Quite possibly the dumbest dog in the world...

Our dog Papi, or "Papi the Pest" as I like to call him, could quite possibly take the award for the worlds dumbest dog.
Let me begin by explaining how we got Papi. Some of you might remember our angel furbaby, Tater Tot.

A few months after Tater Tot passed away I began looking for another dog. No dog would replace Tater Tot but I had always had dogs and hated not having a four legged furbaby to love on. Against Tony's better judgement he agreed that if I found a dog, and funded the cost of getting a dog he would coincide with a new pet. He was still sad about Tater Tot and not really thrilled with the idea but he went along with it just the same.
I found Papi at a local rescue. His ad on pet finder described an energetic male Bishon who loved kids and had a great personality, fully house trained, and completed obedience school. Let me just tell you, this dog in NO way completed obidience school, maybe he was kicked out, but not completed.
I called about him and we went through the 'adoption process.' Everything from paper work, to a home study... crazy, I know. They were more cautious about placing Papi with our family than the hospital was to let us come home with our children. Long story short we got Papi.
When we met him he was a white fluffy ball of energy! He jumped into our arms, licked the kids all over and it was an instant bond. He just fit.... in the parking lot anyway.

As we drove him the kids were thrilled and I loved holding this fluffy big furbaby in my arms. We got him home and as quick as that instant bond occurred, that is how instantly the terror began! He ran through the house, running in circles. The kids were terrified, I just summed it up to his excitement and explained to the kids that Papi was a puppy and had far more energy than our old girl Tater Tot.
The months flew by as did Papi. He ran circles in my house for months, he chewed every plastic toy that my children owned. Really all new toys have since been replaced and kept in special baskets that Papi is able to open.

About four months after we got him he began this constant itching, only on his head. He would scratch his head, mussel, and neck until he was bleeding and left with huge scabs. I must have taken him to multiple vets and changed his diet at least 20 times. He has been tested for allergies, parasites, mange... you name it he was tested for it. Everything ends up normal. The continual response we received was "It is a nervous habit and the only thing left to try is puppy Prozac."
I have tried herbal remedies to help him calm down, but I am still hesitant to put him on any kind of 'puppy Prozac.'
If you are playing with him, holding him, walking him, throwing a ball to him, if he is eating, or running he will not itch. But when the family sits on the couch to watch a movie he will start this incessant itching, any time he is not getting your attention, he is itching. We have since resorted to saving the skin on his head by requiring him to wear a cone...


...all the time.
No judgements here please. This is to prevent infection and scaring of his already very thin skin. The nut that he is does not even seem bothered by the cone, infact I think he likes it. He will come to you and let you put the cone on his head. Almost like a security blanket. When he isn't going for a walk, cuddling or totally entertained, he is wearing a cone. Turn your head for a moment and his head is a bloody mess! The white coat does not make this any easier to deal with. His white fur was a horrid shade of salmon from the blood.

We do love Papi an thank God he ended up with our family, I think anyone else would have disposed of him. That is probably why he ended up at the rescue, probably why we haven't heard a peep from his foster parents, and Tony is sure that is why the foster parents looked so joyful to see him go. I did find out they are no longer foster parents for the rescue, I can't say that I blame them.

To continue, here are just afew short stories of Papi-catastrophes that have occurred in our home. (in no particular order)

Tony got a brand new cell phone and while charging his phone Papi comes running through the house like a bat out of hell. He got tangled in the wires from the charger and Tony's laptop... pulled the laptop off the table. He got scared and continued to run dragging the cellphone and charger through the house, bashing the new cell phone into the wall. Tony was less than happy about this.
Troy was a victim of Papi's cone which commonly bashes into walls and furniture. On this occasion the cone bashed into Troy's head.

I was sending some homework online a couple days ago and Papi jumped from the bed onto the nigh stand, knocking everything off the nightstand, he leaped onto the TV tray that my laptop was sitting on knocking everything to the floor. He ran through the bedroom squealing like a pig at a BBQ.
Every time the door is opened Papi tries to run out. Today he ran out so quickly he wasn't watching where he was going and crashed into the side of the house and knocked out. I screamed and picked him up, once I picked him up he woke up and his legs kept running in my arms.
Everyday feels spastic with this dog. He really drives me insane.
After about a year, I resorted to getting another dog, JazzyBell, in hopes that having a friend would help calm him.

JazzyBell is a sweet little poodle with a calm little personality. She is gentle and soft. She is a good friend for Papi and does help him a little bit but he is still a total nut!

All I can say is Papi is one lucky dog because I don't know many people who can deal with this craziness!
Tony has since come to love Papi and Papi is 'his' dog. The dog he didn't want is now his furbaby. Papi loves Tony. He loves riding in the car with Tony, when Tony leaves the house without Papi. He will bark a high pitch bark and runs through the house in a panic, running from the door to every window looking for his Daddy. And yes, banging the cone into everything while he runs in a panic to find Tony.

Happy 6 year Anniversary

Tony and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary last night. Our anniversary was Friday, July 23, but he was in Ft. Lauderdale. He came home this weekend and we had a wonderful date night last night. He leaves Tuesday morning at 5am back down south. It will be a long two weeks as we probably won't see him next weekend.

Here are some pictures from our 'big night out' at the fondue restaurant, the Melting Pot.

I love this first picture, all dressed up and in a barn. We were dropping the kids off at my parent's farm.





I got this dress almost a year ago, for $3, on clearance at TJ Maxx!! I really love good deals. I didn't know where I would possibly wear the dress but it worked out to be the perfect dress for a night out with the hubby.
Love you Tony! Couldn't imagine life without you!!

my latest find...

I got a bargain yesterday!!
A very nice family in our subdivision is moving to China! They are both teachers and they previously taught at a private school here in town. They are moving to teach at an international school in China. They are moving with their darling daughter who will attend the school were they will be teaching. Such a unique opportunity for their family. I am sure God will bless them in their travels and all their endeavors.
Now, for the bargain I got... A few months ago this family had a garage sale, selling most of everything in their home. We weren't able to go but I did drive by and noticed a few things of interest. Yesterday I was walking the dogs and I noticed a white cabinet thing in their garage.. one of the few things left. I figured it wouldn't hurt to knock and ask them if the cabinet/dresser thing was for sale.
The husband and daughter answered the door and he said I could just have it! FREE! I won't argue with that.
So, it needed a bit of work.. but here is what I got.





I decided to paint to a dark, gray blue color called 'seal pup'... Sophia picked it from a choice of a few other colors. We spent $12.12 on paint. Got home and began working... I let the kids paint the back, the side that would go against the wall.. LOL.. I put there names, ages, and dates on the back when they were done. Here is what they did...





And here is what I did...



With a little help from Troy...


Now Sophia placed herself in the A/C for the most part. She's a smart girl.. It was HOT working in that garage.

Here is the before picture of my dining area in the great room. Needed a splash of color if you ask me! ;)



So I switched some things around.. took the leaf out of the table, removed the broken chair from the dining room, and switched around some candles and pictures...
TADA!!






Let me know what you think? Oh, and you might be wondering why I decided on the dining room? We are embarking on a homeschooling journey, Sophia will be in preschool this year so we are calling it, "pre-homeschool." I needed somewhere to hid all of the 'fun stuff' that I have been finding for our "pre-homeschool" year. ;)
This will work just perfect!

old news.. but still news.

So I am sure I haven't shared, although some of you may know.
I write a blog for a local magazine. Lake Magazine, the blog is on their website. I try to write at least one blog every two weeks. Sometimes more, never less.
The blog is called 'In The Hood', motherhood. ;)
I am going to be on their radio show Friday to talk about the blog and motherhood. So if you are in the area you better be listening to HeartBeat Radio around noontime.
I figured I'd share with my blogging buddies. Some of the stories you will recognize from previous blogs on this site and some are new. If you want to comment, you have to subscribe to the website, thus subscribing to the blog. It is free just type in your email etc. Check it out.

http://thelakemagazine.net/archives/category/blogs/motherhood

If you are located in this area the website is packed full of local events, places, and things to do.

*So on a personal note:
We are in Ft. Lauderdale visiting Tony. It was a long drive down, totally worth it. Tomorrow the kids and I will drive back home and I'm hoping to stop and check out the Boynton Beach area on our way home; as that is a likely area we will move to, if we move. Maybe stop and get starbucks out there. ;) The drive on the beach is so beautiful I wish I could take A1A the whole way home. I may take it some of the way but it is filled with stop lights and may take me all day if I go that way. We are in the hotel right now the kids are napping and we are going to go for a walk along the beach when they get up.

Q-tip Stories

Before the Q-tip story... Here is my little doodlebugs watching Matilda with their friends over today. I love when they have friends over, I get so much done, they have a chance to play with someone other than each other plus these two little girls are totally adorable!

Troy, Delany, Sophia, and Ashlynn <3



The kids and I went in the pool the other day. We got inside and I got them changed. I love how their skin smells like cholorine and sun screen. A true Florida momma, I guess...



The kids were eating a snack and I was on the phone with a friend of mine while I was getting ready to make a quick run to the grocery.



I hung up the phone and turned around to see Troy standing there with me with a Q-tip in his ear. I didn't want to alarm him but I wanted him to give me the Q-tip. I knew if I alarmed him that he might push it in his ear or start running with it in his ear. So I quietly said, "give me that buddy."



He handing me the Q-tip but half of it was missing.



I was startled and looked on the ground. Troy looked with me like it was a big mystery. I asked him where the other half went.



He said, "In my ear."



Oh, Troy! I couldn't see anything in his ear but nothing was visible to me.



I looked around for a few minutes while I noticed that he was pulling on his ear.



I called the pediatrician and off we went.



While we were in the car he was so excited, clapping his hands and singing, "I'm going to the doctor."



Sophia was telling him, "Troy they are going to cut off your ear to get that out you better be worried, there is going to be blood!"



It didn't phase him.. Sophia!



These two kids are really going to be the death of me... I listened to them banter back and forth at each other.



We got to the doctor and he checked Troy's ears... he giggled the whole time. I was glad it didn't damage his ear. I wish he not been laughing through the whole thing, but I am glad he wasn't crying the whole time too.



After we got that handled we went to pick up dinner then we went home.



Tomorrow night I work, then Saturday we are going down south to see Tony. He works this weekend but we are going to stay on the beach just 8 miles from his work. I'm excited to see him and for a nice little vacation with the babies.

counting down...

Just got back from Sophia's doctor visit in Orlando...

Praise God for some much needed good news!

The MRI results are in... Sophia has portions of her brain that are enlarged.. exact terminology I'll leave up to the neurologist, but I do have it all written down. ;) These enlarged portions are creating a dilatation of other areas...

... so this is why she has seizures. Don't really know what to call it... I don't really care... but I am so glad to know that there is no tumors, no scar tissue, no need for a shunt... and maybe, a chance she can be taken off the medication.

No need for the botox injections, right now anyway... the doctor said the tap dance classes have been a great therapy in helping her get flexion in her foot. It is something she enjoys and practices all the time. You can't make a kid practice physical therapy but she is practicing tap. ;)

She goes back for an EEG next month. We then go to back to the neurologist for results and if the results are good we can discuss weaning her off of all medications in December 2010!!! Once/If she can wean off of the medication we will go to Children's hospital for another 4 day EEG and if those results come back normal she will not have to take medication unless she has a seizure after that point.

So a lot of ifs... but I am so hopeful. For the first time in a while seems like we have an end in sight. I get so hopeful about her coming off of medication. We have traveled this road once before and 3 days after the 4 day EEG she suffered a 14 minute Grand Mal seizure. (*A grand mal seizure — also known as a tonic-clonic seizure — features a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. It's the type of seizure most people picture when they think about seizures in general.) So there are risks in this but I am so hopeful. The neurologist wants to see her seizure free (specifically, Grand Mal seizures) for 18 months, then we will wean and do the 4 day test... 18 months will be December 2010.

Let the count down begin.

I'm four years old now and grown up...

Sophia! She does say some of the craziest things.

We were snuggled on the couch last night and she told me that I was the best mom ever.
I said, "thank you Sophia."
She looked up at me with the sweetest eyes and said, "now you should tell me I'm the best daughter ever."
"You are the best daughter ever."

I have to take her to the neurologist tomorrow morning. Her appointment is bright at early at 8am, so it will be an early morning drive down to Orlando. The goal is to get 'official' MRI results, find out the status on the botox injections, and what the steps are for treatment at this point. I feel all to lucky that her medication has remained the same through the last visit. She has had some mild seizure activity recently. I can tell because her eye gets lazy and she starts having potty accidents. These are really upsetting to her because she does not like being a 'baby'. I try to explain to her that she can't help it but it doesn't seem to make her feel any better. On those days we just stay home. She is clingy and sleepy anyway. I noticed it worse the first few days Tony was gone, I think it was stress and lack of sleep, her sleep patterns were screwy until she got used to him being gone. Everyone seems to be adjusting. Except Papi.. the furbaby misses his daddy.

Troy is responding great to his medication. Oh, I think I totally left out that Troy has now joined his sister as a Children's Hospital patient... we went down about two weeks ago and met with a Pediatric Pulmonologist. His asthma was totally out of control we were having to do breathing treatments at least once a day. The pediatrician suggested we go to a specialist. He takes an inhaler twice a day, a few pills, and a nebulizer treatment when necessary. The doctor suggested that he does have asthma, allergies, and possibly reflux which is making the asthma worse because he may be aspirating. He throws up a lot, at least 4 times a week, sometimes more. He has always been a 'pukey' kid, I didn't realize the connection of the vomiting to his lungs though. He is on medication for reflux, which has helped a lot with the vomiting. He is also on an antibiotic right now that will clear up any infection that could be left in his lungs from the pneumonia, bronchitis, and respiratory infections that he has had the past year. The doctor suggested a lung biopsy that they could do to test for a multitude of things, but I haven't yet decided on that one. I took him for a chest Xray and bloodwork on Monday. We go back with him in two weeks. So far I've seen great improvements though. He has only had to use the emergency inhaler twice since he has been on the new medication.

Needless to say these kids have kept me busy with their medical needs but they are totally worth it. I am just so glad they are happy and active little beings. Even when they are fighting... which is why I am going to have to get off the computer. ;)

Tony is doing good, he likes the new job. Misses the familia though.. ;) We will see him Saturday night.