On Hold...

So, last Thursday I found out we were going to be getting our new little puppy this Wednesday. I have to tell you, I really was excited! Well, today I received a call from the breeder informing me that the her Vet is on vacation until next Monday - so, we won't be able to get her until next week. Probably on Friday. Why? Well, when you are shipping a dog you have to have a vet check them over within 10 days of their flight.

Initially, I was pretty upset that I have to wait another WHOLE week, but now, I'm okay with it. This gives me just a little more time to decide on a new name for her. My husband grew up a "farm kid" and I was a "tom boy" - so, neither one of us were estatic with the name "Barbie." Since, last Thursday I have been scouring the internet for name ideas. I have one in mind that I love, and I really think looks like her - and naturally, it was not one I found on the internet. No, instead, I thought of it while laying in bed one night.

I'm thinking about the name "Sophie." What do you think? My husband likes this name - so no worries there. I feel 97% confident that this is the name for her, but just to be on the safe side, I'm still looking at other names to make sure there isn't anything I like better. I actually feel like I'm pregnant again, looking at name after name after name, making sure I find the perfect one for her....

Expecting A New Family Memeber!!

I am so excited, but before I get to that I have to start from the beginning so you know why I'm excited. About 4 years ago, my husband and I began looking for the perfect dog for us. After researching many breeds, we decided on a Bichon Frise. They are wonderful pets because they don't shed, love people, don't have the "doggy" smell and are great for those with allergies. Plus, they are super cute and have charming personalities!

So, we found a nearby breeder and put a deposit down and a few months later, we got our puppy. Casper was a wonderful dog and we loved him dearly. However, when I became pregnant with our son, we decided to find him another loving home because we knew that he would not get the attention he deserved when the baby arrived. Bichons need a lot of attention and I felt that he shouldn't have to go without and would be happier with a family with older children. So, as painful as it was, we found him a new home and said good-bye.

My son is now 2, and my husband and I have missed our little Bichon terribly. So, we decided to start looking for another one. The only problem I had with Casper, was that I did not do enough research on the breeder we purchased him from. It turned out to be a very-nice-looking puppy mill. So, as a result his breeding was poor and he had several health problems that could have been prevented. So, this time I decided we were going to do this right and find a good reputable breeder - knowing this would ultimately cost us more up front.

Well, I found a breeder who has exceptional Bichons with equally exceptional bloodlines. So, we put a deposit down for a puppy out of a litter expected in July, 2010. This future puppy's father comes from the JR lineage - JR was the Bichon Frise who won Westminister in 2001! And the mother's parents were both imported from Brazil and have champion bloodlines also. The best part was that, considering the pedigree, the price for the puppy was not bad at all! The only downside was having to wait 7 months to get our puppy - I might as well be pregnant myself! lol.

Well, yesterday I received an email from the breeder telling me that due to health issues she is having to make the decision to move across the country to live with her son and his family. So, she won't be planning any more litters as she is needing to move by April 1st. However, she had 3 dogs that she thought I would be interested in. You see, she is having to find homes for all of her dogs - except 3. Well, she has a puppy named "Barbie" that is 7 month old, 90% housebroken and has the exact same bloodlines as the future puppy we had put a deposit down for! So, we agreed to take her - and, we get her next Wednesday!!

As you can see from her picture above, she is adorable! And, the breeder had kept her from a previous litter to breed because she adheres to the breed's standards! I am just so excited to be getting our puppy so much sooner - AND I don't have to potty train her, how cool is that? My husband and I are thinking about changing her name though. Do you have any suggestions?

We Survived...

The holidays! And, if you're reading this, then you did too. I recently watched Four Christmases with my husband, and I can relate to the idea of just wanting to say "the heck with it all," and go on killer vacations at this time...but, I'm only 27 and haven't been around my family long enough to get that fed up yet. Give me time...because I'm sure, in a few more years, I'll be there! Please don't misunderstand - I love my family, but I am always ready for the holidays to end and life to go back to normal.

This year, life getting back to normal has not gone as smoothly compared to previous years as we've had a number of changes occur last year. The biggest change is that my husband has a new job, which has its pros and cons. The career change was a much needed change and that, as well as the compensation, has been well worth it. However, it has been a bit of a challenge because I do not see him as often due to long hours. The second difference is that I now have a 26 month old (2 years 2 months) running around the house, throwing toys, getting into everything and throwing random tantrums. Lastly, I have started a new career of my own. I have talked about it a little on here before, but in the middle of September, I started a freelance writing business and it has been going well ever since. I now have a website up and am getting my own clients and writing on a consistent basis.

Add all of those changes together and you get a chaotic post-Christmas. Here it is January 5th, 2010, and I am just now finding the time to blog - at 1:30 in the morning! But, things are finally starting to slow down again and get back to normal - whatever that is. My son and I are back into our normal daily routine of watching cartoons, playing, writing, eating and napping. Well, he's the one napping while I'm cleaning up the house and preparing it for another whirlwind of activity later in the afternoon.

I am excited about my newfound career and the pace at which I am working. Of course, I can only work part-time and successfully manage everything else in my home, but even my part-time goals have been exceeded. I am hoping this year to increase my work load a little and become a little more efficient with my time management. If anyone has any tips on how to do this with a 2 yr. old, please let me know! As far as my general goals are concerned, I will just be happy if I am able to keep my house in a somewhat orderly shape and presentable - at least 3 days out of the week!