No news...

Well...apparantly I've been a slacker in regards to my blog. I was told by a good friend yesterday that she has been checking my blog every couple of days to see if I've put an update to Baby Watch 2007... So...to answer everyone's questions that are reading this now - no...he isn't here yet. BUT we do have a light at the end of the tunnel. Unless he decides to come within the next few days, I am being induced on Thursday, July 5. Which means that less than one week from this very moment our little boy will finally be in the world and in our arms!!! Yeah!!! Until then - here are some pictures of Kendall and her Daddy in our community swimming pool.

She just loves to fly!!!

A tribute to Buddy

Approximately 19 months ago, I thought I had done the hardest thing I have ever done - giving birth to my precious daughter. However, what my husband and I had to do today is by far the most difficult thing I can ever imagine. We had our darling 13 year old lab, Buddy, put to sleep. This post is a tribute to Buddy and his life.

The picture above was taken just 9 days after Kendall was born. Although he got a little grumpy with her once she started moving around and pulling on him, Buddy loved Kendall. He would protect her from anything and everything. In the end, and after an anti-dementia drug to help keep him mellow, Kendall could just about do anything to the big guy, and he wouldn't bat an eyelash. He loved her and she loved him. She knew that in the morning when we got her up, Buddy and Chance (our 6 1/2 year old German Shepard/Chow mix) would always be there to greet her. She knew that when she was sitting down to a meal, one or both of the boys would be under her chair waiting for a dropping or two to fall, which she happily did on purpose on many occasions. Unfortunately - she will probably never remember Buddy except in stories we tell her and pictures she sees.

I didn't meet Buddy until he was 8 years old, when Jeff and I started dating. Buddy was a BIG dog - at his heaviest, 95 pounds. But he was all love and energy and happiness. He LOVED chew bones, and would normally finish a decent sized chew bone within 2 or 3 days tops. Jeff loves to tell the story of several Christmas' before we met and a chew bone that was longer than the door frame. Jeff's Mom would buy Buddy one of these chew bones every Christmas. "Buddy would walk around the house as proud as can be with the chew bone in his mouth. Once he got to a doorway, he would bump into it since the chew bone couldn't fit through, then he would tilt his head just enough to angle the chew bone, and off he would go." He would finish one of those bones within a week.

Buddy loved milk bones. There for a time he knew exactly where the milk bone box was. If you mistakenly even said the words "milk bone" he would jump up and run to the cabinet and press his nose against the door, waiting for you to open it. If you asked him, "Buddy, what do you want?" he would bark and then run to the cabinet.

Buddy loved to play football. Although I never saw him at the height of his talent, he was the best catcher I've ever seen in a dog! You could wail a football at him, and he would jump up and catch it in his mouth. Same thing with a tennis ball most of the time. And pull toys...wow...if you wanted to get your arm out of socket...just play with him and a ring or rope.

Jeff crate trained him when he was young...and he never lost his love of his "box." If he was bad or in the way or you just wanted to show off, all you had to say was "Buddy, go to your box" and he would tromp off and lay down in it. And although it was an "eyesore" decoratively - we always had to make sure his box was there for him to go to at anytime - otherwise he just wasn't happy.

There are hundreds of stories and anecdotes I could put into this post. Buddy was a one of a kind dog. Kind and happy and strong and loyal and smart. In the end, besides old age, Buddy suffered from severe arthritis in his shoulders, hips and lumbar/spine; 3 cracked ribs (probably from falling when he couldn't support himself in his last days); a malignant tumor in his lung; and a severe urinary tract infection. Our strong, happy boy became a weak, tired old man in just a matter of months it seems. In the end we decided it was best for Buddy to end his pain and suffering. One of the hardest decisions a person can make. However, we know that he is now back to being strong and young again, and he is chasing squirrels and catching balls for Jesus, and looking down on his family sending us kisses.

Good boy!

I think I need an attitude adjustment...

So we went to the doctor today to see if conditions were "favorable" to have the little guy in my tummy come out and visit the world this weekend. Simple answer...NO. I won't lie...I'm a bit disappointed. And I've tried to say the reason I'm disappointed is because this pretty much means that my OB won't be able to deliver him, as he is out of town the week before I'm due, and isn't on call anytime before that. However - I just need to admit it...I'M TIRED OF BEING PREGNANT!!! I'm tired of getting up 2 or 3 times a night to go potty. I'm tired of not being able to bend over. I'm tired of my hands and ankles swelling up like balloons. I'm just tired. However - this is where I need my attitude adjustment. I apparently am trying to push my timing on this little guy. He, in the meantime, is probably saying to me "Stop pushing me, Mommy! I'm comfortable! I don't want to get out yet! I'll let you know when I'm ready!" And I can see it now - he will be the child I'm going to "push" the rest of his life. Which tells me, that although I have said that I've given it up to God for Him to tell us when the little guy needs to make his big appearance...I really haven't. God may think Pudge needs to go the full 2 1/2 weeks that I have left. He may think Pudge needs to go beyond that. I just need to accept the fact that I'm pregnant (ha!) and be happy with the fact that all signs indicate that Pudge is healthy and strong and have faith that God will take care of both of us. So - no more complaining from me. I'll update you all when Pudge decides to make his big arrival!


Onto my precious girl. Here are her 18 month old pictures. Isn't she a doll???

Discovering Rain...

I think one of my favorite things as a Mom is discovering common things all over again through the eyes of my daughter.

Today it started to rain. First, we went out on the front porch, sat down on the step and stuck our feet out into the rain. "Wa'er" she kept yelling over and over. "Rai'ing" again and again. Every once in a while she would stand up, venture out from beneath the cover of the porch and let some of the rain fall on her head. With a full giggle, she would run back to me and sit down next to me again. Looking out, as I was, across the yard and into the street where sheets and sheets of rain fell on a much needed land. Eventually we came back inside...but the minute I put her down...she ran to the front door. "Nonny, 'ook. Rai'ing!"

So we went out onto the pack porch, and after a little coaxing from me, she started to really experience rain for what it can be. On hot summer days like today - rain is so refreshing it can't help but make you smile. The smell of clean falling from the sky. The feeling that the rain is washing away any problems or worries of the day. Or, from her eyes, a way to play in water that isn't in a bath tub or a pool.

So I took the first plunge and walked out to the edge of our patio where a puddle was forming. I slowly walked around, arms outstretched, smiling again like a child as I saw her look at me with surprise and glee. Then I started stomping my feet in the puddle, letting the water splash up around my ankles. Next thing I know, giggles were filling the air as she ran out into the puddle herself. By this time, I was back under the safety of the roof with my camera and I was able to catch her running back and forth, splashing the water, really enjoying herself.

I hope it rains again soon.

Its a waiting game...

Our little girl sure doesn't seem so little sometimes! We went to Toys R Us on Saturday and picked up a tricycle for her. Although she still doesn't get the whole pushing the pedals thing...she sure loves sitting on it, having her daddy push her around, or she herself pushing or pulling the tricycle around. She is such a hoot!! I just love seeing her in her little helmet!! :) I think that her Daddy looks just as cute in it as well...haha

So we went to the doctor today for my 36 week check-up. While there, we had an ultrasound to determine the size of the baby. "Pudge" is estimated to be 7 pounds 11 ounces at this time...which means he is on track to be as big as or bigger than his big sister, who was born at 9 pounds 12 ounces and 22 inches long. So...next Friday (the 15th), I will go back to the doctor. At that time he will see if my cervix is "favorable" to be induced early (in other words - am I already dilated or effaced?). If it is favorable - we will most likely have the baby that weekend (the 16th or 17th). If not, then he will have me come back in the middle of the next week to check again - at which point we might do another ultrasound for size - and determine what comes next.

At this point...in the next two weeks (especially next week), I plan on doing a lot of walking, eating a lot of spicy foods, force down some eggplant (which I've heard does miracles), and do some other...ahem...natural activities that are normally advised by your doctor. That way when I see my doctor on the 15th, hopefully my cervix will be "favorable" and I can get this beach ball out and about! :)