vindication

I think Aunt Shelly sums up
the last post perfectly….Yikes!

We did have a small moment of vindication.

The dogs ate one more thing yesterday –
a large (and very thorny) rose bush.

Last night they kept scratching themselves
(more than usual)
and licking their gums and mouths.
We think it was because of all the thorns.
I admit - I was a little tempted to
give them salt and vinegar chips.

The funny thing is that they destroyed
almost the whole rose bush.
You think they would have
learned a lesson after
the first few thorny bites.

Maybe they are just slow learners.
If so, they are the cutest slow learners
I’ve ever met!

destruction

The dogs Graham and I adopt
usually have destructive tendencies

Let us remember Atticus-
our black Great Dane who
ate a whole through the wall

Kylie and Nigel are no exception.

A few things they have destroyed:

A refrigerator cord

A refrigerator handle

The top railing of a new deck

2 trees (1 indoor and 1 outdoor)

Several baseboards

A bean bag chair

A couple beams from another deck

Many potted plants

A watering pail

Two dog beds

Endless toys and ropes

And now we have two more things to add.

Last week I came home to find our
recliner scattered around the house
thanks to Nigel

Then yesterday Kylie tried to give me
a large bird she had caught and killed

She has always chased birds and finally got one.
The destructive part, however, was that she
plucked the bird down to the skin
before disembodying it

It was the most horrifying thing - ever

When I didn’t take the bird from her,
she tried to take it inside the house.
You can only imagine my screams.

Now my neighbors probably think I am crazy
And now I think my dog is little sadistic

love

I love being pregnant.

I love feeling him squirm and kick.
I love the “alien-like” movements when
he keeps his foot or elbow extended for a
few seconds so I have an odd shaped bump.

I love that he keeps kicking
even when other people
put their hands on my belly.

I love hearing his heart beat
at every doctor appointment,
knowing he is doing great.

I love his kicks when I turn on Pandora Radio
on my iPhone and put it on my belly.
Graham thinks he is kicking because he
doesn’t like my music choice.

He is so active and kicks so much,
I have to try hard not to prescribe
a life of soccer for him.
Yes, I know all babies kick but
our kid is super active all day and night.

Given the fact that he is a Weddick
(Graham plays competitive soccer for two leagues)
and because my brother is an amazing soccer player,
a soccer life seems inevitable.

I have 10 more weeks before my due date.
I am excited to see our son
But I will miss his kicks.

homecomings and new beginnings

With almost poetic timing,
the lemon tree I planted two years ago
is finally producing fruit.

I’m very proud of my first plant
and had to brag by posting pictures!



In a week,
my brother will be home
after spending the last
two years in Russia.

The plan for when he gets home:
Cafe Rio, Family BBQs, card games, soccer,
and updating the photo album.

These are pictures from several
years ago - before we upgraded the camera.

Mom, Dad, and Chris


Chris (Haha bud - this picture rocks!)


Chris and me


Ashley and Chris


Graham and Chris