Priscilla

We said goodbye to Priscilla on Sunday, March 29. The void that she left is huge, and heart-breaking. WE LOVE YOU, P. 

01/52

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014.  Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project.

Bode:  his life has changed dramatically over this past month, and he will be facing more changes this week: another (very) loose tooth soon to be out, a new school, new teacher, and (hopefully soon-to-be) new friends!

Gianna: misses being outside and was so happy to roll around our new (sunny) yard on Saturday

Nico:  a happy shot of this usually-smiling baby, as he runs away from me and toward life (yes I switched pics)

Priscilla: enduring change and new places as best as she can

(Note: P is a bonus portrait. I just happened to get a good shot of her this Saturday and chose to post it here.)

Best in Show

I'm happy to report that Priscilla's breed, Treeing Walker Coonhound, is now officially recognized by the Westminster Kennel Club!  Hooray!  

Watching the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is one of my annual traditions. I love it! It is so much fun to sit and watch the doggies "compete."  And now, I can look forward to seeing a "Priscilla" in the mix!  To read the news, and check out this year's schedule, go here.

Priscilla is the best dog in temperament and looks. She is "Best in Show" with us!

We love you, P.

xo

Saturday

Here is Nico hanging out with his big brother Bode and his faithful companion P in the playroom on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Happy weekend.
xo

37 weeks with P

Here  is a 37 week shot with Priscilla.

(I don't know what I'm doing with my mouth. And no, my maternity shirts no longer cover my belly. Nice trashy shot there, eh? But I wanted to capture this moment again, like in 2008.)

2012

And below, you'll find the one that was taken in 2008 when I was pregnant with Bode Wm!

2008

Poor Priscilla is not doing well.  She has not been herself for a long time, and RWF has been worried that it's more than the lake flies that are at issue. Today RWF took her to the vet and they tested her for Lyme Disease. She does not have Lyme, but tested positive for Anaplasmosis, which is another tick-borne ailment. The vet also thinks that P has been struggling with some hip issues. They started P on anti-biotics and anti-steroidals.  Today, she has been pretty dopey and lethargic. So I am thankful that she got up from her bed to take a picture with me (thanks, P!).  I feel so bad. How long has she felt poorly, been suffering, etc? Hopefully with these meds, she'll be feeling better very soon. Send your love and good energy to P!

xo

Morning traffic jam

On our way to camp in the morning, we are always stopped for horse crossings.  I love seeing the beautiful horses walking from stables to tracks.  This weekend is opening weekend for the race track.  I hope to expose the babies to the horses a little more during this race season (without, you know, the crazy race atmosphere).

After we dropped Bode at camp, Gianna and I took Priscilla for a walk. Priscilla is getting more stubborn about going outside.  I feel bad that she is so miserable, but also insist on "kicking her out" first thing in the morning.  She usually clings to the side of the back door until I let her back in again.  I can't always get her to the dog park, and she refuses a walk around our neighborhood with me (the flies!). Sometimes she wakes me at 2 or 3 AM because she needs to go the bathroom. This is not an ideal situation for any of us. 

See ya

I'm ready for camp to be over.  Bode is suddenly speaking differently. It is a combination of a baby voice (think, "wittle" for "little") and a New Yawk accent ("buttah" for "butter") (combined example, "I wan a wittle peanut buttah on mah sanwich!").  I can only imagine that this new style of speaking is coming from a camp friend. It unnerves me.  I am constantly correcting him, as I will not have him speaking like that.  

Happy Thursday.

xo

What I like to think of as a reward for my efforts

These past few weeks have been hard.  A real drain.  I have low energy, little interest in doing much of anything aside from the care and feeding of my children (barely), and sleep (yes, please and more).  I'm just painting the picture here. I'm really aware of it, and know the "warning signs" and all that.  No need for alarm,  or calls to the M.D.  I will be, and am, fine.  I'm so sad over my mother. The end.

So, getting the children outside to play?  Not my favorite thing to do lately.  But I do it every day.  I know that they need the fresh air. I know that, even though there is no visible sun in the sky, it is there. The babies benefit greatly from fresh air, sunshine and free play.  

This week has been particularly bleak and grey.  Today the little weather icon on my iPhone showed a frowny-faced cloud.  Okay, there really was no frowny-face, but there was a grey cloud. This again?  (sigh) After naps, I bundled everyone up and took them outside.  To distract myself, I snapped these photos:

Priscilla gives Gianna a kiss!

Gianna smiles in appreciation. They love each other.

And then, lo:  the sun appeared.

Bode driving a "snow prow"

He snow-plowed all over this pile of snow.

As Bode might say, "Hooray!" We stayed out for another 30 minutes, just to soak up the little bit of sun that graced our afternoon.

Today I noticed something. It was more like a slap in the face.  Priscilla is getting old. She has white hairs around her eyes and cheeks. I hate to even acknowledge it.  As if by even mentioning it, even thinking it, I've somehow cast a grey cloud over her.  

Oh P, please don't get old on me. I love you too much!

It makes me wonder about how she's handled Kelly's death, and the move.  I remember when Sasha died, Kelly aged so quickly, turning white almost overnight. I can't handle it.  So tomorrow I'm taking Priscilla to the salon for highlights and color. 

xo