My Poor Sick Puppy

Sometimes, I feel like we just can't catch a break.  Eye surgery for the baby last month (eye surgery that didn't even work I might add) Emergency Vet trip this month.

When Freckles started throwing up blood last Thursday, I lost it a little bit. 

 Imagine me, sitting on the floor, cleaning up everything, bawling my eyes out.  Every time I would look at him, he would have that sad expression on his face, and I would cry harder.  I was so scared about what was going to happen.  He may be just a dog, but he is my dog.

Because it was so late, we took him to the emergency vet.  After talking with a nurse, with great bedside manner, and a vet, with terrible bedside manner, we found out that Freckles had an ultra bad upset stomach.  The blood was from puking so hard, that must have happened while I was gone.  He was also dehydrated.  After a day of antibiotics, being pumped with fluid, (think camel dog) and a shot to settle his stomach, he was pretty much back to normal.  Now a week later, I am still reminiscing about his puppy days, glad that my fur baby is still with me.

Fearing that Freckles was going to die, has definitely reminded me of what a blessing my dogs are in my life.  Life has been so crazy the past two years, that I haven't stopped as often as I should to play, pet, or just enjoy these two as much as I should.  That has changed, and all of us are much happier that we have re learned to incorporate Freckles and Zuko into our lives more.

I love these two.

B's Fathers Day Painting

Fathers day if finally here.  I have been waiting for it all month.  As I said way back in February, we are not big gift givers, but we are trying to change that.  Since Bryan is getting independent little by little, I thought it would be fun to let him paint a canvas himself, instead of the hand print/footprint gifts we have been doing.

After about 5 minutes of B trying to paint the floor, I decided to try and movie things along by putting his fingers in paint and showing him the didn't have to use the brush...big mistake.  I forgot that he is one of the kids that doesn't like getting messy.  So that sparked a tantrum of paint flinging in my kitchen.

Eventually, we got there.  This is the end result.

I am so grateful for the fathers in my life.  Mine, my son's, my brother and brother-in-law.

As much as we bump heads at times, I am so grateful to have the companion I have in life.  Bryan and I love you very much.

Blueberry Picking

Thursday Bryan and I went with Auntie and cousins to pick blueberries.  Let me tell you, that day could not be more perfect.  We picked our own blueberries, then went back to my sisters to go swimming, and after that, Jam making with our freshly picked blueberries.  One of those days that reminds you that being a SHM rules.  Ok, so I don't actually need reminding, but you get the point.

Because B is so young, I gave him a bucket just for picture purposes.  Not to mention, He really doesn't like blueberries.  Go figure.  My favorite fruit and he wont even eat it.  He kept trying though.  He would pick one, but it in his mouth, then, after spitting it out, try to get another one.  After that he kept taking them out of my bucket, and throwing them to the ground...yeah, blueberry picking was not for him.  His cousins sure enjoyed it.

Auntie helping B out

These were seriously the biggest and best tasting blueberries ever.  I can't wait to go back.

B loves the little car at my sisters house.  He could sit on it all day long.  I'm thinking we need to be on the lookout for another one.

I can't wait for more days like this during the summer.

Tear Duct Surgery? Easy Peasy

Only for the Dr., that is.  For this Mama, it was the hardest thing I have ever done.

Bryan's surgery went well.  It took about 15 minutes for the Dr.  There were no complications, and B was recovered by the next day.

He loved flirting with the Nurses, and all of the Nurses (including the ones not assigned to us) loved him. It was almost like word had spread that there was a cutie checked in, and they all came to say hi to him.  The receptionist gave him a teddy bear and a rubber glove balloon when he didn't care about the bear.  He liked the little hospital gown and had fun playing with the patient bands for his wrist and ankle.  The whole time they were prepping him(and us) he was happy.  Didn't even cry when they put the dilating drops in his eyes.

 Then it was go time.  They let me go into the OR until he fell asleep.  I had to wear a sanitary jumpsuit and hair net.  I carried him all the way there.  As soon as I put him down, he started screaming.  Rip my heart out.  Nurses were everywhere trying to hook him up to monitors while he was thrashing around trying to grab onto me.  A nurse asked me if I was OK.  Which I was...until I wasn't.  I don't even remember him falling asleep because The anesthesia mask muffled his screaming, and he fell asleep with the same type of face on.  I was not ready for it when they told me to leave.  Even thinking about it brings tears. (and I already know it turned out OK)

I was so grateful for the nurses, especially the ones that saw me out to the waiting room.  They were so understanding.  Every time they would hand me off to someone else, the new nurse would put her arm around me tightly and reassure me that I was not ridiculous for crying so hard.  I was offered a tissue and they waited patiently for me to get myself together before Joining my hubby in the waiting room.  Of course when I saw him, I started crying all over again.

When everything was done, I practically ran to get Bryan.  Left poor Luis in the dust.  When we took him home,(around 8 am)  he slept until Noon, and woke up nice and happy for Grandma to come visit.  With the exception of him still being a bit loopy,  you couldn't tell he had gotten anything done.

 Of course over the next couple days there has been a little blood in the corner of his eye, but other than that he seems to be fully recovered.  Even better actually.  He almost seems happier.  Maybe I was wrong, and the plugged duct was affecting him more than I thought.

I am so glad this is all over with and really hope we never have to go through anything like this(or worse) again, and have a prayer in my heart for those that do.

Optometrist in the Morning.

Tonight, I am coming just short of a nervous wreck.  

Ever since Bryan was born, he has had a green goopy eye.  This is the result of a plugged tear duct.  Tomorrow morning, we are taking him to get it cleared.

We have been very fortunate in that this is Bryan's only health issue.  It hasn't made him extra cranky like other problems would have.  It may bother him a bit and he constantly rubs it, but it hasn't really affected our day to day lives other than constantly being asked about his "eye infection" and having to clean it all the time.

But, we don't want him to have to deal with it forever.  

I know that other moms go through worse.  Some have babies with major health issues.  Babies that are born premature.  Babies who can't hear.  Babies who need actual surgery instead of just a minor procedure that is for the most part, a poke in the corner of the eye.

That doesn't mean I don't have the right to worry just as much.  What if they mess up and hurt his eye or make him blind?  What if something goes wrong with the anesthesia and he wakes up scared without me, in the middle of the procedure, or not at all?

He is my baby, and my heart will always hurt when he is in a situation that I cannot control.  It is the price we pay when we become mothers.  A price I would pay a million times over for this much love and joy.

I realize I went off on a tangent.  Basically, Minor procedure, but I'm still freaking out.  Going to be a long night.

Pickles to Puppies. Treat Jar.

 I have a confession.  I am a jar hoarder.  I have an entire shelf in my kitchen full of them.  Oh, then there is the giant box of baby food jars.  I just cant get rid of them.  Thank you Pintrest for giving me something to blame.

My excuse for keeping them is that there are so many jar crafts all over the internet.  What if I find a million things to do with jars and run out?  Or what if I throw one out and it happens to be the exact size I needed?  Do I actually do any of these planned crafts?  I don't feel like answering that...

I see this trend changing.  No, I am not tossing my jars.  I'm going to start crafting with them.  Starting with this giant pickle jar turned dog treat jar.

I had planned on painting the whole thing solid white, but after a few strokes realized the glass was too slippery.  The strokes looked so bad.  In an attempt to wash it off I discovered I can make it a transparent white.  That was a couple months ago.  It has been sitting there waiting for me to finish painting it and seal it.  After finding what I needed at my moms this weekend, it is finally finished.  

The cat wants her own...I had so much fun with it, I think she will get one.

I'm out for opinions.  

What do you think?  Is this something you would buy?

The Fruits of Your Labor

 Yes.  I am being very literal with that phrase.  About a month ago, Luis built me a little garden and while watering it this afternoon, I found this.

 That's right.  A red strawberry.  We have had some green ones for about a week but they have finally started to get some color in them.  I am going to give it a day or two before I pick that bad boy.  

Some of our other plants have started to flower.  The beans and the squash have lots of flowers, where there is only one flower actually blooming on my tomatoes (though you can see a couple getting ready to)  I just told my sister that I don't have the patience to do this gardening thing.  I want my veggies now.  After today though, I am so glad I am taking the minimal time to grow a few things.  The day to day changes are so beautiful.

 Oh, and one tip that I discovered for those who have outside cats who think "garden" us a synonym to "bathroom,"  after I water each plant, I give the entire bed a spray down.  She hates doing her duty in dirt that is already wet