I started back to work this week and it honestly feels great to be back. The 12 weeks I was able to spend with Tucker were wonderful, but it's nice to dress up, put make-up on, and actually do my hair every day. I feel so much better about myself when I put the time in to actually look nice. I had to switch my hours due to the daycare situation, so getting up every day at 4am is a little trying, but it sure feels nice when 2:30 rolls around and I'm walking out of the office. The boys are picked up by 3:15 and I get to spend an extra hour with them. I'll get used to it eventually, it's just new right now and I was used to sleeping in!
Cooper has had a few trying moments the past few days. The temper tantrums are HORRIBLE! I had to put him in time-out for 30 minutes the other day. Yes, I know it was long, but I told him until he calmed down, he wasn't moving an inch. I swear I tried every other tactic to get him to calm down, but nothing worked. He threw a train track at his brother's head, pulled the computer off the table, hit me, hit the walls, and was just plain screaming. I am crossing my fingers he's just tired from the time change (why do they do that anyway?) and it will go away soon. :) Yeah right. He's been super sweet the past couple of days, and we're trying to really pay attention to see what triggers his tempers. I know when he gets frustrated with something, it can lead to a meltdown. He's a good boy otherwise, but I seriously dread the temper tantrums.
Tucker is giggling up a storm and he's soooooo smiley! Happy, happy, happy! He's such a joy to be around and we just love him so much. His first week at Mary's has gone well. Mary said he's really good and he's super easy. I was hoping he wouldn't turn into a different baby when he went to her house. He's just so easy going and loves to be paid attention to. He'll let you know if he's not getting enough!
Jason and Tucker played outside last night since the temps were in the 40's. Cooper got a John Deere tractor that pedals for Christmas and we haven't had a chance to take it outside. He was so excited to 'ride his bike' and didn't exacting do too much riding. I saw him pushing it around the yard mostly, but he's slowly learning how to pedal. They walked down to the creek and Cooper loved looking at the watie (water). It was so cute watching my boys playing outside together. :)
We're hoping the temps start getting warmer as we're all dying to get outside more often. I'm super excited to walk with the boys at the river front too. Cooper will absolutely love it and I will too. We've been cooped up for too long!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Furlough
I logged into my work computer today and read the email I was fully expecting. The General sent out an email to all JMC civilians stating that all RDO schedules (9 hr days, get 1 day off a week) will be suspended starting 26 Apr-20 Sept. Everyone is to go to an 8 hr work day schedule and we are required to take every Friday unpaid. Yes, it is money that I would like to be getting, but on the other hand, I'm trying to see the upside to this and I get to spend every Friday in the summer off. It's not ideal for anyone, but we all knew it was coming. With the way our programs were going at work, we knew there wouldn't be a resolution.
Tomorrow is my last day of maternity leave. I'm a little sad, but excited to get back into a routine. Tucker is such a joy to be around and I have thoroughly enjoyed my maternity leave. I'm so much more relaxed this time around. But, now Cooper will have his brother with him all day, every day. I'm sure he'll be thrilled about that. :)
Cooper got his hair cut yesterday and it's cut like Daddy's. :) He looks so much older and not so much like my little guy anymore. :( Tucker's hair in coming in slowly and it's a little darker than Cooper's. Tucker is smiling all the time now and he's sleeping through the night. He started sleeping through the night at 10 weeks. We put him down around 8:30-9 and he sleeps anywhere from between 6-7am. We are thrilled. Once again, it felt like this day would never come, but it did.
Things are starting to get back to normal around here and we are enjoying our life. Jason was missed a ton this week while he was gone for only 3 days, but it still feels empty around here when he's gone. Cooper was so excited to see him this morning when he woke up. We are always so much happier when Daddy is home. :)
Tomorrow is my last day of maternity leave. I'm a little sad, but excited to get back into a routine. Tucker is such a joy to be around and I have thoroughly enjoyed my maternity leave. I'm so much more relaxed this time around. But, now Cooper will have his brother with him all day, every day. I'm sure he'll be thrilled about that. :)
Cooper got his hair cut yesterday and it's cut like Daddy's. :) He looks so much older and not so much like my little guy anymore. :( Tucker's hair in coming in slowly and it's a little darker than Cooper's. Tucker is smiling all the time now and he's sleeping through the night. He started sleeping through the night at 10 weeks. We put him down around 8:30-9 and he sleeps anywhere from between 6-7am. We are thrilled. Once again, it felt like this day would never come, but it did.
Things are starting to get back to normal around here and we are enjoying our life. Jason was missed a ton this week while he was gone for only 3 days, but it still feels empty around here when he's gone. Cooper was so excited to see him this morning when he woke up. We are always so much happier when Daddy is home. :)
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Insanity
I just have to post about my new obsession. Working out and smoothies. :) I'm embarrassed to say this, but I haven't worked out since I got pregnant with Cooper! So sad, I know. But, I'm kicking it into high gear with Insanity. 5 times a week I do it and a different CD every night. I can definitely tell a difference and I just feel good. I actually look forward to getting a good sweat every night. And then afterward, I make myself a smoothie. Any wild berry flavor with apple juice is my favorite. Insanity is definitely a challenge but it pushes me and it feels great. Now, to get Jason to do it with me more often. :)
1.5
Only 1.5 weeks left before I return to that thing called work. I'm not necessarily dreading it, but I'm definitely going to miss hanging out with my little guy. He's been a joy to be around and I'll miss all this time I've gotten to spend with him. He'll be in great hands when I do return to work, but I'll still miss him.
We originally were going to have my Mom watch Tucker until the end of May/beginning of June, but that all changed this past weekend. While out to lunch with my Mom and sister on Saturday, my mother had a spell and fainted while holding Tucker. She had finished her lunch first and offered to hold him while I ate. My sister and I both took a bite of our lunch and all of a sudden noticed that the table was going over. I looked up and my Mom was no where in site. She had fainted for all a second and fell to the floor with Tucker in her arms. Luckily, she didn't fall on Tucker or he didn't hit his head. My Mom came to right away, but didn't know what happened. After a little bit, she got back up on her chair and just rested for a bit. We went over to ShopKo and once there, I could tell she wasn't feeling good so I asked her if she wanted to go home and she said yes. Long story short, my sister drove her home and then my Dad drove her over to the hospital. She stayed there Saturday through Monday where there ran a TON of tests. I don't even know how many EKGs she had, but they all came back perfect. She has high blood pressure, but her cholesterol is great. They did an MRI on her brain Monday and it came back showing that she has a narrowing of an artery in her brain that she was born with but didn't know about until now. They said she may or may not have another episode in the future, but she's not allowed to drive and she's going to Iowa City to a neurologist to do more testing.
So, after that, she is terrified that she could fall with Tucker and doesn't want to chance it. For now, my Dad would be in the house, but once he starts planting, she'll be all by herself. I have been worried about what I'm going to do with Tucker and talked to our sitter yesterday and she said I could take him there since he's such an easy baby (she watched after him on Monday when he got kicked out the hospital). So, in order for her to watch him, I'm going to switch to 8 hour days, working 6am-2:30pm. I'll pick the boys up around 3:15 every day since her busy time is 3:30-4:30. That will relieve her of 2 kids! It was a HUGE relief off my shoulders once she told me she could take him. I just didn't want him going to anyone that hasn't watched my children and also having Jason drive to 2 different places every day. We love our sitter, Mary, to death and know that they're both in great hands. I wish I could have given her a hug when she told me she'd take him because she has no idea how happy she made me.
My Mom is healthy otherwise, the narrowing artery is not life threatening, and I've been relieved in knowing she's okay and Tucker's going to be in great hands. All that's left to worry about is the furlough at work that may come, which wouldn't be too bad because it's 1 day off a week for 22 weeks. Yes, it's unpaid, but it's time I could spend with the boys or get some things done around the house. I'll just have to wait on see on that one since I don't have any control over it.
We originally were going to have my Mom watch Tucker until the end of May/beginning of June, but that all changed this past weekend. While out to lunch with my Mom and sister on Saturday, my mother had a spell and fainted while holding Tucker. She had finished her lunch first and offered to hold him while I ate. My sister and I both took a bite of our lunch and all of a sudden noticed that the table was going over. I looked up and my Mom was no where in site. She had fainted for all a second and fell to the floor with Tucker in her arms. Luckily, she didn't fall on Tucker or he didn't hit his head. My Mom came to right away, but didn't know what happened. After a little bit, she got back up on her chair and just rested for a bit. We went over to ShopKo and once there, I could tell she wasn't feeling good so I asked her if she wanted to go home and she said yes. Long story short, my sister drove her home and then my Dad drove her over to the hospital. She stayed there Saturday through Monday where there ran a TON of tests. I don't even know how many EKGs she had, but they all came back perfect. She has high blood pressure, but her cholesterol is great. They did an MRI on her brain Monday and it came back showing that she has a narrowing of an artery in her brain that she was born with but didn't know about until now. They said she may or may not have another episode in the future, but she's not allowed to drive and she's going to Iowa City to a neurologist to do more testing.
So, after that, she is terrified that she could fall with Tucker and doesn't want to chance it. For now, my Dad would be in the house, but once he starts planting, she'll be all by herself. I have been worried about what I'm going to do with Tucker and talked to our sitter yesterday and she said I could take him there since he's such an easy baby (she watched after him on Monday when he got kicked out the hospital). So, in order for her to watch him, I'm going to switch to 8 hour days, working 6am-2:30pm. I'll pick the boys up around 3:15 every day since her busy time is 3:30-4:30. That will relieve her of 2 kids! It was a HUGE relief off my shoulders once she told me she could take him. I just didn't want him going to anyone that hasn't watched my children and also having Jason drive to 2 different places every day. We love our sitter, Mary, to death and know that they're both in great hands. I wish I could have given her a hug when she told me she'd take him because she has no idea how happy she made me.
My Mom is healthy otherwise, the narrowing artery is not life threatening, and I've been relieved in knowing she's okay and Tucker's going to be in great hands. All that's left to worry about is the furlough at work that may come, which wouldn't be too bad because it's 1 day off a week for 22 weeks. Yes, it's unpaid, but it's time I could spend with the boys or get some things done around the house. I'll just have to wait on see on that one since I don't have any control over it.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
2
Tucker turned 2 months old on Sunday, February 17th. He's such a happy little guy and he's also a big guy! He's currently in 6 months clothes and eating 6 oz of formula every 3-4 hrs. In order for him to make a long stretch during the night, we are giving him some rice cereal at the 8-8:30 feeding and he'll go until 3am when he's hungry again. I couldn't continue feeding him every 3 hrs because that would have been 8 bottles a day times 6 oz! Waaaay to much formula. These past 10 weeks have been absolutely wonderful and I'm such a different person than I was when we had Cooper. It's definitely much better the second time around because I've had the experience of a child already and your life doesn't have that major change coming. It's just twice the work though! But, it's great and I wouldn't trade my life for anything.
Cooper loves his little brother so much and loves to help feed him and burp him. He's very gentle with him and sticks his face in his trying to entertain Tucker. He gives him kisses all the time and tries to poke his eyes out from time to time, but we keep a good eye on the big guy so our little guy can continue to see. :)
We just love our little guys so much and can't believe our little one is 2 months old already. It's definitely gone way faster this time around, although I am enjoying it so much. Only 2.5 more weeks before I go back to work and I am looking forward to it. I'll miss my time with Tucker, but I'm looking forward to adult social interaction every day and also dressing up every day. It's been a great 2 months and I'm going to really try to make the most of these last couple weeks.
Tucker had his 2 month appointment today and he's 15 lbs 6 oz and he's 24.75 inches long. He's currently the size of a 5 month old. :)
We love you Tucker Jack!
Cooper loves his little brother so much and loves to help feed him and burp him. He's very gentle with him and sticks his face in his trying to entertain Tucker. He gives him kisses all the time and tries to poke his eyes out from time to time, but we keep a good eye on the big guy so our little guy can continue to see. :)
We just love our little guys so much and can't believe our little one is 2 months old already. It's definitely gone way faster this time around, although I am enjoying it so much. Only 2.5 more weeks before I go back to work and I am looking forward to it. I'll miss my time with Tucker, but I'm looking forward to adult social interaction every day and also dressing up every day. It's been a great 2 months and I'm going to really try to make the most of these last couple weeks.
Tucker had his 2 month appointment today and he's 15 lbs 6 oz and he's 24.75 inches long. He's currently the size of a 5 month old. :)
We love you Tucker Jack!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Andy Boy
Today was a hard day. Something we've been dreading for a long time. Jason and I made the decision to put Andy down.
He's been having issues with his liver for a while now and a couple months ago we thought we were going to lose him. He bounced back for one last go around and we're so thankful he was here when we brought Tucker home. Yesterday when I was getting him out of his kennel, I noticed as he was trying to just walk out of his kennel that he was having trouble. Once he got on his feet, he could hardly make it up the stairs and I had to take his front paws and put them on a step, then pick up his hind legs and put them up a step. When we got up the stairs, he just laid there. I didn't know what to do because I couldn't carry him, so I called a friend who came over to help. I couldn't get a hold of Jason as he was out at the farm. When Jason finally called me back, I told him what was going on and he called the vet, came home and picked up Andy, and went immediately to the office. About 45 minutes later they came home with the news that Andy's liver was failing and it was time. His gums were completely white as were the parts of his eye that should be red. He hardly had any circulation left, which is why he could hardly walk anymore. We knew what the right thing to do was, it just didn't make it any easier. Especially for Jason. He's been with Jason since he was a pup at Michigan Tech. They've been through everything together and he was Jason's best bud. We did a lot of crying last night and loving on him. Andy didn't move much as he was on a high dosage of pain pills, but Jason grilled him a nice pork chop and fed it to him. We took lots of pictures and just laid on the floor with him.
Jason got up every few hours or so throughout the night to check on him and give him more pain pills. Andy laid in the living room with Tucker and I in case anything happened. He didn't move a muscle all night. It was extremely tough to see him have hardly any muscle in his body anymore to move and just lay there.
We were both dreading this morning when we woke up. We had to wait until 8am to call the office to see what time we could come in. We made the appointment for 10:30am and had my parents come over to watch Tucker so that I could go with Jason. It was a long, short drive over to the office knowing what we were about to do and also just having to watch Andy so excited to go for one last car ride, not knowing what was to come. When we pulled in to the parking lot and got Andy out, his hips gave out again and he stumbled around trying to walk. They got us into the room right away and the vet came in to explain what she was going to do. She gave him a shot that put him to sleep and once he was completely asleep, she left to get the shot that would put him down. It took a few minutes before he was gone. It was terribly sad, but he went so peacefully. He didn't suffer at all. We had our last moments with him to say goodbye, which was so tough. It was so hard to leave his body there knowing that we won't see him again, knowing that we won't see him every day when we come home, or knowing that he was guarding our house every night. This has to be the hardest thing we've done so far and we miss him terribly. It's so quiet around the house and Sadie knows something isn't right. She won't come out of her kennel and I catch her every once in a while looking for him.
We know he's no longer suffering and that he's in a much better place. Dogs are family members and it's sad to see them go. The thing I miss most is his gentle eyes and his kisses. We made sure he gave us a few last night and he even gave Tucker one last kiss on his cheek. He was the best dog and although we knew this day would come, it didn't make it any easier. We have some great memories and many pictures to tell our boys about when they get older. We are having him cremated and we're going to spread his ashes out at the farm so he'll always be there with us.
We miss you like crazy, Andy boy. We won't ever forget you and love you so, so much.
Love,
Daddy, Mommy, Cooper, Tucker, and Sadie (Best Friends Forever)
He's been having issues with his liver for a while now and a couple months ago we thought we were going to lose him. He bounced back for one last go around and we're so thankful he was here when we brought Tucker home. Yesterday when I was getting him out of his kennel, I noticed as he was trying to just walk out of his kennel that he was having trouble. Once he got on his feet, he could hardly make it up the stairs and I had to take his front paws and put them on a step, then pick up his hind legs and put them up a step. When we got up the stairs, he just laid there. I didn't know what to do because I couldn't carry him, so I called a friend who came over to help. I couldn't get a hold of Jason as he was out at the farm. When Jason finally called me back, I told him what was going on and he called the vet, came home and picked up Andy, and went immediately to the office. About 45 minutes later they came home with the news that Andy's liver was failing and it was time. His gums were completely white as were the parts of his eye that should be red. He hardly had any circulation left, which is why he could hardly walk anymore. We knew what the right thing to do was, it just didn't make it any easier. Especially for Jason. He's been with Jason since he was a pup at Michigan Tech. They've been through everything together and he was Jason's best bud. We did a lot of crying last night and loving on him. Andy didn't move much as he was on a high dosage of pain pills, but Jason grilled him a nice pork chop and fed it to him. We took lots of pictures and just laid on the floor with him.
Jason got up every few hours or so throughout the night to check on him and give him more pain pills. Andy laid in the living room with Tucker and I in case anything happened. He didn't move a muscle all night. It was extremely tough to see him have hardly any muscle in his body anymore to move and just lay there.
We were both dreading this morning when we woke up. We had to wait until 8am to call the office to see what time we could come in. We made the appointment for 10:30am and had my parents come over to watch Tucker so that I could go with Jason. It was a long, short drive over to the office knowing what we were about to do and also just having to watch Andy so excited to go for one last car ride, not knowing what was to come. When we pulled in to the parking lot and got Andy out, his hips gave out again and he stumbled around trying to walk. They got us into the room right away and the vet came in to explain what she was going to do. She gave him a shot that put him to sleep and once he was completely asleep, she left to get the shot that would put him down. It took a few minutes before he was gone. It was terribly sad, but he went so peacefully. He didn't suffer at all. We had our last moments with him to say goodbye, which was so tough. It was so hard to leave his body there knowing that we won't see him again, knowing that we won't see him every day when we come home, or knowing that he was guarding our house every night. This has to be the hardest thing we've done so far and we miss him terribly. It's so quiet around the house and Sadie knows something isn't right. She won't come out of her kennel and I catch her every once in a while looking for him.
We know he's no longer suffering and that he's in a much better place. Dogs are family members and it's sad to see them go. The thing I miss most is his gentle eyes and his kisses. We made sure he gave us a few last night and he even gave Tucker one last kiss on his cheek. He was the best dog and although we knew this day would come, it didn't make it any easier. We have some great memories and many pictures to tell our boys about when they get older. We are having him cremated and we're going to spread his ashes out at the farm so he'll always be there with us.
We miss you like crazy, Andy boy. We won't ever forget you and love you so, so much.
Love,
Daddy, Mommy, Cooper, Tucker, and Sadie (Best Friends Forever)
Friday, February 1, 2013
My Boys
This week has been crazy. Lots and lots of hospital visits. Cooper had his 2 year well check on Tuesday and then Wednesday night, I decided I needed to take Tucker to the express care. He had this cough and still does, that just didn't sound right and made me nervous every time he'd cough. When we got to the clinic, we were told they don't treat infants under 3 months and we could either go to the ER or wait until the next day to see our doctor. I wasn't comfortable waiting so we walked on over to the ER. Long story short, after 4 hours of X-rays/tests, they figured out he has RSV. No treatment since its a virus (frustrating!), so we just have to keep an eye on him to make sure his breathing doesn't change. He's getting better and I'm hoping it continues.
Cooper has become such a love bug. Since I sleep on the couch while Tucker gets up once during the night, every morning Cooper will come down and climb up on me. He snuggles in and hugs and kisses me and watches TV. When he has to get his coat on, he tucks me in and tells me night-night. My heart is so full and this makes my day every morning. What a great way to start every day! I'm sure going to miss this when I have to go back to work. He's just becoming such a sweet little guy and Jason and I are thoroughly enjoying it. :)
Cooper has become such a love bug. Since I sleep on the couch while Tucker gets up once during the night, every morning Cooper will come down and climb up on me. He snuggles in and hugs and kisses me and watches TV. When he has to get his coat on, he tucks me in and tells me night-night. My heart is so full and this makes my day every morning. What a great way to start every day! I'm sure going to miss this when I have to go back to work. He's just becoming such a sweet little guy and Jason and I are thoroughly enjoying it. :)
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