Friends Forever..the story of a boy and his dog.

I love how my two "puppies" have bonded.

Avery and Alex are like two peas in a pod lately.

I even screw up their names and have been known to call one or the other "Averlex" because I'm confused when I'm yelling at one or both of them!

Avery has an obvious soft spot for Alex and treats him like one of her own siblings.  They can often be found frolicking off into the distance together.  Alex is always looking for his beloved, "Ree" and often asks for her first thing in the morning if she is still in her crate.  As soon as he sees her, his face lights up and he yells, "Ree!" and gives her a big hug, usually knocking her over, pulling her hair, and/or falling on her in the process.  She is so patient with him and will lovingly nip at him but she puts up with SO much abuse from Alex who is constantly trying to love her.

Alex will throw any and all toys of Avery's out to her if she is in the kitchen and loves to be chased and get Avery going.  (That's usually when the yelling from me comes into play, however...it makes me nervous!)

The other day we were in the back yard playing in the water and Alex said to Avery, "Mom, Ree" (Come on, Avery) with a wave of his hand.  He walked off to the playhouse and she followed.  The two of them just hung out back there for quite a while.  Alex sat down (on Avery) to eat his snack, and they dug in the dirt, chased birds, and walked around together like forever friends.   Alex even sang Avery a song.

I can only imagine how tight they'll be as they continue to grow up together.  It's sweet, actually.  I know that Avery will always look out for Alex, and vice versa.  Partners in crime, I have a feeling!

Ahh, the many adventures this boy and his dog will be able to tell someday!

Avery Update

I realized the other day that ever since bringing Avery into our family in February, I haven't mentioned much about her since.  How rude!

Avery has turned out to be a fabulous dog!  She's obviously grown quite a bit and she's beautiful.  Albeit a little needy, a bit skittish, and a lot puppy, but she is great!  She was super easy to housebreak and we haven't had more than a couple peeing incidents EVER...not to mention at all lately!  She is fantastic with the kids.  They love her to pieces (and maul her way too much sometimes - especially Alex!) but she takes it all and comes back for more.  She loves to play with her fellow "puppies".

When Avery wants to play she is incessant.  She'll become very persistent and bring you her toy to play tug or fetch.  She loves constant attention and wants to be with the family at all times!  When she really wants your attention, she'll jump around and get really hyper and even start barking to engage you.

She loves to chew.  On her toys.  On the boys' toys.  On kleenex.  Or garbage.  Or anything she can get her little teeth on!   She's been known to eat baby wipes whole which come out the same way they went in.  (gross, I know!)  Needless to say we've nipped that and no longer throw diapers or baby wipes in garbages she has any access to!

Avery is very smart!  She listens well, comes when she's called, sits and waits when she's told to.  I love that we can let her out with the garage door wide open and she'll run right past the open freedom to the backyard where she's supposed to go.  She's very well behaved.

Avery (before)

We love having Avery in our family!  She's been a wonderful addition!  I promise not to be so remiss in talking about the third "baby" of the family!!

Avery (now)....My how she's grown!

Wordless Wednesday - Honk, Honk!

10 things I never thought I'd say...until we welcomed a puppy into our home.

1 - "No, Nate.  The dog is NOT your princess and she does NOT need you to save her right now."

2 - "Alex, get the dog out of your mouth, please."

3 - "Guys!  The puppy is NOT a pillow!  Get off of her!"

4 - "Nathaniel!  When she's making that sound, she's NOT having fun!"

5 - "Just because she pees outside doesn't mean you can!"

6 - "Alex, she is a DOG, not a horse.  Please don't ride her."

7 - "Stop chasing the dog, please!"

8 - "Alex, the puppy's tail is NOT a handle for you to carry her around with!"

9 - "If she's hiding from you it's because she DOESN'T want to play right now."

10 - "No, Alex.  I don't think the puppy wants your Hamburger Helper.  How about YOU eat it?"

Avery

Avery has finally arrived!  After more than a week of waiting and being put off and almost "releasing" her, only to decide we really wanted her (as long as she wasn't sick)...we finally have her!!!  Dave and the boys picked her up yesterday and we're settling in as you read this.

As promised here, I am delivering the story behind why we chose to get a dog in the first place.

Ok, so Avery's arrival isn't all that spectacular of a story, in and of itself.  However, if you know me, you know I'm not a huge fan of dogs.  So this was a huge decision for me/us!  Don't get me wrong...I like dogs...Just so long as they're other people's dogs, generally.

My vague disagree-ability towards dogs is completely justified, if you ask me.  Albeit requiring significant (more) therapy, apparently, but that's neither here nor there.

See, long story short...I was scratched by a dog when I was little.  Requiring some numerous amount of stitches (double digits is all I remember - 20?  40?  Who knows...but when you're 4-years-old that's a LOT of stitches).  Now the dog wasn't trying to be mean (as some are in similar unfortunate situations), but I was definitely in the wrong place at the wrong time.  He was trying to play, as dogs do, so he jumped up on me and when he came down, well...you get the picture.  Add to this ugly scene the trauma of kids at my pre-school being afraid of me and calling me "Frankenstein", and scars you can still see (if you're looking for them) almost *cough* 30 years later and, well, it's just not a fun experience.

I've grown up with dogs my whole life.  Good dogs.  Well-trained dogs.  Search dogs trained to find missing people, even.  Heck, I even owned one once.  He was a good dog.  A needy, high maintenance dog, maybe, but Frodo was great.  Until, that is, he tried to eat my child.

What is that you say?

Eat your child?

Why, yes.  He did - try, that is.  When Nathaniel came home from the hospital, our dog snapped at Nate's skull like he was a squirrel to be munched on.  The quick reflexes of my mother saved his precious newborn head from damage (Thank, God!), but the scene still haunts me!

So why would an accused "dogist" get a dog, you ask?

Well, have you seen this face?!?!

Besides that, have you seen these faces?

She is just about the cutest thing I've ever seen and they simply adore her.

(It's a little Elmyra-ish if you ask me, but she'll learn.)

As I told my husband, I know she will be a lot of work for us.  But she will be SO good for them!  There are lessons in life that I firmly believe only pets can teach you.  I want that for my boys.

I'll admit it.  I wasn't a big fan of getting a dog...but I was a fan of getting her.  She's so sweet and she totally won me over with her gentle spirit and sloppy wet kisses.

I can't really explain it, but for whatever reason, I am super excited to integrate her into our family.

Simple Woman's Day Book...February 15, 2010

FOR TODAY...February 15, 2010

Outside my window...Alex is staring longingly.  These boys have been cooped up too long and need to get out of this house.
I am thinking...about what to do with these boys today.  Also contemplating a decision about whether or not to move forward with our adoption of Avery.  The vet's office is giving us a run around and I can't help but think it's a sign.  I also don't want to give up on her so quickly, though.  The boys have more or less forgotten about getting a dog at all unless we talk about her so I know they won't be devastated.  But I might be.  I know, I know, I don't tend to be a dog fan anyway but I liked the idea of her.  She was sweet.  I told Dave I thought she'd be a lot of work for us but a lot of good for the boys.  I don't know.  Do we continue to wait on her and get dragged along?  I can't help but think we're being screwed somehow.  Or do we figure this is God's way of saying we weren't ready for the challenge anyway?  Lots to think about!!  
I am thankful for...this day off from work.  It's nice to spend the time at home with my family.
From the kitchen...Coffee!!  Yum.  Too bad I can't drink it without being hounded by my coffee-mooching children.  The theory that they wouldn't like the taste didn't work.  I think they'd both drink it if we let them.  I will have to start Alex on "Alex Coffee" like I did with Nate.  Nate's "Nate Coffee" is a coffee cup of milk with a splash of flavored coffee creamer in it.  Until then I'll just fight them off in an attempt to enjoy a lukewarm cup of coffee in peace.
I also hope to wrangle Nathaniel's help in making some oh-so-comforting chocolate chip cookies later.  We'll see if we get that far.
I am wearing...fuzzy socks, PJ bottoms, my favorite black, long-sleeved Coors Light T-shirt with torn cuffs from being lovingly worn for years...
I am remembering...all the things I have to do at work this week to catch up from the two days I was out last week!
I am creating...nothing at the moment.  I wish I had time to create a lot of projects I have on my mental to-do list.  In the meantime I'll create posts for this blog and use this as my creative outlet.  
I am going...on a trip down to camp at some point to check on things and get the boys out of the house.
I am hoping...to get laundry finished up today so I can fold it and put it all away to start the work week off on a good foot.  It always feels more organized and together when the laundry is caught up before I go back to work.
I am hearing...the boys playing, Clifford the Big Red Dog on the TV, the fan on my laptop running.
Pondering these words...In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln
Around the house...the couch cushions are strewn about on the floor where Nate and I were snuggling and jumping on them earlier.  Does anyone know what "Tin-uh-gah!!" means?  That's what Nathaniel yells before he jumps on me or the pillows.  Hmmm...
On my mind...the decision about the dog.  It's weighing heavily and my husband and I are the world's worst decision makers.  He swears he always has to make the decisions but it feels like I make all the hard decisions!  Also hoping my parents have arrived safely in Cancun where they left for on vacation yesterday.  I swear, I'm not jealous.   (Ok, maybe a little!)
Noticing that...three days is the maximum my husband and I can spend together without driving each other nuts.  He starts getting obnoxious just to annoy me, I swear!
One of my favorite things...my fireplace.  We've enjoyed some wonderfully warm and cozy fires in it these past few days.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Typical weekly fare...I have a deadline at work on Friday so I'll probably be bringing a lot of work home to do after the kids go to sleep.  Walk 'n Talk with Heidi.  I have to call my tax guy to get us an appointment to have our taxes done (sooner rather than later!)
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

There is only so much of this two small boys can handle before they self destruct.  And frankly, I'm tired of stepping on them, tripping over them, and cleaning them up.  So we're outta here!  Off to entertain these boys outside of these four walls.  I see some snow play in our future!!

Happy President's Day!

Our family is growing...

by FOUR little feet paws!

Welcome, Avery!

Our newest member of the family.

Call me crazy, but she's so stinkin' cute.

I'm afraid I'll have to change the name of my blog now though as I'm (finally!) NOT the only girl in this house!

I have a longer post coming about the decision behind growing our family.  (Which for people who know me know is a HUGE thing for me!)  

Stay tuned for more pictures and the story behind her arrival!