The cat has 9 lives!

Posted by Ethne~

Hey everyone!  Good news!  Theodore's weight loss wasn't due to his kidney disease - it was due to a new disease...something that affects his potassium levels and appetite.

But it's treatable.  And not life threatening.

What a relief!  He's getting the meds for it and he's already started gaining weight back.

I'll tell you the tale of Theodore one day.  He's a lucky little scrapper.

Please think of my cat today.

Posted by Ethne~

Hey guys.  Please say a little prayer for my cat, Theodore.  He's lost quite a bit of weight and I'm waiting for blood test results from the vet today.  It's possible he has developed a thyroid condition, the vet thought, so I hope it's just that...and not something more concerning.

I'll let you know what I find out.  And thanks for your good thoughts. xo

The cat's ticked, which means we got our dog.

Posted by Ethne~

Hey guys!

Well, we've done it.  We got a puppy.  Buddy Denham.  He's kinda like having another baby, except not quite as much work.  Also, he's not twins.  Basically, that means he's a vacation by comparison.

He's a Papillon with a little bit of long-hair Chihuahua mixed in.  I expect he'll look like a Papillon, with the coloring of a Chihuahua and we're not quite sure how his hair is going to grow.  His mom looked like a Yorkie with her part Chihuahua mix.

He's really cute, see?

8 weeks old - our first day together.

9 weeks - and frisky!

My leaf!

Curly-q tail!

Race!

Theodore didn't realize I had Buddy until this lick happened.  Then he got mad and hissed.  He'll hang out in the same room as Buddy now, but we haven't gotten to being friends.  Maybe next week.

Our family is growing...

Posted by Ethne~

...by four paws!

It is with trepidation (on my part, being a cat person my whole life) and excitement all around (for both Shaun and me - the girls don't know yet) that Shaun and I have decided to get a dog.

The breed is a Papillon with a little long-haired Chihuahua mixed in.  The owner who bred the parent dogs owns them both and assures me of the parent temperaments and lack of yippy-ness.  Whit (my sister) concurs, since the owner is her next-door-neighbor.

Dad (Louie) is 100% Papillon and looks like it.  That's what I envision our dog to look like.  Mom (Lola) is 1/2 Papillon and 1/2 long-haired Chihuahua.  She looks just like a Yorkie.  I mean, JUST LIKE.  So I can't say what the puppies will look like for sure, except that I envision them to look more Papillon than mom, since they have more Papillon in them.  

Theodore has also not been told, though I have started moving his food to a newer, higher location, and he thinks I'm nuts.  Being a large cat, he will tower over this dog.

When we pick up puppy in mid-August, I'll tell you more!

I met my famous relative, Tippi Hedren!

Posted by Ethne~

So remember when I told you I was related to actress Tippi Hedren?  And remember when Lori dressed like her for Halloween?

Well, we met her in May!  She came home to Minnesota to speak at her hometown (New Ulm, MN) library and so we went down to have a mini family reunion with her the evening after.

Blonde city.  (That's my sister, Whit, on the left, to refresh your memories)

Let me tell you that we should all be so lucky to look like her when we're octogenarians.  Her older sister, Patty, was with her, and they were both whippersnappers!

Tippi is passionate about her big cat preserve, Shambala, where she rescues large cats which are mostly bred privately and then cannot be contained as adults in the individual's or breeder's home (despite what they may think when they're little).  She was adamant that there needs to be stricter legislation to regulate the breeding of wild animals.  Tell your legislators!  She also said that anytime a person has the chance, they should adopt a whole litter of kittens.  "Best thing I ever did," she said.  Shaun loved this notion.  As to her sister, Patty, she wasn't in the movies, but she was just as lovely.  She and Shaun got on like two peas in a pod.

Hey Dudes! Guess who's here?!

Posted by Ethne~

I know you won't even believe it, guys, but I'm back!

Darn right!

Lori, Steve and Mur-Man are off in France and from the first pictures I've seen, it's been AMAZING so far.  She'll check in with us, probably on Fridays.  From France.  Ah...alliteration.

The girls, Shaun and I are doing pretty well.  You remember, maybe, from this post, that I had to take a little time-out from the blog so I could focus on the kiddos.  They didn't have an illness or anything, but we were having some struggles adjusting to life in school and I needed to get that figured out.  Academically, they're doing awesome.  I'd say on a scale of success, they're healthy as horses and I've lost considerable hair.  Fingers crossed that the adjustment to first grade is on pace with how far we've come.

Kindergarten graduation!

Shaun and I still have the girls following a gluten-free diet, but not for health reasons.  At this point, I'd say that using the removal of gluten to help kids (mine anyway) with focus or attention is a total bust.  But I found that removing gluten is a way to be very strict about the things we're putting in our (their) bodies.  So, keeping in mind that the GF trend doesn't mean just buying anything at the store marked GF, I've kept us on this meal plan as a way to eat as much clean food as possible.  It's kind of paleo (not all) and kind of organic (not all) and kind of closer-to-the-source/minimal-processing/natural ingredients as I can make it.  I have also recently removed artificial dyes from their diet.  That one did have a study attached to it that made lots of sense to me, in the latest Parent magazine or so.

Theodore, our cat, is still rocking around the joint.  I've had him for 12 years, and he was an adult when my sister found him.  I tell Shaun he will probably live till age 42, the oldest known cat, according to My Cat From Hell on Animal Planet.  Shaun loves this suggestion.

My sister got married and is expecting a baby, too!  We find out the gender of the baby soon and I cannot WAIT.  Lori and I are feeling PINK.

So that's the short of it.  I'll fill you in some more in future posts!  Thanks a million to Lori for keeping this blog going while I tended to my flock.

A Betrothal!

Posted by Ethne~

Excitingly, we've had some really happy news in our family!

My sister, Whitney, is engaged to her boyfriend, Sam.  Our family likes him and is happy at this betrothal.  I am told his family are also quite pleased!

Sam has a young son who will be an instant cousin for KD and Easy Mac - all three of them are thrilled at this prospect!

A family affair is planned for this summer.

And yes, I was involved in ring selection.  I approve highly.

Cheers to happy new beginnings!

Remembered with Love

Posted by Ethne~

Hey everyone.  We've had some sad news in our extended family and I want to tell you about it because I want my sister-in-law, Mel's dad to be remembered for all time, and because I want us to call those important to us - RIGHT NOW - and say 'I love you'.

Mel's dad, Jon

Mel's dad, Jon, was the greatest guy.  He was a million miles tall, terribly easy-going and you could tell he was kind just by looking at him.  You liked him before you even knew him.  Mel's mom, Wendy, is a million miles short, and I remember as kids they'd go for evening walks and I could always pick them out, for their height difference (they were a perfect match).  Jon always watched Mel's games and recitals, always put gas in Wendy's car and welcomed Mel's husband, Rich, into his life as his own.  He enjoyed vacationing with friends, gardening and spending time with his family.  (Jon always made me laugh, which won my heart.  He called my Shaun "Ralphie", for instance, following events best left unsaid at Rich & Mel's wedding.)

Wendy, Mel, Rich & Jon

Jon passed unexpectedly last week.  He was only 60.

Now that I'm in my 30's, I realize that my parents are static in my mind.  When I picture them in my mind, they are not in their 60's, they're in their 40's.  Like they were when we stopped officially living together 18 years ago.  (wtf)  I know it's not true, but that's the age my mind picks.  Then, when I see the pictures of us together now, I think something must be off.  Sometimes I'm looking at my crow's feet, but usually it's that my mom/dad in the picture and mom/dad in my head aren't matching up.

Last week brought to the fore that our parents, while not "old", aren't going to live forever.  I have a good relationship with my parents, and talk to them almost every day.  We say I love you.  I know Mel, Jon and Wendy always did too. Even if we can't remember the contents of the last conversation we had, we will know how we ended it, and that it was good.

Next time you sign off the phone with mom, dad or your most-loved, think of Jon quick and tell them how you feel.  Just in case it's your last opportunity. Thank-you for that reminder, Jon.  You will be missed by so many.  xoxo

Now, any ideas how I can convince Ralphie to go put some gas in my car?

Baby M has arrived!!

Posted by Ethne~

After much stretching of her mother’s stomach, Baby M is here!

Absolutely perfect!

We are most excited, as Steph is one of our very best friends.  I talk to her daily – and she’s in the GT echelon, meaning we’ve known each other since elementary school.

Since M had popped Steph’s bump out almost instantly, I had guessed at a 9-pounder, but she came in just at 7 pounds, 14 ounces.  I was totally off.  I was wrong on the name too, seeing as my suggestion was a combination of my middle name with Slags’ middle name (WHAT?).

Steph’s first comment (a text to us practically from the operating room, which we expected) was that M was FEISTY, crying non-stop from the moment she came out!  They got her calmed down and she’s been a dolly ever since.

This is how she came out.

I sincerely hope she does a nice meconium squirt on her daddy since he pretty well gags at the sight of baby poo.  Then we’ll really know if she’s still got that feisty in her.  Auntie Ethne has her fingers crossed.  (You're welcome, Ryan.)

In the meantime, Steph and Ryan and fam, have a ball with this wee little princess.  I can’t wait to meet her in person!  Congratulations!!  Then, you can get down to the important business of contemplating which cosmetic procedure to attack first: breast implants, tummy tuck or botox.  [All theoretical; WE don’t actually need THOSE things.]

FATHER'S DAY RECAP

Posted by Lori~

It’s a Father’s Day random thoughts kind of day.  Steve ran a tennis tournament, and Murray and I dropped by for a visit.

We also whipped up a rhubarb cake (recipe this week) and also made steak and potatoes on the grill.  Here are some photos of the day with our FAVORITE GUY!

I had to throw this photo in!  I think Roger NEEDS a haircut!

 

Time to clean rhubarb.

 

Steve's father's day gift.  He picked it out!  We saved for it.  It's mine too!

 

Happy Father's Day!

Posted by Ethne~

Lori and I want to wish a great, big Happy Father’s Day to Steve and Shaun and our dads.  We have great husbands and fathers!

Dad, KD and Easy Mac after a day at the Omaha Zoo

To all the guys out there, if you can make your partner smile and your children laugh, you’re pretty awesome!

~-~-~-~

Incidentally, the following conversation occurred between Shaun and me this morning when he woke me up (since obviously I get to sleep in on father’s day weekend):

Shaun: Get up, hon, I have to take a shower.

Me: What time is it?

Shaun: Eight.

Me: Awesome.  What are the kids doing?

Shaun: Watching Spiderman.

Me: We should have a Spiderman birthday party for the girls.

Shaun: What’s with you wanting to take my Vikings birthday party from me?  I had to put up with all your princess and vampire parties.

Me: Well, you’re not all into the planning already, asking me to make banners and stuff.

Shaun: It’s not till October.  We’ll put up a sign, wish them happy birthday and watch football.

Me: No, that’s no good at all.

Shaun: Get up before the kids trash the place.

JORDAN'S GRADUATION RE-CAP

Posted by Lori~

My nephew Jordan graduated memorial day weekend.  You read about how to make grad hat cupcake tops here. What an awesome weekend filled with fun, excitement, family, friends, and of course 100% proud of Jordan!

Jordan is headed to college in the fall.  Wow--this entire experience makes me feel old!  But I love him, and will LOVE having him closer to me!

I took a few photos from the weekend (I apologize for the photo quality!  Steve was in China with the "rebel"). 

Jordan getting ready to march!

My mom (Crafty G-Ma) made a t-shirt quilt and it was the perfect backdrop for the party!

We had a root beer keg.  And, Jordan's friends thought it would be fun to do a root beer keg keg-stand.

 

I made tissue poms for the party.  Instructions are here.

The cupcakes were delicious!

Jordan and the family with his graduation gift of an acoustic guitar.

And finally, I had to take a photo of the WHS fight song.  Ethne, this one's for you!