behaviorist recommended. I don't know why I didn't try this before, I used something similar on a previous dog. He hated it but seemed to be getting used to it by the end. I'm hoping he'll figure out that when he wears it that it means that he gets to be with us.

Is there a limit to how cute one baby can be? If there is, he just passed it.

Too bad Towz moved his big noggin in the way at the last second. Stinker.

Towzer

Remember a while back when I reported that our dog, Towzer, had nipped Gabe? Well I sought a recommendation for a behavior specialist at our vet's office and received the name of Kathy Sdao at Bright Spot Dog Training. Towzer and I met with her on Wednesday and I fought the urge to slap my forehead through much of our meeting. A lot of what she recommended were things that we used to do with Towz. Feeding him using food puzzle toys (he's ultra smart and needs to have that mental stimulation) and playing games. Her training philosophy is a stark contrast to the trainer we used when Towzer was a pup and that is a good thing. No, a GREAT thing. Against my instincts that trainer convinced us to use techniques that I was uncomfortable with and ended up having a detrimental effect on Towzer and his trust of us. We have lots of "homework"to do but I am confident that we're on the right track now. He is such a very cool dog as anyone who has met him agrees (well, except for maybe Nora but that's just because she's the antithesis of a dog-person but she's my best friend, what can ya do?).

Look at that handsome mug!

Cooling off last summer with Gabe.

Maisy and Towzer, best friends.

A Quickie

I had to pay bills tonight. Blech! One of my least favorite things to do as far as chores go. Maybe actually my very least. As in I'd rather clean the toilet kind of least. But at least it's done. Well until they start coming in for next month. *sigh* Still, we are blessed to have enough and some extra after all the checks are written so I shouldn't complain. Anyway, I didn't intend to write about my bills tonight. I did want to say that I have had Towz vetted to make sure his surliness of late doesn't have a physical cause. There is none that was discovered so I talked with a behaviorist today and have a consult schedule where she can meet him and give us some things to try. I was relieved to hear from this woman that she will be frank if she feels that Towz cannot be made happy in our family again and will suggest that we rehome him if that's the case. I hope that is not the case but still, I'm glad that she is realistic.

Gabe had swim class tonight. While we were all getting in the car I hear him suddenly burst out in song "1, 2, cha, cha, cha!" I crack up laughing because I've never heard that and have no idea where he came up with it so naturally, it was the soundtrack of the evening.

A couple of days ago I kept Zion busy while her lunch was being nuked cooking by teaching her ring-around-the-rosy. Well, I think I can quit the gym 'cause she loves it and that's all she wants to play. Except for brief breaks to sing the Rock A Bye Your Bear song by the Wiggles. She does the motions and everything and that is just about the cutest thing ever. One day I will get some sort of video device and get some videos on this here blog, I promise.

Fun At Home

It has to be at home since right now two out of three kiddos are sick. Just the sniffles and, naturally, Zion is running a temp off and on because that is what she does. Still, despite having to cancel a ton of activities we're having fun at home.


On Saturday Gideon got to try a sippy cup for the first time. He took to it right off! Of course, he still needs to learn how to actually tip the cup and swallow instead of letting it all run down his chin but BOY did he have fun!

"Look, Ma, no hands!"

Sometime over the weekend we also discovered something that he won't eat (this and peas) - jarred macaroni and cheese. Can't say as I blame him. It really, really didn't look at all appealing.

March of the chewy-fruity-multi-colored Snoopies. He is just the sweetest boy! And funny, too, I wish you could experience him fully. The blog doesn't do him, or any of them, true justice.

Still have some elephant love goin' on big time! With...

or without the paci. Funny story about the elephant. I always worry that we'll forget it somewhere or worse lose it entirely. Well, when we visited my sister over my birthday we forgot the elephant at her house when we left. I was concerned since we weren't due to visit again until Christmas, weeks later. I was surprised that night at bedtime when this girl, who didn't use to be able to leave the room without her "e'phant", didn't ask for it. Not that night, or the next, or the next. I was clueless as to why not but didn't want to ask her for fear of reminding her of what she was missing. Fast forward a couple of weeks to the Tuesday before Christmas. We drove to my sister's house through a snow storm and the foot of snow my sis had in her neighborhood and finally made it to her empty house. I had prepped the kids that "Tantie" wouldn't be there until later and started unpacking them and the car. Once Zion hit the house she started walking from room to room presumably to find Jamie. The next load I brought into the house she had just come from the family room, scanning away with those blue eyes of her, she looks up and asks "Where my e'phant?" Well, blow me down! She'd known the whole time she had forgotten it at Jamie's, that's why she hadn't asked for it at home. Smartie pants.

Last week my friend Laura (of Laura and Joe prayer request fame) and her two boys came over to play. This is Colton and Gideon checking each other out. We had so much fun entertaining them, Laura is definitely a "fill you up" kind of friend. With all she is going through with Joe's health and his care she never fails to leave me feeling better when we part than when we got together. Seriously, we all need more friends like that (I hope I'm a friend like that).

Gideon got to fingerpaint the other day. I needed some time to work in the kitchen so I plopped some food on the tray and let him go at it. He definitely doesn't have the same texture issues that Gabe did - tee hee.

He is also a HUGE fan of those little cereal puffs that come in a can. Oh my goo'ness, I have to cut him off. He'd eat the whole can if I let him and he's so darn cute about. The second I put some on his tray he lunges at them with both hands and practically vibrates with joy. Of course, he vibrates with joy about many things but still.

Ever had a bad hair day? I tried to talk Gabe into leaving it like this but he wasn't convinced. This was before the hair cut I gave him the other day.

Zion still thinks that the best way to handle your hair is to wear a hat.

Whether or not it is actually a hat or the bag for your markers like above or one of Gideon's nesting toys.

It has been sunny the last few days so it's hard to realize that this was just a couple of weeks ago. Now the snow is gone and you can see that I really should have raked the last of the leaves before winter hit! Now they're just slime piles - ew! OK, maybe I shouldn't have shared that. I just ruined the pretty snowy picture didn't I?

I so wanted to caption this with Shel Silverstein's too many elbows in this tub poem but only because it was so adorable when my friend Amber did it on her blog a while back. *sigh* I just can't get myself to copycat.

Well, I hope you enjoyed some of the fun that's going on in our home lately. We do have something going on that's not so fun. I hesitate to mention it really but it's so been on my mind. Last Wednesday our beloved knucklehead mutt, Towzer, nipped Gabe. Didn't break the skin but still, if I think he'll bite again I simply can't have him in our house with three kids. Tomorrow he has an appointment at the vet to rule out a physical cause of his attitude lately (he's seemed a bit off to me, even before this happened) and then we'll see a behavior specialist. I am not the type to can him because of this, I don't believe you should have a dog if you feel like they are disposable that way, but I do have to figure out if he's a good match for our family. He may be happier in a home without kids. So, that's what's on my mind.