Happy Thoughts for Our Marti

We have had a very scary weekend with our little sweet Boston Terrier, Marti. She started throwing up a week ago on Friday sporadically. After a vet visit on Wednesday they thought it was a stomach issue and told us to do a bland diet and gave us some medicine to give her. On Thursday the vomiting got more frequent after giving her the medicine, but then stopped. Friday we were gone for a few hours and got the test results for her blood work on our way back.

They suggested we bring her in for a IV to get her some fluids, because the results showed she was dehydrated. When we got home we found her laying by the door, barely moving and she had thrown up several times and it was rust colored.

Mike took her to the vet and they thought she could have an obstruction so they x-rayed her again and gave her barium. After the results we found she had a blockage but they couldn't see what it was on the X Ray. They recommended we take her to the emergency animal hospital for exploratory surgery.

On the way to the animal hospital

I picked her up and took her there. The doctor thought she was throwing up blood and was concerned part of her stomach was dying. They called about 2 hours after I had dropped her off. She had been very unstable and they recommended we bring in a specialist to do her surgery, because of the anticipated complications.

I went back to the hospital for the surgery, and was able to hold her before she went in. It was so terribly frightening as the doctor had told us she only had a 30-50% chance of surviving the surgery and if she lost part of her stomach she could survive the surgery and not survive the post-op.

After the 2 hour surgery they found no obstruction in her stomach, only that her intestines were in bad shape. She was out of it when I saw her and looked pretty sick. I got home at about 3 in the morning, and waited to hear an update in the morning.

In the morning she was doing better, but still throwing up blood. The doctor on the day shift had started to think her liver was failing. After a lot of talking about possible things that could have poisoned her, we came to the Sago palms by the pool. She normally can't get to them, but one day the pool fence was open and she probably chewed on them and got enough to poison her.

They changed the direction of her treatment and she is so much better today then yesterday. She isn't throwing up blood and the tests came back showing the treatment is working. It looks like she is going to be okay and should have no long term affects. But she will probably be in the hospital until at least tomorrow. It will take a few weeks for her to fully recover but to know she should be okay is the best news we could possibly hope for.

She is such a huge part of our family, she was our first dog and we got her before we had children. She is the sweetest most loving dog I have ever known. Our house this weekend has not been the same without her here.

Please pray for a quick recovery for our sweet "stinker binker". Here is one of my favorite pictures of our sweet little girly girl.

Say What

Nicholas has been chatting up a storm and there are some words and phrases he says that are just so sweet. I may be biased but I think he has the sweetest voice ever. So to make sure I remember these things I made this layout based on a Pagemaps sketch using mostly BG Offbeat with some American Crafts thickers.

Journaling says: These are my favorite things you say: bubbles, bye-bye, more, purple, ma-me, okay, Ha (Hi)!!, night night, cookies, Nicholas, Yes, oh-oh. All said in your sweet voice.

I'm Thinking....

I came across a sketch last week at Becky Fleck's Pagemaps Blog. I loved the sketch and I immediately thought of the die cut Lily Bee Frame from the April Color Me Daisy kit. The sketch was perfect for what I wanted to do and the whole thing came together so quickly. The sketch was part of a MME contest with the theme "What's on My Mind". So I used the title "I'm Thinking" to note a few things that are on my mind about Nicholas lately. If I did this in a few weeks I might have had a few MME papers from CMD's May's kit to work with. Oops, was that just a hint! ;)

Journaling says:

I'm thinking...

You are growing up so quickly... You're learning new words everyday... Your laugh is so infectious... and your smile melts my heart.

Project 365 - Week 14 3/30/09 - 4/5/09

Monday, March 30I love our neighborhood. We went on a walk tonight and from the bridge over the lake we caught the sun setting. Sometimes I wish our house was on the lake, but the practical side of me knows it’s just as well we aren’t.

Tuesday, March 31 Well I have Nicholas smiling now; it’s just a “cheesy” smile. But I still think it is adorable. He is starting to eat off a plate rather than his tray and trying out a fork.

Wednesday, April 1 Nicholas loves his puzzles. He has several of them and he is really great at putting them together. He is learning his colors from them. He is saying so many new words every day; it is amazing to watch him.

Thursday, April 2 Jackson is rolling all over and scooting too. He loves to be on the floor looking around and checking it all out. I think this little boy will not be happy if he is confined.

Friday, April 3 I finally captured a real smile. It seems like most of our pictures are at the kitchen table. I try to make it home during the week for dinner every night so we can have dinner as a family. Sadly the reality of being a working mom is the majority of the week nights are spent on eating, bathing and getting the boys to bed. After bedtime Mike and I take advantage for some hobby time.

Saturday, April 4 Jackson has now moved from just rice cereal (which we do not think he is too fond of) onto vegetables, peas to be exact. Surprisingly he ate a whole container of peas on his first try, he even seemed to like them until the very end when he gave a heeby-jeeby shake and made a face with each bite.

Sunday, April 5 I love my goofy little boy! Nicholas is so busy; he just plays all day long. Nana R came to visit this afternoon and brought the boys a cute cookie jar.

So This is What I Have Been Up To

We decided to get a new laptop to replace the relic we had been using. I am now the proud owner of this beauty.

After Mike got her up and running, I spent the rest of the afternoon and night playing around and getting my stuff set up.

Week 13 3/23 - 3/29/09

Monday, March 23I’m really tired today. Jackson rolled over today again, and I finally caught some pictures.

Tuesday, March 24 I got home late tonight because I went to a PSE class at Scrapbooks Etc, with Jen so I missed seeing the boys. They were good going to bed for daddy.

Wednesday, March 25 Jackson’s just chillin’. He has been doing well eating cereal.

Thursday, March 26 It has been rare to get a picture of Nicholas smiling. When he sees the camera he turns the other way. He was just goofing off after dinner when I caught this one.

Friday, March 27 I figured out how to get Nicholas to smile. I got him to say cheese and now at least I can count on a goofy grin from him. Nicholas likes to play with Jackson when J is in the excersaucer. N never had one.

Saturday, March 28 The typical “cheese” picture I am getting now. Nicholas and I went to Costco and Target today. He even got his shoes and sat down for me when it was time to leave. Nicholas likes to say Bye Bye Costco (although it sounds like Co co).

Sunday, March 29 Nicholas went with me to Best Buy today to help me pick out a new laptop. Mike spent the afternoon getting it set up for me. I spent the evening playing with it.

Week 12 - 3/16/09 - 3/22/09

Monday, March 16Jackson is teething pretty bad. Spending time in the evenings getting ready for a crop night this weekend.

Tuesday, March 17 Nicholas now is interested in playing with Jackson. So cute!

Wednesday, March 18 Our Marti! She found her beds stuffed in the toy basket so she climbed in and snuggled down for a nap.

Thursday, March 19 Nicholas is starting to say a lot of new words. Every day is something new. He is learning so much every day it is amazing to watch.

Friday, March 20 Grandpa Carr was sick with the flu and could not go to the Angels/Diamondbacks spring training game with Mike and the boys. So Mike braved it alone. The boys both behaved pretty well, so they had a fun boys day out.

Saturday, March 21 I hosted my first crop night. It was fun and I got some pages done. Doesn't Jackson look cute in his new PJ's from Aunt Jessica.

Sunday, March 22 So Marti will take a nap anywhere. And this morning I found her inside the pillow covers from our bed pillows.

Week 11 - 3/9/09 - 3/15/09

Monday, March 9Now it's my turn with the flu. Nicholas is still pretty sick too. Mandi has been spending a lot of time laying near Nicholas, I think she is worried about him.

Tuesday, March 10 Jackson is 4 months old today and he is trying to roll over. The night was rotten. I was sick. Jackson woke up twice. Nicholas woke up crying at 3:30. He could not be comforted. I thought he could be hungry. Pancakes at 3:30 am. It was good to see him want to eat.

Wednesday, March 11 This is how I roll. Back to tummy, I guess he didn't get the memo that he is supposed to roll tummy to back first. It was a sad week for another reason. Nicholas is losing all 4 of his therapy's. The program was a victim to state budget cuts. We are scrambling to replace what we can cover through insurance. His therapists have helped him so much this past year. He has came so far with their help. And he really loved all of them. He was so sick this week he couldn't even tell them goodbye when they came for their last visits.

Thursday, March 12 Happy birthday Mike! Nicholas was much better today he even smiled and laughed when I woke him up this morning. He's not 100%, but better. We went to the Angels vs. Rockies spring training game today. Jackson stayed with Nana and Grandpa Carr. We thought Nicholas needed the fresh air. He did okay, but got tired easy so we left early. Jackson weighed 14 pounds at his well-check this morning. Daddy had a good birthday!

Friday, March 13 Jackson ate cereal today and he liked it. It was nice to have a day off and hang out at home with the boys.

Saturday, March 14 Mike and I had the first date night we have had since Jackson was born. Nana and Grandpa Carr came over and watched the boys. We went to the Tempe Marketplace and started off with a drink at Cadillac Ranch, then we went to Kings Fishhouse for dinner. It was definitely nice to able to have a full meal with adult conversation.

Sunday, March 15 Nana R came over today to visit the boys. My 4 day weekend went to fast.

Week 10 - 3/2/09 - 3/8/09

Monday, March 2"Rub my belly". Such a typical Marti pose.

Tuesday, March 3 Nicholas likes to read magazines, so I guess we better watch out what we throw in the recycle bin.

Wednesday, March 4 Jackson is smiling and laughing so much now. Love to hear his little squeals.

Thursday, March 5 The pink fire truck came to the office today for one of my co-workers, Cammie, who was diagnosed with breast cancer late last year. She is a couple years younger than me, it's scary but she is doing well after surgery and is currently cancer free. And she is so darned positive! It was cool to see her honored in this way on her first day back to work.

Friday, March 6 This is what sick looks like. Nicholas has had the flu since Wednesday night. It's a rough one. He is just not himself at all. I miss my little guy.

Saturday, March 7 Still sick, Nicholas fell asleep on the couch next to his daddy. He has been sleeping and not eating or drinking much. We are really worried about him.

Sunday, March 8 Seeming to be a bit better today, but still so weak. This flu is lasting so long. Just a lot of laying around and watching TV or just wanting to be held by mommy or daddy.

Week 9 - 2/23/09 - 3/1/09

Monday, February 23This is what throwing a fit at the dinner table looks like.

Tuesday, February 24 "Can you believe this guy mom?" Nicholas sat down in his chair and watched part of the President's speech tonight. Nicholas took the words right of my mouth.

Wednesday, February 25 I am going to throw my cup because it is empty. I want more, but I won't ask for it that way. Gotta love a 2 year old.

Thursday, February 26 Just hanging out today.

Friday, February 27 Went to the park to play with Connor and Jackson got to hang out with his sister Riley.

Saturday, February 28 Jackson's first experience in his excersaucer. He was very curious, but got a little overwhelmed after a short time in it. I guess we have to build up a tolerance.

Sunday, March 1 So I walk out of the room and Jackson is hanging out on the boppy, I come back a minute later and he looks like this. I guess we are learning how to scoot.