Somethings gotta' give...

Yesterday, Monday.
Spent a.m. on the phone with vet, Mum, and Sally...discussing and asking for advice regarding Larry. The ultimate answer, I have realized, is that he is not going to make it. If we had a few thousand dollars lying around, perhaps. But he is getting sicker and sicker, and it is getting harder and harder to look at him. He isn't even three.
1:00 p.m.--took Vinny's temperature--registered 101.9. Tylenol, headed to Co-Op. May as well be sick there as at home. He had already slept the entire morning.
1:25--checked Vinny's temp again--105.7. Doctor said to come in right away. Thank goodness for the wonderful moms at the Co-Op for letting the other three stay and do class so I only had Vin.
3:30--home again with all four kids. Vinny has double ear infection, still asleep.
5:45--wake Vinny up because I am worried that he has not had anything to drink and no meds since 1:00. He is BURNING up --temp registers at 107.2. OK, now I panic. Crank more Tyelnol into him and call Jason. That's stupid. Call the doctor. She asked if I was using a rectal thermometer. Ummm...no. I have four kids and no butt stick--no judgement, please!
6:00--Call Rachael Knoll because I suspect she and Eric are the types who have a rectal thermometer. I am right. Not only does she have one, she agrees to come over and take Vinny's temperature.
6:15--Rachael is pretty darn good with a butt stick--I believe I am forever indebted to her!!! Temp registers at 102, so the Tylenol is working.
Most days, I can hold it together and take anything that comes my way. However, between my little dog dying, and my baby sick and looking pitiful...it all proved too much.
I know there are worse cases out there, and my kids are healthy, an there is a roof over my head. Believe me, I know how lucky I am, since I have seen firsthand what life is like elsewhere. But for one brief moment, I felt pity. Lucky for me, pity is cured by a good husband, a bowl of cereal, and a little Jack McCoy...

A Great Day!

The kids are all watching Barack Obama being sworn in, and I am loving the comments made from the two older ones...
Mimi (watching/listening to Rick Warren): "He's creepy...and he talks too much."

George: "No, Mimi--that guy's not creepy...he's weird."

(I swear, I had NOTHING to do with that--all I muttered was that he could stand to lose a few!!!)

Mimi (when swearing in Biden): "But "My Barack" is supposed to be President, not him!"

George: "This is a great day, Mama...except for Stanley 'cause he's being bad." (Stanley saw fit to pee on the floor while the Inauguration took place...a bad choice, indeed!)

George: "Someday I do that." (referring to being the President).

Now...to change the Constitution so Mimi and Natan stand a chance, as free citizens of this country, to run for President. They'll be allowed to pay taxes, so fair is fair.

Happy Obama Day!!!!!!!!!!!

These are a few of my Favorite Things...

Today's favorite things:

• Reading dirty children's books with Sally at the bookstore (and no, I will NEVER elaborate!)
• The treadmill
• Firehouse Subs (omg)
• Natan pointing to himself and saying, "Me!" which he has never done before!
• Hearing George read a book to me
• Mimi whispering in my ear during our nap, "Mama...I love you for all the long time."
• Vinny smiling at random people when they smile at him--what a good boy!
• Jason having a rehearsal canceled today and coming home earlier than expected!
• Whoopee cushions...
  

Reconstructing Stanley ...Day Two

So, I am sitting here in the sun room with Vinny...AND STANLEY!!!!! He is not barking or jumping or any such thing. What a nice dog.
Every time he comes in the house now, (except when the kids are involved!), both dogs sit and wait to be invited. What a difference this makes!
Stanley is still not a good "sitter and stayer", but he is responding to "calm, submissive", as am I.
Now...to train the other humans in the house!

Public Apology

I feel that I owe a public apology for things I have said...
I watched a "Dog Whisperer" marathon last night and came to the conclusion that Stanley (our younger Bichon), is NOT actually the worst dog on the planet. He doesn't bite, he is not in the least bit aggressive, and he has a very sweet disposition. I feel like I have been unfair toward him. Already this morning, employing a couple of the "calm, submissive" tactics, he is already better. It took so little.
So...sheepishly and with a calm manner, I would like to say, "Sorry, Stanley."
Mum--you missed out on your chance to have a little white lap dog who is actually GREAT!!!!!!! The offer has been permanently rescinded!

Happy 2009!

Happy New Year!
We spent an uneventful but delightful evening with our favorite people...our kids! Enjoyed nachos for dinner accompanied by sparkling cider and then an early viewing of "fireworks" by Jason! Mimi and George spent the three hours leading up to 7:30 asking, "Is it new years yet?" and then..."it's getting dark...it's almost time!" They were all SO excited about the fireworks.
After the first one (small and not terribly loud or impressive!), George announced, "OK, Daddy Mommy. It's done. We can go home now." But, no...there were $20 worth of GA firecrackers so little scared George had to endure! Vinny fell promptly asleep, and Mimi and Natan LOVED them!!! Mimi kept saying, "More, Da! More!!!"
George then ended up downstairs on the couch around 10 p.m. with us watching "Serpico" (awesome, vintage Pacino--highly recommended, but not for a four year old!!!), since others around were shooting off fireworks between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. and he simply did not like it! He came thumping downstairs, "Wilson" under his arm. The other three slept through all of it, and it was LOUD!
Wilson, FYI...the new kid appropriate football he is in love with since he and Mommy had a righteous game the other day (and yes, my knee is still burning!).
We are now awaiting our New Year's Day guests who are coming for a visit. YAY!