Happy Birthday Alex!

Alex turned 4 yesterday, we celebrated the day by Jason and I helping out at his school. He felt like King for the day in his crown his teacher's had made him, the classing singing "Happy Birthday", and then sharing cake w/ all his classmates. Then we took him for lunch by himself, and back home to get ready for his actual party. He got lots of great gifts, and enjoyed each and every one of them-along w/ yet another piece of cake. My mission was accomplished when he said "Mommy, this was the best birthday ever", right before bed.

It's hard to believe 4 years has passed, so many things have changed since then-homes, jobs, the addition of another baby, and yet another on the way. He's growing into a sufficient little boy, I love looking at the photo albums and past birthday movies to see how he's changed. I am so blessed to have him in my life.

Here's this year's birthday movie:

Life on the inside

I had my mid-way u/s done a few weeks ago, and life on the inside appears to be going well. Lots of activity, and all the parts appear to be there. And no, nothing was revealed that we didn't want to see.

My due date is set for August 27th, but if it comes early I won't be too heartbroken:).

Alex and Laura got a kick out of the u/s photos, Alex looked at this 3d photo and asked what that was around the baby, food? And he was a little confused at first as to how they got a picture of the baby, I think he thought they took it out and put it back in for that-until I explained they use a computer.

I'm pretty well in line, my bladder/kidney issues seem to have subsided, I've gained 6 lbs so far, and am feeling pretty decent right now. I manage to work out about 3 days a week at the gym, the elliptical is my new friend; and try to get out for a walk most days. I'll give anything for another birth like Laura's, so I'm trying to stay on a similar track as I did in her pg-so far so good.

Technology is a good thing (naturally I'd say that), but the 3d photos are even a little scary to me, in the photo above you get a glimpse at the profile, a foot, and an elbow/arm in the background.

Playing God

A few months back Mag was diagnosed with something called Wobbler's disease. It's not a well-known disease, but it's prevalant in younger danes and older dobies. The disease affects her spine, and results in loss of coordination of the legs. Her hind legs have been affected for quite some time, but about two weeks ago her front legs began to give way as well. The disease strictly affects the spine; therefore none of her major organs are affected. Essentially she's a normal dog, but if the disease fully progresses she'll be completely incapacitated.

The past two weeks have been rough, she has a hard time manipulating stairs, getting up, and periodically she'll fall down. It's hard to watch her struggle, and I vowed I wouldn't let her get to the point of not walking. We're getting close, the things she enjoys like running in the woods-and just hanging outside with us are becoming challenging.

Naively I hoped she'd just fall asleep, afterall I've already went through the whole put your animal to sleep thing. Life's not that easy though, so we're left to play God and determine when an animals quality of life is no longer worth living. Luckily I've formed a close relationship with my vet throughout the past 9 1/2 years, so she's willing to make one last house call for Mag and I.

Life sucks right now.

Spring photo shoot

I had a few non-Facebookers request to see the recent photos I took of the kids. Unfortunately the weather hasn't been conducive for photos since x-mas.



Sissy is still sporting her 18 month clothes, and I think it's the first I can honestly say that I've gotten adequate use out of "baby" clothes. Common phrases from her are: no, hello, where are you?-in conjunction w/ holding onto a cell, eat, brother, momma, daddy, maagie, and there are many more but those are the most common. We haven't even started potty training yet, I'm not in a hurry just as it did w/ Alex-it will happen when it happens. In the next few months we may try out a big girl bed, just to see how it goes.



Alex enjoyed his spring break this past week, we didn't do anything particular-but he enjoyed coloring eggs, going to the park, enjoyed some birthday cake and a party for his cousin and grandpa, helped grandpa down in the woods, ate at Gillie's for the first time, and had a sleepover at Scott and Sherry's. Proof you don't have to spend money to have a good time:). Common phrases from him: you know, proceeded by some fact of what he probably did in the past week; momma I have a belly ache, but he could mysteriously still find room for candy, gum, or ice cream; there's no such thing as monsters, right mom?; and he continues to tell me how much he loves me-typically followed by some form of a request:). That's o.k., I'll take it while I can.