Diary of a weenie dog

My name is Summer. I am a daschund. I am spoiled. Not as spoiled as I used to be, but spoiled none the less. I love kids, especially my Kyle. He is so funny. He loves kisses and laughs when he tricks me. By tricking me I mean this- the takes a piece of food, pretends he is going go give it to me, and then runs off laughing when he decides not to. I am OK with it though, mostly because I know I could take him down if I really wanted it. Like maybe if it was a piece of jerky. Or a hot dog. I love to go for walks and am getting used to the idea of running beside a bike for a weekly outing with the family. I like being in front though. I am not that much into chasing the ball, but I love a good game of tug-of-war as well as going crazy on the rope. Yep, I have it pretty good.

My name is Sadie. I am a chiweenie. I am not sure if I am a Mexican, a German, or an American. Or what language I understand. I am the first child, though I did have to give up some of my attention when Kyle was born. I told my mom that she was in labor, but she didn't listen. Now she realizes that I am not the only one that doesn't listen! That Kyle, man, he is a goldmine. He sits in his highchair and always shares with Summer and I. Mostly me though, because surely he loves me more. Right? I live for the ball, which is funny because I did not care for the ball when I was itty bitty. Now my mom says I must be part Lab. Like Summer, I love to go for walks and runs on the bike. If I am in the back though I am determined to get into the lead. I could probably pull mom and Kyle up a hill by myself if my darn collar would not choke me! I cannot help it though, it is in my nature. I am spoiled too, especially since I get to sleep in the big bed with mom and dad. I tunnel way down to the bottom of the bed and sleep on dad's side. He calls me his little foot warmer. I wont sleep on mom's side because she kicks too much. I learned that fast!

If we ever do anything funny I am sure that mom will update this blog thing for us. What is a blog? Can we eat it?

Mommy Musings

Do you ever look into the face of your child and feel so much love that you just burst into tears?

I have done that so many times in the last year that I couldn't keep count if I tried. I know it is abnormal because I am not an overly ga-ga woman when it comes to babies. However, when it comes to my baby I am a total sap. He smiles a certain way and it makes my heart melt. He cries because he is hurt and it makes my heart break. He sleeps in absolute peace and my heart is at rest. Amazing as it may seem, one little person can invoke any emotion imaginable.

Do you ever look into the face of your child and feel so much frustration that you simply feel like bursting?

Oh sometimes that boy is, well, such a boy! Today I had him throw his own diaper away and for the rest of the day he thought all his toys belonged in the garbage too! I guess I am just a good teacher, huh? Lately he has been fussy for seemingly no reason too. It is never predictable. It is always at sporadic times of day. I hope he is getting more teeth because then I have a reason and it makes sense. In the meantime it is hard not to just get frustrated. "Hold me Mommy" is his motto in the afternoons, which is great since I have 6 hands to get dinner ready with. This too shall pass. Someday I will be wishing that he still needs me so much.

Boys are gross!

I know that boys are made of snakes, snails, and puppy dog tails. I signed a contract when I brought Kyle home from the hospital stating that I would not deny him snakes, snails, or puppy dog tails. Much to Larabee's dismay (he hates snakes, which is funny because he is also a boy....strange). Also, much to Sadie and Summer's dismay. Their poor tails....

Anyway, about boys. Kyle loves gross things. I mean it too! He loves to let the dogs lick him. On the mouth. IN the mouth. He will 'kiss' them with his mouth open so they will lick him in the mouth. What is up with that?

Umm, he still puts everything in his mouth. And I mean everything. Sidewalk chalk (thank God for non-toxic), dog bones, sticks, rocks, his toys, other people's toys, his shoes, his socks, his toes, MY toes. Honestly, if he will put anything in his mouth why on earth does he still have a problem with eating rice. I dont get it!

Now this is almost too embarassing to write. I must now though, because I dont want to leave you hanging. He has always been infatuated with the dog's water dish. We tell him no on a regular basis and have even instated time outs to deal with this issue. Well, we have a new issue. If the bathroom door is left open Kyle will go play in his newly found water dish. Also known as the TOILET! I wash it often, but gross gross gross ick ick ick. I am soooo thinking of Disney's Tarzan when the baby elephant says "Are you sure this water is sanitary? It looks questionable to me!" Yep, that pretty much hits the nail on the head. Then, to top it off, he has to get his hands washed. Do you think that is punishment? Ummm, no. Not in the slightest. In fact, I think the last time he got into the toilet was because he knew he would get to play in the elusive running water if he did. The kid is smart, but if he only knew......

Marley & Me!!!

All I can say is "Wow". And *sniff sniff*. And *tear tear*. And *sigh*.

Marley & Me is hands-down the BEST movie I have seen in a long time. You laugh, you cry, you reminisce, you scowl, you shake your head, you have sympathy, you rejoice, you feel the character's pain, you hope that you are never in those situations, you wish you could have what they have. It is simply a 'whole' movie, if you will.

If you have not read the book this movie was based on, READ IT! If you have ever owned, petted, walked, talked to, held, or even seen a dog from across a field, this movie and/or book will tug at every heart string you have. Do not, however, come crying to me if one of those heart strings breaks.

Oh yeah, and Owen Wilson is pretty cute in this movie too, so that helps :)

So, 2009, and all that Jazz

You know what I love about New Years? I feel like it is a total fresh slate and we get to start all over. Isn't that strange though? Tomorrow morning I will not wake up not knowing what I did today. If I was an awful person today, I will likely be an awful person tomorrow. I am reminded though of a Quote from one of my all-time favorite mini-series. It is Anne of Green Gables. Strangely enough, I have never read all the books. Can that be a resolution? Anyway, Marilla and Anne are speaking about one of Anne's many mistakes and Marilla says "Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it." How great is that. Even on your worst day, there is still tomorrow and tomorrow can be great. AMEN! So, that applies to the New Year too. 2009, here I come!
So I guess when it comes to my resolutions here goes:

1) I am going to *try* to read all of the "Anne" books. I know that my mom had the entire series all of my life and I walked by them nearly every day without giving them a second thought. Literally- they were on a bookshelf next to our bedroom door. I never got past book #2, so this year, I will try. I will NOT, however, try to read Pride and Prejudice again- sorry Tara Jean, I just cannot do it!

2) I am going to strive to be a better Mom, Wife, and person in general. I will limit my computer time but not limit the time I spend playing with Kyle. Dishes be damned! I will hold Larabee's hand more often just so he knows I love that he is there beside me. I will not yell at stupid people on the road, even if they are not good drivers who are risking my life and my child's just by being on the road. I don't believe in flipping people off to begin with, so I don't need to stop doing that, I just need to stop doing it mentally. Yes, I admit, I think dirty thoughts-well, OK mean thoughts, but dirty ones too ;)

3) I will play with my dogs more. I have two now and they need to be played with more. The darlings, all they want is attention and love- which they do get, don't get me wrong- but I will strive to give them more. Even if that means being in the middle of a rope tug of war, with one in each hand because they refuse to play tug of war with each other.

4) I will be more organized. I do pretty well, but some things always slip through the cracks. Like washing the sheets. Gross, i know. I did write it on the calender though so that i would not have an excuse next week. Ha! I am already doing better! I will update you in a week to let you know if I stuck by that resolution LOL

5) I will quit saying I will do things only to put them off. Instead I will just do them. I need to be more accountable to myself. If I don't take care of the things that I am supposed to in a timely manner than I will have to go to bed. For the rest of the day. While Kyle is at Grandma's. Oh wait, that isn't punishment. Dang it!

OK, well, that is 5. I am sure there are more things I could work on but lets not get ahead of ourselves. Besides, all I really want to do is be a better person and learn and grow (not in size, but in spirit- unless I get pregnant, than size is OK too). Last year was nowhere close to perfect, so I hope that this year will sort of give us a break. Last year was wonderful too, so I hope that this year will be more wonderful! Do I ask too much? Luck is when preparation meets opportunity so hopefully we have some of that this year! And hopefully you all do to! Happy New Year everyone!

"Father Hood"-Patrick Swayze circa 1993

We have Netflix. The reason we have Netflix is to be able to watch the latest movies as soon as they come out. Well, except for this one. Now, I am not the biggest P.S. fan- I do LOVE Dirty Dancing and he was alright in Black Dog, but other than that I can take him or leave him. Of course, I will totally take him if I got to play Baby on Dirty Dancing- fun fun!

Anyhow- that was off topic!

A few months ago we went to Cascade Caverns, which is just West of San Antonio. It was a quaint little family owned joint that was pretty podunk, but that was part of it's charm. When we were taking the tour the guide told us that this movie called "Father Hood" had scenes that were filmed there. We put it on our Netflix list as soon as we got home. But we are high-graders. We kept bumping it down the list so that we could satisfy our need to have the newest thing available.

Last week I noticed that it had crept back up to the top of the list, like the proverbial tortoise, slowly overtaking the hare. The hare being all the cool new movies that everyone has to see first so they can be the 'cool' person. I was going to bump it back down, you know, put it in it's place. I think that I was, however, in a mood that made me really feel for the underdog. I probably just got done watching Oprah- that will make you want to go buy every bum on the street dinner at a five star restaurant(which would get expensive in San Antonio!). Damn Oprah.

I let "Father Hood" remain at the #1 position. I let the underdog be top dog. I put the second string in for the big game. I am heading toward sainthood I tell ya!

Turns out this movie was really pretty good. With the exception of the corny fighting and bad stunts and special effects that are pretty much part of any movie from the 80's and early 90's. And with the exception of Patrick's hair. Gross and oily. Bleh.

It was pretty neat to see the park the way it was in the movie and the way it was when we were there too. Sort of like being able to say, "Hey, I knew that girl and now she is on TV". I feel a connection with the movie. Especially the dinosaur at the entrance to the park (which is now located by the old gift shop amid a huge prickly pear cactus). So, if you get a chance, watch it!

Holiday Bliss

So much for posting every day. I will try to get better though, I promise!

Our Christmas was wonderful, as usual. Well, I guess this one was more wonderful because Kyle is big enough to participate. He got lots of fun presents and had a great time opening them. He got some books, toys, golf balls, etc. He loved the tradition of eating cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning and ate almost a whole one by himself (bad Mommy!). We got some good video of him and lots of pictures.

For Christmas dinner we went to the RV lodge and did a potluck with everyone in the park. There was a ton of good food and, best of all, very little clean-up for us! Yay! After dinner there was karaoke and Mom and I stayed down there and sang a few songs. It was pretty fun.

The day after Christmas we headed up to Northern Texas to spend a few days with a friend's family. They live in the country and have about 47 acres, so it was great to get away from it all. We have spent most of our lives 'away from it all', so it was a great little mini-vacation for us. The dogs got to spend a lot of time just running and exploring. Kyle got to do the same, though he cannot quite run yet. It was great to spend time with Wayne and Sage, getting to meet Al, Gail, and Wendy, and getting to recharge our souls. If we cannot spend Christmas at home at least we got to spend Christmas around family and friends. We had a lot of fun, Kyle had a blast, and the dogs were in heaven. What more could we ask for!