Misc. Monday

{one} Happy NOVEMBER {how crazy??}! It's my birthday month!! 15 more days! :) 

{two}Thanks again for all the encouragement and advice! For those of you who suggested the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility...that was by birth-control bible for the past year! It was super helpful and great for me during the "birth control phase", but as far as the "trying to conceive phase" it was making me obsessive. I would have perfect charts and thought for sure I was pregnant, but then I wasn't.  I would over analyze my temperature every day, etc etc. So I had to stop taking my temp and charting for my own sanity {and Mr. B's too!}. I still follow the basic guidelines from that book, but all the little details have gone down the drain. I would also definitely suggest that book to anyone who is doing it as birth control or even trying to conceive {unless of course you become obsessed like me :)}

{three} I got another job that I am excited about! He is 10 months old and I'll have him 3 days a week. Some days will be with the other baby and some days it will just be me and him so that will be fun. He is so adorable and it will be nice to have a little extra income too. 

{four} I found the deal of the day on craigslist last week. I got all these toys for just $10!

Roxie was pretty impressed too and inspected them all

{five} Roxie is still super cute and continues to grow every hour.

 {six} Roxie is forced to keep finding a new favorite spot in the car due to her giant growth spurts...

Started off in a ball on my lap or on my shoulder...

Then it became the middle console...

One time it was even in a tote bag...

Then it became under the dashboard with the air blowing on her face...

She outgrew that little floor space and now her new spot is across the front seat with the middle console as her  pillow

{seven} We always have "family fun" night on Halloween instead of trick or treating. Last night my little brother had the best halloween of his entire life {a whole 11 years!}.  On his first try he won 1,000 tickets! 

{eight}Is this not the most gorgeous tree? It's right down the street from us in a cemetery. We came to the conclusion that dead people must make for good fertilizer because there are so many colorful trees in the cemeteries.  A lot of the leaves are on the ground now though which means...frigid winter is on it's way!! Boo.

{nine} Although I am not ready for the freezing cold and loads of snow...I think I am ready for Christmas music already?! I don't think I have ever wanted to listen to it so early before. I am not sure I can wait until Thanksgiving...

{ten} Just to make the list complete 1-10....I'm not gonna lie- I was pretty upset on Friday when Oprah and Gayle's camping trip was interrupted by the President. 

Birds and Bees.

Thank you all so much for your sweet comments on yesterday's post. It feels good sometimes to let it all out and be given the opportunity to be encouraged and know you're not alone. Even though I still feel like everyone and their mom is pregnant {okay, not really their moms because most of them are too old. But you never know there could be a Father of the Bride Part 2 action going on somewhere- which is one of my fav movies btw!}, I do know that the Lord will give us a precious little babe in His perfect timing. I am confident in that and find hope in that. So although I go through a million different emotions and questions daily, one thing remains the same and that is my trust in God.  "In his heart a man plans his ways, but the LORD determines his step." {Proverbs 16:9} Sometimes it's just a punch in your gut when that becomes evident.

So on a much lighter note, but still on the same topic as yesterday, please watch these videos!! They are hilarious and totally me and Mr. B in this season of our life. I saw one of these commercials on TV the other night, it was from increaseyourchances.org. I laughed because it was me and cried out of fear of the statistic. I went to the website and they had 5 little commercials/skits and it totally made my night week. You will really appreciate it if you have/are going through it! I could only find 4 on youtube, there is one more on their website.

I was also wondering if anyone had any success using an OPK?? 3 people have already mentioned it to me and I am curious to see if anyone else had a good experience. I know they can be a little pricey, but is it worth it?? I thought I knew when I was ovulating- I know my body pretty well, I have a very regular cycle, I have been temping and charting for over a year {I had to stop recently though because I became obsessive!}, I use an app on my phone to tell me my fertile days,  but I am thinking maybe I am missing it and it's worth a shot! 

Enjoy :) Have a great weekend!

Sometimes.

* A much needed venting/therapeutic post about our journey in trying to expand our family. We are approaching our 5th month of trying.
Dear Smelly Baby....


Sometimes I can't sleep at night because I am thinking of you.

Sometimes I cry.

Sometimes I wonder what is taking so long.

Sometimes I realize it could be longer.

Sometimes I'm scared.

Sometimes I wonder if something is wrong.

Sometimes I wonder if it's me.

Sometimes I wonder if it's him.

Sometimes I wonder what the Lord is waiting for.

Sometimes I wonder why me?

Sometimes I wonder why us?

Sometimes I wonder why her?

Sometimes I wonder when?

Sometimes I walk by the baby aisle and dream.

Sometimes I walk by the baby aisle and pray.

Sometimes I walk by the baby aisle and plead.

Sometimes I look in the room I have set up for the baby I watch and wish it was your room.

Sometimes I am tired of pretending my dog is my baby.

Sometimes I just want you. 

Sometimes I'm jealous.

Sometimes I'm envious.

Sometimes I don't understand.

Sometimes I get nervous.

Sometimes I get mad.

Sometimes I feel like no one understands.

Sometimes I get frustrated.

Sometimes I don't want to hear you're still young.

Sometimes I don't want hear God has a plan.

Sometimes I need to hear that.

Sometimes I don't want to hear don't try and it will happen.

Sometimes I don't get that.

Sometimes I am at peace.

Sometimes I am hopeful.

Sometimes I wonder what I will look like carrying you in my belly.

Sometimes I wonder how sweet your daddy will look when he is holding you in his arms.

Sometimes I wonder what you will look like.

Sometimes I wonder if you will have blonde hair and blue eyes like your daddy.

Sometimes I wonder if you will have brown hair and brown eyes like your mommy.

Sometimes I wonder if you will inherit my dimple in your precious little smile.

Sometimes I wonder how much longer.

Sometimes I wonder how much longer  I can take.

Sometimes I feel like my heart is going to explode because I already love you so much.

All times, I love you and pray that I can meet you soon. 

All times,  I believe I am  meant to be a mom. 

Even when I was a little girl, I believed.

Someday that will be me and you.

Sold.

But not really.

image

EVERY.TIME I see the easytone commercial I want these sneakers so bad.

I want a booty like that. 

I want to dance in them like that.
I want legs like that.

I fall into the trap.

I need these sneakers.

I have looked them up online numerous times,
but I just can't get myself to spend that much money on a pair of sneakers.

It may or may not be because I don't even have that much money to begin with {slight problem}

but....even if I did, could I really spend $100 on a pair of sneakers??

But...they are more than just sneakers.

But...I normally only pay $15-$30 max on sneakers.

But...I hardly even wear sneakers let alone work out.

But...these would make me want to work out for a week or two.
But...my birthday is coming up.....

But...do I really want to waste a birthday present on sneakers??

I don't think so, as tempting as that commercial is.

And seriously, it is tempting.

Dontcha think??

So instead I will ask for this for my birthday

image

Because that is way more exciting.

Or not.

But it is a legit necessity. 

Anyone have the easytone sneakers??

What are some products you see on TV that you really want?

I won't even start with all the infomercials that I want...

Top Two Tuesday: Favorite Old Pictures

I love today's topic for T2T. It is so fun to look back at old pictures! Let's just pause for a second and think about pictures....aren't they amazing?!? What a great idea!  I am so thankful for pictures and for the ability to capture such sweet moments because life passes by so quickly!

Ok, blogger is being so weird! It's making that paragraph bold, italicized and underlined and not letting me make it normal! So I guess it will have to stay like that and it just makes my statement that much more profound. Right? Maybe it's a new auto-profound thing that was invented. If they think you're statement is worth extra emphasis or something. Maybe not...

Anyways here is my number 1 favorite old picture. I am pretty sure that for the past 15 years I have given this picture to my dad in some shape or form for his birthday or Father's Day. I love it. Hopefully he does too.

Number 2 is a picture of my little brother when he was about 2.5 I think. He is now 11 and has this same quirky lovable personality. This picture cracks me up and is so adorable. He is dressed and ready for a big "swim"!

Misc. Monday

{one} Roxie is doing much better. Her eye is about 99% back to normal which is a huge relief. She is also back to her normal self since her surgery on Wednesday.  The tricky part has been keeping her inactive for 10 days. We have 5 down and 5 more to go. For your information, trying make a puppy not act like a puppy is nearly impossible. Cabin fever has set in. She's going crazy.

{two} Speaking of the pup {When am I not? I know, I know I'm pathetic.} Mr B found this picture he took about a month ago on his phone that we forgot about and it is so stinkin' cute! 

{three} This morning when the baby that I watch was dropped off the dad handed him over to me as soon as he walked in the door and said "Good Luck". That's always reassuring. I'm expecting this to be a long Monday.

They had a stare down for about 5 minutes.

I'm not sure who won,  but they didn't appreciate me interrupting by taking a picture.

{four} We had some friends over {who are getting married in February!!} on Friday night for dinner, game and chocolate fondue. de.lish.

Strawberries and bananas are my favorite, but Emily brought over a bunch of new things to try!

{five} Our landlord put up these little awnings yesterday and I am not quite sure how I feel about them. Not that I have any say anyways, but I think they make the place look a little cheap. I am not a fan of change, so maybe it will just take some getting used to. 

{six} We have officially turned the heat on in our place and it feels so good. 

{seven} We started Roxie on a new diet this weekend. I still can't really believe we are doing it, but so far it has been great. I did a lot of research and we have decided to try it's the... raw diet. Have you heard of it? Do you do it?? Know of anyone who does it?? It's supposedly really good for her and it's saving us money so we are giving it a try. She loves it so far!

Puppy Problems

We have had our hands full and our bank account empty over here in The Smelly Life.

Last Monday I posted this picture of my cute little pup who was all cuddled up on my lap trying to keep warm.

Let me add a sidenote that, for once, Mr. B and I had were fairly on track with our money and even had a little extra in savings.

I guess in the end the whole point in having savings is to use in case of emergency.

We just didn't expect the emergency to be quite so soon.

Although, we should've expected it because last time we had money in savings our car went in needing an oil change and came out with an oil change, alignment and three new tires costing us not $30, but $400.

Such is {grown-up}life.

My cute little puppy woke up from her nap and I noticed that her eyelid was staying up instead of  tucking under her skin like usual. 

Thank the Lord, eyes are not typically like because I'm not gonna lie- this was gross. 

It needed to go back where it belonged.

Under the skin.

It was all red and slimy looking.

I gave her a bath, hoping that it would just wash it's way back down.

That was unsuccessful.

I used a warm wet cloth all through out the day.

That was unsuccessful.

I gave her a benedryl, thinking maybe it was some allergic reaction.

That was unsuccessful.

I gave it some time to see if it would heal, trying to avoid going to the money sucking vet, if possible.

That was unsuccessful.

It got worse.

Grosser.

Sadder.

I felt so bad for my poor little pup.

Not only was it disgusting to look at, I could tell it was really bothering her too. 

She was acting and eating fine, but she would paw at her face every so often trying to fix it.

First thing Wednesday morning, I took her to the vet. 

Dreading the cost, but knowing she needed some medication.

She is officially petrified of the vet so we did the whole I-drag-her-in-work-up-a-sweat-become-all-flustered-drag-her-to-the-scale-to-be-weighed-she-runs-away-I-bend-down-to-pick-her-up-my-butt-crack-shows-to-the-world-I-am-oh-so-classy-I-finally-get-her-on-the-scale-and-then-we-repeat-to-get-her-in-the-exam-room.

  Oh the joys of the vet.

The Dr. comes in. 

Takes a look.

Doesn't know what it is.

Suggests taking a bunch of different tests.

I feel pressured.

Just give me eye drops and I'll be on my way. Thanks.

Except, I don't have the guts to say that so in real life I say "Ok"

She does test number 1. 

$17.

"Nope, she has no scratch in her eye!"

Awesome..there goes $17 in .001 seconds.

Test number 2.

$20

"No problem with her tear ducts!"

Wonderful...20 more dollars down the drain.

Test number 3.

$18.

"Eye pressure looks perfect!"

Perfectttt....18 more dollars and we still don't know.

No diagnosis, but eye drops to see if they help.

$11.

Total spent on the inconclusive appointment: $111.

The eye drops didn't seem to be helping.

It looked like it was getting worse.

I was really worried it was cherry eye and we were going to have to spend $600+ on surgery.

Thankfully, the vet suggested we try eye ointment and ditch the drops.

At an additional $13 this seemed worth it with the thought of expensive surgery in the back of my mind.

Success.

As soon as her eye was just about healed it was time for her scheduled surgery. 

Microchipped and fixed: $233.

Total vet bill in one week: $344

No.one.was.happy.

This was my poor puppy when I picked her up from surgery. She was whining the whole way home, her ears as far back as they could go and her little nub practically in her butt hole. 

{You can see her eye is better though!}

It was so sad.

She was really uncomfortable and by the looks of it, disappointed in us.

And she did this the rest of the night. 

And the majority of today, but she is on her way to recovery!

And I am pretty confident we both hope we won't be visiting the vet anytime in the near future. 

This whole puppy thing isn't cheap, but thankfully she is worth every penny. :)