Puppies!

So Jay wanted to breed Onyx and I never say no to what he really wants. He and a guy that has a male pit got the two together and they did what they do. A few weeks later we saw belly hanging low and knew it was going to happen. We know nothing about breeding dogs btw. 

Gestational periods for dogs are about two months so her due date was August 8.  We did a little research to find out when and how and what so we wouldn't be caught off guard when it got here. She's been acting funny today and we knew it was coming. 

She was really just nesting and not eating so that was a giveaway. I heard a noise so I went to check on her...nope. Just moving blankets in Oscar's crate. A few minutes later I checked again. Puppy!! Only, he wasn't doing so well. Not breathing. I had read some about what to do so I started rubbing him, Liz started googling and I called Jay home from work at 9. Did I mention we have a houseguest this week? Full of surprises. 

Shortly after the first came the second and Onyx was doing all the right things. Cleaning, severing umbilical cords, eating the sac off, bonding. But boy was I happy that Jay was here before the third!!

Soon they started coming, one quickly after another and boy, girl, boy, girl until we had six in equally divided sex succession. After about two or three hours Jay went back to work and we tried to figure out what to do next. Then we realized we had seven. Another boy. 

We were trying to figure out a plan when Liz counted again. Eight? Yup. This little lady. 

We moved them upstairs and Onyx freaked out when we tried to separate her from them. So we made the bathroom comfortable and I am waiting for Jay to come home. 

Except, there was another one. Nine. A girl. She broke the pattern but she also has a white belly and feet. 

So now we take care of momma and puppies but she is doing so so well. And eight of the nine are blissfully sleeping after a big big day. Number nine has some catching up to do!!

 

 

Salem fun

I am loving my new job, and here's a few reasons why...

Everything is so cute and fun!

July 4th

Normally, we go to the beach for the 4th but this year we stayed home. It was so nice!!

We went to the water park a few times and grilled out a lot. We even worked out a decent sleep schedule for Lila so we could go see the fireworks! 

This is the first time EVER that Hayden has been able to wear the same shirt two years in a row. I was pumped. I bought Lila's dress last year so I've been anxious to put her in it. 

We loaded up around 9 for the fireworks at the coliseum. We got a great spot, opened up the hatch on the Durango and enjoyed the show! Hayden sat on top of the car and loved every minute of it. Lila took some convincing on the loud noise but she loved the lights. 

And of course, the bag of Cheerios always helps!

A little puppy love

Since we had kids, the dogs get a lot less air time. So here's a little Onyx and Oscar love for your Sunday. 

Emerald Pointe

My cousin Aaran came to visit for the weekend and we decided to take a trip to the water park with all the kids. Hayden had been last year but Lila has never been so we knew it would be an adventure.

When we got there, I realized we forgot to stop and by swim diapers (d'oh!) and I was about to go buy one from the gift shop, which would be ridiculously overpriced I'm sure. My quick thinking cousin just asked a lady next to us to borrow one and voila! Ready for the water.

Can you even stand how cute she is in this bikini? We got some perfect seating, under an umbrella right in front of Happy Harbor. Good job, dad. The big boys, Jay and Tyler, set off pretty quickly to ride the big rides. Hayden and Carter, thick as thieves, ran into the water together and went down the kid slides. That left just the girls! Lila was immediately excited about the water and let go of my hand about two minutes into the water. She kept bending over at the waist to stick her face in the water (I have no idea why, but she was so proud of herself), which she did no less than a dozen times. 

It was a pretty perfect set up, with Jay and Tyler off doing the big rides and two of us managing the smaller three. So it was great. We took a few walks around the park and Lila was SUPER worn out after about three hours. She was restless and exhausted and cranky pants. I had to put a life vest on her to go on the other side of the fence at Shipwreck so I grabbed an infant one. Lo and behold, in less than 30 seconds she had calmed down and was asleep in less than 2 minutes. I guess it's like being swaddled again! 

She slept on me for a solid hour, and then was ready to go again for another couple of hours. Perfect! We ended up getting season passes so we can go whenever we want! And really, once you go two or three times it pays for itself. I know what the kids will be asking Santa for this year! 

My big guy

Hayden has turned into such a fun little guy to hang out with. He has so many questions and a lot to say. All the time! But I love his curiosity and imagination. We got some sparklers the other day and he's been dying to try them. He was up past dark the other night so we fired them up. 

He loves them!

So cute

We went to a baby shower for my cousin's wife and I only managed to get one adorable picture of Lila. For shame.