Peg’s Journal

At the visit to the vet yesterday, we found out that Cookie is about 8-9 weeks old. She’s a Chihuahua and (possibly) Dachshund mix. She’s healthy and flea/worm-free. She got some shots, her nails clipped, and we went home with lots of samples and brochures. We’ve also discovered that she’s quite defensive to strangers and packs a fierce growl and yap!

I just love seeing Ashlyn with Cookie. Ashlyn just oozes love for the pup. She loves to cradle Cookie in her arms and rock her like a baby. She talks, sings, and reads to the pup in a gentle soothing voice. It’s pure sweetness.
Summer, on the other hand, is a different story. She tried to pick up the pup by the neck. She’s constantly chasing after Cookie with a kibble in her hand. Her loud squeals and cackles, sudden movements, and big gestures totally freak the puppy out. Poor Cookie. hehehe

Having a pet is not quite as fun as I remembered it to be. It’s probably because I’m a parent now and not a kid. It’s only been a couple of days and my biggest debacle is potty training. Cookie generously leaves little “gifts” for me all around the house. And because she’s a tiny little thing, her puddles and poos are hard to spot right away. Currently we’re in the midst of getting laminate flooring installed at home, so it’s not a big deal when she goes on the cement floor. But today, the installers worked on the living room and Cookie and I were confined upstairs. I would take her outside every hour or so, but nothing happened. By the end of the day, she went on the carpet FOUR times! I wanted to cry.
My friend suggested the crate-method for potty training. Sounded easy enough, but poor Cookie just wimpered and cried the whole time in the crate. All the wimpering, yapping, and yelping sounded like there was animal cruelty going on at my house. I just couldn’t stand it, and would take her out. Of couse the minute I took her out, she would pee on the carpet or in my arms.

Thoughts of regret and giving her up crossed my mind a dozen times, but I mustn’t give up so easily or quickly. I have to keep reminding myself that it just takes time, some love, and a whole lotta patience. HEEEEELP!

I’m open to any advice…..anything.

Tags: Cookie, kiddies, puppy training

Meet Cookie -the newest addition to our family!
We named her that because she’s tiny and golden and sweet and you just want to gobble her up! That, and the fact that all the other names that the kiddies picked out (ie..Goldielocks, Gingersnaps, and Kellyclarkson) were too long.

We got her yesterday…on a total whim. As we were walking out of Home Depot, the kiddies spotted the cute puppies. We went up to say HI and pet them (as we always do when we see dogs in public). As we were petting them, the smiling owner said with a nod, “$100″. For a second, it went over my head, then I leaned to Aric and whispered, “I think he’s selling them”.
Long story short, we rescued Cookie from a Hispanic couple outside of Home Depot for a hundred bucks. Quite a steal since adopting a pet from the shelter can cost way more. OMG!…what an impulse buy. Goes to show you the lengths I go to for what I consider a good bargain.

Then reality set in….when she peed on me twice during the car ride home. I love dogs, but to be honest, I’m kind of freaking out. What was I thinking taking on such a responsibility?!
In the last 24 hours, she’s been peeing and pooping everywhere, whimpers whenever I leave the room, and wants to be held constantly. I’ve accidentally stepped on her twice already…her yelps alarm me, and I end up falling down myself. I think we just need to get used to having her and being more careful.

I’m taking her to the vet later to find out what type of Chihuahua mix/breed she is. Find out how old she is (lady said nine weeks, but I suspect that Cookie might be younger), and to get her checked out.

Anyhow…we got a new baby in this house and she is absolutely the cutest little thing!

Tags: Cookie, puppy

THANKS for all your very special birthday wishes! These days, getting older is not a cause for celebration….but everyone made me feel so special and blessed. For that, I celebrate. I am so grateful for everyone’s thoughtfulness and love. That’s why I try to make it a priority to remember people’s birthdays….so I can “pay it forward” (although I didn’t do such a good job this year).

Even though all the attention makes me feel self-concious, it was definitely a great excuse to gather with family and friends!

Thursday – Dinner with my in-laws, Patrick, and Karen (who brought along birthday cupcakes from Sprinkles)! YUM!
Friday – Dinner with my hubby, Sue, and kiddies at my most favorite-ist place – Honda-Ya!
Saturday – Grace, Patti, Sue, Grace, and I had dinner at Cafe Flore in Beverly Hills, followed by dessert at Chaya and Pinkberry! It was pure gluttony!

Thanks again to my hubby and Daddys for giving us a night out! *love & big hugs*

Ashlyn: “Because it’s your birthday, I’m going to listen to you today.”
Peg: *smiling* “Well, that’s the best gift I could ever ask for.”
Ashlyn: *proud and smiling*

Tags: Ashlyn, birthday, friends, pictures, weekend, yummy food

Just sharing an old video (taken December 2006):

Every Wednesday evenings we meet with Ed and Olivia for dinner. Sometimes we’ll catch a movie, but we usually end up going to places where the kids can run buck wild.

Not sure where we’re heading tonight, but it should be fun.

Tags: friends, videoclips

Happy Friday! Everyone who knows me has all heard me gripe about not having enough time to myself….but now with both girls at school, I find myself moping around and missing them like crazy. Not that I’m complaining now…it’s just going to take some getting used to. hehehe Wow…it sure is quiet.

I’m happy to say that we’ve survived our first week of school. Actually it’s only been a few of days. hehehe
Ashlyn’s enjoying first grade. She’s making new friends, getting to know her teacher, getting adjusted to the longer school schedule, and gaining more independence (buying lunch). I always worry that she won’t eat enough at school. Ashlyn has always placed playing as a priority over everything else. The first day she bought school lunch, she told me she didn’t get a chance to eat it because she ran out of time. After that, I started packing her a lunch so she wouldn’t have to line up for food. But her lunches come home only half eaten. *sigh* What can I do?…she’s just going to have to learn to take care of herself and manage her own time.

Summer’s transition to preschool has been heart-wrenching (as I anticipated). Unlike her sister, who barely looks back to say goodbye, Summer has been crying every morning…begging to stay home, kicking and screaming as Aric buckles her in the car. She eventually calms down after Aric drops her off (even apologizing to the teacher for crying). The rest of the day goes smoothly though and she comes home happy. But yeah, the mornings are tough.

I’ve been puttering around the house. Cleaning up here and there, but a bit apprehensive to start any BIG cleaning project like organizing the girls’ closets or clearing up Aric’s office, etc… I’m proud to say that the TV is never on when I’m at home. I’m enjoying the silence….the sweet sweet silence.

Anyhow, what’s a pegpower post without pictures? We had such an incredible summer. We spent most of it in NorCal with my family and two weeks touring Japan and Taiwan. I finally uploaded our vacation pictures (ALL 2,188 of ‘em!), and I picked out some to share with y’all.

—-> Highlights of our summer break (warning, it’s still a hefty album). Enjoy!

Tags: Ashlyn, NorCal, pictures, school, Summer, vacation