Happy 2017! We are finding a new normal around here with our young pup Brutus! This week is all things pup it seems as you will see with the photos. Hardly a human to be found other than Finn. We moved his crate up to our room after a few nights of being home and he is doing much better at night. He will go into his room on his own now (no more forcing him in there!) and he lays down right away. Sometimes he muffles a whimper or two but then he’s out. We’ve put him out a few nights around 2:30 am and then he’s ready to wake up about 6 or so.
Everyone I show a picture of Brutus to comments on how big his paws are. Yep, he’s gonna be a big boy. Here are some pics of his paws at 14 weeks for reference 🙂
Griffin just loves dogs. He has always loved snuggling with Lily and Cameron. He now goes back and forth cuddling with Lily and Brutus. At night time he usually lays next to one of them during songs and the other during prayers.
Brutus loves to lay on my side of the bed on the floor. We’ve found him in some crazy uncomfortable looking positions at times when he is sleeping!
Lily is warming up to Brutus and allowing him to snuggle up close to her pretty often. They also play tug of war and try to get toys away from one another. They are getting along great!
This week Debbie was sick for a few days so on Tuesday Griffin went with me to work for a few hours. We took his tablet and he setup his “office” and worked a bit while I was working too. He was a trooper as I ended up being there far longer than I had anticipated! Silly me, I forgot all about Brutus needing lunch and Finn and I had planned to have a lunch date on our way home. But instead, we ran through the Panera drive through and ate at home! He was so excited to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich – like it is a delicacy! I guess we’ve never really made him one before (or at least in a REALLY long time) so he thought it was great and has since asked for it again!.
On Wednesday Jim and Pat came up for the day to play with Griffin while Kevin and I worked. I didn’t snap any photos! But Finn had a great time. On Thursday Finn had school so I took him and then went to work a bit late. Amy was able to pick him up and take him to her house with the kiddos for the afternoon. We were expecting a lot of snow that day but it didn’t really happen. The kiddos were excited to play hockey (Amy too) outside on their patio. When I arrived to pick Finn up Amy pointed out that Finn had gotten a bit of a black eye at school. Yikes! Seems as though Maggie ran into Griffin smack in the corner of his left eye!
These photos are from Amy!
And here you can see the beginnings of his black eye!
On Friday we celebrated Chad’s birthday with a nice dinner out at Harold’s in Worthington followed by drinks at Chubby’s. I must say, I have the best hubby ever, as I said “I just want some ice cream” when everyone was putting in their drink order at the bar. Next thing you know I was sitting at our table and he walked over with a double-scoop cup of ice cream from the UDF that was next door. Yummers! I am so spoiled.
Monthly Archives: January 2017
December 18, 2016
We started this week by celebrating Kevin’s birthday on Monday evening. Griffin and I had gone shopping together so that he could pick something out for Kevin. His choice? A pair of batman pj’s so they could match! He was so excited to give him his prezzie and that night when Kevin put them on he had the biggest smile on his face :).
Kevin and I went out for his birthday dinner with friends Chris, Christie, Chad, and Nicole. It was a low-key dinner at the Bogey finished off by some chocolate and vanilla cake. Griffin was happy to stay at the Howards and play with the girls.
The annual tradition of hanging our ornaments on the Howard’s Christmas Tree.
We got our first real snowfall this week. It happened to be on Tuesday, which was great as I had the day off work and was home with Finn. As soon as I picked him up from school he wanted to go outside and play. So once we got home he headed out to the back patio for a bit and played. Then he ventured to the front yard where he had some fun making snow angels.
Tis the season for baking, right? Debbie had a cookie making day with Griffin and Sam and they just loved it. And I must say the results were delish!
On Saturday we had our annual candy making party at our house. This year we were joined by Mom & Dad, Amy, Andy, Graham, Rowan, and Greta, and our friends the Ryan’s, Conrad’s, Manning’s, Vertucci’s, and Kessler’s along with their kiddos. It was a big crowd for sure and we had a lot to accomplish! This year we made buckeyes, decorated already made from scratch (by Amy and kids) sugar cookies, and four batches of hard tack candy (lemon, peppermint, cinnamon, and root beer). The kiddos also enjoyed crafting down in the basement thanks to my Mom, who came up with the craft ideas and led the (at times) crazy crew in crafts 🙂
After the candy making ended we were all pretty beat! But Mom and Dad, Amy, Andy and kids stayed for a pizza dinner to celebrate Kevin’s birthday. Griffin and Greta were enjoying being silly together with their tiger “babies”.
On Sunday Griffin and I headed out on a mission to finish some Christmas shopping. He asked me to hold something which I didn’t want him to have, so I gave him my L.L.Bean gift card to hold since it was attached it a cardboard backing. We were talking about Christmas and gifts and I asked him what he would like for Christmas. Out of nowhere he said he wanted a puppy! Since I was in a parking lot, I turned around with the video on and asked him again. Watch the next two videos for his response. It was super cute! I had nothing to do with the idea, really, I didn’t. I sent them to Kevin, who responded, “where did he get that idea? puppy?”. And my reply, “the front of the gift card because he is on the present box”. This kid, he cracks me up. But in the second video you’ll hear him talk about how he wants three dogs because Hailey and Cameron went to Heaven and he wants Lily to have a playmate so we can have 3 dogs again. 🙂
December 11, 2016
I love this time of year and I love how I will find Griffin just sitting on the couch cuddling with Lily and admiring the Christmas tree. He regularly asks about the “Christmas season” and if it is still the Christmas season and how long it lasts. His mind is always working and he continues to surprise me with his thoughts and the concepts he comes up with and understands for his age.
While this is a fuzzy picture it is one I love because this is how Griffin has slept since he was born – with his arms under his head. He doesn’t do it all the time as he is typically a tummy sleeper, but when he’s on his back you can usually find his hands under his head.
On Tuesday after preschool Finn and I venture up to Mom and Dad’s to help cover the greenhouse for the winter season. It was a dismal day – cold, raining, just all around yucky. But shortly after we arrived the rain subsided as did the wind and it was one of the easiest covering jobs we’ve done!
Here Finn is doing some morning yoga 🙂
On Friday night we celebrated Jim, Brett, and Kevin’s birthdays with a lovely dinner out at Liberty Tavern. Afterward we headed back to our house for cake, ice cream, and prezzies. Nice pic of the birthday boys!
Our winter adventure for the weekend was heading downtown to see the Nutcracker. This was Griffin’s first time, although technically I was pregnant with him when Kevin and I went in 2012, lol! We joined the Bethune’s there and afterwards our crews headed to Buca di Beppo for an Italian Feast. It was a fun night!