Disney, Dogs, and Delivery

I just got the boys in bed after a long day spent mostly at Disneyland with my sister-in-law, my 6 month-old niece, Stella, and my friend Anh Thy and her two boys. I can hear the boys talking to themselves a bit, so they haven't quite thrown in the towel yet. They fell asleep in the car on the way home, which is a real rarity for Nate these days. I'm lucky he's in bed at a normal hour, talking to himself or not. I was a smarty pants (hold on, got to put Will back in his bed...) and I unplugged Nate's lamp by his bed. It's the kind of night he could stay up for hours "reading" his books if he had the chance.

Only Daisy, our Doberman, is snuggling Nate in his bed tonight. Our other dog, Hannah, had to stay the night at the vets because she has an "ear issue". I realized something was really wrong a couple nights ago when I woke up to her slapping her ears side-to-side over and over. I got up, petted/felt her ears and one was wet and sticky. Sure enough, it was covered in blood. Poor Hannah, crazy stuff always happens to her. I cleaned it up, called our 24-hour vet line, figured she wasn't dying and got her into the vet at their 1st available appointment. A day and a half after the problem began. (note: I hear Nate playing with toys in the dark. Hope he poops out soon because we've got school action in the morning)

So, though I've been cleaning her ear and putting ear antibiotic drops in it from a previous infection (which I learned at the vet may result in hearing loss if her ear drum has ruptured, great help on my part), it was so swollen internally, they couldn't even get a scope in to check it out. Tomorrow she has to be knocked out so they can get a good look and see if something is in there. $900 estimate. Of course. We'll see if the costly pet insurance we finally bought, now that the dogs are eight years old, helps us out on this one. Fingers crossed.

Nate enjoys stirring the pot these days. He was a mischievous little runt most of the evening. I had to tell him "Nate, you may think bad behavior is funny, but it's not funny to me," and I gave him a stern look to show mom means business. He thought it was great pulling all his shirts and hangers off their bar in the closet. Until I made him pick them all up and put them back. He also thought it was funny to encourage Will to throw his grapes at lunch today. Until he had to help pick them up and throw them in the garbage can. He's always looking to push the envelope.

Lately, Nate's been a pretty sassy talker, too. Last night he was getting in the shower (his new thing lately, Heaven forbid we save water and he take a bath with Will) and I said I needed to get washed up, too. Of course, in my mind I was thinking get out quick so I can get you in bed and get a bath all to myself. But this is what Nate says: "Mom, you don't shower with me. You go brush your hair because it's all crazy," and he waves "all crazy" and points at my hair. Thanks. Thanks a lot. At least he didn't mention the extra skin on my stomach that seems happy to "hang out" with me.

I've been trying out some of the exercise classes the YMCA has to offer. So far, so good. My pal, Heidi, wants me to go to some spin classes with her. I'm all for punishing myself to get fit but I'm a bit nervous about the spin class because the one time I went (in Washington state) I was forced to stand and squat and never got to sit on the seat of the bike. What kind of riding is that? I think a leisurely ride class with a fat-seated bike and a movie screen with pretty scenes passing by sounds better. (had to tell Will to get back in bed again)

Rick's in New York on business for a few days, so I'm holding down the fort. We're trading off because this weekend I'm heading back out (on my own!) to Denver to be with my sister and very-soon-to-be-niece, Avery. My little sister, Natalie, was admitted to the hospital a couple hours ago to start the induction process. Avery's taking her sweet time (not so eager to come out like Will who I just had to tell to get back in bed a third time). If all goes well, I'll have a new niece by this time tomorrow. I can hardly believe it. This will be the first baby from one of my siblings. I hope with all my heart everything goes smoothly. I'm so excited to meet the little lady! I don't want to be rude and keep hounding her while she goes into labor, but I'd pay for a play-by-play of the action!