Just Like Her

Yesterday I was driving to Baltimore and was unable to blog; but I wanted to write a little something for Mother's Day.

The last 6 years I have been on the opposite side of the country from my mother. So Mother's Day is usually a card and a phone call. This year wasn't any different; however, this year I get to see my mother a few days after Mother's Day. She will be flying in for my graduation. I can't wait to see her!


As I become an adult I have realized how much I am like my mother. OH NO! When this started happening a while ago I was worried...I can't be like her she is crazy (is what I thought). But as I continue to learn and grow I realize that I have a lot of great qualities that come from my mother. So I suppose I can't be too upset that I am just like her. She also gives her unconditional love and support; for these things I am truly grateful. Thank you mom!

I love you and look forward to seeing you on Thursday!


July 1986


Graduation 2008


Summer 2009

Feliz Cumpleaños

Today Chuy turned 1 years old! I know I am a crazy dog lady so bear with me through this post.

Last night Chuy had over his close friends and family to celebrate his first birthday. We decided to throw a Mexican Fiesta since he is half Mexican himself. It was a taco/burrito bar (and watermelon). After dinner we sang Happy Birthday and ate cupcakes; chocolate and Margarita cupcakes for the adults and Granola/Peanut Butter cupcakes for the boys and Zara. Yes, the cupcake had a candle in it!

While we let the dogs play and tire themselves out we decided to play Quelf. This game is absolutely hysterical. You can't have any reservations or inhibitions; it was great to play with close friends so we could make complete idiots of ourselves (and each other).

The dogs passed out before the adults...it was so cute to see Chuy exhausted after his big day.

His Aunt Liz, Uncle Brent, and Zara got him rawhide bones and a new hula girlfriend and Aunt Erin and Uncle Matt got him dental bones (I think they are telling him something). He was so excited and loved EVERYTHING! I am a horrible mom and still haven't taken him to PetCo to pick out his gift from me...but as my mom always said "your party is your present" so maybe we won't go.

Here are some pictures from the fiesta...

The Finish Line

Well I have crossed the finish line...

I was officially done with finals for my master's program yesterday at around 5:30 pm. It of course won't be official till the grades are posted and diploma is in hand, but you get the idea.

I was so blessed to have the support of my family and friends (both here and back home). I know I got a little nutsy a time or two and wanted to throw the towel in but I am glad I stuck it out. Again, thank you!

I am an "adult" now. SCARY, right?!?! I like the idea of not having homework and group projects; however now I am thinking about jobs, bills, loans, 401Ks, etc. It just keeps getting better!

Today at 1:00 I mailed my signed letter for my job starting in June. I will be returning to the consulting firm I interned at last summer. The boys and I will be heading to the Baltimore area at the beginning of June. I am nervous, scared, excited, and happy to start my big kid life!

Graduation is on the 15th and I am lucky to have Jace, my Mom, Grandma Evelyn, and Grandpa Harley and Grandma Ann fly in for the occasion. I am excited for them to see where I live, meet my friends, and finally see Walter. I can hardly wait!

Oh Yes (I'll be THAT mother)

About three weeks ago the boys had stinky ears and I was a little worried what that might mean. After talking to the vet tech on the phone she suggested we come in because smelly ears can be a bad sign. However, an hour and $50 later I was told the boys had perfect ears and the smell must be something that they rolled in (not uncommon for these two).

Last Sunday Chuy threw up around 20 times in about an hour. I was freaking out as I held my little guy and had him throw up in the trash can (we were out of paper towels). I knew a Sunday night emergency visit to the animal hospital would have made a big impact on my wallet so I decided to call my Aunt Joyce. She was certain that he has eaten something outside that upset his tummy (another thing that is not uncommon). She suggested I take him outside, rinse his mouth with the hose, and force enough water in him that he would throw up everything he had left. Well she was right a minute or two of water and he had it all out. During this time Kirsten called her mother and she told us to break the fever (now that his tummy was empty) we should give him a tablespoon of Karo syrup. He slept all evening and night and woke up all better.

THEN this Thursday Chuy started making this horrible noise and looked like he was trying to catch his breathe or cough up something he had stuck in his throat. I let it go since they are always eating sticks and destroying toys (who could ever know everything he swallows). Well last night he woke up at 4:30 am and had the worst attack thus far. I sat up with him and made sure he caught his breath. I also had to say a little prayer...I needed him to keep breathing through the night and hope that whatever the vet said wouldn't be serious (or expensive). Thankfully the vet said that Chuy has allergies and he is reverse sneezing which can look like the dog is going to die. He also looked at Chuy's record and realized we had just been in a few weeks prior (he made a comment). He was nice enough to not charge me, photocopy the boys' medical records (we are moving soon), and give me the name of a good vet in Baltimore.

As I was driving home I realized a few things...
1) Yes, I am THAT mom..the mom that freaks over every little thing
2) I appreciate all those nights my mom sat up with me while I had asthma and wouldn't calm down because I felt like I couldn't breathe.
3) That even little prayers about your dog at 4:30 am do get answered.

Here is a link to a video of dog reverse sneezing...
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/reverse-sneezing-in-dogs/page1.aspx

Busy Bee (& the snip snip)

The last few weeks I have been a crazy mad woman. This is the end of the end, finally! I only have 13 more days till my last final and I can hardly wait. However, my social life and level of fun have disintegrated to absolutely nothing. It seems like I have a constant stream of work and it shows no signs of stopping until the 6th of May. I cannot wait for the work, stress, headaches, late nights, and early mornings to finally be over for a while!

This past week has not only been filled with school and project work but also motherly duties. Walter had his surgery and is now a few ounces lighter (so sad). He had to stay the night in the kennel all alone. I think I was more upset than he was (we both made it through the night just fine). He was so cute and cuddly on the way there (I had slipped him a nice pain pill during dinner). Below are a few cute pictures of him enjoying the sunny ride and eventually falling asleep in my arms.

The next day when we went to get him he was so excited to see us. He also had tons of energy and couldn't wait to run and play with his brother. I tried to force him to lay around and rest but there is no stopping this dog. I guess my hopes of this making him more calm can be thrown out the window.

Pirates

Pittsburgh is very into their professional teams (Steelers, Penguins, and the Pirates). I wanted to go to one game for each team before I moved. Seeing as how last nights baseball game was $1 I decided there was no better night to go. We all loaded up and headed to the field.

By the time we got in from tailgating, got our hot dogs, fries, and onion rings it was already half way over. I didn't complain because I am not a huge fan of baseball. After a few innings I was ready to go home; however they decided to play and extra inning so Kirsten bought me cotton candy to keep me happy. Needless to say it worked and the Pirates won!!

Here are some pics from the evening...

Naked Boy

The weather here is BEAUTIFUL so what does that mean?!?! Walter's winter coat needs removing. I did not realize how much hair this dog had...IT WAS RIDICULOUS! It took clippers and scissors to get most of it off. He did so well through the entire process. He was even relaxing with his eyes closed at one point. He loved all the attention.

Chuy was nervous but when he realized that he was not included in this adventure he lounged in the sun.

Here are some pics of my newly trimmed boy. He looks so tiny now (and comparable to Chuy). He also looks like a 3rd grader cut his hair. I have to work on my dog grooming skills apparently.

I left his facial hair...I think is unibrow and beard make him look distinguished.

Before...and a little afraid



A new lil' man

Enjoying not getting a haircut