Stress

Things I am stressed about

• We are traveling soon. (So all the things that go along with that.  Plus we're going somewhere we haven't been.  We're renting a car, carseat, pack n play.)
• Grandma is in the hospital with high levels of Potassium.  She's on the med now, but still won't be home for a few days.
• A stomach virus is making it's way through the family.
• My house is a mess.
• Bertie is driving me crazy (which makes me feel like a bad mom).
• Can I say that Bertie is driving me crazy again?
• I haven't exercised in days (which is also driving me crazy and probably adding to my stress).
• I am PMSing.

Another pet blog

Zelda:
She was our first dog (as in neither of us had ever had a dog before).  We had wanted a greyhound for sometime, and where matched up with her.  She has lived with us for nearly 6 years.  Zelda is the sweetest dog.  She loves all people, and cats!  And she is an easy dog, she sleeps all day.  She has deep brown eyes with Egyptian-looking eyeliner.  She loves walks, holding hands, zoomies, sleeping on the couch and treats.  She will be 11 in October.  Her full name is Zelda Belle.  Aliases: Zelly Belly, Zoody, Zooby, Zelby, Zella, Noodles, Big Dog, Dogzilla, Belly, and Zoo.

Fiona:
Thinking all dogs were awesome, like Zelda, we got Fiona at a chihuahua sale, at the local shelter. She is not full chihuahua, but possibly has dachshund, or terrier as well. She tricked us, she acted very quiet and friendly.  Neither of these things have been true.  When she first came home, she peed on the floor a lot.  That, fortunately, has stopped.  But she barks all. the. time.  And she hates all dogs that aren't Zelda, and is not fond of many people either.  But she is a snuggly little idiot, and we love her.  The age estimate from the shelter puts her about the same age as Zelly.  She still acts like a much younger dog.  Her full name is Fiona Josephine.  Her aliases are: Yoie, Yoie Joey, and Small Dog,

Julius:
Juli is possibly the most handsome, and troublesome cat we've ever had.  He is friendly, and loves to be a lap cat.  But he also sprays whenever he is in the house, and after trying many things, he had to be an outside/garage cat.  Juli got along with our previous cat (Moss) but doesn't like any other cats.  He gets along with the dogs without any issues. He is a jerk, but we still love him.  He is likely about 7 years old.  Neither cat has a middle name.  Aliases: Juli, Jules, Juli-Booli, Julius-Boolius, and Juli-Cat.

Priya:
Priya has only been with us since January.  She is a shy cat, but likes snuggling once she knows you.  She is missing one of her rear feet, so she hops a bit.  Her name was Tinsley when we adopted her.  She doesn't like dogs, but likes hissing and swiping at them.  Priya has Bertie get along fairly well; she likes to sit by him in the big recliner.  She doesn't have many aliases: Pree, Pree-Cat.

Notes to be elaborated on later

Things Bertram says:
Ham meat, papa instead of grandpa, candy beans, all meals are dinner ("dider"),

Coney dogs are annoying dogs

Bertie didn't sleep til after 930 tonight. I went in to get him and he was so happy to see me. We snuggled in my bed for a bit. If he would actually sleep there, i would let him. But he won't.

We read a lot of books. 1000 books by kindergarten.

The incident

A week ago we took the dogs on their nightly walk.  We went on one of our non-typical routes.  As we were walking down the sidewalk a grey pitbull charged out of a house, and straight towards the dogs.  It all happened so fast, I didn't even have time to think. (We carry pepper spray in our walk bag for that specific purpose, but didn't even have time to grab it).  I hoisted Yoie up by her lead, and the pitbull went straight to Zelda.  In a matter of 2 seconds, Zelda had several bites on her leg (one was muscle deep).  

The friend of the dog owner had let the dog out into the front yard without a lead.  The owner (Regina) was not happy about this, of course.  Aaron called his mom to come pick up him and Zelda, and they went off to the emergency vet.  I walked Bertie and Yoie home.  Aaron had to leave her for a while, and pick her up around 1:30 am.  It was $400-something. When Fiona and I went to bed, I noticed that she was bleeding.  She had been bitten on her chest, but it didn't look too bad, so I decided to take her to our normal vet in the morning.

Zelda came home and looked alright.  When we got up, Fiona's bit was really, really swollen.  I took her to the vet.  She had a hematoma and needed a drain.  So I left her for the day, her bill was around $500.  

Then on Wednesday we noticed that Zelda's stitches looked really bad, like she'd popped a stitch.  Thursday I took her to our vet, who told us that the emergency vet didn't fix her correctly and she had necrotic tissue in her wound.  So she needed a drain too.  Another $500.  Aaron is still in talks with the ER vet to reimburse us for their error.  The pitbull's owner paid $1000 for the first round of bills (but it it's right for her to have to pay for the vet's error).

In the meantime, my sister made a go fund me for Zelda and in a day we raised enough money to cover the bill, in case the ER vet doesn't pay.

Fiona had her drain out on Saturday.  She's looking a little better, and her appetite is coming back.  Zelda's leg is still looking bad.  She's suppose to have the drain out tomorrow, but we'll see that the vet says.

It's been a very stressful week.

And now, some complaining...

Bertie is definitely in the terrible twos, or maybe a two-nager.  He is always saying no, or when it's time to be done: one more, or one more time.  (Why am I trying to have another again?)

Today he wanted to draw with markers, then paint stamps (dot markers?  I'm not sure what they're called) then real paint.  I like him doing these things, so that was all fine.  When he paints he get super washable crayola paints, a palette and a cheapie brush.  Lately he wants a cup of water, but doesn't understand the water is for washing the brush, and then just keeps adding paint to the water.  Anyway, he was painting, then spilled the water cup.  No big deal, I had him continue on, but no.  He needed the water cup.  I said no, then the threw the palette across the floor.  He got a timeout, and I got to clean the floor.

He refused to nap today.   I tried 4 different times to put him down.  No dice.  Which means I didn't get anything done.

I have either a sinus infection or some terrible allergies.  My face/head hurts.

After his non-nap, we went to buy groceries.  There are always cookies there, so I got him a cookie.  Then he wanted another snack.  I had a squeezy pack in my purse, so I gave him that.  Then he wanted another snack.  The store sells individual squeezy yogurts.  He seemed excited, and chose a flavour.  I opened it, then he said no.  So I closed it, and let him hold it.  He was upset about me closing it, and threw it on the ground.  And the package split open.  Then he wanted it again, and, stupidly, I obliged.  He, then, of course, spilled it everywhere.  (Fortunately, the grocery clerk was nice, and didn't charge us).  Also, he bit into an unripe avocado, skin and all (and then was upset when it didn't taste good).  I'n not sure if that will ripen properly.

We had to go to one other store.  There he grabbed onto a gallon of water, by the strap.  He wouldn't let go, so I tried to unwrap his fingers.  But when I succeeded, he lost his balance and hit his eye on the cart.  (Mother of the Year).  Then he started crying.  So I carried him for a minute.  When I went to put him back (because he was reaching for everything, again), he threw a fit.  I had to wrestle to get him back in the cart, and buckle him in. (At which he was screaming "too tight", because that's what he says when he is unhappy).  And everyone stared, and I was "that mom"

My bridesmaid skirt came in today! I was so excited, because I thought it was really cute, and I could wear it again, unlike other bridesmaid dresses.  And if I'm pregnant I can still wear it with no issue.  Following the description I was a Medium, but following the size chart (which they said to do) I was a Large.  I opened the bag, and said "well, this looks huge.".  I tried it on, and said "this feels huge"  And it's very long (supposed to hit at the knee, but falls to my mid calf.  Then I looked in the mirror.  Oh Lord.  It was even worse than I imagined.  Like wearing a large tulle garbage bag.  I filled out the return paperwork tonight (since you have a mere 10 days to return it. (Thanks Obama. (Lol)).  Now I'm not sure what to do.  Do I order the medium and hope it doesn't look like garbage?  Do I order a dress, and hope I don't get prego, or huge and that it actually fits?  Also, this company is 15 miles from my house, and they have no show room.  Grr.

Catching up

We had Bertie's second birthday.  Just a small affair with family, pizza and cake.  Bertie had a good time, and got some nice gifts.

My mom was here for 2 blissful weeks.  I love having her here, and Bertie does too.  We always have fun together.  We went to the aquarium on day with my dad.  Bertie loved it!  It's fun to see my parents together again too.  Like we get to play the happy family, which we actual are now.  Funny, how divorce can make things better for everyone.  And, unlike make divorced couples, they can actual hang out, and be friends.
(Sometimes I feel guilty that I'm the stay at home parent.  Some days Bertie and I have so much fun.  I know I'd be jealous if the situation was reversed).

I ordered my bridesmaid dress today.  Well, skirt.  I'm pretty excited, because I'll actually be able to wear it again.  But it's going to take til mid April to get here.  :-/

I've been keeping up with my exercise.  I've only missed one day so far this year.  I want to concentrate more on running.  But I've been really tired lately, which makes 6am running hard.  I tried a beginning plyometrics workout today.

 But, I've been eating like crap lately.  Lots of sugar, lots of diet coke.  And I've been more flexitarian than vegetarian.

My friend Brianon had her baby yesterday.  She had a lot similarities to Bertie's birth.  Emergency c-section, babies in NICU.  I wish I could be there to help out and meet baby Henry.

We finally got some rain today.  It's supposed to continue for a while.

A day of firsts

I just want to jot these down, before I forget.

• Bertram peed in the potty today!  I'd been trying to have his sit, which he didn't like.  So I put him on the step stool, and he peed on the second try.  (Then on the floor, I guess he wasn't done).  I was so excited.  He hasn't done it again, but it's a start!  (Yay!)
• Today was the first time we played in the backyard.  Up until now, it's been the dogs' toilet.  But I've been more diligent about mowing, weeding, and picking up the poop.  So we played back there all together.  At one point Fiona grabbed Charlie bear and ran around the yard with him.  We all chased her, and Bertie thought it was hilarious.
• While playing in the yard, we had the bubbles out.  Bertie blew some.  He'd never done that before.
• Later in the day, all the kids were in the bath tub at Grandma's house.  Bertie bit Michael.  He's never bitten anyone (other than me) before.  But to be fair, Michael did put his finger in Bertram's mouth.