4 month check up

We knew Casey is a big kid...and his stats show it! Casey weighs 17.3 pounds (97th percentile) and 26.5 inches (98th percentile). His head circumference is only on the 40th percentile. I assure you, it's all brain in there:)


Casey got a clean bill of health, is meeting all his milestones like a champ, and was a trooper with his 2 vaccines. He didn't even flinch at the first one, but definitely cried during the second one....the nurse warned us that one would sting. Poor guy. He is at home with Daddy today. We are excited the house is being shown tonight, and we are having an open house Sunday! Let's sell this house!

Rolling rolling rolling

Casey rolled over this morning for the first time! Such a big guy. He rolled from his tummy to his back. He is also moving all over his crib at night. We took out the sleep positioner, since he was moving around that too. This morning he was up against the left hand side of the crib, vertical! Silly boy. He is like the dogs, chasing things in his dreams. After daylight savings, he was waking up at 4:45 am for 2 nights, but luckily this only lasted 2 nights, and he was back to 6:30 or so. This morning he was up and playing at 5:15, when Ryan gets up for work, but I let him play while I tried to wake up, til almost 6.


A few weekends ago, we headed to Portland for a work meeting of mine. Since my job was paying mileage and a hotel, we made it a mini family trip. Casey slept the whole ride there! We left early Friday morning, my meeting was 10-2. Ryan and Casey had a boys day and picked me up afterwards. We checked into the hotel, played around for a little while with Casey, then headed to Clackamas to the Claim Jumper for dinner. So good. The manager came and talked to us a lot, his baby was born the same day as Casey! But that is his 4th! We left very very full, with a healthy supply of root beer barrels. We headed to the mall and did some shopping. It was fun to just walk around and walk off about 1/100 of the calories we had just eaten. We went to Macy's furniture and looked at what we liked for our new house (crossing fingers it will all fall into place soon). Neither of us are really big shoppers, so we didn't stay too long. We were too lazy to set up the pack and play, so Casey just slept between us in the king bed! He woke up once at midnight to eat, which is weird for him, but went back to sleep. He kicked his Daddy all night, but I slept just fine! We headed home in the morning, again Casey slept the whole way. Ryan was in a hurry, he went paintballing as soon as we got home.


Tomorrow is Casey's 4 month appointment, can't wait to see what a moose he is. He is so tall, his 6 month one piece outfits are almost up to his knees! Can't wait for Easter, to see how big he is next to his cousins!! Casey and I are spending Easter weekend with my family, then Casey and I will be home to celebrate Easter with Daddy, when he gets off work.

Big kid

Casey is growing like crazy. Today, he almost rolled all the way over. He hates tummy time, so we don't do it as often as we should.

Casey's new love is his exersaucer!! Than you Grandma Susie!! He loves to be standing up, so it is perfect for him, although he can't be in too long, he is still getting his strength in there. Casey discovered that he can touch his 2 hands together, and that 2 fists in your mouth is more exciting than one. Today he also reached up, patted my face and laughed hysterically when I nibbled his fingers.

Casey still wakes up happy, smiling and laughing. He is still sleeping through the night too! He is just a happy go lucky guy. Casey went to his first agility practice, and we will go again sunday. McKenzie and I are starting a new agility class! Actually 2....a weaving class and a class to hopefully get us ready to compete.

I took Casey to work with me yesterday, as our babysitter was sick. He was a good baby. I didn't get much done, but that was more due to the fact my computer had a virus and IT spent hours fixing it! There seems to be some sickness at work, I hope we manage to avoid it.

I never seem to be on the right computer to upload pictures, but chances are, you have seen them on facebook already.

Extreme couponing

Yes, extreme couponing....it's basically a sport that I excel in.

Last week, I purchased 2 covergirl mascaras, 2 gillette body washes and 2 gillette deoderants. I paid 75 cents out of pocket, and will get a $2 single rebate check.

Another trip last week- 2 jumbo packs pampers swaddlers, 1 crossaction power toothbrush and a box of nyquil for $5.50

2 weeks ago I got 18 boxes of Ronzoni Healthy harvest/smart taste pasta. These don't expire for 2 years so we are stocked! They were all Albertson deals:)

Mail is always fun to check because of the freebies. The last week or so, we have gotten aveeno shampoo/conditioner, free notebook and mousepad from shutterfly, several free magazines (Working Mom, Boating, Country Living, Maxim), coupons fot got2be haircare, free coupon for digiornio pizza, free bottle of excedrin, free pamper diaper. We usually get something everyday.

We are definitely saving a lot of money! If you buy diapers at costco, you pay 20-25 cents per diaper, but I dont ever buy unless I only pay 10-15 cents each. Sometimes I can get even cheaper!

Houses

Ryan and i are trying to find a new house. The house shrank when Casey was born. We sold the horses to a wonderful family, who rides them everyday. We just no longer had time to ride. But we feel good about where they are. So....finding a house without a horse pasture is much easier....sort of. We still need a big enough yard for 2 crazy aussies, and for Casey, who I am certain will never stop running as soon as he can start. There are so many things to consider...we need a big house, a big yard, which city and which school district, drive time to work and to daycare. I don't like my backyard to back up to anyone elses, I like a country feel and not too suburban of a neighborhood. Ryan wants enough grass that he doesn't feel silly busting out the john deere ride on mower, or get laughed at for using it on a postage stamp yard. We also need enough grass Josh and McKenzie don't destroy it. Do we want a 5 year house? Or a forever house? Do we want to build? But then we have to rent for a few months, but we could build a house and choose the options, but then there is a lot of work putting in the yard and all that. Luckily Ryan is incredibly handy. He can build or fix just about anything, and do a fabulous job!


We also have to sell our house. We have had some interest, and it seems to be going well. But...trying to keep a house look-at ready with a baby and working full time? Not an easy task! I am getting more efficient in the morning, but there are days we just cant leave the house in pristine condition, or even close to it. The realtor offered to run by the house and tidy it up before it was shown the other day, but really? What if my undies were on the floor or something? Do I really want her doing my dishes and cleaning my messy house? Actually, that does sound pretty good upon further reflection...


Hopefully we will have good house news to share soon! I am not in a big hurry, moving with a baby sounds like too much work! Ryan on the other hand is climbing the walls for this all to fall into place.

Casey is 3 months old

Time is flying! Casey is now 3 months old, and just the happiest baby. He smiles, laughs and coos. He even wakes up happy. Casey has been going to bed at 9, but he is starting to fall asleep even earlier, 8-8:30. The best part is....he is sleeping through the night! Just as I went back to work, he started sleeping til 5, then 6 and lately I am waking him at 6:30-7. Even after sleeping that long, Casey wakes up chattering and laughing! When he was still waking up at 3 to eat, he would smile at me when he woke up, which I figured was natures way of making sure Mom's don't eat their babies. He is much more of a morning person than me....he takes after Ryan.


Casey looks so much like Ryan, even strangers come up and comment how much he looks like Daddy, who could not be prouder! I sometimes think Ryan just might burst with pride and love. I love watching Ryan and Casey together, it is beyond cute! Ryan has Casey 2 or 3 days per week while I am at work, and they definitely have fun! Yesterday Ryan took Casey and both dogs for a hike up Badger Mtn all by himself! That's efficient! Casey likes the outdoors, we take him hiking, walking or out in the stroller. He has a big "Mom's cub" snowsuit he goes out in, and gets all bundled up. I love my jogging stroller, although I don't jog....just walk. Sometimes he sleeps, but he is always content if you are moving.


We wondered what Casey would be like, since he moved all the time in my belly....and he still does! I can't keep socks on that kid, he kicks his feet so much they come right off. And blankets? Those do not stay on him in the carseat, on the couch, in the swing....he never stops moving his arms and legs. Many people have commented on how busy he is. He loves to be sitting straight up so he can see everything, and for you to stand him up on your lap, he is so strong. He has a great grip, and likes to hold your finger, and loves to get a good fistful of hair.


Casey started at daycare, with my friend Rachel. Rachel has a baby 3 weeks younger than Casey, and an almost 3 year old. I am amazed at what she can do with 3 little boys, she takes them all shopping, to Mommy and Me classes and Dr. appointments. She just may be super-Mom, and I know he is in super good hands when Ryan and I are at work. Casey will give her big smiles when I drop him off. Work is going great, I am back in the swing of things and working with new families. I pump twice at work, luckily I have my own office, so this is no biggie. Just have to remember to shut the blinds! One whole wall of my office is a window that looks into a busy street...I haven't flashed anyone yet.

Tobie

I have been trying to write something about about Tobie, but I never know quite where to start. I can't find the right words to describe how much I loved him, and how much he meant to me. There just really aren't words that do Tobie justice.

I was looking for a puppy in the summer of 1996. I knew I wanted an 8 week old blue merle female aussie puppy with 2 blue eyes. I called a lot of breeders, but couldn't find what I wanted. I even called Tobie's breeder, Kim Buffum, of Country-Way aussies, and she told me about a 12 week old black tri boy she had, named Luther (at the time, I thought she was calling him Lucifer!!). I said no thanks, not what I am looking for! My Mom and I went to the Australian Shepherd Club of Washington's 4th of July show to look at puppies and meet breeders. We saw lots of puppies that day, but when I saw Luther/Tobie, I knew he was exactly the puppy I wanted! I watched him win Best of Breed Puppy, he had the day before as well. We went back the next day to pick him up, where he had won Best Opposite sex puppy. He was named Country-Ways It's In His Kiss, after the cher song and I decided to call him Tobie. It was love at first sight.

When Tobie was good, he was amazing, when he was naughty....he was super naughty!! Nicole nicknamed him "No-No-Bad-Dog". He was so incredibly smart, and that tended to get him in a lot of trouble. In college, Tobie let himself out of my bedroom one morning while I was at work, ransacked the house....ate all the garbage, stole the loaf of bread off the counter, and then went back in my room and shut the door behind him....all while Nicole slept and Rylie was crated. I came home thinking we had a raccoon on the loose!

Tobie was definitely a beautiful dog, he was my first "show dog". I showed Tobie in 4-H, where we were the overall grand champion in junior showmanship and red robin handling one year.
Tobie placed first in his class at nationals, over 40 other aussies. We also won best in match at an all breed conformation match. Tobie was an ASCA champion, and was on his way to being an AKC champion, when he had an emergency surgery and was then neutered. Tobie was so incredibly smart, but so very naughty in the obedience ring!! We did many classes together, but he just loved to embarass me in the ring, silly boy! In the long sit, I turned around to find him humping another dog once. Another time, he met another dog in the middle of the ring to play. On the recall, he saw Kim out of the corner of his eye and jumped up on the bench next to her, instead of coming to me!

What I loved about Tobie, was his love for life. Tobie loved everything and everyone. He was quick with his tongue, and was so accurate! Tobie could not control his licker!! Tobie was like my shadow, right up until his last day. He followed me everywhere I went. He layed in the bathroom while I showered, in the kitchen while I cooked, and on the couch while I watched tv. He never left my side...he was faithful and loyal, and so sweet with those freckles. Tobie loved to go camping, hiking, boating or just go for a ride. Ryan said he loved the way Tobie watched me when we met on our first date. Tobie really never took his eyes off me, how much more perfect could a dog be? When I first moved in with Ryan, Tobie was a little jealous of sharing his Mom. At night, he would go up and wake Ryan and act like he had to go potty. When Ryan went to let him out, Tobie ran back to bed and stole his spot. He did this repeatedly...pretty smart!! Eventually he learned to share, but spent most nights spooned against my legs. Tobie also unloaded our dishwasher once. Top and bottom shelf! We have pretty heavy plates, that he somehow got out. There was only one dish casualty....Tobie always kept me on my toes.

I could go on forever with stories about Tobie, but it could still never accurately tell how special he was, and always will be. Tobie saw me graduate high school, college, get married and have a baby. Almost 14 wonderful years. April 18th would have been Tobie's 14th birthday. Few people in this world are lucky enough to have such an amazing dog. I was lucky enough to have Tobie and Rylie. Josh and McKenzie have some pretty big shoes to fill.

I miss him so much.