Welcome to the ZOO!

It all started with a text...

Mark: Want a puppy?
Me: What kind? (Wrong answer! I should have said NO)
Mark: A Lab.

I was done for right then! I grew up with a Black Lab named Maddy. She was a great dog (when she wasn't chewing up our toys, jumping on our friends or participating in other obnoxious dog habits.) I LOVED that dog! She was the BEST! Maddy is the reason I believe that every kid needs to have a dog.

My mom got another Black Lab about two years ago. Her name is Londyn. I often refer to her as my dog. I LOVE that dog!! (Side note...We got Londyn from the grandparents of one of Mark's students. Apparently teaching is a dangerous profession if you are incapable of saying "no" to a puppy.) Brooklynn was five months old when Londyn came home. They have been the best of friends since day one. When we talk about going to Grandma's house Brooklynn talk non-stop about seeing Londyn when we get their. She tells me often that Londyn is her friend. We LOVE that dog!



Me: How old?
Mark: A puppy, not born yet.

At that point I called...The PTA Pres at the school where Mark is a teacher told him that she had a lab puppy she wanted to give us. A FREE Lab puppy. Seriously?? Free Lab puppy...Who could say no to that?? Not someone as weak as I am.

The puppies were born on February 6th. We went to see them and pick one out a few days later. Brooklynn picked out a sweet little golden Lab. She is the biggest puppy in the litter (does that mean she is going to be monstrous?? YIKES!?!). Now the waiting begins. She will be ready to leave her mom in about 6 weeks.

We decided to name her Lucy. Or in the words of Brooklynn-- Ducy. I'm pretty sure that this puppy will be called Ducy forever. Poor thing!!

I should add...Our house is currently inhabited by our two cats, Gus and Roxy, and our dog, Ursala. Am I insane for adding another dog into the madness that is my life? Probably. But how cute is this face?? Could you say no?

B&E

My kids are growing WAY too fast!! When Brooklynn was a newborn the time seemed to go slowly enough that I felt like I was watching her grow. Now that I have two, I blink and they seem to be bigger than they were the day before. I'm already dreading the day when I will have to send them off to school and not have them here with me.

We are really working on potty training right now with Brooklynn. She could totally be done with diapers if she decided to be. She loves getting a special treat when she goes in the potty but she also likes being the one in control of the situation (not sure where she gets that).

The other day I went in and used the bathroom and when I came out Brooklynn was VERY excited for me! She came running up and said, "Good job Mom! Now you get a treat!" That's right, I'm awesome!

One of the thing Brooklynn loves to do is ride the carousel at the mall. She is under the impression that the zebra is hers, that they reserve it for her even when she isn't there. We were at the mall yesterday and a little girl was riding the zebra. It was very traumatic for her to learn that other people are allowed to ride what is clearly hers. Oh, the difficulties of a two year-old!

I'm very grateful that Brooklynn has come around to liking her role as a big sister. When Emma first came into our home it was not an easy thing for Brooklynn. She wouldn't look at, talk to, or touch Emma. And if Emma were to touch anything that belonged to Brooklynn...well, let's just say many tears were shed the first few months. Now Brooklynn helps me ALL the time! When B is around Emma is never without her binky and always has all her toys piled on top of her. Emma is a loved little girl! And the way Emma lights up when she sees Brooklynn says that Brooklynn is too! I'm so happy that my two girls will have each other as they grow up. I hope that they feel about each other the way I feel about my sisters (and brothers too!)!