Dish Duty

Abby is walking now- has been for about a month. And I know I have to watch her every second but for the most part she does not get in to a lot that she is not supposed to. I was cleaning and doing dishes on Saturday and got the dishwasher emptied when the dryer went off. I went and got the clothes out of the dryer and took them to our room then went back in the kitchen to load the dishwasher again- this is what I found:




She was so proud of herself. She obviously just wanted to help Mommy. After I ran and got the camera and took a few pictures I had to teach her that climbing in the dishwasher was a "No No".

Ear Tubes and Snow Flakes

Well the doctor finally decided that after 7 ear infections in 6 months that it was time for Abby to have tubes put in. Brandon and I were so apprehensive about the actual procedure, but were so excited to get a solution to this problem.

Last Tuesday, the 23rd we went to a surgical center to do the surgery. The staff there was FANTASTIC and I would recommend them to anyone. They made us feel so comfortable and had the process down!! We were in and out- pre-op to recovery in 2 hours!

Abby and Daddy doing a puzzle while waiting for the doctor

Abby spent most of the day sleeping after we got home- which I figured she would. It was the day the weatherman had predicted snow in Houston for the third time this year! He was right. About 3:00 in the afternoon it began to sleet and snow at our house. Abby was feeling well enough that I let her go out and play in it for a few minutes.

Resting on the couch

And eating cheerios

She seemed very irritated with the mittens, but she could not figure out how to get them off.

Updating on Everything

So I realize I have not posted anything in almost two months...shame on me I know. So I will quickly go down the time line for the last few weeks and write about each thing.

Christmas:

We did finally get to celebrate Christmas as a family on December 31st. We made it a whirlwind to get to all of our families gatherings within a 24 hour period, but it went well and we have been truly blessed again by all that we received.

Mommy and Abby opening presents

Weird picture of me opening gifts at the Perry Christmas

Brandon was still half asleep

Abby in shock and awe of her legos from Uncle Jay

All of Abby's loot!

Nine Months:

Abby turned nine months old at the end of December. She is getting so big! Here are the nine month pics I took:

Housewarming:
Moving on...in January we had a housewarming party to break in the new casa. It was a blast and we had lots of friends and family come by to see it. Thanks to everyone who came! I did not get many pictures, but here are the few that I did get:

Abby and Mommy all dresses for the party

Adorable cake!

Around the end of January Abby officially started walking! She is everywhere now and so much fun to watch. She is not very fast yet, but I know that is just around the corner.

January was wonderful and we are well into (half way through) February. No major events this month...thank goodness. It is nice to have some quiet down time. But we have some big stuff coming up in March. Brandon and I are going to Hawaii with my family for Spring Break while Abby spends the week with Brandon's parents in Louisiana. Then when we get back it will be time for her birthday. May baby will be ONE. I can't believe it! Time flies.....

Christmas is coming...soon I hope!

The 2009 Christmas for the Hooks and Perry families has been a little slow on its arrival this year. I was devasted to hear the news on the 23rd that Brandon would not be making it in from offshore in time for Christmas! MY HEART SANK!! And yes, I KNOW it doesn't matter what day you celebrate it, and I KNOW Abby is not old enough yet to know the difference, and I KNOW that he is making lots of money. But none of that matters to me. Abby's first Christmas, her only first Chrsitmas, was not going to be spent without the most important person in our family. So here we sit...on the 28th and still no Christmas. God willing he will be home on the 30th and Santa will arrive soon after that! Until then I will keep waiting for the other half of my heart to come home so we can have our first big family Christmas!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours...I hope it was wonderful! More updates on our coming soon (hopefully)!

Christmas Video

Just a funny Christmas video for you to enjoy! What a blast to make!! Go to www.elfyourself.com to make your own.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Emergency Rooms and Vet Bills

What a night! I came home yesterday to find my house (my NEW house) completely destroyed by doggie vomit! Chassie had gotten on the kitchen counter and gotten the 2 8x8 pans of homemade fudge I had made and eaten them! I could not tell if Dossie was sick too, but I panicked and rushed both of them to the ER! I had no idea exactly what the effects of chocolate could be- but I knew for a dog it was NOT good! The vet was happy that they had been vomiting (she did not see my carpet) but wanted them both to have blood work and fluids and some medicines to dry up their system- including activated charcoal. I am on the phone with Brandon who called from offshore in the middle of all of this when she comes in with a bill estimiate of $900.00!! Now I love both of my babies very much, but $900 is absurd for dogs!! Brandon said to put both of them to sleep- which I refused to do if they were not in pain, and they weren't! I told them they had to whittle down the treatment to the bare minimum!! $500 later we left the ER

The puppies are both doing much better. Dossie came home with me last night- got home about 9:45. She threw up twice in the car from the charcoal (the car is a different story) but rested well over night and seems to be getting back to normal. Chassie stayed in the clinic overnight and was on fluids and medicines to clean out her system. They said that it took until about 4 AM for her heart rate to come back down to normal. That was their biggest concern. She said that Chassie should probably go and stay in the vets office all day today and be monitored- but there is no way that after last nights bill that we can afford that. She said as long as I did not leave her alone today that she should be ok. So she is asleep under my desk at work as I type this. And in her own doggie heaven. I could not sleep last night worrying about her- and we had a thunderstorm last night and I hated that she was alone there with the thunder.

I put some oxy clean on the carpet last night when I got home and it got a lot of the stains up. I am still calling a carpet cleaner to come and clean them before this weekend with our company. I had to throw Chassie's bed away because she had gotten sick all over it. We will have to get her a new one.

What a night! I am exhausted and definitely broke! Now I am at the mad stage where I want to beat them for getting on the counter. But thankful they are both ok! For anyone keeping score- I no longer make fudge!

This is the part where I would insert pictures- but believe me no one wants to see what my house looks like. I will just put one of poor Chassie resting with her band aid on her leg!

Hopefully the rest of the holiday will be a little more low-key!

Meeting Mr. HO! HO!

Abby got her first opportunity to see Santa Claus this past weekend when the church hosted cookies and milk with Santa. I was curious how she would do with it since it was her first time, but she generally does very well with strangers and LOVES men with beards. She just sat there and stared and stared at him- never would look at the camera, but never cried either! Such a big girl!





Abby asked Santa to bring Daddy home in time for Christmas! I think he manage that one, don't you!