Normally I try to joke and be clever & witty on this blog, but circumstances have changed and this is a very sad and emotional time for us. Half the reason I started this was to use as Ryan's baby book, another 1/4 was to keep the family updated, and the rest was to keep me from getting bored at work....so in the spirit of all three I tell the sad story of our sometimes beloved dog Steve:
As much as we complain about our obnoxious dog, we love him dearly, which is evident from how hard I cry when telling anyone our situation, or even think about it. Steve was our rightful first born, our baby. From the minute we got him (6 weeks old) he went everywhere with us-every single vacation-Orlando, Sea Side, Sarasota, Daytona, St. Mary's, Asheville, Savannah...etc...and every destination, he was a rock star! We always felt like celebrities when he was with us because we couldn't take two steps without people coming up to us asking about him...and they would remember his name..so if we bumped into them later we would hear a shout out, "STEVE!!!". We knew when we got pregnant, the biggest obstacle would be Steve. I had a sneaky feeling it would be bad, and it was. His jealousy early on was obvious, but so was his protective instinct, which meant barking at everything as an alarm! Loud and not conducive to having a newborn in the house. All of that we could live with. Ryan and Steve had a weird relationship-she LOVED him and he was terrified of her, which somehow always worked. But since Ryan has become mobile Steve sees her every move as a threat and his toys existence threatened. He recently has become aggressively territorial of his space and toys. At this point if he were to get a toy of hers, forget getting it back because your hand would be bit off. And while he brings his throw toys to her to toss, and she does, she now proceeds to follow it and try to get it back, which makes Steve growl and snap...one time catching her hand. I think it scared her more than anything, but seeing his increasing aggressiveness and her getting more and more mobile, I foresee a standoff that I cannot allow to happen. So the worst decision we have to make to date has come upon us and Steve has to go. Just writing this makes me insanely sad and poor Jamey, while he agrees with me doesn't want to be around. This is something that has to be done...for Ryans sake, for our sake and for poor Steve. I think Jamey and I will be fine, miss him obviously, but as long as we know he is going to be loved and cared for, can handle this-it HAS to happen. Even knowing that, doesn't make this any easier. He really is a good dog, who was spoiled beyond belief and now cant handle not being top dog in the house anymore. It is our fault, really, and I just hope we make the right decision regarding his future...hopefully, I'm praying, it all works out for the best!
I cannot tell yet if Ryan's remembers her grandparents from trip to trip. Probably not yet. But even so, every time they visit, she adores these people!! All I know she gives them the best hugs!!! The only problem with that is, they never want to leave! :)
the girlies will play! Jamey is officially into his Spring Season, which leaves Ryanbug and I alone on the weekends. So instead of sittin around the house crying about it, we headed to the park for a bit of exercise. We struggled a bit (we will get better)...first we left (Jamey left) the stroller at the house and didnt realize it until we got to park (I know what you are going to ask...why was it not in the back of the car like always? ALL I can do to not ask that question), after spending 45 min to go home get the stroller, now we are back at the park...whew. Our walk was awesome, Ryan was waving at everyone and everything-people, kids, dogs, lamp posts...she spreads the love equally. A hour later, it was time to rest. I laid out a blanket to chill on and as soon as I sat her down, took two pictures (see above) she began to shovel in acorns in her mouth like she was preparing for winter. Once I rooted them all out, I realized that she just couldnt help herself and everything was going in her mouth it was time to go! Sadly. Worth the trip back for the stroller?? absolutely! Just next time I will bring a small rake and check the trunk before we go!
is one big fat cat. I know I have posted pictures before of these two-but since Steve has been gone, our cats are totally different. They hang out with us more, and are back to their loving selves...as you can see from these pictures. Ryan has her bear (Betty) AND Patty the puppy to fall asleep on, but now that Arjuna is around-who wouldn't want to sleep with that??? That right there is 32 pounds of lovin'!!!!!!!!!!!
Even though I am a girl, and have been doing my own hair since I was 10 or so, I have NO IDEA what to do with this child's hair. Now that it is longer, and I do not want to cut it because I want it to get past the "in between"phase....but it is OUT OF CONTROL!!!!
Here is Ryan looking back at Steve just moments before he left us and a few of her last night with her beloved dog. It was heartbreaking for Jamey and I and we are so thankful Ryan doesn't understand. It is so quiet in the house now, too quiet. It amazes me what people are willing to put up with for the ones we love. We lived with what can only be described as a high pitched doggie alarm for years, and now miss that horrible sound. He was a great dog, and will continue to be a great dog-just not with us....damn..now I'm crying...again...
After a crazy cold spell had us trapped in the house for weeks, when we heard it was going to be near 80, we headed to our nearest park! Got out the bubbles and the camera and enjoyed the day! As wonderful as it was to get out of the house into some warm weather, 80 gets hot quick! How does it go from 19 to 80??? It seemed the entire town was out and about and half were completely confused on how to dress...myself included-as if we didn't trust the weatherman...most continued to wear sweaters!! Man, did we look silly!
Seriously, look at her, she looks at least 18 months! Geez-she is only 10 months!!! This is the first time she has worn a dress in months (she usually wears jeans) so I had no idea really that she had such chunk-a-monk legs! Dontcha just wann eat em??
Ahhh...to be a kid again, where the simplest objects thrill and delight!! Bubbles are just the ticket, and dont think for a second I didn't go out and purchase the mega bubble wand accessory kit! I have now over 20 wands to choose from, of coarse, they all pretty much blow round soapy bubbles...hmm...doesn't sound so cool when you write it down, but trust me, if you were in the store, you would have bought them too!
