Back to Work

My last two weeks of work have been a whirlwind.  My plate is FULL! Let me just list the things that have been going on since I started back:

1. Put Koal to sleep

2. Cavity (haven't had one in about 18 years)

3. Kinked my neck which has resulted in 6 (count them) mirgaines (which I never get)

4. Doc put me on hydrocodone for the migraines and the first one I took kicked my butt- sick all day at work, even ran out of a meeting to puke, had to dump my milk (which I NEVER do)

5. Corey's busy time = working till 9pm almost every night and working all day on Sat and Sun

6. New puppy (might be more work than an infant)

7. Screaming kid the first 2 days of daycare (everything is back to normal now)

8. Sick little girl. 105 F temp. Her temp has been staying around 103 and won't come down. Ear infection, eye infection, nose infection. First antiobiotic not working, went back to doc today for something else- fingers crossed it works.

9. Supposed to be heading to Vegas in two days with both girls (in the car)

10. Corey left today for a business trip and won't be back till Thursday when we are gone

And that has just been the first 2 weeks back to work. Hopefully things start to get back to normal. Not complaining or anything- just wanted everyone to know why I have been MIA.

Isley is such a good little helper with Quinn. I had Quinn sitting in the Boppy and Isley was playing with her Ipod- I looked over and Isley placed her stuffed dog on Quinn. Guess she thought Quinn needed some company. I love the pic of Quinn staring at the beast wondering what in the world it is doing on her belly.

 Isley pumping milk for Carlos just like mom does for Quinn. Too funny!

Koal

Well I started back to work on Monday and it was a very sad day.

When Corey first graduated school and moved back he wanted to buy a little pup to keep him company. He found a batch of black labs (not papered) at a local pet store. He took me back to see her and we bought her right there for $100. For a hunting dog- this was a big no-no. We didn't know her parents, if she really was pure bred, she was much too cheap, etc... But she turned out to be worth much more.
She was a super companion, a fabulous hunting dog and the perfect playmate for Isley.

Being a hunting dog she had a few health issues rise up. She blew out both her ACLs, had buck shot (the beebees in the bullets) in her ears and bottom (we know this from the x-rays), been skunked a few times, had a couple runs-ins with some porcupines, and most recently tore through a nail and gashed up her leg, which required stitches and a cone for a week. She was a trooper and happier than most dogs.

On Easter, we were outside doing some yard work. Koal and Ash were lounging around, playing and following Isley around as usual. After dinner I noticed that Koal was not putting any weight on her hind leg. With all of her injuries, I didn't think twice- just asked Corey if something happened to her. She sat down to lay in the sun so I left her alone. At 11:30pm Corey heard her crying in the back yard. He went out to check on her and she couldn't use either of her hind legs- she was laying down whimpering. He carried her to the garage and put her in bed. We gave her some pain meds and let her sleep, thinking we would take her to the vet in the morning for another surgey or something.
The next morning she hadn't moved. She wouldn't eat and as I was getting ready I could hear her crying. Corey is super busy with work so he dropped her off at the vet and I went in to find out the problem.
The vet said she probably had some arthritis break loose in her spine and compromise her spinal cord, which paralyzed her. The vet said there was nothing they could do. I was in shock. I started crying. Our only option was to put her to sleep.

I couldn't do it alone so they took her and put her on pain meds till Corey could come.
I ran back to work and an hour later Corey and I met at the vets and put her to sleep. Hardest thing to do... We sobbed and said our good-byes. Corey picked her up after work and buried her on the farm where we first lived with her. We are going to plant something nice on her grave.

It has been pretty hard- Ash is really depressed- barely eats, keeps looking for his best buddy. Isley asks for her and I tear up every time I try to explain that she is sleeping and won't be coming home. We miss her deeply to say the least.

Because Ash has never been alone we are getting him a little puppy to liven him up. We probably would wait a little longer, but there is a one time chance to get some German wirehairs nearby. They are pretty hard to come by so we picked out a little female and she will be coming home within the week. I'll keep you posted on her.

Chunky Brewster

My little Chunky Brewster. Her cheeks are so round and delicious! Perfect for smooching.

My sweeties

Love being home with my sweet hearts! Heading back to work in two weeks and although it will be nice to get back into my routine, I will miss being home with the girls.

Beer and Smiles

Quinn has been smiling so much lately. She started at about 6 weeks- Isley didn't smile until 8 weeks so at first I didn't think they were real smiles, but they are. She is starting to coo a little too- I love when they start to interact. She smiles biggest when Isley and I sing "Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater" to her.
Getting ready to play in the snow. She has had the same coat since she was 6 months old so I finally bought a new one for next year. She has worn it a few times this winter though- to break it in.

For some reason every time Isley sees beer she grabs one for Corey and brings it to him or puts in his spot at the table. It is pretty funny. As long as she doesn't drink any...

My days and nights

On maternity leave in this weather I have to find lots of things for us to do. We hit the gym for stroller bootcamp 3x a week, try to jog outside another 3 times, head to the river to run around and fee the ducks, or walk to one of the many elementary schools nearby. If it is really nasty out (our 60 mph winds a few weeks ago) we head to the mall and play on the toys and ride the escalator. Anyway-here are some pics of our days.

Hard to get a good pic of the 3 of us by myself.

Every night (and nap time) the three of us jump into bed and read a few books. Then we do lights off (and Isley has about 6 things she has to do before she gets settled in to waste time!), snuggle, talk, go through our nursery rhymes and sing a little. Isley is a bit talker at bed time. Sometime right before she zonks out she will blurt out funny things- the last one was that Ash shouldn't potty on Koal. All in all it takes about an hour before I am outta there. But I wouldn't trade it for anything- I enjoy the snuggle time with my girls.

Double Jogger

The double stroller made it, but the weather has not been corporating. We have made it out a few times, but now the snow has been coming and the wind has been howling. Oh well- I have been able to get out about 4 times a week so that makes a big difference. The girls seem to like jogging!