Bath Time!

Ok, to be honest, I LOVE bathing the dogs! In general I love bathing any dog that isn't going to bite me or scream its head off. I also LOVE to have clean dogs. I know that labs are supposed to only have a bath like ever two-three months, but I can barely wait the healthy 3 weeks between baths.

I have been putting off bathing the boys sense, I think the first part of January because they were in full on shed mode. Especially with Patriot, when he is shedding, bathing just makes things worse. If he is clean while shedding, not only do we get hair on the floors but it ends up clear up to the ceiling....literally! Hobbs doesn't really shed, even in the major shedding seasons, but I would feel bad keeping him sparkling clean and leaving Patriot dirty.

Well today was the day! Patriot's shedding has slowed enough that I felt it was ok to bathe them. I didn't know if I would have the energy to bathe both of them while being 6 months pregnant (how did that happen so fast btw?), but it turned out to be the perfect day. It snowed about 6" last night so we didn't go on a walk this morning, I just had Hobbs run on the treadmill for 30 minutes. So I didn't have to expend any energy until I bathed them.


Soggy Patriot (I had to bribe him into the tub with a treat!!)


I finally was able to use the AvoDerm shampoo on Patriot! I haven't up to this point because the vet suggested using medicated shampoo until the rash went away.


I went all out this time, even scrubbing their faces! Patriot was far from a fan of the new bath routine.

Close up

Ready to bolt out of the tub with his towel on.

Hobbs really doesn't like bath time, and I was busy trying to keep him from melting to the floor of the tub so I didn't get a soggy picture of him. Poor tortured dog ;)

All sudsy

He actually handled the face scrubbing better than Patriot

Close up

Totally dejected and resigned to the fact that he will "NEVER" be free from the tub again.

Hobbs was running around like crazy until I got my camera out. Then he just stood there and looked at me. So no after-bath labbie scoots. The rest of their day will be spent drying, Patriot more so than Hobbs. Now they will be all clean for their first day at the local dog park on Wednesday! Oh, and Hobbs will be clean for his Agility class tomorrow. I didn't post last week about it because we didn't have class. Which was very much appreciated, we needed some extra training time.

Week 24!!

Can I just say how much I love being pregnant? I am almost sad that I only have two weeks left of my second trimester, only 112 days left! This has been an amazing experience, and I am truly loving almost every minute of it. The worst thing I could complain about is the few times that I get so full that I can't breathe, or the little bit of trouble I have sleeping some nights. I am loving feeling Kaylee move, and the ouchie kicks have done nothing but make me smile! I even think I saw her movement from the outside once this week. As long as labor and delivery don't emotionally scar me for life, I could do this over and over again! I bet I am jinxing myself and my next pregnancy is going to be impossibly horrible lol!

• Weight: 166.6 - two whole ounces! How is that possible with everything I eat?!? I am totally ok with it though!
• Waist: 39 1/2"
• Bra size: Maternity Large...or 36 EE (if that is even a size...)
• Sleeping Schedule: Go to Bed @ 9:30-11:00pm and wake up @ 7:30-8:00am
• Exercise Schedule: 60 minute walk with the dogs 3-4 days, strength/balance exercises on fitness ball 2 days, 1 mile walk on treadmill 1 day.

I have had a lot of energy most days this week, and I am really upset that the snow is back to keep me inside. I really can't wait for spring/summer to actually get here. Someday Robert and I will have to find someplace that doesn't snow 50% of the year. I would like to have an actual fall and spring....not just summer and winter. Hopefully the nice weather will come back before my fatigue does!

Fluff Friday

Here is this weeks Fluff Fridays giveaway from The Cloth Diaper Whisperer. Just head over to her blog for the contest rules. It is always super fun, even if you don't win anything!

What would you win this week:
2-Kiwi Pie One Size Fitted Diaper
1-Thirsties Cover

LETTERS

I worked on the letters for Kaylee's room last night, but wasn't intending to finish them! What can I say, I get bored when Robert goes to Wyoming all week! Here are the results! I really can't wait to get the "L"


I was/am planning to have the letters with pink sides go every other one with the ones with red sides, but I really like the look of the red sides. I think I may end up painting them all red on the sides.I hand drew and painted the decorations on the letters. It took me around 4 hours! I am not sure if I am going to put more on each letter....I don't want them to look too busy. All of these decorations come from the ones on the bedding I have.

Ok, this one is not on the bedding, but each flower individually is!

This one is my favorites

I am so proud of myself for doing these! Oh, and YAY for only 115 days left of pregnancy!!

Answers....finally!

It has been exactly two weeks sense Patriot got his blood drawn for the allergy test, and today we got the results. Patriot is allergic to:

• Dust Mites
• Mold, and Storage Mites
• And Ragweed Plants

Basically things that are in every home, and most outdoor places around here! The vet clinic is ordering the allergy shot serum, and in a week or so we will start the shot regiment that will hopefully make him more comfortable! I am not too terribly excited about having to give him shots all the time, but it is better than him living on benadryl! Interestingly enough, Prudy (his sister) was also allergic to Dust mites and mold! Maybe it is genetic? I would be interested to hear what his other sister was allergic to, she was CC'd in the field due to the allergy.

Patriot wasn't being tested for food allergies because the blood test for that isn't really very accurate.....said the vet. The skin test is more accurate for that, but it is also over $400! So hopefully all this skin stuff is due to his enviromental allergies.

If this doesn't work, I am not sure what the next step will be....so it will just have to work!!

Training Videos

Here are some videos of Hobbs' training. These are really helpful to me! I have noticed sense watching them, that my "yes" marker is not as precicely timmed as I thought it was. It is almost late to the point that I can see how Hobbs would be confused about what I am marking. Does anyone else see this? Or is my timing ok, and I am just crazy?

Yes I am in my pajamas in these!


This is Hobbs' progress on his "back" command. He gets a little obsessed about it, so I am not rewarding him for backing up in this video unless I asked him to.


This is where we have had the most trouble/frustration. It got to a point for a while where Hobbs couldn't sit without doing the lifting up paw after paw thing that you see right at the beginning of the video. He is slowly learning to just sit still (and get treats) unless he is asked for either paw.


And lastly the weave poles!

Crafty Me!!

I have wanted for a couple weeks to try sewing some cloth wipes to go along with my cloth diapers! Its a good thing too, because I could probably make about 8-9 with $6 worth of fabric! If I were just buying the wipes, it would cost me around $15 for 10 of them! I am making some flannel ones first, and will maybe try some different materials sometime. I got the instructions on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer blog. It is such a wonderful place for all things cloth diapering!

Now, I have sewn a tiny bit before....a long while ago, but have never started from an empty sewing machine. That's what I had, so I went to the store and bought the stuff I would need to make a few wipes (trial runs). I just got a yard of fabric, the thread, and the cutting board. Then I got out the instruction book for my sewing machine, and slowly wound the bobbin, and threaded the machine.

Cutting out the stupid little squares of material was the hardest part of the whole thing!! I don't know if I was doing it the hard way (is there an easy way?) but the measuring and cutting was torture. After my first wipe was done, I felt so incredibly empowered! Lol, that sounds crazy. But I didn't break my machine, and didn't ruin the wipe. So I made two more. Here are the finished results!


The first, smaller one-sorry this picture is a little fuzzy


All three of the different thread combinations


These each have the opposite colored thread on the other side


The two bigger wipes 7"x7"

A close up of the material

As for my next craft project......

The materials

No, I did not forget how to spell Kaylee, the store was out of "L" so I am going back next week to get it.

They are raised letters, that actually look a lot bigger in these pictures than they really are!

I haven't decided how exactly I am going to paint them, but these colors match (pretty closely) the ones on the nursery bedding.

I may need some more colors once I decide how to paint the letters.

Some other projects I want to do sometime are:

Cloth Diaper Inserts (with super absorbent stuff in the middle-)

More Cloth Wipes/burp cloths

Actual Cloth Diapers (eventually)

I am sure this list will get longer, the more comfortable I get but for now it is enough!

Header....

With a HUGE thanks to Denise I am proud to post the new header on my blog! It looks wonderful, and I love how it turned out. I tried to do one myself over on my life blog, but it is nowhere near as sophisticated as this one. Thanks again Denise!

Breakthrough!

Thanks to the people who responded to my post about Hobbs' challenges. I took the advice and looked at what I was doing, as well as waited him out to see what would happen. I realised that when I taught Hobbs to shake with either paw, I added the words WAY too soon, so he didn't really know when I was asking for that behavior. Also, I had never waited long enough for him to just sit still and look at me (rather than throwing random behaviors at me).

As for the backing up, apparently he just needed to let the information sink in for a couple days. I tried it again today using a love seat backed up next to the wall instead of two rows of chairs. I was counting on his being a little claustrophobic and he understood it immediately! I clicked and treated him for backing up twice in the tiny 1 1/2' chute I had created. Then I moved the love seat back so that the chute was more like 2-3'. He still backed up every single time! I rewarded him by tossing the treat towards him, and he caught a few of them. I will be practicing in the chute for a couple more sessions before I try it in the open room. I can't believe how easily he got it this time!!

On the mat, I waited him out. He squirmed, grumbled (which I didn't correct for), crawled backwards, did puppy push-ups, came to sit in heal. and then finally laid down and sighed. I clicked treated and he was so excited! Then I had him go back to the mat, and I waited again. He started to squirm a little, and then just laid there quietly for a few seconds so I clicked and treated.

One thing that he has been thinking is the answer to everything is shaking with one paw and then the other....back and forth over and over. So I went back to the very beginning of that trick, and very deliberately gave the physical signal for each paw (just holding that hand out). If he tried with the wrong paw, or both or tried to "beg" I ignored him. After a few minutes of asking for those specifically, he stopped offering them for everything....usually. He has a very hard time just sitting still with both front paws on the ground. So we practiced that. I would put treats in my hand, and just sit on the chair in front of him. The first time, it took him over a minute to choose to sit still with both paws on the floor, click/treat. The second time, he sat still relatively quickly, only about 20 seconds of fidgeting. The third time, he started to pick up one paw then set it down and looked at me, click/jackpot! We stopped with that, and will pick up there next time. I took videos of all of this, but silly pregnant me forgot that tipping the camera on its end to record makes the videos on their sides. I can't figure out how to fix this, so I will record the next session and post the videos.

I am much more encouraged by this training session than the last one! Like one of the commenter's said, "he is a super smart boy"! Thank you again "anonymous" and "Erin" for your suggestions!

oh, Erin, I didn't want to teach "back" by walking towards him because then the dog is using its front legs to push itself back rather than thinking about stepping back with its back legs. I am only teaching back to help with rear end awareness, so he needed to figure it out himself!

Header....

So what does everyone think of my first attempt at a header? Thanks to Amber for the instructions! It all worked for me except using photobucket.com to resize....it wouldn't let me post it using the http:// thing. Oh, well! Please let me know if the header is too big!

23 and counting!

The weeks seem to have slowed down a bit, but I still can't believe that I am already to week 23! I remember going from week 4 to 5 thinking I am going to be pregnant forever! Now I am almost a month past half way, and it seems like it has been no time at all! I haven't really started nesting yet, but I am really anxious to get all the things I need for when the baby comes. I try not to think about it because I feel like there is soo much stuff I still need and it gets overwhelming. I am really excited about my baby shower on April 25th!! It will be fun to see all my aunts, cousins and friends.

• Weight: 166.4....Ugh, that is all I have to say....
• Waist: 39 3/4" Wow! Over an inch in a week!
• Bra size: Maternity Large...or 36 EE (if that is even a size...)
• Sleeping Schedule: Go to Bed @ 10:30-11:00pm and wake up @ 8:00-8:30am
• Exercise Schedule: 60 minute walk with the dogs 4-5 days (yay for me!!), strength/balance exercises on fitness ball 3 days

boo to the little stretch marks right on my side!

Can I just say how much I LOVE baby girl clothes?!? I went to Ross today just to see what they had. Holy cow I could have spent a whole week's paycheck on clothes! Luckily I controlled my self but I got a bunch of cute ones for just under $20. Kaylee is going to be the cutest little baby around. Now I just have to figure out what her coming home outfit will be!

Blog Header?

How do people make their cute blog headers with pictures and things? I would LOVE to have a header with pictures of me and Robert and eventually of Kaylee, but don't have a clue how to even start! If anyone can help me please do!! You can email me privately if the explanation is too long for a comment.

Blog Header

How do people make their cute blog headers with pictures and things? I would LOVE to have a header with pictures of Hobbs and Patirot, but don't have a clue how to even start! If anyone can help me please do!! You can email me privatly if the explanation is too long for a comment.

Challenges

Hobbs and I are having some training challenges. He is so eager to get the click/treat that he will just try everything he can think of to see if that is what I want. It makes teaching a new behavior VERY difficult and frustrating. For example:

We were working on teaching back up tonight by lining up chairs to make a chute. Then I would lead him into it and wait for him to choose to back up. Yeah right! He sat up (like beg), tried shaking with both paws, laid down and then tried to shake, tossed his head around, crawled backwards, and did basically everything except stand up and walk backwards!! I was just going to wait it out, but I stood there for 10 minutes without a single hint of backing up from him!

Finally after walking into him a couple times, and rewarding for little steps/hops back I have a dog who will do these awkward step-hops backwards while he tries to "shake" with both paws. I will video it tomorrow to show everyone just how insane this boy gets. He is also on the verge of growling or barking at me when I ignore his throwing behaviors at me! That is something I absolutely will not tolerate, and he will be getting corrected if he starts barking at me.

We have this same problem when he is doing "mat" work. Instead of going to his mat and relaxing, he starts trying to do new behaviors trying to get more clicks treats.....and it gets worse the longer I ignore him!! I am going to have to bring this up at the next class unless I can figure out a solution before Tuesday. I don't like feeling frustrated with him every time we train, but this behavior throwing crap is getting out of hand.

Happy Birthday Hobbs!!!

Two years ago today, Hobbs came into the world with some huge expectations on his shoulders. He came into our household a mear 10 weeks into his life. After 15 months of hard work, and stress he made the decision that he didn't want to be a guide dog. That is when life really began for our little Hobbers. Now, 9 months later, he is a happy, agility loving dog!

Hobbs started off the day with an extra cup of food for breakfast. This is something I have always done with my dogs....even when they were PIT's (shhh don't tell). Then we cuddled on the couch together for a while. Then we all hopped in the car and drove the 45 minutes to.....

THE DOG PARK!!!

I was really happy that it is Saturday, which meant there would be more dogs than normal at the dog park. Patriot of course came along, and we stayed for over an hour. There were a TON of labs there today, and a Great Dane who made Patriot look little!! Patriot's back came up to about half way up that dogs shoulder! There were no incidents other than the occasional humping. Hobbs had a wonderful time and so did Patriot.

Once we got home, they took a nap for a couple hours and then I started in on the birthday cake! Here is the recipe I made for them(I doubled it). Yes it is a doggy friendly cake:

1 cup white or whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup honey
1 egg

Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) Mix together flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into a ring mold sprayed with a nonstick spray for 40 minutes. Frost this cake with low fat cottage cheese and decorate with carrot pieces. Store in refrigerator.

Cinnamon Frosting: Combine the following ingredients and blend thoroughly:
12 ounces nonfat cream cheese (room temperature)
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp honey
***I added about 1/4 cup shredded carrots

The boys got to participate in all the birthday rituals of making a cake. They got to lick the mixing spoon, the candles (after they were lit, blown out, and pulled out of the cake), they even got to lick the icing bowl! Here are a few....ok a lot....of pictures and a video of the cake adventure.

Cooking in the oven

The icing

Waiting "endlessly" for the cake to be done

The finished product


I can't believe he is two!

Their individual cakes

Yes I talk baby talk to my dogs, and sound like a fool, but oh well!!

They both made huge messes!

I didn't get Hobbs any new toys this year because money is a little tight. I think the cake was an excellent substitute. We had a wonderful day full of treats, toys, and playtime!

Fluff Friday's Giveaway

Over at The Cloth Diaper Whisperer they are having yet another giveaway. This week isn't specifically a diaper giveaway, but it is still a really fun contest.

What would you win this week:

1 Brightness Library Tote from Hulla Bags

$30 Kelly's Closet Gift Card

I would LOVE it if I won! Robert and I still need several more diapers and a gift card would help us a lot!

More Yard Work

Robert has been home all day today because he was working overnight last night and is again tonight. All afternoon we were working on some major changes we want to have happen in our back yard.

There is a section of the yard that is covered in the little redish pieces of lava rock. It is right under a willow tree and the leaves are nearly impossible to rake up. Also, it just looks unkempt and needs to be changed. We are going to put grass in its place, but first we have to throw out all of the rocks, and add some more topsoil.

Another thing we have been planning from day one is to remove all the little juniper-like bushes that line the entire fence. I love having a wooden fence, and can't wait to be able to see it!

Those are the two things we worked on this afternoon. At first all I wanted done was dumping the soil from a bunch of flower pots into the garden. That turned into us starting in on both the projects! The lava rocks are going to take more effort than I had anticipated, but the small part we got completely clean looks great!

Before:

After:

We didn't finish the lava rock project by any streach of the imagination, but we made a dent. Hobbs, Patriot, and Turtle all hung out in the yard while we worked. We left the door open so they could go in and out, but only turtle took advantage of that option. While Robert worked, I carefully pruned out the old stalks of my raspberry plants. I haven't decided yet if I am going to pull up more of them, but that can wait a little longer. I have to figure out what I am going to plant in there first. My list so far is Peas, Tomatoes, Carrots, Onions, Corn (maybe), Broccoli. Oh, and radishes. There are also some strawberries growing in there, but they are not my favorite plant.

After an hour or so of working on the lava area, Robert started trimming and uprooting the bushes along the north fence of the yard. I was really suprised how easily some of the stumps came out of the ground! We are leaving two trees along the fence, for now, but they may turn out to have berries that are poisonous to dogs. If that is the case, they will come out as well!

There were two peach trees in the garden, but I didn't want them there for two reasons. 1) Peach pits are really poisonous to dogs. and 2) I wanted more room in my garden! So Robert trimmed them down to just little stumps in the garden. I think ripping out the stumps will disterb the raspberry plants too much and they have already had a lot of stress this year.

Before:

After:

Along the whole fence is a line of cement that creates the flower bed that the bushes were planted in. That will become an actual flower bed, and the ones in the middle of the yard and at the edge of the cement porch will be taken out and replaced with grass.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Tomorrow and Saturday will be another day of work on the yard, probably mostly the trees part. Hopefully we can get all the stumps out, and into a pile on the side of the house. Then we are going to get a trailer from Robert parents and take all the tree trash to the city/county dump.