Lexi's Birthday Party

 Ryan says you may be on Lexi overload. If you are, just skip reading today and come back tomorrow. I'll have a new topic then! 

Yesterday was Lexi's official birthday and her official birthday party! We got a puppy party kit from Amazon to decorate the house and the dog. ;)

We also bought a puppy cake kit that came complete with a bone shaped cake pan. :) I've never baked a puppy cake before. Interesting! 

Ryan had to work, but Lexi and I had fun at home during the day. We even had a couple of visitors stop by! (Hi Marsha and Amanda!) We played fetch, ate snacks, watched Hallmark movies, and had a fantastically fun time. Here are some pictures of that.

Ryan got her picture with her birthday sign:

And for the first time in FOREVER we had an actual pre-Christmas miracle in a gorgeous walk-worthy day! 

She was so excited, she could not even contain herself. :) 

Then....party time! She had patiently waited on that cake when I baked it earlier in the day:

It came with a candle, which we debated lighting, but she did really well sitting away and not sniffing it. Ryan blew it out for her after we sang happy birthday. 

And then it was time to enjoy! She devoured it. (We didn't let her have the whole thing.)

And then she wanted to have some more. So subtle. 

We got her a couple of toys. She has a hate/love relationship with new toys. She almost always hates them when she first sees them. She barks at them with intruder-level intensity. And then she loves them for the rest of time.

Ryan tried the cake. His thoughts:

But this girl had the BEST day.

Our sweet girl - from birth to now. We sure do love her so.

Happy Birthday, Lexi Grae!

Today she is one.

It's been almost a year and a half since Ryan and I made the decision to add a puppy to our family. I had dogs as a small child and had always hoped that someday I could have another one again. We'd had several years of frequently dog-sitting for our friends' dog, Phoebe, and we knew we enjoyed having a dog around the house. We actually learned a lot about what we wanted to do and didn't want to do in having a dog from our times with Phoebe. Those were hours well spent! 

When anyone decides to get a dog, there are a thousand decisions to make, and as we learned in this last year, there are a thousand outside opinions that go along with that. We chose to get a brand-new puppy and received criticism for it, but for us at this time, this was the best and right decision. Even though I'm sure this won't make sense to some of you - for me, part of getting a new puppy was all about the joy of being a mama to someone from the very start - even if that someone is not a baby. It was a life-fulfillment moment, and if I had it to do over again, I would do it just this way. Maybe, many years down the road, if we ever get another dog, we'll choose to adopt an older dog, but for this experience, I wanted to know what it was like to start at the beginning.

We chose friends we knew and trusted to get our puppy from, and the moment I knew she was on the way, I started praying for her. Yes. I prayed for a dog. No, I am not six. I prayed for this little dog that was being knit together by the same Creator Who knit me. This little dog would become part of our family, and that warranted prayer. I prayed for her personality and her health. I prayed she would be the perfect fit for us and that she would be all we needed and all we didn't know we needed. 

Two days before she was born, I was bitten on the hand by a random dog on the street and that made me question everything about whether or not I even wanted to get a dog. We were committed at that point, so I had to work through my fears. The first time I met Lexi, I was still sporting a bandage from that dog bite. For me, that first meeting was a pivotal representation of working through things that scare me and making commitments to try again.

Ryan and I had no idea how to go about picking a puppy. We read many articles on how to try to discern their little personalities even while they were super tiny, but we just had no idea. Our friend Ron sat us down with a tiny crowd of tiny puppies, and we could pick any of them. We picked them up, snuggled with them, watched them interact with each other, looked at all their markings, and then we made our choice. 

We picked her up and said, "You are Lexi Grae."

She lived about an hour from us when she lived with her mama, and we went as often as we could to see her and let her get used to us. 

We did a million hours of research on how to be puppy parents. We did online training videos. We researched all the gear we would need for a puppy. We kept praying for our girl. 

And then she was ours! We picked her up and brought her home to be ours forever.

In this last year, we have most decidedly not been perfect parents. We have not done everything right. In the eyes of some, we have been boldly told we do too much. We treat her too much like an actual child and not enough like a dog. (Perils of childless parents, I'm sure.) Yet in the eyes of others, we have been told we aren't doing enough, and we need to spend even more time one-on-one with her. But what we know for certain is that we have done our best, and it has been a grand adventure with zero regrets on our part. She is healthy, growing, thriving, and happy. We have given her the best life we know how to give her with the time and resources we have to offer. I won't blow up the blog today with a million pictures of her, but I will tell you some of our favorite memories with her from this first year together:

* We spent as much time as we could with her in the first weeks. (It helped that we were at WillowBridge and lived and worked in the same space.) We worked on intentional training from the very first day we brought her home, and she picked up everything we taught so quickly! Puppies are fun and snuggly, but they're also a lot of work.

* We introduced her to as many people as we could. We read that it's important to introduce puppies to people of all shapes, sizes, hair colors, and more. Again, it helped that we lived at WillowBridge and had a diverse crew of people in and out regularly. She loved meeting people! 

* We survived teething. We did have to wear winter gloves in the house at all times for several weeks, but we survived teething! (That was the one part I truly was not sure I would personally survive. I had no idea how sharp those baby teeth are and how intensely they use them!) 

* We took her to Pokagon State Park in the winter (staff retreat for WillowBridge) and she had the best time playing in the snow, hiking the trails, and running to her heart's content! This was where we first saw her tenacity for adventure. 

* We took her on walks all around Grabill, and Ryan even took her down the sledding hill! I am pretty sure she would not love it as much this year.

* She learned to like baths (as long as there was plenty of peanut butter on the tub wall to snack on while we washed her).

* She met her grandparents and some of our friends down in our hometown. (She even met Phoebe!) The day she met Grandpa was love at first sight for both of them. They're still besties.

* She went on field trips to Lowe's and rode in the car every chance we could give her. As long as the windshield wipers aren't on, she loves riding in the car. But she really, really, really hates the wipers.

* She worked throughout the year to become friends with her sister. They have an odd relationship, but they do have a relationship! (Braeya runs the show and Lexi obeys her.)

* She helped us pack to move from WillowBridge to Bluffton. (We learned she hates the sound of the tape dispenser and loves to eat cardboard. Packing was fun!)

* We took her with us to a women's retreat where I spoke, and she fell in love with all the ladies and the attention!

* She settled right into her new home here in Bluffton and immediately owned the entire place like it had always been hers.

* We took her to the River Greenway (often!) and she loved walking on it. Still loves it! She can do the whole thing without even slowing down, and it's not a short walk.

* She went to training classes, where we learned she is really, really smart, and therefore we have our work cut out for us. She learned commands (and also how to avoid them if it suits her purposes). She still goes for refreshers, and she loves her trainer with everything in her being. Last time she went, the trainer told us that as soon as Lexi saw her, she started shaking all over with joy.

* She LOVES going to the groomer and always comes home looking so cute! As soon as we pull in the driveway for grooming, she loses her mind with delight.

* She went to yard sales and loved those!

* She met the fire department twice (thanks, faulty carbon monoxide alarm) and thought they came just for her to enjoy. 

* She went camping and LOVED IT. Also loved her first taste of ice cream. She's my child, through and through.

* She loves every kid that comes to visit; they're just her size!!

* Ryan has taken her to work some, and she loves going. She also loves seeing her biggest fan - Pam, Ryan's office administrator. 

* She has had a blast playing at the dog park and at Distractions Class.

* She went to her Grandpa's 90th birthday party and was his favorite guest, I'm pretty sure.

* She did a great job with family photos!

* She's completely potty trained with a litter box and also knows how to go outside. Litter box training was one of the best decisions we made.

* She loves playing fetch, chewing on Ryan's Crocs, and playing with all her other toys, too. (She will even retrieve them from her toybox as she chooses.)

* She loves watching TV, snuggling, kissing, and being outside as much as possible. 

* She has an intense fear of missing out on anything and when she loves, she loves with her whole heart and body. 

* She knows all the food words. We have to spell them if we aren't ready to commit, because she will shoot right up from wherever she is, ears on high alert if she hears "lunchy-lunch," "snacky-snack" or "treatsy-treat." She also slides our way as though coming into first base and sits, trembling from head to toe until we tell her she can eat.

Little Lexi Grae, we love you with our whole hearts. You have brought so much joy and laughter into our home, and we are so grateful for your life. You are the answer to our prayers. You are not always easy...with your high energy and your stubborn smarts...but you are a joy to us. We love you so! Happy, happy first birthday, little girl of our dreams.

We can't wait to see who you become as you grow! 

Sunday Sentiments

 

As I'm writing this to you on Saturday night, I'm propped up on pillows on the couch, watching a Hallmark movie that is making me giggle regularly. Ryan and I just finished having some popcorn, and he and Lexi are asleep on the couch, exhausted from a full day.

We started decorating for Christmas, so the trees are 3/4 done and providing the only light currently shining in the living room. 

Our coffee has gone cold, and come to think of it, I'm a little cold, too, but I'm pretty sure the spare throw blanket is somewhere buried beneath the napping duo.

What I want to share today, though, is what I learned while we decorated our family tree (which now has spread over to two trees). These are the trees that hold the ornaments we have collected over our decade together. Each one represents a memory, a trip, or a significant moment in our lives. 

We've found a good rhythm of splitting the decorating responsibilities. Ryan puts the ornaments on the tree while I read the stories of each one. When we were almost done decorating, I stopped reading and said to him, "We have done some REALLY fun things in our marriage."

From my perch on the couch, I see the memories hanging from flocked branches, and they make me smile and feel such great contentment in my heart. I am so grateful for each story. 

I see the starfish ornament we purchased when we visited Mark and Lynnette in Virginia Beach. It was our first time to see the Atlantic Ocean together, and for me, it was such a moment of redemption. The last time I'd been to Virginia Beach, my relationship with Isaac was falling apart, and then I was back...married to Ryan. It was such a joy!

I see the leather sheriff's badge we bought the day we visited Mt. Airy, North Carolina (also known as Mayberry). I can see, in my mind, the huge snowflakes falling, giving us PERFECT photo opps in front of all the buildings that looked just like the buildings on the show. I remember how much fun we had visiting Floyd's Barber Shop for Ryan to get a haircut and how we wished we would have had more time to explore. We hope to stop there again someday.

I see the wooden shape of Indiana, and even though I can't see the words on it, I know it says I Then Shall Live. It was my final purchase from Gaither Family Resources before they closed. I wanted to get it because we went there many times for meals and coffee - and the song title reflects a song we used in our wedding. The song's lyrics were (and still are!) our hope for our marriage and our lives.

I see the ornament filled with dried rose petals from Nita's funeral. One of the ladies from their church combined the petals with curled snippets of the obituary and funeral bulletin. We always put it right in front to honor her. 

I see the old-fashioned silver microphone we bought to mark the end of my time in radio and the start of the podcast we loved doing for the season it ran. 

I see the picture ornament of us at the top of the 3 Dune Challenge a few years ago. (Ryan was wearing his 3 Dunes shirt for decorating night, even!) 

There are dozens more, and each one of them mean something special. They remind me of the goodness of God in the hard and good times alike. 

I am grateful. Thank you, Ryan, for joining hands with me to make this wonderful life we live. Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of this last decade!

The Saturday Six

 

'Tis the season...to buy gifts, right? I do love a good gift guide, and I found a few to share with you today! May these inspire your shopping!

One.

I feel like most gift guides are organized by age ranges, which is definitely helpful, but this one was made for TV show fans! It was so much fun to read through...even for the shows I don't watch! And I must add that no one on my gift list is getting a couch from me! Ha!

Two.

While this is not published as a gift guide, you could find some great gift ideas from it! Outfit ideas - all from Walmart and affordable! My favorite is that the blogger models them herself so you can see how they look in real life. I actually would love to get a couple of these for me! :) 

Three.

This gift guide is a one-stop-shop! it has SO many super cute things on it, and it includes babies, pets, and everyone in between. There were several kitchen things on this one that totally caught my eye! Save this one for when you have some time. It's long!

Four.

Need a list of handmade gift ideas? This is it! If you want to put a little DIY into your Christmas, you might find some inspiration here! (I did see some great advice about making sure you're actually saving money by making DIY gifts. Sometimes they can cost you twice as much!)

Five.

While this is also not a gift guide, it can serve as one! The Good Book Mom site offers book reviews for all levels of kids' books. If you're not sure if a book is a good idea for a little one in your life, you can check out her reviews to see what she thinks! (She has a newer, paid version of the site that offers more content, but I am a free-version-only girl, so I use what I can see for free!) 

Six.

I know we don't have kids, but if we did, these would be the sorts of gifts we would ask for. I'm a huge fan of toys that don't require batteries, don't make noise, and don't do things for you. So if you're looking for some creative-play-inspired toys, here are some ideas! 

Lexi's 12th Month

I am not even sure how this happened, but our little girl turns ONE on Monday!! Thanks for letting me share pieces of her life with you throughout this past year! I thought I would spend today showing you some of the fun she's had just in this past month!

She got to see her first covered bridge, and I think she loved it. 

She got to see her Grandpa, and that pretty much made BOTH their days.

A little porch sitting...

She got a present from our friends Wayne and Shari, and she LOVES IT!

Field trip to Lowe's!!

Just being cute. Can't help it!

We've had some really extra warm weather for this time of year, so we've taken advantage of as many walks as possible!

Even though she's almost a year, we are still working heavily on training and obedience. She's doing better sitting quietly beside me while I cook, rather than attempting to be my sous chef/taste tester. ;)

Balancing on the back of the couch has become a favorite way to spend time. She's actually really good at it. She has a better core than I do! (I mean that really doesn't take much.)

And kisses for days! (That eye! "Am I in the camera, Mom?")

Panting after a rousing round of fetch. We play fetch pretty much every single day at lunch and she is REALLY getting good at it. 

More walks on the Greenway!

A whole couch, and she sits ON Ryan while he tries to nap...

She's also working on waiting to be released to eat. She waits with her entire body (trembling head-to-toe) and it's so funny to watch!

With the fetch ball...

She had a play date with Shelby, our neighbor's dog. Lexi is still really fearful of dogs charging at her. (We're continuing to have issues with that happening to us on our walks.) We're doing everything we can to put her in controlled environments with dogs we trust and lots of people around, and it's helping. Shelby was so cute. She kept giving Lexi the ball - just like a kid!

Play hard, sleep hard!

And cuddle hard too!

It's the best night when her mom and dad watch movies, and she gets to sleep in between! 

Trying to be a neck pillow. It didn't go well. 

She loves Ryan SO much. 

And food. Of course.

We are celebrating her with all our hearts throughout this weekend. Tomorrow marks one year since I was bitten on the hand by a random dog on the street, and while I will forever have that scar (and pain if I use that part of my hand, probably) I love that Lexi's birth just two days later pushed me to overcome a sudden fear of dogs. These twelve months of her life have absolutely flown!