L.O.V.E. days … then and now

Past Valentines and Now. My how some things change and some stay the same….  (it’s fun to reminisce.)

1999- Even though we were dating, we went to the Valentines dance with different people, but within the same group. Just to keep things interesting, since we had only been dating a month and just went to the previous dance together.

2000- Dave surprised me with a blindfolded adventure in which we ended up at his house where he had set up a romantic dinner.  He had called my mom and made my favorite dinner.  The table had 4 bags of my favorite candy, conversation hearts.

2001-2002- Celebrated with packages and letters to and from Mexico

2003-Our first Valentines since Dave was home, I believe we went to Rodezio Grill.  Then we got engaged 2 weeks later!

2004-  Our first Married Valentines, we went to the Bjorklund’s cabin.  I got a random Piñata, it was hilarious.

2006- Dave always finds gorgeous flowers and I was skinny once.

2007 – I spent it at home Alone while Dave gallivanted in Maui with his Brother, how romantic. Mia was born on Feb. 15th though we didn’t get her for another 6 weeks.

  

2008- Anna was suppose to be born the next day, but she arrived 3 weeks early! I didn’t have many clothes that fit her at this point, but she looked cute in this pink sweater.

2009- Dave got me Roses and Anna three carnations.  We had a Valentines party at the Barbers and did old school Valentines boxes.  Ours was Michigan stadium, filled with little spectators (aka photos of our friends on tacks) and the Utah vs. Michigan line up! It was so fun.

2009- We had left over fondant from Anna’s birthday so we made a fun Valentines cake.  We cooked steaks and stayed home.  Then went out just the two of us another day.

2011- We have an almost 3 month old, 3 year old, 10 puppies who are 4 days old, 1 proud Mama dog, an exhausted Mother with a dirty house, and a 60+ hour a week working man who eats most of his meals at the hospital, plus we had to get a new washer and dryer which we picked up and installed tonight (it took almost 4 hours!).  SO, I decided to surprise Dave with dinner- our favorites: steak, twice baked potatoes  I had Anna eat while Dave was picking up the washer and dryer and Maddie went to bed so we could have a romantic dinner all to ourselves, with china and goblets! (:  It was simple but good.  I got a VERY meaningful card and of course my roses.

The Puppies

Once upon a time a girl named Mia met a boy named Romeo.

Then they had TEN puppies, 2 yellow males, 2 black females, 6 black males! They are super cute! Mia was a little overwhelmed at first and didn’t know what to think of it all. She really didn’t take to them until 2 days later (even growling at them and biting one of them), but she would nurse them. She was in labor for 8 hours and didn't break any of the sacks or help at all, Dave and I did everything. The last few days we have had to watch her like a hawk to make sure everything was okay.

Now she is a super cute Mommy, whines for her pups and is taking good care of them!

When labor began…

Here they are just a few hours old….

During labor…

Two days old…

Disregard my makeup and bags, it has been a LONG three days.

Yes that is a bum on top of a head, They are hilarious!

Should I be concerned?

This BIG YELLOW tag came on Maddie’s new jammies. They are “Organic Cotton.” It also says the same thing on the tag inside the PJs. Are they safe to wear or is Maddie going to burst into flames?

She does look pretty cute, though I don’t know if they are “snug” enough. I better have the fire extinguisher close by. Maddie's face says it all. I think you'll be alright sweetheart.

Also, I am definitely NOT concerned about a clean kitchen, as long as I get to see Anna have this much fun. Did any of you grow up playing the flour/penny game? Too much fun!

One last note, This is how I am blogging, one of the best positions in the world! I love it.

Momma Mia

I took Mia for an x-ray today and to meet the Vet. He is super old school in his outdated office, but great to talk to and helped me prepare and feel more relaxed about it. I am so proud of Mia. She is a trooper. I know she is uncomfortable, in fact as I watch her get up I have flashbacks to 2 months ago when I took 30 seconds to stand up!

Well the stats are in. We can expect 9 ( I think I see 10) PUPPIES! She is 58 days today, a normal gestation for a dog is anywhere from 58-63 days, 62 being typical. So any day now. I have to take her temperature twice a day until her temperature drops from 102 to 98 degrees. When that happens she should deliver within the next 24+ hours. It can take anywhere from 4 to 24 hours to deliver the pups and Mia should be able to do most of it all on her own. (The vet told me to get a Diet Pepsi and sit and watch… Perhaps a Cream Soda, my new favorite.)

Here is a photo of the x-ray. It isn’t the best, but you can kind of see the heads and spines.

Here is uncomfortable Mia, This is her favorite spot. Look at those teats. Poor girl.

Mia doesn’t seem to have an appetite so this is how she has eaten her last couple of meals, Thank you Anna. And here is a close up of three of the puppies.

We love you Mia, you cute dog!

Preggers Mia

Well call us crazy, but we breeded Mia in December and now she will be having puppies any time next week.  I wish human pregnancies were only 63 days!  Mia is starting to look really uncomfortable!  I feel so bad for her. (recently going through it myself).  We’ll find out how many puppies on Monday.  I am excited to know and will feel a little more prepared! 

I have been doing a TON of research on what to expect. I am nervous about the whole “whelping” process, and pray all goes well.  Here’s to Mia our little (now chubby) trooper!!

I took these photos last week, I need to take some this week, especially of her underside.

“OH MY GOSH…

…I AM SOOOOO LUCKY!”

During our walk yesterday Anna gathered this bunch of leaves, after she had 4 or 5 she stated, “Oh my Gosh… I am SOOOO lucky!”   We are blessed and lucky.  I think she had heard me say this a lot this weekend as I talked with people about our accident.  She is listening to everything I say and trying to make sense of it.  It is so cute!

Then she used her imagination and found a “smiley face”, “mountain” and a “big mountain” made out of sticks on the ground. She finds joy in the simplest things, I should take a lesson from her.