Weekend(s) Recap

I know I haven't been the best at keeping up with this, but life has been crazy working 40hrs. a week. Not sure how long I will keep doing so, since I'm so over it, but we'll see. The past few weekends have flown by also! As I said in my last post, we went home to my family's house 2 weekends ago. Bandit got to meet Gramma and Granpa and Binky. Binky wasn't so fond of Bandit, so we had to keep them apart for the weekend. However, a great time was had by all. Bandit really got used to going potty outside that weekend, so I'm really happy about that. Since then she has been ringing the bell when she has to go potty, and usually goes right away instead of playing. I know she will want to go out more when the weather gets nicer!

Some pictures of the weekend:

Yay for sleep-overs!

Granpa LOVES his grand-puppy. See my new toy? It's Pokey, Gumby's horse.

Mom got me a new sweater. (They were on sale)

It's a small, and it's almost too small for her, and it definitely won't fit next winter, but it was $2 so, oh well. At least I got a cute picture out of it. Yesterday we went to the vet for our next round of shots. Only 1 more round in 3 weeks, then we can get our spay surgery and for our umbilical hernia. Bandit is becoming a big girl. She now weighs 15lbs. Mom is not as excited to see her grow as Dad is. He's hoping she becomes Clifford, but Mom would like her to be a little lap dog forever. Dad will have to wait to get our next baby in a few years when we have a yard. Bandit will love a playmate! Bandit is learning so much in her puppy classes. We know how to sit and to pay attention (sort of) when Mom or Dad wants our attention. Slowly we are getting there...

Moving on to last weekend...we went to our niece's 1st Birthday party. McKenna turned ONE and of course I forgot my camera. Everyone had a great time though, so you will just have to take my word for it.

Now for this weekend. Yesterday I went to one of my EIU friend's Bridal Shower. Lis is getting married July 9th, and we are so excited for them. She was one of my bridesmaids, so it will be alot of fun to be at their wedding!

Can you believe this coming weekend is Easter?! Already? I can't believe how fast this year is going. So many great things have happened in this new year, and of course there are things I would like to change, but I'm really trying to be positive, so I'll leave it at that. I have no idea what will happen in the next few months, but we're hoping to find an affordable place to live when our lease is up in July. Also, I hope to find a job that I can love, however, that may be harder than finding a place to live!

Have a Happy Easter, and be safe!

-Brina

What's Been Going On?

Hello all! I know it's been awhile since I've written, but I've been around. Things have been crazy at our house lately. At work, another teacher left, so I've been working in the 2/3yr old room. Boy, is it a riot! Let's just say I come home VERY tired every night. Also in this room, I've been working 35-40hrs the past couple weeks. Before that I was only working about 20 or less, so it's definitely been a change. EW has had to pick up the slack. He's had to make quite a few meals and do other various chores when I'm too tired to even move. With all that being said, we have had quite a few happy occasions in the family as of late. EW's mom had a birthday this past Sat. and the whole family got together to celebrate. On of these family members is newest addition to the family. EW's brother and sister-in-law had their baby boy--Benson Richard, on March. 14th at 8:58pm. He is very handsome, as it runs in the family :) Also, I broke down and finally went to the Dr. 2 Saturday's ago. I have been sick on and off since January, and I just couldn't seem to shake the colds, sinus infections, bronchitis, etc. I finally went when I woke up with such a swollen neck I couldn't even touch it, and had a fever. The doc did not like how I sounded and thought another week and I would have ended up in the hospital. Thank goodness I went when I did! After 4 prescriptions, and bed rest, I am finally feeling better! Pictures of the Little one's:

Proud Uncle Eric and Benny

Uncle Doug's girlfriend, Bobbi, and McKenna

Benson Richard

On to the other love of my life, Bandit. We have had a few happy moments in the past couple weeks. One is that she can FINALLY go outside. We are trying to understand that we are supposed to go potty in the grass, and not have to go on the deck. Also, Bandy is teething. I have gone through 2 cell-chargers in the past week and a half. Oops, my fault. I am learning to keep lots of bones handy and put everything away. I also was able to give Bandit her first bath, and I'm happy to report everything went great! I only got a little wet, and she did get clean :)

This coming weekend, she will make her first road-trip home since we brought her into our family. We're going home to see my family, and Gramma and Granpa N. are very happy to see how much their girl has grown since they saw her last. Aunt Binky might be a different story, since our family cat has never met a dog. I sure hope Friday comes fast! I really need to get away from this place, and nothing is better than family.

She loves the sun.

Father and daughter. They sure do look alike. ha. Bandit loves Uncle Kevin "Mom, can I come in now...Please!"

Have a good rest of the week!

-Brina

6 Months

Six months...wow. EW and I have been married for 1/2 of a year. I guess it isn't much really, but I think it's a big deal! We have lived together for 6 whole months, without killing/injuring each other. That was one of my worries. We had a long distance relationship the whole time we were together (except while at school) and I didn't know how we would transition. However, ever thing has been great. Of course there have been a few downs, but everything has worked out.
A lot has happened in the past 6 months, more than I could sometimes deal with, but EW has been there helping me through it all. I've left the only place I called home, my family and friends, and changed towns, jobs, lifestyles, etc. Sometimes it felt as if my world was crashing all around me, but EW has been there every time I felt like quitting life, telling me that it would all be ok. Since getting a job, things have been better. I still don't know many people, but I'm hoping that it will come with time.
We have also added to our family in the past 6 months. I can't imagine life without my Bandit Blu. It's great to have someone to come home to at night, that loves you unconditionally. It really helps me after a hard day at work! We just went back today for her 2nd vet appointment. Our girl has gained 2lbs. in the past 2 weeks, making her 10lbs. I hope she stays under 20, but we will see. The vet still wants us to keep her from the grass other dogs have been, but we can go out just for a minute or two to go potty. As soon as our shots are done, Bandit will have her spay surgery, and her hernia fixed. Other than that, the vet says she looks great. After being a good girl we walked around PetSmart, and she got to pick out a couple new toys.
Ok, now for a walk down memory lane...

One of our first dates. A dance at EIU--Jan. 2006

Our Wedding. Sept. 4, 2010
I can't believe it was 6 months ago...

It seems like yesterday...

Honeymoon. Nov. 2010

Our baby girl and her favorite toy.

Brina*

Baby, It's cold outside!

It's been another week of Bandit learning to be part of our family, and EW and I adjusting to her presence. We have started to get into a routine. Yesterday, I had to get up at 6, which is so not me, but Bandit had to be fed. By 7:45, I was getting really hungry, and since I got up with the pup, he needed to make me breakfast. There was only one thing that I could do. Send in the reinforcements! Bandit gave her dad a wake-up call. However, I think it backfired a bit, but EW did end up getting me dunkin donuts!
I had started to get tired of the whole trying to potty train in the house. I've seen those fake grass potty things on tv, and since we can't take Bandit out for another week, I thought we could put the fake grass thing on the deck. It has only been two days, but we are making a little progress!
Bandit it just a little girl, so she gets really cold. EW didn't want me to do it, but it was necessary to get her a little sweater. Of course, I wanted a pink one, but EW won with a green and blue one. She's not that excited about it, but she tolerates it.
Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!

They look awful comfy don't they? We have started crate training...
Bandit's new sweater!

She's getting used to it :)

Have a good week!

Brina*