Goodbye Bear

Four years ago we decided to get a puppy. So we found a precious chocolate lab puppy, born on February 14th, and brought him home at 8 weeks old. We named him Bear. The first night we brought him home he slept in our bed because he kept crying...he also slept in our bed for a couple of nights after that. Eventually he slept in his little kennel in the room next to ours, and as he got older he moved downstairs. I remember crying the first day that I left him to go to work because I came home to him crying in his kennel, my mom helped babysit him on her days off after that & Tony worked close so he had to come home to let him out. I used to wrap him up like a baby and hold him like one, and he would let me cuddle him! Not long after we got Bear I got pregnant with Macie, so as he got older and as I became more pregnant & eventually had Macie, he became just the dog & not the baby anymore. He went through the typical puppy stage of potty training, chewing, etc, but after taking him to training he learned fast. Bear was such a good dog. He only barked when a stranger came around our house, which I appreciated because I always knew someone was coming to the door before they knocked! He was so great with kids- he would let them crawl all over him and never even hinted towards hurting anyone. I admit I got upset with him sometimes and should have spent more time petting him and playing with him and loving him, but I guess you don't realize what you have until it's gone sometimes.

On Saturday Bear wasn't feeling well. He's had days where he doesn't feel well, but always is better within a day, so we didn't think much of it. Tony found some throw-up in the flower bed with blood in it, so that had us a little concerned- we decided if he wasn't feeling better by Sunday we'd take him to the vet. Paxton was blessed on Sunday so had a lot going on.

On Sunday morning Tony went down to get Bear out of his kennel and found him dead....only 4 years old. I always knew I'd be sad when he died (thinking he'd be around at least another 10 yrs), but I didn't realize how bad it would affect me. Seeing his empty dog dishes, his toys just sitting there, coming home & not having him waiting at the gate, his corner where his dogbed used to be empty....it's so sad. It's been 4 days and I have yet to go a day without crying. I keep expecting to look out the window and see him there. But nothing. Our house now feels like something (or someone) is missing. We wish we knew why he died, especially so young...we will always wonder.

Macie cried when she found out. We told her that he got sick and went to Heaven with Jesus. Whenever I cry she says "Mom, do you miss Bear so much?" and "Don't cry, I'm here" and "When we go to Heaven we'll see Bear again!" She is too sweet. We're already thinking about another dog...not to replace Bear (because I doubt we'll ever get lucky enough to find another dog as good as he was), but to fill the void.

I know I didn't walk you as much as I should have, and I should have been more patient with you, but I did love you Bear, and we will miss you so much!

Tony & Bear

Kaden & Bear

He was the cutest little puppy I've ever seen!

He was so good with kids and especially loved Macie. She would let him in if he was outside and we were home, and he loved to follow her around when she was eating because he knew he'd get some!

Our little pumpkins!

Bear's first Halloween! He hated wearing the costume, but looked so cute!

This is how he slept when he was a puppy!

Bear

February 14, 2006 - May 2, 2010

1 Month Old

One month old already! This boy is growing fast! I feel like such a bad mom, though- I had Macie's pictures done professionally starting at 3 weeks old and I haven't had any done for Paxton! Kiddie Kandids used to be our "go to" place because I could just get 1 or 2 sheets and they did a good job, but they suddenly went under without any warning. Now the only good photographers I know of are those that do it on their own and charge around $100-$150 per session. I plan on getting some family pictures done this summer with each of the kids on their own as well, but I can't afford to be spending that every 3 months! So my amateur photos will just have to do for now! I love these toes! I just want to kiss them!

Dr. Appointments

I'm a little late posting this but Paxton had his 3 week check-up and Macie had her 3 year check-up this month. Paxton weighed in at 10lbs 8oz but has probably gained even more since then...he's a tank! He had also grown 3/4 inch, now at 21 3/4 inches. Still not sleeping well through the night- he did pretty well last night but I hate to get my hopes up because babies are just never consistent! The next week at Macie's appointment he had a runny nose and the sneezes, which I thought was just allergies....but I learned that babies can't have seasonal allergies and he actually had a cold. He's still got it, but so far it hasn't been anything serious so we're just keeping an eye on him for now.

Macie did so well at her appointment. She weighed in at 31lbs and is just below average on height and weight. She held very still (shocker!) while they took her blood pressure, then she identified shapes for the nurse and got them all correct (even weird ones that I didn't really think she'd get!) Then using those shapes they had her identify them from farther away to test her eyes- she passed 100% once again- and obviously has better eyesight than me because I couldn't see some of the smaller shapes! Dr. B checked her out afterwards and she is healthy as a horse (except for seasonal allergies). She also asked her lots of questions and Macie talked her ear off as usual- she thought she was pretty funny (and smart!). She had to get one shot but I had prepared her for it for a week so she wasn't surprised. She cried just a little bit but was actually pretty brave, and as soon as she got her purple popsicle she was fine....actually she was a little bummed that her bandaid was blue (a "boy color") but she got over it!

Overall both kids are pretty healthy and I couldn't be more thankful for that!

Macie's Birthday Party

We went to Jumpin' Jacks for Macie's birthday party. The kids had fun on all of the bouncies, then we had cupcakes & opened presents. I hardly saw Macie the whole time- she was off with her cousins & friends playing hard the whole time! It was nice to just let the kids go free and not have to worry about entertaining them or cleaning up after the party!

All the kids- Crew, Halle, Bentley, Rilyn, Avery, Preslee, Grace, Lexi, Kaden, Savannah, & Macie

Some of the kids got their faces painted- Macie requested a black & purple flower!

Macie holding still....not something we see very often!

Kaden couldn't stop at just one...let's hope he never gets a real tattoo!

Bentley got Macie a princess book....she pretty much dropped everything to sit and read it!

She got lots of fun stuff!


Cody, Wendy, & Bentley

Blowing out her candle....after, when I wasn't watching, she decided to eat the bottom of the candle!

Devouring her cupcake....hopefully she learns how to eat like a lady before she starts dating!

Halle on the big bouncy slide


Rilyn

One quick snapshot before she was off playing again!

Lexi, Grace, & Savannah

Happy Easter!

Macie decorating eggs (wearing a dress-up as usual)

Our "beautiful" eggs!

Tony had more fun than Macie!

Paxton's egg

Macie with her Easter basket- she got an Ariel electric toothbrush, an Ariel polly pocket, some goldfish crackers, and a sucker! Not much, but she was happy as can be with all of it!

Are they cute or what?!

Our little family!

Macie's Birthday

Macie slept over at my parents' house the night before her birthday, so we took her a few presents when we went to pick her up that day. She got some presents from my parents as well as Grandma Vickie as well, and my mom made her pancakes for breakfast- one of her favorite foods! She got to go to an Easter egg hunt, then later on we let her choose where she wanted to eat dinner and she chose Wingers so that's where we went!
New skirt

Grandma Vickie singing to Macie as she opens her Cinderella doll.

Macie LOVES to play "dress-up!" She got some new jewelry and press-on nails and felt like an absolute princess!