Con-grad-ulations Emie!!

Another title for this post could be: "Emie: College Grad, Lotto Participant"

Emie failed to execute my five year plan that I created for myself- which was to win the lotto during school and never have to work. She's executing a different plan for herself, soon enough she's going to be returning to work as an auditor! What-what! She's been known to storm into a client's office and shout "You best get yo finansheezats in order!"

Anyhoo, here are some photos of her and the fam at the graduation. You'll notice that none of them were taken from the general seating area. That's cuz it was crazy hot and we gave up our seats. Though, I'm happy to report that the announcers pronounced her name right and that no one blew an air horn over the reading of her name. Yay!



Congrats to Emie!

Mickey-en-salada!

One of our loyal readers John just sent us a great hidden Mickey picture. Here's a description of how he found it:

"John found a Mickey to add to your collection. We were eating salad at my grandma's house, when John got a big smile on his face, pointed to the bowl and said "Mickey Mouse!" We weren't quite sure what he was talking about at first, but lo and behold, it was Mickey! Luckily I had my camera on hand to take a picture for you :) Enjoy!!"

My Poor Nose

For those of you who haven't heard, I've been having problems with my nose. In late April, the skin inside the nostrils started turning pink and the top of my nose started peeling off. Don't worry-it doesn't hurt me at all, but my Mom and Dad were really worried about me, so they took me to the vet. The vet tried to put me on medication called anti-bi"ark"tics to make it better, but it didn't work. So, one day, Mom took me back to the vet and they cut me! Don't get me wrong-they took really good care of me at the vet, but I was pretty mad at Mom when she came back to pick me up.
Anyhoo, the vet took little bits of my nose to test the skin to figure out what was wrong. It turns out that I have discoid lupus. It sounds scary, but they tell me I'm going to be all better soon. I have to take a bunch of pills 2-3 times every day (fortunately, I love to eat anything that remotely resembles food), have some gel medication put on my nose (which I hate), wear sunscreen on my nose (which I also hate), and try to stay out of the sun! Bummer! I love to sun bathe on the back patio during the day. The doctor said my nose should start turning back to its normal black, and the skin on the top should grow back. Then, I will only have to take a few pills every day.

In the meantime, Mom, Dad and Mickey are taking really good care of me. They even opened up our doggie corral so that I can go upstairs during the day when Mom and Dad are at work. So far, I've been good with the change; I don't want to lose my upstairs privileges. :)~

Hopefully, the next time you see me, I will have a beautiful black nose again!

More Birthdays!!!

Hey all!

It's your favorite black doggy that weighs more than 55 pounds that doesn't have a white tuft of hair at the end of her tail (i.e. (that's right I use "i.e.") not Boo or Rogue)- Me! Mulan!!!.

So, mommy and daddy showed me some pix from Auntie Sarah and 'cuzzin to Auntie Sarah' Julianne's birthday party. Auntie Gary hosted the party at her house. She's the one who is dutifully grooming Amber in the photo below. So loving! I groom Mickey like that sometimes.
Here's Julianne about to blow out her candles.
Auntie Sarah blew out her candles quick, and got to opening presents. She gets crazy for presents like I do!
The present opening fever was contagious! Even Noah and Auntie Em got a little crazy!
Here' my daddy-pie. I think he was using the helmet to explain what "OP" stands for. My dad's more than meets the eye, he tells me that himself.
Here's mommy-pie... I think seeing dad wear the Optimus Prime helmet makes her a little skeptical.
Anyhoo, after they came home they treated Mickey and me to a nice spatula licking session. That's right, I'm using this post to call my parents out, they use US to clean their dishes!!! Everyone wins, with our green way of living.
Happy Birthday Auntie Sarah!

Questions for a Pregnant Lady

As I become more noticeably pregnant, I have noticed that I have been bombarded with a swarm of questions about me and my baby. Some of the more common questions I am asked:

How are you feeling? Are you still sick?

I am actually feeling pretty well right now. I haven't had morning (ahem, all day) sickness since March, although I am starting to get the back pains, leg cramps, etc., but I've started prenatal yoga classes to help with the pain.

How far along are you?

23 weeks, or for you lay people, 5 full months, in the beginning on my 6th month.

Wow! You're hardly showing! (okay, I know that's not a question)

Gee, thanks. I am actually very proud of my little belly. Even though I'm "hardly showing", I can't seem to fit into any regular clothes, so I'm stuck in the maternity clothes that are made for women who are 9 months pregnant, some of which fit me as well as a burlap sack, which is probably why you think I'm hardly showing. Give me time.

When are you due again?

September 28.

Where is the baby going to be born?

Palomar Hospital in Escondido.

Are you going to take time off of work after the baby is born?

Of course!

Are you going back to work after the baby is born?

Yes (after my scheduled maternity leave) and so is Darwin.

Have you felt the baby kick yet?

Yes, and it's a wonderful thing! I love feeling my baby kick-I could just sit all day long and feel it kick. We have a routine developed, so there are certain times of day when I know its awake and eagerly await to feel the kicks.

What do the kicks feel like?

Quite honestly, they feel like little bubbles popping in my belly. Not painful at all. It's very reassuring to feel it because then I know the baby is alright.

And, the most frequently asked question:

Do you know what you're having?

Why, yes, yes we do! We weren't sure about finding out at first, but we just decided to find out this week. We went to the doctor yesterday and she confirmed it with an ultrasound-it's a baby! Whew! We are so excited! A baby Bustarde! (Thank God it's not an elephant!) I'm so glad we decided to find out!

English Muffin Mickey!!

At first I was surprised at seeing my likeness in Mom and Dad's english muffin this morning.








Of course, Mom and Mulan were equally impressed.


Actually, I think Mulan just wanted to eat it. Look at her, trying to resist snatching it out of Dad's hand.


I got very excited when Mom and Dad started talking about a new blog about Mickey sightings around the world. Wow! I guess that means I get to travel around the world! As if Dad doesn't take enough pictures of me already!

Then, Dad tried to pass this off as a "natural" Mickey sighting. I guess he's going crazy with all of the watermelon he has had to cut up for Mom lately.









Me and the English Muffin will go down in history. Think I'll make the local 6 o'clock news?

I Felt the Baby for the First Time!

That's right, me! Dar! Well, okay, Missi called me over telling me that she was feeling twinges in her belly a few minutes ago. But she was uncertain. I then used my very cold hand to diligently stake out a portion of her belly waiting for some movement. A second later ... twinge! I felt movement and confidently declared that I felt the baby first.

A few moments before that though it is noteworthy to tell everyone that I too felt some movement in my belly. Missi and I, as a result of our training to obtain our juris doctors, were quickly able to come to the amateur medical conclusion that I am not with child and probably am just hungry for breakfast. (A professional medical opinion would probably be able to tell whether I was particularly jonesing for some pancakes with strawberry compote and cool whip)

Anyhoo over the past 10 or so minutes, Missi felt some more little twinges at varying intervals. Missi thinks that the baby is doing laps in the belly similar to how the hippos at the zoo float around in regular patterns. Swim! Swim like Michael Phelps or Natalie Coughlin!