Monday, May 26, 2008

Who let the dog out?

It's a good thing our dog has no real concept of "running away," or we'd be down one dog. Twice.

The first time was early in the morning last week when DH was getting ready to leave for work. We knew something was wrong when she didn't respond to sure-fire cues: DH yelling "treat," and after that was met with silence, ringing our doorbell. He went to the backyard and noticed the gate was wide open. He found her quickly, she was two lots down at the small playground. She ran up to DH with her tail wagging, thrilled that he came out to play with her. She bounded back into the house ahead of him, totally unaware of any worry she'd caused us. I think one of us didn't latch the gate properly, as it was rather windy. But DH's theory is that one of the neighbors opened it, finally tiring of her incessant barking. Who could blame them?

The second time, which was earlier today, she raced out the doggy door, barking like mad at whatever certain danger she detected outside. A couple of minutes later, our doorbell rang. We opened the door to find two neighbors standing on the porch with Evey following at their feet, still barking at them furiously. They said she had slipped under the fence. Really? We thanked them and then went outside to check it out. There was only one possible spot where she could have conceivably gotten under the fence, but it was super narrow. To test her, DH went to the driveway with treats, while Evey and I stayed behind closed the fence. We got her all worked up trying to get DH and the treats, waiting to see the miracle of her getting through that tiny space to claim the reward. Well, this is no stupid pooch, she wasn't about to show us her secret. I'm still baffled. But the garbage can is now blocking the space, nevertheless.

Otherwise, we've had a nice long weekend, following the excitement of having our offer on the new house accepted on Friday afternoon. After DH got off work, we went to our realtor's office to drop off the earnest money to show the sellers we are serious about the contract. Because nothing screams "serious" like a check with SpongeBob SquarePants on it.

Then I was invited out with two of DH's coworkers wives on Saturday morning. They wanted to take me to brunch and shopping downtown for a little escape from the baby. How nice of them! I enjoyed tiramisu french toast -- pushing that Ann Taylor dress a bit more out of reach -- and got tipsy from half of a mimosa. (My first alcoholic drink in more than a year!) Unfortunately, we were only able to accomplish the brunch part before I needed to head home. DH was armed with loads of expressed milk for Bean, but it's no good for me to carry "exploding cantalopes" (our pediatrician's term) around on my chest all afternoon. Leaking exploding cantalopes, at that. The wives, not mothers yet themselves, were traumatized to learn that when you breastfeed, you can't be away from the baby for more than a few hours before you need to pump. "For your sake you need to pump, not to feed the baby?" one of them asked incredulously. The horror in their faces was priceless! DH's coworker lamented that I had set their plans for parenthood back a few more years. Just doin' my part to educate the public.

And of course we had to drive by our new house again. It already feels like ours, I just wish those strange people would get out of it. It is starting to sink in that we are going to have to move ALL of our stuff into this new place, while caring for our 4 month old baby. Minus the help of family or good friends or -- best yet -- DH's employer. I am already trying to get DH to bribe his coworkers with various treats to take pity on us and lend a hand. He feels uncomfortable about it, but I think he'll be more uncomfortable trying to get the piano into a rental truck all by his lonesome. If anyone has any moving tips, I'd much appreciate them. This is only our second move as adults that DH's employer didn't manage -- and the first time we did it alone, our nicest piece of furniture was a kitchen table set from 1982. What's even more sad? We still use it. Seriously.

I had a request for more Bean pics, so for your viewing pleasure...


"Dad, you change my diaper SO much better than Mom does. You should do it more often."


"Ta da, a freshly bathed baby with a clean diap!"



"I like how the blue in my outfit brings out my eyes."



"Who are you again?"



"Hilarious! Tina Fey's got nothing on you, Mom."

18 comments:

Jen said...

I just found you through NaComLeavMo. Bean is so adorable!
And congrats on the new house.

Jen said...

I'm so lucky to have such a lazy dog that going out the open gate seems like an enormous hassle!

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you are nursing your precious Bean. It's really important and sometimes I think more meaningful for those of us who have survived IF.

Cute pictures of a very happy baby!

nancy said...

awwww! all such super cute pictures! I actually said "awww" out loud here in my office.

oh - and I totally laughed about you driving by your new house and wishing those strange people would get out of it.

Anonymous said...

congrats on your house!
I am working on your header RIGHT NOW!!

nacomleavmo atcha too!

Debz said...

I was going to comment on houdini the dog, but then i saw the pics of Bean and what can I say. He is a cutie pa tootie. I want one - where do you get them and are they on sale, by any chance?

Get all the squishy hugs!! They are the best!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the house!!! Yes, I can remember and laugh about the leaking melons. Man, I so do not miss that! I remember many other inopportune times they leaked too...geeze! It is nice that the ladies got you out of the house for some Mommy time. It's rare and so needed!

Still Standing Strong in A Bloom of Hope. said...

Thanks for your comment on my blog.

Aw... your doggie's so so cute!! Mine's quite smart too...she's conniving...:) but she's our furry baby..and we love her to bits!

And your baby is just so cute.

Kim said...

Congrats on your new house! Baby Bean is so cute! Our dog gets out once in a while too - windy and kids who don't latch the gate - but he always comes back. I think he knows how good he has it here - table food, butt scratches and a queen bed with a pillow top mattress! Here from NCLM!

Momma Mary said...

What a CUTIE!! Here through NCLM.

My dogs are escape artists too. Last time I thought about 'letting' them run away. For about 20 seconds. Then I felt guilty. :) Hope yours stay put!

Vanessa said...

That has got to be one of the cutest babies! He is so sweet!
..via NCLM...

Tanya said...

Ah you just need a scaredy cat... literally. My cat will occasionally go so far as to stand on the door frame and LEEEEEEAAAAN out as far as she can. Then promptly turns around and runs back into the house.

You know what I wish people had told me about having a baby? That it hurt to sit down to pee for a month. There was a little tidbit I had no idea about.

Kathy V said...

Okay, so how did you become a red wings fan anyway? Did you grow up there or something? Cause I know you moved to Seattle from St Louis?

Anonymous said...

That's one gorgeous bean you've got there...

Debz said...

Dear C-

Regarding the haircut on the Marie Claire website you were so kind to link me to, I have just the one question. Is the girl getting the hair cut blind? Surely she has no idea what she just paid $1000 for. Hell, I can do that for her while I am drinking/drunk on any Saturday evening-without an appt even. Just stop by. And I'm sorry but on step 3 did she actually have to stand up for her to complete the cut? She can sit the whole time she is here. I will probably sit with her while I cut (I get a little wobbly after a couple drinks-so thats probably for the best). I thought the $200 for the afternoon at the spa was high - but that $1000 haircut is ... well i just dont know what it is.

Anonymous said...

Baby is so cute! We are also in the process of moving. I also drove past the house thinking about those strange people. They're finally out tho. I bet you're excited.

Anonymous said...

That is the CUTEST Bean I've ever seen! Ha! Very nice post

SAHW said...

Cuteness! Congrats on your new house and your new motherhood. :) Thanks for your comment on my blog...it helps me to know I'm not the only one who has had trouble with accepting IF.