Shifting Priorities

Well, it's been nearly a month since I had a baby. Obviously I haven't had much time to blog, with feedings every 2-3 hours and diaper changes in between. Parenthood proves to be the most rewarding experience of my life. With the blessing of a child, priorities immediately shift, taking the focus off of what used to be You, primarily. It's wonderful. Shelby and I have grown into an even stronger team and have exponentially more love for one another and our growing family just in the past 4 weeks.

One member of the family who has noticed this shift in priorities is Woody. Don't get me wrong, we still love him just the same, and have been careful not to send any hint of neglect his way. He seems to have taken to role of big brother (aka jealous!) with a dash of grumpy grandpa. He just doesn't know what to make of the tiny thing that makes the most terrible sounds for apparently no reason at all. When Josie cries, Woody hovers in the hallway, not sure if he should 1) run to help, or 2) run to get the hell out of there. He has also been more daring in where he chooses to relax - not only have I found him or evidence of him (leaves and mulch) on the couch, but I've also discovered our little pooch nestled in the baby bouncer, snug as a bug! If only I had gotten a picture!

A list for late summer

Things I'm going to do postpartum:

1) Sleep on my back.
2) Go to Sapporo, best sushi in Louisville (or anywhere, for that matter), and gorge myself on raw fish and seaweed.
3) Buy new pants that actually have a number for a size. S, M, L elastic can only fit so well.
4) Kettlebell.
5) Breed Woody.
6) Drink a beer.
7) Join a moms' group.
8) Scrapbook, I guess.
9) Watch Ellen daily (hello, maternity leave).
10) Convince friends to make friends for Josie.

Words that end in "tip"

We're getting the house ready ("nesting") for Josie's big arrival, so all of our outlets now host either a plug or one of those plastic outlet covers. So when I found Woody chewing on something that looked like a frosted piece of plastic about the size of an outlet, I quickly freaked out and rushed to scold him so he would drop the darn thing. It turns out it was only a piece of ice, and I felt terribly guilty for yelling at him in my panicked state for merely enjoying a cool treat.

Once I figured out it was just a harmless piece of ice, I changed my tone and tried to coax him into eating it (mainly to make myself feel better for getting on his case). He wouldn't have any part of that, thank you very much. ("You just yelled at me, lady!") What a good dog he is, doing exactly as I told him. I saw this was going nowhere, so I took the piece of ice and encouraged him to eat it out of my hand.

Let me remind you this dog has had raccoons for dinner. Natural born killer, this one.

Anyway, he reluctantly took the ice and seemed to enjoy it thoroughly from my fingertips. Speaking of words that end in -tips, I caught Woody the Best Dog Ever eating a Q-tip yesterday, so my freak-out today wasn't completely out of turn. I only found half of the Q-tip, so here's hoping the rest makes it through his digestive system.

In other Woody news, I've started thinking about packing my bags for the hospital. At 32 weeks, you've gotta start thinking about the possibility of being early. I got an overnight bag from the basement last night, and put it by the bed for packing in the somewhat near future. Woody, however, had different plans for my bag, and has now claimed it as his bed. As a 25 lb. Jack Russell, he really likes being curled up in beds that are too small for him. Whatever floats your boat, Woods. Just lay off the Q-tips before I have a coronary next time you're chewing on anything but dog food.

A Dog with Character

Shelby & I have retired his dog Woody from farm living to suburban life as he is 9 years old and we wanted a dog at our new house.  So far, Woody has exhibited a great deal of character in his new home, with no signs of depression or anguish in his departure from the farm.  

1. He will not poop in our yard.  He will only go while we're on a walk around the neighborhood.
2. He will not poop in the grass.  He usually goes right on road.
3. He snores.  And he sleeps a lot.
4. He was a quick study to figure out the doggie door.  Which btw was installed by a previous owner, through two walls - one of which is brick.  Thanks!
5. He doesn't bark much at other dogs.  After watching countless episodes of "It's Me or the Dog," I believe this is because he is confident, while other dogs are not.
6. He is good on a leash.  Impressive only because up until 10 days ago, he had never worn a collar, much less been walked on a leash.
7. He is fairly cooperative about indoor rules (i.e. no dogs on the furniture), although he will sneak a nap on the couch when no one is paying attention.
8. He is talkative.  He makes little squeaks, which could be considered whines if he were really whining, but these noises are happy sounds.
9. He used to kill raccoons.  You know, back in his younger days.
10. He likes to be around us.  He has never been the only dog around, so he is really milking this "only child" thing!