Planning for Bud

Well we have decided on infant care for Baby Bud. The place we've chosen has a great reputation and I've talked to several people about the place. It's one of the cheaper options but has really tight security so I don't have to worry about anyone stealing Bud. They are also supportive of breastfeeding so I can pump and leave breast milk for them to warm up for Bud. I'm glad we have at least that much figured out.

I've also been in touch with my sister-in-law via Ray for advice for stuff. It's nice to be able to ask people who actually know for advice. Books are good but books aren't everything.

I have my first baby shower scheduled! One of my friends who lives out of the area is here for the summer and wanted to throw a shower for me before she had to go back home. It's great to think that someone cares enough to throw me a shower. I know it can be a pain to plan but I'm trying to be laid back about the whole thing. Once I have Bud in my arms am I really going to care what the theme of the shower was? Showers also bring up a feeling that I'm begging people for stuff. I know it's my first baby and you only get showers for the first one so I should be hitting everyone up but at the same time it's my responsibility to pay for the baby. I'm not sure what the proper etiquette is. What is the price limit? Is there a limit to how many showers I should have? I'm also wondering if I should ask my mom or mother-in-law to have a shower in Texas for me. I want people back home to feel like they can be involved but I hate to ask people for things. Would it make me greedy if I had a shower in Texas even though I won't be there?
I just don't know. I don't want to seem prideful but I don't want to seem greedy either. Where exactly is the line?

2 years of Jaz

Today is the 2 year anniversary of our adoption of Jasmin, our beagle/terrier mix. When I think of Jasmin from day one to today, I can hardly believe that she is in our lives. Unlike Snoopy, Jasmin has had a hard life and her eyes and body have a hardness that Snoopy will never know. If Snoopy is our pampered pooch, then Jasmin is our street-wise fighter.
It amazes me how Jasmin came into our lives to begin with. After having Snoopy for about a week, we knew he needed a playmate, dogs need a pack. We searched at the local animal shelters and even contact private dog rescues and nothing. If we liked the dog, Snoopy did not. If Snoopy liked the dog then we did not. Then one day I found myself on petfinder.com and found a posting for a 9 month old beagle/lab mix female and I thought perfect! She'll be close to Snoopy's age and beagles and labs are both known for their friendliness. Snoopy and I drove the hour to meet Jasmin. Was it love at first sight? Not really. Jasmin was shy but once we stepped inside the house, Jasmin was in foster care, Jasmin and Snoopy began to play. So Snoopy quickly decided that Jasmin was the one.
We don't know much about Jasmin's history. She was found, pregnant, behind a local fast food joint, fighting for food. The girls at the restaurant asked the local dog rescue lady to take her. So Jasmin had just finished weaning her last puppy and was spayed the week before we adopted her. She has at least two bb gun pellets in her body. She was already house broken and had great doggy manners. She must have been someone's pet. Why would anyone dump such a sweet girl? When we took her the vet, we also found out that she was no where near 9 months nor was she a beagle/lab mix.
Jasmin was nothing we were looking for and yet everything we needed. She has become Ray's little girl. If Jasmin our dog has him wrapped around her paw, I can just image what a Baby Girl Bud will do to him. Jasmin definitely taught us to look beyond the physical and just plain old give people, or dogs, a chance.
It has been a long process in winning Jasmin over. But as she has gotten more comfortable she has had less nightmares. She no longer sleeps with her legs straight out, like she is ready to fight. She is happiest with us, whether outside or inside. She treats Snoopy like her baby brother, which means any dog that thinks of hurting him has to go thur her first. She is truly a wonderful dog and even though we've had many offers to adopt her from us, I know we would all be crushed if we were lose our Jasmin. I don't think Ray could handle it and Snoopy would go crazy with grief.
So that is the story of our 5-6 year old beagle/terrier mix. When we adopted her we thought we had a 25-lb 9 month old beagle/lab but God knew better. She is a chunky 40 lb dog, who brings us all joy and sanity. After a crazy day there is nothing better than relaxing on the couch with Jasmin in your lap.

Sleeping on my back

Sleeping on my back is another thing I can no longer do! Who knew? Why aren't people telling me these things? I know other pregnant women complain about getting advice and stories but no one is telling me a thing! No motherly advice, no mother-in-law calling me up, no sisters, no sisters-in-law! No one. I kinda feel alone in the whole thing. Just me, Ray, and Bud, and none of us has ever had a baby before. I find myself asking my puppy Jasmin about being pregnant. She is only one in the house who is ever had a baby, well puppies. Give me advice people! For once I have no answers, only questions. I can do lots of research but something tells me that talking to other woman might be more helpful. Besides crazy advice would make a great posting for my blog!