Postman

I have two puppies whom I refer to as 'the beasts'. They are hilarious and highly mischievous. They are also my babies and I love them more than you will ever know.

Black Lab puppy sat in my yard the other day howling, growling, barking and snarling. This terrified me as I thought we had an intruder. I went out to see what was going on and noticed that he was going crazy at next door's driveway. I couldn't see anything and went back inside, trying to coax him into coming in with me. He wouldn't budge. His teeth were gleaming with fury in the cold, hard snow. I tried bribing him with treats, but he refused to come inside.

It took 2 hours before he stopped. My neighbour had returned home and stopped at the place where the puppy had seen his nemesis. It was a parcel that the mail man had left in the driveway as it was too icy to drive up to the house.

He finally gave in and came in for treats.

Mr Independent

At lunch time today, I went through my usual routine of preparing Little Man's food, sitting him in his high chair and putting his bib on. I didn't however, bank on needing to wear protecting clothing myself.

I loaded his spoon with mushed up wholewheat pasta, broccoli and peppers. I was so close to getting the spoon near his mouth, when he decided that the only way he was going to eat was if he were going to feed himself. He clumsily snatched the spoon out of my hand and pureed pasta squished through the gaps in his fingers. Mmmmm. Appetizing. But he enjoyed his newly claimed independence and for the first time in two weeks, finished his meal. It was washed down by another newly grasped concept - the sippy cup. Two days ago, he finally got the hang of drinking from his cup, rather than pouring the juice everywhere.

This evening, he fed himself a bottle of formula.

It's amazing how quickly these developments occur, one minute he's completely dependent on me and the next he's exploring the world and it's many wonders on his own. It confuses me and bewilders me. But it also fills me with love and pride as I sit and watch my little boy grow up.

Sheep Happens

I have a sign above my kitchen window that reads "Sheep Happens". Boy ain't that the truth.
Hubby and I have been sharing a car for a week now as our other car has gone in for repair and is racking up a nice, huge bill. Grrrrr. Our drive is buried under snow as we don't have a plough yet so I can't even take the little one out for a walk and cabin fever is creeping in. To top it off, my house smells of dog and no amount of cleaning is helping.

Why is it that when one thing goes a little off-track, everything else follows suit? Is this how the rest of the month is going to pan out?

Perhaps I should see this as a blessing in disguise. Higher powers are telling me not to drive in this weather. It's a great opportunity to spend time with my son and my house has never been cleaner (except for at the end of my pregnancy when I felt the need to clean and sterilize everything, including the lawn).

I'm thinking it's time to give the mutts a bath though. . .

Sleepy Sheep

It's official, I'm tired. I am what I call a 'sleepy sheep'. My son woke me at 6.30am, but was easily comforted again by his pacifier. Then he woke me at 7.30 and although my eyes were open, my brain was still snoring. It has been all day. My eyes are heavy and there isn't enough caffeine in the world to keep me alert enough to sit through a conversation. Man I miss my pillow.

Little one is just as grumpy and fragile today. It's a clash of the titans, who can moan and scream the loudest. I moan and grizzle, he wails and screams. I want to be left alone, he wants to be held - Constantly. I need my space, he needs my space too. And so do the dogs. And so does the outside world. Hubby will be home from the office shortly and he'll more than likely jump on the band wagon also.

Still, we live to fight another day (as well as our alarm clocks) and that's what really matters. Hopefully tomorrow the little dude and I will be full of energy, ready to go. Until then, as my Mom used to say as she turned out the lights, 'Don't let the bed bugs bite!

We're on a roll

Little one got a new stroller yesterday. Today he took it out for a test drive. It's light weight, easy to maneuver and looks good. Trouble is, I can't see my little man anymore. He's forward facing, exploring his surroundings in a whole new way. I miss him. I miss seeing his gorgeous little face, looking up at me for reassurance. I miss being able to see his response to the world. I miss his smiles.

To be fair, I can see the top of his head, turning in various directions as we glide down the isles at the grocery store. I can see his little feet kicking with excitement and his arms reaching out for to grab the things that interest him. I can hear him gurgling and babbling with delight at his freedom.

Isn't it funny how it's the small things like this that get me so choked up and throw me completely off-guard?