Sad, sad day...

This weekend was a sad one for me. You see, we decided a few weeks ago that it was time to find Baxter the Bully another home. We were no longer able to give him the attention he so deserved ever since we added one Isabelle (and one yet-to-be-born babe) to the family. I still VERY much love him...the lack of love wasn't the issue. He just didn't get the playtime he used to: tugging (we took this activity away month before Izzy arrived, so as not to promote aggressive behavior around a baby) and walks (winter walks have been scarce, but even summer walks were diminishing...as we'd walk as a family to the pool for the day, sans dogs). This being said, he was a bit depressed and would act out around the house. We knew it was time.

It broke my heart to have to send out word that we were looking for a new family for my first "baby." I still can't talk about it without getting very upset and breaking down. I screened many phone calls and emails until I found several families worthy of meeting Bax. One family adopted another Bulldog before meeting Baxter, another family stood us up (the audacity), the third family was the family we chose, and the fourth family I had to cancel on due to third family's amazing-ness.

Baxter's new family arrived Friday night with their only child: a 2 year old American Bulldog. Their dog looked EXACTLY like Bax...white with brown spots, brown ears, et al. However, their dog was a good foot taller and 30 pounds heavier. Regardless, as soon as the dogs met...the gal had to stop their meeting for a second to wipe her dog's nose, the dog had a cold. What?! (I have to wipe Baxter's butt daily!) They literally wiped her nose during playtime. Then we got cozy and watched the dogs sniff, bark, play, tug and chase. The couples' eyes were wide and their faces were smiling: their dog needed this activity and playmate. My face read the exact same thing. As I got to know the couple better and learned about their lifestyle...I was believing that this was THE family. They have wanted a English Bulldog for years but couldn't afford one. They have been going through infertility for years to no avail. Baxter was my rock (as well as my husband) during the years and months that I cried myself to sleep due to infertility. It just felt right. We spent about 2 hours with the couple and their dog. After lots of tears, I told them they were exactly who we were looking for. And that I knew Bax would be happy with them. I mean, they let their dog on the couch with them....Baxter's dream!!! :)

After some snuggle time and a deep talk with Bax, I spent the entire night bawling on the phone to my sister. Who cried just as hard with me.

I woke Saturday doing things that only mothers who pack their children for overnight camp do: packing all necessities, cataloging health issues, detailing behaviors, writing emergency contacts (read: vet) and crying my eyes out. I wrote a very long letter to the family explaining how Baxter has been through everything in my adult life with me (divorce, single life, marriage, infertility, birth, etc.) and telling them I hope Baxter can bring them as much joy to their lives. I made a cd of pictures: Baxter's parents, his litter, and his 7 years of life. I made one final trip to the pet store to buy all of his favorite bones and toys. And a tug toy. He's going to tug again. He's going to be so happy.

Mike dropped Baxter off, as I didn't have the heart to go. He said that after he unloaded the bed, the toys, the crate, the food...he put Baxter on his leash and handed him off to his new mommy. They walked away and Baxter never looked back...

My mom wrote me a few weeks ago and said some words that are really helping me get through this. She said anyone that knows me knows how much I love Baxter. It's clear. It's written all over me. And that Baxter knows how much I love him.

Here's to a great new life, Bub...I hope you have so much fun and are so loved that you never look back, but always remember how much I love you.

While mom is away...

Tonight we had Molly and Lori come over to babysit Izzy while Mike had a few closings and I had a doctor appointment. Izzy was in her jammies and ready for bed...but with two new playmates at home, she was ALL play and NO sleep! I got home around 7pm and Iz was still awake (her normal bedtime is 6:30) and happy as can be. Molly recently got a (fancy) new camera lens and flash and took almost 400 pictures in the 1.5 hours she was here! Below are some of my faves...enjoy!

It's been a long, long week...

Since last weekend's post, Izzy's fever progressively got worse. It peaked at 105...but remained above 100 for almost 5 days. We learned from her school that Roseola was going around. I referred to my old school pharma days' Dermatology book and sure enough, Roseola starts with an extremely high fever for 5+ days and when the fever breaks, a mild rash becomes present. So we just waited for the rash...which came on Thursday and disappeared the same day. She made her big debut back at school on Friday and is back to eating and playing and her usual self. However, as noted in the above pic, while Izzy was home with daddy sick, she did a lot of sleeping - anywhere from 13-14 hours at night and up to 4-5 hour naps during the day. She was a big cuddler and we soaked it all in.

Izzy's back!
Enjoying some Sunday morning cartoons (thanks to Jen and Mary for the rockstar jammers!)

Izzy loves to snack on Alpha-Bits (note Baxter anxiously waiting for his share in the background)

And she loves to walk around with the box until you give her more!

Saturday night we met our friends, the Fellers, out for dinner at my fave pizza place - HOT BOX (for all Hoosiers, we all know the real name is Pizza Express, but whatev). There were some cheerleaders at the restaurant and the kiddos couldn't keep their eyes off of them (how could you? their skirts were barely covering them!). Love this pic...

Izzy: I want to BE her...

Luke: I WANT her...

Under the weather...

Little Miss Iz has been under the weather all weekend. She came home from school on Friday a different child altogether...almost unrecognizable. Saturday she woke up early coughing and not happy and not eating. Izzy took a 4 hour nap Saturday. When she finally woke up, we did some shopping and then went out to dinner to celebrate Valentine's Day. By day end, our sweet Isabelle was back, but her hunger strike remained. She woke at least 3 times during the night in all-out screaming fits. And again woke on Sunday irritable and denying all things food. Today she took two small naps and fought bedtime. Poor girl must be very uncomfortable :( One thing that made her VERY happy today was to wear her hat and coat around the house. She would scream if we took them off...was a fun game, wish you were here!

P.S. We are pregnant with Baby Mac #2...due in August!!! I'm twelve weeks today and we're over-the-moon to be adding to our family. The best part about our pregnancy...it happened the good-old-fashioned way (read: NO PETRI DISH REQUIRED!!). It truly is a miracle.

Weekend of warm weather and friends...

Izzy & Bax (very) early in the morning
Out for a Sunday stroll

Walking the jogger (oxymoron?)

Think it's time for a larger sweat-suit?
This past weekend was a busy one for the McCullochs. Friday I went out for my friend Lori's 30th birthday. Was soooo much fun to have a girls' night out. Saturday we had a Funster dinner to kick off 2009 with the four couples. And Sunday we enjoyed the beautiful 55 degree weather! It was so nice to get outside and breathe fresh air again...boy, how we miss the summer when we take long walks daily!!!

Sunday afternoon my bestie, Jaime, stopped by with my (homemade) birthday gift. I have always wanted one of these upholstered corkboards but have never wanted to 1. Shell out the money for one and 2. Brave it on my own to make one. And here she not only made one but also added some of my favorite pictures to it! I. Love. It. And her. What would we do without our girlfriends? I know, I wouldn't have had someone to text in the middle of the night while learning to nurse. I cannot believe I have only known her for under two years. Ugh...what did I do for all those years without her? Not have a cute corkboard, that's for sure!

Birthday weekend...

This year's birthday was spent in my most favorite way: with Mikey and Izzy. We watched movies Friday night. Shopped Saturday and then dinner out (all with Iz, of course). And Sunday we went to the indoor water park and then had a bunch of friends over for the Super Bowl.

Izzy didn't take to the water like she did over the summer. Must have something to do with the water temperature...she was used to either being in the sun or being in a 90 degree heated pool. She screamed as soon as Mike put her in, started shaking and all. So Mike did the only think a logical parent would do: he dunked her. The lifeguard (read: 16 year old rookie) gasped and covered her mouth, then immediately looked at me like, "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?!" I smiled and said it was ok, she had been doing the underwater dunks all summer. Regardless, this did NOT make Izzy any happier. There were slides and fountains and water toys galore. None of these appeased Iz. Only when we got out and watched daddy go up and down the huge water slides was Izzy finally happy...warm and wrapped in a towel and mommy's arms. Phew...looking forward to the sunny days of warm pool time!!

Being smooched by daddy
Standing and taking it all in


Blowing kisses

Motor boat, motor boat goes so fast

Tub time fun...

Daddy has fun making Izzy a rockstar in the tub
Izzy loves to stand in the tub...we disagree

Brush-a-brush-a-brush-a

Izzy is truly a water baby...she loves her baths and all the fun activities she can do in the tub. Note the last pic of her trying to swim in the tub...she gets on her belly and kicks her legs! Love it. And please note the toothbrush is still in her mouth while she is attempting this maneuver. Girl has things to do in there!!!