Well it finally happened!!!

This morning at 12:03am Lexi officially became a mother. Although labor started at 10pm, once the first one arrived she managed to squeeze out 2 more within an hour and had the fourth and last at 3:30am. After cleaning up and giving Lexi a half-bath we got to bed by 5am and between all the whining we somehow managed to get a few hours of sleep. I have a feeling we won’t be getting much sleep over the next few weeks.

All morning I was in and out of sleep as I heard Chris taking care of Lexi and her newborns. By the time I got out of bed he had done a batch of laundry - last night’s towels, changed their bedding, cleaned up a mess Lexi left, gone to PetSmart and gotten puppy-pads and food. It’s adorable to watch him wander in here every 30 minutes to check on them. He’ll lye down next to them for a few minutes watching them crawl all over each other, get a little smile on his face then head back to his office (he works from home). His love and defensive attitude towards them is beyond adorable, and I’m starting to think that having this baby will be worth it after all. (Of course I logically know it will, but I’m still puking daily and it makes it hard to see the bigger picture and experience that gratitude I long for. lol).

Of course between the last pup we found ourselves bored. Labor lasted 6 hours and that’s a long time to focus on ANYTHING. So while Val fell into a deep sleep Chris decided it’d be funny to surprise her with pictures of him “tapping” her nose. lol. After waking, we could hardly contain ourselves as she scrolled through the puppy pictures, oblivious to what was lying ahead. I know, I know. Somehow, everything is funnier at 3am.

Another thing about 3am…. we took so many photos that we were sure would be beautiful. Her last moments before Motherhood. Her instincts taking over as she’d clean the pups. The puppies first moment latching to their mother. Yes these IDEAS seem beautiful… but after uploading the photos this morning Chris came in the room laughing over how a late night distorts good taste. The photos were… well… messy. It was sure neat in the moment though.

Now all is said and done and I couldn’t be happier. Each delivery was smooth and all four puppies are healthy. Lexi handled it like a pro and knew exactly what to do!!! Chris was there to aspirate the pups but was hardly even needed! As labor started I was crying (pregnancy hormones, may I remind you) and started feeling like a horrible “mother” as I saw her in so much pain. “It’s all my fault. I didn’t HAVE to put her through this! I didn’t HAVE to breed her!” Chris assured me it’s part of life’s cycle and Lexi would be grateful when it was all done. Well she hasn’t exactly said she’s GRATEFUL - but she sure loves those little pups so I guess I didn’t make the worst decision after all!

All four puppies cuddling this morning. SOOOO ADORABLE!

1)Chris entertaining himself between puppies. 2) A picture of the first born.

Lexi being a momma. NO she’s not always this dirty… but a few hours of labor will do that to ya.

3 months ago I made the big decision: I wanted puppies. I wasn’t having any luck getting pregnant and Lexi was in heat - so I decided I’d try her luck. Sure puppies don’t compare to a child, but it’s a close second. Plus she’s a purebred Maltese from a great line so I figured it was time to get a return on my money. (If I can actually part with the pups)

Chris informed me that it would be my project, I’d have to deliver the pups, take care of them, etc…. the entire process would be on my shoulders. Of course I was more than happy to take it on and convinced him he wouldn’t have to do a single thing. Those must have been the magic words because he agreed. I found the perfect stud and my little 3 year old finally found love. After a week she was already behaving differently and I had no doubt that she was pregnant! YEAH!

Little did I know…. I was pregnant too!

So here we are 3 months later. It doesn’t take much to set me off. The very thought of slim makes me gag and gagging for 3 seconds leads to puke. Graphic, I know, but it is what it is. So my dear husband, who I promised would have “no pup responsibility” whatsoever is gearing up to deliver puppies tonight. Possibly tomorrow! It’s been fun to see life move within Lexi and to feel the pups going crazy. I keep wondering if she has any idea what’s to come. Either way, it’s been a hard 3 months for all the “men” in my home. Poor Chris has had to deal with my craziness and, of course, Riley has had to conform to Lexis moods. lol Stay tuned for the outcome!

Lexi loves to clean Rileys eyes and ears. I think her mothering instinct is kicking in because this constant cleaning has increased. Doesn’t he look tired of it?

Riley has 4 beds throughout the house - and he gets comfortable on all of them the same way: By pulling & scratching the material around to create lumps where he prefers, then lies down and calls it a night. This scratching usually wakes me, but I fall right back asleep. Well last week he was making SO much noise at the bottom of my bed. I remember waking up and being so irritated with him, but I was too tired to see what the commotion was about. 3 seconds later I was asleep. Probably an hour later I woke up to go to the bathroom (you know… that 3am pregnancy call) and as I walked out I glanced over at Riley and about died laughing.

You see, Lexi has gotten in the habit of taking over his bed. He’s kind and submissive so when this happens he usually makes due with any pile of clothes he can find on the floor, even if it’s just a pair of socks. The bigger the pile the better. Well tonight there were no clothes on the floor but there WAS an entire basket of dirty laundry. I have NO idea how he managed to climb into it without knocking it over - but I was impressed to say the least. All sides of his body were spilling out, yet he seemed comfortable. I had to grab my camera and capture the moment. It only made sense to get a contrasting photo of Lexi and the comfort she was sleeping in.

Riley is such a good boy and Lexi… well… she really is a bit of a monster. Chris always jokes around about how dogs take on the personality of their owners. I don’t know…it might be true. Riley certainly resembles Chris. Riley is kind, patient, submissive and his needs always come second to Lexi. Lexi, on the other hand, is so stubborn, a little fighter and is constantly humping poor Riley. I’m not sure how she resembles me but Chris insists she does. lol I had to add another picture I got a few months ago. For a few days Riley’s bed was removed from the office. As a result he would pull Lexis bed to the middle of the room and squeeze into it as best as possible. *sigh* - that dog. He sure does make us happy.

I’m not a fan of Obama OR McCain… but sometimes we have to go with the lesser of two evils. Actions certainly speak louder than words.

Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:51:54 -0600 
This is a guy that use to be in my ward - so someone I know personally. He is the father of six and currently serving in Afghanistan . This is his take of Senator Obama visit to “the troops”. Kind of a different take that what you will see on the news. Make of it what you will. ~ Sheri


*************************************************************** 


Hello everyone,

As you know I am not a very political person. I just wanted to pass along that Senator Obama came to Bagram Afghanistan for about an hour on his visit to “The War Zone”. I wanted to share with you what happened. He got off the plane and got into a bullet proof vehicle, got to the area to meet with the Major General (2 Star) who is the commander here at Bagram.

As the Soldiers where lined up to shake his hand he blew them off and didn’t say a word as he went into the conference room to meet the General. As he finished, the vehicles took him to the ClamShell (pretty much a big top tent that military personnel can play basketball or work out in with weights) so he could take his publicity pictures playing basketball. He again shunned the opportunity to talk to Soldiers to thank them for their service. So really he was just here to make a showing for the American’s back home that he is their candidate for President. I think that if you are going to make an effort to come all the way over here you would thank those that are providing the freedom that they are providing for you. I swear we got more thanks from the NBA Basketball Players or the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders than from one of the Senators, who wants to be the President of the United States. I just don’t understand how anyone would want him to be our Commander-and-Chief. It was almost that he was scared to be around those that provide the freedom for him and our great country. 
If this is blunt and to the point I am sorry but I wanted you all to know what kind of caliber of person he really is. What you see in the news is all fake. 

In service, 
CPT Jeffrey S. Porter

THIS PUTS THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE………SHORT AND SWEET!!!!!!!!! 



——————————–Congress Military
John McCain 26 Years 22 years
Barrack Obama 143 days 0 



Summary Concluded

These answers change all the time for me - so I’m gonna answer according to where Im at TODAY.

Three Joys:
1. A day without throwing up
2. Hanging out with my sisters
3. Sleeping in. I think I’ve done this every day for the last 5 years and I’m relishing it, especially since I will loose this joy in about 6 months!

Three Fears:
1. Spiders!! WIll I EVER overcome this one?
2. Wasting my potential
3. Loss of a loved one… especially Chris

Three Goals:
1. Become fluent in Spanish
2. Live abroad
3. Be mortgage-free by age 35

Three Obsessions:
1. Getting my home completely organized. If I can’t be organized in a small space I’ll be hopeless in a large one.
2. My nails. I’ve bitten them for over 20 years and have been working really hard the last 2 months at stopping. To maintain my discipline I’ve been filing, buffing and painting them nearly every day. Even with this new obsession I haven’t broken free from the habit…my poor thumbs have become sacrificial nails and are shorter than ever.
3. HGTV. Need I say more?

Three Random Surprising Facts:
1. I love remodeling. Not just designing and planning - actually DOING the remodel.
2. Whenever I see something I like I inform Chris that “I could do that.” I’ve always been convinced that I can do anything (art, craft, career etc) as good as the best. I’m slowly starting to learn that there are some cases where this simply isn’t true. lol
3. I have the worlds highest arch in my feet. It’s true. I do. Disgustingly high.

I tag… whoever is willing to take a few minutes to do it. I’d love to read this about all my friends…

My brother Tyler sent me an email that I felt was important enough to post on my blog. Hopefully you’re not getting this too late - and you can find it to be of some help.

Please read the following:

TICK WARNING!


I hate it when people forward bogus warnings, and I have even
done it myself a couple times unintentionally…but this one
is real, and it’s important. So please send this warning to
everyone on your e- mail list.


If someone comes to your front door saying they are checking
for ticks due to the warm weather and asks you to take your clothes off and dance around with your arms up, DO NOT DO IT!!!

THIS IS A SCAM!! They only want to see you naked.
I wish I’d gotten this yesterday. I feel so stupid.

Today after church I was surprised to come home and be greeted by dozens of bikers lining my street. Looked like a real party and was certainly a site we’ve never seen in the area. (The bikers, not the parties). Between the shiny bikes and countless leather vests our curiosity was peaked. As Chris and I drove by we stopped to asked what the party was for and make small-talk. We were surprised to learn that it was BACA: Bikers against child abuse. It brought tears to my eyes as the hard-core biker informed us that they were visiting some kids they had just learned were being abused. From this point on, two bikers would be appointed as “buddy’s” to the children, and attend all court hearings and be there if the kids needed anything. We were both so impressed and touched. I held back the tears until we got home and then spent a few minutes in gratitude for people like them.

I have no doubt that as some people were returning from church they were annoyed by the large gathering and quickly judged the “rebellious” group. It struck me as interesting that the very people judging these “rebellious bikers” are the same people that go home and probably do nothing with their day, while the “rebellious bikers” are out SERVING people around them, making a difference in the community. THAT is how a Sunday should be spent.

It’s always inspiring to see groups like this and hear of the great strength they’re providing for children. These abused children have found support in “tough” biker friends… in adults they can look up to and NOT be afraid of. Adults that teach them that true strength is in compassion.

Below are some pictures I took over the last few weeks. Things that caught me off guard and made me say, “What the?” I missed a lot of moments however, so I think I’ll try to keep my camera with me from now and and take pictures of the things that I find funny, odd or surprising. Random photos, yes. But it gives you a peep into my life.

Seriously? Cooling? Crisp and clean taste? CLEAN?!? Who comes UP with this stuff? HAD to get a photo of these best friends.

You either find this funny or you don’t. Looking at it now it’s not that funny - but at the time it was. You just don’t see a guy riding B**** very often. Even the dog had a better seat. And the next photo was just a stunning car accident where they used the jaws of life. Crazy stuff.

Found one more.

The throwing up. I was thinking last night and realized I had probably only 4 friends who DON’T have kids (stay strong Katie *wink-wink*). Therefore - I have a lot of brains to pick. If you have any advice to offer on easing morning sickness I’d LOVE to hear it! And why the CRAP do they call it morning sickness?

I AM doing a few things that seem to be helping.

1)Constantly eating. Usually crackers. Ugh. I wake up to pee at 3:00am and force a cracker down me. And it hit me last night. I’m probably eating 4000 calories a day! (I’ve never kept track, but that just seems like a good, big number). As long as I’m putting food in my face the nausea is minimized. And forget about craving salads and fruit. Infact, it’s fruit I keep throwing up. So I find myself turning to creamy soups, warm bread, pasta & potatoes - and all the things in this world designed to make me as big as possible. But I have to eat what my body will let me, so I’ve decided it’s the Lords way of humbling me. And maybe His sense of humor. How funny that I barely fit into the big girl pants I bought last month. (…funny?)

2) I’m taking my prenatal at night. And with some crackers.

3) I have some B6 - any trick to when to take it, how to to take and if it even helps?

Alright, there you have it. Advice anyone? It’s just begun and I’m not too thrilled about another 6+ weeks of this phase (If I’m lucky. 32 weeks if I’m not lol)

The other day Chris came home with 2 CD’s. I saw them on his desk and started laughing. “What is this? The 90’s?” We both had to smile, as Chris has probably purchased a total of 2 - now 4 - CD’s in the last 7 years. It’s just makes sense to spend $.99 on itunes for the only song on the CD worth listening to anyway.

HOWEVER… there are a few exceptions. And these 2 are among them.
Cold Play: Viva La Vida
Weezer: The Red Album

2 lesser-known songs - and my favorites - 1) Coldplay’s Lost. We have the piano-only version of this, but I enjoyed this funked-up, sexy version. 2) Weezer’s The greatest man that ever lived. Impossible not to head-bang while smiling.

BUY THEM

LOVE THEM