This Weekend's Report

We're getting through the loss of Louie. The boy was in hardcore mourning for about an hour, and then started asking for another dog. We don't plan on it until at least after summer, so we can travel a bit easier. I can now think about it without getting tearful, though I did have a bad pang of sadness awhile ago.

Friday we had a birthday party for Eddie, and all had a good time. The spice cake and tons of cupcakes for the kids helped things along of course.

Yesterday I got brave and took the kids by myself to see Charlotte's Web. It was the girl's first movie theater visit. She made herself right at home, sitting in my lap and munching popcorn. We will do it again, but not any time soon. It is so expensive. I spent $30 on getting the three of us into a matinee, and buying three small drinks and two small popcorns.

Tonight we will celebrate New Year's at our buddy Todd's house. Everbody brings their kids, since none of the other couples has a babysitter either. We just throw the kids in their son's room, and try to ignore the ruckus that comes from that end of the hall. The older boys play endless video games, Aaron and a little girl play together, and my girl and Todd's two-year-old wander around. I am getting over missing having an infant around. No more constant holding and jiggling, and keeping a little crawler out of everything. My girl is also over the putting everything in her mouth phase.

Next week I become a working mom. A friend has recently opened a daycare, and she needs help in the kitchen and with paperwork so she can get the classroom curriculum going. It is supposed to be about three hours per day, while the girl is in preschool. The two days per week she is not in preschool she will come to the daycare, for free. I wish I could JUST take her to daycare with me for schooling, since it is free and all. But, the daycare is still kind of chaotic. And besides, both of my kids have gone to this great preschool, and I am pretty attached to it.

"Mo" was describing all of the paperwork that needs to be done, and I am kind of wondering how I will have time to do it and the kitchen work in a mere 3 hours per day. I am also now not sure how things I normally do on weekday mornings will get done, such as grocery shopping and haircuts. It's been really nice staying home fulltime. But I have got to bring in some money if Ed gets the day job in the Spring.

He's Gone

This is a copy of an email I just sent out. I am too sad and tired to write an entire post. It's been a tough day.


As some of you know, Louie has been very sick with a severe anemia the past couple of weeks. We unfortunately had to get him put to sleep today. The vet thinks his bone marrow for some unknown reason, stopped making red blood cells. He had gotten painfully skinny and very weak. Today when his blood was checked, his count was down even more, so we had to make this most difficult decision.

It was so hard to do. I handed him to the vet and walked out of that room, trying not to think about what came next for Louie.

He was the most hyper, annoying dog as a puppy, who matured into a sweet companion. We will miss our beloved friend, family member and lap-warmer.

Standing On My Head and Dancing a Jig

That's how I feel I've spent the past two days. Really I guess it started Thursday, when we got the news that our dog is severly anemic. He probably has canine autoimmune hemolytic anemia. His immune system is destroying his red blood cells. He's been walking around 75% short on his blood count. The only symptom we noticed was weight loss, which, on a 10 pound dog, is significant. The vet also pointed out pale gums and paw pads. So, $300 worth of tests later, Louie is on prednisone twice daily, vitamins twice daily, and of course his routine thyroid medication.

So far the meds have increased his appetite for babyfood-coated puppy chow. He's been eating and drinking like a pig and has gained a pound. But he is still pale as ever, so I don't think his blood is improving. This is probably going to be expensive, and hopefully it won't kill him. A wonderful bonus to all this is he can't get through the night without a bathroom break, so guess who gets to take him out at 2:30 am?

Friday evening I took the kids to a birthday party at Bounce U, an indoor moonwalk kinda place. It was really neat. I just don't enjoy driving in Houston. We got home at about 9:30 and I had to do the whole bedtime story routine since Ed was at work. I am so glad I managed a nap Friday morning while the kids were at school, or I would have been a mess. I am too old for this. As my dad likes to remind me, I'm "not 22 anymore."

Last night we kept the boy's 2nd cousin/buddy for an overnight. This kid is really good. It is always my son who is the butthead when he is around. He did better this time compared to last time we had cousin over. Still, he got testy this morning because cousin wanted to play Playstation and he was tired of it. It was raining so they couldn't go outside. And they couldn't be rowdy inside because Eddie was sleeping off the night shift. I took them to the doughnut shop for breakfast, which was a big hit. Also, I had printed off a Christmas craft project from crayola.com and that kept them busy for an hour. Around noon, cousin's dad called at tentatively tried to hint for us to keep him longer. I did not take the bait. So he went home, the girl napped, and the boy watched a movie. This evening, in a desperate attempt to kill time, we drove around looking at christmas lights.

This is the last week before Christmas vacation. It's gonna be a long month.

We Survived

Eddie's month of working constantly is over. He began seven lovely days off on Friday. It was a pretty good weekend. Friday night I escaped to play Bunco at a friend's house. When we were done, we headed over to Penney's for 30 minutes of quick shopping. I got the boy a pair of jeans. When your kid is in the 80th percentile for height, but 25th for weight, finding a pair of jeans to fit is like winning the lottery.

Saturday Eddie and the girl ran around town, while the boy took his belt test. He is now a junior blue belt. He did really well in sparring, which has never been his strong point. It was exciting to watch. Later, Eddie's cousin, who has a kid the same age, picked him up for a sleepover. We got Eddie's mom to come sit with the girl, and had ourselves an evening out.

Today the house was quiet until the boy came home at about 1 o'clock. We were bad parents and let the girl watch many videos while we read the paper, did laundry, and played on the internet. I finished decorating the tree and hanging stockings, and also addressed Christmas cards. After the girl laid down for naptime, we watched the Robin Williams movie, RV. It was entertaining, but not spectacular. The boy liked it, so we all relaxed and watched. Eddie also cleaned out a closet during this time. It was so messy I couldn't stand it. So I am relieved to have it decent again.

Time for bed now.